In an attempt to maximise income of farmers of the State, Indian Agriculture Research Institute (ICAR), New Delhi and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Vishunpur are jointly encouraging farmers of far off Banalat village under Bishupur Block in Gumla district to begin mustard farming for better income in prevailing circumstances.
This programme has been started in four districts of the State including Ranchi, Gumla, East Singhbhum and West Singhbhum to kick start ‘Yellow Revolution’ in the State. Keeping in mind the farmers could use moisture of the farm remaining after harvesting of paddy crops.
Gumla and its adjoining areas face scarcity of water for irrigation after cutting of paddy crop. Generally farmers of these areas migrate to other areas in these season for employment but ICAR, New Delhi and KVK, Vishunpur with the help of Directorate of Rapeseed and Mustard Research (DRMR), Bharatpur, have encouraged 51 farmers for Mustard farming in around 40 acres of lands.
Senior Scientist ICAR, Sanjay Kumar said it can be helpful and long-lasting source of income of the farmers in the region. “Banalat is giving example in Mustard farming, which has brought happiness in lives of farmers as well as it has been also preventing migration from the region” he added.
“The farmers of the area are showing keen interest in the crop as it yields better price than crops like Wheat. Wheat takes five to eight times water but mustard takes only two to three times water,” he added.
Kumar said that mustard cultivation takes less water than many other crops and simultaneously its duration of maturity is also very less as new variety of seed Pusa Mustard 28 takes 97 days to 100 days to harvest. Other variety seeds production capacity is 30 quintal per hectare while NRCYS 02-05 Mustard seed average production is 19 quintal to 21 quintal per hectare and the production capacity of the seed is 24 quintal per hectare.
He said that through DRMR Mustard demonstrated in a total of 100 acres of lands of 107 farmers in the Gumla district which could make the district self dependent in terms of oilseeds. “With aim to yield better production and productivity the KVK is regularly monitoring the crops and also giving technical information about the crops, he added.
Kumar said that Mustard oil farming is necessary for the farmers of the district because market price is also very high than other crops. “Mustard sells in market at minimum `4,200 per quintal which is very higher than wheat which sells not more than `1,800 per quintal,” he added.
Along with Mustard farming the KVK is also promoting sericulture through it honey production which could provide other source of income for the farmers of the region as the region very conducive for sericulture.
A large numbers of small and marginal farmers are involved in Mustard farming.