4. kvk

CHAPTER-VIII

KVK ATTACHMENT

8.1 Establishment of KVK (Krishi Vigyan Kendra)

Krishi Vigyan Kendra KVK) is a district level Farm Science Centre established

by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) under Indira Gandhi Krishi

Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur (C.G.). It is responsible to transfer agricultural technologies

and research to the farmer's fields so that the farmer can gain the high productivity.

The KVK has excelled in bringing the modern technological packages at the

farmers doorstep with the help of various instructional units. The KVK today has

sufficient resources to impart training skills for not only the farmers but also the rural

youth. The Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Durg (C.G.) was established in October, 1993

with following aims:

1. To bring about improvement in productivity through transfer of economically

viable and environmentally sound technologies on various aspects such as crop

production, farm mechanization, horticulture, home science, etc.

2. To improve farm mechanization status of the district.

3. To improve rural entrepreneurship in agriculture and allied aspects.

4. To reduce farm women drudgery.

5. To establish strong linkage with farmers and line departments for rapid

developments in agriculture.

8.1.1 Objectives of KVKs

1. Inventoring and characterizing agricultural resources of the district with special

reference to identifying the technological gap and training needs of the

farming community.

2. Compiling all relevant recommendations/package of practices for their

meaningful utilization in the training courses and the follow-up extension

programmes.

3. Planning and conducting need-based production oriented short and long duration

training courses for various target groups.

4. Imparting vocational training to unemployed rural youth and school dropouts on

the principle of learning by during and Seeing is believing.

5. Organizing farm science club in the adopted village and rural schools.

6. Developing and maintaining the instructional farm and demonstration units on

scientific lines.

7. Demonstration of the technologies tested and recommended for location specific

situations to find out their potentiality and profitability.

8. Conducting on farm testing of the technologies developed by Agricultural

University and ICAR research institutes for their local suitability and

identification of constraints

8.1.2 Activities of KVKs

1. On farm testing to identify the loaction specificity of technologies in various

farming syatems.

2. Frontline demonstration to establish production potentials of newly released

technologies on bfarners' fields and provide feed back.

3. Training of farmers and farmwomen to update their knowledge and skills in

modern agricultural technologies and training of extension personnel to orient

them in the frontier areas of technology development.

4. Work as resources and knowledge centre of agricultural technology for

supporting initiatives of public, private and voluntary sector for improving the

agricultural economy of the district.

5. Create awareness about frontier technologies through large number of extension

activities like Farner fair, Field day, Strategic campaign, Ex-trainees meet, etc.

6. The seed and planting materials produce by the KVKs also be made available to

the farmers.

8.1.3 Opportunities

1. Well established KVK has vast working area.

2. Awareness and little interventions in way of doing farming, can bring big change.

3. Training to staff will give maximum result in the field.

4. As implementing agency for convergence programmes helps in development of

Farmers.

5. Reach in national resources can be utilized for optimum use to increase

production.

6. Soil and water conservation can be boom to the area.

8.1.4 Other activities of KVK, Durg

1. Formation of Farmers commodity based groups.

2. Rendering need based farm advisory services.

3. Implementing state and central governments sponsored agriculture related

development programmes.

4. Development location specific technologies .

5. Conducting skill demonstrations.

6. Dissemination of technologies through AIR, Doordharsan, Website, Newspapers

and Kisan Mobile Sandesh.

7. Precision farming, National Horticulture Mission, ATMA, etc.

      Besides, mandatory works, Krishi Vigyan Kendra has taken up several other

innovative programmes through convergence with government and non-

government agencies viz.

a. NHM

b. ATMA

c. RKVY

8.2 Important crop nutrients

Knowing the nutrients required to grow plants is only one aspect of successful

crop production. Optimum yield also requires knowing the rate to apply, the method

and time of application, the source of nutrients to use, and how the elements are

influenced by soil and climatic conditions. There are 16 nutrient elements required to

grow crops (Table 8.1).

Three essential nutrients—carbon (C), hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O2)—are taken

up from atmospheric carbon dioxide and water. The other 13 nutrients are taken up

from the soil and are usually grouped as primary nutrients, secondary nutrients and

micronutrients.

1. Primary nutrients—nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K)—are

commonly found in blended fertilizers such as 10-10-10, or equivalent grades.

Primary nutrients are utilized in the largest amounts by crops, and therefore,

are applied at higher rates than secondary nutrients and micronutrients.

2. Secondary nutrients—calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sulfur (S)—are

required in smaller amounts than the primary nutrients. The major source for

supplementing the soil with calcium and magnesium is dolomitic lime

(aglime), although these nutrients are also available from a variety of fertilizer

sources. Sulfur is available in fertilizers such as potassium and magnesium

sulfate, gypsum (calcium sulfate) and elemental sulfur.

3. Micronutrients—iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), boron

(B) and molybdenum (Mo)—are required in even smaller amounts than

secondary nutrients. They are available in manganese, zinc and copper sulfates,

oxides, oxy-sulfates and chelates, as well as in boric acid and ammonium

molybdate.

