Progress report of Special Project on Cotton of Nanded District of Maharashtra

The Special Project on Cotton ‘Targeting technologies to agro – ecological zones – large scale demonstrations of best practices to enhance cotton productivity’, a visit to Nanded district of Maharashtra state was explored from 10.10.2023 to 14.10.2023.

In Special Project on Cotton, 17 farmers were selected and finalized from Nanded district who adapted 90cm x 30 cm closure spacing in cotton planting. Total land area of farmer cultivated was 48.75 acre and 31.25 acre land for cotton project demonstration. The land selected area has Heavy to medium soil type. Seeds were procured by farmers. The Nanded cluster included SC = 3, ST = 3, Open = 2 and OBC = 9 farmers. A group meeting of farmers was conducted in Pangari, Kawana, Thakarwadi, Wanwadi, Warakvadi, Pingali, Nimtok and Hadgaon villages and explained the importance of Special Project on Cotton. Farmers were sensitized about the adaptation of Dada Lad technology, importance of HDPS and Closer spacing. Dr. Krushna Ambhore, Subject Matter Specialist (Agricultural Entomology), Mr. Prabhdas Udtewar, Young Professional - 2 and Mr. Balaji Chadapure, Young Professional - 1 was present in the farmers meet. A workshop was organized at Pingali village, Taluka Hadgaon in collaboration with Sanskruti Sawardhan Mandal, Krushi Vigyan Kendra, Sagroli, Nanded and ICAR- Central Institute for Cotton Research, Nagpur. Village Sarpanch, upsarpanch, progressive farmers, agricultural consultant and press reporters with more than 60 farmers participated in the workshop. Dr. D.V. Patil, Principal Scientist and Nodal Officer, Nanded district explained the importance of Special Project on Cotton. Nanded district was confined to the application of Dada Lad technology adaption with closure spacing of 90cm x 30cm enables to enhance the cotton productivity. Removal of branches at 40 - 45 days after sowing and de-topping after 90 days after sowing was explained thoroughly. Majority of the cotton crop completed 90 days after sowing and crop was in de-topping stage. Use of secateur for the removal of branches and de-topping was demonstrated in the farmer’s field. Farmers themselves put work on hands for cutting branches and de-topping using secateur. Some progressive framers already adapted de-topping in their field and boll size results were encouraging. Farmers also explained about the importance of HDPS (90cm x 15cm spacing and accommodation of more number of plants / ha), growth retardant, synchronization of boll bursting and erect plant types. Farmers suggested picking up only well busted 20 - 25 number of bolls having weight of 5g boll weight and do not prolong the crop duration. Keep land ready for Rabbi Crop season for additional income. Overall impact that farmers were more enthusiastic to learn about Dada Lad techniques with closure spacing planting as there was no cost evolvement except mere paying Rs. 300 for secateur purchase. Farmers requested purchase of secateur in Special Cotton Project and supply as an input. Dr. Krishna Ambhore, SMS (Agricultural Entomology) explained about the integrated pest management (IPM) on cotton, turmeric, banana and fourth coming wheat and green gram as a rabbi crop. CICR bulletin on HDPS techniques were distributed to the farmers. Dr. Madhuri Revanwar, Head, KVK, Sagroli, Nanded District has explained over all view and ongoing activities of the KVK. She explained about ‘Happy Soil’ project adopted in 20 villages enable to enhance the carbon level. Dr. Priyanka Khole, SMS (Agricultural Engineering) discussed about labour shortage, machine harvester and application of drone. She requested machine harvester for cotton picking to be purchased in the special project on cotton activities enable to reduce the labour cost on manual harvesting. Dr. Santosh Chavan, SMS (Horticulture) discussed about the concept of natural and organic farming to be included in agro-tourism. Few progressive farmers of villages like Ardhapur, Hanugunda, Bavalgaon, Biloli, Nimtok and Pingali were identified for next crop season.

Place: Nagpur (D.V. Patil)

Date: 02.11. 2023 PS & Nodal Officer, Nanded


Explanation of Dada Lad techniques, importance of HDPS and closure spacing IMG- 20231012 –WA 0046.jpg	Workshop and felicitation of progressive farmer of Pangali Village, Nanded district MG - 20231013 – WA 0005.jpg

Demonstration of Dada Lad techniques IMG- 20231013 –WA 0016.jpg	Demonstration of de – topping with secateur in farmers field. IMG - 20231013 –WA 0054.jpg

Hands of farmers on de – topping with secateur. IMG - 20231013 – WA 0025.jpg	Distribution of ICAR – CICR - HDPS bulletin IMG - 20231013 – WA 0035.jpg

Adaptation of Dada Lad techniques and closure spacing increased boll size after 90 days of sowing. IMG - 20231012122931.jpg	Farmers meet of adapted villages, Nanded cluster. IMG – 20231012- WA 0056.jpg