Introduction:

Technical, social and economic constraints are limiting the effective use of groundwater and ponds for irrigation in many parts of the EGP. Large areas of land remain fallow during the dry months. Access to year-round water for irrigation would significantly improve the productivity of agriculture, improving incomes and food security.

Marginal and tenant farmers, youth and women are particularly vulnerable and could benefit from a new approach to irrigation provision. This project is researching and demonstrating improved collective farming systems for marginal farmers and improved water management and irrigation practices using efficient systems appropriate to the needs of the marginal farmer communities.

A project funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) is working with communities across Nepal (Saptari), India (Cooch Behar and Madhubani) and North West Bangladesh, to research and demonstrate sustainable social and biophysical interventions.

Village:

Dhaloguri of Ambari Gram Panchayat in Coochbehar-II block is an agriculture based, remote village and surrounded by Ghorghoria River. The village is divided in two parts – Dholguri 4 and Dholguri 5 of two Gram Sangsads. There are around 750 households in the village with caste composition of 65% Scheduled Caste (SC), 1% Scheduled Tribe (ST), 5% minority and 29% general in the village.  The action research based project “DSI4MTF”, has selected an area encompassing 264 households.

Earlier there were limited technologies to exploit water resources to support the livelihoods of community members. There were no Shallow Tube Wells (STWs) or pumps to irrigate their land. They were totally dependent on rain water to cultivate their fields. Now in 2016 there are 31 STWs (5 though defunct). In this village six diesel powered pumps and three electric pumps are used. There are 13 ponds (medium and large size) however none of the ponds are used for irrigation as during the dry season most of the ponds are dry. Ten years ago the water holding capacity of the ponds was considered greater than in 2016. There are three large ponds used for fisheries, mainly for own consumption, one of them is 3 bigha (1 ha = 7.5 bigha) managed by 30 to 35 families for multiple purposes including fishery, bathing, washing of clothes and utensils.

Recently the DSI4MTF project has supported in forming and empowering the farmers’ institutions “Collective Farming Groups (CFGs)” for collective actions on agriculture and water management. The project has installed 3 STWs and provided 2 centrifugal pumps sets for promoting the dry season crops as well as the installation of a of solar irrigation system.

Figure 1 – Landscape of Dhaloguri village, Coochbehar (West Bengal)

Community and interventions:

Most of the households of Dhaloguri village belong to schedule caste community and they are traditionally involved agriculture including livestock, fishing etc. The average household landholding is 0.9 acres and many farmers are tenant and landless. The DSI4MTF project has been working with farming community of Dhaloguri for the last two years. Initially the farmers were confused about the aims and objectives about this action research project. It has taken time but slowly CDHI has mobilised the farmers through walk around, personnel interview, focus group discussions (FGDs), formal and informal meeting / training and exposure visits. Project participants are now informed and excited about the project. Farmers are involved in collective actions by forming and strengthening the Collective Farming Group which consists of 8 to 11 members of landless, tenant, marginal, rich and women farmers. Conventionally they were mainly cultivating monsoon paddy, jute, potato and leafy vegetables during the rainy and winter season. 75 to 80% of the agricultural land at Dhaloguri remained uncropped during the dry period. After a series of community engagement programmes and technical interventions including installation of irrigation tube wells with pumps, the CFGs are cultivating boro paddy, jute and new crops including elephant foot yam, taro and other vegetable during this pre-kharif season.

