Fig.1. Schematic layout of broad bedand furrow system

The A&N Islands receive an annualrainfall of 3100 mm even then faces acutewater scarcity during dry months.

A watershed based holistic approach wasused to mitigate the water crisis in 39 hawatershed area.

Two ponds and eight permanent checkdams were constructed across the nallahfor rain water harvesting and soil erosionprevention

Construction of series of check damssubstantially reduced the sediment loadof the stream.

It helped in recharging undergroundwater, which in turn harnessed throughthe wells located in the lower valleyareas.

The created water resources was used forvegetable production and domestic useduring the dry period.

Besides, the ponds were used forcomposite fish culture throughintegrated approach.

Watershed Development for Soiland Water Conservation

Crop Diversification through BroadBed and Furrow (BBF) System

Water logging in monsoon and waterscarcity during post-monsoon season arethe major constraints in low-lying areas.

Severe crop damage by Giant AfricanSnail.

BBF involves making of broad beds andfurrows alternatively in low-lying lands.

In 1 ha area, 10 beds (4 m x 100 m) and 10furrows (6 m x 100 m) can be constructed.

The Gains

Round the year cultivation of vegetables

During monsoon season: cultivation ofrice and fish in furrows; Vegetables/fodder/ floriculture in raised beds

During post-monsoon season:vegetables on raised beds and pulses /groundnut in furrows

It prevents Giant African Snail attack onvegetables

Evaluation of cropping system on thebeds and furrows in 1 ha BBF area gave

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a net return of Rs 198,000 from radish–chilli on the beds and rice–ratoon (azolla+ fish : singhi + magur) – groundnut inthe furrows

Cropping intensity increased from 100 %to 300–500 % on the beds and 300 % inthe furrows

Benefit : cost ratio of low-lying paddyland improved to 2.77 from < 1

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A reliable way of obtaining fairly highproductivity with ecologically soundpractices leading to sustainableagriculture

Efficient cropping system and croprotationComplementary combination of farmenterprises (crop, animal and fishcomponents) that gives regular andenhanced farm incomeEfficient recycling of farm resources andanimal wastesMinimizes nutrient losses and highernutrient use efficiencyInsurance against a crop failureFour micro-farming situations (Hilly,Slopping hilly upland, Medium uplandvalley and Low-lying valley) exist in theIsland, which requires suitablecombination of farming components

Integrated Farming System (IFS) forEnhanced and Regular Farm Income

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The Gains

Component analysis of developed IFSmodels indicated that croppingcontributed more to net returns (69-83 %)in hilly and sloping hilly uplands,whereas livestock components (cattle,poultry and fish) contributed more to netreturns (49-66 %) in medium uplandvalley and low-lying valley areas

On an average, net returns from IFS wasRs 1.0-2.5 lakh/ha under variousresource situations with a B:C ratio of2.5:1

Bacterial load in fish-cum-poultry-cum-duck system revealed that Salmonella sp.in the pond gets increased duringmonsoon and further increased duringthe summer, revealing unsuitability ofpond water for household purpose

Farm women contributes to net returnfrom IFS by sharing 46% of the farmactivities

Limited farm mechanization (57%animate and 43% inanimate) in field andplantation crops

Traditional cultivation practices involvesdrudgery, time consuming and costintensive

High post-harvest losses (15-25%) inquality and quantity of rice, coconut,arecanut, spices and fish. Traditionaloperations involve drudgery, energyintensive and time consuming

Scope of introduction of power tiller/animal drawn improved implements(rotary tiller, puddler with cage wheel,seed drill, weeder, thresher)

Scope of introduction of rice huller, ricemill, coconut and arecanut dehusker,solar dryer and biomass fired dryer

Scope of protected cultivation structurefor high value crops

Tillage with power tiller rotavator withangle iron cage wheel and transplantingby system of rice intensification methodreduces energy requirement andincreases productivity & profitability

Manual rice transplanter reduces labourrequirement by 70% over manualtransplanting whereas use of directseeder & conoweeder resulted in savingof 80% and 50% cost over traditionalmethods

Paddy thresher was found better (threshingefficiency 96-97%) and economic (40%saving) over traditional method

Improved CARI coconut dehusker with1.5 times higher nut capacity was foundbetter than KAU dehusker

Farm Mechanization for Field andPlantation crops

Low availability of farm power (0.4 kW/ha) in the island as compared to nationalaverage (2.0 kW/ha)

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Solar dryer saves 50% of time with lowbacterial load as compared to open sundrying and adds value to different products

Biomass fired dryer saves 56% of time indrying of coconut compared to open sundrying

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Turning Tsunami Affected SalineLands Green

Vast agricultural area got partially/totally waterlogged and salt-affectedduring tsunami

Design and construction of peripheralbunds along with one way sluice gate tocheck sea water inundation during hightides and drainage channels to allow

drainage of excess rainwater

Construction of farm ponds / check damfor rainwater harvesting

Leaching of salts from agricultural fieldsby ponding of rainwater

Cultivation of salt tolerant rice cultivarsin moderate saline land

Raised and sunken beds for introductionof vegetable crops

Scientific development of coconut andarecanut plantations

Application of organic manure fornutrient managementIntegrated farming system for improvingland and water productivityErecting scientifically designed bio-shields

Successful implementation oftechnological interventions i.e.peripheral bunding with oneway sluice gates arrested theingress of seawater in pilotareas

Engineering and agronomicmeasures combined togetherhas resulted in increasedproduction of salt tolerant ricevarieties viz. CSR 36, CSR 23and BTS 24 in the pilot areas

Soil salinity status of the pilot areas

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