Dr R D Gupta
Farmers in India have been facing various problems which need to be addressed. It is quite essential for making success of the Diversification of Agriculture. Some of the issues are :
Marketing Produce
In the wake of diversification of agriculture, subsistance farming has been shifting to marketable produce. Under the changed scenario, the farmers besides meeting the domestic needs are in a position to sell out surplus produced grains, vegetables, fruits and livestock products. Nevertheless, in the marketing of such produce, farmers in general are facing problems in their disposal as the marketing facilities (“Mandies”) are not available in nearby places, lack of transport facilities from site of collection to road head, lack of storage facilities and lack of facilities such as chilling centre or zero chamber for perishable produce. About 80 percent of the farmer respondents reported that in marketing of their produce, they are not getting remunerative price in view of the high cost of agriculture inputs and daily wages. Besides, a handsome earning is made by the middleman from the marketing of farmers produce which otherwise should have been gone to the growers
Labour Shortage
Although many agricultural production areas of Jammu have been mechanised to greater extent for field operations, but during peak seasons of crop sowing, transplantation of paddy and harvesting, there is an acute shortage of labour. At times, when local labour is not available on the area, the farmers have to bank upon the labour from outside the state like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The labour is generally engaged on daily wages or on contract farming which has now become very costly in view of their increasing rates.
Technical Advice
Fortunately, in each district of Jammu & Kashmir and other states, Krishi Vigyan Kendra provide technical guidance and help to the farming community at door steps of farmers. However, a majority of the farmers are still lacking technical advice/knowledge especially on the diversified farming and must be imported to make this venture more profitable. In this behalf, demonstration plots, minikit trials on diversified farming system may be laid down on farmer’s fields. Peripatetic visits of inter-disciplinary teams of scientists may be conducted to diagnose field problems, Provide technical guidance, demonstrate skill to practising farmers, farm women and youths on spot in their villages.
Lack of Knowledge
Many of the farmers do not possess adequate knowledge regarding the concept of diversification in agriculture. Some farmers rather have misconception and took mixed farming as diversified farming which is an indication of lack of linkage between farmers and field extension functionaries.
Creation of Input Facilities in Remote Areas
As in many remote and far-flung areas availability of pesticides and fertilizers are still lacking, so provision of such facilities must be fulfilled on priority and popularised based on “Diversification of Agriculture”
Apply nitrogenous (N), phosphatic (P) and potassic (K) fertilizers on soil test basis by maintaining the N:P:K ratio in the form of 4:2:1. Thus balanced use of fertilizers will not only enhance crop production but also helps to maintain the soil pH, i.e., there will be no creation of soil acidity and Nitrate (NO3) contamination in water. Nitrate contamination occurs through its leaching from the soil when imbalanced use of fertilizers, excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizer (Urea) is done in soils. It causes a great gaseous loss of nitrogen into the atmosphere. Release of NO (Nitric Oxide) and NO2 (Nitrogen Dioxide) in the atmosphere depletes the ozone layer and increases global temperature. Not only this, the soils with excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers have more nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N). This excessive NO3 content being soluble in water becomes leachable in ground water or through soil erosion, reaches in various water bodies and thus contaminate them. Drinking of high NO3 contaminated water creates “Mathaemoglobinaemia” disease in infants (Gupta, 2005)
Pesticides and Credit Facilities
Over the period availability of pesticides and credit facilities, have improved to a great extent. It may be due to the opening of new bank branches and outlet of pesticides in private sector. However, in many backward areas and far off places, such facilities are required to be developed for popularization of “Diversification of Agriculture.”
Irrigation Facilities
With the improvement of Ranbir Canal system in Jammu and R.S. Pura tehsils, the discharge of irrigation water has been augmented to some extent. However, some more vigorous efforts are required to overcome this problem of shortage of irrigation water during peak season, particularly in case of farmers in the tail end of the canal.
Improved Breed of Livestock
It is a matter of great pride that Tehsil R.S. Pura including that of Bishnah is marching ahead in milk production. It is because a great majority of the farmers are keeping improved breeds of livestock giving adequate milk yield ranging from 10-15 litres per farmer per day It is worth mentioning that green fodder always remains around the year in abundance in the said area and there is a ready market of milk and milk products in the Jammu city. However time demands that chilling centres may be established for the collection of milk at collection site besides establishment of “Milk Processing Plant” in the milk catchment area.
Ensure Price
It is point to mention that farmers will definitely produce more and more produce if they are ensured of better market price which must be remunerative. During the survey, some of the farmers expressed their problems of ensured price in disposal of their produce which calls for setting up “Self Help Groups” and Cooperative Societies.”
It is summarised that if aforesaid problems are addressed properly and their is a joint effort of Development Departments, SKUAST, and Cooperative Societies and Input Agencies the “Diversified Farming” will definitely be get popularised and adopted by the farmers especially of “Kandi Belts” as well as of the “Hilly Areas”. This will definitely prove a boon for the farmers, especially belonging to the poor families by way of improving their economic conditions by having a composite enterprises of cereal grains, fruit plants, vegetables and cattle etc; with ensured high returns.
(The author is Ex Associate Dean Cum Chief Scientist KVK, SKUAST-Jammu)
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