Indian Agriculture

The kharif acreage has exceeded the last year’s level by 78.93 lakh hectares.

The Crop and Weather Watch Group in the Ministry of Agriculture, at its meeting on Friday, noted that the crops were so far sown in 950.22 lakh hectares as against 871.29 lakh hectares in the corresponding period last year.

As per the data received from States, paddy has been sown in 312.42 lakh hectares as compared to 293.24 lakh hectares this day last year, showing an increase of 19.18 lakh hectares. This will give a boost to rice production that had suffered a set back last year on account of drought.

The area under pulses too has gone up by 19.71 lakh hectares this season, while the acreage of coarse cereals is higher by 19.33 lakh hectares. Last year, pulses and coarse cereals production had seen a dip.

The area under oilseeds is 164.99 lakh hectares this year against 159.27 lakh hectares last year, while sugarcane sowing is higher at 47.68 lakh hectares compared to 41.79 lakh hectares.

Cotton is sown in 106.14 lakh hectares this year against 97.7 lakh hectares sown in the corresponding period last year.
Source – Thehindu

India could achieve a record rice production of 100 million tonnes in 2010-11 crop year on the back of better monsoon this year, a top agriculture ministry official said on Friday. The country’s rice production declined to 89.13 million tonnes in 2009-10 crop year (July-June) from record 99.18
million tonnes in the previous year due to severe drought that affected almost half of the country.

“As we get some rice during Rabi season also and going by good rains in August and September, we can reach 100 million tonnes,” Agriculture Secretary P K Basu told reporters.

He noted that so far rains have been conducive and sowing area in all crops, including paddy, are better than last two years. Paddy acreage so far is higher by 12 lakh hectares than last year at 169.71 lakh hectares.

“We have had two major thrust programmes on eastern region of the country (paddy growing areas) and pulses sector. Therefore, I see no reason why production won’t be good,” he said.

Asked whether the country can achieve a record foodgrains production in 2010-11, Basu said: “There is no stage now for estimation of foodgrain production. But going by sowing, it should make us reach our targets”.

In 2009-10, the country’s foodgrains production dropped to 218.2 million tonnes from a record 234.47 million tonnes in the previous year.

The secretary said that pulses acreage had also gone up and therefore the scenario looked positive, though he pointed out that some districts were bound to have some problems as India is a big country.

Source- hindustantimes.com

The ‘pathshalas’ have been started at the block level across the state under the extension programme of the district level Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVKs) for disseminating knowledge of modern farming to farmers on their farms, said deputy director, agriculture, A C Jain. The ‘pathshalas’ would not be convention schools having classrooms.

Jain said that around 136 agriculture scientists posted at the 34 KVKs in the state have been deployed for running ‘pathshalas’ by visiting the agriculture farms to train the farmers directly about modern farming methods.

He said that the field training programme of the farmers has also been christened as ‘Seed to Seed Programme’ which entails imparting training to them in sowing seeds, integrated pest management and harvesting of grains (seeds).
Under this programme, four agriculture scientists posted at every KVK have to visit the agriculture fields at the villages four days a week to impart training to the farmers about modern farming method, use of improved varieties of seeds, and right pest management to get high yield of grains and other agriculture produce.

At the ‘pathshalas’, the farmers are also advised to use particular dose of fertilizer for getting high yield on the farm. The entire exercise involves crop demonstration during which farm inputs, including improved varieties of seeds, are given to the farmers.

During harvesting, experiments are made to make assessment of the crop yield under the ‘Seed to Seed Training Programme’ on the farms.

A field day is organized on the farms to show to the farmers the results of the practice adopted by them on their farms.

At this stage, the farmers learn from their failure or success in getting crop yields on the basis of the practical farming method, Jain added.

China and India, Asia’s largest and third-largest economies, respectively, are preparing the ground for a new avenue in their bilateral ties — that of food management.

Chinese investment in Indian agriculture is likely to follow.

Minister of State for Agriculture KV Thomas held a series of meetings with Chinese food authorities during a “very successful” visit this past week. He also met Han Changfu, the Chinese agriculture minister, and Niu Dum, his deputy.

