Season (Kharif): Scientific Cultivation of Sesamum var.
Champawati

KVK: KVK, Udalguri

Crop and Variety: Sesamum var. Champawati

Name of Farmer & Address: Mr. Hirambo Basumatary, Vill.
Bwigriguri, Dist. Udalguri

Background Information about Farmer's Field:

Udalguri district in Assam, with its diverse agro-climatic
conditions, is well-suited for growing oilseed crops like Sesamum. However,
farmers in the region often lack awareness of proper scientific cultivation
techniques and high-quality seed varieties. Traditionally, local varieties have
been used, resulting in lower yields and poor seed quality. Through the CFLD,
NMOOP project, efforts were made to introduce improved technologies and better
varieties to the farmers.

Mr. Hirambo Basumatary, a progressive farmer and
entrepreneur, owns 10 hectares of agricultural land where he primarily
cultivates Sali rice, Sesamum, Toria, and potatoes. Under the CFLD program, he
cultivated Sesamum var. Champawati on 0.4 hectares provided by KVK Udalguri,
achieving a yield of 7.2 quintals per hectare.

Details of Technology Demonstrated:

Seed Rate: Scientific cultivation of Sesamum var. Champawati
@ 4kg/haManure: Compost/Vermicompost @ 10t/ha

Institutional Involvement:

Under the NMOOP project, a total of 30 hectares of Sesamum
crop were demonstrated on a cluster basis during the 2023-24 season across six
different clusters in various villages of Udalguri district. KVK Udalguri
provided essential inputs such as seeds and vermicompost. Regular support
services were offered to farmers to address daily challenges and ensure
feedback and monitoring.

Success Points:

The average yield of the demonstrated crop was 6.1 quintals
per hectare, with a net return of Rs. 28,898 per hectare and a Benefit-Cost
(B-C) ratio of 1.82. The majority of farmers who participated in the program
fully adopted improved practices, including land preparation, use of
high-yielding varieties, optimal sowing times, and appropriate application of
manures and fertilizers. The technology has been widely appreciated by farmers
from nearby villages, many of whom are eager to adopt it in the upcoming
season.

Farmer Feedback:

Farmers expressed satisfaction with the yield of the variety
and are ready to adopt the technology.

Outcome:

Yield (q/ha):Demonstration: 5-7 q/haPotential Yield of
Variety/Technology: 9.04 q/haDistrict Average (Previous Year): 4.3 q/haState
Average (Previous Year): 5.2 q/ha

Name: Shri Prasanna Rabha

Father’s/ Mother’s/ Husband’sName: Shri Mahendra Rabha

Address: Vill:Kathalbari (Hirabari), P.O.:Panisheli, Khoirabari, Distt.: Udalguri, Assam, Pin: 784522

Phone No.: 8638204589

Adhaar No.: 529826111419 Category: Fishery

The journey to success:

Background

When zeal and interest combine to form success, it doesn't require advertising because it is a natural outcome of this combination. The success of a veteran farmer from Kathalbari (Hirabari), an interior village in the Udalguridistrict of Assam, is a shining example of how technologically advanced cultivation methods can transform the agrarian economy and improve the lives of millions of farmers in a state where many people believe luck has more to do with success than hard work.

History and KVK Intervention

Shri Prasanna Rabha started fish farming with 1 bigha (0.13 ha) of land area in the year 2006. Initially, he cultured fish in composite fish farming basis. The productivity was very low as compared to standards. During the year 2016-17 Shri Rabha came to contact and participated in extension activities of KVK, Udalguri. IFS model comprising improved variety of ducki.e.,Chara chambeli as well as fish farming and horticultural crops was demonstrated by KVK Scientists in his plot. He is one of the many farmers benefitted by the technology of Integrated duck cum fish cum horticulture farming system.Seeing his achievements and hard work, KVK Udalguri later in 2018-19 developed an AAU model fish hatchery (AAU model) unit in his farm in collaboration with the College of Fisheries, AAU, Raha.

