VikasTandon, Rakesh Sharma, PunitChoudhary, SheetalBadyal, Raju Gupta and PoonamAbrol

Sher-e-Kashmir

University o f Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Jammu

TELEFAX: 01923-252929

Introduction:

Wheat (Triticumaestivum) is most important food grain crop of Jammu district and is cultivated on an area of 71000 ha. The productivity of wheat is about half the national productivity which is a cause of concern. The major reason identified by the scientists of KrishiVigyan Kendra (KVK) for the low yield in wheat wasuse of local seed and non adoption modern agricultural practices by the farmers of the district. The farmers areusing grains of the preceding year wheat crop as a seed. The farmers are using high seed rate per hectare ranging between 120 and 160 kg/ha which results in loss of precious seed and also gives lesser space to plants. Moreover, they were not treating the seed with fungicide which invites various diseases resulting in low yield. Due to thesefaulty practices farmers are getting 30-40 percent lesser yield/ha as compared to the farmers who were adopting newer variety seeds and were carrying scientific cultivation in wheat.

KVK Intervention:

The scientists of KVK devised a compressive strategy to convince the farmers of district to use HD 2967 variety seeds. The strategies adopted by KVK for large scale adoption of HD 2967 variety among the farming community were: conductance of on farm trails (OFT) of HD 2967 wheat variety on farmers field, organized capacity bulidingprogrammes for the farmers/farm women to create awareness-knowledge, and showcasing of yield potential of HD 2967 wheat variety by laying front line demonstrations (FLDs). Moreover, farmers’ field days, kissangosthis and exhibitions were conducted and extension literature is being extensively distributed for the benefit of the farming community.

Impact:

Since 2012-13, KVK Jammu gave a push to its extension activities to motivate/convince farmers to adopt HD 2967 variety in wheat. The number of front line demonstrations laid was increased to infuse a sense of security and showcase how the productivity of wheat can be increased. As a result of these activities, the rate of adoption of the HD 2967 variety increased. Between 2013-14 and 2015-16, the area under HD 2967 variety increased from 2593 ha to 22552ha (Fig.1). Thus on 30 percent of wheat area, seed was replaced by HD 2967 variety in the year 2015-16.

Figure 1: Seed Replacement by HD 2967 variety in wheat crop

To provide basket of new released varieties suitable for Jammu district, KrishiVigyan Kendra Jammu started conducting On Farm Trails (OFTs) on wheat varieties namely HD 3086 and WH 1105. In rabi2015-16, KVK Jammu laid OFTs on five different locations of Jammu district and found that HD 3086 and WH-1105 performed well in Jammu conditions in terms of yield and no symptoms of yellow rust was reported. In the rabi season, 2016-17 also KVK laid OFTs on different locations of Jammu district under irrigated conditions. The impact of OFTs is now visible as farmers on whose field OFTs were laid in year 2015-16 cultivated HD 3086 and WH-1105 on their own field and moreover horizontally spread this technology among neighboring farmers and friends by providing seeds of these varieties. For vertical spread on these varieties, the results of the OFTs are being discussed with farmers during training programmes and other extension activities of KVK. The adoption of HD 3086 and WH 1105 wheat varieties by farmers during the rabi season 2016-17 clearly indicated that the farmers are ready to accept the new technology. Most of the farmers of the district opted for HD 2967, HD 3086 and WH-1105 during the rabi season. The farmers said that these varieties are highly productive and had disease resistant qualities. Project Director Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research Karnal also told to The Tribune newspaper on 7th of December, 2016 that In Haryana and Punjab wheat varieties HD 2967, HD-3086 and WH-1105 were being sown in large areas.

Figure 2: Area under HD 2967, HD 3086 and WH 1105 wheat varieties from 2013-14 to 2016-17

Future Vision

KVK will carry on testing and assessing latest released varieties for wider adoption in district to harness high yield and better economic per unit area.

Thereby, KVK will help to augment farmers income and bring prosperity among farming community