INTRODUCTION

Agriculture and allied sector was once the prima facia for the Indian economy after
independence when this sector alone was contributing about 51 per cent to the gross domestic
product (GDP) of country. However, with socio-economic development, the industrial and
service sectors have grown at an unprecedented rate and therefore the contribution of
agriculture has declined gradually to about 17.1 per cent in year 2015-16. However, in terms
of employment agriculture sector alone provides employment to about 48 per cent of total
workforce in the country. The further probing of facts indicates that there is faster growth in
the horticultural, dairy and fishery sector with changing dietary pattern of consumers after
western orientation. On the other hand, increasing agricultural productivity, natural resources
conservation, attracting and retaining the rural youths in agriculture, bringing down the
farmers suicide and doubling farmer‟s income are major challenges of present time.
Therefore the, government of India is striving very hard to address these major concerns in
agriculture sector by adopting multipronged approaches.

As an apex body to administer and address agriculture related issues in the nation,
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is striving very hard to address these issues
related to agriculture. In this attempt ICAR- National Academy of Agricultural Research
Management (NAARM) has introduced the theme of “Doubling Farmer’s Income” to its
107th Foundation Course for Agricultural Research Services (FOCARS) so that the
probationer scientist on their Field Experience Training (FET) could see, analyze and
understand the cause of rural distress and come out with some innovative solutions to address
the issues.

Further, down the chain we six probationary scientist from different disciplines in
agricultural science in coordination with ICAR-NAARM and ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra
(KVK), Cooch Behar, West Bengal have identified North Gopalpur village under Cooch
Behar- II block of Cooch Behar District of West Bengal as a ground for our 21 days field
experience training (from February 20th , 2018 to March 13th 2018) to get acquainted with the
rural problems and and come out with some feasible and viable solutions to address the
agriculture and allied sector related concerns in the village.

1
OBJECTIVES

The major objective of field experience training is to provide a platform for trainee
ARS scientist at their entry level to get an insight into the agriculture and rural development
scenario in a “real-life” situation. During the training period trainees we were encouraged to
interact with various stake holders and be aware of their perceptions and problems.
The specific objectives of the field experience training are mentioned below:
To interact with the farming community and to get an insight into their ways of living,
needs, resources, priorities, problems and prospects for growth.
To understand the adoption profile of farming community.
To understand the technology adoption and diffusion process and the factors associated
with adoption and related concepts.
To understand the extension system and transfer of technology (TOT) operating in the
village.
To get acquaintance with indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) of farmers and to
generate appropriate technologies if scientifically valid.
To identify field related problems after through discussion with different stakeholders.
To inculcate the culture of teamwork and multi-disciplinary perspective among
scientists.
To study socio-economic implications and consequences of technologies, products and
processes.
To generate a detailed account of technology products and processes used by producers
with respect to production scenario, problems, opportunities, and futuristic approaches.
To provide comprehensive insight into the role of private industry and other stakeholders
in value chain of agro-commodities.
To identify the economically feasible and viable avenues to augment the farmer‟s
income.

FET and PARTICIPATORY RURAL APPRAISAL (PRA) TOOLS

The Field Experience Training (FET) is a learning process. It is firmly anchored on

the principle of “seeing is believing” and “learning by doing”. It is carried out using multi-
disciplinary and participatory approach including participation among scientists and
stakeholders to validate and assimilate the needs and aspirations of stakeholders. FET serves

2
as a „social laboratory‟ to integrate and internalize the knowledge gained through different
phases of our curriculum.
As a part of 107th FOCARS (Foundation Course for Agricultural Research Services)
training programme offered at NAARM, Hyderabad, a group of six ARS scientists (On
Probation) had undergone 21 days FET (Field Experience Training) programme in KVK,
Cooch Behar, Uttar Banga Krishi Vidyalaya (UBKV), Cooch Behar, West Bengal from 20-
02-2018 to 12-03-2018. Dr. Bikash Roy, Senior Scientist and Head, Cooch Behar Krushi
Vigyan Kendra (UBKV) and Dr. Surajit Sarkar, Subject Matter Specialist- Horticulture,
Cooch Behar KVK, Pundibari, Cooch Behar, West Bengal has successfully coordinated the
FET.
After consultation with coordinators, North Gopalpur village in Cooch Behar-II block
of Cooch Behar district, West Bengal was selected for conducting PRA tools, which was
located at a distance of 17 km from Cooch Behar Krishi Vigyan Kendra. The key informants
(Villagers) were interviewed with the help of semi structured interview schedule while
applying the principles and methods of PRA for gathering all the relevant information about
the village. Various institutes have been visited during the FET duration addressing
agriculture and allied sector to the villagers such as the Grama Panchayat office, Thaneshwar
Bibekanad Krishak Sangh Office, Water User Association Office, State Department of
Agriculture, Department of Animal Husbandry, Department of Fishery, Department of
Forestry, UBKV, and Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee. The interaction with these
institutions concerned officials and scientists helped us to understand more about the
agricultural problems and prospects in the village and to prioritize the research problems to
be tackled first. As part of the FET module, we have also visited agro-based industries (Saw
Mill) in the village.
This report is the compilation of all the observations made, information obtained and
the overall experiences of the PRA exercise conducted in North Gopalpur village over a
period of 21 days.
Participatory Rural Appraisal:
PRA is intended to enable local communities to conduct their own analysis and to
plan and take action (Chambers R. 1992). PRA involves project staff learning together with
villagers about the village. The aim of PRA is to help strengthen the capacity of villagers to
plan, make decisions, and to take action towards improving their own situation.

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 Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) is considered one of the popular and effective
approaches to gather information in rural areas. This approach was developed in early 1990s
with considerable shift in paradigm from top-down to bottom-up approach, and from
blueprint to the learning process. In fact, it is a shift from extractive survey questionnaires to
experience sharing by local people. PRA is based on village experiences where communities
effectively manage their natural resources.

PRA is a methodology of learning rural life and their environment from the rural
people. It requires researchers / field workers to act as facilitators to help local people
conduct their own analysis, plan and take action accordingly. It is based on the principle that
local people are creative and capable and can do their own investigations, analysis, and
planning. The basic concept of PRA is to learn from rural people. Chambers (1992) has
defined PRA as an approach and methods for learning about rural life and conditions from,
with and by rural people. He further stated that PRA extends into analysis, planning and
action. PRA closely involve villagers and local officials in the process.

The various techniques used by the FET team to collect information are as follows:

 Direct observation, collection and verification of primary data.

 Collection of secondary data from panchayat members and officials related to agriculture,
animal husbandry, bank, marketing boards etc.
 Semi-structured interview by raising some general issues to motivate villager‟s
participation in different aspects of the village.
 Collection of detailed views by approaching some representative key informants.
 Use of snowball technique to know more about some specific issues. (eg: ITKs)
 Participatory mapping for rapport building, easy interaction and spontaneous
involvement.
 Seasonal analysis to understand different time bound farm activities, problems and
opportunities throughout the year.
 To gather information regarding appropriate technology (i.e. exotic or indigenous
technologies) available to encounter a broadly defined problems.
 Problem identification and preference ranking to identify the top most problems and
preparing solution plan accordingly.
 To involve the population in planning or review action effecting them and chalk out a
programme or plan of action researched and designed by the local people.

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 Diverse information collected during PRA using a number of techniques is verified
by triangulation among various key informants (KI`s) in addition to on-site observation by
the team members. The PRA methodology utilizes different tools to seek its goal of a
participatory approach for addressing any issue. PRA tools can be classified based on the
spatial or temporal or relational issues they cover and following tools were used by the
research team in the exercise under consideration:
a. Spatial Issue
1. Basic information about the village
2. Transect walk for transect map and transect analysis
3. Agro-ecology map
4. Resource map
5. Social map
6. Mobility Map
7. Indigenous Technology knowledge (ITK)
8. Technology map
9. Bio-resource flow diagram
b. Temporal Issue
10. Daily activity profile and Daily routine diagram
11. Seasonal analysis (activities, problems and gender disaggregation)
12. Time line
13. Time trend
c. Relationship Issue
15. Livelihood analysis
16. Venn diagram
17. Consequence diagram
18. Matrix ranking
19. Problem identification and prioritization
20. Problem-causal and solution tree
21. Action plan
The next part of the chapter goes on to describe the details of implementation of each of
these, and the observations and learning about the same.

