Agripreneurs Network

Vermicompost

Importance

Farmers are now convinced about the important of organic manures but availability of the good quality organic fertilizers is the problem. Farmers are generally using FYM once in 3 to 4 years. It has been estimated that organic resources available in the country alone can produce not less than 20 million tones of plant nutrients. The bulk quantity of crop residue and sugarcane trash is available with the farmers and 80-85 per cent farmers are burning it or throwing it on the bunds or roads. Hardly 15-20 per cent farmers are utilizing the crop residues for composting: however the compost prepared by conventional methods is time consuming, laborious with poor quality.
Vermiwash is the important nutrients solution for foliar applications. Vermiwash is rich in various plant nutrients and pesticides properties.Vermiwash generally content 1.32 per cent nitrogen, 0.72 per cent phosphorus, 0.65 per cent potassium and also secondary and micronutrients in sufficient quantity. Vermiwash preparation method is simple and cost effective.

Interventions of KVK

KVK has noticed the exact problems of Rural Youth and prepared a strategy to give them suitable agriculture based enterprise based on the local resources availability. To develop this enterprise in the rural area for self-employment and sustain agriculture business, KVK took initiative to promote the vermicompost production as self employment enterprise. For technical knowhow of the technology, the SMS Soil Science was deputed to INORA, Pune and Morarqa Foundation, Jaipur, Rajasthan for on job training. In the year 2000-2001, a model demonstration unit at KVK farm with 50 tons annual production capacity was started. For this purpose species like Eosinia foetida and Eudrillus euginae are used. The unit is mainly utilized for on job training of the trainees. Crop demonstrations were conducted at field on wheat, cotton, sugarcane and onion for the popularization of the vermicompost and creation of market demand among the farming community. Literature developed and distributed among the farmers for awareness generation KVK designed three days vermicompost production skill imparting training programme for rural youths. Training includes vermicompost and vermiwsah production technique, harvesting, packing and marketing besides project preparation. Exposure visit of trainees were also organized for the interaction with the successful entrepreneurs.

Vermicompost Production

Coordinater – Suvarna Narayan Kale;  Contact no-9511959295

Address At/Post-Malwadgaon, Taluka-Shrirampur,  Dist –Ahmednagar

List of Successful Trainees

There is good scope for poultry production in the villages due to fresh air, clean water supply besides large scale assured market through contract farming.  KVK has intervened and identified contract farming in broiler poultry production as an assured income generating enterprise for the rural youths.  Broiler and layer poultry  production and backyard poultry rearing  was one of the vocational course started by KVK in 1996, which was different from other courses. Poultry is the one of the fastest growing enterprise in the district. Though commercial broiler and layer production is growing very fast, there are 30 to 35 per cent population who demands the eggs and meat of local poultry.  The rates for eggs and meat of the local poultry are 50 to 100 per cent more than the broiler and layer.  The local poultry is being reared by the farmwomen in backyard and rural youth for commercial meat production, this is major income source for them.  By considering the demand for local poultry birds and socio-economic status of these enterprises among the rural family, KVK has given more emphasis on this issue.

KVK constructed 2000 capacity broiler production unit in 1996 for practical training and 400 capacity hatching unit in 2001.  KVK introduced Giriraja breed of Karnataka for meat production during the year 1996-97.and Vanraja,Grampriya in 2008.KVK scientist, KVK conducted total 35 Poultry production courses to 827 rural youths during the period of sixteen  year . The course duration was varies from 3 days to 120 days. Out of these 827 trainees 192 started  poultry enterprise on small as well as on commercial basis viz.broiler and commercial backyard unit. In the training programme hatching production technology also included, .  . For broiler production KVK developed linkages with private poultry industries like Venkateshwara, Saguna, Amrut for contract farming.   which help in increase the adoption due to assured market

Vocational course conducted

Poultry management

Agro Services centers

Spirulina is a blue green algae having unique combination of protein, vitamins, minerals. It is richest and cheapest source of nutrients to the human being. It is the richest source of protein in the world (6 times more than eggs and 20 times more than milk), contains about 55 – 71 per cent protein, It contain highest amount of iron, Beta-Carotene (Pro Vit-A) and Vitamin B12. Spirulina is used in the diets of malnourished children, adults and sportsmen. Sufficient quantity of iron has proved boom for anemic women and children.

