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I. Dr. Manoj Singh Sachan
Asst. Chief Technical Officer
(Genetics & Plant Breeding)
II. Dr. Paihem Michui
Asst. Chief Technical Officer
(Animal Science)
III. Dr R. Mezhatsu
Senior Scientist & Head
Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Mon
The Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Mon (Aboi), Nagaland implemented under National Innovations Climate Resilient in Agriculture- Technology Demonstration Component (NICRA- TDC) during 2015. Yield performance of rapeseed varieties were evaluated under zero tillage cultivation and compared with crops grown under conventional tillage was demonstrated. Since there was no rain throughout the crop period, the growth and yield parameters in all the rapeseed- mustard varieties were better in zero tillage than conventional tillage due to residual soil moisture after rice harvest. Among the rapeseed varieties M-27, TS- 36, TS-38, TS- 67 gave maximum average yield 6.2 q/ha (range 4.1 to 8.3 q/ ha) in zero tillage cultivation.
The 10 farmers across 6 villages of Aboi area Mon district are adopting the technology, improved their income, by getting average net profit of Rs. 17,800/ ha within 4 months with low investment of Rs. 8000/ ha. By observing the standing crop in the field altogether, 30 farmers across 6 surrounding villages in Aboi area Mon district adopted this technology and the area coverage under zero tillage cultivation of rapeseed- mustard increased to 25 ha during rabi 2015 to 2018. Under the water stress situation where there was no rainfall during the crop period of rabi 2016, M-27, TS- 36, TS- 38 & TS- 67 rapeseed gave maximum average yield of 6.8, 5.7, 7.1, 5.4 q/ ha respectively, under zero tillage cultivation. Similar trend was observed during rabi in 2017 & 18 under the water stress situation in zero tillage cultivation. The present success story in the farmer’s field indicated that rapeseed- mustard is a climate resilient crop which can be grown without water in the residual soil moisture. By adopting zero tillage, the farmers could increase the productivity, reduced cost of cultivation thereby increasing the cropping and earning the additional income for them with less effort. Zero tillage also helps in timely sowing (October), conserving soil moisture and requires less water, saves tillage cost and time, and the soil is also protected from erosion due to the retention of surface residues thus reducing organic matter depletion. The improved version of this zero tillage cultivation and no chemical method of plant protection may be recommended to the resource poor farmers of the district in the context of climate change.