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Basic Information of village:

1. FET Center Name KVK Cooch Behar, West Bengal

Village Details

2. Village Name North Gopalpur

3. Geographical Locators 26026‟00.0”

89027‟05.7”

4. Village Boundary: East : Baneswar

West : Barorangros

North : Morichbari

South : Khagrabari

5. Milestone for Lat/Long Thaneshwar Bibekanand Krushak Sangh (Farmers Club)

6. Panchayat Name Gram Panchayat Gopalpur

7. Tehsil/Taluk/Block Name Cooch Behar-II

8. District Cooch Behar

9. State West Bengal

Basic Infrastructure in the village

10. Schooling facility in the Govt:

village
Primary School :2

High School :1

Anganwadi :2

Pvt:

Junior School :2

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 Shishu Shiksha Kendra :5

Private School (Nursery) :1

11. Primary Health Centre Within village

12. Veterinary services >10km

13. Financial services (Bank) Within village (Tiny Branch of SBI, Bank of India and
Uttar Banga regional Rural Bank)

14. Post Office Within village

15. Connectivity to all weather <2km

road
16. Main source of fuel for Fuelwood, Dung-cake sticks and LPG
cooking
17. Main source of drinking Tap-water
water
Demographic/Social Profile

18. Population (No) Male: 17122 Female: 12461

19. Literacy Rate (%) Male: 72 Female: 68

20. Social Group (No. of OBC: 610 General: 9277

population)
SC: 14348 ST: 3050

21. Households with major Farming: 70 % Govt job: 10%

occupation (%)
Dairying: 70% Rural artisans: 5%
NOTE: One household is
engaged in different Poultry: 15% Small business: 5%
occupations.
Fisheries: 80% Remittances (migrants): NA

Daily wages: 10% Other (Specify): NA

22. Category of households by Large (>4 ha): NA Medium (2-4 ha): 10

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 land holding (%) Small & Marginal (<1-2 ha): 75
NOTE: Landless: Having no
Landless (0 ha): 15
agricultural land.

Agricultural Scenario (2016-17)

23. Total Geographical Area 3522.052

(ha)
24. Net Area Sown (ha) 1770.584

25. Gross Cropped Area (ha) 4426.46

26. Net Irrigated Area (ha) 1400

27. Gross Irrigated Area (ha) 2000

28. Pond irrigated area (ha) 984.612

29. Pump irrigated area (ha) 415.388

30. Rainfed area (ha) 2465.436

31. Irrigation methods (% of Flood irrigation: 20 Furrow irrigation: 80

GIA)
Micro irrigation: NA Fertigation: NA
NOTE: Present status
during the FET programme

32. Soil Health Card issued No. of Household: 100 No. of plots covered: NA

Mechanization in the village

Particulars Numbers Particulars Numbers

Tractor 10 Laser-leveller -

Power tiller 1 Paddy planter 1

Tractor-Rotavator 10 Combined harvester -

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Ferti-Seed driller - Tube-wells 60

Power thresher - Mini-truck for hire -

Knapsac Sprayer 25 Paddy Weeder 10

Major Climatic Variables in the village:

Average Annual Rainfall (mm) 3000

Mean annual temperature (0C) 25

Minimum Temperature (0C) 9

Maximum Temperature (0C) 39

Soil Characteristics

Major Soil type Sandy loam and Sandy

Soil pH 5.5 to 6.8

OC 0.63-1.3 %

N 200-480 kg/Ha

P 30-110 kg/Ha

K 110-270 kg/Ha

Suitable crops Rice, Potato, Jute, Maize, Mustard

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:

GPS map for Village North Gopalpur

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VILLAGE TRANSECT

Key informants: Madhusudan Roy and Biren Das

Transect is the walk through the village in a particular direction along with some key
informants. The main objective of the transect is to understand and study the major land uses,
topographical pattern, water resources, crops, natural vegetation, livestock and different
ecological zones by observing, interacting and discussing with the key informants, while
walking in the decided direction. The items for discussion included topics like land use
pattern, land slope, soil type, soil fertility status, water recourses, agro-ecological zones,
crops, weeds, trees and lives stock.

Transect Walk

Criteria Roadside Field Riverside field Dighi (Pond)

Soil type Sandy loam Sandy Loamy

Topography Up and low Upland Lowland

Crops Rice, Potato, Mustard, Spinach, Bottle -

Jute, gourd,

Livestock/Fish - Fishing (Boroli, Fishing (Catla,

Tangra, Magur) Rohu, Mrigal,
Silver carp) and
Duck

Fruits & Other trees Banana, Mango, Neem, Dalbergia Teak and
Coconut, Neem, Palm, sisu Teak, Arecanut on
Mahogany, Bamboo, boundary
Gamari

Water resources Shallow tube wells, River Dighi (Pond)

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Disease and pest RICE: Yellow stem - Ulcer in fish
borer, Gundhi bug

MAIZE:

shoot borer in maize

POTATO:

Early and late blight in

potato

Weeds Cynodon dactylon, Cynodon dactylon, Eichhornia

Physalis minima, crassipes, and
Chenopodium album, Cynodon dactylon
Echinochloa colonum on bunds

Problems Lodging, Weeds, Pests Weeds, Pests and Iron contamination

and diseases Diseases and silting

Opportunities Lodging resistant Other high value De- silting, fish

varieties, IPM, SRI crops. production.

MOBILITY MAP
Mobility map indicates the places to which villagers go out of their villages for various
reasons like agriculture, health, social relations, recreations, animal husbandry, livelihood,
family needs, etc. This gives an idea about the time spent by the villagers for their
livelihoods. The knowledge about the mobility map can be used in preparing realistic action
plan for increasing agricultural production of the village.

Key informants: Biswarup Saha, Pratima Mondal

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Mobility table of the farmers from North Gopalpur

Sl No To/ From Mode of Distance(km) Fare Purpose

transport (Rs)

1 Dodier Autorickshaw 8 10 Sale of

vegetables,
arecanut,
coconut, cattle

2. Thaneswar Bicycle, 1.5 5 Procurement of

Autorickshaw,Van rice and jute, sale
of milk, fish and
maize

3. Pundibari Autorickshaw 14 15 Procurement of

maize and wheat,
selling of goat,
beetle, visiting
agriculture
office,horticulture
office, KVK,
Hospital, Market,

4. Sonapur TATA Magic 15 500 Selling cattle

5. Alipur Autorickshaw 14 15 College

6. Baneswar Autorickshaw 7 10 Selling Fish,

Beetle, Beedi

7. Gokhali 10 Goat (Butcher

comes to the
village)

8. North Walking, Bicycle - - Polio vaccination,

Gopalpur Primary school,
Grocery, Primary

13
 Health center

9. Coochbehar Autorickshaw 17 20 Hospital,

Entertainment,
Shopping, Govt.
College

Mobility map of village North Gopalpur

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TIME LINE

Key informants: Sujit Kumar Ishore, Bijoy Sarkar, Bharat Chandra Sarkar

Time line is a tool of PRA technique used to know the history of major remembered events in
community and their significance. It indicates the causal link between past and present. The
purpose of this tool is to obtain historical account of changes in demography, socio-economic
condition, communication, social relationship and interaction, technology diffusion and
adoption etc. Information regarding the important events like development in agriculture,
animal husbandry was collected from the key informants, preferably elderly people of the
village

Time Line for major events in village

Year Event

1938 Cycle

1941 Primary school

1948 Post office

1948 Massive immigration from Bangladesh

1958 Motor cycle

1960 Radio

1963 Primary Health Centre

1970 Massive immigration from Bangladesh

1975 Secondary school

1977 Gram Panchayat

1983 RRB

1986 Landline phone

1987 Road

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 1990 TV

1990 NBSTC Bus service

1992 Kshetriya Grameen bank

2000 Bus service stopped Auto service started

2000 Color TV

2002 Computer

2007 SBI

2007 Intercaste marriage

2010 Electricity

2010 Asbestos roof

2011 Mobile phone

2012 Cable TV connection

2013 Smart phone

2014 Cooking gas

2016 Police station

2016 Bank of India

Time line for major agricultural events in the village

Year Event

1985 Power tiller

1987 Vegetable cultivation

1995 Red potato cultivation

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 1997 Tubewell irrigation

2003 Tobacco cultivation stopped

2004-05 Use of power tiller decreased

2006 Tractor

2007 Jersey cow

2007 Contact with KVK

2007 MGNAREGA

2009 Thrasher

2010 Farmers‟ club

2013 Thaneswar Northpara Water Users‟

Association

2015 SRI

2016 Vermicompost plastic tank

2016 Rice transplanter

2017 Vermicompost cement tank

TIME TREND

Key informants: Prashant Karji, Deepak Nandi

Time trend is a simple PRA technique, usually depicted in the form of graph (bar/line) to
show the trend of crop/animal production, area, commodity prices, human/cattle population
etc. The specific objectives of this tool are to identify the changes/fluctuations that have
occurred over a period of time in the variables influencing village life. For the purpose of
the present PRA study, the data were collected for price, area and productivity of rice,
potato, maize, jute, milk, poultry etc. over the last nine to ten years and are presented
graphically below.

