Book of Extended summaries ISDA

International Conference on Reimagining Rainfed Agro-ecosystems: Challenges &
Opportunities during 22-24, December 2022 at ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad
Centre (RAEEC) and subject matter specialist for strengthening the agricultural extension work
in rainfed areas.
Methodology
The major crops of the Marathwada region of Maharashtra are soybean, redgram, cotton, gram.
The horticultural crops like papaya, banana, tomato and chilli are also grown on limited scale.
For harvesting good yield with low cost of production, various technologies viz., nutrient
management, weed management, pest management water management, mechanization have
been recommended by the Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Agricultural University (VNMAU),
Parbhani, other SAUs and ICAR centres at regional and national level. In this regard,
agricultural extension services are run by the VNMAU, Parbhani, other SAUs with the RAEEC
and KVKs to transfer such technologies for adoption by farmers. The RAEEC under
Directorate of Extension Education, VNMAU, Parbhani are established at Ambajogai, Latur,
Aurangabad and Parbhani to disseminate the agricultural technologies among the farmers of
Marathwada region comprising eight districts. RAEEC developed a system to approach 60000
farmers of each district in collaboration with State Agriculture Department. The need-based
advisories are reaching the farmers through the system channel i.e., from scientists – SMS
/extension agronomist – DSAO – Taluka Agriculture Officer –Mandal Agriculture Officer –
Agriculture Supervisor – Agriculture Assistant – Farmer through conducting monthly district
field visits, workshop, trainings and WhatsApp. This article considered integrated management
strategies to manage biotic and abiotic stress on farmers’ fields, concluding with a brief outline
of future directions which might lead to the integration of described methods in a system-based
approach for more effective management of biotic and abiotic stress.
Results
State Agriculture Universities and ICAR research institutes have released various technologies
for increasing production and productivity of rainfed areas. Technological intervention through
extension activities is important for widescale adoption of these recommendations.
Cropping system: Mixed cropping, intercropping and crop rotation are important practices that
are widely emphasized to break the life cycle of insect pests and to avoid the inoculums buildup
of soil-borne pathogens and these practices are proved to be most effective tool in real farm
situations to manage biotic and abiotic stresses. Crop rotation is also associated with enhanced
soil fertility, improvement in soil chemical and physical properties, good soil water
management and soil erosion control.
Sowing method: In soybean, use of Broad Bed and Furrow (BBF) technology for sowing is
proved to be climate resilient, cost effective by reducing seed rate and insect pest population.
839 | Page Institutional and policy innovations for accelerated and enhanced impacts