Experiences of Farmers in India Experiences of Farmers in ... - AgSri

Farmers’ Experiences
Jagathambal
1/15, ECR Mainroad
Kizhpettai, Anumanthai & Po,
Tindivanam Taluk,
Villupuram Dist.,
Tamil Nadu - 604303
Contact:
Ms.S. Puspalatha, Chairperson,
Ekoventure, Pondicherry.
Ph: 0413-2275812
Age: 50 years
Education: Illiterate
Occupation(s): Agriculture
No. of years in farming: 25
Paddy cultivation
Farmer Jagathambal has 2.5 acres, of which 2.0 acres make up her paddy land.
She has a bore well with an oil engine. Using this as her water source, as well as
the inputs like FYM and chemical fertilizers, she has obtained 7.5-9.0 q/acre (10-12
bags) in flooding method.
SRI adoption
Jagathambal learnt about SRI from Ekoventure, an NGO under the Green Coast
project and adopted it on 1.0 acre with the samba crop in 2006. The Ekoventure
(NGO) team trained and provided her guidance. Over the last three seasons she
has grown the following varieties: 99001, ADT-39, and improved White Ponni
using the following inputs: FYM (five cartloads), EM (Effective Microorganisms),
Amirthakaraisal, Vermicompost (own) 500 kg, as well as chemical fertilizers (Urea
25 kg, Phosphorous 25 kg, Potash 25 kg and bio-fertilizers and Pseudomonas). She
found Leaf-folder, Stem-borer and Yellowing on her crop and used FPE (Fermented
Plant Extracts), Neemazal and single spray of chemical pesticides (Monocrotophas,
Karate).
She has followed all SRI practices and owns a Conoweeder received from the
Green Coast project. She has obtained a yield of 1.1t/acre (five bags more than the
conventional method).
Innovations and modifications
Hand-weeding using a hoe was taken up for two seasons, when they had a water
problem to operate the Conoweeder.
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