Vol. 12, Issue 6 (2023)

Author(s):
Satpal Singh, Rajbir Garg, Rajesh Kumar, Sunil Kumar and Mohit Sehal

Abstract:
The present investigation is conducted in Panipat district of Haryana state during 2018-19 to 2021-22 with the objective to study the impact towards use of Krishi Vigyan Kendras Information and Communication Technology (ICT) interventions on the management of crop residue. The Panipat district was selected intentionally as centrally sponsored scheme “Promotion of Agricultural Mechanization for In-situ Management of Crop Residue” was launched by Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India in 2018-19. The district is situated in the high potential rice-wheat belt of the state of Haryana. The area under rice crop is around 78000 ha whereas corresponding figure for wheat crop in Rabi season is around 85000 ha. There is domination of basmati rice. The farmers of the district are accustomed to either manual harvesting of paddy and then go for the sowing of wheat after conventional tillage or they are practicing the undesirable practice of burning of paddy crop stubbles and then sow the wheat crop. In nutshell, the combine harvesting of paddy is reason which create circumstance for residue burning. Keeping in view the importance of this issue Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India launched a scheme “Promotion of Agricultural Mechanization for In-situ Management of Crop Residue” in 2018-19 and total number of 12 districts of Haryana having rice wheat cropping system was selected under this scheme. CCS HAU KVK, Panipat took residue burning as a challenge and prepared a road map to sensitize the farmers for proper management of crop residues and to get feedback from the farmers and provide technological solutions to their queries and the efforts were made to develop conservation agriculture based crop management technologies which are more resource efficient than the conventional practices. Both interpersonal communication and mass communication types of IEC were involved in all the adopted villages to generate awareness among the farmers on best use of crop residue management. Various programme & activities including training, awareness camp (District, Block & Village level), Farmer Scientist Interaction, Kisan Mela, mobilsation of school and college students, demonstration on different tillage practices etc. were conducted to create awareness, sense of belongingness and responsibility towards saving of precious soil and environmental resources through sustainable crop residue management. In total 10399 farmer/farm women benefitted from these programme & activities and 479 farmers benefitted through Front line demonstrations.