14-09-2015 Aerobic’ rice cultivation reduces water usage The suitable areas include irrigated lowlands, where rainfall is insufficient to sustain rice production. Present day conventional method of rice cultivation utilises 5,000 litres of water for producing one kg of rice than its actual requirement of 3,000 litres. About 2,000 litres is lost due to flooding and seepage losses. Further, decline in water table necessitates the need for improved water-use efficiency and water productivity in agriculture, particularly in rice cultivation. Thus, the newly upcoming approach of rice cultivation called aerobic rice cultivation reduces water use in rice production and increases the water use efficiency. In simple words, growing rice plant as irrigated crop like cultivating maize and wheat in aerobic condition, where oxygen is plenty in soil. The suitable areas for aerobic rice cultivation includes irrigated lowlands, where rainfall is insufficient to sustain rice production, delta regions where there is delay in water release from reservoir, irrigated system of rice cultivation, where pumping from deep bore well has become so expensive and favourable upland system has access to supplementary irrigation. Accordingly, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, parts of Bihar, Odisha, Karnataka, and eastern Uttar Pradesh are the projected area where there is uneven distribution and frequent occurrence of soil moisture limitation. In aerobic rice cultivation, rice is cultivated as direct sown in non-puddle aerobic soil under supplementary irrigation and fertiliser with suitable high yielding rice varieties. Throughout the growing season, aerobic rice field is kept under unsaturated condition and field is irrigated by surface or sprinkler system to keep soil wet. Therefore, water productivity is reported to be higher in aerobic rice by 64-88 per cent (calculated as grams of grain produced per kg of water input) and utilises 3,000 to 3,500 litres of water to produce 1 kg of rice compared to rice raised under transplanted flooded system. Mechanised way of sowing Further, aerobic rice cultivation system involves mechanised way of sowing with no puddling, transplanting and not need of frequent irrigation, which reduce labour usage more than 50 per cent, compared to irrigated rice. However, aerobic rice cultivation needs suitable rice varieties having the characteristics of both upland and high yielding lowland varieties to get good yield under the new unconventional system of cultivation. Hence, these early-maturing varieties are with good seedling vigour, responsive to high input and tolerate flooding. International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) situated in Manila, Philippines identified several cultivars with high yield potential for this unconventional aerobic rice cultivation. A new improved upland rice variety, Apo developed by IRRI under aerobic rice cultivation system raised during dry season able to attain yield of 5.7 t/ha at IRRI farm. In India, National Rice Research Institute (NRRI) (formerly Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI)), Cuttack, situated in Odisha, has developed rice varieties suitable for aerobic rice cultivation and so far six varieties were released suitable for this system, — CR Dhan 200 (Pyari) (4.0 t/ha), CR Dhan 201 (3.8 t/ha), CR Dhan 202 (3.7 t/ha), CR Dhan 203 (Sachala) (4.0 t/ha) CR Dhan 205 (4.2 t/ha) and CR Dhan 206 (4.2 t/ha) — which gives higher average yield compared to upland high yielding varieties. Two aerobic rice varieties MAS 26 and MAS 946-1 were also released from the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), GKVK, Bangalore, for the State of Karnataka, which is also said to be performing well under this system. However, constrains in aerobic rice cultivation is increased weed growth, poor crop stand, crop lodging, high percentage of panicle sterility and root-knot nematode infestation. Importantly, high weed infestation is the major constraint for aerobic rice and cost involved in weed control is higher. Further, due to high infiltration rate of water and imbalanced availability of nitrogen makes the aerobic soil further ailing for micronutrients (iron and zinc) and rise in nematode population. Therefore, efficient nutrient management techniques along with integrated weed management are researchable areas for successful aerobic rice cultivation and research is in progress. However, the yield of aerobic rice is comparable with transplanted rice and it has been reported from several countries. Thus, it is an alternative option to reduce labour drudgery and to increase water productivity. Further, in environmental point of view, emission of methane is lower substantially in aerobic rice. Therefore, in recent days it is gaining momentum among rice researchers and farmers. However, extra care should be taken, since poorly managed field may cause partial to complete failure of crop, which might happen due to weeds and micronutrient non-availability. A. Anandan, S.K. Pradhan and O.N. Singh Crop Improvement Division, National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack Water visionary Ramaswamy R. Iyer was a bureaucrat with a difference, surely the finest in his tribe “A visionary on water issues,” Sep.12). His intellectual prowess on policy issues knew no bounds. He produced a rich body of eloquent and forthright commentary on delicate water policy and environmental issues. His articles for The Hindu will certainly be missed and his rich legacy will always be cherished. Mr. Iyer will always be remembered as India’s “water man” who was instrumental in drafting India’s first national water policy way back in 1987. Chitvan Singh Dhillon, Chandigarh I read with profound sorrow the passing away of Ramaswamy R. Iyer, a friend I deeply admired, not