DAATTC, Karimnagar organized Farmers Scientists Interaction on Integrated Farming System Model Approach for Doubling Farmer’s Income at Metpalli mandal of Jagtial District on 11-02-2022

• Indian farming is characterized by small, marginal and fragmented land holdings and is highly dependent on soil, climate and socio economic factors. Operating small holdings is often unviable in these situations.
• Therefore, there is an urgent need of transformation in agriculture production combined with farming system approaches that involves crop production and allied enterprises like dairy, poultry, fishery, vegetable and fruit production etc. Integration of different enterprises / crop by utilizing farmer’s available resources is one of the practical approaches in doubling the farmers’ income.
• By focussing on these aspects DAATTC, Karimnagar organized a Farmers Scientists Interaction on Integrated Farming System Model approach at Metlachittapur village of Metpalli mandal in Jagtial District on 11-02-2022.
• During the programme initially Dr. K. Madan Mohan Reddy, Scientist (TOT) welcomed dignitaries on to the dias and welcomed the farmers to the programme.
• Sri. K. Shekar, Coordinator & Scientist (Crop Production), DAATTC, Karimnagar briefed the importance of suitable Integrated Farming System models based on availability of water and other reources and explained that integration of cropping systems followed by the farmers with allied enterprises by utilizing crop residues, farm wastes as inputs to reduce dependency on outside inputs which results higher net returns per unit area.
• Dr. D. Sreelatha, Principal Scientist (Agronomy), RARS, Polasa has explained about the conservative agriculture, farm mechanization, crop residue management and maize production technologies & value added products of maize.
• Dr. S. Omprakash, Scientist (Entomology) explained about the crop protection aspects of yasangi crops emphasized on IPM practices for fall army worm management in maize.
• Dr. K. Madan Mohan Reddy, Scientist (ToT) sensitized the farmers about the PJTSAU YouTube channel, Vyavasayam monthly magazine and Kisan Sarathi Service. Farmers can contact directly with the Toll free number 14426 or 1800 123 2175 for obtaining information on activities related to Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal husbandry and fisheries.
• Sri. Katla Srinivas, Director, Thirumalapur FPC shared his experiences in fig cultivation and the benefits by establishment of FPC with group of farmers.
• Sri. R. Bhumeshwar practicing farmer shared his experiences in maintaining the enterprises under Integrated Farming System component in his farm.
• Scientists along with department staff and farmers conducted diagnostic field visit in rice, maize and farm visit of different enterprises under IFS components and given scientific suggestions to the farmers for further scaling up.
• Farmers expressed their views on formation of F.P.O and practical difficulties in assured market and price fluactuations.
• Sarpanch, Metlachittapur-Sri.B. Shekar Reddy, Sarpanch, Vittampeta-Sri.Akula Raja Reddy, Upasarpanch- Sri. Radharapu Bhumeshwar, Village Rythu Samanvaya Samithi Coordinator-Sri. Kunta Janardhan Reddy, Agricultural Extension Officer – Sri. Vinod and around 60 farmers were participated.