The farmers were given technical exposure through visits to the Agricultural Fair organised at UBKV. The analysis of primary and secondary agronomical data reflected the dominance of rice based cropping system at the site. Except rain fed paddy and winter potato in some patches, most of the land used to remain fallow during the dry season. Irrigation infrastructure was almost non-existent. Direct pumping from a nearby river was the only source of irrigation to grow winter potato. Pumping water through very long flexible delivery pipes was highly inefficient and uneconomic. The physical interventions through the project started with the installation of one shallow tube well and commissioning of one 4 HP diesel pump at the site. With assured irrigation water the farmers started growing crops even during the dry seasons. After due consideration of soil health and land situation, the project scientists proposed a wide variety of feasible crops to the farmers. They were provided technical trainings and practical demonstrations on different aspects of crop production technologies like sowing/planting, crop management, water management, and disease and pest management. With sound technical backup, the confidence of the farmers increased and consequently in the last dry season (winter of 2015-16) a total area of 10 bigha  was brought under winter vegetables including potato, cabbage, cauliflower, mustard, sweet potato, garlic, chilli, and tomato. The water management aspects like organic mulching in tomato, reduction in the length of furrows for potato, and corrugation irrigation to vegetables were piloted successfully at the site. After harvesting of the winter vegetables, in the summer of 2016 the farmers are now cultivating irrigated summer rice using SRI method and jute before going for the monsoonal paddy.

Figure 2 – Participatory gender training by CDHI and IWMI

Impact:

The farmers from different socio economic backgrounds are working together without any conflicts. The rich and tenant farmers are equally contributing their finance, time and labour. They are taking risks together in cultivating new crops and working very hard for ensuring better results. They are now confident enough to work together in the agricultural land and social field.

The growth of crops is very encouraging during this season and actual financial benefit will be calculated after harvesting within one month. The farmers are slowly and steadily owning the project and fostering the relationship with service providers to access the facilities. They are now feeling proud that they are also involved in research activities.

The initial growth of CFGs at Dhaloguri is also motivating other local institutions including women self-help groups and farmers club to explore the local resources for their livelihood.

Figure 3 – collective farming by site 2 at Dhaloguri on elephant foot yam

Future:

The other farmers are closely observing the activities of CFGs and they are planning to be part of groups. The project is working on training module for collective farming system, water management, improve crop management. The project will also be emphasising on empowering the CFGs through manual/guide book of different crops, development of IEC materials, farmers skill development, farmers fair, community research by the farmers, exposure, meeting with market chain participants, linkage building etc.

By Santosh Mali and Anoj Kumar

A field visit of DSI4MTF project farmers to ICAR-RCER Research Centre Ranchi was undertaken on 13^th Aug 2016. Fourteen farmers including 6 women farmers from both the villages, Bhagwatipur and Mauahi, participated in the training program cum-exposure visit. This was one day visit in which farmers were given 3 hours of classroom training on vegetable cultivation practices and plant protection measure. The training was facilitated by scientists and technical persons from ICAR RCER Ranchi through three interactive sessions of one hour each. In Second half of the day, farmers were taken to experimental fields of ICAR where they got an opportunity to acquaint and understand the better techniques of vegetable cultivation including drip, sprinkler, mulching, vermi composting, shade net nursery production etc. After visit to on-station trials the farmers visited the fields of one of the progressive farmers of Devgain village of Ranchi district of Jahrkhand. The farmer is cultivating the vegetable crops with state-of-art technologies of crop production like drip system of irrigation, bicolour polythene mulching, fertigation with ventury and better nutrient management.

Participants

1. 14 Farmers (6 women and 8 men)
2. Ritesh Kumar (Sakhi)
3. Neetu Singh(Sakhi)
4. Rajesh Kumar(Sakhi)
5. Ritesh Ojha(Field Assistant ICAR)
6. Omkar Kumar(Field Assistant ICAR)
7. Fraser Sugden(IWMI)
8. Santosh Mali(ICAR)
9. Anoj Kumar Kumar(IWMI)

Why Selected Ranchi for field visit?

1. Many farmers of Ranchi have already adopted drip, plastic mulch and other best agronomical practices for vegetable cultivation. The purpose was to help our project farmers through their experiences.
2. The objective was to learn how farmers of Ranchi have overcome the problem of water scarcity during the dry season.
3. Farmers exposure to intensive vegetable cultivation practice and use of biological and organic pest and disease control
4. Many tribal and other socially backward farmers of Ranchi have adopted improved vegetable cultivation practices which can be a good learning example for our farmers.

In house training on agronomical practices by ICAR Scientist

This session was taken by three scientist from three different discipline one from horticulture division, one from pathology division, and one from entomology division.

