AGRICULTURE

AGRO-CLIMATIC ZONES OF THE DISTRICT AND THEIR CHARACTERS

Belagavi district represents three agro climatic zones namely, Hilly zone ( Zone 9), Northen Transitional Zone (Zone 8) and Northern Dry Zone(Zone 3). Hilly zone  represented by Khanapur taluk. Northern Transitional zone represented by Bailhongal, Chikkodi, Hukkeri and Belagavi taluks.  Northern Dry zone represented by Athani, Raibag, Gokak, Ramdurg and Savadatti taluks. Hence, there is vast difference between the taluks, in terms of rainfall (Avg. of 2006 to 2016), crops grown and even soil types and features. In general, Hilly zone has unimodal heavy rainfall Avg. 2468 mm annual rainfall. The major soil type of the zone is lateritic or red sandy soils typically suitable for drill sown paddy cultivation. The Northern Transitional zone has red sandy/ loamy soils with bimodal rainfall of about Avg. 550-1025 mm typically suitable for double cropping under rainfed situations. Northern Dry zone has characteristic unimodal low rainfall of about 278-441 mm rainfall with red loamy/ medium black soils suitable for single cropping. The mean maximum temperatures ranges from 40-42^oC during summer and moderate 30-32^oC during other months is characteristic feature of dry zone, where as in other two zones, neither  minimum nor maximum temperatures pose threat to crop production. Low temperatures can touch even 13-15^oC for brief period during winter.

Enhancing Crop Productivity

In view of ever-increasing demand for food, increased production per unit area is critical. since increase in area may not be a feasible option, improved yield appears as the only solution. Enhancing Production through increase in yield or productivity of crops and other enterprises is the single most important factor that can increase income. Enhancing the productivity is the only route available to enhance income. while varietal improvement through conventional breeding or biotechnology is a long-term option, bridging yield gaps through adoption of recommended agronomic practices, planning profitable technology that can maximize aggregate income. Use of high yielding variety seeds or planting material, irrigation, crop nutrition, integrated weed management and integrated pest management are the primary factors. These can enhance productivity.

 Cost reduction Technologies:

Reducing cost of cultivation through good and effective management practices are essetial practices to enhance farmers net income. The cost of cultivation has been on the rise’ eroding the profits. Lowering the costs without compromising on the yield out-put can increase the net income’.  It is possible to do so as there is a general tendency on the part of farmers to apply overdose of fertilizers, pesticides, non-adoption of mechanization in various agricultural practices and depending on age old practices expecting higher yields/ is increasing cost of cultivation. Hence adoption of mechanization to reduce labour dependency, integrated weed/pest/nutrient and irrigation techniques and production of manure with farm residue can increase income by reducing cost.

Crop diversification

Diversification can be a major game changer. When we talk about diversification it is mostly about high value crops, intercropping system, introduction of new profitable crop, crop/varieties suitable to adopt and good yielding system to climatic vulnerability. Diversification of agriculture offers food and nutrition security, income growth, diversification of sources of income, poverty alleviation, employment generation, judicious use of land and water resources, sustainable agricultural development, and environmental improvement. Especially for small holders who do not possess adequate land to generate enough income for the family. It can be of three types, viz. product (high value enterprises), process (precision farming), and time diversification (delinking from seasonality).

Value chain

Value addition is the process of changing/ transforming/ segregating agro-animal produce/community from its original state to customer-based product to derived enhanced income through marketing system. Agro processing is a set of physico-techno economic activities carried out for transformation, value addition, preservation, conservation and handling of agro-animal produce to make it usable as food, feed, fibre, fuel and industrial raw material. Value addition to raw farm produce has been recognised as one of the key contributors for sustainable growth in farmers income and rural employment. Value added products can fetch 2-3 times more prices. Presently the producer farmer gets only 25% of his produce value what the consumer pays. Around 75%of value goes to processors, distributers and marketers. Therefore, agricultural universities/research institutes/private institutes have developed adaptable processes, technologies, equipment’s and machinery for food processing, packaging, storage and marketing at different scales.

