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Lakhisarai district

CSISA organized a field day in collaboration with KVK-Lakhisarai at Sisma village of Lakhisarai district, Bihar. The activity aimed to understand how zero-till (ZT) wheat following direct seeded rice (DSR) in the rice-wheat cropping system aided in achieving higher yield due to the timely seeding of both crops.

Stakehoders who attended the activity were Dr. Nishank Prakash, KVK Lakhisarai, Mr. Prakash Sharma from PRAVAH-ITC, ZT-service providers, and other focused farmers. ZT-wheat after DSR is a crop establishment technique that facilitates farmers in early seeding in rice & wheat, compared to farmers’ traditional practice. On the same sites, other trials like the role of irrigation and on-farm comparison of early & late-maturing wheat varieties have been conducted for the study of best practices.

All the farmers who participated in the event were convinced to try the best practices recommended by CSISA-KVK. The estimated increment in yield due to the early planting of wheat through the zero-tillage (ZT) seed cum drill machine encouraged them to adopt ZT in wheat. Further, this technology allows farmers to apply one additional irrigation, which also helps raise the yield.

Begusarai district

On 1 April 2023, CSISA and KVK Begusarai organized a field visit of scientists and farmers at Keshabe village of Begusarai district. At this event, the chief guest was Dr. A.K. Singh, Director of Research – Rajendra Prasad Central Agri. University (RPCAU), Pusa. Many scientists – subject specialists –  from the university with officials, Mr Rajeev Kumar from the Lakhisarai District Agriculture Office (DAO) along with other extension officers of DoA (Department of Agriculture) and 30 progressive farmers from the district, visited these plots and gave feedback and appreciated the effort of farmer and CSISA-KVK team for promoting conservation agriculture practices.

At the sites visited, CSISA scientists, officers from DoA, and participating farmers estimated a yield of more than 6 tons/ha. The participants discussed crop establishment methods, cropping systems, agronomic management of crops, and how best management plays a role in the optimal use of resources, timely crop care practices, and supplementary irrigation to support better yield.

The following day on 2 April, 40 students pursuing M.Sc. and Ph.D. studies in Dr. RPCAU visited CSISA’s integrated weed management trials at KVK Begusarai led by senior scientist Dr. Rampal. Apart from the field visit, an interactive session was also held to discuss crop establishment methods and weed management strategies to control troublesome weeds in the rice-wheat cropping systems practised in the region. Students were informed about different trials and treatments to manage weeds. Students observed the result of these trials and were thoroughly informed about best practices.

Field day events encourage the ‘seeing is believing’ adage. Farmers are convinced of new technologies and practices when they see the results in demonstration fields and learn from the CSISA-KVK team through the adoption process.