1. Vijay Kumar Singh, Senior Technical Officer, ICAR RCER Ranchi covered the ground on general practices of vegetable cultivation starting from field selection for vegetable cultivation till harvesting all practices. Selection of crop, selection of seed, use of fertilizer and irrigation practices. Many farmers ask their query to the scientist and get their answer. Vegetable cultivation on large scale was stressed upon through a general economic analysis of tomato cultivation. Also Off-season cultivation of vegetables through low tunnels and staggering the dates of sowing/planting was discussed as a better option to fetch higher price in the markets. The sowing times and improved varieties of different vegetables was also discussed during the interactions with the farmers. This was very useful session to farmers.

2. Pathology scientist (Dr Sudarshan Maurya, Senior Scientist, ICAR RCER Ranchi) discussed the general and particular diseases of vegetable in different seasons and their control measures. During this session scientist covered the aspects of selection of disease free seed and planting material, preventive measure for disease appearance and control measure. Seed treatment and management of tomato and Brinjal wilt was discussed. He also showcased the packets and pouches of the effective and commonly available fungicides in the market. During this session farmers asked many questions and got a satisfying reply from the scientist.

3. Entomology Scientist (Dr. Jaipal Singh Chaudhary, Scientist, ICAR RCER Ranchi) discussed the insect pest infestation of different vegetable crop grown by our farmers during last summer season and current vegetable crop (Brinjal). He shown the video of life cycle of insect pest and explained the most harmful stages of the insects that needs immediate control. For controlling the damage of crop farmers should know which stage of life cycle of insect pest can be controlled to bring down the pest population below the economic threshold level. He also discussed the biological control of pest in brinjal and Okra crops. In brinjal crop, if farmers grow maize as border crop, then insect pest gets attracted to maize flower and farmers need to apply pesticide on maize flower only. Thus farmer can prevent the potential damage that a pest can cause. He also talked about growing of coriander crop in between brinjal crop can reduce the insect pest infestation and farmers can take additional income from coriander leaf. He also talked about use of pheromone trap for different crop to control insect pest population. Another low cost technique like use of jaggery (Gur) and nuvan to control the insect pest population.

Field training and field visit

Farmers were taken to the experimental fields of ICAR RCER by Mr. Chandrakant Gupta, Senior Technical Officer, ICAR, RCER, Ranchi who demonstrated the drip & Sprinkler irrigation technology, mulching and raising of nursery in portray and different variety/cultivar of vegetable and fruit crop. He also exposed the farmers to a vermicomposting unit. He explained the utility and benefits of these technologies to the farmers and answered the queries raised by the farmers.

Mr Anoj, Dr Frazer and Farmers heading for field visit

Visit to the farms of a progressive farmer

After the detailed discussions on the technologies demonstrated at ICAR-RCER, Dr. Santosh Mali led the farmers to visit the farms of one of the progressive farmers Mr. Shivcharan Kachhap of Devgain village of Ranchi district. This farmer practiced rice-follow system for years with low net returns and had difficulty in sustaining his livelihood. During last 2 years he has started growing multiple crops in year through adoption of drip irrigation system, plastic mulching and intensive farming of vegetable crop. With the experiences he learned from the drip irrigation that he practiced from a small scale drip irrigated plot, he has now increased the area under drip irrigation system to 3.5 acre. This has increased his income by many folds. Inspired by his success, many farmers in the adjoining areas have followed the suit. Mr. Shivcharan Kachhap shared his experiences on how he started the vegetable cultivation practices and use of drip and plastic mulching for water conservation and taking best crop of vegetable. He also showcased a nursery of vegetable crop where he is growing nursery in portray which allows early planting of vegetable crop to fetch the good price of their produce. He also discussed in detail the marketing mechanism of vegetable produce. Mr. Shivcharan Kachhap presently has the standing crop of Chilli, Tomato, Bitter guard (late stage crop), other minor vegetable crop and a healthy nursery of cucumber. Mr. Shivcharan also shared his experiences on cash and kind benefits from different crops he is earning through adoption of improved vegetable cultivation practices. The bitter gourd was cultivated in rows of trellis with a staking support of a bamboo and nylon thread. He explained the farmers about the total cost involved in bitter guard cultivation and net income he earned from the cultivation of one acre of bitter crop on trellis. This was very motivating aspect to our farmers. He also shown the yellow sticky paper for insect control in chilli field. He also demonstrated the farmers the fertigation process through drip irrigation system. Ventury system of fertilizer application was much appreciated by the farmers, particularly the response of women farmers was overwhelming.

