ILLUSTRATION BY Ms Kanyika Kini
ORGANIC RICE PRODUCTION
A CASE STUDY IN TAMIL NADU, INDIA
by Oswald Quintal, P. Ramadass, and V. Santhi
Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific
in collaboration with
Kudumbam – LEISA Network, Tamil Nadu, INDIA
ii
ILLUSTRATION BY Ms Kanyika Kini
ORGANIC RICE PRODUCTION
A CASE STUDY IN TAMIL NADU, INDIA
by Oswald Quintal, P. Ramadass, and V. Santhi
Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific
in collaboration with
Kudumbam – LEISA Network, Tamil Nadu, INDIA
iii
Organic Rice Production
– A Case Study in Tamil Nadu, India
Copyright © 2007 Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific
All rights reserved.
Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific (PAN AP) holds the right to this
publication. The publication may be cited in part as long as PAN AP is properly
acknowledged as the source and PAN AP is furnished with copies of the final
work where the quotation or citation appears.
Authors:
Oswald Quintal (Kudumbam – LEISA Network, Tamil Nadu, INDIA)
P. Ramadass (Kudumbam – LEISA Network, Tamil Nadu, INDIA)
V. Santhi (Kudumbam – LEISA Network, Tamil Nadu, INDIA)
Editor:
Antony F.F. Boys
Cover Design & Layout:
Adeline James, Public Media Agency
Painting on Front Cover:
Kanyika Kini
Publisher:
Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific (PAN AP), Penang, Malaysia
P.O. Box: 1170, 10850 Penang, Malaysia
Tel: (604) 657 0271 / 656 0381
Fax: (604) 658 3960
E-mail: [email protected]
Homepage: http://www.panap.net
November 2007
iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1
1.INTRODUCTION
3
1.1 District profile
1.2 Ecology
1.3 Environment
1.4 Society
1.5 Economy
2.COMMUNITY PROFILE
2.1 General information
2.2 Bio-physical variables
2.3 Socio-cultural variables
2.4 Political variables
2.5 Economic variables
2.6 Farming system
2.7 Village details
3.MORPHOLOGY OF SEEDS AND GROWTH OF THE RICE PLANT
3.1 Morphology of the seeds
3.2 Kind of seeds 3.3 Diversity of seeds
3.4 Storage practices prior to planting
3.5 Sustainability mechanism of seeds
3.6 Amount of seeds used per unit area of production
3.7 Seed improvement techniques
4. LAND PREPARATION
4.1 Soil classification
4.2 Laboratory analysis
4.3 Previous treatment of the land
4.4 Methods and frequency of land preparation
4
7
9
4.5 Lifespan of equipment and tools used in land
preparation
4.6 Period from harvest to next crop
4.7 Land ownership
5.FERTILISATION
5.1 Input preparation and collection
5.2 Recommendation based on soil test 5.3 Composting period
5.4 Composting process 5.5 Enriched farmyard manure
5.6 Synthetic fertiliser costs
5.7 Non-chemical fertilisation process
6.SOWING
6.1 Direct seeding
6.2 Varieties 6.3 Practices employed prior to sowing 6.4 Germination and sowing 6.5 Seedling pulling
7.TRANSPLANTING
10
11
12
7.1 Description of practices employed prior to and
during transplanting
8.CROP CARE AND MAINTENANCE
8.1 Irrigation practices
8.2 Management practices 9.HARVESTING AND THRESHING
vi
9.1 Harvesting and threshing equipment used 9.2 Threshing and winnowing
13
14
10.POST-HARVEST RICE DRYING, CLEANING AND MILLING
10.1 Drying 10.2 Milling 11.MARKETING
14
15
11.1 Commodity prices
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A.Consolidation of Activities
17
APPENDIX B.Documentation Module
22
APPENDIX C.Innovation Module
28
APPENDIX D.Credentials of the Case Study
31
APPENDIX E.Outcomes
34
APPENDIX F. Photographs
35
LIST OF TABLES Table 1.Sources of Seed 6
Table 2.Comparison of Paddy Farming Technologies
6
Table 3.
6
Paddy Cultivation Costs - Conventional Farming
Table 4.Basic Village Details
7
Table 5.Major Characteristics of Rice Varieties Used in
Anna Nagar
8
Table 6.Cost Comparison of Conventional and
Organic Methods of Paddy Cultivation
15
vii
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1.Map of Pudukkottai District
3
Figure 2.Soil test report card
9
Figure 3.Soil test samples
10
Figure 4.
12
A one-foot spacing
Figure 5.Input Comparison of Conventional and
Organic Methods of Paddy Cultivation (cash value)
16
Figure 6. Input Comparison of Conventional and
Organic Methods of Paddy Cultivation (%)
16
35
Figure F1.Women participating in agro-ecosystem analysis (AESA)
Figure F2.
Lake in Anna Nagar, a major irrigation source
Figure F3.Collection of pests and predators in AESA
35
Figure F4.Chart preparation by the farmers
35
Figure F5.Knowledge assessment on Integrated
Crop Management (ICM)
36
Figure F6.
36
Agro-ecosystem analysis
Figure F7.Chart presentation of field observations
36
Figure F8.
Green manure before in situ ploughing
36
Figure F9.
Pai (mat) nursery preparation
37
Figure F10.Farmers meeting
37
Figure F11.
Giving recommendations after presentation
of field observations
37
Figure F12.
Azolla cultivation
37
Figure F13.Explaining bird perches to control pests and rats
viii
35
38
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
ORGANIC RICE
PRODUCTION –
A CASE STUDY IN
TAMIL NADU, INDIA
Oswald Quintal, P. Ramadass,
and V. Santhi
P
udukkottai District is a drought prone area
of Tamil Nadu State which failed to receive
even the minimum quantity of rainfall for
several consecutive years prior to 2004. This
caused some farmers and landless labourers to
migrate to towns in search of employment.
More than 60 percent of the population belong
to scheduled castes (Dalits) and are either
marginal farmers or landless agricultural labourers.
Illiteracy is high and poverty has meant that highly
malnourished women and children, and cases of
children with mental or physical handicaps, are not
uncommon.
Kudumbam wanted to change the above poverty
scenario and to improve the life of the people at
least in one of the villages in Pudukkottai District.
Anna Nagar Village was chosen as the case study
village, and it was planned to introduce organic
crop production there. A participatory rural appraisal
(PRA) exercise was carried out and 20 farmers were
selected to do organic rice cultivation. Farmers’
knowledge of IPM and organic agriculture was
assessed through an assessment study. Five leading
farmers were taken to a farm at Bangalore to study
the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) method of
rice cultivation. One woman farmer volunteered
to do organic farming under the SRI method of
cultivation while the others followed only organic
cultivation. A Farmers Field School (FFS) on organic
technologies was conducted every week throughout
the season. Possible alternatives were evolved for
identified problems through bimonthly review and
planning meetings.
As most of the farmers were uneducated,
documentation was found to be difficult.
However, the field staff collected information
and documented data in consultation with the
farmers. A documentation module was designed,
and followed for the purpose. All twenty farmers
attended the FFS, learned the organic farming
technologies and SRI method, and put them into
practice.
Kudumbam Tamil Nadu, India
No. 17, Highways Colony, Subramaniyapuram,
Trichy 620020, Tamil Nadu, India.
Phone: 0091 431 2331 842, 2331 879.
Fax: 0091 431 2332 175.
