January - June 2010

KVK NEWS

Vol. I Issue No. 1 Kapurthala

A half yearly Newsletter of Krishi Vigyan Kendra,
Kapurthala

Mr R S Bal
Contents From Editors desk Mrs Avneet Ahuja
Dear Reader Dr Gurdeep Singh
Welcome to first edition of the KVK News of Kapurthala. The Newsletter of
 Field Day on Sunflower our KVK is devoted to hardworking farming community of the district. Last year gave
celebrated warning signals about the likely impact of climate change on wheat yield. The erratic
climate behaviour has added a new dimension to the challenges ahead us.
 Ex-trainees Sammelen For planning our future course of action for the development of agriculture in
the area we organized 'Scientific Advisory Committee' early this year. In the meeting
 SAC meeting deliberations were held for developing need based training schedule, conducting 'On
 Capacity building of farmers farm trials' to solve location specific problems faced by the farmers in achieving
sustainable yields and increasing economic benefits. Based on the agricultural
 Frontline Demonstration management plan developed by ICAR and SAUs, we are also providing "Weather based
 Promising technologies agro-advisory service" to the farmers.
As we know deteriorating soil and water resources are posing serious problems
 Sunflower hybrid seed production and are adversely affecting agricultural production. To combat degradation of these
 Reduce cost of weeding by naturalusing resources we have organized various training-cum-demonstration programmes on
Wheel Hand hoe in intercrops input management and water management and soil testing campaigns and we appeal the
farmers to go for soil testing prior to fertiliser application..
 New projects launched Our goal of attaining 4% agriculture growth rate during the XI Plan needs
concerted efforts by improving water management, focusing on soil quality, diversifying
 Plant Health clinic
into high value agriculture, promoting animal husbandry and fishery. Banks are ready to
 Kisan mobile advisory assist the farmers in starting these new ventures.
 Trainings and awareness Among field demonstration and training we have been instrumental in
spreading awareness and evoking substantial interest in expansion of pulses and oilseeds
 Income generating activities for farm
crop areas. Also, KVK-Kapurthala organised field day on Sunflower, Gobhi Sarson,
women Moong and Gram for focused dissemination of agricultural technology.
 Trainings helped in changing the We have also compiled and published production technology on "Kitchen
Garden" in the form of booklet. This booklet will be of immense value for the rural
mindset of trainees households in producing fresh fruits and vegetables for home consumption.
 Farmer s Future in Marketing Capacity building of farmers has become very vital. Our KVK have been
 Achievements significantly contributing through technical back-stopping in capacity strengthening by
conducting number of given programmes. We believe that we will continue to work
 Other Extension activities diligently and will achieve success in all our efforts. We hope support of all the
stakeholders in our endeavour to achieve a self sustaining, vibrant and participatory
 Soil and water testing development.
Manoj Sharma

Editorial Board
Editor in Chief Dr Manoj Sharma
Editors Dr Gagandeep Kaur
Mrs Gurpreet Kaur
Members Mr Rajan Bhatt
Field Day on Sunflower celebrated in general.

KVK Kapurthala celebrated a field day on

sunflower at village Amarkot on Hybrid
PSH 569. Dr. Manoj Sharma, (Deputy
Director Training), Sh. Rajan Bhatt, Asstt.
Professor soils, Sh. RS Bal, Asstt Professor
Plant Protection, Dr Gurdeep Singh Asstt.
Professor Extension Education, Jasvir
Field visit to the sunflower field in Amarkot
Singh, DES (Agronomy) and Dr Gagandeep
In view of its superior performance in
Kaur Asstt. Professor Horticulture were
terms of seed yield, oil content, and
the key speakers.
suitability for late sown conditions as
prevail in the district, this hybrid will be
highly preferred by the farming
community.
Ex-trainee Sammelan Organized
KVK organized an ex-trainees
sammelan in order to know the technical
problems being faced by the ex trainees of
KVK while applying the knowledge at their
Field day on sunflower at village Amarkot
The field day was conducted to own dairy units. On this occasion Sr.

show the participants to performance of Branch Manager, B S Sandha from Punjab

sunflower hybrid PSH 569 and receive Gramin Bank and Dr. Manoj Sharma,

current production information. Highlights Deputy Director (Training) presided over

of the event were crop variety the function. Technical lecture pertaining

performance; plant nutrition; and soil, to prevention of contagious diseases was

pest and production management for this delivered by the R S Randhawa

hybrid in specific and the sunflower crop (Veterinary Officer). He also highlighted
the various schemes operative in the

