Growing of multi purpose tree species is becoming popular among farmers; these trees are used in various combination to get constant supply of fuel, fodder, bio-mass, timber and fruits. Tree is the essential component in the farming system, it’s provides a substantial and recognizable contribution to the sustainable productivity and to the ecological stability. Agriculture is part of their life and mix with socio-economic and cultural fabric, 80 % of the family dependent on agriculture as a livelihood (Socio-Economic survey), then we started thinking of up-grade the existing agricultural practices with Tree Based Farming System technology. Initially we carry-out village eco-system survey, in that taken in to account of present plant diversity and in farm land, road side, back yard and water canal; Preference of plant species by farmers in their farm land. With this we started discussing with farmers about our work, then we organize three field level training programme on diversified one acre module in each village, all village members including women folk are participated in the training programme. Explain in detail about scope and importance of the system, how we can take-up one acre diversified module in the dry lands, many farmers are raise their doubts regarding systems, use LCD and Lap-top for the training programme.. Farmers shows little bit interest on taking up TBF system in their farm land, but they still not convinced to take-up, then discuss one more round with the farmers, in this discussion most of the farmers ask any farmers take-up this system, then we Organize one exposure visit for the 15 farmers to BAIF’s developed areas, farmers are expose to different angles of sustainable agriculture and interact with progressive farmers about use and importance of sustainable agriculture in marginal dry lands. Some farmers shows positive attitude towards take-up same system in their land
Farmers are started doing work in their land, initially soil and water conservation activities such as farm pond, Trench cum bund. Project provides some financial assistance to take up activities in the ratio of 60 and 40 by project and farmers respectively, but excavating soil and water conservation structure are difficult due to hard soil and non availability of man power. It took one months to finish the work. On basis of catchment of the area and farmers needs, we selected the site for farm pond. Second work we initiated is pit digging for fruit plants and forestry saplings, put green lvs along with litter to the pit then fill-up with soil. Sustainable agriculture is a potentially productive programme which can generate durable resources of productive national assets for sustainable economic growth and conservation of natural resource. We must do everything that is humanly possible to save our forest and environment, which provides the life-support systems. Agro forestry movement can be used as an effective means for rapid greening as this programme. Most of the families depended on agriculture for their livelihood, even land less families got others land on lease or share basis for cultivation. The current agricultural practices are unsustainable, agrochemical pollution, top soil loss, less biodiversity, depleting aquifers and deforestation etc, while working towards achieving higher economic profit and conserve natural resource. Diversified one acre module is best alternative technology to address dry land development. We organize three field level training programme on diversified one acre module in each village, all village members including women folk are participated in the training programme. Explain in detail about scope and importance of the system, how we can take-up one acre diversified module in the dry lands, many farmers are raise their doubts regarding systems, use LCD and Lap-top for the training programme. Organize one exposure visit for the 15 farmers to BAIF’s developed areas, farmers are expose to different angles of sustainable agriculture and interact with progressive farmers about use and importance of sustainable agriculture in marginal dry lands. What are the steps involved in establishing diversity rich one acre module in dry land? A very systematic, planned approach should be adapted for establishing desired tree cover on dry lands. Three to Four yrs are needed for achieving the desired vegetative cover and enhance biodiversity on dry lands. Actions that should be taken from year to year
Bunding: cultivated plots should be divided in to smaller plots by putting bunds. Inter-bunds distance should be kept around 20 to 30 meters depending on the slope of the land, soil nature. Bunds harvest excess run-off water from the main field indirectly supports better tree growth. Size of the bund is 2 ft width, 2 ft depth and keeping 1 ft septa for every 10 ft interval. Size may very from land to land. The same size bunds dung along the boundary of the land to harvest rain water and planting for saplings on the boundary bunds.
Live hedge fencing: Planting different thorny/bio-mass tree species along the boundary bund, its difficult convinces the farmer to put live hedge fence. Normally it takes about one year to establish a fence, some of the species such as cactus, euphorbia, Glyricidia, Cassia, Agave, Vitex etc can be used for this purpose, the live hedge fence also reinforce with thorny bushes for protection in early days.
Farm pond: It’s absolutely essential to harvest run-off water for protective watering for fruit / vegetable crops in the dry lands and also percolate excess run-off water in to the ground water. Excavating a small farm pond with the size of 30X30X10 or 25X25X10 in a acre land will help to harvest entire run-off water, size may very from catchment area and farmers interest
Decentralized nursery: a small nursery in the village to provide good quality planting material at the right time and right species, mean time farmers get some marginal money from these activities. We provide technology and inputs for establishing a nursery mean while farmers put quality labor to establish desire quality seedlings. The same seedlings can be used for our one acre module
Tree planting: promoting sustainability in dry land agriculture, it’s essential to provide adequate green cover to soil in the form of trees, shrubs, herbs and creepers. This helps to intercept raindrop and retain moisture in the soil. Farmers get benefits throughout the year in the form of fuel, fodder, wood, bio-mass and food. We are planning to promote following species in the farm land such as Teak, Melia, Gmelina, Silver, Casurina, Gliricidia, Cassia, Bage, Sissoo, Pongamia, Sujjali, Sithapal, Subabul and Rose wood.
Manjunath Holalu
useful information,,,,,,,,,,
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