What India — which is readying its flagship food security law — wants is access to technologies China uses to preserve its grain holdings, the world’s largest, an official said.

“We are keen on cooperation in the food sector. A review meeting on all this is slated for tomorrow,” Thomas told HT on Tuesday.

The road to better relations between Beijing and Delhi could well pass through their farms. The minister scoured food labs and silos in Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong and Dalian, Asia’s largest specialised food handling port.

Things could get off the ground during a return visit by Chinese food experts likely in October.

The technologies for grains that India is eyeing from China’s state administration include power ventilation appliances, computer-controlled temperature measuring systems and recycling fumigation devices, a source said.

Getting a food security law to work will require India to raise both its farm yields and storage space sharply. Inadequate storage space and wastage have stoked food insecurity in the world’s second most populous country despite good harvests.

According to a Planning Commission report, preventable post-harvest losses of foodgrains are about 20 million tonnes a year or 10.5 per cent of India’s total production. Lost grains are keeping millions hungry.

India ranks 66th out of 88 countries on the 2008 Global Hunger Index.

Source – hindustantimes.com

Introduction –

Wheat is the most important food grain crop in India, occupying approximately 230 million ha world over. India is the second largest producer of the wheat with 25 million ha area and 70 million tones production. About one tenth of the global production is from India. Wheat is grown during winter in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. While in northern states it is grown as irrigated crop, in parts of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra it is grown largely under rainfed conditions with little or no irrigation support. In Maharashtra wheat is grown in 7 lakh ha with average productivity of 13.2 q/ha against the national average of about 26.5 q/ha. Out of the 4 species, Triticum aestivum occupies almost 90% of the total wheat area.  

Soil requirement –

Well drained loams and clay loams are ideal for wheat cultivation. However, good crops are raised in sandy loams and black soils also. Soil pH below 6.5 and above 7.8 are not suitable.  

Season and duration –

Being low temperature loving crop, it is grown in winter from end of October to February under rainfed conditions and from middle of November to March/April under irrigated conditions. Total duration of the crop ranges from 110 to 120 days under irrigated conditions and 100-110 days under rainfed conditions.  

Cropping pattern:- 

Wheat is generally taken in winter season, after the intercrop of rice in the high rainfall and assured irrigated areas. In other parts wheat is taken after sorghum, pearl millet, maize, groundnut, Soybean or other legumes (Pulses, beans). Mustard and gram are common intercrops in northern plains while rajgira, mustard and sunflower are common intercrops in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. 

Important Varieties:-

Famous traditional varieties are Sarbati (HD-2189, HD-2278, HD-2380, NI-5439-34, NIAW-34, NIW-301), Lok -1, Sehore (also known as Lahandosh or Chandoshi), “Bansi (HD-4502, N-59, MACS-9) Bakshi, Khapli (Khirisathabh), and “Black Wheat”. All these varieties perform well under organic management and have excellent chapatti making quality. 

Different sets of varieties are also recommended for rainfed, early or late irrigated systems. Under rainfed conditions, N 59, NI 5439-34 (Ajanha), MACS-9, MACS-1967 are common. Early irrigated farms grow Malvika (HD-452), HD-2380, HD 2189, HD 838, MACS 2496, DNR 162, Purna etc. Late season varieties include Sonalika, AKW-381, H1-977, HD-2501 HDM 1553, HI 177, HD 2501, Purna and AKN 1071. 

Export oriented varieties are AB 1554, HD 452 (Malvika) or MACS 2846. 

Seed selection –

While preparing seeds for the next season, collect only the healthiest central tiller-ear and thresh them separately. After thorough cleaning and drying in sun, sieve through appropriate grading sieve to obtain uniformity in size. Ensure that selected seeds are not infected in any form and are free from diseases.  

Managing crop rotation –

As wheat is high nutrient demanding crop it has to be grown in three years rotation. In first year take pure legume crop in kharif season followed by wheat crop (with mustard/rajgira as intercrop) in winter and summer Moong in summer. In the second year take millet as main crop and legume as intercrop (70:30) in kharif and gram as main crop with mustard/ Rajgira as intercrop in Rabi. In the third year take cowpea or soybean as main crop and maize/Jowar as inter crop in kharif and wheat as main crop and mustard/ Rajgira /Methi (for seeds) as intercrop followed by summer Moong (if possible). Incorporation of mixed green manure crops such as Sunhemp, Sesban, cowpea, Moong, cluster bean, Jowar, niger etc (grown for 60 days and incorporated in soil about three week in advance of wheat crop) once in three years during kharif can keep the fertility status of soil at reasonably good level. 