Farmers interacting with Mr Shivcharan Kachhap of Devgain Village

Acknowledgements:

It was a great team effort. Mr Ritesh Kumar and Sakhi team making the travel arrangements for the farmers. Mr Anoj Kumar (IWMI) looked after the needs of the farmers during the journey and ensured safe travel during the 16 hrs of 550 km long journey. Dr Santosh Mali (ICAR-RCER, RC Ranchi) arranged all logistics for the stay at Ranchi, organised a training program in his office premises successfully and co-ordinated a visit to farmer’s field. The interactions with Dr Frazer Sugden (IWMI) during the training and field visits were useful in further planning and implementation of the project.

By Md Maniruzzaman and Md Mainuddin

Introduction:

Technical, social and economic constraints are limiting the effective use of groundwater and ponds for irrigation in many parts of the EGP. Large areas of land remain fallow during the dry months. Access to year-round water for irrigation would significantly improve the productivity of agriculture, improving incomes and food security.

Marginal and tenant farmers, youth and women are particularly vulnerable and could benefit from a new approach to irrigation provision. This project is researching and demonstrating improved collective farming systems for marginal farmers and improved water management and irrigation practices using efficient systems appropriate to the needs of the marginal farming communities.

A project funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) is working with communities across Nepal (Saptari), India (Cooch Behar and Madhubani) and Northwest Bangladesh, to research and demonstrate sustainable social and biophysical interventions.

Fig. 1 Location and view of Village Dhodogaon, Thakurgaon

Village:

The village Dhandogaon is located in the Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila (sub-district) of Thakurgaon district, in the northwest region of Bangladesh under the Agro-ecological Zone (AEZ)-1. The land type is medium highland to highland. The region consists of Old Himalayan Piedmont Plains with loam to clay loam soils and characterised by medium monsoonal rainfall and are comparatively dry in winter months. The temperature is comparatively cooler in winter and hot in summer. The village community is mainly dominated by the lower caste Hindus; some tribal people also live there. The average size of land holding is low with a high proportion of marginal and tenant farmers (about 60%).

Agriculture is the main source of livelihood for the village people. Most of the tenant farmers work as agricultural labourers (about 25% women labourers). There is migration of youth to other places in search of alternate occupations. The village is rich in groundwater resources. However, most of the ponds are seasonal and only 10-15 ponds retain water throughout the year and are used for culture fisheries, duck rearing, cattle bathing and household uses. The groundwater table is available at about 5.0 to 6.5 m below ground level. Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) installed two deep tubewells (DTW) in the village. Beyond the command area farmers are also using shallow tubewells (STW) for irrigation. BMDA managed DTWs are electrified and most of the STWs are run by diesel fuel. The quality of groundwater resources is good.

Fig. 2 (a-i) Different activities at Site I: Dhandogaon, Thakurgaon

Community and interventions:

The DTW site at Dhandogaon village represents the Barind Tract area of northwest Bangladesh. This DTW is installed and managed by BMDA. This village is selected for understanding the bio-physical, socio-economic and institutional management of DTW irrigation systems in northwest Bangladesh and to draw a comparison to the other project sites in India and Nepal. BRRI and CSIRO is studying the bio-physical aspects and IWMI is looking after the socio-economic aspect of that village. There are about 80 farming families within the DTW command area and most of them represents marginal and tenant group. There are also 12-15 women farmers within the DTW command area. The DTW farmers are selected for collecting secondary social and bio-physical data by the project. As part of the project activities social mobilisation was done at the site through a series of community meetings, focus group discussions, community engagement programs and gender awareness meetings.

