Field Day on “No-till organic pulse production in rice fallow for improving soil health and cropping intensity” by ICAR Research Complex, Umiam
Large amount of areas in North Eastern Region of India remains fallow after rainy season rice and there is scope for cultivation of pulses like pea and lentil under no-till condition. The Division of Crop Production, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam organized a field Day for farmers on ‘No-till organic pulse production in rice fallow for improving soil health and cropping intensity’ on 16th November, 2018 at village Mynsain, Ri-Bhoi District, Meghalaya. Farmers from different villages namely Mynsain, Pythor and Umden Umbathiang attended the programme. The field day was organized to create awareness about pulses among farmers and disseminate information regarding no-till pulse cultivation techniques in rice fallow. The programme was co-ordinated by Dr. Jayanta Layek and Dr. Sandip Patra, Scientist from ICAR Research Complex, Umiam under Network Project on Organic Farming. Scientists explained that pulses are rich source of protein and can be easily grown under rice fallow conditions without any irrigation. Pulses improves soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen and hence, the farmers of the region need to grow lentil and pea after rice especially under organic farming. While, the net returns from rice monocropping is about only Rs. 35,000/- per hectare, the income for rice-pea cropping system and rice-lentil cropping system is about Rs. 86,000/- and Rs. 67,240/- per hectare, respectively. In the programme, practical demonstration on no-till cultivation of pea and lentil in lowland rice fallow was done under supervision of Dr. Utpal Dey and Miss Daphi Banri. Leaflets on ‘No-till Lentil and Pea Production in Rice Fallow’ in English and Khasi language and seeds of improved varieties of pea and lentil, organic pesticides, soil health promoting microbial cultures etc. were distributed among farmers. The field day was concluded with promise of every possible help from ICAR to popularize the pulse cultivation after harvesting of rice for enhancing cropping intensity and income.