only as a brilliant author and contributor to your paper’s columns, but for his enlightened views on critical issues concerning water. After a five-year spell in charge of forests and wildlife in the Union Ministry of Agriculture, I was entrusted with setting up a new Department of Environment in November 1980 under the ministerial charge of Mrs. Indira Gandhi. With my experience, I could not help feeling a deep concern over the growing water crisis in our country. This was not only due to our disappearing natural forests and misuse of natural resources, but also on account of its growing exploitation through the government policy of engineering diversion of rivers. I decided to seek an appointment with the newly appointed Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources, somewhat sceptically, knowing the indifference with which such senior officials usually listened to concerns involving the environment. However, I was delighted when the new Secretary, Mr. Iyer, listened to me for one hour with rapt attention. From his searching questions, I had no doubt that he fully shared my concerns, suggesting at the end that I give a talk to the technical staff of his Ministry. I returned from the meeting not only having acquired a fine and brilliant friend, but also having found a committed crusader who, with his impressive scientific and technical backing, lent invaluable support to people’s movements against the wanton exploitation of our most precious natural resource — water. N.D. Jayal, Dehradun In the real classroom The RAWEP is a unique programme of the University of Agriculture Sciences that blends theory and practise. A team of students camp at Karere village and work with farmers For more than two months 13 students of Agriculture College at Karere near Hassan have been staying at Ganjalagudu, a village in Arakalgudu taluk. They spend most of their time with farmers in the field as part of the Rural Agriculture Work Experience Programme (RAWEP), introduced by the Bengaluru University of Agriculture Sciences three years ago. “What we learn in the classrooms within the four walls is different from the experience we gain through interacting and working with farmers in the field,” says Kshama A.V., final year student, who is one among 13 students camped in Ganjalagudu. The village with a population of a few hundreds was chosen by the teaching faculty for RAWEP considering significant features of agriculture area. The farmers here grow paddy, jowar, potato, ginger, maize, banana and several other crops. The village is surrounded by the canals that supply water to paddy fields from the Hemavati reservoir at Goruru. As part of the RAWEP students have to stay in the village for three months, understand the crop pattern, give suggestions for increasing yield and educate them on modern cultivation methods and composting methods. “When we came here in June 29,” said Kishor K.B., “majority of the farmers were cultivating ginger and potato. Vast tracts of potato had attracted late blight disease. Our priority was to safeguard potato crop. We gave them suggestions on medicine and could safeguard the crop in some farms. However, the yield is very less as there was no rainfall.” The students soon after reaching the village conduct a survey on crop pattern, livestock presence and problems faced by farmers. Considering the fact that many families were depending on live stock for livelihood, they demonstrated azolla cultivation. Azolla which is provided as feed for cows increases milk yield. “Milk producers are happy that after azolla was provided as the feed, the quality and quantity of milk have increased. Now many farmers are developing azolla pits,” said Chinmayi M. Prasad, also a student. The students have demonstrated azolla pit near the dairy, where the milk producers visit twice a day. Anand, a banana grower in the village, is happy that the students gave special interest to increase the yield in his banana farm. “I did not know how to go about bunch feeding of banana. The students did this in my farm. Now I can see the size of fruits is increasing with it,” he said. Similarly, the students have cultivated paddy using varieties of seeds, which are not yet familiar among the farmers,” said Sandesh G.M, another student. The college has divided final year students into six groups and they have been sent to six different villages in Hassan district under this programme. With the help of local people, they have found accommodation in schools and houses. Coordinators of the RAWEP Dr. G. Nagesh, Dr.H.M. Manjunath and Dr.E.R. Umesh keep visiting the village and give students instructions whenever they need. They have developed a kitchen garden, to spread awareness among farmers about making use of space available around the house to grow vegetables. Dr.H.M. Manjunath, one of the RAWEP co-ordinators in the college, said that the students were doing a good job in the village. “They constantly interact with farmers and with that they learn. While farmers share their field experiences, students inform them about scientific advances. This activity helps both students and farmers,” he said. Dr.H. Shivanna, Vice-Chancellor of UAS, Dr. L. Manjunath, Dean of Agriculture College in Karekere have visited the village and appreciated the students’ work. The students soon after reaching the village conduct a survey on crop pattern, livestock presence and problems faced by farmers Bridge across Mullaperiyar soon A forty-year-old dream of people in Kottur in Theni district would become a reality in three months as a bridge across the Mullaperiyar is ready. The 7.5-metre wide bridge across the river, connecting Koozhiyanur and Kottur, and two approach roads - 1.6-km and 2.4-km long on either side of the bridge – to connect the villages and three culverts were being