Sh. R S Randhawa (Veterinary Officer) delivering
lectures to dairy trainees at KVK
Department of Animal Husbandry for the
benefit of farmers. Deputy Director
(Training) elaborated the
responsibilities of KVK and the way
Dr. Manoj Sharma addressing the ex-trainees
farmers can make use of facilities being
provided by this Kendra in uplifting their
economic status. Ex-trainee
sensitized to work in a group so that the
benefit of various scheme launched by the
nationalized banks can be availed. After a
long discussion with the Sr. Branch
Manager a group named "Mehak" was
formed in which 10 members were
enrolled. In future all the group members
were asked to visit KVK on 15 th of each
month to decide the action plan for the
next month. Deputy Director informed
that during the month of September a
training programme on cultivation of
mushroom will be organized at KVK.
Therefore, this group must take lead in
learning the process. Sh. Baljit Singh
thanked all the participants.
SAC Meeting
The scientific advisory committee
meeting of KVK was conducted on the 8th
march, 2010 under the chairmanship of
job
Dr. M. S. Gill, Director of Extension
Education PAU, Ludhiana. Dr A. M. Narula,
Zonal Project Director, Zone-I presided
over the meeting which was attended by
the heads of the various line departments.
Four non- official members from farming
community were also present.
Dr. Manoj Sharma, Deputy
Director (Trg), KVK, Kapurthala presented
the work of KVK accomplished during the
last six months and work to be carried out
were
in next six months. Dr Narula critically
analyzed the work done and proposed
action plan of KVK. He called attention to
the need of market led extension and
suggested that training on market
intelligence, packaging of horticulture
produce may be included in action plan.
He stressed that KVK should act as a
resource centre in the district.
 to make cropping scheme more
profitable.
Capacity Building of farmers
through vocational trainings
Micro entrepreneur generally lacks
on two major front, finance and capacity
as an entrepreneur. The capacity to run
Dr M S Gill, Director of Extension Education,PAU,
Ludhiana and Dr A M Narula, ZPD, North Zone-I, business requires multifaceted skills like
presiding over SAC meeting held at KVK, Kapurthala
technical skills and management skills and
the subsidiary occupations in agriculture
like dairy, bee- keeping, poultry, interior
decoration are no exception. The external
intervention in the form of training and
consultancy may enhance the capacity of
these small entrepreneurs. In the
SAC members observing KVK's exhibition endeavour KVK organised seven

Dr M S Gill said that Technology Park of vocational trainees in past six months.

KVK depicting various crop diversification Further to strengthen this process of

options available in the district need to be entrepreneur development, KVK forms

strengthens. He maintained that the farmer groups. In one such attempt to

coordination of KVK and the line strengthen small dairy entrepreneurs and

department is must for welfare of farmers impart practical training to the dairy

so he encouraged line department to give farmers of area in the field of animal

more feed back to KVK on training needs nutrition, 2 groups were formed. These

and also send trainees to the KVK. He groups visit KVK twice a month in order to

further shared with the house the scope get latest information regarding dairy

of employment in mushroom compost husbandry on one hand and to get answer

formation and spawn production and of quarries raised on the other hand.

asked the members present to nominate Further, the members of this group

interested candidates to the University for interact with scientists of KVK and among

training. He suggested that FLDs on themselves and render help to each other.

oilseeds and pulses should be combined Members of these groups have been
trained in computation of ration for milch
animals. These members prepared 40 Q
compound cattle feed at KVK who then
took this quantity of feed for feeding of
their milch animals. The many members
of the group have already ventured into
cattle feed production and aspiring to
establish themselves in the field. To
further assist them in their venture, KVK
organises the interaction camps in
association with the officials from local
banks like Punjab Gramin Bank,
Cooperative bank, Punjab & Sind Bank
and NABARD to increase the credit flow
for these farmers.
 Vocational Trainings organised immensely help micro entrepreneurs who
Dairy farming are incapable of securing a loan or those
Training course on poultry farming
who have low or no credit by providing
Formulation of compound cattle feed
Preparation of decorative accessories. them with training, support, help in
Stitching and hand embroidery.
developing a sound business plan,
Extraction, filtration, packing and marketing
of honey assistance in building their businesses and
These micro enterprise
linking them with credit institutions
development programs by KVK will