 Due to its antioxidant nature, scavenges free radicals, prevent diseases like diabetes, cataract, arteriosclerosis, arthritis, aging and cancer are caused by free radicals. It contain beta-carotene which is higher than any other known sources of beta-carotene. It contain highest amount of gamma linolinic acid which prevent the accumulation of fats and cholesterol and reduces blood pressure. It is rich in protein, beta carotene and vitamin E is being used in the preparation of anti wrinkle cream, anti pimple lotion and various cosmetic products.

KVK, Ahmednagar has been given major emphasis on bio food since the beginning. Spirulina is one of the most nutritious algae for human being. KVK introduced the spirulina in the year 2003 with objective of employment generation among the youths, create awareness among the rural community about its consumption and make available spirulina locally to increase its consumption.  Before introduction of spirulina, KVK scientist Mr. Shailesh Deshmukh, SMS (Agronomy) who is course coordinator has been trained at Central Food Technological Institute (CFTRI), Mysore, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur and Centre of Sciences, Wardha. In the year 2003, KVK has design the skill imparting training programme of two days duration to the rural youth for employment generation. Before conducting training programmes, demonstration unit of 25 sq.mt. raceway tank and 8 rectangular tank of 1.5 sq.mt each has established at KVK for training and demonstration purpose.

Total sixteen trainings programmes for 403 trainees have been conducted during last ten  years. Trainees from 26 districts of Maharashtra and 3 other state have attended training programs.Trainees attended the course were from different field like doctors, engineers, professor, businessmen, house wives, students, youths. This help in dissemination of concept and technology among the different group of community

Employment generation through trainings programmes

List of Successful Trainees

The KVK has undertaken the EDP drive during the year 2013 and as a part of the campaign the KVK has conducted vocational trainings for 310 farmers, rural youth and women exclusively in Protected Cultivation of Vegetables and Flower crops.

 Establishment of Polyhouse and Shadenethouse by Trained trainees from KVK:

However during the training it was felt that we were unable to provide practical skill oriented training for the trainees to impart vocational skills which can further help to increase the confidence among trainees. The KVK has extended the practical skills by taking them to successful polyhouse growers and provided them the learning environment. However there is a demand from the farmers that the KVK should also have the Polyhouse demonstration unit for extending the training and imparting vocational skills.

Polyhouse Services

Ahmednagar is a rainfed district receiving average rainfall of 497 mm.  Out of 12.56 lakh ha cultivable area 73.23% land is rainfed and known as rabi district.  However, due to water availability of three major dams, more than one lakh ha area is under sugarcane which is the major cash crop in the district, particularly in northern part of the district.  Dairy is the major income generating enterprise to the farming community in the rainfed and irrigated area of the district.  Small-marginal and rainfed farmers economy is mostly dependent on dairy enterprise.  Total contribution of agriculture in district GDP is around 17%, whereas livestock itself contributes 5% of district income.  About 70% animals are being reared by landless, small and marginal farmers. In dairy enterprise, 85 to 90 per cent women are involved apart from involvement of the youth of the family.  However, youth and women are not willing to continue this enterprise due to various reasons.  KVK has made the SWOT analysis to study various issues and provide a new direction to this enterprise.  In the district there is total 13.46 lakh cattle population of which 8.66 lakh population is cross breed cows.  Average milk production is 8 to 10 lit/day.    Daily milk collection is in between 23 to 24 lakh lit through organized sector.  Besides this milk, private distribution and consumption of milk is also in bulk quantity. The problem of dairy enterprise include low yield and poor quality of milk due to ecto-endo parasites, mastitis, repeat breeding, low conception rate, high cost on medicine and feeding and unavailability of fodder.  Similarly unavailability of labor and increasing work pressure on women and youths are some of the important issues.  Due to these reasons, farmers are not willing to continue this enterprise though highest returns are accrued from this enterprise with less land and water.