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 Time trend for area, productivity and price of major crops grown in North Gopalpur:

Time trend for productivity of different crops

400

300 Kharif paddy

Boro Paddy
q/ha

200 Potato
Maize
100 Jute
Brinjal
0
2007-08 2012-13 2017-18

Trend of area of different crops

400
Kharif paddy
300
Boro paddy
Potato
Ha

200
Maize
100
Jute
0 Brinjal
2007-08 2012-13 2017-18

Trend of Price of Different crops

3500
Faem gate price (Rs./q)

3000
2500
Kharif paddy
2000
Boro paddy
1500
Maize
1000
Jute
500
0
2007-08 2012-13 2017-18

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Price trend of potato

2000
1767
Farm gate Price (rs./q)
1600
1500
1235
1000 1052 975
925

500 481 542 545

0
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

The trend with respect to area productivity and price of the major crops of North Gopalpur,
from 2007-2008 to 2017-2018 is discussed herewith. In case of productivity an increase was
noticed in case of potato, maize and boro paddy due to introduction of new varieties,
improved technologies and better pest management techniques. In case of area, for last five
year, sharp increase in area under maize was noticed due to relatively stable market price and
satisfactory production. On the contrary, a decrease in area under potato was noticed due to
high price fluctuation. The price for all crops increased over last ten years except for potato
which experienced erratic price fluctuation over last ten years.

Time trend for number of milch animals, milk yield and price of milk
A majority of the farmers are involved in livestock rearing and hence dairy is a major
component of North Gopalpur. Since 2007-2008 to 2017-218, there has been an exponential
increase in the number of the exotic breeds. This was reflected in the increase in milk yield
across the decade from 2 kg/animal/day to 8 kg/animal/day. An increase in the price of the
milk was observed from Rs.15/kg (2007-2008) to Rs. 40/kg (2017-2018).
Trend of number of animals (Cattle)

300
Number of animals

200
Desi Cows

100 Exotic cows

0
2007-08 2012-13 2017-18

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Trend of Milk yield

Milk yield (Kg/animal/day) 8

7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
2007-08 2012-13 2017-18

Trend of price of milk

45
40
35
30
Price (Rs./Kg)

25
20
15
10
5
0
2007-08 2012-13 2017-18

Time trend for number of poultry birds and profit from poultry enterprise:

Ten years back poultry birds were reared only for home consumption. In last five years sharp
increase has been noticed in trend of poultry birds rearing for commercial purpose. Contract
farming is followed in this case where some private companies provide cheeks to the farmers
for 45 days and after the pre-decided time the companies buy the birds from farmers at a
fixed price which varies from 35000 to 40000.

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Trend of number of poultry birds

70000

60000
Number of poultry birds

50000

40000

30000

20000

10000

0
2007-08 2012-13 2017-18

Trend of profit from poultry enterprise

40000
35000
30000
Profit (Rs./lot)

25000
20000
15000
10000
5000
0
2007-08 2012-13 2017-18

SEASONAL CALENDAR ANALYSIS

Key informants: Apu Ranjan Mallick, Dipak Nandi

Seasonal analysis is also called as seasonal calendar which indicates month wise
activities, specialties, threats, problems, abundance, and shortage with regard to agriculture
and animal husbandry in a diagrammatic way. The items to be included in seasonal analysis
must be those, which really affect agriculture and animal husbandry. This explores seasonal
constraints and opportunities by diagramming changes, month wise for a year. The main
activities, problems and opportunities of North Gopalpur village were identified by using
seasonal calendar.

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 Seasonal calendar for agricultural crops and livestock

Table contains Seasonal calendar for agricultural crops and livestock

Particul
Months
ars

Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan

Crops

Paddy W2/
H+TH
N+ FP+ TP W1/HB HB + FA
+D
(Kharif) U

FP+
Paddy
FY H+
W1/HB+ FA N
M+ T
(Boro)
TP

H+D
Jute F+S DR+W1/HB D
+R

W+ W1/H
Maize H FP+ S
L+I B

DR+
HB+
Potato HB+ H FP+ S S+DR
H
FA

Mustard H H FP+S

W1/HB+
Brocolli H FP+S DR
FA+DR

Cauliflo FP+FY FA+H

H FP W1/HB
wer M+S B+PS

FP+FY FA+H
Cabbage H FP W1/HB
M+S B+PS

FP+F
I+F FP+F T+I+FA+
Chilli H N H N YM+
A+H YM W1/HB
T

I+F FP+F T+I+FA+ FP+F

Brinjal H N H N
A+H YM W1/HB YM+T

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 N+FP+
Cucumb T+FY I+PS+
H I+PS
er M+FA H
+I

Pumpki S+FYM+
H FP PS
n FA+I

Dolicus S+ FYM+
H
Bean FA+P+PS

Carrot

FP+
Bottle FYM+
H PS H
Guord S+FA+
P

Pointed FP+
H
Guord FYM+FA+S+PS

N+FP+
Tomato H FYM+ PS H
S+FA

Ladies FP+FYM+S+FA+P
H
Finger S

Bettle
Leaf

Livestock

Cow CCS+DF+SF+M CCS+SF+GF+RG+V CCS+DF+SF

Goats C+OG+GF+M+V

Hen C+F+S+V

Duck C+F+S+V

SEASONAL CALENDAR FOR AGRICULTURAL AND LIVESTOCK PROBLEMS

The main activities, problems and opportunities of North Gopalpur village were identified by
using seasonal calendar. It depicts time-to-time crop related operations being carried out in
the existing farm situation. The common crop seasons in the village are Pre-kharif, Kharif

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and Rabi with Aman rice, Boro rice potato and maize, mustard, Vegitables (Broccoli,
Cabbage, Cauliflower, Cucumber, Chilli etc.) as the main crops.

Seasonal analysis helps in identifying the periods which are critical with respect to labour
demand, pest and disease problems and availability of fodder. The most important problems
are yellow stem borer in paddy, presence of weed Rumex sp. in agricultural field and aphids
in chilli, cabbage and broccoli cultivation. Head Borer of maize.

Livestock diseases are common here because high humidity in the village. Farmers are well
aware of improved crop varieties and are adopting latest technologies. Labour availability is
inadequate throughout the year. Farmers get part of their agricultural inputs through the
interventions of various agricultural departments, KVKs and market (from input dealer).
Farmers sell their produce (mainly rice) both to the government and private agencies and sell
their potato to the contract businessmen or store their own potato to the store house.

The North Gopalpur villagers are mainly maintaining different breeds of cow,
goat, Hen and duck in the case of livestock. Whole the year they are maintaining them as a
little source of household income, but mainly for their own uses and purpose. Vaccination
for foot and mouth disease is done in the case of cow. The main diseases found seasonally
in cow are mastitis & fever and Foot and mouth disease. FMD and throat disease are the
main diseases found in goats. The contract farming for Broiler contract farming adopted by
some farmers but the problem with this contract farming is regular supply of inputs to the
farms.

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Seasonal calendar for agricultural and livestock problems of North Gopalpur village

Months
Partic J
Au Sep O No
ulars Feb Mar Apr May u Jul Dec Jan
g t ct v
n
Crops
Paddy DP Y
L S R
(Khari +N S
P P P
f) B B
R
Paddy YSB
A
(Boro) +HS
H
WP+BLS+
Jute WBP
HS
Maize SB BS
RA E
Potato LB
H B
SP
SP +S
Ladies
+S B SP+SB
Finger
B YM
V
Cucu
SP+SB+B SP+SB+B
mber
Garlic B B
Bitter
B SP+SB
Gourd
F
Brinja
FSB S
l
B

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 Chilli A BD A
HB+D
Caulifl
BM+
ower
A
Cabba DBM+
ge CBF
Capsic
A
um
D
Brocco
B A
li
M
Livestock
Cow MF FMD
T
Goats D+
F
Hen RKD RKD
Duck ND

**YSB- Yellow Stem Borer, DBM- Diamond back moth, FSB- Fruit and shoot borer, SB-
Stem borer, FLS- Fruitlessness, CBF-Cabbage Butter Fly, A- Aphid, EB-Early Blight, LB-
Late Blight, WT- White tip, TB- Tip burn, CR- Corm rottening, PB- Purple blotch, BS-
Brown spot, BLS- Black spot, NB- Neck Blast, BD- Blossom drop, TD- Throat disease, MF-
Mastitis & fever, ND- Neck dropping and die, SP-Sucking Pest, RP-Rain Problem, LP-
Lodging Problem, DP-Draught Problem, HS-Hail Storm, RAH-Rain After Harvest, WBP-
Water Body Problem, WP-Weed Problem, HB-Head Borer, YMV-Yellow Mosaic Virus, B-
Blight, F-Fever

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BIO-RESOURCES FLOW

Key informant: Deepak Nandi, Jogendra Kumar Roy, Subhol Dutta

Bio-resource flow diagram shows the flow of various products and by-products by the
various agricultural system (paddy, vegetables) and animal husbandry. In other words, it can
be understand as an interaction between natural and financial capital. It helps visualising the
relation between farm enterprises and natural resource types and enables farmers
to explore new ways of recycling.
It answers the very fundamental questions of “how the resources flow between different
enterprises” and “how a product or by-product from one enterprise can be utilized in other
enterprises?” It shows the
interrelationship between different farm enterprises and helps to promote the organic farming
practice which is ecologically and economically sustainable. As the process works in tandem
and one enterprise depends on other, optimization of resources can gainfully promoted by
studying the bio resource flow.

