Strengthening agriculture extension in Bangaru Telangana

Seed Village Programme:

The main objective of the Seed Village Programme (SVP) is to ensure production and multiplication of certified/quality seeds of all crops and making them available to the farmers at affordable prices and to attain the required SRR in different crops.

There are 10 Seed Farms in the state with 536 hectares of cultivable area. The main objective is to produce foundation seed and supply them under Seed Village Scheme.

Export Potentials of Seed Industry:

Apart from tapping the domestic markets, seed industry has got huge export potential as (i) there is lot of scope for marketing of seeds to the countries lying between 30N and 30S latitudes and (ii) due to similar agro-climatic conditions and consumption pattern seed could be exported to Africa, Indonesia, Vietnam, Bangladesh and other developing countries.

Strengthening of Agricultural Extension

While agricultural research is one of the primary engines of growth in agriculture sector, it is important that those ideas are passed on to the farmers. A strong agricultural extension system, therefore, is the main vehicle to carry the fruits of research to the farmers and strengthen the Lab – to – Land process. It assists the farmers to acquire knowledge about the use of new agricultural technologies and to boost –up the crop productivity.

In view of rapid changes in agricultural technology, it is necessary that farmer’s knowledge and skills are updated through extension services. As a part of agricultural extension, it is proposed to impart necessary knowledge, technology and new skills to farmers’ community through following schemes:

Mana Telangana - Mana Vyavasayam:

Mana Telangana - Mana Vyavasayam scheme was undertaken prior to the commencement of Kharif season, 2015, covering the agricultural populated habitations in all the Mandals of 9 districts of the State (except Hyderabad). In order to give a holistic training Mana Telangana - Mana Vyavasayam team, comprising of officers from various departments such as Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Horticulture and Sericulture participated in the training programmes, creating awareness among farmers about the welfare programmes undertaken by the Government and they also give effective input planning for Kharif/Rabi season.

T & V Monthly Workshops:

Training & Visit (T&V) monthly workshops are being held regularly at identified research stations of Prof. Jayshankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU) in all districts, wherein departmental officers and scientists of PJTSAU discuss the present crop situation and suitable measures that are needed to be adopted to overcome the challenges.

Farmers & Farm Women Trainings:

The Farmer Training Centers (FTCs) located in the districts are entrusted with the responsibility of conducting the training programmes to the farmers and impart them the knowledge on various subjects such as SMSRI method, organic farming, post-harvest technology, rodent control, drip irrigation, IPM, INM, farm mechanization, water management.

Under Farm Women Empowerment Programme, skill based training are organized to women farmers to upgrade their skills and knowledge.

Training of farmers on Integrated Farming:

Agriculture alone will not be profitable to a farmer. Training programmes are being organized to farmers through nine FTCs to undertake crop diversification along with other allied activities such as dairy farming, poultry, floriculture, sericulture, fish farming, beekeeping, composting and production of gobar gas to get maximum benefits by proper utilization of available resources in their farm holdings and ensure constant flow of income throughout the year. It is also proposed to conduct one training program per year to 50 young farmers in each village.

G.Rajendera Kumar