ICAR-IIWM began implementing the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) project in April 2019. The project activities started in Dangariguda village of Karlapada GP in Bhawanipatna block of Kalahandi district of Odisha with the following core objectives-
Subsequently, the project activities were expanded to 12 villages in four districts -Kalahandi, Puri, Khordha and Dhenkanal- of Odisha. After March 2023, the institute has a presence in ten (10) villages- eight in Nimapara block of Puri district and two (2) in Bhawanipatna block of Kalahandi districts covering more than 500 farm families.
During the period, based on
the needs of farmers, different activities such as the distribution of
high-yielding rice varieties (Pooja, CR Dhan 800 and Swarna-sub1);
demonstration of new rice varieties such as CR Dhan 206 and CR Dhan 310;
diversification into high-value horticultural crops such as vegetable crops
with required input support; introduction of micro-irrigation systems for
efficient water management; introduction and demonstration of onion varieties
of Agrifound Light Red (ALR) and Arka Bheem; demonstration of capsicum,
cabbage, cauliflower with plastic mulching; chemical and biological control of
pests and diseases; distribution of mung bean variety ‘Virat’; support for
mechanization of farm activities; aquaculture, poultry farming; distribution of
metallic storage bins, distribution of fertilizers;Â capacity building (training, awareness, field
days, exposure visits etc.) of farmers and continuous interactions for creating
social harmony have been undertaken.
Changes in cropping patterns
and water management strategies in groundwater command areas of project
villages in Kalahandi district led to an increase in cropping intensity from
139% in 2018-19 to 188% in 2021-22. The share of vegetable crops, like onion,
increased from 28.2% in 2018-19 to 78.3% in 2021-22. The introduction of the
‘Agrifound light red’ variety together with good agricultural practices like
the application of sulphur proved a game changer in boosting overall yield,
income and water productivity. In field demonstration, the onion variety ‘Arka
bheem’ gave a yield of 46.5 t/ha in the Kalahandi district.