Pre-cultivation practices –

The wheat crop requires a well pulverized, but compact seed bed. After Kharif harvesting, land is ploughed and large soil lumps are softened by harrow or any other suitable tiller. The land should be properly leveled for uniform irrigation. In case of mild slopes, contour cultivation practices should be resorted. One to three ploughing with an interval of 2-3 weeks are essential. Under irrigated conditions the land is provided with pre-sowing irrigation. 

Manuring –

The crop prior to wheat (in kharif) should be provided with sufficient manure (1-2 ton compost), 100 kg rock-phosphate and 2 kg PSB per acre. After the harvest of kharif crop, collect crop residue and keep on bunds in the form of heaps. Ensure that one third of the total residue belong to the legume crops. Drench the residue heap with cow dung – cow urine slurry (50 lit/ton) and Trichoderma viridi (1 kg per ton) culture. 8-10 quintal of FYM/ compost or 5-10 quintal of vermicompost with 2.0 kg PSB should be mixed with the soil at the time of sowing. If the soil is acidic then 500 kg of lime should also be mixed with the compost. Addition of 200-300 kg of concentrated manure (dry chicken manure and crushed oil cakes 1: 1 or any other type) and 150 – 200 kg Neem/ Pongam/ castor/ ground nut cakes by drilling below the seeds will add to the productivity. In areas where termite problem is common addition of Neem leaf/seed manure at 300 kg/acre along with concentrated manure will be beneficial. To increase the availability of phosphorus egg shell manure or BD compost can also be used.  

Seed Treatment –

Before seed treatment, ensure that the seeds are healthy, uniform in size and free from any insect damage or disease. Seeds are first treated with a mixture of Beejamrut and Trichoderma viridi (@1.5kg and 80 gm respectively for every 10kg of seed).Dry the seeds in shade. Again treat the seeds with a mixture of Azotobacter and PSB biofertilisers with 200gm each for 10kg of seeds. Dry the seeds in shade and sow with in 6-8 hrs of treatment. 

Seed rate and sowing –

Seeds are sown 5- 7.5 cm deep, preferably by drilling or behind the plough. Quantity of seed and spacing varies, depending upon the irrigation conditions and time of sowing, as follows: 

• Rainfed – sown during mid of October to end of October, 75 – 100 kg/ha
• Irrigated – sown during 15 November to 05 December 100 kg/ha
• Irrigated late – Sown during 05 December to end of December, 125 kg/ha

      Row to row distance under rainfed and irrigated conditions should be maintained at 22.5 cm. In case of late sowing, row to row distance can be reduced to 15-18 cm. In Maharashtra the tool used for sowing is called ‘Pabhar’. It has three ploughs equipped with iron tips and holes for seeds to pass. The distance between them is 22 cm. The weight of the ‘Pabhar’ is such that the tip of the same penetrates up to 5 to 7.5 cm in the soil. Sowing should be done in wet soil, preferably in north-south direction to harvest maximum sunlight and to utilize maximum amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the plant in the night. 

Under rainfed conditions some farmers sow only 50-70 kg of wheat seeds by broadcasting.  Lower plant population and increased interspaces induce more number of shoots and more yield.  

To maintain biodiversity, 3 kg of maize seeds and 500gm of mustard seeds can be mixed with 100 kg wheat seeds at the time of sowing. Maize plants act as bird perches and attract predatory birds and insects. Mixed cropping of wheat with mustard, Rajgira and Rajma have also been found to be effective and productive. One row of Rajma can be taken on raised bunds after every 8-12 rows of wheat with random mustard plants in each wheat row. Alternatively one row of mustard can be taken after 16 rows of wheat with random plants of Rajgira in wheat rows. Some maize plants either at random or along the boundary will be useful.  