The analysis of agricultural data of the site reflected the dominance of rice based cropping system. The main cropping pattern is Boro-Fallow-T. Aman. Some non-rice crops (Maize, Wheat, Potato, Mustard and Chili) are also grown in the area during winter. The irrigation system consists of pump house, buried pipe distribution system and earthen plot channels. The irrigation infrastructures are developed by BMDA. Plot channels are maintained by the farmers. Electrified pump is operated by digital control panel. Pre-paid smart cards are used by the water users to receive irrigation water in their fields. Irrigation charge is time based. Thus efficient irrigation water distribution is ensured. Boro rice requires huge amount of water, which creates tremendous pressure on groundwater resources.

Therefore, the project scientists recommend low water demanding crops like mustard, wheat, potato and maize at early winter followed by late Boro for crop intensification and improvement of productivity.  With technical advice of the project scientists the farmers are interested to cultivate about eight hectares of low water demanding crop. Some farmers cultivated late Boro after winter crops for minimising the irrigation demand as crop receives sufficient rainfall at the later part of the growing season. AWD irrigation scheduling is advised for saving field level irrigation water. Some farmers have started to adopt the technology.

Impact:

Though the project is in the field for the 1^st season. The main objective of this season is to understand the current practice and performance of the system. This is expected to enable us to select most appropriate intervention to test in the field in the second season to improve system efficiency and productivity. However, some interventions have been made for saving irrigation water and increasing land productivity. Our research has clearly showed visible impact on the conventional agricultural practices of the farmers. Due to strengthening of the project activities and social engagement, the farmers have started to realise the benefits of improved water and crop management practices. For increasing support from the project, farmers are now more interested to adopt new crops and management practices. The cropping intensity has increased in some lands due to intensive cropping system. With better water management techniques and improved cultivation practices the overall cost of cultivation has been reduced. With higher yield and timely harvesting of the crops the market prices are more remunerative to the farmers.

Future:

Training programs will be arranged for farmers groups on ‘efficient water management for crop production’. This is to build up their capacity on resources conservation, productivity improvement and cost minimisation so that they can sustain beyond the project duration. Technical training and hands-on exposure will be given to the farmers to improve their agricultural skills. New varieties of crops, low water requiring crops and high value cash crops will be introduced in the future. Special emphasis will be given to minimise the cost of production by optimum use of irrigation water. Improvements in field level water application will ensure reduced cost of cultivation.

By Md Maniruzzaman and Md Mainuddin

Introduction:

Technical, social and economic constraints are limiting the effective use of groundwater and ponds for irrigation in many parts of the EGP. Large areas of land remain fallow during the dry months. Access to year-round water for irrigation would significantly improve the productivity of agriculture, improving incomes and food security.

Marginal and tenant farmers, youth and women are particularly vulnerable and could benefit from a new approach to irrigation provision. This project is researching and demonstrating improved collective farming systems for marginal farmers and improved water management and irrigation practices using efficient systems appropriate to the needs of the marginal farmer communities.

A project funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) is working with communities across Nepal (Saptari), India (Cooch Behar and Madhubani) and North West Bangladesh, to research and demonstrate sustainable social and biophysical interventions.

Fig. 1 Location and view of Village Ramnather Para, Mithapukur, Rangpur

Village:

The village Ramnather Para is located in the Mithapukur Upazila (sub-district) of Rangpur district, Bangladesh. The village is located in the northwest region of Bangladesh under the Agro-ecological Zone (AEZ)-3. The land type is medium highland to highland. The region consists of Teesta

Meander Flood Plains with silt loam to loam soils and characterised by medium monsoonal rainfall and comparatively dry winter months. The temperature is comparatively cooler in winter and hot in summer. The village community is mainly dominated by Muslim people; some Hindu families also live there. The average size of land holding is low with a high proportion of marginal and tenant farmers (about 65%).

Agriculture is the main source of livelihood for the village people. Most of the tenant farmers work as agricultural labourers (about 20% women labourers). There is migration of youth to other places in search of alternate occupation. The village is rich in groundwater resources. There are some ponds in the village. They are mostly seasonal and only 5-8 ponds retain water throughout the year and used for aquaculture, duck rearing, cattle bathing and household uses. The groundwater table is available at about 5.0 to 5.5 m below ground level. All of the cropped area are irrigated by shallow tubewells (STW) and most of them are diesel operated and a few are electric motor driven. The quality of groundwater resources is good.