Current Scenario

The man got himself fully involved in fish cultivation. Gradually he digs 5 grow out and 4 nursery ponds on his land covering 17 bighas of water area. At present Shri Rabha deriving his livelihood through integrated farming system and fish seed production from the 17 bigha land and an AAU model fish hatcheryat Village Kathalbari (Hirabari) of district Udalguri. Besides the seed production of Indian Major Carps and Exotic Carps, he is also producing Kawoi seed in his farm. KVK, Udalguri also motivated and helped him to participate in different district and state level exhibitions for promoting marketing facilities.

Support and guidance received from different departments

He has received financial and technical support from KVK, Udalguriand College of Fisheries, AAU, Rahafor construction of fish hatchery. He has also received financial support for construction of bio flocfish farming unit from Department of Fisheries.

Estimation of the results and outcomes

The use of proper ratio of quality fingerlings in the culture along with other inputs like protein rich pelleted feed, rice polish, Mustard oil cake, probiotics, netting and regular water testing helped him to get better yield from the ponds. He has also installed an aeration unit using his own brain (i.e., connecting the drilled PVC pipe into the overhead tank) to maintain the appropriate oxygen level in the ponds throughout time and especially during harsh conditions. He has produced 7.2tonnes Fishes from the pond (2ha) at an average of 3.6tonnes per haannually. Additionally, from his hatchery unit he is annually able to produce Spawn (13.80 crore), Fry (19.25 lakhs) and Fingerling (0.66 lakhs). His income was raised which sorted out many problems.Presently, Shri Rabha gets an average annual net income of Rs. 10.50 lakh with an average of Rs. 87,500.00 per month. The net income increased 53.42 % by adopting improved agricultural practices, Integrated Farming system and fish seed production.

Recognition

1. State’s 2^nd best fish farmer by Dept. of Fisheries, Govt. of Assam (2017)

2. ICAR-CIFA awarded for his leadership quality towards farming community (2019)

3. Progressive fish farmer award by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Udalguri (2019)

4. Progressive fish farmer award by Sub-divisional office Bhergaon, Udalguri (2020)

Impact of the Technology

After observing the success of Mr. Rabha through integrated farming system, 26 numbers of nearby farmers visited his farm to learn about the technology and already adopted the same in succeeded period. He has supplied quality fish seeds (spawn, fry, fingerling, yearling etc.) to around 500 fish farmers and also provided consultancy on scientific fish farming to them.

Future plan:

Mr. Rabha is planning to culture prawn along with IMC fishes in the coming year and also planning to breed high valued fish like Pabda in the near future.

Social Recognition

1. District president of All Rabha National Council

2. Advisor of HirabariJeuti Sangha

3. President of Bhergaon Sub-divisional co-operative Society

4. Member of FPC “ABAD agro producer company ltd.”

Name
of Project/Initiative/Pilot: Identification and
Popularization of feasible and profitable Integrated Farming System modules for
different Agro-Ecological situation of Udalguri District.

Distance (Kms) from state
capital: 107 km.

Name and contacts of
implementing agency, if any   Krishi
Vigyan Kendra – Udalguri

Fund under which the
project was financed : NABARD sponsored IFS project

Implementation period April
2021 – September 2023 ( 24 months )

Challenges/initiatives (What were the basic issues in front when
we undertook the project? The social, economic background against which the
project was conceived by the NGO or the RO. Project demographics as stated in
the project proposal may be provided here): The
economy of Assam is mainly agrarian with agriculture and allied activities
contributing about 20 per cent to the state’s gross domestic product and
providing livelihood support to about 75 per cent of the population. Crop
production activity which is a major activity in many of the farms is subject
to very high degree of variability due to natural as well as market risks. This
risk can be overcome by combining dairy, sheep rearing and other enterprises
which have a steady market and serve as source of good income generation. Under
these circumstances, a ray of hope lies in Integrated Farming Systems, which
ensures minimization of risk, recycling of wastes and residues, integration of
two or more enterprises, optimum utilization of all resources, maximization of
productivity and profitability, maintenance of ecological balance, generation
of employment, increased input use efficiency and use of end products from one
enterprise as input in other enterprise in addition to providing profitable
employment to all family members throughout the year, higher combined farm
income generation and a high degree of stability in income generation and
prosperity of the farmers.