After analysis of the problems and discussion with the dairy entrepreneurs, it is observed that the work pressure of the dairy enterprise can be reduced by loose housing concept.  Daily changing the place of the cattle, providing drinking water, removing dung and cleaning, washing, milking, cutting of fodder crops and feeding are the major physical work in the dairy farm.  This can be reduced by integrating some technologies in the loose house concept.  Generally dairy farmers having shed for the cattle around which some structure can be constructed with chain link, pipe or locally available wood material.  Every cattle is provided 100 to 120 sq.ft area for free movement.  Feeds and feeding is provided in the shed whereas water tank is provided in the open space. In open space some farm waste can be used as bedding material where the cow dung and urine is being spread and gets well mixed due to their movement.   In the open to sky system this bedding material gets dried easily and can be removed after two to three months.  Good quality compost is being prepared due to this system.  Loose housing saves the labor cost on changing the place of cows, providing water, removing cow dung and cleaning.  Similarly due to this system cows can drink water as per their requirement as against only two times providing drinking water manually in the conventional system. The cows can easily move in the loose housing that helps to proper exercise and digestion of fodder ingested by cows.  They can choose suitable place for rest as per the season and climate.  The cows are always clean and shiny due to selection of proper place for resting as against the resting on their own dung-urine in the conventional system.  All this has resulted in improving the health, reducing the ecto-endo parasites, reducing the problem of different diseases, reducing the repeat breeding problem.  The psychology of the cow is better in loose housing resulting in improvement of health of the animals.  Integration of these measures has resulted in improvement in the milk yield as well as quality of milk. The most important benefit to the dairy farmers is the fact that due to loose housing system labor cost has drastically reduced. To reduce the physical work and drudgery, KVK has introduced the mechanization in the dairy farming.  Feeding, milking and daily management are three major works in the daily farming.  Daily management of the herd is being taken care due to loose housing concept.  For feeding, cutting of the fodder requires more labor in which women labors are more involved.  To reduce the drudgery and labor cost, grass cutter is being introduced which cuts all types of fodder crops.  Similarly after harvesting the grasses, chaff cutter is being popularized to make the fodder in small pieces.  This saves the feed and also improves the fodder use efficiency.    Due to chaff cutter incorporating dry fodder in their daily diet has become easy without any wastage of dry fodder. For milking of the cow both manual and mechanized milking machines are popularized.  Similarly some new fodder crops like marvel, jaywant, DHN-6 (Hybrid Nepier), giant bajra, oat, berseam, cow pea are popularized besides conventional fodder crops like jowar, maize, lucerne etc.  Due to this integration of the technology, ideal dairy units have come up in the district with the KVKs efforts. KVK is giving major emphasis on loose housing concept for sustainable dairy farming. Two seminars have been conducted besides exhibiting the model demonstration unit in the Agriculture Technology Week organized in 2011.  Initially eight ideal dairy units were developed which have been identified as model units in and around KVK.  Development of VCD about the experience of these farmers about loose housing for dairy was done.  Similarly a booklet is also prepared so that this resource material can be used for mass communication.  Year 2012 is being declared by KVK as the year to promote the concept of Loose Housing for Dairy.  Initially 40 villages were selected in five blocks of Ahmednagar district where dairy is the major enterprise.  In these villages intensive approach like training, demonstrations and exposure visits were planned.  As the KVK is working since long time in these villages, there is a good network of farmers through Farmers Clubs for rural youths and Self Help Groups (SHGs) for farmwomen which are the major contributing factor for the dairy enterprise.  The promotion programme of loose housing concept has supported by ATMA, Ahmednagar. KVK has conducted total 31 training programmes for Farmers Clubs and women SHGs involving 40 villages from five blocks.  Livestock department, paravet workers and the successful entrepreneurs were involved in the training programme.  Similarly master farmers project of the NABARD has also helped to disseminate this concept.  After imparting skills in the training programme the interested youths and women were selected for exposure visit to the model units established by KVK within district.  Due to these coordinated efforts, KVK has received good response from the dairy entrepreneurs.  CDs and booklet were given as technical material for mass awareness.  Through KVK Pravara Community Radio, wide scale publicity is being done besides written articles in newspaper and magazines.  TV and AIR were also used for wide publicity. Within the period of one year, 187 dairy units were established.

