Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
cated reduction of plant mortality to the tune of less than 10% by use of
Trichoderma
. Large-scale demonstration of canopy management practices
like center opening was made by scientists of ICAR RCER, RC, R in
the farmers' fields. Although the farmers initially expressed hesitation in
pruning of plants, due to effective group mobilization by PRADAN, the
canopy management activity could be demonstrated in 56 farmers' fields
of Gumla and Purulia in the presence of the scientist of ICAR RCER,
RC. In the next year the farmers as well as executives of PRADAN were
highly impressed by the performance of pruned plants. At present, cano-
py management has become a regular practice in young mango orchards
planted by PRADAN. For management of termite, Bi fenthrin 2.5% could
be successfully demonstrated for controlling the damage. Nutrient man-
agement in young plants, particularly use of micronutrients was stressed
upon for minimization of gummosis. Based on the feedback of scientists,
three workshops were organized by PRADAN at Purulia and Gumla in
the presence of scientists from ICAR RCER, RC, R where the staffs of
PRADAN as well as lead farmers were provided on-field training on tech-
niques of canopy management, nutrient and water management, use of
Trichoderma for establishment of young mango plants, winter protection
of young plants, termite control, identification and management of mango
pest. Looking at the positive impact of the on-field training programs, sim-
ilar workshops as well as training were organized next year with different
team members of PRADAN at Khunti, Lohardaga, Hazaribagh, Dumka
districts of Jharkhand, Keonjhar district of Orissa and Dhamtari district
of Chhattisgarh and monthly calendar of operation for management of the
mango orchards were prepared with their participation. The members of
different teams were provided exposure visit at ICAR RCER, Research
Centre, Ranchi to appraise them of different technologies in horticulture
and technology visioning. Regular monitoring was carried out on the part
of PRADAN to ensure proper implementation of different recommended
practices. For the mitigation of risk for life saving irrigation of mango,
two events of capacity were organized at Purulia & Gumla to introduce
the water-harvesting model “Jal Kunda” in the farmers field. Initially the
model was tested for OFT (on farm technique) in Gumla & Jhalda block
of Purulia. After seeing the success of this model, the model has been
replicated in three locations of PRADAN (Gumla, Purulia & Dhamtari)
with at least 150 farmers. After receiving response from farmers, now the
