Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
of farming by the tribal farmers, which is leading to increase in migration
rate of tribal farmers.
PRADAN, THE DEVELOPMENTAL PARTNER IN THE PROGRAM
PRADAN (Professional Assistance for Development Action) a NGO is
working among the tribal farmers of Eastern plateau and hill region. It was
realized by PRADAN that establishment of fruit orchards can be a suitable
option for effective utilization of uplands which either remain barren or
being used for growing of single crop of rainfed upland paddy. Keeping
this in view, it was conceptualized to introduce perennial tree based crop-
ping system in the tribal farming system of eastern plateau and hill agro-
climatic zone. The program on horticulture was initiated by PRADAN in
the tribal areas of Purulia district of West Bengal and Gumla and West
Singhbhum district of Jharkhand. But in some places, poor growth, es-
tablishment rate of plants was not encouraging in the initial years. Heavy
mortality of young saplings, overcrowded plants and heavy incidence of
disease and pest sometimes were the contributing factors for low level of
motivation of staffs of PRADAN as well as farmers. Sufficient technical
support through any ICAR institutions or SAUs for growing horticultural
crops was not available either to the farmers or PRADAN. The sudden
mortality, heavy pest infestation resulted in low confidence level of execu-
tives for implementation of different horticultural programs. At times, it
appeared in the mind of PRADAN staffs that 'whether mango is really a
possible options for marginal poor's or not?'
ICAR RCER, RC, RANCHI, THE PARTNER ON RESEARCH
SUPPORT
The ICAR Research Complex for Easter Region, Research Centre, Ranchi
has been working in the area of research and development in horticulture
and agro-forestry for last 30 years. Out of its experience of working the
eastern plateau and hill region since last 30 years it has been realized by
ICAR RCER, RC, Ranchi that perennial crop based cropping system can
provide a sustainable alternative for effective utilization of uplands of the
region. Last three decades of research has resulted in development of large
