Project Description

National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) is a multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary network project launched by ICAR in 2011 which aims to build resilience in Indian agriculture to climate change and climate variability through strategic research and technology demonstrations.

Objectives

1. To enhance the resilience of Indian agriculture covering crops, livestock and fisheries to climatic variability and climate change through development and application of improved production and risk management technologies
2. To demonstrate site specific technology packages on farmers fields for adapting to current climate risks.
3. To enhance the capacity of scientists and other stakeholders in climate resilient agricultural research and its application.

Technology Demonstration Component (TDC) of NICRA which is implemented in 121 climatically vulnerable districts of the country focuses on enhancing the adaptive capacity of farmer in these districts to climatic change and to ensure security of livelihood in times of climatic aberrations. The Technology Demonstration Component (TDC) of NICRA was implemented through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) during 2018-19 in 11 climatically vulnerable districts located in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu under ICAR-ATARI, Hyderabad. These include KVKs of Anantapur, Chittoor, Kurnool, Srikakulam and West Godavari in Andhra Pradesh (5 KVKs). Khammam and Nalgonda in Telangana (2 KVKs) and Namakkal, Ramanathapuram, Villupuram and Tiruvarur in Tamil Nadu (4 KVKs).

Under the project, KVKs conducted demonstration of climate resilient technologies in four modules viz., NRM, crop production, livestock and fisheries and institutional interventions besides conducting capacity building and extension activities related to these technologies. Demonstrations were organized covering an area of 1074.4 ha benefiting 1903 farmers under NRM interventions viz., water harvesting and recycling, in-situ moisture conservation, ground water recharge, micro-irrigation, improved drainage and various resource conservation techniques. Under crop production module various interventions such as drought tolerant, flood tolerant and short duration varieties, location specific intercropping systems, crop diversification, pest and disease management, nutrient management etc., were taken up on 2792.6 ha area covering 3422 farmers. Under livestock and fisheries interventions, 1735 farmers were benefited on improved fodder production covering 197.6 ha, silage making, breed upgradation, improved breeds of backyard poultry, vaccination, animal health camps, management of fish ponds etc where 6285 animals were benefited. Under institutional interventions like custom hiring center, fodder bank and seed bank 439 farmers were benefited in terms of timely taking up of farm operations, enhanced access to quality seed and fodder .Through capacity building and extension activities, awareness on climate resilient technologies was brought about benefitting 3897 and 14510 farmers through 139 and 290 activities respectively. Some of the interventions under t four different modules which were successfully demonstrated to farmers have been presented in the following sections.

Renovation and desilting of check dams - KVK, Ananthapur

Green manure with daincha in paddy - KVK, Thiruvarur (Tamil Nadu)

Green manuring with daincha was demonstrated in an area of 12 ha covering 30 farmers in paddy to enhance soil health status and to reduce the salinity during summer and Kharif. The crop was trampled in the field itself at the time of flowering. The practice resulted in higher yield of 6092 kg/ha in the demonstration compared to farmer practice (4995 kg/ha).

Soil Nutrient status of Green manured plot and control plot

Performance of Salinity tolerant paddy variety, WGL-44 (Siddi ) - KVK, Khammam

Salinity tolerant Paddy variety Siddi (WGL- 44) was demonstrated in an area of 20 ha covering 50 farmers in the NICRA village of Khammam. The improved variety recorded 488 kg/ha of additional yield compared to traditional variety with BC ratio of 1.91.

Intercropping of Mango and Field bean - KVK, Chittoor

To get assured income from diversified crops under drought conditions, demonstration was conducted on intercropping of mango with field bean (TFB-1) in an area of 8 ha covering 20 farmers. The field bean was sown when mango was at bud initiation stage. An additional income of Rs.52300/ha with BC ratio of 2.75 were obtained due to the intercropping system when compared to the sole crop of mango.

Crop diversification with drought resistant jowar variety, NJ-2446- KVK, Ananthapur

Groundnut (K-6) cultivation realized very low net returns due to delayed sowing because of delayed on set of monsoon. Crop diversification with the drought tolerant variety of jowar NJ-2446 resulted in higher net returns (Rs. 29750/ha) and BC ratio (3.90) compared to groundnut.

Evaluation of Probiotic (CIBASP) for water quality management in shrimp culture ponds- KVK, West Godavari

In order to maintain good quality water in shrimp ponds, demonstrations on use of probiotics were taken in an area of 10 ha covering 5 farmers to avoid stress, disease incidence and sudden mortality of shrimps. The treated pond recorded 55.55% improved yield with an additional net income of Rs. 408222/ha with favourable BC ratio of 2.18 over the farmers practice.