Download - Conservation Agriculture Ppt
Study of integrated Conservation Agriculture models for
sustainability in the rainfed areas of Madhya Pradesh
Submitted to:
AKRSP-I (Aga Khan Rural Support Program -India)
Conservation Agriculture Modern farming concept for resource-saving
agricultural crop production and aims to achieve acceptable profits and sustainable production together with conservation of the environment
Continuous minimum mechanical soil disturbance (minimum tillage)
Permanent organic soil cover (surface mulch) Diversified crop rotations for
annual crops or plant associations
for perennial crops
Problems in traditional farming practices: Leads to reduction of soil organic matter in the
long run Soil erosion Loss of biodiversity i.e. destruction of
biological life Increasing cost of cultivation
Soil erosion due to tillage operations and surface runoff
Advantages of Conservation Agriculture: Provides a sustainable production system Stabilizes the soil moisture and temperature in the
surface layers ie Improved infiltration and retention of soil moisture
Habitat for a number of organisms Reduction of the production costs, reduction of
time and labour Reduce surface runoff and thus reduce soil erosion Increased humus formation.
Objectives of the study: Objective 1. Cost benefit analysis of the CA model with respect to different growing models of the Dedtalai cluster
Objective 2. To analyze the existing practices followed by the farmers in both the clusters
Objective 3. To analyze the reasons of farmers’ dropout from Khalwa cluster
Objective 4. Analyze the reviews of farmers of both the clusters
Methodology: Census or population study Khalwa cluster there are 11 new farmers and 5 dropout
farmers Dedtalai cluster there are 22 farmers which include both
new and existing farmers
Sources of data collection:
Primary Sources of Data Collection: Informal Discussion Transect walk Structured Interview
Secondary Sources of Data Collection: AKRSP-I (Aga Khan Rural Support Programme-
India) Internet
Cost Benefit Analysis of Dedtalai cluster
Considered cultivation area as 1 acre. (1 acre= 4046.8 m2) CBA of maize only i.e. rabi season crop Input cost includes:
Cost of seeds (quantity and price) Cost of manures and fertilizers (quantity and price) Cost of pesticides (quantity and price) Irrigation expenses Machinery equipment expenses(tractor, power tiller,
thresher, ploughs etc)
CONT.. Cost of labours Transportation charges Bullock labour charges
Output cost includes: Revenue of seeds sold Revenue of fodder or byproducts if any
Total profit obtained is Rs. 922.50 in case of traditional farming practice.
Total profit obtained is Rs. 6,432.50 in case of CA.So we can see that there is an extra profit of Rs. 5,510 (Rs. 6,432.50-Rs. 922.50) for doing Conservation Agriculture practices
Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) ignoring the opportunity cost of labours, bullock labour cost, and mulching materials cost.
Total profit obtained is Rs. 1,122.50 in case of traditional farming practice.
Total profit obtained is Rs. 6,582.50 in case of CA. So we can see that there is an extra profit of Rs. 5,460 (Rs.
6,582.50-Rs. 1,122.50) for doing Conservation Agriculture practices ignoring opportunity cost of labours, bullock labour cost and mulching materials cost.
Existing practices followed by the farmers:
Rating scale: Soil disturbance while farming Amount and type of mulching Intercropping/ cover crop Soil erosion in traditional practices Soil compaction in case of CA and traditional Destruction of biological life in traditional practices Approach of the organization Sowing practice i.e. sowing done before mulching or other
such practices
A very few of the farmers were following the techniques of CA properly
Other farmers who are not following properly should be trained and guided properly by the organization staff
Farmers not clear about the objectives of conservation agriculture Need constant guidance to follow the principles of CA Farmers’ perception: only mulching required in CA Most of the existing farmers lethargic, least cared in this current
season
Reasons of farmers’ dropout from Khalwa cluster No adequate irrigation was available, water runoff due
to undulating land surface Crops were destroyed and consumed by wild animals
from the forest, the field being adjacent to the forest, deer, wild boars, moles, monkeys destroyed the crop
Selection of experimental plot adjacent to the forest was wrong
Selection of experimental crop like gram/chickpea was also wrong
Less interest from farmers’ side
Farmers’ plot adjacent to the forest
CA PLOTS
FOREST
Reviews of farmers of both the clusters Most of the farmers have noticed the changes between CA
and traditional techniques of farming Less irrigation was required in rabi crops Soil in case of CA was able to retain more moisture than
traditional soil Revival of biological life i.e. earthworms
Challenges: Initial lack of knowledge No blueprint available for conservation agriculture, as all agro-
ecosystems are different Farmers from korku tribe and have a primitive mindset over
traditional farming Number of cattle in farmers house Farmers fear snakes and other harmful insects and animals that
make shelter below the mulching Farmers need immediate results of any new technique introduced
to them
Recommendations: Farmers can have a field visit among themselves so that they
can observe the differences of the plots and from there they can learn about their faults if any
Farmers can be shown videos related to Conservation Agriculture of different places to motivate them
Regularly motivate the farmers regarding the various advantages of this model of farming to change their mindset over the years
Need farmers who are exceptional in their performance so that they can take a pioneer leadership in spreading awareness of sustainable agricultural practices among the other farmers
Continue experimentation on the farmers plot with his involvement so that he could learn from it
Thank You..