The use of enriched farm yard manure, cow’s urine
mixed with sand, sowing green manure seeds and
ploughing in situ, formed the organic practices
which the farmers adopted willingly, and paved the
way for better nutrient management in their fields.
Many plant protection measures exhibited good
potential in the farmers’ fields and helped to gain
the confidence of the farmers. The SRI method
of rice cultivation attracted the attention of many
farmers since they witnessed a considerable
saving of input cost by way of reduced seed use
(3 kg/acre compared with the conventional 24
kg/acre), nursery management, seedling pulling
cost, transplanting, weed management and low
water utilization. The production of 50 to 60
tillers in each hill paved the way for higher yield
and net profit. Farmers who were reluctant at first
to join the field experimentation became much
more enthusiastic on witnessing the results and
agreed to continue organic farming, including
the SRI method, in subsequent years.
In the case studies, it was found that a woman
farmer who grew rice organically had a resulting
cost-benefit ratio of 1:3.6. Similar cost-benefit
ratios were obtained by other farmers in the
programme. The technologies that enhanced
farmer confidence and gave a higher cost-benefit
ratio were organic practices such as growing
green manure, and plant protection measures,
such as applying a herbal decoction. v
1. INTRODUCTION
Programme Area
Figure 1: Map of
Pudukkottai District
The case study was carried out in Pudukkottai
District, Tamil Nadu State, India. The location of
the case study is indicated in Figure 1.
1 . 1 D istrict profile
Pudukkottai District is located in a droughtprone area of Tamil Nadu State, India. There
has been little rain for the past ten consecutive
years and people have either had to migrate to
towns or take jobs which are demeaning and
detrimental to health. Men, for example, may
turn to brewing illicit liquor, cutting trees and
destroying the environmental and ecological
balance, and women may turn to prostitution or
become bonded labourers.
1 . 2 E colog y
The ecological balance has been very much
disturbed in this area as people cut trees for
firewood purposes and sell them to earn money
on which to live, and this in turn leads to a lack
of rain and failure of the monsoon. People have
no knowledge of watershed management and
water harvesting. This has an adverse effect on
both human beings and livestock, leading to
many diseases related to vitamin deficiency.
1 . 3 E n v iron m ent
This area is very badly polluted. People have
little knowledge of environmental management.
Air pollution is compounded by the cutting of
trees for firewood purposes and the planting
of insufficient numbers of trees. Many diseases
related to virus infections are caused by this
environmental disturbance.
1 . 4 S ociet y
In this area, 60% of the people belong to the
scheduled castes (lower castes). They are
chiefly employed as bonded labourers who just
work for their food. Their houses are thatched
huts found in low-lying areas apart from the
residences of people of other castes. They are
landless or marginal farmers. Their lot by birth is
to do menial labour, and they have little hope of
living a dignified life. The remaining 40% of the
people belong to higher castes. Among these,
60% are also landless and marginal farmers, but
they live with human dignity and have access
to better employment opportunities. Marriage
often occurs within and among close relatives
and this leads to the birth of many mentally
and/or physically handicapped children. The
people spend a great deal of time participating
in social functions and festivals, which is one of
their forms of entertainment. However, there is a
tendency to spend money extravagantly without
any productive purpose.
1 . 5 E cono m y
Sixty per cent of the people in this area live below
the poverty line, and are able to have only one
square meal a day. If the monsoon were regular,
the situation would possibly be better. However,
the monsoon is often irregular and people who
have traditional ways of cultivating the land
have little knowledge about modern methods
of cultivation, such as short-term crops, dry
land crops needing little water, and other cash
crops. They also have little knowledge of other
alternative sources of income.
Thus, out of sheer poverty they cut trees to
earn cash and in the process contribute to
environmental and ecological imbalance. Some
may turn to brewing illicit liquor, which helps
them to forget their misery to some extent, or
they migrate to the towns where they sometimes
become involved in criminal and/or anti-social
activities.
The condition of women is even worse.
Moneylenders and landlords exploit their labour
and hold them as bonded labourers, which often
means they are subject to sexual abuse. Some
migrate to towns and turn to prostitution, either
overtly or covertly. v
2. COMMUNITY PROFILE
2 . 1 G eneral infor m ation
Anna Nagar Village is situated in Pudukkottai
District, in the one of the most drought-prone
districts of Tamil Nadu State. It falls under the
jurisdiction of Udaliyapatti Panchayat, which has
a population of about 6,075 families. The total
land area of the village is 8,400 acres, (2.471
acres = 1 hectare) of which 1,200 acres are
irrigated, 7,200 acres are rain-fed and 13 acres
are common land.
The common village resources are the 150
bore wells and 24 farm ponds, of which twothirds are completely dry throughout the year.
Many villagers have a religious affiliation, the
community having more than 13 places of
worship.
The average income of households in
Udaliyapatti Panchayat ranges from Rs.700 to
Rs.2,000. Four households have members who
are Government servants.
2 . 2 B io - p h y sical v ariables
The village land is low-lying with the following
types of soil varieties found
•Red soil
• Laterite soil
•Clay soil
• Gravel sand
In the areas that receive rain, crop varieties such
as ground nut, red gram cowpea, kodo millet,
black gram, lablab, horse gram, cereals, kuttalai
(a traditional sesame variety) are cultivated.
Similarly, on irrigated lands crop varieties such
as rice, maize, small and minor millet, pumpkins,
cucumber, cotton, bajra and other vegetables
are raised extensively. The cropping season for
the rain-fed areas is during the Rabi (winter,
roughly November to March) growing season.
2 . 3 S ocio - cultural
v ariables
The village is predominantly a Hindu community
with a few pockets of Muslim and Christian
residents. In tracing back the history of the
village, it has apparently always been a selfsufficient and problem-free village in terms
of agriculture, employment and livelihood
activities. There existed all the elements of a selfsufficient and healthy village: good interpersonal
exchanges, seed exchanges, efficient and fair
water management, adequate rainfall, sufficient
forests, adequate livestock numbers, strong
farmer capacity and good health among the
villagers.
The people practised traditional agriculture,
which included the use of indigenous seed
varieties and natural inputs. Women farmers
did mostly the work of weeding, harvesting
and threshing. Female participation
comparatively good and even.
was
Following the advent of the green revolution and
the introduction of mono-cropping, however, the
system of farm practices entirely collapsed. This
not only brought about changes in living patterns,
but also in the mindset of the farmers. Farmers
began to depend more on chemical fertilisers
and pesticides for farming, and this has resulted
in negative impacts, such as decreases in farm
labour, livestock population, water resources,
crop yield, rainfall and others.
2 . 4 P olitical v ariables
Local governance is carried out through the
Panchayati Raj system, under which the
councillors and the Panchayat presidents are
elected directly without reference to political
affiliation. Villagers support different political
groups, such as the Indian National Congress
(Congress Party) (20%), Bhatatiya Janata Party
(BJP) (2%), All India Anna Dravida Munnetra
Kazhagam (ADMK) (50%), Dravida Munnettra
Kazhagam (DMK) (8%) and Marumalarchi
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), a Tamil
Nadu political party (20%).
2 . 5 E cono m ic v ariables
Agriculture is the predominant occupation and
the main income source of the village. In the
recent past, however, many of the agricultural
labourers have begun to migrate to nearby urban
areas in search of employment opportunities
during the off-season. There are also people
engaged in quarry works, as farm labourers,
and in land developmental activities such as the
deepening of wells, digging farm ponds, and so
on.