Frontline Demonstrations
Frontline Demonstration on Sunflower
Crop Area (ha) No of Variety Yield (q/ha) Season
FLDs FLD Farmer
practice
Sunflower 4.8 12 PSH 569 20.8 19.6 February
-May
Frontline Demonstration on Gobhi Sarson
Crop Area (ha) No of Variety Yield (q/ha) Season
FLDs FLD Farmer
practice
Gobhi 4.0 10 GSC-6 16.3 14.4 October-
Sarson March
Frontline Demonstration on Gram
Crop Area (ha) No of Variety Yield (q/ha) Season
FLDs FLD Farmer
practice
Gram 2.0 05 PBG-5 16.2 14.0 October-
April

Frontline Demonstration on Moong

Crop Area (ha) No of Variety Yield (q/ha) Season
FLDs FLD Farmer
practice
Moong 5.6 15 SML-668 12.1 10.6 March-
June
Promising Technologies Sunflower is an important oilseed crop of
Punjab. Spring season is most suited for
Sunflower hybrid seed production
assured crop and high yields. Farmers face
immense seed shortage every year. Also
the price of seed is quite high and the
quality is variable. Under such
circumstances there is scope for hybrid
seed production of sunflower. KVK is
imparting training as well producing the
hybrid seed of sunflower variety PSH 569
is produced at the KVK farm. The parents
CMS 234 A (female line) and P 69 R
(pollinator line) are sown in the ratio of 3:
1. The quantity of seed required for
sowing of one acre seed plot is 1.5 kg of
female line and 0.5 kg of pollinator line.
The first two borders rows on both sides
may be sown with pollinator line to supply

Hybrid seed production plot of sunflower at KVK

farm
enough pollen. The sowing is done by the
end of October. The crop stages such as
50% flowering, soft and hard dough stages
are very critical for irrigation. To avoid
lodging, earthing up is done when the
crop is 60-70 cm tall but before flowering.
The off type plants if any in the female
and pollinator lines are removed before
flowering. Pollen shedders if any, in
female line are also removed just at the
initiation of flowering. Regular rouging is
performed in order to ensure high quality
seed. Late flowering plants are also
removed. Presence of honey bees always
helps in better pollination thus, more seed
yield. The pollinator line is harvested first
to avoid mixing with hybrid seed. The
seed of sunflower remains dormant for
about 45 days after harvesting. On an
average 6.25 quintal/ha seed is obtained.
Reduce cost of weeding by using
Wheel Hand hoe in intercrops
The early crop of capsicum intercropped
with garlic is grown over an area of 70
hectares in Sultanpur block of Kapurthala
district. Manual weeding in the
intercropped early capsicum crop poses a
problem. The intercropping of early
capsicum and garlic is otherwise a labour
and capital intensive cropping system. The
major head of the expenditure being the
cost of the seed and cost of protection
(polythene and straw covering) in this
October planted crop. Farmers look for
cheaper alternatives for other operations
like weeding.
Intercropping of capsicum with garlic
The crop faces intensive weed
competition at initial stages when the
canopy of the crops has not covered the
full area and requires inter cultivation at
fortnightly period. Thus, the weeding with
the wheel hoe comes as handy and viable
option for cost- cutting at this stage. The
Farmer working with hand hoe at his farm
KVK Scientists observing capsicum fields
wheel hoe is a widely accepted weeding
tool for weeding and interculture in row
crops. It is a long handled tools operated
by push and pull action. The general
construction of wheel hoe comprises of
wheel assembly, miniature tool frame, a
set of replaceable tools and handle
New projects launched
Plant health clinic
assembly. The frame has got a provision
to accommodate different types of soil
working tools such as straight blade,
reversible blades, sweeps, V -blade, tine
cultivator, pronged hoe, miniature
furrower, spike harrow (rake) etc. which
can be operated by a single person. The
height of the handle can be adjusted to
suit the operator. The frame of wheel hoe
is made from structural mild steel and thin
walled mild steel pipes. The working
depth of the tool can be adjusted with the
help of clamp or through the plate with
multiple holes provided in the frame and
welded to the tool assembly. For
operation, the working depth of the tool
and handle height is adjusted and the
wheel hoe is operated by repeated push-
pull action which allows the soil working
components to penetrate into the soil and
cut/uproot the weeds in between the crop
rows. With this action, the weeds also get
buried in the soil. The weeding operations
are much easier and more effective.
Plant health clinic has been established at
KVK Kapurthala to provide farmers with
basic health services and provide advice
based on sound diagnosis. The laboratory
was established during March, 2010. The
major emphasis is on the diagnosis of
various diseases of different crops as well
as imparting practical training
identification of different kinds of diseases
and insects. Farmers are regularly visiting
the centre for diagnosis of different
disease infested and insect infected
plants. Till now, a total of 61 samples have
been diagnosed in this lab. Various blow
ups depicting the disease symptoms have
been put up in the lab for the help of the
farmers. The live specimens of various
useful and harmful insects have been kept
in the lab for identification by the farmers.
KVK scientist working on disease samples
Kisan mobile phone advisory services
For the quick and timely dissemination of
latest agriculture information to the
farmers KVK has initiated Kisan mobile
in phone advisory. This is the unique
programme for making linkages between
the farmers and extension workers for
making the Indian agriculture sustainable
in the coming future through the use of
information and communication
technology like mobile phone. Here the
crop advisory will be provided by the KVK
subject matter specialist through Short
message service regarding the upcoming
farm operations which will directly reach
the targeted the population for its timely
implementation. The unique feature of
the service is that farmers can send
feedback or raise queries on the
information thus sent which will be
attended by the subject matter specialist
at the earliest possible. This service will be
operational from the month of August. In
the first phase 500 farmers have been
registered with KVK. However, after the
initial evaluation and monitoring this
scheme will be extended for benefit of
more number of farmers in the district.
Trainings and awareness
Trainings helped in changing the mindset
of trainees
Dairy farming along with crop
husbandry is a common practice in India.
However, this is normally subsistence in
nature. It is necessary to maintain a
particular herd size of quality breeds to
make dairying a profitable business. The
training programmes organised on dairy
farming by the KVK Kapurthala focussed
on this fact and trained the farmers on
economics of different quality breeds and
importance of large herd size. The survey
conducted in the district showed that the
trainees were convinced with this fact and
they changed their type of animals and
increased their herd size after acquiring
the trainings.
Table 1: Impact of training programmes
on herd composition
Sr Indicator % Change
Before After
No
1. Average number of 7.68 9.21
Animals
2. Average number of 4.64 4.36
Buffalo