PLANT PROTECTION

Plant protection is the science and practice of managing pests, diseases and weeds that damage crops and other plants, and which can have a devastating effect on farmer’s livelihood

Plant Protection mainly focuses on keeping plants healthy from diagnosing diseases to implementing environmentally friendly pest-management practices. With an ever-expanding population and increasing pressure on food and fiber supplies, Plant Protection plays a vital role in improving our quality of life.

Plant protection also involve the ability to anticipate the emergence and spread of noxious organisms and to prevent their introduction and spread before they become agricultural pests in specific crops and regions. In this regard, international biosecurity measures and rapid and efficient sharing of information across continents and countries becomes of paramount importance for preventing new invasions.

In order to have holistic plant protection the following are the step wise actions

The first step is to ensure a correct diagnosis of a problem, which involves a proper identification of the organisms responsible for the damage and symptoms observed. The legacy of classic taxonomy, anchored on world-wide collections of invertebrates, micro-organisms and plant collections, is the primary resource base for comparing collected specimens with referenced ones. Modern information technology and biotechnological tools have allowed the development of modern and time-saving field and lab identification tools for known threats which can be detected before the pests invade new areas.

The second step is to assess the extent of the damage and the yield or revenue loss likely to result from this damage, which enables the grower to make informed decisions on whether to invest resources in combating the pest, if the farmer decides to take action to reduce pest attack.

The third step is to consider various options available for controlling pests, including host plant resistance, cropping system and cultivation practices that reduce pest populations, the conservation and introduction of antagonistic organisms, such as parasites and predators of pests, and active interventions through the application of chemically- or biologically-based pesticides.

Horticulture 

The term horticulture is derived from two Latin words hortus, means ‘garden’, and cultura means ‘cultivation’. It refers to “garden cultivation”. Horticulture is a science, as well as, an art of production, utilisation and improvement of horticultural crops, such as fruits and vegetables, spices and condiments, ornamental, plantation, medicinal and aromatic plants. Horticultural crops require intense care in planting, carrying out intercultural operations, manipulation of growth, harvesting, packaging, marketing, storage and processing. The production of horticultural commodities is far less as compared to the existing demand in the country. So, there is a vast scope to produce more horticultural crops. There has been an increase in irrigation facilities but there are crops, which even with little watering, can survive. One only needs to ensure adequate water management. Some dry land horticultural crops, like jamun, ber, tamarind, wood apple, custard apple, ramphal, etc., can be grown on rainfed land also. High return, coupled with government assistance, through Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) guidance, schemes and financial aid, attract the rich and poor, trained and educated people towards horticulture. ICAR-BIRDS Krishi Vigyan Kendra is serving horticulture farmers of the district since 1995 through various interventions, skill trainings and extension methods. The district is well-known for production of a variety of horticultural crops; it enjoys good agro-climatic conditions. The total geographical area of Belgaum district is 13,44,382 hectare, Net sown area in the district is 8,39,242 hectares, which is 62% of the total geographical area: Out of the total cultivable area 80,699 hectares is covered under horticulture (2016-17). Horticulture area in the district accounts for about 6.00 percent of the total geographical area forming about 9.61 percent of the total cultivable area. The productions of Horticulture in the district were 12, 31,235 metric tonnes during 2016-17. In association with Dept. of Horticulture, ATMA, KSDA, NHM, PGS India, Krishi Vigyan Kendra is adding value to horticulture farming community. KVK being integral part of FPOs of the district by giving technical interventions. Agro-climatic condition of the district is favourable to expansion of the dryland horticulture of the district. In irrigated regions there is vast scope to improve the productivity of the existing horticulture crops. Belagavi district supplies various fruits, vegetables and flowers to neighbouring states such as Goa and Maharastra. Good transportation facility and connectivity offers good marketing opportunities for all types of horticulture commodities to the distant places of the country.

FISHERIES

Fish Production of Belagavi District: Inland fish production in Belagavi is majorly carp based. Carp seeds produced and distributed to farmers from Hidkal and Navilutheertha seed production and rearing centers by Department of Fisheries, Belagavi. Diversity of wild caught landings (other than carps) also contribute partially (20%) to the total production.

Fish seed production and stocking pattern

Department of Fisheries, Belagavi supplies fish seeds from three farms. Details of the capacity of the each fish seed farms are given in the table below. It is estimated that the district requirement of fish seeds per year is about 40lakhs of advanced fingerlings (82 lakh fry).