The credit sources of the villagers are through
the Panchayat board (or village council),
agricultural cooperatives, banks, private lending
institutions, moneylenders, political affiliations,
and so on. These lending institutions provide
financial assistance mainly to farmers who
are economically relatively well off, and who
are owners of land, since security is required
before loans are provided. Most of the small
and marginal farmers therefore borrow from
moneylenders at a high rate of interest.
The price of produce is thus mostly determined
by moneylenders, who fix low prices, since they
accept produce in return for the loans.
In these ways the small and marginal farmers
are exploited by the relatively more rich and
powerful.
After the harvest, the produce is generally sold to
the mills where prices are fixed, or sold through
middlemen, or when demand rises.
2 . 6 F ar m ing s y ste m
Cultivation is carried out with both locally
produced seeds and seeds purchased from
outside sources (see Table 1.).
Paddy (rice) is cultivated through tank irrigation
sources, sugarcane, groundnut, cotton and
vegetables through well irrigation, and black
gram, lablab, cowpea and horse gram are
cultivated in the rain-fed regions. The practices
of using compost, biomass application, cattle
penning, and ash are widely prevalent among
the small and marginal farmers.
Table 1. Sources of Seeds
Farmer’s own local seeds
Seeds purchased from outside sources
Paddy (rice), red gram, cowpea, lablab,
horse gram, maize black gram.
Groundnut, cotton, paddy (rice),
vegetables.
Table 2. Comparison of Paddy Farming Technologies
Past practices (1988)
Present Situation (2004)
Farmer’s seed
(traditional varieties)
used
High-quality
traditional seed
Seed rate 35 kg/acre
Direct sowing
Ploughing 5-7 times with wooden plough
Compost and
green leaf manure
Weeding by ploughing between rows
No pests
or disease
Seeds sold by agricultural department
as certified seeds produced from
Agricultural Departments
Low-quality seed (High yielding
improved seed)
Seed rate 50-60 kg/acre
Transplanting
Ploughing twice with tractor
Fertiliser: one bag (50 kg) of DAP*
per acre, one bag (50 kg) of urea per acre
Three rounds of weeding
Pesticides used for pest and disease
control, herbicides also used
Note: *DAP: diammonium phosphate
Table 3. Paddy Cultivation Costs - Conventional Farming
Item
No. × cost
Total (Rupees)
Land preparation
Seeds
Seedling transplantation
Weeding
Fertilisers
Pest control
Grand Total
3 × 600
1,800
700
450
450
800
700
4,900
18 × 25
15 × 30
2 . 7 Village details
Table 4 gives basic village details of the
village chosen for the implementation of this
programme. v
Table 4. Basic Village Details
2.
Village Name
Panchayat
Block
Taluk
District
Migration
3.
Literacy
4.
Major occupations
5.
6.
7.
Major crops
Barren land / waste land
Livestock
8.
Monsoon
9.
Annual income
1.
Anna Nagar
Udayalipatty
Kunnadar Kovil
Kulathur
Pudukkottai
During droughts and the non-cropping season. Village
men, women and youth find employment at a quarry
approximately six kilometres from the village.
75% of the villagers are below 5th grade of primary school.
25% of the people are between 5th and 9th grade.
Agriculture
Quarry labouring
Paddy, groundnut, cotton, and pulses
None
Oxen
54
30
Milch animals
50
Cows for ploughing
Goats
20
150
Sheep
Poultry
100
10 days
Northeast monsoon
5 days
Southwest monsoon
Livestock
Rs.2,000
Farm
Rs.1,000
Other non-farm work
Rs.7,000
3. MORPHOLOGY OF
SEEDS AND GROWTH
OF THE RICE PLANT
3 . 1 Morp h olog y of t h e seeds
Cultivated rice is generally considered a semiaquatic annual grass, although in the tropics it
can survive as a perennial, producing new tillers
from nodes after harvest (known as ratooning).
At maturity the rice plant has a main stem and a
number of tillers. Each productive tiller bears a
terminal flowering head or panicle. Plant height
varies by variety and environmental conditions,
ranging from approximately 0.4 m to over 5 m
in some floating rice. The morphology of rice
is divided into the vegetative phases (including
germination, seedling, and tillering stages) and
the reproductive phases (including panicle
initiation and heading stages).
Table 5. Major Characteristics of Rice Varieties Used in Anna Nagar
Variety
ADT 39
ADT 38
IR 50
White ponni
CO – 44
IR – 20
Average yield / ha. (kg) Maturity duration (days) 1000-grain weight (g)
5,000
120 – 125
18.0
5,600
110 – 115
24.2
6,000
105 – 130
20.35
4,500
135 – 140
16.4
5,000
130 – 135
18.0
5,000
130 – 135
19.0
The rice grain, commonly called a seed, consists
of the true fruit or brown rice (caryopsis) and the
hull, which encloses the brown rice. Brown rice
consists mainly of the embryo and endosperm.
The surface contains several thin layers of
differentiated tissues that enclose the embryo
and endosperm.
3 . 2 K ind of seeds
this moisture level. This leads to the problem of
rice moth infection, which is commonly found.
The solution for this problem is to treat the
paddy seeds with Pungam, Vitex, neem or dried
chillies (100 g of any one of these) mixed into
the seeds.
3 . 5 S ustainabilit y m ec h anis m of seeds
The usual practice of the Anna Nagar farmers
is to purchase seeds from the agricultural
department, which supplies seeds of the same
variety and quality. Some farmers have a custom
of retaining a part of their produce to be used
as seed rice for the next agricultural cropping
season.
As mentioned above, the farmer’s practice of
keeping a part of the produce at harvest time
will ensure a sustainable mechanism of the
seeds. In the case of seeds becoming infested
by pests and disease, new seeds are procured
from Kolunji (eco-farm) for cultivation.
ADT 39 (Aduthurai 39) – TRRI (Tamilnadu Rice
Research Institute) is the variety used by the Anna
Nagar farmers. It is not chemically treated.
3 . 6 A m ount of seeds used per unit area of production
3 . 3 D i v ersit y of seeds
Popular and widely-used varieties in the
community are mostly high yielding and
improved varieties (see Table 5.).
3 . 4 S torage practices prior to planting
Since the area is rain-fed, and cultivation is carried
out for only a single season, seed storage is for
a short duration only. Seeds are usually stored
in the houses of the farmers using traditional
methods of storage, e.g. in earthenware pots.
Paddy seeds are put out for drying in open
spaces on every new moon day.
The seed moisture level must be around 12%
for effective storage, but farmers sometimes do
not pay adequate care and attention to maintain
Normally, seed requirement is only 24 kg/acre,
but in Anna Nagar Village seed usage varies from
40 to 60 kg/acre. This is because it is the usual
traditional practice of farmers here to plant 10 to
12 seedlings per hill, and therefore seed usage
is about twice that of the normal requirement.
After the initiation of the programme, farmers
reduced seed usage from 40 kg to 30 kg/acre.
Five farmers have also followed the system of rice
intensification (SRI) method, which consumes
only 1.5 to 2 kg/acre.
3 . 7 S eed i m pro v e m ent tec h ni q ues
The seed improvement technique usually
employed by the farmers is to identify quality
seeds, which are collected after completion of
the first threshing. In addition, seed selection
through salt-water treatment is carried out to
determine the virility of seeds. v
4. LAND
PREPARATION
4 . 1 S oil classification
Clay loamy soil is found extensively throughout
the low plain area.
