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Horizontal expansion of information technology among farmers in Sudan and Netherlands has helped in their mass food production
Hence Experts suggest that their experiments should be followed to boost production in J&K
By: Dr G.M. Wani
Srinagar:It has been observed that crops in Kashmir valley continue to remain prone to the attacks of pests, resulting in enormous damages and thus putting a big question mark on the ability of our experts. However, some FAO programme results are encouraging and new pest management procedures are to be experimented under farmer’s field. Minimum use of pesticides and Eco-friendly applications. Problems and constraints of technology transfer in India have been reported. Similarly biogas technology use or adoption has been full of constraints. These range from technological, financial, administrative and innovative ones. Proper mechanization and training in operation of such biogas technology is necessary.
An information web networking developed helped farmers to improve their income through training and advice thus participatory technology transfer is a possible mechanism for improvement in Agri-productivity.
It is worth mentioning that quest for knowledge led Netherlands farmers to have an Association for organic farm produce. This Association conducted its own farm research and shared its experiences with other farmer members back in 1980. Soon the Government Agricultural Research Organization started collaborating with them. The station mandate was to assist the development of farming systems in the area called polder in the village, Nagale of Netherlands. This combination of research and farming practices at farmers’ field tried various crop combinations and rotations. The use of nitrogen-fixing crops (Legumes) for maintaining soil fertility and strategic management of pests and diseases, extending or delaying planting of various crops etc. Some experiences of low-weed-crop production by adopting agronomic practices like regular harrowing of lands and use of crop covers was tried. The farmer pressure and self-sustaining groups need to be involved in research experiments of SAU/ICAR and all other KVK farms and institutes. This would have both a demonstration and high adoption value. Besides it would also be practical field research model. Horizontal, farmer to farmer contacts helps dissemination of agricultural information. This horizontal expansion of information from one vegetable grower to another in Suden helped technology adoption. Mass media support for rice production has been helpful in Bihar. Out of 5 TV talks, 75% farmers benefited and registered higher production and low disease damages. Similar observations are known in J&K. Electronic technological diffusion of knowledge at Farmer’s fields was helpful, local language and local persons can diffuse ideas and disseminate information and communication faster. It is proposed to have innovative knowledge defusion to women farmers through local women.
It needs to be stated that majority of rice producing farmers in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh had no extension personnel contact or electronic or print media information. Continuous information or mass media have significant impact on use of seed rate, transplantation time and application of nitrogenous fertilizers in Rice. A gap existed in knowledge of farmers so far as dose of fertilizer application is concerned. Farmwomen adoption rate for use of farm implements was good when uses of such implements were demonstrated to them. Farmwomen were given farm implements to use for a fortnight.. Information from research to farmers via extension officers was examined.. Pertinent to mention that the inter system communication helps in technology dissemination of diary farmers in Iran. Rice cultivation awareness improved when women farmers were trained. Agricultural knowledge and information system increased economic efficiency of crop production, out put costs, social upgradation and income generation.
“Small farmers are neglected by extension services and need proper awareness. Agricultural extension specialists must specialize in community structure, development, education learning tools, technology and policy issues. Thus these disciplines or topics need incorporation in Farm Business Management curriculum. Partnership process, management and communication should be the main thrust. Co-operative mechanism, farm business management and evaluation and monitoring tools should be used. Seed production programme was successfully implemented by farm women as a self-help group in Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu and Thamizoli. Efficiency of extension lies in bottom up approach in hilly areas. Small scale farming operations using green manure cover improves soil fertility,” said a group of experts in Agriculture Science.
Therefore, it would be prudent to adopt and learn from the experiences of other nation, which have succeeded in boosting food production. We must remember that there is no relationship between food production and growing population. As a matter of fact landmass is shrinking, which reinforces necessity to take advantage of scientific knowledge to cope up with the demand. This applies to our conditions in J&K in general but more particularly in Kashmir valley.
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