Mulching and surface management –

24-48 hrs after sowing, divide the fields in small plots by raising small bunds, as per the slope. Spread the partly decomposed crop residue of the kharif crop (lying on the bunds) over entire field to act as mulch. Mulching is highly beneficial in nutrient supply and water conservation. It also reduces weed growth. 

Weeding  :-

Weeding is very important during early stages. Under irrigated conditions, minimum of three weeding are necessary, first at 20-25 days, second at 40-45 days and third at 60-65 days. Under rainfed conditions two weeding are essential. Under organic management manual weeding is the most preferred method.  

Soil Fertility Management:-

Application of required quantity of organic manures and mulching of crop residue not only ensure ready availability of nutrients but also encourage intense microbial activity. High availability of crop biomass also encourages the growth of earthworms. Availability of nutrients is ensured by this organic manure-crop biomass – microbial population complex. To hasten microbial population and quick release of different nutrients timely application of Sanjeevak or Amrutpani or Jeevamrut is essential. Out of these three, Jeevamrut is most effective. 500 lit Jeevamrut is to be applied per ha in the soil along with first four irrigations, i.e. after 21, 42, 60 and 75 days of sowing. 

      For appropriate growth of the crop use vermiwash and Gomutra as foliar spray at an interval of 7-10 days from 20 days onward till grain formation stage. Dilute 1lit of vermiwash and 1lit of Gomutra in about 200 lit water for spray over one acre. 
 
 
 

Irrigation

Total water requirement of the wheat crop is 450-650 mm, which need to be provided over first 100 days of crop growth uniformly. Flood irrigation with canal or bore well water is a common practice. A minimum of five to six irrigations are necessary for optimum productivity. Under assured irrigated conditions irrigation is to be provided at an interval of about 10-20 days, starting from 21, 42, 60, 75, 90 and 100 days of sowing. Under rainfed and limited water supply conditions, if only 1 irrigation is available, then provide at 42 days of sowing. If 2 irrigation cycles are available, then provide at 21 and 65 days of sowing and if three irrigations are available then provide at 21, 42 and 65 days of sowing.  
 

Important pests and diseases –

Important insects pests of wheat are termite, Gujhia weevil, cutworms, armyworm, thrips, aphids, shoot fly and stem borer. Among diseases, black, yellow and brown rust, loose smut, kernel bunt, leaf blight and powdery mildew are common.  

Pest Management :-

Habitat management and cultural practices – Biodiversity is a key component in keeping the pest’s population below ETL. Intercropping of mustard and Rajgira and crop rotation with Bajra- wheat-Moong-Jowar- wheat or legumes-wheat-Moong-Bajra/ Jowar + legumes-wheat can effectively check the spread of insect pests.  

Jaggery (10 kg/ ha) applied with 500 lit Jeevamrut attract ants that predate on aphids, thrips and larva. Random planting of maize or installation of about 10-12 bird perches in one ha attract birds that predate on the pests.  

Insect-pest management

Termites

Termites can damage the crop at any stage of crop growth. Problem is more predominant in rainfed areas than irrigated ones. Use of undecomposed FYM under un-irrigated conditions can also increase the chances of termite attack. Use of Neem leaf manure (5 q/ha) or Neem seed manure (1 q/ha) in the soil at the time of sowing can prevent termite attack.  

Gujhia Weevil

Gujhia weevil attack germinating seedlings, resulting into high seedling mortality. Application Neem leaf/seed manure can prevent their attack. 

Army Worms

Caterpillars of this insect feed on plants particularly tender parts during the night and hide during the day time. They also damage leaves and ear-head. Spraying Neem leaf extract (5 kg Neem leaves crushed in boiled water and diluted to 100 liter) can effectively reduce the attack. 

Brown Wheat Mite, Aphids and Jassids

Intercropping of wheat with mustard and safflower (100 gm seed of each mixed with 100kg wheat at the time of sowing) can effectively check the spread of mites. In case of severe attack, ferment 15 lit cow urine, 2 kg cow dung and 15 kg crushed Neem leaves in 100 lit water for 3-5 days. Filter the fermentate and use as foliar spray over one acre. This formulation is safe for natural enemies of pets such as lady bird beetle etc.