Traditionally, the
farmers of Udalguri district adopt mixed farming in some or other forms of
farming systems where they grow crops, rear livestock and fish besides
homestead gardening and farm forestry. The common livestock enterprises are
dairy, goatery, piggery, poultry and duckery. In general, there are three
important components of a farming system (whole farm business) viz., (i) crop
component usually taken up in the main crop fields (ii) animal component and
also fishery component usually taken up within the homestead and (iii)
homestead farming which includes other allied activities taken up within the
homestead. Each of the above components may have one or more of several
activities or processes. Thus, selection, production/cultivation and/or rearing
activities within a farm determine the nature of farming system being practiced
in any situation. Nevertheless, the activities (crop or animals or fishery)
under each component depend on resource availability, their suitability,
adaptability, marketability and ability to satisfy the needs of a farm family.
The type of a particular farming system adopted by a farmer depends on his own
resource endowment, environmental condition, socio-economic situations and
religious beliefs and cultural heritage etc.

The most prevalent and
remunerative among the farming systems practiced are Rice Based Farming Systems
like rice-fish integration, rice-duck- fish integration, rice-fish-cattle
integration, rice-pig-fish integration and Integrated Fish-Livestock Farming
Systems like fish-broiler poultry faming, fish-pig-poultry farming, fish-pig
farming, fish-layer poultry farming, fish-duck farming and fish-cattle farming
etc.

The Government of India
has set for itself a goal of doubling farmers’ income by 2022. One of the
options to double farmers’ income and mitigate farmers’ vulnerability to
diverse stresses is the adoption of Integrated Farming Systems (IFS). The
advantages of IFS include pooling and sharing of resources or inputs; efficient
use of family labour; conservation, preservation and utilization of farm
biomass including non-conventional feed and fodder resources; effective use of
manure and animal waste; regulation of soil fertility and health; sustainable
income enhancement and employment generation.

Solution outline: What was the solution proposed in the project
outlines?: Integrated farming system, which is a synonym
to family farming, provides an opportunity to profitably engage the available
man power in the farm family to the fullest extent throughout the year leading
to higher income and family satisfaction. A good IFS aims at least dependence on
outside resources and efficient recycling of available farm resources.

Though IFS can be
explained as a system comprised of several mutually cohesive and complementary
agro based enterprises, no common model can be suitable for all the agro-
ecological situations. IFS models have to be developed based on the
agro-climatic situations, holding size, availability of resources like land,
water, labour, marketing facilities, risk factors, family size, ability of the
farm family members to participate in the farming activity, their
knowledge/skill level etc.

Adoption of Integrated
Farming System leads to sustainability and stability in farm income through
multiple enterprises that aim at maximum utilization of available natural
resources to meet the family needs. It aims at generating a threshold level of
farm income required for the farm family to maintain sustained interest in
farming thus preventing migration of people from farming sector.

Furthermore, the
Government of India has set for itself a goal of doubling farmers’ income by
2022through a six-point strategy. One of the options to double farmer income
and mitigate risk is the adoption of Integrated Farming Systems (IFS).

Solution implementation: The process, time, challenges,
experiences in the process of project implementation.

1.      The project was implemented
by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, AAU, Udalguri.

2.      In 1styear, modules with
different components such as ‘Integrated Pig (fattening) cum fish farming’,
‘Integrated Fish + Duck + Horti Farming’, ‘Poultry + Fish + Crop (Maize)
system’, ‘Paddy - Toria + Apiculture’ and ‘Paddy - Vegetable cultivation +
mushroom cultivation + Vermin-compost production’ was established in the
farmer’s field and partial analysis of income of that year, was carried out.

