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Summary Report

Organised byKrishi Vigyan Kendra

Kheda

Kheda Water Week Promoting farmer-scientist interface

June 9-13, 2015

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Centers for International Projects Trust (CIPT)© CIPT, September, 2015

EditingKamal Vatta, CIPT

Report writingNikunj Parekh, CIPT

InputsP K Sharma, KVK Kheda

Photo creditsCIPT, New Delhi and KVK, Kheda

This product is made possible by the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under Cooperative Agreement AID-386-A-12-00001. The contents of this report are the sole responsibility of CIPT and do not necessarily reflect views of USAID or the U.S. Government.

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The United States Agency for International Development India (USAID/India) has funded

the Water-Agriculture-Livelihood Security (WEALS) program to Centers for International

Projects Trust (CIPT), New Delhi. The program aims towards developing integrated

approach for managing water, energy and food to meet the food security goals and

equitable economic growth of farmers. The WEALS program is being implemented in the

states of Gujarat, Punjab and Jharkhand. CIPT has been actively working on addressing

water-energy issues in the agriculture sector in North Gujarat region for the past 4 years.

Subsequently, CIPT started working with Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kheda in Central Gujarat

region. Some of the important interventions in Gujarat include the promotion of micro-

irrigation systems, alternative drought/heat tolerant wheat varieties like GW-11, ICT tools such as interactive web-based information

portals and relevant mobile applications to promote sustainable and resource-efficient agricultural practices.

As part of the USAID project, Centers for International Projects Trust (CIPT) in association with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kheda

(Gujarat Vidyapith) organized training program for farmers at KVK during June 9 -13, 2015. The week-long training program was

named as ‘Kheda Water Week’ where farmers interacted with various research and development experts to resolve their various

problems relating to water and agriculture in the region. Dr. P K Sharma, Director, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kheda, his team and

Mr. Nikunj Parekh, Project Coordinator, CIPT coordinated various activities of the program.

Major themes of the training program during different days of Kheda Water Week were the following:

Day 1 – Water Management in Kheda -The rice bowl of Gujarat

Day 2 – Soil and water management

Day 3 – Moving towards organic farming

Day 4 – Horticulture farming and its benefits

Day 5 – Ideal animal husbandry

Dr. P K Sharma, Director, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kheda welcomed all the guests and

farmers for celebrating the Kheda Water Week. He spoke about the aims and objectives

of the training program.He mentioned that the training program was aimed at reaching

farmers at the field level and discussing the problems and issues faced by them to arrive

at appropriate solutions. He pointed towards huge knowledge gaps and wide differences

between the recommended practices and what is being actually practiced on the farms. He

further referred to the challenges for adoption despite a number of potential technologies

and practices developed for enhancing farm production and farm incomes. He mentioned

that the training program was designed to provide access to better information systems

designed for farmers, experts view on challenges faced on field and solutions.

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Speaking at the program, Dr. Kamal Vatta, Director, CIPT introduced the work carried out

by CIPT in various parts of India. He said that chronic water shortage and groundwater

depletion emerged as the leading sustainability challenges for food security in India. He

mentioned that agriculture consumes over 85 per cent of water in India, and given the

high climate variability, irrigation is key to adequate crop yields, reliable production and

farmer income. A variety of government subsidy and food procurement programs have

led to climatically inappropriate cropping patterns and a dramatic increase in groundwater

pumping. Pumping is translating into large energy costs for the state, leading to budgetary

deficits. As groundwater levels decline, buffering climate variations becomes increasingly

difficult for all sectors of water use. He highlighted that strategies for improved on farm water and energy use efficiency are

discussed, but little progress is being made relative to the scale of the concern, and especially looking at climate risks. He also

explained how the use of modern technologies viz. soil moisture sensors has benefitted the farmers in Punjab. He also urged

farmers to get their soils tested for better nutrient management in paddy.