3. Average number of 4.38 6.38

Cows
4. Average number of 4.54 7.27
Crossbreds
The average herd size of trainee
farmers was 7.68 animals before training,
which increased to 9.21 animals per
farmer after the training. The profitable
herd size for dairy is considered to be 10
animals.
Visit of PAU team at dairy unit
Likewise, farmers shifted their
preference from buffaloes to high yielding
cows. The average number of buffaloes
with the farmers decreased from 4.64 to
4.36 after the trainings and follow up. On
the other hand, number of cows increased
from 4.38 to 6.38 per farmers. At the
same
Trainees at KVK’s dairy training unit
time, there was a substantial increase in
the number of crossbred cows with the
farmer, which increased from 4.54 to 7.27
per farmer after the trainings. This shows
that the training programmes changed the
mindset of farmers and they started
keeping good quality animals considering
its role in milk production and
profitability.
Income generating activities for farm
women
The vocational training courses viz.,
preservation of seasonal fruits and
vegetables, stitching and hand embroidery,
preparation of decorative accessories and
detergent making are organized for rural
girls and farm women to generate regular
family income. Although the rural farm
women preserve seasonal fruits and
vegetables in the form of pickles and
chutney at their own but the shelf life of
these products is only 10-15
Home science scientists demonstrating preparation of
bottle gourd chutney at KVK, Kapurthala
days. But the shelf life of preserved
products prepared by KVK is at least 6
months without preservatives. Secondly,
preserved foods thus prepared at home
are hygienic and are cheaper as compared
to those available in the market. Four
training courses on preservation were
organized. In these courses method of
preparation of mix vegetables pickles, mix
fruit jam, papayas chutney, cauliflower
chutney, suji papad, lemon squash, lemon
shred pickles and tomato sauce were
demonstrated.
Demonstration on detergent making By KVK scientists
Stitching of suits is too costly these
days. Farm women and rural girls can
adopt stitching to generate income. For
this purpose KVK organises training
course on stitching and hand embroidery.
in this training course various stitches viz.
chain stitch, stem stitch, satin stitch, knot
stitch, shadow work, long and short stitch,
button hole stitch and embroidery stitches
from different states like Phulkari and
Chope (Punjab), Kantha (Gujrat),
Luckhnavi (UP), Sindhi, Kashmiri are
taught. Demonstration on different types
of suits viz. simple salwar suit, patiala suit,
simple pyjami suit, samosa pyjami, frock
suit is also given. Detergent making at
home is another option that can increase
family income. Detergent made at home is
cheaper as compared to that available in
market and no special equipments are
required for its preparation.
Farmers' Future in Marketing
Commodity future markets are
coming in big way in Indian agriculture.
After the Indian economy embarked upon
the process liberalization and globalization
in 1990, Government of India set up a
committee to deliberate on role of future
trading. Committee recommended the
future trading and strengthening of
Forward Market Commission. Farmers can
reap the benefits of future trading by
hedging in Multi Commodity exchanges
(MCE). Although the business of future
marketing has grown phenomenally, over
60 times to a volume of approximately Rs.
40 lakh cores in 2007-2008 but the
farmers are unaware of these mega
opportunities. Country has 4 national level
electronic exchanges and 21 regional
exchanges for trading commodity
derivatives. The number of National level
commodity exchanges will reach to five
when the Ahmadabad commodity
exchange (ACE) starts working next this
year. Farmers may apprehend to venture
into business due to lack of knowledge
about economic rationale and functioning
of future markets. Future marketing
through Multi Commodity Exchanges
(MCE) can protect farmers against adverse
price fluctuation through hedging. Thus
farmers are can get ensured prices if not
better one. However, world over farmers
do not directly participate in the future
market. They take advantages of the price
signals emanating from a futures market.
Price signals form exchanges helps
farmers to take decision about cropping
pattern and the investment intensity of
cultivation. Dissemination of the futures
prices of the Exchange traded products
improves his bargaining capacity.
However, direct participation of farmers
in futures market to manage price risk
may be cumbersome as it involves
meeting various membership criteria and
payment of daily margins etc. The
participation of farmers through
aggregators/ cooperatives like Markfed /
Hafed etc could be a useful idea as it
provides the farmers with means and
mechanism to hedge his produce and
derive benefits of the futures markets.
 Achievements