Nutrients from air

& water

Nutrients from soil, lime and commercial fertilizers

Primary

nutrients

Secondary

nutrients

Micronutrients

carbon (C)

hydrogen (H)

oxygen (O)

nitrogen (N),

phosphorus

(P)

potassium

(K).

calcium (Ca),

magnesium(Mg),

sulfur (S).

boron (B),

iron (Fe),

chlorine (Cl),

manganese (Mn),

copper (Cu),

molybdenum (Mo),

zinc (Zn).

Table 8.1 Nutrients essential for plant growth

8.3 Horticulture

Horticultural crops in Chhattisgarh occupy an area of 6.39 lakh ha. With a production

of 68.17 lakh ton the area, although the area comprises only 13.41% of the net

cultivated area invested, but the total income generated from horticulture sector

accounts to over 33.83% of total income derived from combined agriculture sector.

System of rice intensification (SRI)

It is an agro-ecological methodology for increasing the productivity of irrigated

rice by changing the management of plants, soil, water and nutrients.

Its benefits include: 20%-100% or more increased yields, up to a 90%

reduction in required seed, and up to 50% water savings. SRI principles and

practices have been adapted for rain fed rice as well as for other crops (such

as wheat, sugarcane ), with yield increases and associated economic benefits.

Soil health card

Soil health needs to be assessed at regular intervals so as to ensure that

farmers apply the required nutrients while taking advantages of the

nutrients already present in the soil. Government has launched a scheme to

provide every farmer a Soil Health Card in a Mission mode. The card will

carry crop wise recommendations of nutrients/fertilizers required for farms,

making it possible for farmers to improve productivity by using appropriate

inputs.

Green revolution

The Green Revolution refers to a series of research, and development, and

technology transfer initiatives, occurring between the 1940s and the late 1960s that

increased agricultural production worldwide, particularly in the developing world

beginning most markedly in the late 1960s. Norman Borlaug won the Nobel Peace

Prize in 1970 for launching the "Green Revolution" in agriculture 

8.4 Mechanized Bullock Cart

The idea of mechanized bullock cart arises from the fact that about 60-70% of

cultivation in India is done by 68 million draft animals. There is a need of a

mechanized cart which could multiply the effort of animal, increase the power output,

comfort and ease the draft animal.

Draft animals save about 6 million tones of petroleum which is approximately 15000

crores of foreign exchange. This fact implies that there should be a balance between

farm mechanization and use of draft animals.

The following traits can be incorporated in a bullock cart :

1. Brake: brakes can relieve the animal while going uphill where it has to put

extra efforts and sometimes end up hurting itself. Presence of brakes in the cart

can help the animal take some rest.

2. Shock absorbers near the neck and shoulder of animal: This will prevent the

animal from sudden jerks and reduce the effect of loads while loading and

unloading.

3. Ball bearing and lubrication in the wheels: this will reduce the excess friction.

8.5 Milking Machine

Automatic milking is the milking of dairy animals, especially of dairy cattle , without

human labour. Automatic milking systems (AMS), also called voluntary milking

systems (VMS), were developed in the late 20th century. They have been commercially

available since the early 1990s.

Voluntary milking allows the cow to decide her own milking time and interval,

rather than being milked as part of a group at set milking times. AMS requires

complete automation of the milking process as the cow may elect to be milked at any

time during a 24-hour period. The milking unit comprises a milking machine, a teat

position sensor (usually a laser), a robotic arm for automatic teat-cup application and

removal, and a gate system for controlling cow traffic. The cows may be permanently

housed in a barn, and spend most of their time resting or feeding in the free-stall area.

If cows are to be grazed as well, a selection gate is required to allow only those cows

that have been milked to the outside pastures.

When the cow elects to enter the milking unit (due to highly palatable feed

that she finds in the milking box), a cow ID sensor reads an identification tag

(transponder) on the cow and passes the cow ID to the control system. If the cow has

been milked too recently, the automatic gate system sends the cow out of the unit. If

the cow may be milked, automatic teat cleaning, milking cup application, milking, and

teatspraying takes place. As an incentive to attend the milking unit, concentrated

feedstuffs needs to be fed to the cow in the milking unit.

8.6 Visit to dairy barn and agricultural fields

Agricultural fields:

1. Maize

2. Bottle gourd

3. Berseem

4. Gilki

5. Tinda

6. Cucumber

7. Kusum

Dairy barn:

Cow sheds can be arranged in a single row if the numbers of cows are. Small say less

than 10 or in a double row if the herd is a large one. Ordinarily, not more than 80 to

100 cows should be placed in one building. In double row housing, the stable should

be so arranged that the cows face out (tail to tail system) or face in (head to head

system) as preferred.

Advantages of Tail to tail system:

1. Under the average conditions, 125 to 150 man hours of labor are required per

cow per year. Study of Time: Time motion studies in dairies showed that 15%

of the expended time is spent in front of the cow, and 25% in other parts of the

barn and the milk house, and 60% of the time is spent behind the cows. 'Time

spent at the back of the cows is 4 times more than, the time spent in front of

them.