Profile data
Depth:
15 cm
Soil colour:
Black
Soil texture:
Fine
4 . 2 L aborator y A naly sis
A laboratory analysis of soil is carried out and
the results reported on a soil test report card, as
shown (Figure 2.).
4 . 3 P re v ious treat m ent of
t h e land
Figure 2. Soil test report card
The farmers of the rain-fed paddy fields of Anna
Nagar Village mostly cultivate one rice crop
per year. Oil seeds (peanuts) are extensively
cultivated on irrigated lands. In the cropping
season prior to this programme, fertilisers
such as urea, potash, and DAP (diammonium
phosphate) were utilized. Gypsum is applied for
groundnut cultivation.
4 . 4 Met h ods and fre q uenc y
of land preparation
Summer ploughing is carried out during August.
After the onset of the northeast monsoon, during
September, further operations are carried out.
4 . 5 L ifespan of e q uip m ent and tools used in land preparation
1. Mummuti (spade used for bunding)
– 10 yrs.
2.Country plough (used for ploughing)
– 5 to 10 years
3.Sickle for (used for harvesting)
– 6 years
4.Bullock carts – 10 to 15 years
Eight hours (one day) is required for ploughing
one acre of land.
4 . 6 P eriod fro m h ar v est to ne x t crop
Land is left fallow for more than six months
after the cropping season, which is usually from
August to January.
4 . 7 L and o w ners h ip
Agricultural land is mostly owned by the farmers
in Anna Nagar Village in the form of smallholdings
averaging 0.5 acres to 3 acres. v
5. FERTILISATION
5 . 1 I nput preparation and collection
The farmers prepared compost and enriched
farmyard manure using rock phosphate for
organic manures, and also collectively purchased
green manure seed (Sesbania aculeate, prickly
sesban), cultivated for the purpose of in situ
ploughing to improve soil fertility. Only five
farmers purchased Sesbania seeds from the
local market, the remaining farmers used their
own seed.
5 . 2 R eco m m endation based on soil test
Figure 3. Soil test samples
Soil tests were conducted in the Anna Nagar area
to ascertain the nature of the soil, its acidic or
alkaline nature in that particular region. Samples
from different fields were collected and tested
in the soil test lab. According to the test results,
five of the farmers’ fields were acidic in nature
and the remaining field tests showed low NPK
content. Based on the test results, the farmers
were advised to carry out an organic method of
land reclamation instead of the usual method of
applying lime (acid soil), which has the effect of
giving good yields for not more than 2-3 years,
after which yields gradually decline. The farmers
preferred the organic method, which can be
carried out with available local resources such
as the application of tank silt, the cultivation of
green leaf manure, and the use of compost.
5 . 3 C o m posting period
Composting was carried out in the three months
before the cultivation of rice.
Materials used:
Cow dung, green leaves and farm home
waste.
10
5 . 4 C o m posting process
A compost pit measuring 3 × 3 ft is dug in the
backyard of the house and accumulated solid
decomposable waste is dumped inside the pit
every day. At the time of main field preparation,
the compost is applied evenly over the whole field.
Three to five tons are applied per acre of land.
5 . 5 E nric h ed far m y ard m anure
Enriched farm yard manure is prepared by using
100 kg of rock phosphate mixed with one kg
of phospho bacteria, combined with farmyard
manure kept for 45 days. This is applied at
the time of planting and is being used as an
alternative for synthetic phosphatic fertilisers.
The cost of the rock phosphate in the local
market is Rs.10/kg, and the phospho bacteria
Rs.30/kg.
5 . 6 S y nt h etic fertiliser costs
If used, synthetic fertilisers such as urea, DAP, NP/
NPK complex fertilisers (a mix of NPK nutrients)
are usually applied at a cost of Rs.250 per 50 kg
bag for urea, Rs.500 per bag for DAP, and Rs.450
per bag for complex fertilisers. Generally one 50
kg bag of synthetic fertiliser was applied per acre.
No synthetic fertilisers were used by the field
test farmers during the year of the programme.
5 . 7 N on - c h e m ical fertilisation process
•
Fallowing: After the harvest, the land is
kept fallow for six months.
•
Green manuring: 45 days before
transplanting, 16 kg of Sesbania (green
manure) seeds were sown and in situ
ploughing was carried out at the time of
flowering.
•
Use of liquid fertiliser: Lacto bacilli
used as a growth regulator, and also cow
dung solution was used as an alternative
for urea.
•
Incorporation of Azolla: Azolla was
applied by five farmers, at a rate of one
kg each, to enhance the carbon and
nitrogen content of the soils. v
6. SOWING
6 . 1 D irect seeding
Four cents (one cent is 1/100 acre) of land
was selected by each of the farmers for nursery
preparation. The area is initially well ploughed
and maintained in a puddled condition
appropriate for the sowing of seeds.
6 . 2 Varieties
ADT 39 and white ponni (improved varieties)
were utilized at the rate of 30 kg/acre.
6 . 3 P ractices e m plo y ed
prior to so w ing
The seeds required for one acre (e.g. 30 kg for
short term varieties) were soaked in a solution
11
of 1:1 mixture of water and bio-fertilisers
(azospyrillium + phospho bacteria) overnight.
6 . 4 G er m ination and so w ing
The germination percentage was found to be
good at 80%. The labour requirement for sowing
is one man-day, at Rs.60 per day.
6 . 5 S eedling pulling
The seedlings in the nursery were pulled out 30
days after sowing with the help of six man-days
of labour at Rs.100 per man-day. v
7. TRANSPLANTING
7. 1 D escription of practices e m plo y ed prior to and during transplanting
In this village the farmers used to transplant
rice seedlings using 10 to 12 seedlings per hill.
However the field test farmers were persuaded
to adopt transplanting of rice seedlings using
only 2 or 3 seedlings per hill.
Among the field test farmers, five of them
left a one-foot spacing for every eight feet of
transplanting, which facilitated free movement
of air and sunlight to the plants (Figure 4.).
The border rows were thickly planted and after
the active tillering phase, the tillers closed the
space between the hills and acted as a physical
barrier to rodent movements.
About 8 to 10 man-days were needed for
transplantation of rice seedlings in one acre.
Figure 4. A one-foot spacing
12
Five field test farmers adopted the SRI method,
cultivating an area of 50 cents (half an acre)
each. v
8. CROP CARE AND
MAINTENANCE
8 . 1 I rrigation practices
The main source of water for the cultivation
of rice in the village was the community tank,
which is usually filled by the monsoon rains.
The fields are usually irrigated by allowing the
water to stagnate in the field to a depth of 2.5
inches and the next irrigation is carried out after
this water has disappeared from the field. An
average of two irrigations per week might be
required for the rice crop.
8 . 2 Manage m ent practices
A 50% saving of irrigation water was observed
for the five farmers who adopted the SRI system
of cultivation.
• Application of cow dung solution for fertiliser
and pest management.
Amirtha karaisal, a fermented mixture of
cow dung, cows urine and jaggery solution
was used as a liquid manure to increase the
soil microbial population and boost to the
availability of macro and micro nutrients. A
cow dung solution (one kg of cow dung to 10
litres of water) was used as a spray solution
for crops in order to control bacterial disease
(BLB – Bacterial Leaf Blight).
• Application of herbal decoction for pest
control.
The leaves of five
different types of
medicinal plants, one kg of each type were
cut and macerated and soaked in a solution
of cow’s urine and water (1:10) for 15 days.
The filtrate obtained from the fermented
plant materials is a decoction which contains
alkaloids and other active materials required
for the control of many leaf-eating and sapfeeding crop pests.