Sr. Type of Courses Planned Organized

No.
1 Short term 43 38
2. Vocational 10 07
3. In-Service 11 05

Extension Activities

Activities Number of Beneficiaries

activities
conducted
Field Day 8 208
Kisan Gosthi 03 38
Exhibition 02 5022
Method Demonstrations 03 72
Group meetings 06 25
Lectures delivered as resource 55 1840
persons
Newspaper coverage 19 Numerous
Radio talks 01 Numerous
TV talks 09 Numerous
Extension Literature 06 Numerous
Advisory Services - 1150
Scientific visit to farmers field 61 742
Diagnostic visits 36 69
Exposure visits 10 156
Ex-trainees Sammelan 02 30
Self Help Group Conveners 04 63
meetings
Total 225 9415 +
Soil-water testing  Technology park
 Dairy unit
The soil and water laboratory  Bee-Keeping unit
was established during 2006 and  Mushroom unit
 Vermicompost unit
analysed 2108 samples till date by
 Poultry cum fish integrated unit
charging Rs 20 per sample as testing  Kitchen garden
fee. The soil health and water quality
in the district is depleting due to
excessive use of inorganic fertilizers SCIENTISTS WORKING AT KVK, KAPURTHALA

and pesticides. Burning of paddy and

Sr. Sanctioned Name of the Phone
wheat straw has further deteriorated Nopost incumbent number
the soil health. Crops yield in district
1 Programme Dr. Manoj 98727-45890
are declining due to increasing Coordinator Sharma
deficiency of macro and micro
2 Subject Matter Smt 9888
nutrients. In order to ameliorate Specialist Gurpr 9-
nutrient deficiency of major and (Agronomy) eet 9864
micro nutrients, the farmers are Kaur 3
advised to apply fertilizers on the 3 Subject Matter Smt. Avneet 98154-83588
basis of soil test. this will enhance the Specialist Kaur Ahuja
nutrient use efficiency as well (Home Science)
increase margin of profit of farmers. 4 Subject Matter Sh. Rajan 98159-63858
Specialist (Soil Bhatt
Science)

5 Subject Matter Sh R S Bal

Specialist (Plant
Protection)

6 Subject Matter Dr Gurdeep 88722-00121

Specialist Singh
(Extension
Education)

7 Subject Matter Dr. 98720-

Specialist Gagand 71306
Rajan Bhatt (SMS, Soil) demonstrating soil sampling (Horticulture) eep
Kaur
Demonstration units at KVK
For more information please contact
Dr. MANOJ SHARMA

Deputy Director ( Training) KVK, J. J. Farm,

P.O. Sheikhupur, Kapurthala 144620.
kvkkapurthala@gmail.com; 01822-233056

drmanojsh1@gmail.com ;98727-45890