On the other hand, recycling of biological resources, wastes and by-products can
improve farm natural resources and incomes. A common observation among farmers is that
soil fertility is improved when organic matter is returned to the soil. Farmers in the village
informed that compost materials can replace basal applications of NPK to reduce fertiliser
costs by up to 50%. More and more farmers are motivated by state dept. of agriculture and
Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Pundibari to turn away from chemical fertilisers because,
increased yields notwithstanding, they drive up costs and lower farm profits and. Prices of
paddy Straw, FYM, bamboo, teak and cow dung cake stick were Rs. 2000 / ha, Rs. 100/q, Rs.
50/piece, Rs. 30-35/plant and Rs. 10/stick respectively. Average Bio-resource Generation per
household was Rs. 3000 per year approximately.

27
 Bio-resource flow diagram of village North Gopalpur

DAILY ROUTINE DIAGRAM/ DAILY ACTIVITY PROFILE:

Daily routine diagram and daily activity profile of the villagers depict the different activities
of the village people in their day to day life and also the timing for each activity. Daily
activity includes only the economic activity of the men and women of the villages, whereas
daily routine refers to both economic and uneconomic activities. This helps to know the ideal
time to interact with the village people. During that period, they can devote some time from
their busy schedule and scientists can interact with them.

The key informants, interviewed were middle-aged men or women who are belonging to
farming communities. The main purpose of this PRA tool is to sort out proper time to
intervene with various extension activities. However, our target was to find out proper time
for interviewing farmers and fixing village seminar. The daily activities and routine are
depicted in table:

28
DAILY ROUTINE DIAGRAM OF FARMERS

KIs: Banshimohan Chakdar, Biswajit Chakdar, Mamata Chakdar, Geeta Chakdar

TIME RURAL MEN RURAL WOMEN

06:00 A.M. Wake up, refreshing, tea Wake up, Refreshing, tea

06:30 A.M. Milking(for home consumption) Feeding cattle, Cleaning Cowshed

07:00 A.M. Field activities (Cleaning, planting, Household activities, Cleaning utensils,
harrowing, spraying and fertilizers preparation cowdung cake and drying
08:00 A.M.
application) in sun, collecting fuel

09:00 A.M. Breakfast Breakfast

10:00 A.M. Farm activities (Hiring of labours, Cooking, Making their children ready
implements, tractors, monitoring labour) to go for school, Household activities
11:00 A.M.

12:00 noon Feeding cow

01:00 P.M. Lunch Lunch

02:00 P.M. Farm activities (remaining field work, Watching TV, Household
payment of daily wages to labours) activities, Rest
03:00 P.M.

04:00 P.M.

05:00 P.M. Religious rituals

06:00 P.M. Refreshment, Market, Watching TV, social Refreshment, Household rituals, social
interactions, Farmers‟ club discussion interactions

07:00 P.M. Cooking, household works

08:00 P.M.

09:00 P.M. Dinner Dinner

10.00 P.M. Watching T.V., Casual family discussion Household activities

29
11:00 P.M. Sleep Sleep

DAILY ROUTINE DIAGRAM OF AGRICULTURAL LABOURERS:

TIME RURAL MEN RURAL WOMEN

05:00 A.M. Wake up Wake up

06:00A.M. Farm work in own field or subsidiary income Household activities, religious rituals
generating activities
07:00 A.M. Cooking, cleaning utensils, heavy
breakfast
08:00 A.M.

09:00 A.M. Farm activities/ Field work in others‟ farm

as labourers
10:00 A.M. Breakfast
(stacking in maize crop, transplanting in
11:00 A.M. Field work in others‟ farm as labourers
boro rice, harvesting potato, weeding)
12:00 noon

01:00 P.M.

02:00 P.M. Lunch Lunch

03:00 P.M. Field work in others‟ farm as labourers Field work in others‟ farm as labourers

04:00 P.M.

05:00 P.M. Refreshment Collecting fuel, household activities and

religious rituals

06:00 P.M. Social interactions, Market Social interactions

07:00 P.M. Cooking

08:00 P.M.

09:00 P.M. Dinner Dinner

10:00 P.M. Sleep Sleep

30
DAILY ACTIVITY PROFILE OF MEN

KIs: Banshimohan Chakdar, Biswajit Chakdar

TIME ACTIVITY

06:00-07:00 A.M. Milking(for home consumption)

07:00 – 09:00 A.M. Field activities (Cleaning, planting, harrowing, spraying and fertilizers
application)

11:00 – 02:00 P.M. Farm activities (Hiring of labours, implements, tractors, monitoring labour)

03:00 – 07:00P.M. Farm activities (remaining field work, payment of daily wages to labours),
Taking cattle and goats for grazing

DAILY ACTIVITY PROFILE OF WOMEN

KIs: Mamata Chakdar, Geeta Chakdar

TIME ACTIVITY

06:00-07:00 A.M. Cattle feeding, Cowshed cleaning

12:00 – 01:00 P.M. Feeding cow

AGRO-ECOLOGICAL MAP:

Key Informants: Sujan Chakdar , Prashant Karjee and Nirupam Mallick

Agro-ecological or agro-ecosystem map indicates the macro and micro ecological

features (subsystems) in a village. It gives information about the various agro-ecological
parameters such as: land use pattern, irrigation facilities, soil salinity status, soil fertility,
water resources, forest, crop and animal resources.

31
 The village North Gopalpur is located between latitude 26°25‟44.76” N and longitude
89°27‟4.32” E and altitude of 39 m above mean sea level. The village basically grows paddy
(kharif and boro paddy), maize, vegetables (Potato, brinjal, cabbage, broccoli, cucurbits and
Garlic), oilseed crops (Mustard) and plantation crop (Areca nut) all around the year. In Kharif
season paddy is the major crop with popular varieties such as Swarna, Masuri,
Bangobandhu and SS1 are grown in the village. In Rabi season boro paddy (1010, Gotra
bidhan, 6444, Hira), potato (Pokhraj, Punjab Jyoti, S1), brinjal, cabbage, broccoli, cucurbits
and Garlic), maize (740, 9081) and mustard are major crops. Major trees found in the village
are coconut, arecanut, Khajoor, mango, guava, drumstick, jackfruit, bamboo, shimol, teak,
gamari, Dalbergia sisso, Kadamb, Azadirechta indica and peepal. The major weeds are
Physalis minima, Chenopodium album, Persicaria walichi, fern, Stelleria media, Cynodon
dactylon and Echinocloa colonum.

Agro-ecological map for village North Gopalpur

32
RESOURCE MAP

Key informants: Sujan Chakdar, Prashant Karjee and Nirupam Mallick, Deepak Nandi

The resource map of the North Gopalpur village shows the presence of five types of
resources namely- natural, financial, social, human and physical. All these capitals were
identified during the transact walk inside the village and on the village boundary and by the
discussion with the key informants and personal observations.

NATURAL RESOURCES: natural capital of any region can be defined as the stock of natural assets
which include geology, soil, air, water and all living things. The natural capital is important for
existence of other capitals and most importantly the humans that human derive a wide range of
services, often called ecosystem services which make human life possible.

Land: Total land area of the village is 2005.69 ha, out of which 1002.845 ha is under field
crop cultivation. The remaining area is under habitation, roads, social institutions, ponds
(dighi), river and other natural vegetation.

Soil: Major soils type of North Gopalpur village is sandy loam. However, clay loam soil is
present near the pond and sandy soils near the river beds. The soils are of acidic in nature
with pH of soil ranges between 4.1 to 5.7. Soils in the village faces problem of low organic
content due to very high rainfall in the region.

Weather: The annual precipitation in the village is about 3000 mm of which most part is
precipitated during the kharif season. Precipitation is important source of irrigation in the
village as major area is under rainfed agriculture and in rabi season shallow tube well and
rain water stored in the dighi (ponds). The mean temperature and relative humidity of the
village during winter ranges between 15-300 C and 60-80%.

Crops: Agro-climatological factors like soil, precipitation, temperature, relative humidity

decides the crops to be grown in a particular region. During the kharif season, due to the
higher precipitation paddy is the major crop which is grown on about 95 per cent area and
vegetables and jute (paat) are also grown on the remaining land. In rabi season boro paddy,
maize, vegetables (potato, cucumber, brinjal and garlic) and oilseed (mustard) is the major
crops grown in the village.

