Current Science

Anup Das ¹, R. K. Singh ¹, G. I. Ramkrushna ¹, Jayanta Layek ¹, A. K. Tripathi ¹, S. V. Ngachan ¹, B. U. Choudhury ¹, D. P. Patel ², D. J. Rajkhowa ¹, Debasish Chakroborty ¹, P. K. Ghosh ³

Affiliations
1 ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam 793 103, IN
2 ICAR-National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management, Baramati 413 115, IN
3 ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi 284 003, IN

Abstract

The north eastern region (NER) of India receives bountiful rains (>2000 mm) annually. However, there is extreme water scarcity during post- and premonsoon season (November-March). In such a situation, roof water harvesting (RWH) holds promise for multiple livelihood opportunities. RWH unit with polyfilm lined water collection tank of 37 m³ storage capacity (i.e. 5.5 x 4.5 x 1.5 m³) was demonstrated at 11 farmers fields mostly on hill tops in the Ri-Bhoi district (Meghalaya). The average demonstration area was 500 m²/farmer in the vicinity of homesteads (kitchen gardens). Volume of water harvested in a collection tank was about 53 m³ including about 16 m³ harvested during dry season due to seasonal replenishment. The cost of water harvesting was estimated at about Rs 144 and Rs 119/m³ considering lifespan of five and ten years respectively. Farmers used harvested water for diversified activities such as raising crops [maize, broccoli, French bean, laipatta (Brassica juncea), tomato, etc.] and livestock (pig or poultry) in addition to domestic use. The farmers without RWH could use land only during rainy season for crop cultivation. On an average, the net income from each RWH based model (500 m² demonstration area) was Rs 14,910 for crop + piggery and Rs 11,410 for crop + poultry farming which was 261 and 176% higher, respectively than the normal farmers' practice. Similarly, employment and water use efficiency enhanced by 221 and 586%; and 168 and 218% under crop + piggery and crop + poultry based farming respectively.

Keywords

Jalkund, Multiple Use of Water, NER Hills, Rain Water Harvesting, Silpaulin.

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S. K. Bal ¹, P. S. Minhas ¹, Yogeshwar Singh ¹, Mahesh Kumar ¹, D. P. Patel ¹, J. Rane ¹, P. Suresh Kumar ¹, P. Ratnakumar ¹, B. U. Choudhury ¹, N. P. Singh ¹

Affiliations
1 ICAR-National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management, Malegaon, Baramati, Pune 413 115, IN

Abstract

Vulnerability of agriculture to climate change is becoming increasingly apparent in recent years. During 2014 and 2015, India experienced trails of unusually widespread and untimely hailstorm events. The increased frequency of hailstorm events, especially in vulnerable ecosystem of Deccan Plateau region of India demanded appropriate measures to minimize adverse impact on agricultural crops. Therefore some of the post-hail measures including nutritional supplement, plant bio-regulators and canopy management were evaluated in field trials conducted at Maharashtra, India during 2014 and 2015. Amongst these, pruning of the hardy and indeterminate eggplant crop induced effective branches, which produced more flowers and fruits. Nitrogen supplemented with urea drenching and stress alleviating effects of salicylic acid promoted recovery in maize while drenching with humic acid along with spraying of potassium nitrate improved productivity of onion. These studies indicate the potential of technological interventions to cope with extreme events such as hailstorms.

Keywords

Bio-Regulators, Canopy Management, Crop Recovery, Hail-Damaged Crops, Nutritional Supplements.

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