• Application of lacto bacilli as growth
regulator.
•
Application of fish molasses fermentation
for pest control.
•
Application of fermented fish solution for
pest control.
•Smoking of dried fish around the field for
ear head bug control.
13
9. HARVESTING AND
THRESHING
9 . 1 Har v esting and
t h res h ing e q uip m ent
used
Harvesting is carried out when the ear heads
attain maximum physiological maturity, 28
days after 50% of the spikelets in the panicles
have flowered for short duration varieties
and 31 days for medium duration varieties.
At this point, 90% of the seed will be straw
coloured and have a moisture content of
approximately 20%.
The tools used for harvesting are simple tools
such as the sickle. Around 12 to 15 labourers
are employed for harvesting an acre of land
per day.
10. POST-HARVEST RICE
DRYING, CLEANING AND
MILLING
1 0 . 1 D r y ing
The moisture percentage should usually
be around 12% for effective storage, but
the farmers maintain moisture percentage
at about 14% for added weight during
marketing.
The labour required is four persons (3 men
and 1 women), and involves one man-day of
work, for which 15 kg of the produce is paid
as a wage in kind.
1 0 . 2 Milling
Each of the labourers is provided with 15 kg
of the produce as one day’s wage.
Fifty percent of the produce is retained for
domestic consumption and the rest of the
produce is marketed. The produce retained
for domestic consumption is milled.
9 . 2 T h res h ing and
w inno w ing
The by-products obtained are rice bran, which
is used as cattle feed, and broken rice, which
is used for domestic consumption.
The harvested ear heads are left in the open
field, after which they are bundled and taken
to the threshing floor. Here they are threshed
to separate the grains from the harvested
plant.
The next process is winnowing, where good
grains are separated from the chaff. The straw
is then heaped in bundles and used as cattle
feed. It is then graded on the basis of the
quality procured. This work is mostly done
by men.
The grains are dried in an open area and put
into gunny sacks, which are then marketed
after a part of the produce has been retained
for consumption.
14
11. MARKETING
1 1 . 1 C o m m odit y prices
One 60 kg bag of ADT 39 is sold for Rs.350, and
one 60 kg bag of white ponni is sold for Rs.500
if the harvested produce is sold immediately,
within 1 week of the harvest. If the produce is
sold at the peak demand period (sowing time)
then the price will be roughly double.
Table 6. Cost Comparison of Conventional and Organic Methods
of Paddy Cultivation
Activities / Inputs / Labour
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Land preparation
Seed Cost 70 kg / 50 kg.
Nursery and transplanting
Weeding 3 times / 2 times
Nutrients / Fertilisers – DAP – 50 kg
UREA – 50 KG
POTASH – 50 KG
FYM – 1500 kg
Compost
1500 kg.
Green leaf manure
300 kg.
Green manure seeds
3 kg
Bio-fertiliser
500 gram
Azolla
300 gram
Vermicompost 130 kg
Rock phosphate 25 kg
Neem cake
2 kg
Plant protection: chemical pesticides
Herbal decoction, neem oil, cow urine etc.
Irrigation
Harvesting
TOTAL EXPENSES
Income: Grain yield 1200 / 1500 kg
Straw yield 2500 kg / 3300 kg
TOTAL INCOME
Cost-Benefit Ratio
Conventional
Method - Rs.
1,800
700
450
450
500
250
300
500
750
500
400
6,550
6,200
2,500
8,700
1:1.32
Organic
Method - Rs.
860
500
380
310
450
100
50
15
6
125
80
12
400
300
400
3,998
7,750
3,300
11,050
1:2.76
Source: SA-Rice Documentation – Anna Nagar, 2004 – 2005
15
Figure 5: Input Comparison of Conventional and
Organic Methods of Paddy Cultivation (Cash value)
Figure 6: Input Comparison of Conventional and
Organic Methods of Paddy Cultivation (Input %)
Source: SA-Rice Documentation – Anna Nagar, 2004 – 2005
16
Knowledge assessment
on IPM
Selection of farmers
2.
3.
PRA
(Participatory Rural
Appraisal)
1.
Activity
This analysis was
evolved in order to
assess knowledge
on IPM technologies
from seed to seed and
alternative technology in
organic rice production.
* Replicate the module
to the other farmers.
* Disseminate the
organic module to
interested farmers.
*To collect basic
information about the
village.
*To Explain the purpose
of the Programme.
Objective
Thirty-nine samples of IPM
technologies and alternatives
were displayed. Farmers were
then asked to identify each of
them. A questionnaire containing
questions on relevant issues
was given to test knowledge
levels and was graded. This will
help trainers understand level
of farmer knowledge on organic
rice production and design
training inputs accordingly.
*Subsequently, interested
farmers were selected and
oriented on further process.
*During the course of PRA,
Farmers were oriented on the
impact of conventional farming
and also the importance of
organic farming was explained
briefly.
*The farmers were divided into
three groups and were asked
to collect data in a participatory
manner.
* Organized the farmers and
explained the purpose of the
meeting.
* Farmers orientation meeting
held in Anna Nagar on 17.4.2004
(International Peasants Struggle
Day).
Process adopted to
carry out the activity
A comparative analysis
will be made at the
end of the programme
in which this will be
used as an indicator
to assess farmer
knowledge level.
* The innovations
and adaptations were
carried out with the
fullest cooperation
and support of the 20
selected farmers.
* Based on the PRA
meeting, 20 farmers
were selected for
organic rice production.
* Collected general
information on
bio- physical and
socio- cultural variables,
political and economic
situation, and farming
system.
Outcome
Comparative
analysis was not
carried out since
the farmers were
not available.
Farmers migrate
to other places
for employment
and are usually
available only
during the
monsoon period.
--------
--------
Shortfalls
if any...
APPENDIX A.
Consolidation of Activities
17
18
Exposure visit
Farm design
Farmers meeting
4.
5.
6.
Activity
Experience-sharing among
farmers as well as finding
alternatives and solutions for
their problems.
Effective utilization of land
such as tree planting on the
bunds (for green manures
and fodder).
Up-scaling farmer knowledge
in organic rice production.
Objective
This meeting was convened each
month with an average of fifteen
farmers attending. The objective
was to disseminate information on
organic rice production, and also to
conduct experience-sharing among
the farmers.
Glyricedia and subabull saplings
were planted along the bunds of
rice fields.
For up-scaling farmer knowledge in
organic methods of rice cultivation
and to understand the Madagascar
method of rice cultivation, a fourday exposure visit to Mr. Narayana
Reddy’s farm in Bangalore was
undertaken. He is a leading
organic farmer and also has a vast
knowledge about the SRI system of
rice cultivation. Five farmers were
selected from Anna Nagar Village
for this purpose.
Process adopted to
carry out the activity
Plant protection measures
which were adopted and
carried out by one of the
farmers were shared in the
meeting. Such disseminated
knowledge was utilized by
the other farmers for the
same purpose.
* Farmers were given
knowledge on input
requirements.
*Farmers interested in tree
planting were identified
and seedlings distributed
according to farmer
preference.
Knowledge of organic
methods of rice production
was gained by farmers.
Outcome
-----------
Due to shortage
of water many
of the seedlings
withered. Planting
was carried out
on the bunds only
for ten farmers’
fields instead of
the proposed 20
farmers.
As we selected
only five farmers,
it was difficult to
motivate larger
numbers of
farmers. It would
be more effective
to take more
farmers for the
exposure visit in
the future.