constructed at en estimated cost of Rs.5.34 crore by the PWD. On completion of this bridge, people at Koozhaiyanur will reach Veerapandi Main road without difficulty. It will benefit farmers to transport agriculture produces to the wholesale market in Theni. Students in several villages in Bodi and Thevaram unions will easily reach Kottur, which has several educational institutions, including government polytechnic college easily. Deadline to cover crops under scheme extended The deadline for covering crops under the National Agriculture Insurance Scheme has been extended to September 15. Farmers, who have cultivated crops after August 1, can apply for insurance against crop loss under this scheme. It is mandatory for farmers to get a certificate from the Revenue Department on the extent of cultivation and submit this to the bank. Farmers, who have cultivated crops after August 1, can apply for insurance against crop loss Three districts to benefit from PM irrigation scheme The Departments of Agriculture, Public Works Department and Rural Development are working to prepare a District Irrigation Programme.—File photo Soon farmers in Dindigul, Krishnagiri and Tirunelveli will benefit from the Prime Minister’s Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). The Central government has chosen the districts to implement this programme to take water to the last field in the areas. Already, the Departments of Agriculture, Public Works Department and Rural Development are working to prepare a District Irrigation Programme (DIP). Sources in the Agriculture Department said the DIP is being prepared by collating data from various projects being implemented by the departments. The DIP is likely to be ready by mid-October after which the State government will submit proposals to the Centre. Of the three districts, only Tirunelveli has paddy cultivating regions. Farmers are into pulses, maize and black gram. Many farmers in Krishnagiri district produce vegetables or were into floriculture. Similarly, farmers in Dindigul produced vegetables and have taken up protected agriculture. R. Rajappa, a farmer in Soolagiri block of Krishnagiri, said canals in their area were damaged and needed repairs. “Due to seepage, tail-end farmers do not get enough water and since the rains are not yet here the wells too do not have enough water. Repairs to the old canals would help increase vegetable production,” he said. “By optimally using existing water sources and creating new sources, the idea is to bring more farm lands under irrigation. In dry areas, farm ponds and check dams will be created and old ponds will be revived. In areas that get water from wells, micro irrigation systems will be strengthened,” an agriculture officer said. Under the PMSKY, existing schemes of water management have been brought under one head to efficiently use water. “Ultimately, other districts in the State will be brought under the scheme and a State Irrigation plan will be prepared. This is a long-term programme,” explained the official. Recently, under the command area development programme, which has been brought under the umbrella of the PMSKY, the State has submitted a proposal for Rs. 21 crore for lining of canals to prevent evaporation and seepage losses and also taking water through pipelines for these districts. V. Parasuraman, a farmer from Ponn Vilaindha Kalathur in Chengalpet, said many farmers in his area were finding it difficult to source water for irrigation. “They have been waiting for solar-powered pumps for irrigation. There are several tanks in our district that need to be de-silted and revived. If our ponds and tanks hold enough water, groundwater too will get recharged automatically,” he said. Farmers reduce use of chemical fertilizers Even as the northeast monsoon cheered farmers in Theni district, especially in Cumbum valley and in rain-fed areas, progressive farmers in Chinnamanur have capitalised on the sudden showers that rocked the region last week by reducing use of chemical-based fertilizers. Normally farmers apply fertilizers during milk stage, also known as ripening stage, for better quality and size of grains. Yield will be decided at this stage. The recent rain was very useful to standing crops at this stage. After flowering stage, milk and maturity stages were crucial for paddy crop to ensure better yield and quality, colour and size of the grains. Application of fertilizers would enhance the quality. But intermittent showers and sunlight would supply required nutrients to the plants, and there was no need for external source, said Chinnamanur block Farmers’ Association office-bearer A. Ponnu Ram. Hence, many progressive farmers had reduced the quantity of fertilizers to a minimum level based on the condition of soil and plants, not only to cut production cost but also to preserve soil fertility, he added. Moreover, farmers had also reduced the quantum of water drawn from the river for irrigation following showers. The demand for water would also be reduced considerably in the coming months as crops would reach maturity stage, heading for harvesting. The plants need only sunlight and a minimum quantum of water for better yield and quality grains. This would allow a good quantum of water released from Periyar dam to reach Vaigai dam. The paddy growers, however, were facing a problem in the form of attack by brown plant hopper. Though this pest attack was common in paddy fields, the intensity of attack by pests had started haunting them in Chinnamanur region. Meanwhile, scientists and agriculture officials inspected the area and suggested pest control measures recently, he added. The rain had also expanded cultivation area under rain-fed crops in dry belts of the district, especially in Bodi and Andipatti regions, and improved storage level in several tanks.