33
Livestock: Cow, goat, poultry and duck are the main livestocks in the village. Similar to
cultivation of agricultural crops such as paddy and potato, the villagers also rear different
livestock for household purpose only.

Natural Vegetation: there is no natural forest in the village, however teal plantation, bamboo
plantation are major forestry related activities in some parts of the village. The important
trees present in the village include Mango, Kadamb, Areca nut, Guava, Gamari, Shimol,
Teak, Banboo, Neem, Coconut, Ber Dalbergis sissu, Drumstick, Khajoor and Peepal. Apart
from these trees, other herbs like Physalis minima, Chenopodium album, Persicaria walichi,
fern, Stelleria media, Cynodon dactylon and Echinocloa colonum are also present in and
around the fields and roads.

Fishery: North Gopalpur village has rich water resources in the form of ponds around the
houses and field and Harghariya River which harbor the fishes like Katla, Rohu, Mrugal,
common carp and silver carp. These fishes are generally grown for home consumption and
local market.

FINANCIAL RESOURCES: Financial resource is the term covering all the financial funds
and institutions in the village. From the economic perspective financial resources are part of
organizational (village in this case) assets. The major financial institutions present in the
North Gopalpur village are input dealers, Scheduled commercial banks (Bank of India, State
Bank of India), Regional rural bank (North Banga Kshetriya Grameen Bank) and a SBI
ATM. Apart from this, the majour source of income for most of the household is income
from agriculture and allied activities like mulching, fishery, poultry and ducklings.

HUMAN RESOURCE: The status of human resources in the village is good as village has
70 per cent literacy rate. Some of the respondents in our survey were graduate and few were
post graduate also. Apart from the literacy rate, major occupations of villagers is agriculture,
teaching, shop keeping, tailoring, fishing, driving and some services in private and
government sector. About the skills of farmers in agriculture, many of them have attended
some vocational training in agriculture and horticulture in Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Pundibari.
The village has one farmers organization named as Thaneshwar Vivekanand Krushak Sangh;
and one water user association named as Northpara Water Users association (Northpara Jal
Vibhajika Samiti) which help in dissemination of new knowledge and information about the
agricultural practices in the village. The personal observation of field reveals that the farmers
have good skills in managing their operational problems in field. Some of the farmers have

34
developed the skills that use the local resources to solve their problems immediately. The
villagers are also aware of the artificial insemination of their cattle and practicing it since last
few years after coming in contact with Department of Animal Husbandry, Cooch Behar.
Therefore, it can be said that the human resource is adequate in the village to handle their
daily agricultural problems.

SOCIAL REOURCES: Social resource is the form of economic and cultural capital in
which the social networks are central; transactions are marked by reciprocity, trust and
cooperation. It generally refers to a) resources and the value of these resources both tangible
and intangible, b) the relationship among these resources and c) impact of the relationships
among these resources involved in each relationship and on larger group. It is generally seen
as a form of capital that produces public goods for a common good. Description of the social
resources and their interactions are present below-

Community: The major two communities in the village are the Rajbanshis and the
Purbabangiyas. The purbabangiyas are basically the migrated population from Bangladesh
during independence and Indo-Pakistan war of 1971. Rajbanshis constitute 55 per cent of the
population while Purbabangiyas contribute rest 45 per cent. Around 10 per cent of the
population belongs to the Scheduled Caste Nagbanshis and Urao clans.

Religion: The predominant religious group in the village is Hindu, which is about 80 per cent
and remaining 20 per cent is Muslim.

Family pattern: Around 50 per cent families are joint families and rest half of the village are
nuclear families. The trend of joint families breaking down into nuclear families has been
increasing since past ten to fifteen years.

Status of women: Status of women is remarkably good in the village. Village girls and boys
are mostly given equal treatments regarding health, education and nutritional facilities.
Young women are availing college education in nearby towns and they are also being
encouraged to be financially self-dependent by their parents. Women of farmers‟ families
usually don‟t work in field, however they help in taking care of cattle and poultry in the
houses. It is only women agricultural labourers who work in field. Wage discrimination exists
in case of male and female labourers. While men are paid Rs. 300 per day it varies from Rs.
200 to Rs. 250 per day for women.

Social interactions:

35
I. Co-operation: Significantly good social harmony exists in the village. Farmers of the
village interact with each other regarding their farm related problems. This process has
even increased due to farmers‟ club which plays a major role in farmers‟ lives in the
village. There are about 12 SHGs in the village all of which are organized by women.
These groups comprise of 10 to 20 members each and are involved in contract basis
works of cooking in several institutions and financial management. However, no
marketing facilities are available for SHGs which restrict them from commercial
production of any goods.
II. Competition: Little amount of competition was noticed regarding agricultural accessing
information and new technologies. High degree of competition was noticed for availing
facilities of several Govt. schemes and subsidies.
III. Conflict: No communal conflict is recorded in the village. All the communities and
religious groups live in complete harmony and socialize with each other without any
social barrier.

PHYSICAL RESOURCES: The physical resources include the physical/tangible

infrastructure which supplements the other resources services for betterment of biotic
settlement in a region. In relation to it the physical resources available in the village are
mentioned below-

Road:

The village North Gopalpur is connected to Marichbari, Pundibari and Cooch Behar by all
season tyre road. However, the condition of roads inside the village is pathetic as only gram
panchayat office is connected with pakka road. Other roads in the village that connect
different hamlets and fields are not of good quality. The villagers face problem during the
rainy season in moving from one hamlet to another.

Transportation:

Public transport: For public transport in the village, there are various types
of vehicles such as bicycle, motor bike, auto rickshaw, Maruti Omni etc. Bus is not available
in the village.

36
Material transport: For the transportation of the agricultural produce and inputs in retail they
uses bicycle and bike as the input shop is available in the village itself. However, for the bulk
transport of the inputs and agricultural produce they use simple tricycle van (Van Rikshaw),
tractor and truck.

Communication:

The gram panchayat North Gopalpur has one post office and one mobile tower of Aircel.
Apart from that, village has two internet shops also. Majority of the peoples in the village use
mobile phone and while only few families have dish TV in their house.

Health: Gram panchayat North Gopalpur has only one primary health center near high
school in Bazar Chouk. The health center has one doctor for entire village. Apart from
hospital, village has one govt. medicine outlet in the hospital itself and one private medical
store in bazar chouk.

Education: The village North Gopalpur has good educational facilities for children. The
village has 2 Aanganbari centres, 2 government primary schools, 2 nursery schools (Sishu
Shiksha Kendra) and one high school. On the other hand, for the farmer‟s education the
village has one farm school under Thaneshwar Vivekanand Krushak Sangh.

Drinking Water: The village has one public drinking water plant which connects each
household with tap water facilities. The groundwater in the village has problem of iron
contamination therefore the water plant has water purification facility also.

Electricity: There is electricity supply in every household of the village.

Agricultural Equipments: Villagers uses traditional as well as modern agricultural
equipments to carry out their farming operations. The number of tractor, power tiller, and
tube well are 10, 3 and 14 respectively. However, the Northpara Jal Vibhajika Samiti
provides custom hiring services in the village which has one paddy transplanter, one paddy
harvester, one paddy thresher, five knapsack sprayers. Many of the farmers have individual
knapsack sprayer.

Agricultural Input: The village has one agro input shop which provides the seed, fertilizer,
pesticides and herbicides to the needy farmers on credit.

Marketing Infrastructure: The village has one market which has shops for all their basic
daily necessities. The important shops in the village are- stationary shop, grocery shop,

37
vegetable shop, hardware shop, foot ware shop, internet shop, hotel, computer shop, xerox
shop, photo studio, mobile shop, textile shop, agro input shop, repairing shop, hair saloon,
jewellery shop, public distribution system etc.

For selling the agricultural commodities, the village has one market shed where the fishermen
sell their fishes and farmers sell their vegetables.

Storage Infrastructure: As the villagers mainly cultivate paddy and yield is also quite good,
they store the paddy for 5-6 months in their home itself. For potato there are cold storage
facilities available near Pundibari where they store potato for sowing in next season and
selling in later period.

Resource map for Village North Gopalpur

38
SOCIAL MAP:
Key informants: Dilip Das, Rajbala Sarkar

The social map gives different socio-economic information of the village North Gopalpur to
understand and analyze the importance of social issues such as housing pattern, social
structure, religious institutions, stratification, social institutions like panchayats, schools,
social capital, social processes, value system, leadership pattern, and availability of social
facilities in the village. The main occupation of the village is agriculture and major crops are
paddy, potato, maize & jute. Other than agriculture, some are engaged in business, service
sector and several contract basis works. The literacy rate in the village is around 70 per cent.
In addition to the above information, other important social information is discussed below.
A. Social structure and stratification
I. Community: The major two communities in the village are the Rajbanshis and the
Purbabangiyas. The purbabangiyas are basically the migrated population from
Bangladesh during independence and Indo-Pakistan war of 1971. Rajbanshis constitute
55 per cent of the population while Purbabangiyas contribute rest 45 per cent. Around 10
per cent of the population belongs to the Scheduled Caste Nagbanshis and Urao clans.