Shortfalls
if any...
19
SRI method in trial plot
Disseminating innovations
7.
8.
Activity
•To identify needs and
gaps and find possible
alternatives to overcome
the problems.
•To strengthen available
resources and thereby
maximize the output ratio.
To reduce sown seed
quantity as well as to reduce
frequency of irrigation.
Objective
•Initially, the innovations adopted
over different regions were
compiled and materials produced.
•These innovations were explained
in detail to the various NGOs
involved in SA practices.
• A training programme for the
field staff was conducted and
information on SA practices was
disseminated.
After the exposure visit, one woman
farmer volunteered to carry out
organic rice cultivation by applying
organic inputs as well as using
the SRI techniques such as single
planting with adequate spacing. For
this trial method a 4.5 cent field was
selected, in which green leaf manure
compost, and cow urine mixed with
sand were applied in the trial plot
and prior to cultivation. Since the
farmer had an irrigation source (a
bore well) conventional farming was
also simultaneously carried out for
comparative analysis.
Mr. Siva Kumar initiated two types of
trial cum experimental field research
in his plot of land after seeing
the good growth of plants in Mrs.
Chinnaponnu’s plot of land.
In a 5 cent field, he carried out direct
sowing and in a 5.75 cent field he
planted 10-day-old seedlings, both
using the SRI method.
Process adopted to
carry out the activity
--------
Visible differences such as
increased healthy growth of
tillers and increased panicles
were seen in organic rice
in the ratio of 25 tillers per
hill, in comparison with the
conventional method, where
the ratio was 18 tillers per
hill.
Outcome
Even though most
of the farmers
seemed to be
interested, only a
few volunteered
because they were
initially hesitant
to implement the
innovations fearing
that they would
incur losses.
It was not easy to
persuade farmers
to change from
their traditional
way of cultivation,
but after seeing
the impacts and
outcome of this
method they are
ready to adopt this
technology in the
coming years.
Shortfalls
if any...
20
9.
Farmers Field School (FFS)
(cont.)
Activity
To improve the technical
knowledge and
documentation skills of the
field staff and farmers
Objective
The Farmers Field School was
conducted once a week held
in which knowledge and skills
concerning seed selection, nursery
and main field preparation,
seed germination tests, seedling
transplanting, input preparation,
green manures seed sowing, crop
care and maintenance, water
management, weed management,
and harvesting technologies were
taught.
•The FFS is conducted in the open
field.
•It is conducted throughout the
season.
Farmers meet for 6 hours a day,
•In each FFS, the following activities
were carried out:
≠ Agro-ecosystem analysis
≠Chart preparation
≠Small Group Discussion
≠ Presentation and Common Discussion
≠Decision-making.
•During the course of the
Farmers Field School, problems
encountered during the cropping
season were addressed in detail
and subsequently suitable
innovations to solve the problems
were sought.
• A documentation process was also
carried out.
Process adopted to
carry out the activity
--------
Outcome
--------
Shortfalls
if any...
21
10.
Review and planning
meeting
Activity
Review and planning of
the documentation and
innovation process
Objective
In this meeting the farmers shared
their experiences and problems
faced during documentation.
Review and planning of each
month’s activities, up-scaling and
retesting of documentation formats
and methodologies, and strategies
for validating innovation were also
discussed at these meetings.
This meeting was convened
bimonthly with the field staff from
a nearby NGO, concerned field staff
and ten farmers from Anna Nagar.
Process adopted to
carry out the activity
Possible alternatives were
evolved for the identified
problems through the review
and planning meeting.
Outcome
--------
Shortfalls
if any...
22
General information about the village on
• Village name
• Village map
• Panchayat
•Block
•Taluk
•District
•History of the area and its special features
• Population of the village
•Total number of families
•Major occupation
•Migration
•Migration causes and indicators
• Literacy
• Land use pattern
•Water resources
•Cropping pattern
•Soil type
• Livestock details
•Rainfall data
•Economy of the village
•History of farming pattern
•Health status.
General information about the individual farmer
•Farmer’s profile
• Assessment of family labour and
assessment of non-farm income
• Assessment of seasonal migration
• Land holdings
• Livestock details
•Comparative analysis of land holdings
•Nature of the soil and problems
•Main crop details
• Problems and recommendations
• Previous year’s innovations
•Experiment on innovation details
• Loan details
1.
2.
Indicators in documenting process
Documentation book.
Record maintenance.
A specific form was evolved in
consultation with the farmers’
field staff and coordinators. The
information required in the form was
collected through specific field staff
who had direct interaction with the
farmers.
With regard to documentation, a
format consisting of the above details
was designed and information
collected with help of field staff.
A two-day PRA meeting was
convened and information collected
with the help of the abovementioned tools.
PRA -Transect walk
•Interviews with farmers
• Group discussion
•Household survey
•Focus group discussion
•Secondary data from Panchayat officers
•Field monitoring
Source/documentation
procedure
--------
Most of the farmers are
uneducated and find
documentation difficult. During
the farming season they are
all busy and so collecting data
from them is very difficult.
Therefore, it would be very useful
if one or two farmers who are
illiterate can be given simple
documentation training to help
them understand the importance
of documentation.
Problems faced
APPENDIX B.
Documentation Module
23
3.
4. Seed treatment details
•Date
• Labour
•Materials used for seed treatment
•Costs
3. Seed procurement details
• Procurement source (whether organic or
chemically grown)
• Variety
• Virility of seed
•Important characteristics of seed
•Storage practices
• Quantity
•Cost
• Labour
2. Input preparation
(Organic manures such as compost, farmyard manure,
enriched farmyard manure)
•Date of preparation
•Materials utilized
• Quantity
•Costs
• Labour details
Information on individual farmer’s farming system
1.Land preparation
•Date
• Activities (soil collection for soil test, summer ploughing, sowing of green manure seeds,)
• Labour (own or hired)
• Labour cost
• Ploughing implements (owned or hired)
•Costs incurred
•Number of men and women involved
Indicators in documenting process
For the field level activities, local field staff
were selected on the criteria that they would
be able to collect and update information
daily with regard to the field activities.
The information concerning farmer activities
was collected through direct interviewing,
the farmers field school, the review and
planning meeting, and monitoring of field
activities by field staff.
The format was designed in such a way
that it includes data on village information,
individual farming details, which were
documented, compiled, analysed and for
which specific recommendations were
derived.
For the activity listed, the same module has
been used for information collection as well
as for documentation.
Documentation book: Based on the fourteen
years of documentation experience in
LEISA, this module has been designed to
suit the format proposed. Subsequently,
every activity which the farmer carries out
is keenly monitored and documented. A
table showing inputs in various headings
was prepared, this is being widely utilized
throughout the documentation procedure.
Source/documentation
procedure
--------
Problems faced
24
9. Removal of seedlings
•Date
• Labour
•Cost
8. Sowing details
•Date
• Labour
•Cost
7. Sowing of green manure seeds
•Date
• Quantity
•Costs
• In situ ploughing cost
• Labour
6. Main field preparation
•Date
• Labour
•Implements used (tractor, country plough)
•Own or hired
•Costs
•Hours of ploughing
•Bunding
5.Nursery preparation
•Date
• Labour
•Implements used (tractor, country plough)
•Owned or hired
•Costs
•Nursery area
•Hours of ploughing
• Levelling
Indicators in documenting process
Based on the activity performed, information
sharing, exchanges of opinions and
suggestions were carried out in the review
and planning meeting.
