Current Science

S. K. Dubey ¹, R. R. Burman ², J. P. Sharma ², K. Vijayaragavan ², V. Sangeetha ², Ishwari Singh ², H. S. Gupta ²

Affiliations
1 Zonal Project Directorate, Zone IV, Rawatpur, Kanpur 208 002, IN
2 Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, IN

Abstract

Action research on validating the linkages with post offices in the dissemination of farm technology was done. Post offices and their personnel (50) at the district, block and villages levels in Sitapur district, Uttar Pradesh, were contacted. Organizational analysis of Indian Postal Department helped identify the scope for entering into linkages for the Indian Agricultural Research Institute. Seeds of improved varieties were disseminated and different possible dissemination modes were experimented. The trend analysis of post office works showed sharp decline (about 50%) in the mail and delivery of ordinary post. Similarly, the sale of postal stamp and revenue stamp had declined to the same extent. The collaborative activities through tie-ups with other agencies like SBI, ICICI, mutual fund agencies, Oriental Insurance, etc. had increased (15-20%), which provided the opportunity for establishing linkages. Up to summer/zaid 2013, more than 1900 farmers under 18 post offices in five states covering 181 villages have been reached through this innovative technology dissemination model. The major crops included in the programme are wheat, paddy, pigeon pea, bajra, mustard, bottle gourd, pumpkin and okra. The farmer-to-farmer diffusion of improved variety of wheat was found to be 32 times of the total area originally covered by seed quantity disseminated through post offices. The cost sharing and capacity building of farmers and post office personnel were the other innovative interventions to make the linkages more successful. Based on the experiences and lessons learnt, future action plans have been suggested.

Keywords

Collaborative Activities, Farm Technology, Post Offices, Variety Dissemination.

Full Text

   

R. N. Kharwar ¹, S. K. Dubey ¹, J. Pandey ¹, L. C. Rai ¹

Affiliations
1 Centre of Advanced Study in Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, IN

Abstract

No Abstract.

Full Text

   

A. K. Singh ¹, S. Kala ¹, S. K. Dubey ¹, V. C. Pande ², B. K. Rao ², K. K. Sharma ³, K. P. Mahapatra ³

Affiliations
1 Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute, Research Centre, Chhalesar, Agra 282 006, IN
2 Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute, Research Centre, Vasad 388 306, IN
3 ICAR Research complex for NEH Region, Shillong 793 001, IN

Abstract

The present study evaluated bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus) based resource conservation in the Yamuna ravines at Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute, Research Centre, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. Ravine lands are highly degraded dry lands and 3.97 m ha area is affected by ravines in India. One ravine micro watershed of 2.8 ha area was planted with two rows of bamboo in staggered manner as vegetative barrier for the analysis of hydrological and economic aspect of bamboo plantation. Hydrological results showed that runoff has been reduced from 9.6% to 1.8% and soil loss from 4.2 to 0.6 t/ha/year in the last 4 years. Based on bamboo growth performance, average value of culm height and culm collar diameter have been recorded as 3.80 m and 22.50 mm, the value of average crown size and number of culms per clump being 3.93 m and 18 numbers respectively. Further, the soils under bamboo plants improved in terms of decreased pH and enhanced soil organic carbon. The economic analysis suggested a cash outflow of Rs 48,000 ha^-1 from 7th year onwards to the stakeholders in the region, in addition to the benefits accrued to society at large in terms of value of nutrient (Rs 2125-5555 ha^-1) saved through soil conservation. This study recommends bamboo plantation for productive and protective utilization of such degraded lands. It also suggests that the high cost of establishment for individual stakeholders can be met through subsidies and banks' financial inclusion programme in developing countries such as India. Further, public funding can also be routed through appropriate budgetary provisions in development plans of corporate entities involved in the rural development in the country.

Keywords

Bamboo Plantation, Degraded Land, Economic Analysis, Financial Analysis, Ravines.

Full Text

   

A. K. Singh ¹, S. K. Dubey ², Uma Sah ³, Lakhan Singh ⁴

Affiliations
1 Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi 110 001, IN
2 ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Kanpur 208 002, IN
3 ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur 208 024, IN
4 Division of HRD and Training, ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Dehradun 248 195, IN

Abstract

In developing countries, the major role of agricultural extensions is to disseminate farm technologies developed by the public funded research organizations, through demonstrations, field visits and farmers' meetings or through media and others. Earlier, the extension personnel were involved in technology diffusion, but in the last two decades, the nature of agricultural technology design and integration is drawing attention of the extension professionals and practitioners across the globe. In India, different models for transfer of farm technology have been tested and also robust extension education approaches have been validated. Furthermore, the frontline extension system of the country has been sharpened through more farmer-centric approaches for technology adaptation and dissemination. Globally too, the adjustment in public extension system is seen. Using China and USA as case studies, we highlight the changes the public extension system has undergone. The operational paradigm of the country's extension system has been suggested to move beyond technology and beyond commodity through ensured reciprocal farmer-research-extension linkages.

Keywords

Adaptation, ATMA, Extension Delivery System, Frontline Extension System.

Full Text

   

S. K. Dubey ¹, U. S. Gautam ¹, J. P. Sharma ², A. K. Singh ³, Uma Sah ⁴

Affiliations
1 ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Kanpur 208 002, IN
2 ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, IN
3 Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi 110 012, IN
4 ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur 208 024, IN

Abstract

The use of the word 'extension' has its ischolar_main from an educational development in England during the second half of the 19th century. Around 1850, discussions began in the two ancient universities of Oxford and Cambridge about how they could serve the educational needs, nearer to learners' homes, of the rapidly growing populations in the industrial urban area. The notion of 'extending' relevant and useful information to the adult population at large, predates the university extension movement for its overt use.