Inland Fishery Resources of Belagavi District

Belagavi is one of the resource abundant districts in Karnataka where ample opportunity exists for fisheries enterprise. Following table illustrates the inland resources of the district with water spread area.

Inland resources for fisheries in Belagavi district

Source: Dept. of Fisheries, Belagavi

A total of 16 Fisheries Co-operative Societies are functional in the district with 1884 active members involved. Majority of the members involved in fishing in reservoirs, rivers,  major and minor tanks of the district. The district has 4161 fishermen (3782 male and 379 female) population altogether.

Productivity of Reservoirs: Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI) estimated productivity of Malaprabha reservoir is 6 Kg/yr/ha and the productivity of Ghataprabha reservoir is 4Kg/yr/ha. This productivity is considered as medium and low respectively.Accurate productivity of Markandeya and Rakkasakoppa remained unknown. Major landings (fish fauna) of the reservoirs of Belagavi and their local name is given in below table.

The average productivity of larger tanks is estimated to 700-800Kg/ha/yr. Apart from stocking fish seeds, other aquaculture management practices such as feeding and manuring are not practiced. Tanks previously considered as Fish Farmers Development Authority Tanks (w.s.a less than 10ha) have shown the productivity of 2 Tonnes/ha/year. This figure indicates that additional management practices have been taken to increase the production.

Other Potential Areas for Fish Production:

ICAR-BIRDS Krishi Vigyan Kendra is emphasizing fisheries in non conventional waterbodies as their potential is immense. Alkaline, saline and waterlogged areas are the real treasure for inland aquaculture. Andra Pradesh and Raichur, Bellari and Koppal districts of Karnataka has proved these type of lands are best suited for aquaculture when there is limited possibilities with agri and horticulture crops. Following table gives the details of extent problematic lands in Ghataprabha and Malaprabha CADA jurisdiction. The details of the technologies for fish farming in problematic areas are covered in the later part of this document.

Water storage-cum-irrigation tanks:

Adjacent to Krishna river belt, more than 80 number of storage ponds were built and each are having water spread area of 1 acre and more which are potential fish farming sites. In addition, under Krishi Bhagya Yojane of Karntaka State Department of Agriculture, more than 15,000 numbers of smaller water bodies area ranging from 200m² to 500m²built across the district. Department of Horticulture under National Horticulture Mission has also helped farmers to build farm ponds. In addition, many farmers are having pipeline collection from rivers and canals also have built farm ponds of area ranging from 1000m² to 3000m². Although storage tanks or farm ponds are considered as relatively smaller structure and regular inflow and outflow of water hinders the planktonic production, these water bodies cannot be ignored for fisheries activity. These are individually owned waterbodies by farmers and hence, effective utilization is possible for either fish seed rearing or grow out production with slight and need based technological modification.

ANIMAL SCIENCE

Animal Husbandry sector plays a vital role in agriculture based rural economy. The activities mainly constitute dairying, sheep rearing, goat rearing, piggery, rabbit and poultry keeping. Although the activities remain traditional particularly in rural areas, the process of liberalization and reforms under scientific advancement are commencing gradually for ensuring sustainable growth of livestock, poultry and small ruminants to achieve nutritional security and economic prosperity. Over past two and half decade, ICAR-BIRDS KrishiVigyan Kendra- Tukkanatti is serving farmers of the district through various interventions by implementing FLD’s, OFT’s,  skill trainings and other extension activities. Dairying in Belagavi is exemplary of small holder dairying as practiced in much of Karnataka and India with some wrinkles. Milk is the major source of income generated by cattle and buffalo rearing and over the past several decades, milk production by dairy cows and buffaloes has increased markedly. Sheep & Goat rearing is meant for meat and fleece. Poultry rearing in both back yard farm and commercial basis is for both egg and meat. Belagavi’s annual milk production has increased to 88 crore kgs in 2016-17 (Integrated Sample Survey, GoK). In association with Dept. of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, KMF, ATMA & KVAFSU, KrishiVigyan Kendra is adding value to animal farming community. Due to vast river belt area, suitable environment and productive animals, Belagavi district supplies milk and its products to neighboring states such as Goa, Maharashtra, AndraPradesh& Kerala.