This module gives statistics on each and
every farmer activity carried out.
After the completion of a specific activity,
e.g. land preparation, the information was
entered into the documentation module.
This was transferred immediately into a
notebook containing information maintained
on each and every farmer activity and
progress.
The field staff collected information on the
ongoing activity from each farmer, and the
progress was noted in a daily dairy for the
field staff reference. This was done for all 20
farmers.
Source/documentation
procedure
Problems faced
25
b. Main field
•Basal application manures
•Date
• Quantity
•Organic manures used
• 1.Compost
• 2.FYM
•Enriched FYM
• Green leaf manure
• Labour costs
12. Top dressing
•Date
•Name of organic input applied
• Quantity
•Cost
• Labour
11. Transplanting
•Date
•Cost
• Labour
• Age of seedlings
•Number of seedlings per hill
•Spacing
a. Nursery
•Date
• Quantity
•Organic manures used
• 1-Farmyard manure (FYM)
• 2-Compost
•Cost
• Labour
10. Input application
Indicators in documenting process
Source/documentation
procedure
Problems faced
26
b. Pest and disease control measures
Major disease
•Blast
14. Weed management
•Date of weeding
•Hand weeding
•Use of weeder
•Costs
• Labour
•Number of rounds of weeding
Control measures
•See Innovation Module
Main field
Major pests identified
• Leaf roller
•Stem borer
•Ear head bug
• Leaf hopper
Nursery
•Major pests identified
• 1. Thrips
• 2. Jassids
a. Irrigation practices
•Source of irrigation
•Interval of irrigation areas covered
• Labour
•Cost
13. Care and maintenance of crop
•Density of plant population per square metre
Indicators in documenting process
Source/documentation
procedure
Problems faced
27
Yield measurement
•No. of plants per sq. m
•No. of panicles
•No. of grains per hill
16. Yield obtained
•In grains (kg)
•Straw
15.Harvesting/threshing
•Date
• Labour
•Costs
Predator population
Name of predators identified
•Spider
•Dragonfly
•Damsel fly
• Long horned grasshopper
Indicators in documenting process
Source/documentation
procedure
Problems faced
28
*Cow urine mixed with
sand
*Enriched farm yard
manure
2.
3.
*Sowing of green
manure seeds and
In situ ploughing
1.
Nutrient management
Innovations
Adopted
Low soil fertility
Existing
problem
Food security,
cost reduction
Driving
forces*
Outcome
FS *There is no
LP application of any
chemical fertiliser.
(Nitrogenous
fertiliser)
* Water-holding
capacity of the soil
was comparatively
increased due to
the application of
green manures
and biomass.
*Frequency of
irrigation was
reduced
* No deficiency
symptoms
surfaced.
*Good Plant
growth apparent.
TF
20
No. of
farmers
Needs and gaps
Regional *The important
component in enriching
the fertility of soil is
sowing of green manure
seed, which is not
locally available. This
needs to be purchased
from outside sources,
which is a newly arising
problem.
* This results not only in
price hikes but also nonavailability of seeds at
the time of requirement
* This problem was
alleviated by collective
purchase of green
manures and inputs by
providing farmers with
seed money.
* The in situ ploughing
needs to be done at
the time of flowering
(40-45th) day, but
due the erratic nature
of the monsoon and
unpredictable rainfall
the ploughing was
carried out 20 days
in advance. This was
mainly done by farmers
with rain-fed fields.
ELT
APPENDIX C.
Innovation Module
29
SRI method (System of Rice
Intensification)
Water Management
Innovations
Adopted
Driving
forces*
*Seed use
Cost reduction
ratio high.
*yield increase
*Inadequate
water
resources
Existing
problem
CR
TF
* Ages of the seedlings
were reduced from 22
days to 8 days, which
also showed good
results at the time of
output.
* Labour cost was
also reduced during
seedling pull out
period.
* Seed usage reduced
to a minimum (i.e. in
place of 40 kg only
1 kg of seed was
utilized, which gave
an output of 28 bags
against 20 bags).
Outcome
5
No. of
farmers
ELT
Farmers were not convinced
this method of cultivation
would work since it was not
one of their current cultivation
practices. After persistent
persuasion emphasizing the
importance of SRI, some
farmers volunteered to adopt
the innovation.
Initially there was reluctance
in following this method of
cultivation, since it involved
usage of fewer seedlings than
the traditional method.
Needs and gaps
30
Note: *Driving forces – Driving forces triggering the developments, ELT – Extension level of technology, TF – Technology Factor,
FS – Food Security, CR – Cost Reduction, LP – Loss Prevention, CS – Crop Security
Strip planting
Intrusion of rodents
reduced
Planting methods
Rat
*Proportionate
increase in predator
population
*Chemical usage was
completely banned
* Yield loss
comparatively
curtailed
*Pest problem came
under control
*In the vegetative
phase, the tiller ratio
was found to be 25-40
tillers per hill, which
was comparatively
higher than the usual
10-15 tillers normally
found.
Outcome
Ear head
bug
FS
CS
FS
CS
TF
•Fish fermentation in
Jaggery solution
•Smoking of dried fish
around the field
• Lacto bacilli
FS,CS
Pest and rat
problem
•Bird perches
•Herbal dicoction
Leaf roller in
main field
•Dragging of thorny plants
to control leaf roller
Driving
forces*
Thrips in
FS, CS
nursery field
Existing
problem
•Immersing seedlings in
water for six hours
Pest control
Innovations
Adopted
5
4
4
10
20
5
No. of
farmers
State
level
ELT
This method is cost effective
but utilizes much labour and
thus is not widely practiced
when compared with the usual
cultivation pattern, which usually
involves the use of less labour.
Needs and gaps
APPENDIX D.
Credentials of the
Case Study
I n v olv e m ent of t h e far m ers
Farmers were given basic orientation and
important information on SA (sustainable
agriculture) practices in general. This orientation
meeting highlighted the concept of organic
farming and its global impact. These traditional
farmers are mostly resource poor farmers who
owned less than an acre of land and who
practice conventional methods of farming.
Due to the advent of the green revolution and
pressure from seed and pesticide companies,
this practice was widespread in this area.
At this juncture, people were made to realize
the economic and social repercussions of
conventional farming and were asked to make a
brief presentation about their current practices.
This made the farmers more aware of their
current situation.
It was revealed that the conventional method
of farming did not yield the desired results and
caused farmers to go bankrupt and fall into the
clutches of the moneylenders. On this basis the
farmers volunteered to adopt the innovation
and documentation module of field-testing
and extended their fullest cooperation to the
programme.
E fficienc y co m ponent
s h ould be considered
The organic farming cultivation method involves
less cash inputs and more locally available
resources. The farmers were able to procure the
materials locally, which helped to save much
time and money. Since these inputs were of low
cost in nature, money costs incurred on inputs
was largely minimized. This not only helped to
reduce costs but also reflected an increase in
the efficiency of the farmers. This credential is an
important factor to be considered.
I dentif y ing possible
respondents
The module was translated into simple and lucid
language in order to be easily understood by the
farmers, which helped in the implementation
process as proposed and communicated by
the researchers. This helped the farmers to
understand the holistic process of the Programme
and was reflected in the activities.
The crucial aspect of the Programme was
identifying respondents. Among the field tested
farmers, case studies were conducted with five
farmers who made certain innovations of their
own other than the technologies which were
taught through FFS.