2. In cleaning and milking the cows, the wide middle alley is of great advantage.

3. Lesser danger of spread of diseases from animal to animal.

4. Cows can always get more fresh air from outside.

5. The head gowala can inspect a greater number of milkmen while milking. This

is possible because milkmen will be milking on both sides of the head gowala.

6. Any sort of minor disease or any change in the hind quarters of the animals can

be detected quickly and even automatically.

Advantages of face to face system:

1. Cows make a better showing for visitors when heads are together.

2. The cows feel easier to get into their stalls.

3. Sun rays shine in the gutter where they are needed most.

4. Feeding of cows is easier; both rows can be fed without back tracking.

5. It is better for narrow barns.

Floor: The inside floor of the barn should be of some impervious material which, can

be easily kept clean and dry and is not slippery.  Paving with bricks can also serve

ones purpose. Grooved cement concrete floor is still better. The surface of the cow

shed should be laid with a gradient of 1" to 1 1/2 from manger to excreta channel. An

overall floor space of 65 to 70 sq.ft. Per adult cow should be satisfactory.

Walls: The inside of the walls should have a smooth hard finish of cement, which will

not allow any lodgement of dust and moisture. Corners should be round. For plains,

dwarf walls about 4 to 5 feet in height and roofs supported by measonry work or iron

pillars will be best or more suitable. The open space in between supporting pillars will

serve for light and air circulation.

Roof: Roof of the barn may be of asbestos sheet or tiles. Corrugated iron sheets have

the disadvantage of making extreme fluctuations in the inside temperature: of the barn

in different seasons. However, iron sheets with aluminum painted. tops to reflect

sunray bottoms provided with wooden insulated ceilings can also achieve the

objectives. A height of 8 feet at the sides and 15 feet at the ridge will be sufficient to

give the necessary air space to the cows An adult cow  requires at least about 800

cubic feet of air space under topical conditions. To make ventilation more effective

continuous ridge ventilation is considered most desirable.

Manger:

Cement concrete continuous manger with removable partitions is the best from the

point of view of durability and cleanliness, A height of l'-4" for a high front manger

and 6" to 9" for a low front manger is considered sufficient low front mangers are

more comfortable for cattle but high front mangers prevent feed wastage. The height

at the back of the manger should be kept at 2'-6" to 3'. An overall width of 2' to 2 W is

sufficient for a good manger.

Alley:

The central walk should have a width of 5'-6' exclusive of gutters when cows face out,

and 4'-5' when they face in. The feed alleys in case of a face out system should be 4'

wide, and the central walk should show a slope of 1" from the centre towards the two

gutters naming parallel to each other, thus forming a crown at the centre.

Manure gutter:

The manure gutter should be wide enough to hold all dung without getting blocked,

and be easy to clean. Suitable dimensions are 2' width with a cross-fall of 1" away

from standing. The gutter should have a gradient of 1" for every 10' length. This wills

permit a free flow of liquid excreta.

Doors: The doors of a single range cowshed should be 5' wide with a height of 7', and

for double row shed the width should not be less than 8’-9’. All doors of the barn

should lie flat against the external wall when fully open.

Calving Boxes:

Allowing cows to calve in the milking cowshed is highly undesirable and

objectionable. It leads to in sanitary milk production and spread of disease like

contagious abortion in the herd. Special accommodation in the form of loose-boxes

enclosed from all sides with a door should be furnished to all parturient cows. It

should have an area of about 100 to 150 sq. Ft With ample soft bedding. It should be

provided with sufficient ventilation through windows and ridge vent.

Isolation Boxes:

Animals suffering from infectious diseases must be segregated soon from the rest of

the herd. Loose boxes of about 150 sq. Ft are very suitable for this purpose. They

should be situated at some distance from the other barns. Every isolation box ''should

be self contained and should have separate connection to the drainage disposal system.

Sheds for young stocks:

Calves should never be accommodated with adult in the cow shed. For an efficient

management and housing, the young stock should be divided into three groups, viz.,

young calves aged up to one year, bull calves, i.e., the male calves over one year and

the heifers or the female calves above one year. Each group should be sheltered in a

separate calf house or calf shed. As far as possible the shed for the young calves

should be quite close to the cowshed.

Azolla Pond

Azolla (mosquito fern, duckweed fern, fairy moss, water fern) is a genus of seven

species of aquatic ferns in the family Salviniaceae. Because of symbiotic nitrogen

fixation, and consequently, high nitrogen content, Azolla has been used as a green

manure for wetland rice in northern Vietnam, and central to southern China for

centuries.

Azolla has enormous potential as a livestock feed due to:

Its high content in proteins, essential amino acids, vitamins (vitamin A, vitamin

B12, Beta Carotene), growth promoter intermediaries and minerals.

Its ability to proliferate without inorganic nitrogen fertilization.

Its high rate of growth in water without the need to displace existing crops or

natural ecological systems.

It has been used for many years throughout Asia and parts of Africa to feed pigs,

ducks, chickens, cattle, fish, sheep and goats and rabbits.

Fig: azolla

Fig: oats

Fig: stanchion dairy barn with Sahiwal breed