Table 1: Different caste distribution of the North Gopalpur village

Caste Percentage

Scheduled Caste 48.50%

OBC 2.06 %

General 39.13%

Scheduled Tribes 10.31%

II. Religion: The predominant religious group in the village is Hindu, which is about 80 per
cent and remaining 20 per cent is Muslim.

39
III. Marriage system: The predominant marriage system in the village is arranged marriage
system. However for last ten years the system of brides and grooms selecting each other
for marriage has been accepted in the village. Inter-caste marriage is also under practice
at present, however no marriages are allowed among the Hindus and Muslims. The
average age of marriage for men and women are twenty five and 21 respectively.
IV. Family pattern: Around 50 per cent families are joint families and rest half of the village
are nuclear families. The trend of joint families breaking down into nuclear families has
been increasing since past ten to fifteen years.
V. Status of women: Status of women is remarkably good in the village. Village girls and
boys are mostly given equal treatments regarding health, education and nutritional
facilities. Young women are availing college education in nearby towns and they are also
being encouraged to be financially self-dependent by their parents. Women of farmers‟
families usually don‟t work in field, however they help in taking care of cattle and poultry
in the houses. It is only women agricultural labourers who work in field. Wage
discrimination exists in case of male and female labourers. While men are paid Rs. 300
per day it varies from Rs. 200 to Rs. 250 per day for women.
B. Social interactions:
IV. Co-operation: Significantly good social harmony exists in the village. Farmers of the
village interact with each other regarding their farm related problems. This process has
even increased due to farmers‟ club which plays a major role in farmers‟ lives in the
village. There are about 12 SHGs in the village all of which are organized by women.
These groups comprise of 10 to 20 members each and are involved in contract basis
works of cooking in several institutions and financial management. However, no
marketing facilities are available for SHGs which restrict them from commercial
production of any goods.
V. Competition: Little amount of competition was noticed regarding agricultural accessing
information and new technologies. High degree of competition was noticed for availing
facilities of several Govt. schemes and subsidies.
VI. Conflict: No communal conflict is recorded in the village. All the communities and
religious groups live in complete harmony and socialize with each other without any
social barrier.
C. Village infrastructure:
I. Housing pattern: Most of the houses in the village are kaccha houses i.e. made of mud
and tin. There are also some houses which are made of brick. 90 per cent of the villagers

40
 have kaccha house and remaining 10 per cent villagers have pakka house. Most of houses
are covered by asbestos. The indication showed that the villagers have used their
traditional knowledge to make their houses more durable to protect from rain water. The
houses are situated at slightly higher altitude and many of the houses have adjacent ponds
so that rain water is not accumulated for long time.
II. Educational institution: The village has two Anganwadi Kendra, two Shishu Siksha
Sendra (SSK), two primary schools, one convent school, one Govt. high school, and one
farm school. The village has no college. For availing college facilities village youth
mostly travel to either Coochbehar or Dinhata.
III. Other institutions and Govt. facilities: There is a farmer‟s club named “Thaneswar
Vivekananda Krishak Sangh”. There is one primary health centre, one police station, one
Panchayat office, one fair price shop (PDS), one Water Users‟ Association (Northpara
Jalbibhajika Samiti), three banks (State Bank of India, Bank of India and North Banga
Kshetriya Gramin Bank), one ATM, and one post office.
IV. Communication facility and other infrastructure:
Roads: The village is well connected to Coochbehar, Marichbari and Pundibari by pakka
road. However, roads inside the village are mostly made of gravels. There is lot of scope for
improving road infrastructure in this village. Villagers face problems during rainy season to
move from one place to the other inside the village.
Transport: the main mode of transport for the villagers to travel to other villages or towns is
auto rickshaw. Villagers use cycles and motorcycles to move within the village. They also
use van rickshaws to carry agricultural products from one place to the other.
Electricity: There is electricity supply in every household of the village.
Drinking water supply: There is no external drinking water supply in the village. For
drinking water, they depend on one common water tank from which water is supplied to
every household through water tank.
Fuel: Most of the households use mud ovens for cooking purpose and use fuel wood and cow
dung cakes as fuel. However, some of the households possess gas ovens for cooking.
Village shop: The village has many shops for the essential items which are required in their
day to day life such as sweet, stationary, grocery, vegetable shops etc.
Temples: The village has two Kali mandirs and one mosque.
Festivals: The major festival in the village is Durga Puja in which all villagers irrespective of
caste, class, and religion gather together. The harvesting festival is called „Nabanna‟ which
takes place at the end of Rabi season.

41
Political scenario: The major political player in the village is TMC party.
Leadership pattern: the leadership is based on consensus in the Panchayat elections.
Migration: Around 10 per cent population in the village are permanently migrated. Other
than that, some cases of seasonal migration are recorded. Many people work as drivers,
construction labourers and contract basis labourers in nearby towns during lean agricultural
periods and come back to villages in harvesting seasons.

Social map in the village North Gopalpur

Indigenous Technical Know-how (ITK)

ITK refers to the traditional, unique and technical knowledge that is an integral part of the
village culture and which is transferred from generation to generation. ITK can include
knowledge in a spectrum of aspects connected with the village like farming, health, weather
etc. In order to gain insight into the ITK of the village the appropriate key informants were
identified for the same. The major ITKs identified in the village are presented below:

42
Key Informants: Biplab Das, Subol Dutta, Mustafizur Rehman

sl.no Technique Use Rationale

1. 1 Cow dung Compost,tying Slow burning with

of jute sticks efficient heat
for fuel purpose generation

2. 2 Kala kachu Blood Rich in Beta-

purification ketoserol

Colocasia esculenta

3. 2Thankuni (sagebud) Cure stomach Contain asiaticoside

leaves extract problem and and hydrocotyline
amibiosis

Centella asiatica

4. 3 Aloevera For wound Polysaccharides

healing and present in the plant
against cough stimulate
macrophages

5. 4 Bay leaves Used in seed Contain linalool

grain storage
pot to avoid
Laurus nobilis insect attack

6. 5 Mango leaves Use along Contain Terakacrol-3-

with boiled beta
mustard oil to
Mangifera indica cure cough
and cold

43
7. 6Bhatti buti tender Used for Contain cajanuse
leaves extract tapeworm cure lactone
in animals and
humans

8. Neem
7 kernel extract Pest control in Azadiractin, salanin,
paddy meliantriol and
nimbin possess
Azadirachta indica insecticide, pesticide,
fungicide and
nematicide properties

9. 8 Neem leaves Anti-allergic Contains gedunin

nimbin,nimbidin acts
as anti-inflammatory,
Azadirachta indica analgesic,anti-fungal

10. 9 Turmeric Local Curcumin present in

antibiotic turmeric is
antibacterial, antiviral
Curcuma longa and anti inflammatory

11. 1 Tulsi leaves For cough and Contain oleanolic

0 fever acid, ursolic acid,
rosmarinic acid,
Ocimum eugenol, carvacrol,
tenuiflorum linalool, β-
caryophyllene

12. 1 Ash gourd Preserved for Contains waxy

1 preservation taking as off coating helps to
season contain water
vegetable
Benincasa hispida

44
 13. 1Modified country Making ridges Use of locally
2 plough and furrows in available unused
line sown material
maize

14. 1 Himalayan Prevents Contains valepotriates

3 knotweed grasshopper and essential oils
from infesting
potato
Persicaria wallichii

ITK map for Village North Gopalpur

TECHNOLOGY MAP
Key Informants: Litan Sarkar, Jogendra Chandra Roy, Sudhir Sarkar
Technology map is a PRA technique which is used to know different types of behavioural
patterns towards technology adoption. Different types of technology behaviour may be of
adoption type, discontinuance, rejection and over adoption type etc. Technology map
comprises type and frequency of adoption of latest technology through various agencies
related to agricultural research and development. It helps scientists and extension workers to
identify the problem of the farmers through the feedback mechanisms.