31
CASE STU DY 1
Cost benefit ratio:
Name of farmerMs. Pitcaiammal
Village
Anna Nagar
Land area for field-testing
38 cents
The total expenses incurred were Rs.1532, from
which earned income was Rs.5540. The net
profit earned was thus Rs.4008. The yield was
four bags (75 kg per bag) more than obtained in
the previous year. The cost-benefit ratio is 1:3.6.
That is, 3.6 rupees profit was obtained for each
rupee spent.
Adopted Innovations:
1.Sowing of green manure seeds and in situ
ploughing for nitrogen deficiency
CASE STU DY 2
2.Using enriched farmyard manure as an
alternative for phosphate
Name of farmerMs. Annakili
3.Use of herbal decoction for pest control
Ms. Pitcaiammal was instrumental in adopting
these innovation practices. After the soil test
was conducted, it was largely felt by the farmer
and the coordinating staff that the fertility of the
land needed to be improved. Considering this
fact, MS. Pitcaiammal volunteered to adopt the
technology.
The farmer is also an enthusiastic person with
leadership qualities, who showed interest in
participating in meetings, the Farmers Field
School and sharing experiences among the
farmers’ groups.
She usually borrowed money from the
moneylender at the time of the cropping season
for cultivation purposes. This year, however,
seed money amounting to Rs.1000 per farmer
was given towards input purchases and other
agricultural activities.
Innovation Process:
Ms. Pitcaiammal utilized five kg of green manure
(Sesbania aculeate, prickly sesban) seeds in her
38 cents of land. After twenty-five days, in situ
ploughing was carried out, one week before
the transplantation process. During the time of
transplantation, she applied 20 kg of enriched
farmyard manure, which was prepared on her
farm at the ratio of 200 g of azospyrillium (biofertiliser) with 20 kg of rock phosphate, and kept
in a compost pit for 40 days.
For controlling pests, a herbal decoction was
applied. This was prepared by herself using
bitter leaves. As a result of these adaptations,
good results, including a yield increase, were
obtained.
32
Village
Anna Nagar
Land area for field-testing
14 cents
Adopted innovations:
1.Using enriched farmyard manure as an
alternative for phosphate
2.Using lacto bacilli for controlling pests as well
as a plant growth regulator
This farmer was a pioneer in carrying out this
field-testing innovation. The usual practice of this
farmer was to apply DAP (chemical fertiliser) as
a basal application. She was informed about the
organic alternatives for this kind of application.
Being a woman farmer, she proposed the idea
of collective purchase of rock phosphate, which
is an organic input, and a demonstration was
proposed in the backyard of her house.
During transplantation, 25 kg of enriched
farmyard manure was applied instead of
chemical fertiliser, and this was reflected in the
growth of the crop. For effective pest control,
lacto bacilli was utilized. The pest problem was
dramatically reduced.
Cost benefit ratio:
The farmer incurred total expenses of Rs.648,
from which income earned was Rs4610. The net
profit earned was Rs.3962, and the cost-benefit
ratio was 1:7.1.
It should be pointed out that the farmer is proud
of her record within the village. She has been
able to produce the maximum yield from 14
cents of land; 11 bags (825 kg) against only
seven bags by conventional farming methods.
CASE STU DY 3
CASE
STU DY 4
Name of farmerSelvi
Name of farmerMr. Paul Raj
Village
Anna Nagar
Village
Anna Nagar
Land area for field-testing
16 cents
Land area for field-testing
35 cents
Adopted innovation:
Adopted innovations:
Herbal decoction for pest control
1.Cow dung solution
2.Fish fermentation
Process:
This 19-year-old farmer has been assisting her
parents with agriculture activities, and regularly
attends meetings. She has been experiencing
leafhopper and leaf roller infestation during the
vegetative phase. She was advised through the
FFS Programme to apply a herbal decoction as
an effective pest control measure.
1 kg of each ingredient mentioned below are
fermented in five litres of cow urine for 10 days
and applied evenly to the field.
1. Calotropis
2. Neem
3. Vitex
4. Cassia leaves
The fermented solution was applied at an interval
of ten days, and this enabled good crop growth.
The pest problem was dramatically reduced.
Cost benefit ratio:
Mr. Paul Raj was a key person in the dissemination
of the innovations mentioned above. After
the exposure visit, he was instrumental in
disseminating knowledge learnt from the visit in
the farmers meetings.
40 kg of cow dung mixed with 100 litres of
water was kept for two days and applied evenly
to the field. This is an alternative for urea, which
is usually used as top dressing in conventional
farming. No nitrogen deficiency symptoms were
apparent.
For effective control of ear head bug, fish waste
was fermented in jaggery solution and applied
evenly to the field. This resulted in effective
control of the ear head bug.
Cost benefit ratio:
The farmer incurred expenses of Rs.2221 and
earned Rs.3070 income. His cost-benefit ratio
was 1:1.4.
The farmer incurred total expenses of Rs1399,
from which income earned was Rs.2140. The net
profit earned was Rs.741, and the cost benefit
ratio was 1:1.5.
33
APPENDIX E.
Outcomes
S O C I A L O U TC O M E S
P HY S I C A L O U T C O M E S
•Social and civic awareness increased.
•No application of any chemical fertiliser
•Women were able to voice decision-making
and suggestions.
•No usage of basal and top dressing urea
•Social security in terms of livelihood was
assured.
•Seasonal migration was curtailed to a
minimum level.
• Generation of employment occurred on
their own land.
•Indigenous and traditional seed varieties
preserved.
•Way opened for food security and food
sovereignty.
• Land ownership strengthened.
• Land fertility restored to a maximum level.
•The idea of collective marketing initiated.
•The idea of collective bargaining and
collective sharing initiated.
•Women’s participation widespread in all
activities.
•Water holding capacity of the soil
comparatively increased due to the
application of green manures and biomass.
•Frequency of irrigation reduced
•No deficiency symptoms apparent in plants.
• Good plant growth apparent.
•Seed usage reduced to a minimum, with
optimum output being realized.
• Labour costs reduced and usage of heavy
implements curtailed.
• Pest problem came under control through
the use of suitable alternatives.
• Yield loss reduced to a minimum level.
• Proportionate increase in predator
population apparent.
E N V I R O N M E N TA L O U TC O M E S
• Land degradation and pollution minimized.
E C O N O M I C O U TC O M E S
Input usage reduced
Cost reduction + yield increase
Higher profits (no losses)
•Cost-benefit ratios varied between 1:1.5 and
7.00.
• Living standards of the farmers increased in
terms of monetary and economic value.
•The possibility of savings and capital
investment has been generated.
34
•Biodiversity strengthened.
•Way opened for integrated farming system
• Pesticide-free environment enhances health
of men, women and children
•Eco-friendly environment assured
APPENDIX F.
Photographs
Figure F1. Women participating in agro-ecosystem
analysis (AESA)
Figure F2. Lake in Anna Nagar, a major irrigation
source
Figure F3. Collection of pests and predators in AESA
Figure F4. Chart preparation by the farmers
35
Figure F5. Knowledge assessment on Integrated
Crop Management (ICM)
Figure F6. Agro-ecosystem analysis
Figure F7. Chart presentation of field observations
Figure F8. Green manure before in situ ploughing
36
Figure F9. Pai (mat) nursery preparation
Figure F10. Farmers meeting
Figure F11. Giving recommendations after
presentation of field observations
Figure F12. Azolla cultivation
37
Figure F13. Explaining bird perches to control pests
and rats
38