Yearwise Vocational courses organized for dairy farming

Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) has promoted total five Farmers Producers Organization (FPO). Initially KVK has made an attempt to form total 182 farmers groups based on different commodities.  The commodities like vegetables and fruits have considered.

            Farmers Producers Organization is becoming popular concept in the field of agriculture among farming community because of its importance.  However for formation of Farmers Producers Organization minimum 15-20 groups are required in which each group should have 20 members and they should be grower of particular commodity.

Presently five Farmers Producers Organization started primary working in the tehsils like Newasa, Shrirampur, Rahata, Sangamner and Kopargaon from Ahmednagar district. The details as follows:

            The procedure of formation of FPO is initially form a general body which will perform overall functions of the organizations.  Giving name to the organization, opening the bank account in any bank existed in the operational area in the name of the organization are the primary work.

The functions of FPO are

1. Improve the yield and quality of the commodities
2. Aggregate the agricultural produce
3. Sale the produce collectively
4. To create basic infrastructure for the members like common service center, godown, pack house, storage structure and other facilities.

            First Farmers Producer Organization, i.e. Adarsh FPO is established at Pimpri Lauki village of Sangamner tehsils.  Organization has opened business office, started supplying information to the members.  Total 320 farmers are involved in this FPO.  The selected members undergone training on production technology, processing and marketing.  The trained farmers imparting knowledge and skill among the other farmers on various technologies.      Besides lime based activities producers organization also working for Redgram production.  Each member cultivate redgram on minimum one to two acres area.  Redgram is being cultivated especially for green pod. The marketing of green pod is mainly carrying out in Gujarat.  The earning through sale of green pod ranges between 30 to 45 thousand per acre.  To improve production and marketing FPO started giving support to members like supply of inputs, marketing and providing information on various technologies.

Goat is being considered as cow of poor family, as goat can be reared without much green fodder. Goat is a multi functional animal and plays a significant role in the economy .The landless labors, socio-economically backward class, poor families, farmwomen, farmers from rain fed area are the major beneficiaries of the goat enterprises. Goat rearing is an enterprise which has been practiced by a large section of population in rural areas. Goats can efficiently survive on available shrubs and trees in adverse harsh environment in low fertility lands where no other crop can be grown. goats are kept as a source of additional income and as an insurance against disaster. Goats are also used in ceremonial feastings and for the payment of social dues. In addition to this, goat has religious and ritualistic importance in many societies.

Profit from goat depends largely on the knowledge and ability of farmer to feed his flock economically and to derive maximum productivity.  Goats eat leaves, small branches, weeds, herbs grasses,  concentrate feeds. There is a great variation in feeding habits of goats. They appear to be able to tolerate a wide range of feeds. Goats have also marked preferences for particular types of feed especially if a choice is available. The goats will often reject mouldy and contaminated feed. Although goat prefers to browse as compared to grazing, they are capable of making efficient use of cultivated pastures for meat and milk production.

Food is basic part of our existence. Number of agro food processing unit small and large is less in our country. Rural youth and women have less knowledge about proper technology of processing due to this fruits and vegetables and grains damage.

               Rural home makers always curious about technology of food product development like processing of soy milk, malted ragi etc.     Our rural SHG�s members are making some good quality product like pickles, papad,   health drinks etc .  But they  want  to  know  more  recent product for consumers.

KVK started formation of SHG�s in 2001-02 to involve women in farm and nonfarm activity for technology adoption and women empowerment.  KVK has formed 573 SHG�s involving 9168 members in 107 villages of five tehsils of the district.

            KVK designed various training programs after need assessment and opportunities for employment generation.  Courses for food processing were developed based on locally available raw material i.e. fruits, vegetables as well as grains.  Processing and preparation of different products from Aonla, Mango, Citrus were conducted and many of SHGs started production of different products from these fruits.  More commodity processed products are from Aonla.   Similarly Alovera processing units have been established by one entrepreneur.  Similarly different materials required in the kitchen like pickle, papad, masale, dal of different pulses and festival specific products topics have also been covered in the courses.  Many enterprises required more labors, which was solved by organizing exposure visits to these SHGs.  Similarly for marketing of their products different activities like development of brands, packaging system and organizing exhibition at KVK as well as deputing them in different exhibitions helped to develop market network.  Now some SHGs and entrepreneurs are being participated at State, National as well as International exhibits and showcased their produce.