45
Behavioural Pattern for the Technologies:

SL CROP/CRITERI TECHNOLOGY ST REASON

No A AT
. US

1. Paddy Varieties:

a. Kharif Mala Dhan, Naora, D Low yield

Buhkolam,
Availability of high yielding
varieties

Bettok Low input responsiveness

A

Swarna, SS1,Masuri, High production and

OA
Bangobandhu productivity

Good grain quality

Aromatic locally adopted variety

A
Kalo Nunia Used for rituals purpose

Fetch high price in market

Yield almost same to other

R varieties
Hybrids
High seed price

Grain quality not preferred

High yield
b. Boro
A Easy to thrash
(Aopted 10 Nepali Paijam, Godra,
years back) Annaa

2. Potato True potato seed (TPS) R Long duration crop

46
 Small tuber size

Non-uniform produce (colour,

shape, size etc)

Low production
S1, Darjeeling lalpahadi D
Susceptible to pest and diseases

High market demand

Chambal, Kufrijyoti, Deshi A
variety Good quality

Punjab Jyoti, Pokhraj High production

OA
Less pests and disease incidence

Early maturity

3. Maize All rounder D Less productivity

Disease susceptible

Pioneer hybrid – A Good yield

9081,740,1010
More productivity
MAHYCO hybrid - 3838
Uniformity of produce

4. Jute Teetapat (Deshi variety) D Less productivity

C.capsularis Less market price

Poor quality

Meethapat (C. olitorius)

a. JRO 524 OA High yield, good quality, high

market price

b. JRO 620 Late variety

A

47
 High yield

5. Mustard Local (Nabin), B9(certified) A High yield

Good market price for both

leaves and mustard

More adoptable to local

conditions

6. Brinjal Local variety(Moana) A High consumers‟ preference

Good market price

More adoptable to local

condition

Low consumers‟ preference

Hybrid(round brinjal) R

7. Livestocks Cattle, goat, poultry A Availability of rice straw,

direct milk consumption and sell

to sweet shops

Cattle dung as manure for

compost pit

8. Vegetables Cabbage(Zenith), A Local market

cauliflower(Madhuri),
Good price
Broccoli(Shakata),
Less disease and pest incidence
cucurbits (Malini,
NHM subsidy of seed material
MAHYCO hybrid),
for garlic and onion
Pumpkin,

carrot,

48
 bottle gourd,

pointed gourd,

garlic, onion,

tomato (Arjun, Avinash 2),

lady‟s finger (MAHYCO-

10, Giridhari)

9. Arecanut, Local variety A Good market price

coconut Adaptable to local conditions

Acts as boundary wall for

households

10. Forestry Teak, A Good source of income

Sal, Good market price

Mahogany, Assets for social customs

Gamari

11. Farm Knap sack sprayer A Economical

Implements
Government subsidy (50%)

Wheel harrow A Easy to handle

Deduction in labour cost

Government subsidy (50%)

Tractor A Multipurpose use

Government subsidy (Rs. 45000)

Good road connectivity

Diesel/ Electric motor pump A Easy ground water availability

49
 Government subsidy (50%)

Good power supply

Paddy Thresher, Power A Economical,

tiller
Easy to operate

Good quality implements

Rotavator
A Easy to handle
Paddy mill, wheat mill,
A Local market,
Flattened rice mill
Good price
Bhut-bhuti(engine of power
tiller and body of van) A Easy for transportation of
agricultural produce

12. ICT Mobile sms alert (Weather A KVK interventions

forecast, market price)
Awareness among farmers

Assessment of market

13. Seed village Certified seed production of A More profitable than grain
rice production

KVK interventions

14. Bio Village Vermin-compost A KVK interventions

Good substitute for fertilizers

Reduces the input cost

15. Biofertilizer Azolla cultivation A KVK interventions

In situ green manuring in paddy

Livestock feed

50
 KVK interventions

16. Zero tillage Potato followed by maize A Good soil condition (Sandy loam
soil, good tilth), Low cost

KVK interventions

*A=Adopted, D=Discontinued, OA=Over adopted, R=Reinvented

Technology map for village North Gopalpur

MATRIX RANKING
Matrix ranking is a PRA tool which facilitates prioritization of technologies with
respect to certain identified criteria, based upon users‟ perception. The tool was applied in the
village North Gopalpur of Cooch Behar District for getting a first-hand idea of farmers‟
relative preference for different varieties of crops and different cattle breeds. The results of
the matrix ranking for different varieties of Rice depict that the variety Paiyam is the highest

51
preferred one compared to others in the kharif season. However, for Rabi the most preferred
variety was 644. Among the various varieties of potatoes cultivated in North Gopalpur,
Pokhraj was preferred by the farmers. 9135 variety of maize was preferred due to the higher
market price compared to the other maize varieties cultivated in North Gopalpur. Since cattle
rearing was also an important venture in North Gopalpur, Desi breed of the cattle was most
preferred over the exotic breeds due to higher disease resistance and higher milk quality.

Key informants: Deepak Nandi, Bablu Hussain, Pradip Sarkar, Shahjahan Miah

MATRIX RANKING FOR KHARIF SEASON PADDY

Swarna SS1 Bangabandhu Paiyam

Parameters KI s Point Point
Rank Rank Points Rank Rank Points
s s
KI - 1 A 4 B 3 C 2 D 1
KI - 2 A 4 C 2 B 3 D 1
Yield KI - 3 A 4 D 1 C 2 B 3
KI - 4 A 4 C 2 B 3 D 1
Total 16 8 10 6
KI - 1 D 1 A 4 B 3 C 2
KI - 2 D 1 C 2 B 3 A 4
Disease
KI - 3 D 1 C 2 B 3 A 4
Resistance
KI - 4 D 1 A 4 C 2 B 3
Total 4 12 11 13
KI - 1 D 1 C 2 B 3 A 4
KI - 2 D 1 C 2 B 3 A 4
Straw yield KI - 3 D 1 C 2 B 3 A 4
KI - 4 D 1 C 2 B 3 A 4
Total 4 8 12 16
KI - 1 A 4 B 3 C 2 D 1
Tillering
KI - 2 A 4 C 2 B 3 D 1
Capacity
KI - 3 A 4 C 2 B 3 D 1

52
 KI - 4 C 2 B 3 A 4 D 1
Total 14 10 12 4
KI - 1 B 3 A 4 C 2 D 1
KI - 2 C 2 D 1 A 4 B 3
Profit KI - 3 A 4 D 1 B 3 C 2
KI - 4 C 2 B 3 A 4 D 1
Total 11 9 13 7
KI - 1 B 3 C 2 D 1 A 4
KI - 2 A 4 C 2 D 1 B 3
Shattering of
KI - 3 A 4 C 2 D 1 B 3
grain
KI - 4 A 4 C 2 D 1 B 3
Total 15 8 4 13
KI - 1 C 2 B 3 D 1 A 4
KI - 2 C 2 B 3 D 1 A 4
Quality of
KI - 3 C 2 B 3 D 1 A 4
rice/taste
KI - 4 C 2 B 3 D 1 A 4
Total 8 12 4 16
Final score 72 67 66 75
Final Rank 2 3 4 1

MATRIX RANKING FOR RABI SEASON PADDY

28 Hira
BangaBandh
1010 GotraBidhan1 6444
u
Parameters KI s

Point
Rank Rank Points Rank Points Rank Points Rank Points
s
KI - 1 C 3 B 4 D 2 A 5 E 1
KI - 2 E 1 D 2 C 3 B 4 A 5
Yield
KI - 3 B 4 C 3 E 1 A 5 D 2
Total 8 9 6 14 8

53
 KI - 1 A 5 E 1 D 2 B 4 C 3
Disease KI - 2 A 5 D 2 E 1 B 4 C 3
Resistance KI - 3 A 5 C 3 E 1 B 4 D 2
Total 15 6 4 12 8
KI - 1 D 2 E 1 A 5 B 4 C 3
KI - 2 D 2 E 1 B 4 A 5 C 3
Straw yield
KI - 3 C 3 E 1 A 5 B 4 D 2
Total 7 3 14 13 8
KI - 1 B 4 E 1 A 5 D 2 C 3
Tillering KI - 2 D 2 E 1 B 4 C 3 A 5
Capacity KI - 3 C 3 E 1 A 5 D 2 B 4
Total 9 3 14 7 12
KI - 1 D 2 E 1 C 3 A 5 B 4
KI - 2 D 2 E 1 B 4 C 3 A 5
Profit
KI - 3 E 1 D 2 B 4 C 3 A 5
Total 5 4 11 11 14
KI - 1 D 2 E 1 A 5 C 3 B 4
Shattering of KI - 2 D 2 E 1 A 5 B 4 C 3
grain KI - 3 D 2 E 1 A 5 C 3 B 4
Total 6 3 15 10 11
KI - 1 B 4 E 1 A 5 C 3 D 2
Quality of KI - 2 C 3 D 2 B 4 A 5 E 1
rice/taste KI - 3 D 2 C 3 B 4 A 5 E 1
Total 9 6 13 13 4
Final score 59 34 77 72 65
Final Rank 4 5 1 2 3