Full Text

   

S. P. Singh ¹, M. Sanwal ², V. P. Dimri ³, S. K. Dubey ⁴

Affiliations
1 Lives at 195-Phase I, Vasant Vihar, Dehradun 248 006, IN
2 Lives at House No. 204, Sector 15A, Noida 201 301, IN
3 University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500 007, IN
4 Lives at A-30C, DDA Flats, Munirka, New Delhi 110 067, IN

Abstract

We analyse here achievements of DST’s Climate Change Programme run by a small team of science administrators. The programme was run in a campaign mode in which DST science administrators not only made several young scientists interested in the programme, but also played a role of co-partner in developing the project concept and plans. The main features of the programme are: (i) several young scientists have taken lead role in carrying out research in climate change; (ii) creation of research networks; (iii) a remarkable rise in quality research papers; (iv) training of over 35,000 personnel, and (v) a marked change in the style of running a programme in which DST science administrators, committee members and researchers worked together with more trust and understanding, involving frequent interactions.

Full Text

   

D. K. Pandey ¹, P. Adhiguru ², S. Vimla Devi ³, Shivani Dobhal ¹, S. K. Dubey ⁴, T. S. Mehra ¹

Affiliations
1 College of Horticulture and Forestry, Central Agricultural University (I), Pasighat 791 102, IN
2 Division of Agricultural Extension, KAB-I, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi 110 012, IN
3 ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi 110 012, IN
4 ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Kanpur 278 002, IN

Abstract

The narrowing of diversity in crop species contributing to the world’s food supplies has been considered a potential threat to food security. The present study quantifies crop species diversity in controversial shifting cultivation system (SCS) using primary data from 52 villages spread across six North-Eastern (NE) hill states of India. The findings reveal that SCS is much diversified compared to settled cultivation system. Along with cereals, millets and pulses, the upland tribes grow a variety of horticultural crops on SC land. At the aggregate level, horticultural crops in the sampled states were observed to be much diversified and the mean diversification index value was found to be 0.79 (Simpson’s Diversity Index) for the six NE hill states on SC land. The present study documented 25 cultivars of vegetables, 22 cultivars of fruits, spices and plantation crops, and 12 field crops in SCS, besides many minor fruits and underutilized vegetables. However, the most densely populated crop species were rice, maize and finger millet in the case field crops. Vegetable crops included pumpkin, potato and ash gourd, and fruit crops included banana, pineapple and citrus, while spices like ginger, chilli and turmeric were densely cultivated on SC land. Thus, the prevailing crop species in SCS had their own attributes, performances and challenges. Experiences of the present study shall be the guiding benchmark for those who negate the possibilities of agrobiodiversity in SCS.

Keywords

Agrobiodiversity, Crop Diversity, Upland Tribes, Shifting Cultivation.

Full Text

   

D. K. Pandey ¹, P. Adhiguru ², Uma Sah ³, N. Devachandra ¹, S. K. Dubey ⁴, Chandra Deo ¹

Affiliations
1 College of Horticulture and Forestry, Central Agricultural University, Pasighat 791 102, IN
2 Division of Agricultural Extension, Krishi Anusandhan Bhavan-I, ICAR, New Delhi 110 012, IN
3 ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur 278 002, IN
4 ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Kanpur 278 002, IN

Abstract

Natural environmental settings, in general, are considered by humans as the ideal ambience which makes them happy and reinvigorated especially within their mental realm. If this is the case, can we assume that all green spaces are synonymous to augmenting happiness? Biodiversity is expressed in terms of a system having number and abundance of different species. For resilience of various ecosystem services like food production, climate regulation, and pest management to take place, prevalence of such biodiversity is essential which can substantially contribute to sustained human well-being. In this study, we assessed the status of agrobiodiversity and subjective well-being of an indigenous community amidst the transition from shifting cultivation (SC) to monoculture of natural rubber (NR). Sampling the respondents from 18 villages of Dhalai, Tripura, a remotely located district in northeast India and bordered by Bangladesh, we used mixed methods research for in depth investigation. Findings revealed that in the SC landscape of study area, the cultivated crop species and livestock breeds were being largely replaced by encroachment from rubber plantation. We documented only 19 crop species on such a landscape which is otherwise known for its vast agrobiodiversity in the tropics. This kind of transition from SC to NR which is usually supported by the government development interventions, has severely affected the ecosystem services of such landscapes and banishing happiness from the indigenous communities, as perceived by them. Hence stabilization of rich agrobiodiversity and simultaneously ensuring the peoples’ well-being is the only potential alternative for development in the region.

Keywords

Agrobiodiversity, Indigenous Community, Northeast India, Rubber Plantation, Shifting Cultivation Landscape.

Full Text

   

A. K. Tripathi ¹, S. K. Dubey ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Agronomy, Banda University of Agriculture and Technology, Banda 210 001, IN
2 ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Kanpur 208 002, IN

Abstract

Addressing the emerging challenges of agriculture demands reorienting the agricultural education in general and agronomy education in particular. Crop husbandry has been evolving constantly, although academically and, for different operational purposes, agronomy science and academia have remained far more static than they should have been. This note emphasizes that the science of agronomy must include all the important aspects of crop management so that agronomists/students can attain better comprehension in wider perspective so that the goal of agronomy can be realized in the current context of changing crop husbandry.

Keywords

No Keywords.

Full Text