Studies on Policy Option for Quality Seed Production and ... - NFPCSP

Table 4.2.27 Men, women and children’s participation in wheat seed production activitiesParameter Male (%) Female (%) Child (%)Land preparation 100 0 0Plowing 100 0 0Seeding 100 0 0Birds beating 30 0 70Fertilizing & Manuring 100 0 0Irrigation 100 0 0Weeding 40 60 0Roughing 100 0 0Rat control 60 30 10Harvesting 70 30 0Carrying 40 60 0Threshing 50 50 0Winnowing 20 80 0Drying 80 5 15Seed preservation 30 70 0Seed sale 90 10 04.2.31 Wheat production packagesThe existing wheat production packages as mentioned by the farmers are described as follows.Land and soil type: In the study village, all cultivable land is of high and medium topography,covering sandy loam soil and wheat is cultivated in the high and medium high lands.Land preparation and seed sowing: For wheat cultivation, farmers start ploughing the land in 2 ndweek of November and continue up to the last of November. They plough land 2-3 times with PowerTiller. Farmers sow the seeds a week or two weeks after starting of ploughing the land i.e. from 25November to 7 December. Generally they broadcast the seeds at the rate of 150-185 kg/ha. About 5%of the farmers sow seeds in line. They prepare furrow (10-15 cm apart) using old plough. In case of linesowing, farmers use 135-150 kg/ha seeds. When seed germination fails, most of the farmers sow seedsagain particularly when the germination failure is higher. In case of less damage (failure), they allow togrow and take proper management, which might enhance tillering to compensate. If the failure of seedgermination is due to shortage of soil moisture, farmers wait for 10-15 days after sowing and thenirrigate. After irrigation seeds germinate.Source of seed: About 60% farmers use their own seeds, 40% farmers use purchased seeds of whichonly 15% purchase from seed dealer and 25% purchase from market (other farmers’ seeds). Farmerscollect the seeds of old varieties if their own seeds are damaged. Most of the farmers collect seeds fromseed dealers or neighbours 1-2 days before sowing. Some collect seeds 7 days before sowing. Farmersconfirm the seed quality by observing shininess, boldness, spot-free and dry. In most cases, good seedsdepend on the source. Some of the farmers do germination test, but most of them do not.Manure and fertilizer use pattern: Most of the farmers apply cow dung/compost after 1 st ploughingin various amounts, ranging from 4 - 4.25 t/ha. They use their own cow dung or purchase if needed.They use chemical fertilizers at the rate of 60-35-37-95-3 kg/ha of urea-TSP-MP-Gypsum-Borax before