Rodent management – Rodents can be controlled by inserting a thorny twig of Acacia up to 1.5 to 2feet in each rat hole over the entire farm can prevent the rat menace. Bird perches (about 10-12/ ha) attract owls at night that feed on rats. Use of horse gram flour balls mixed with cotton thread or flour mixed with cement powder, is very common. Rats readily eat these balls, resulting into blocking of their anus, which results into death. Rats that cannot excrete also get irritated and bite other rats in the hole, forcing them to run away.

Disease management:-

Wheat crop grown organically is generally free from diseases. But diseases that affect conventional farms can appear occasionally during the conversion to organic.

Rusts – Rusts are caused by three different species of the fungi, Puccinia. Brown and yellow rusts are particularly important in the north-western India. Black rust appears quite late in these areas and normally do not cause substantial damage except in wheat fields sown very late. However, black rust appears in severe form in southern, central and eastern India and cause significant damage.

1. Brown-Rust:. The small, round-oval spots (called pustules) of brown rust (caused by Puccinia recondita tritici) develop mainly on the leaves but under severe attack, appear on sheath and stem as well. Bright orange spots appear either in small clusters or irregularly scattered spreads very fast on susceptible varieties during warm and humid environmental conditions. In case of severe attack, plants mature early with poor root development and produce light and shriveled grains. This rust is most widespread in the country and generally the most damaging in many areas.
2. Yellow Rust: This rust is caused by the fungus, Puccinia strciformis. Yellow spots develop mainly on the leaves, but in case of severe attack, spots can also appear on leaf sheaths, stalks and glumes. The spots are oval in shape and lemon-yellow in colour and are formed in long streaks or rows, and smaller than those of brown rust. Appearance of lemon-yellow pustules in rows is characteristic feature of yellow rust. Under severe attack, these rows are not distinct, and large part of the plant gets covered with crowded pustules. Yellow rust is predominant in hills, foot-hills and north-western part of the country where the temperatures are low. In plains it does not cause much damage.
3. Black Rust: Black rust of wheat is caused by Puccinia graminis tritici. The spots occur on stem, leaf sheath, leaves and ear-heads but the stem is often most severely affected. The spots are reddish-brown in colour and elongated in shape. It spreads fast under relatively warmer and humid climate. As the crop matures, dark, black, elongated spots are formed. Black rust, though prevalent all over the country, appears in epidemic forms in the southern, central and eastern India, which are characterized by high temperatures in the wheat growing season.

Management of rusts –

Most effective method for control of rust, is to grow rust-resistant varieties. Biodiversity among wheat cultivars can also effectively check the rust problem. Use 3-4 wheat varieties at a time on each farm. Avoid late sowing or late maturing varieties. To protect the crop from rust infection, spray 5 liters of sour buttermilk mixed with 200 liter of water. Amaranth (chaulai or lal bhaji – a common green leaf vegetable) or Mentha (Pudina) leaf dust can also be used as fine spray (25- 30 gm dry leaf powder per lit of water) to prevent the infection of rusts. Foliar spray of dry leaf extract of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (China rose) can also prevent the rust infection. 
 

Loose Smut:- It is caused by a fungus, Ustiloto tritici. Generally, diseased plants are indistinguishable from the healthy plants before heading, but diseased plans produce heads earlier than healthy plants. However, diseased plants of wheat variety Sonalika (RR-21) can be detected before ear emergence also by a characteristic streaking and yellowing of the flag leaf which starts drying from the tip and later becomes brownish in colour. Flag leaves of diseased plants of Sonalika can easily be seen in the field from a distance. Terminal symptom in all the varieties is the production of black powder in place of wheat grains in the almost every ear of the diseased plant. The black powder is blown to flowers of healthy plants, they infect the mature grain and remains dormant until germination. Infected grains cannot be distinguished superficially from the healthy ones. After wowing these grains, the fungus gets activated and grows inside the seed first behind the growing point, keeping pace with apex of the growing shoot. As the ear formation starts, there is an accumulation of the fungus in the floral parts, which get completely destroyed due to formation of the black powder. 