            KVK is also providing support like preparation of projects for different funding agencies, credit linking with banks and linking with different development departments for subsidy.

Ahmednagar district comprises fourteen tehsils having more than 1500 villages.  Each tehsil is typically known for particular agriculture commodity.  The crops like soybean, cotton, redgram, maize, bajra are mainly grown in Kharif and wheat, jowar, bengalgram, groundnut cultivated in rabbi season. Sugarcane is major dominant cash crop grown in all tehsils.

            The vegetables like onion, brinjal, tomato, cabbage, cauli flower, cucurbits, potato are produced in the district.  Fruits like pomegranate, mango, guava, grapes, sapota, lime, aonla are having considerable area.  The flowers like marigold, chrysanthemum, rose are also cultivated in some parts of the tehsils like Parner, Rahata, Sangamner, Akole respectively.

Krishi Vigyan Kendra has laid major focus in improving productivity of these commodities since inception through training, demonstrations and on-farm-trials.  The knowledge and skills imparted among the producers.

            To organize producers from each commodity, KVK has utilized group organization concept. For this purpose, total twenty commodities were identified for formation of commodity wise groups.  Each commodity group contains 15-20 growers.  The activities are based on production, credit mobilization and marketing.  Collective actions are mainly followed for cultivation, purchase of inputs, information and market network.

            Total 182 such groups developed by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra and networked to KVK programmes

Mushroom is fungi come which is nutritional biofood. Out of 14000 types of mushroom 700 types of mushrooms are edible which has also medicinal value. Mushroom contains Protein (3-5%), folate (B9), niacin(B3), pantothenic acid, riboflavin, thiamin, vit.B6, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, zinc and fiber. It contains very less calories and 80 – 90% water. Mushroom is low in sodium, carbohydrates and fats. It has enormous fiber content. It contain potassium abundantly which help reduce blood pressure and it is a boon to people suffering from hypertension. It stimulates the immune system, lowers blood cholesterol and regulates diabetes.

Intervention Of K V K

In 1997, KVK designed oyster mushroom cultivation training course and also started low cost oyster mushroom production unit of 500 beds capacity for training and demonstration purpose. Similarly spawn production units was also started during the year 1999 to made available spawn and enhance in establishment of mushroom enterprise.

Total 19 courses on mushroom cultivation for 484 rural youths were conducted during the period of six year (1997-2003). The course duration varies from 3 days to 120 days. Besides mushroom production technology, spawn production technology was also included in the training course. KVK also involved the agencies like NABARD, MCEAR for technology adoption and dissemination on wider area.

Year wise courses conducted and employment generated  

Importance

Production of quality planting material of fruit crops and vegetables and flower crops is essential to increase the area and productivity. The increasing demand of quality planting material of fruits,vegetables and flowers besides crop like sugarcane has been increasing every year. However the limitations of certified nurseries for supplying the quality planting material of fruits, vegetables, flowers and sugarcane has led to rise in demand of quality planting material like seedlings, grafts of fruits and vegetables. The scientific knowledge of nursery rearing as per the statutes of the State Govt is therefore essential for horticulture nursery producers. The knowledge of production and propagation techniques of fruit crops, vegetables, flowers and sugarcane will help the trainees to start production of quality and disease free planting material for supply to the farmers. The course will help the entrepreneur to establish horticulture nursery with all professional management practices.

The KVK is extending nursery management training since inception for the rural youths in Ahmednagar District. The details of course conducted by KVK is as follows:

The KVK has a well established infrastructure for production of seedlings and grafts for supply to the farmers. The trainees under the course are imparted the basic skills of production of seedling and grafts production of different fruit crops and vegetables under protected conditions. The hands on training provides the trainees a unique learning experience at KVK.

 Outcome:

The trainee after undergoing the training will be able to understand the production techniques of horticulture plants and sugarcane. He will be able to either establish a professional nursery for supply of planting material or will help him to offer skilled labour for grafting and seedling production and earn a profitable income.