3.      Time to time technical
guidance and monitoring was done by the experts of the KVK.

4.      The project was also
monitored centrally by a group of experts of NABARD.

Project
achievements(qualitative): What were the final achievements of the project in
numbers? Human and social impact:

Economics of Integrated Pig (fattening) cum fish farming

For 1 ha for 1 ha of pond area

Gross cost: 6,21,322.00

Gross return:

Selling of fish: (4,665 kg x Rs. 200.00) = 9,33,000.00

Selling of pig: (Avg. 102 kg x Rs. 170.00 x 23 pigs) =
3,98,820.00

Total return: 12,68,820.00

BCR: 2.04

Economics of Integrated Fish + Duck + Horti farming

For 1 ha of pond area

Gross cost: 7,96,670.00

Gross return:

Selling of fish: (4,890 kg x Rs. 200.00) = 9,78,000.00

Selling of duck and egg: 2,19,000.00

Selling of Tomato: (28q x Rs. 700.00) = 19,600.00

Selling of Chilli: (5.6q x Rs. 5,000.00) = 28,000.00

Selling of cauliflower: (14q x Rs. 800.00) = 11,200.00

Selling of Cabbage: (14.8q x Rs. 700.00) = 10,360.00

Selling of Carrot: (13.6q x Rs. 6,000.00) = 81,600.00

Total return: 13,47,760.00

BCR: 1.69

Integrated Fish cum Poultry cum Corn Farming

For 1 ha

Gross cost: 5,60,700.00

Gross return:

Selling of fish: (4,245 kg x Rs. 200.00) = 8,49, 000.00

Selling of poultry: 2,06,250.00

Selling of Corn: (10.4 q x Rs. 1300.00) = 50,700.00

Total return: 11,05,950.00

BCR: 1.97

Integrated Paddy cum Toria cum Apiculture

For 1 ha

Gross cost: 75,885.00

Gross return:

Selling of paddy : (48.8q x Rs. 2100.00) = 1,02,480.00

Selling of paddy straw = 4,000.00

Selling of toria: (7.2q x Rs. 6500.00) = 46,800.00

Selling of honey: (10 L x Rs. 400.00) = 4,000.00

Total return: 1,57,280.00

BCR: 2.07

Integrated Paddy cum Vegetable cum Mushroom cum Vermicompost

For 1 ha

Gross cost: 2,10,166.00

Gross return:

Selling of paddy : (46.5q x Rs. 2100.00) = 97,650.00

Selling of paddy straw = 4,200.00

Selling of vegetable: 1,50,700.00

Selling of Mushroom: (535 kg x Rs. 150.00) = 80,250.00

Selling of Vermicompost: (165q x Rs. 1200.00) = 1,98,000.00

Selling of Earth worm: (15 kg x Rs. 2,000.00)= 30,000.00

Total return: 4,25,800.00

BCR: 2.03

Project
achievements(quantitative): Provide in actual numbers the difference the
project has made in terms of increase in income, increase in
production/capacity, assets/infrastructure created, improvements made in
environment, differences in processes, etc.

Under the head of assets/ infrastructure created, KVK has
developed the pond dyke of the demonstration units and constructed the houses
for pig and birds as well as he shed for vermicompost units.

Under the Biotech Krishi Innovation Science Application Network project, a significant initiative has been undertaken in Udalguri district of Assam to uplift mushroom cultivation practices, promote value-added mushroom products, and facilitate spawn production for rural entrepreneurship and livelihood generation.

Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Udalguri has implemented various activities such as skill development training and Front Line Demonstrations to promote mushroom cultivation among farmers. During the year 2022–23, a total of eight training programmes on mushroom production were conducted, benefiting 242 farmers across the district. Furthermore, ten demonstration units on mushroom production were established in villages like Bellapara, Jhargaon, Gohaikhati, Mazbat, Bajhajhar, Muwamari, and Balisiha. Additionally, ten demonstration programmes on mushroom value addition were conducted in different villages, encouraging farmers to explore diversified income avenues. An FPO focused on mushroom cultivation was also formed to support collective marketing and sustainability.

In the subsequent year 2024–25, the project continued with extended activities including spawn production, mass-scale training on value-added mushroom products, ground-level training for farmers, and clustering of farmers at the district level. This phase aimed to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem for mushroom growers. The project is sponsored by the Biotech-KISAN Hub, with a total fund allocation of ₹4 lakhs to support these efforts.