Fig. 2 (a-i) Different activities at Site II: Ramnatherpara, Mithapukur, Rangpur

Community and interventions:

The village is selected for understanding the bio-physical, socio-economic and institutional management of STW irrigation systems for comparison to the other project sites of India and Nepal. BRRI and CSIRO is studying the bio-physical aspects and IWMI is looking after the socio-economic aspect of that village. Five STWs were selected; 2 driven by electricity and the rest by diesel engine. There are about 100 farmers within the selected STWs command areas and most of them are marginal and tenant farmers. The STW farmers are selected for collection primary social and bio-physical data for the project. As part of the project activities social mobilisation was done at the site through a series of community meetings, focus group discussions, community engagement programs and gender awareness meetings.

The analysis of primary agricultural data indicated the dominance of rice based cropping systems. The major cropping patterns of the village are Boro-Fallow-T. Aman, Potato-Boro-T. Aman, Potato-Maize-T. Aman and Potato-Jute-T. Aman. Some non-rice crops (Maize, Wheat, Potato, Mustard, Brinjal, Gourd, Onion and Chili) are also grown in the area during winter. The water distribution systems of the STWs are mainly earthen canal. But some farmers use thin polythene pipe for water delivery following the advice of the project scientists. Boro rice requires huge amount of water, which creates tremendous pressure on groundwater resources. With technical advice of the project scientists, the farmers are getting interest in cultivating low water demanding crop such as mustard, wheat and maize at early winter for crop intensification. Some farmers cultivated late Boro after winter crops for reducing the irrigation demand as the crop receives sufficient rainfall at the later part of growing season. Following the advice of the project scientists, few farmers are practicing alternate wetting and drying, AWD irrigation scheduling that reduces the field level irrigation requirement.

Impact:

Though the project is now in a problem investigation phase some interventions have been made for saving irrigation water and increasing land productivity. Our research has clearly showed visible impact on the conventional agricultural practices of the farmers. Due to strengthening of the project activities and social engagement, the farmers have started to realise the benefits of improved water and crop management practices. For increasing support from the project, farmers are now more interested to adopt new crops and management practices. The cropping intensity has increased in some lands due to intensive cropping system. With better water management techniques and improved cultivation practices the overall cost of cultivation has been reduced. With higher yield and timely harvesting of the crops the market prices are more remunerative to the farmers.

Future:

Training program will be arranged for farmers group on ‘efficient water management for crop production’. This is to build up their capacity on resources conservation, productivity improvement and cost minimisation so that they can sustain beyond the project duration. Technical trainings and hands-on exposure will be given to the farmers to improve their agricultural skills. New varieties of crops, low water requiring crops and high value cash crops will be introduced in the future. Special emphasis will be given to minimise the cost of production by optimum use of irrigation water. Improvements in field level water application will ensure reduced cost of cultivation.

Introduction:

Technical, social and economic constraints are limiting the effective use of groundwater and ponds for irrigation in many parts of the EGP. Large areas of land remain fallow during the dry months. Access to year-round water for irrigation would significantly improve the productivity of agriculture, improving incomes and food security.

Marginal and tenant farmers, youth and women are particularly vulnerable and could benefit from a new approach to irrigation provision. This project is researching and demonstrating improved collective farming systems for marginal farmers and improved water management and irrigation practices using efficient systems appropriate to the needs of the marginal farmer communities.

A project funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) is working with communities across Nepal (Saptari), India (Cooch Behar and Madhubani) and North West Bangladesh, to research and demonstrate sustainable social and biophysical interventions.