Home Science

Home Science is a field of knowledge and service primarily concerned with strengthening family life and enhancing potentials of the individual for meaningful life.This section mainly focused with a goal to discover the changing needs of individuals and families and to provide suitable solutions to satisfy the needsand coordinates the women cell activities of the KVK. This section deals all women-oriented programmes of the KVK with the aim of economic empowerment with different thematic areas such as food and nutritional security through kitchen garden, drudgery reduction of farm women, income generating activities, women empowerment, post-harvest technologies, value addition, nutritional management and women and child care etc. Based on these thematic areas Home science section conducts need- based training programs in a year for farmers, farm women & rural youth. More emphasis has been given on self-employment-oriented training for school dropouts, unemployed rural youth and women folk. Many participants on completion of the training have been successfully self employed by way of establishing their own specialized farms such as roti making unit, oil extraction unit, tailoring etc. Efforts have also been concentrated to empower the women component technically as they play a very vital role in agricultural operations.

 Activities/thrust areas

• Promotion of food and nutritional security among farm families.
• Drudgery reduction of farm women in agriculture.
• Entrepreneurial development of rural women Self-help groups.
• Post-harvest management and processing of fruits and vegetables
• Value addition to agricultural produce.

Sericulture

Brief Description of Discipline:

Soil & water testing and interpretation to farmers with soil health card. Conducting OFT, FLD, Training &Extn activities in both descipline of soil science and Sericulture

Services offered by the discipline:

Soil& water testing and interpretation to farmers with soil health card. Conducting OFT, FLD, Trainings, extension activities related to both descipline of soil science and Sericulture. Demonstration plot at KVK farm on Subabul 1Acre& mulberry tree plantation 30gunta.production of mulberry seedlings at 2gunta(3000seedlings)

Opportunities in Discipline:

Every farmers need soil and water testing as our district is having 5rivers and two command area with canal irrigation & fully potential in sugarcane, maize, soybean, mulberry etc In Sericulture our KVK is only having descipline in district and dept staffs are drastically reduced due to non filling of new staffs and not reaching the recent technology to farmers my descipline is essential to farmers.

Available facilities in Soil and Water Testing Laboratory at KVK

1. MRIDHAPARIKSHAK soil testing Minikit:The technology of minikit based on IIS Bhopal and it can test twelve parameters (EC, pH, OC, N,P,K, S, Zn, Fe, B, Mn and Cu). In a week 40 samples can be tested. Testing of every 100 samples the stock solutions should be purchased from Nagarjuna Agro chemicals Hyderabad and is bit costlier. Hence we are purchasing stock solutions after collection of minimum 100 samples stock in lab. Rate per sample is fixed Rs. 230/-

2. Soil and water testing laboratory: The lab was established in the year 2006 and manual testing can be done by analytical method. The parameters like EC, pH, N, P and K can be done. The laboratory is not having automated/computerised analysis equipments and it is also not having Atomic Absorption Spectrophotomer (Micronutrients can be analysed with this equipment). For Soil rate per sample is fixed Rs 200/- and for water Rs. 50/- (Only EC and pH)

3. Following are the equipments available: 1. ESSAE – Electronic weighing machine  DS-415 : 150 kg : 1/7500. 2.ESSAE – Electronic weighing machine Adventure AR2140 210 Gms MC, 3. Pelican – Electronic Automatic KEL PLUS Micro processor based twelve place macro Block Digestion system model KES 12 L. 4.Electronic superior automatic distillation system with digital display – model : ELITE-EX, 5.FGCL 0378/ Flame Photometer (ss), 6.Double distillation water still (Glass) Capacity – 2 lits/hour, 7.Double distillation water still (Quartz) Capacity – 4 lit/hour, 8.Rotary shaker Size: 18’ X 18’, 9.Laboratory willy mill, 10.Hot Air Oven, 11.Water bath with 12 concentric Rings with digital indicator, 12. FGCM 183 EC TDS Analyser with CC-03 B & ATC Probe, 13. FGLI 120 Digital pH meter with combined electrode CL-5, 14.Scanning visible Spectra Photometer, 15.Whirlpool Refrigerator