Dr. Vatta further mentioned that, CIPT is currently working with KVK Kheda on a nutrient management program based on soil

testing. The program will cover 100 farmers from the region and would involve training, extension and provision of fertilizer input

for improved nutrient management in paddy crop.

Dr. Atul Mehta, Research Scientist and Head, Main Rice Research Station, Anand

Agricultural University also interacted with the farmers. He mentioned that agriculture

in Gujarat still comprises large scale cultivation of food crops like rice and wheat. For

instance, the area under cultivation of rice in terms of percentage against total food grains

has increased from over 11 per cent in 1960-61 to around 19 per cent in 2009-10. The rice

cultivation is carried out primarily in Anand, Kheda, Ahmedabad, Vadodara and certain

other districts in Gujarat state with Kheda district as major cultivator of rice also known

as ‘rice bowl of Gujarat.’ For efficient use of water, soil management and maintenance of

micro-nutrient is very important, he added. Dr. Mehta also shared information on improved

paddy varieties and its yield, fertilizer and water management in paddy.

While speaking at the program, Dr. K S Prajapati, Research Scientist, Main Rice Research Station, Anand Agricultural University

shared the information on insect and pest management practices in paddy crop with farmers.

Day 1

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Soil testing helps in balanced and appropriate application of fertilizer. Gujarat state is at the

forefront of streamlining soil health card program for the farmers in the state. Speaking

at the program Dr. V P Ramani, Associate Research Scientist, Micro-Nutrient Research

Project, Anand Agricultural University highlighted the importance of soil testing and

nutrient management to farmers. He mentioned that various factors are responsible for

proper growth and development of crops. However, micro-nutrients play a very important

role in crop growth.

Dr. Ramani further recommended the combination of 60 per cent chemical fertilizer, 30 per

cent organic manure fertilizer and 10 per cent bio fertilizer. He further advised farmers to use farm yard manure in order to increase

the porosity of soil. In addition, he also advised farmers to get their soil tested for better management of micro as well as macro

nutrients in the soil for improved productivity and yields.

Citing the excessive use of fertilizer and water resources in Central Gujarat region

Dr. V R Bogra, Associate Director of Extension Education, Anand Agricultural

University stated that farmers should optimize the use of natural resources and

adopt scientific approach in farming.

Dr. K F Parmar, District Agriculture Officer, Kheda also interacted with farmers. Dr.

Parmar recommended farmers to adopt scientific approach in agriculture in order

to reduce the expenses.

Dr. P N Shukla, Deputy Director Horticulture, Kheda advised farmers to switch

from traditional cropping systems to high value cash crops such as vegetables.

Further, Dr. Shukla also educated farmers on various schemes offered by the

Government of Gujarat.

Day 2

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Dr. S S Kalamkar, Director, Agro Economic Research Centre (AERC) for the state of

Gujarat and Rajasthan, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India also spoke at the

training program. He introduced the work and activities conducted by AERC in Gujarat.

He explained to the farmers the concept of Minimum Support Prices (MSP) offered

by Government of India for 24 crops and how such a policy has helped in boosting

agricultural production while ensuring food security. However responding to farmers’

queries he also agreed that the MSP policy has led to disparities between regions and

crops and it has not helped in achieving desired crop diversification in a big way.

Dr. Kalamkar also invited suggestions from farmers with regards to various policy initiatives and schemes undertaken by the

Government. He also explained in detail the procedure of how the Minimum Support Prices for crops are decided by the Government

of India.

While speaking at the training program, Dr. Mahesh Patel, Principal and Head,

Department of Agronomy, Anand Agricultural University explained that during

earlier times farmers used urea efficiently. During recent times the use of urea has

increased and management of soil is very poor. He also explained how increased

use of fertilizers and chemicals has adversely affected the agricultural productivity.

Due to increased use of fertilizers insects-pests and diseases have increased

significantly leading to poor crop productivity and incomes to farmers. Dr. Patel

suggested farmers to switch towards organic farming.

