Variety, Technology and Seed System Development for Pulses in Odisha Project Completion Report

Abstract

The project has effectively conducted 378.63 ha of panchayat level farmers’ participatory trials and 5051.65 ha of technology demonstrations involving lead farmers, women groups, community-based organizations (CBOs) and district/block level agriculture officials. This project has introduced 927 international/national advanced lines and evaluated 45 varieties in collaboration with State Agriculture University (SAU), research stations and state laboratories for MLT and release of varities (1 material is in IVT). Project has established and promoted 126 nos. of Village Seed Hubs (VSHs) consisting of active women Self-Help Groups and farmers’ representatives and has formerd 126 Custom Hiring Centers (CHCs), and 496 Farmers’ Committees (FCs). 120 Producer Groups (PGs) are formed under 3 Farmer Producer Company (FPCs) and trained to carry out functions for sustainable access to agricultural inputs and services including market linkages to maximize benefit to the member and non-member farmers. The project has conducted 267 nos. of trainings, farmers field days and related capacity building events on pulses varieties, technology, crop management practices like seed priming, seed treatment, bacteria culture inoculation, use of balance dose of fertilizer, line sowing, application of plant protection measures, use of post-emergence herbicides, 2% DAP spray during pre-flowing and pod-formation, application of critical irrigation etc. This has facilitated adoption of technology and improved crop management practices by the farmers in the region. Technology impacts are participatorily assedded in the field with beneficitaries in FFDs and group meetings, and results discussed with farmers, department and ther stakeholdrs.