Director of Agro-Ecosystem (Rainfed Farming) and Scientific Advisory Panel, National Agricultural Technology Project, CRIDA (ICAR), Hyderabad approved the sanctioned the budget of Rs. 87,59,000 to study the impact of watershed development programme on sustainability of land productivity and socio-economic development (ROPS-14 & 14A). Preliminary survey was conducted at 37 locations under different agro-ecosystems in India. However, final survey was conducted at 31 locations under different agro-eco regions covering 40 farmers in watershed development programme area and 40 farmers in non-watershed area at each location. Ten farmers of each category (marginal, small, medium and large farmers) were selected based on stratified random sampling technique. Trained Field Investigators collected data from farmers at different locations in India. Proformance covered natural resources, vegetation, watershed programme activities executed in watershed area, cropping programme, resource use in crop production, constraints and perception of farmers, cost and returns from crops and other enterprises, effect of soil and water conservation etc. Data were collected from the head of each household. Thus it covered about 1240 farmers in watershed area and 1240 farmers in non-watershed area. It covered 9 watersheds managed by National Watershed Development Programme for Rainfed Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, 6 watersheds managed by Ministry of Rural Development, 7 watersheds managed by Indian Council of Agriculture Research through its institutes, 5 watersheds managed by International Funded Agencies and 4 watersheds managed by Non-Government Organizations. Thus, we covered 5 different agencies. The study/surveys were conducted in arid, semi-arid, sub-humid and sub-parahumid regions in the country. Even different soils such as Alfisols, Vertisols, Inceptisols, Entisols, Aridisols, Cryothids, Verticsols etc. were covered. Different crops grown in India were also covered. Thus different agencies managed watersheds, different agro-ecosystems, various soil types etc. were covered for this study. The book indicates about raise in groundwater, soil erosion, runoff reduction, surface water generation, damage to soil and water conservation structures, productivity of crops, employment, income, benefit-cost ratio, perception of farmers on different problems etc. between watershed and non-watershed areas at each location under different agro-cliamtic conditions in India. Recommendations were made based on results, observations made during tours and discussion with staff of watershed programme etc. This book provides comprehensive idea about watersheds in India.
Seed is the source of future plants or foods, is the storage place of culture of history, is the first link in the food chain, is the ultimate symbol of food security. Seed is the source of life. Seeds are basic in crop production. No agricultural practice can improve a crop beyond the limits set by the seed. Quality seed is the key for successful agriculture, which demands each and every seed should be readily germinable and produce a vigorous seedling ensuring high yield. “Care with the seed and joy with the harvest” and “Good seed doesn’t cost it always pays” are the popular adage which enlightens the importance of the quality seed. The farmers always very much interested in the best seed management practices which are safe, environmentally sound and scientifically proven technologies. Understandably, in view of the importance of quality seeds in Agriculture, both as a product and as a means of establishing a crop, most attention at all levels of investigation has been directed to crop seeds. Since seed is a biological entity, deterioration beyond harvest is inevitable. The consequences of low quality seeds are poor germination, low and delayed emergence and weak growth leading to poor field stand and ultimately reflecting on reduced yield. Low productivity could be attributed broadly to use of poor quality seeds. At present to overcome this, several seed enhancement techniques are available for quality upgradation. It has two goals; one is related to seed designing and other to seed functioning. The rationale for pre-sowing seed enhancement techniques is to mobilize the seeds own resources and to augment them with external resources to get maximum improvement in field stand establishment and yield. To achieve this, several physical, physiological and biochemical treatments are available at present to give value addition to seeds. Physiological seed treatments that improve seed performance are based primarily on seed hydration and dehydration. Among several non physiological seed treatments, coating or pelleting can also indirectly improve seed germination, stand establishment and crop productivity.
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