Rajamahendravaram: Tribals in the East Godavari agency area who normally cultivate traditional crops have now got access to high yield short duration crops like groundnut, thanks to ICRISAT which is providing technical interventions and training to farmers with the cooperation of Department of Agriculture,
The program was started in 2015 with breeder seed supplied by ICRISAT and RARS –
The groundnut foundation seed 2 produce is expected to be between 75 -100 tonnes. Last year farmers spent extra amount and time for shelling the groundnut pods to get seed, whereas this year ICRISAT has facilitated them with pod shelling machines which will be operated by a single or two persons for 3-4 hours. This will reduce cost of cultivation and labour.
Talking to The Hans India, visiting scientist, ICRISAT, Rajesh Nune stated that farmers are being trained in seed production practices with the objective of making their villages as seed hubs. In addition they are also being imparted information on seed certification, procurement agencies to be contacted and rates to be negotiated. He added that by the end of 2019, farmers groups will themselves become individual seed agencies.
Research Technician, ICRISAT, Sangeeta explained that the objectives of the project is to improve seed availability and access to improved seed varieties to farmers at reasonable price in required quantity and supply on time and build capacity of stakeholders at the community and institution level to enhance sustainable seed production systems. This would also enable institutionalizing the whole process of seed production, storage and distribution on a sustainable seed supply mechanisms.
Former ZPTC and village head of Yarlagadda village, Pallala Venkata