Revitalization of Rivers in India Draft Policy - Isha Guru Jaggi Vasudev

Revitalization of Rivers In India
Draft Policy Recommendation
/minimize labor requirements during peak harvest time, thereby reducing
farmer stress. Horticulture-based multi-tier fruit crops have been
assumed to be selected in a way that is specific to the concerned agroclimatic
region so as to maximize the solar insolation, thus increasing the
yield capacity of the proposed model.
MULTI-PURPOSE TREE PLANTATION ON THE EAST-WEST BORDER FOR FRUIT,
FODDER, TIMBER AND MULCH NEEDS
The multi-purpose tree plantation on the east-west border acts as a
wind break, providing stability to the micro-climate in the fruit crop area,
and also enhancing the overall plant diversity. It also provides the farmer
income insurance in the long-term through sale of timber. The fodder
crop plantation on the boundary will fulfill the fodder requirement for the
livestock. Herbal and mulch shrubs/trees on the north-south border, will
be used for bio-input preparation and also to provide additional mulch.
INTER-CROPPING OF BANANA, PAPAYA, VEGETABLE, CHILIES FOR
GENERATING INCOME IN INITIAL YEARS
The intercrops generate income during the initial few years when the
horticulture crops are in gestation, thereby partially offsetting the initial
loss of income for farmers. The specific crops used should be selected
based on water availability, among other factors.
THE MODEL ASSUMES USE OF DRIP IRRIGATION
Given the shortage of water per se, the model assumes mandatory
use of drip irrigation so as to ensure maximum water-use efficiency. More
crop per drop through micro-irrigation, and moisture retention through
mulching is one of the key features of this model. The drip system ensures
increased water-use efficiency in all horticultural crops by maintaining
optimum soil moisture, with concurrent improvement in yield and quality
of produce across crops. The effect of this is discussed in the mandatory
micro-irrigation ecosystem conditions.
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