Use of resistant varieties is the best option under organic farming. Also as the disease is seed borne the use of disease free seed can prevent its occurrence.  In case of doubt, treat the seed with 5%Vermiwash. 

For seed production, visit the field daily for early symptoms of disease. Uproot infected plants and burn them before their spores are dispersed. Solar heat treatment of seeds in hot summer areas of plains can kill the pathogen to a great extent. On a bright sunny day in the last week of May or first week of June, soak the seeds in water for about 4 hours in the morning and then dry it under hot sun in the afternoon. Store the well-dried seeds for use in next season. The seed soaking activates the dormant fungus in the seed and heat of the sun kills it. 

Bunt:- Kernal bunt is a common problem in northern India, in all the commercial varieties of wheat, but the disease is rare in traditional ones. The disease reduces both quantity and quality of wheat. Flour prepared from wheat with more than 3 % infected grains smells fishy and is unsafe for consumption. This disease is caused by fungus Neovossia indica. The disease can be recognized only after the grains have developed. A portion of the grain along its groove is converted into a black powdery mass, which gives a foul smell. In a plant hill, all the ears are not affected and in an ear only few grains are infected. 

Growing resistant varieties is best option. Other precautionary and control measures are as follows:.

1. Avoid planting highly susceptible varieties like HD-2009 (Arjun), UP-319, WL-711 and HD-1982 (Janak) in the Tarai areas- Himalayan foothills.
2. Use disease free seeds. Pre-treat seeds with 5%Vermi-wash
3. Use of Mustard flour 1 kg and milk 5 liters mixed with 100 liter water as foliar spray.
4. Avoid continuous cropping of wheat in the same field. Practice field sanitation and deep ploughing in summer.
5. Avoid excessive irrigation particularly during ear formation.

Harvesting :- 

Harvesting is to be done when the ears are sufficiently dry and grains have approximately 15% moisture. Except some parts of Punjab and Haryana, wheat is harvested manually and threshed by wheat threshers. In some area bullocks are also used for threshing. Sometimes cutter wheels are also used for crushing wheat plants and separating wheat from chaff. In some parts of Punjab and Haryana combined harvester does all these operations in one go. But in this process recovery of grain is less and the straw is spread over the field.

Yield :-

About 40-50 quintals of wheat is produced organically per ha, equal to the chemical method, but on a continued basis while the chemical method has declining yield. 

Economics :-

Wheat gets price of Rs. 600-900/- per quintal to the farmer. This implies Rs. 25,000/- to 45,000/- income per ha. The input cost of Rs. 15,000/- to 20,000/-: (a) seeds Rs. 4,000/-, (b) biofertilizers Rs. 2,000 to 4,000/-, (c) biopesticides Rs. 1,000 to 2,000/- (d) labor Rs. 5,000 to 8,000/-. costs, the profit is Rs. 10,000/- to 30,000/- per ha.  

Storage :-

Mix 0.5 % strong pepper powder in the wheat to protect it from the beetles. Cow dung or 2 % Neem powder protects the stored wheat from grubs and other pests. 

Marketing :-

Organic wheat is sold in 5-10 or 15 kg packs after certification and branding in cities. Certification expenses are about Rs. 600/- per ha, or Rs. 150/ha if subsidized by the government. Group certification b y 200 or more farmers in neighboring 2-3 villages can cost hardly Rs. 50/- per ha. 

New challenges and Methods :- 

Varieties Raju 1555, HD 4502 (Malvika) and MACS 28 & 6. Export oriented wheat is the new and rising market demand. Bansi, Bakshi etc. varieties yields tough grain with 11-15 % protein, which is in high demand for bakery products especially bread, or durum wheat. The “Sarbati” (aestivum) and “Khapli” (dicoccum) varieties are in demand nationally to make Chapati and Biscuits respectively. For, the latter has more protein and less starch.  

Wheat cropping after short duration Pigeonpea is suggested by ICRISAT (Dahiya et al, 2001) as a sustainable option to the rice-wheat rotation that is has declining productivity across the last few decades. Similarly, the Punjab State Federation of Cooperative Sugar Mills Ltd. (SUGARFED, 2004 and FICCI, 2004) is promoting wheat-sugarcane rotation for better mutual yield.