Mr. Jigar Bhatt, Deputy Director Agriculture, Kheda also spoke at the training

program. He suggested farmers to move towards efficient use of fertilizers and

water resources. Recommended practices prescribed by agricultural universities

and departments are available over various platforms and he advised farmers to

follow the recommended practices in order to sustain agricultural incomes.

Day 3

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Dr. K B Kathiria, Director of Research, Anand Agricultural University interacted

with the farmers on various issues with focused discussion on horticulture and

cash crop farming. He gave detailed information on selection of vegetable crops

and diseases resistant variety of vegetables suitable to the climatic conditions in

Central Gujarat region. Improved varieties of vegetable crops have been developed

by Anand Agricultural University for farmers and Dr. Kathiria exhorted farmers to

move towards such high value and resource efficient crops.

Furthermore, Dr. Kathiria advised farmers to use the pesticides and chemicals

according to recommendations and to keep the farm plots free from weeds. He

also advised the farmers to study the market situation and prices while cultivating

vegetables on their farms.

Dr. Subhash Patel, Unit Head, Main Vegetable Research Station, Anand Agricultural University shared the information on the

cultivation of important vegetable crops in Gujarat.

Dr. Ketan Patel, Department of Animal Husbandry, Matar, spoke to 150 women

farmers who participated on the last day of the training program. He raised a very

basic question of why farmers are moving away from animal husbandry and dairy

sector. He called for the women farmers to prioritize the animal husbandry sector

since it contributes to a sizeable percentage in rural farm incomes. He exhorted

women farmers to keep due care of cattle and the places where cattle reside.

Proper health maintenance, timely medical examinations of animals and proper

intake of food for such animals should be taken due care. He also insisted women

farmers to use improved technologies available in dairy sector in order to increase

the milk production and consequent incomes. He urged farmers to get the animal

insurance in the first place.

Day 4

Day 5* * *

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While interacting with women farmers, Dr. Kaushal Prajapati, Subject Matter Specialist,

KVK Kheda urged them to select the improved breed of cattle. He also shared the scientific

approach towards animal care for higher milk production. Fodder crops such as Jowar,

Maize etc. yields good quantity of fodder and farmers dependent on dairy sector should

opt for such crops.

Speaking at the program, Nikunj Parekh, Project Coordinator, CIPT expressed satisfaction

that many young women farmers participated in the training program. He further added

that despite huge investments in infrastructure and introduction of new technologies,

the unsustainable farm incomes persisted as a chronic problem in Indian agriculture.

Restructuring of farming system in such cases by introducing mixed farming, particularly crop farming and dairy always help in

raising rural farm incomes. He also highlighted the following gender specific issues in agriculture:

• Do women participate in decisions undertaken in the sector?

• Are women involved in the agriculture sector activities aware of the available extension services, technology options, policies

etc.?

• Do women have access to productive resources such as land, human capital (education, knowledge, time mobility)?

The week-long training program provided an excellent forum for a learning discussion

amongst farmers and experts. The program ended on a high note with several farmers

urging KVK and CIPT to conduct more such training programs so that they get benefitted.

The literature material on recommended practices in agriculture for Central Gujarat region,

nutrient and soil management techniques, and schemes offered by Government of

Gujarat in agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry sector was also distributed to the

participating farmers. The group interaction session was also held at the end of session on

each day of the training program inviting several interesting questions and facts from the

ground level. The program was attended by 612 farmers in the region across 36 villages in

Kheda district. During the training program 43 experts marked their presence and delivered

lectures and training to farmers on various subjects.

With time, the challenges for agriculture sector have increased manifold. Sustainable growth in agriculture is not only dependent on

the use of quality inputs but also on the rational use of natural resources, climate change and timely access to quality information

on inputs, outputs, markets, weather and other related parameters. The training program generated immense interest among

farming community in Kheda region. Access to information can significantly improve the efficiency of resource use, which is an

important concern due to rapidly depleting natural resources such as groundwater and soil health. CIPT and KVK are partnering to

demonstrate the use of efficient technologies in the future.

