Four Seasons of Learning and Engaging Smallholder Farmers - icrisat
Four Seasons of Learning and Engaging Smallholder Farmers - icrisat
Four Seasons of Learning and Engaging Smallholder Farmers - icrisat
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The existing seed storage unit <strong>and</strong> threshing-cum-drying yard at ZARS, Hiriyur, UAS-Bangalore, was<br />
strengthened <strong>and</strong> used for various seed production activates. The research station <strong>of</strong> UAS-Dharwad at<br />
Bagalkot district has also been strengthened with infrastructure facilities for Seed production. Fresh<br />
plant threshers were purchased <strong>and</strong> seed storage godown facility is extended. The threshing <strong>and</strong> drying<br />
yards <strong>and</strong> storage godown were strengthened with cement concrete at ARS-Raichur.<br />
At five centers <strong>of</strong> NARS, two in Tamil Nadu <strong>and</strong> three in Karnataka, small-scale seed productionprocessing-storage<br />
facilities <strong>of</strong> about 500 – 1000 MT are facilitated under the project implementation.<br />
Storage godowns are repaired or extended to increase the capacity <strong>and</strong> quality <strong>of</strong> storage. Fresh plant<br />
threshers have been procured at all the four centers to enable large scale stripping <strong>of</strong> pods in seed<br />
production plots. The drying floors are also strengthened with cement concrete to enable optimum<br />
drying <strong>of</strong> pods which enhances the longevity <strong>and</strong> viability <strong>of</strong> seed.<br />
Seed Production <strong>of</strong> Breeder, Foundation, Certified <strong>and</strong> Truthfully-Labeled Seed<br />
During the project period a total <strong>of</strong> 159.09 MT <strong>of</strong> Nucleus/Breeder seed is produced in both the states;<br />
19.07 MT <strong>of</strong> Nucleus seed, <strong>and</strong> 97.60 MT <strong>of</strong> Breeder seed are produced in Tamil Nadu <strong>and</strong> 42.42 MT<br />
<strong>of</strong> breeder seed is produced in Karnataka (Tables 2-14, 2-16 <strong>and</strong> 2-17).<br />
Tamil Nadu<br />
Two seed systems were implemented. In Nammakal district, the PDKV model was promoted. In PDKV<br />
model, 2 kg pods <strong>of</strong> improved varieties were distributed to farmers, who multiply them two seasons to<br />
produce 20 kg in first season, <strong>and</strong> then 200 kg at end <strong>of</strong> second season. This 200 kg pod is sufficient to<br />
raise a crop in 1 ha field in the third season. The cycle is repeated with 2 kg <strong>of</strong> selected pods from 3 rd<br />
season. Self-sufficiency in seed is attained by the farmers through PDKV.<br />
A second model <strong>of</strong> informal system has been adopted in Erode <strong>and</strong> Thiruvannamalai districts <strong>of</strong> Tamil<br />
Nadu, where seed production is taken up in a village from the basic seed supplied by the University.<br />
The seed procurement could then be done by traders or farmers directly. <strong>Farmers</strong>’ associations <strong>and</strong> nongovernmental<br />
organizations could be involved in organizing seed production or seed procurement for<br />
distribution.<br />
Progress <strong>of</strong> Phase 1<br />
29