Livelihood Augmentation in Rainfed Areas - Development Support ...

of farmers and researchers in these four cases. The first two involved simple validation
of farmers’ traditional practices. The next two went beyond validation to add value to
the traditional knowledge and innovations.
Table 8.2: Examples of Farmer-led Participatory Research in Western India
Farmer’s Innovation/
Knowledge
Use of milk to control
various viral diseases of
crop plants by treating
seedlings with raw milk
before transplanting
Formal
Researchers/
Scientists
Dr N L Vyas and
Arun Kumar
124 Livelihood Augmentation in Rainfed Areas: Volume I
Institution Nature of research
Central Arid Zone
Research Institute,
Jodhpur, Rajasthan
River basin treatment Dr R N Athwale Retired scientist
with traditional water
of the National
harvesting structures,
Geophysical
leading to the revival of
Research Institute,
five rivers in the Aravalli
hills
Hyderabad
Design of johads— Dr S C Mahnot College of
traditional micro-water and P K Singh Technology and
harvesting systems
Agricultural
Engineering,
Rajasthan
Agricultural
University, Udaipur
Local meteorological Dr P R Kanani Gujarat Agricultural
knowledge used by
University,
local experts for annual
prediction of monsoon,
used extensively by
farmers of Saurashtra
for crop planning
Junagadh Campus.
Scientific validation on
Leaf Curl Virus in chilli
crop with the help of
on-farm trials showed
better results than
conventional chemical
treatments.
Scientific validation
and explanation
Value addition by
developing improved
low-cost designs for
a variety of microclimates
and local
material
Validation and
value addition,
establishment of
a network of local
meteorologists, who
coordinated their
efforts with the
University and made
joint predictions based
on observations from
different sites.