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Testimonials

“Very nicely organized technical program where large numbers of farmers participated” – Dr. V R Boghra, Associate

Director of Extension, Anand Agricultural University

“Well organized program. Congratulations to KVK and CIPT for organizing Kheda Water Week for farmers. Joint effort is very

well appreciated” – Dr. V P Ramani, Head, Micro Nutrient Research Project, Anand Agricultural University

“KVK Kheda and CIPT have jointly organized a wonderful seminar cum training program for the farmers in the region.

Through such training program farmers get need based information” – Dr. P N Shukla, Deputy Director of Horticulture,

Nadiad, Government of Gujarat

“It is very pleasing to note the activities conducted at the field level by KVK and CIPT. Interaction with farmers was

wonderful” – Dr. S S Kalamkar, Director, Agro Economic Research Centre for the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan, Sardar

Patel University, Anand

“Celebrating Kheda Water Week itself is a best extension activity for farmers. Good wishes to CIPT and KVK Kheda”

– Mr. Jigar Bhatt, Deputy Director of Agriculture (Extension), Nadiad, Government of Gujarat

“Kheda Water Week organized by CIPT and KVK was well taken by the farmers. Such programs are useful to farmers,

extension workers and scientists” – Dr. K B Kathiria, Director of Research, Anand Agricultural University

Voice of Farmers

“Through Kheda Water Week organized by KVK Kheda and CIPT, we got immense opportunity to learn different aspects

of agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry. During the week different themes were covered including modern

technologies for agricultural development. We thank the organizers for conducting the training program and request to

conduct such training programs more frequently in the future” – Ekta Farmer Cooperative, Machiyel Village, Kheda

“We thank the CIPT and KVK Kheda for inviting us to the training program organized under Kheda Water Week. We got

immense opportunity to interact directly with various experts on new technologies and challenges in the region. During the

training program around 750 farmers took part during the week long program”- Sardar Farmer Cooperative, Dethali village,

Kheda (Registered with NABARD).

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Press Coverage

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Centers for International Projects Trust910-911, Pragati TowersRajendra PlaceNew Delhi - 110008T: +91-11-4056 5989W: www.cipt.in

Krishi Vigyan Kendra, KhedaAt & PO. Dethali, Taluka MatarDist. Kheda - 387210T: +91 2694 29125W: www.gvkvkkheda.org

The Centers for International Projects Trust (CIPT) is the India Office of the Columbia Water Center. Established

in 2008 as not-for-profit trust, the purpose of CIPTs work is to understand and perform applied research in the

fields of water, energy, agriculture, climate, environment, health, education and economic upliftment.

In collaboration with government agencies, civil society and private sector partners, CIPT is developing and

pilot testing new models for effective water and energy management across different regions of India. We

work towards providing rigorous, research-based knowledge as the foundation for various field based initiatives

involving the local communities, government, non-government and private partners.

Krishi Vigyan Kendra (Farm Science Center), Dethali is established under the edge of Gujarat Vidyapeeth

(Deemed University), Ahmedabad on 18th June, 2005 at Dethali, Ta. - Matar, Dist. Kheda. KVK is an innovative

science based institution to impart vocational skilled trainings to the farmers, farm women, rural youth and field

level extension functionaries.

Krishi Vigyan Kendras are grass root level organizations meant for application of technology through

assessment, refinement and demonstration of proven technologies under different micro farming situation in a

district.

KVK Kheda is also organizing various extension activities like field day, farmers’ day, exposure tour, kisan gosthi,

farmers’ fair, crop symposiums etc. during which experts, extension workers and farmers are involved and learn

from each other.

Centers for International Projects Trust, New Delhi

Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kheda