 Village:

The village Dhaloguri is located in the Ambari GP, Block II of the Cooch Behar district of West Bengal, India. The village is located in the sub-himalayan terai region of West Bengal. The region is characterised by high monsoonal rainfall and comparatively dry winter months. The village community is mainly dominated by the lower caste population. The average size of land holding is low with a high proportion of marginal and tenant farmers. Agriculture is the main source of livelihood for the village people. Most of the tenant farmers work as agricultural labourers. The migration of youth to other states in search of alternate livelihoods has left many families to be led by women. The village is rich in both surface and subsurface water resources. There is one perennial river called Ghargharia flowing through the village. However, most of the ponds are seasonal and only 20-25 ponds retain water throughout the year. The groundwater table is available at about 1.5 to 4.5 m below ground level. The quality of groundwater resources is appropriate for irrigation.

Fig. 1 Village Dhaloguri of Cooch Behar

Community and interventions:

At the site Jelepara site of Dhaloguri village the project is working with a collective farming group of eight members. The group members belong to the marginal and tenant population of the village. There are also two landless women farmers in the group. The village also hosts three self-help groups, one fishery cooperative and one Farmers’ Club (Alor Dishari). The collective farming group was formed by the joint effort of the project partners (UBKV, CDHI and IWMI) based on secondary social and bio-physical data collected by the project. As part of the project activities social mobilisation was done at the site through a series of community meetings, focus group discussions, community engagement programmes and gender awareness meetings.

The farmers were given technical exposure through visits to the Agricultural Fair organised at UBKV. The analysis of primary and secondary agronomical data reflected the dominance of rice based cropping system at the site. Except rain fed paddy and winter potato in some patches, most of the lands used to remain fallow during the dry season.

Irrigation infrastructure was almost non-existent. Direct pumping from a nearby river was the only source of irrigation to grow winter potato. Pumping water through very long flexible delivery pipes was highly inefficient and uneconomic as well. The physical interventions through the project started with the installation of one shallow tube well and commissioning of one 4 HP diesel pump at the site. With assured irrigation water the farmers started growing crops even during the dry seasons.

After due consideration of soil health and land situation, the project scientists proposed a wide variety of feasible crops to the farmers. They were provided technical trainings and practical demonstrations on different aspects of crop production technologies like sowing/planting, crop management, water management, and disease and pest management.

With sound technical backup the confidence of the farmers became high and consequently in the last dry season (winter of 2015-16) a total area of 10 bigha (1 ha = 7.5 bigha) was brought under winter vegetables like potato, cabbage, cauliflower, mustard, sweet potato, garlic, chilli, and tomato. The water management aspects like organic mulching in tomato, reduction in the length of furrows for potato, and corrugation irrigation to vegetables were piloted successfully at the site.

After harvesting of the winter vegetables, in the summer of 2016 the farmers are now cultivating irrigated summer rice using SRI method and jute before planting monsoonal paddy.

Fig. 2 (a-e) Different crop scenarios at Site I: Jelepara of Dhaloguri

Impact:

Our research has clearly showed definite impact on the conventional agricultural practices of the farmers. Through social mobilisation and strengthening of the collective farming group the farmers have started to realise the benefits of cooperative farming. With increasing technical knowledge and scientific support the farmers are more confident to go for new crops and a more intensive cropping system. Assured supply of irrigation water has also reduced the risk of crop failure by many folds. With newly created efficient irrigation infrastructure, better water management techniques, and improved practices of crop production the overall cost of cultivation has been reduced. With higher yield and timely harvesting of the crops the market rates were more remunerative to the farmers.

Future:

It has been planned that in future emphasis will be given on strengthening the collective farming group both technically, socially and economically so that they can sustain beyond the project duration. Social trainings will be provided to the group so that they can work collectively and transparently towards the development of their livelihood status.

Technical trainings and hands-on exposure will be given to the farmers to hone their agricultural skills. Better varieties of crops, low water requiring crops (e.g. oilseeds) and high value cash crops (potato, broccoli, capsicum etc.) will be introduced in future. Special emphasis will be given to minimise the cost of production by optimum use of irrigation water.

Better designed and managed irrigation systems like ridge and furrow, bed and furrow, corrugation, level basin etc. will be introduced in future. Improvements in irrigation water conveyance, application, and distribution will ensure reduced cost of cultivation.