Study of integrated Conservation Agriculture models for

sustainability in the rainfed areas of Madhya Pradesh

Submitted to:

AKRSP-I (Aga Khan Rural Support Program -India)

Conservation Agriculture Modern farming concept for resource-saving

agricultural crop production and aims to achieve acceptable profits and sustainable production together with conservation of the environment

Continuous minimum mechanical soil disturbance (minimum tillage)

Permanent organic soil cover (surface mulch) Diversified crop rotations for

annual crops or plant associations

for perennial crops

Problems in traditional farming practices: Leads to reduction of soil organic matter in the

long run Soil erosion Loss of biodiversity i.e. destruction of

biological life Increasing cost of cultivation

Soil erosion due to tillage operations and surface runoff

Advantages of Conservation Agriculture: Provides a sustainable production system Stabilizes the soil moisture and temperature in the

surface layers ie Improved infiltration and retention of soil moisture

Habitat for a number of organisms Reduction of the production costs, reduction of

time and labour Reduce surface runoff and thus reduce soil erosion Increased humus formation.

Objectives of the study: Objective 1. Cost benefit analysis of the CA model with respect to different growing models of the Dedtalai cluster

Objective 2. To analyze the existing practices followed by the farmers in both the clusters

Objective 3. To analyze the reasons of farmers’ dropout from Khalwa cluster

Objective 4. Analyze the reviews of farmers of both the clusters

Methodology: Census or population study Khalwa cluster there are 11 new farmers and 5 dropout

farmers Dedtalai cluster there are 22 farmers which include both

new and existing farmers

Sources of data collection:

Primary Sources of Data Collection: Informal Discussion Transect walk Structured Interview

Secondary Sources of Data Collection: AKRSP-I (Aga Khan Rural Support Programme-

India) Internet

Cost Benefit Analysis of Dedtalai cluster

Considered cultivation area as 1 acre. (1 acre= 4046.8 m2) CBA of maize only i.e. rabi season crop Input cost includes:

Cost of seeds (quantity and price) Cost of manures and fertilizers (quantity and price) Cost of pesticides (quantity and price) Irrigation expenses Machinery equipment expenses(tractor, power tiller,

thresher, ploughs etc)

CONT.. Cost of labours Transportation charges Bullock labour charges

Output cost includes: Revenue of seeds sold Revenue of fodder or byproducts if any

 

Total profit obtained is Rs. 922.50 in case of traditional farming practice.

Total profit obtained is Rs. 6,432.50 in case of CA.So we can see that there is an extra profit of Rs. 5,510 (Rs. 6,432.50-Rs. 922.50) for doing Conservation Agriculture practices

Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) ignoring the opportunity cost of labours, bullock labour cost, and mulching materials cost.

Total profit obtained is Rs. 1,122.50 in case of traditional farming practice.

  Total profit obtained is Rs. 6,582.50 in case of CA. So we can see that there is an extra profit of Rs. 5,460 (Rs.

6,582.50-Rs. 1,122.50) for doing Conservation Agriculture practices ignoring opportunity cost of labours, bullock labour cost and mulching materials cost.

 

Existing practices followed by the farmers:

Rating scale: Soil disturbance while farming Amount and type of mulching Intercropping/ cover crop Soil erosion in traditional practices Soil compaction in case of CA and traditional Destruction of biological life in traditional practices Approach of the organization Sowing practice i.e. sowing done before mulching or other

such practices

A very few of the farmers were following the techniques of CA properly

Other farmers who are not following properly should be trained and guided properly by the organization staff

Farmers not clear about the objectives of conservation agriculture Need constant guidance to follow the principles of CA Farmers’ perception: only mulching required in CA Most of the existing farmers lethargic, least cared in this current

season

Reasons of farmers’ dropout from Khalwa cluster No adequate irrigation was available, water runoff due

to undulating land surface Crops were destroyed and consumed by wild animals

from the forest, the field being adjacent to the forest, deer, wild boars, moles, monkeys destroyed the crop

Selection of experimental plot adjacent to the forest was wrong

Selection of experimental crop like gram/chickpea was also wrong

Less interest from farmers’ side

Farmers’ plot adjacent to the forest

CA PLOTS

FOREST

Reviews of farmers of both the clusters Most of the farmers have noticed the changes between CA

and traditional techniques of farming Less irrigation was required in rabi crops Soil in case of CA was able to retain more moisture than

traditional soil Revival of biological life i.e. earthworms

Challenges: Initial lack of knowledge No blueprint available for conservation agriculture, as all agro-

ecosystems are different Farmers from korku tribe and have a primitive mindset over

traditional farming Number of cattle in farmers house Farmers fear snakes and other harmful insects and animals that

make shelter below the mulching Farmers need immediate results of any new technique introduced

to them

Recommendations: Farmers can have a field visit among themselves so that they

can observe the differences of the plots and from there they can learn about their faults if any

Farmers can be shown videos related to Conservation Agriculture of different places to motivate them

Regularly motivate the farmers regarding the various advantages of this model of farming to change their mindset over the years

Need farmers who are exceptional in their performance so that they can take a pioneer leadership in spreading awareness of sustainable agricultural practices among the other farmers

Continue experimentation on the farmers plot with his involvement so that he could learn from it

Thank You..