Soil mapping and variety-based entry-point interventions for strengthening agriculture-based livelihoods – exemplar case of ‘Bhoochetana’ in India

摘要

Soil health diagnosis in nearly 100,000 farmers’ fields\udunder ‘Bhoochetana’ initiative in Karnataka showed\udwidespread soil degradation. Soil mapping-based fertilizer\udmanagement was an effective entry-point intervention\udto take most farmers on-board to initiate the\udprocess of upgrading agriculture. Soils of the farmers’\udfields showed low levels of micro- and secondary\udnutrients such as zinc (Zn) (55%), boron (B) (62%)\udand sulphur (S) (52%) in addition to that of phosphorus\ud(P) (41%), potassium (K) (23%) and soil organic\udcarbon (C) (52%). Soil mapping-based fertilizer management\udrecorded significant productivity benefits\udthat varied from 25% to 47% in cereals, 28% to 37%\udin pulses and 22% to 48% in oilseed crops. In terms of\udeconomics, a rupee spent on soil test-based fertility\udmanagement brought returns of Rs 3 to Rs 15. Similarly,\udthe participatory trials showed that the use of\udhigh yielding varieties of sorghum, pearl millet, finger\udmillet, groundnut, soybean, castor, pigeonpea and\udchickpea enhanced productivity by 30% to 123%. The\udtangible benefits through soil mapping and variety\udbased interventions have enhanced the risk-taking\udability of farmers to invest in technologies based on\uduse of soil testing and use of improved cultivars of\udcrops. The adoption of simple knowledge-based technologies\udas entry point interventions along with policy\udreorientation to ensure knowledge sharing and availability\udof needed inputs at village level, enabled in a\udperiod of four years (2009–2013) to outreach more\udthan 5 million families in Karnataka to transfer\udimproved technologies in more than 7 million ha area.\udThe study indicates that knowledge-based entry\udpoint interventions like soil mapping and improved\udvarieties targeted at providing simple solutions are\udthe best options for quick benefits and rapportbuilding\udwith the majority farmers to initiate a collective\udaction for technological upgradation of dry land\udagriculture.