MATRIX RANKING FOR POTATO

Jyoti Pokhraj S1
Parameters KI s Point Point
Rank Rank Points Rank
s s

54
 KI - 1 C 1 A 3 B 2
KI - 2 C 1 B 2 A 3
Yield KI - 3 B 2 A 3 C 1
KI - 4 C 1 A 3 B 2
Total 5 11 8
KI - 1 A 3 C 1 B 2
KI - 2 A 3 C 1 B 2
Insect
KI - 3 C 1 A 3 B 2
Resistance
KI - 4 C 1 A 3 B 2
Total 8 8 8
KI - 1 C 1 A 3 B 2
KI - 2 C 1 A 3 B 2
Disease
KI - 3 C 1 A 3 B 2
resistance
KI - 4 C 1 A 3 B 2
Total 4 12 8
KI - 1 C 1 A 3 B 2
KI - 2 C 1 B 2 A 3
Size KI - 3 C 1 A 3 B 2
KI - 4 C 1 A 3 B 2
Total 4 11 9
KI - 1 B 2 A 3 C 1
KI - 2 B 2 A 3 C 1
Less greening KI - 3 B 2 A 3 C 1
KI - 4 B 2 A 3 C 1
Total 8 12 4
KI - 1 C 1 A 3 B 2
KI - 2 C 1 A 3 B 2
Profit KI - 3 C 1 A 3 B 2
KI - 4 C 1 A 3 B 2
Total 4 12 8
Final score 33 66 45
Final Rank 3 1 2

55
MATRIX RANKING FOR MAIZE

9081 9135 740 PAC 355

Parameters KI s Point Point
Rank Rank Points Rank Rank Points
s s
KI - 1 A 4 B 3 C 2 D 1
KI - 2 A 4 B 3 C 2 D 1
Yield
KI - 3 A 4 B 3 D 1 C 2
Total 12 9 5 4
KI - 1 A 4 B 3 D 1 C 2
Disease KI - 2 B 3 A 4 D 1 C 2
Resistance KI - 3 A 4 C 2 D 1 B 3
Total 11 9 3 7
KI - 1 A 4 B 3 C 2 D 1
Insect KI - 2 A 4 C 2 B 3 D 1
resistance KI - 3 A 4 B 3 C 2 D 1
Total 12 8 7 3
KI - 1 C 2 B 3 A 4 D 1
KI - 2 C 2 A 4 B 3 D 1
Market price
KI - 3 C 2 B 3 A 4 D 1
Total 6 10 11 3
KI - 1 D 1 A 4 B 3 C 2
Cost of KI - 2 C 2 A 4 B 3 D 1
cultivation KI - 3 D 1 B 3 A 4 C 2
Total 4 11 10 5
Final score 45 47 36 22
Final Rank 2 1 3 4

MATRIX RANKING FOR CATTLE BREED

Parameters KI s Desi Sahiwal Cross Jersey

56
 Point Point
Rank Rank Points Rank Rank Points
s s
KI - 1 D 1 C 2 B 3 A 4
KI - 2 D 1 C 2 B 3 A 4
Milk Yield
KI - 3 C 2 D 1 B 3 A 4
Total 4 5 9 12
KI - 1 A 4 B 3 C 2 D 1
KI - 2 A 4 B 3 C 2 D 1
Milk Quality
KI - 3 B 3 A 4 C 2 D 1
Total 11 10 6 3
KI - 1 A 4 B 3 C 2 D 1
Disease KI - 2 A 4 B 3 C 2 D 1
resistance KI - 3 B 3 A 4 D 1 C 2
Total 11 10 5 4
KI - 1 A 4 B 3 C 2 D 1
KI - 2 A 4 B 3 C 2 D 1
Rearing cost
KI - 3 A 4 C 2 B 3 D 1
Total 12 8 7 3
KI - 1 D 1 C 2 B 3 A 4
KI - 2 D 1 C 2 B 3 A 4
Cost of animal
KI - 3 C 2 D 1 B 3 A 4
Total 4 5 9 12
Final score 42 38 36 34
Final Rank 1 2 3 4

VENN DIAGRAM:

Key Informant: Dilip Das

In PRA technique, Venn diagram is used to observe and analyze the presence of different
institutions, organizations, groups and individuals in a particular village and their influence
and interaction in the village. Venn diagram is also used to study how much an organization
or system is interacting, helping or co-operating with a village for a particular system such as,

57
agricultural practice and earning of livelihood. In North Gopalpur, Farmers club has a major
influence on the village agricultural activities. In addition, the KVK in collaboration with
Department of Animal Husbandary, Departmet of Agriculture also provide the required
assistance interms of training on regular basis to the members of the Farmers club. The inputs
like fertilizers and pesticides are procured from the input dealer located in the village. The
Grameen bank helps in providing crop loans to the farmers. The self-help group in the
village is involved in various products and practices to become entrepreneur for different
agricultural and handicraft items. The veterinary hospital located at Coohbehar caters to the
need of the cattle farmers. High degree of linkage of farmers‟ club and input dealer with
KVK, ATMA< UBKV and State Departments play a strong role in overall agriculture related
decision making in the village.

1: Department of Agriculture, 2: Department of Animal husbandry, 3: Department of

Veterinary ,

4: Department of fishery, 5: Department of Forestry, FI: Financial institutes

58
 Livelihood Analysis

Key Informants: Pradeep Kumar Pal, Dilip Kumar Nandi, Alok Mala Roy

Livelihood analysis gives an idea about the income and expenditure pattern of the
households. Accordingly farmers were divided into rich farmers, medium farmers, and poor
farmers based on the resource base indicated by farmers themselves. In case of rich farmer,
35% of the income is generated from agricultural activities in which 54% of the income is
spent on agricultural inputs, 21%on food, 9% of the income is spent on education and 6% on
health and 5% on savings and other activities. In case of medium farmers, 22% of the
income is generated from agricultural activities and 78% from other sources. Of the total
income, 22% is spent on agricultural activities and purchase, 47% is spent on meeting the
dietary requirements, 17% on health and 11% on other activities. Among the agricultural
labourers, 71% of the income is generated from the farm labour activities while 29% is
generated from other activities. From the total income generated, 80% is spent on meeting the
food requirements, 4% is spent on health and 16% on other activities.

LIVELIHOOD ANALYSIS

Sl. ITEM RICH MEDIUM POOR

No.
(KI-Pradeep Kumar (KI-Dilip Kumar Nandi) (KI-Alokmala Roy)
Pal)

1. FAMILY

a. Adult 13 4 3
b. Children
5

2. Employment 2-Agriculture 1-Agriculture 2-Agricultural labourer

1-Private job 1-Primary School Teacher 1-Driver

1-High school teacher

1-Business

3. Assets a. Pakka house a) Pakka house a. Kachcha

b. Electricity b) Electricity house

59
 c. TV c) TV b. Electricity
d. Computer d) Smart phones (2) c. Cooking gas
e. Cooking gas e) Two bicycles d. Feature
f. Smart phone f) Land area: 0.4 ha phones (2)
(2) e. 1 cycle
g. 10 jersey cows d. No agricultural
h. Power tiller land
i. Harvester
j. Tractor
k. Two
motorcycles
l. Four bicycles
m. Land area:
4.67 ha
4. Net Income Rs.65000-Rs.70000 Rs.20000 Rs. 7000
(Rs/month)

5. Expenditure Rs.50000-Rs. 55000 Rs. 15000 Rs. 5000

(Rs/month)

6. Savings 12 Savings accounts in 4 Saving accounts in bank No savings

bank

7. Decision making Agricultural decisions- Agricultural decisions-Family head Family head (Father)
The elder brother who (Father)
does agriculture
Family decisions: Joint
Family decisions: Joint

8. Coping strategy Sale of lands, sale of Savings from bank Bank loan, Land
livestocks, Bank loan, leased
Kisan credit card
Kisan Credit card

9. Migration 2 brothers migrated to No migration No migration

Jalpaiguri and
Dhoopguri

60
Livelihood Analysis of Rich farmer

Income pattern

11%

40% Salary
Business
agriculture
34%
animal

15%

expenditure pattern

5%
5%

9% Agriculture
Food
6% Health
Education
54%
Savings
21% Others

61
Livelihood Analysis of medium farmer

Income pattern

22%

Agriculture
Salary

78%

Expenditure pattern
3%

11%
22%
Agriculture
Food
17%
Health
Others
Savings

47%

62
Livelihood Analysis of poor agricultural labourer

Income pattern

29%

Agricultural labour work

Others

71%

Expenditure pattern

16%

4%
Food
Health
Others

80%

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION:

The problem identification technique was used to identify and prioritize the problems
prevailing in agricultural sector in the village. For this purpose, 30 farmers were identified
from the village representing all sections of the village using snowball technique. From the
three key informants (progressive farmers), 18 agriculture related problems and 8 non-

63
agricultural problems were listed down. One by one all 40 farmers were asked to rank the
problems based upon the severity and average annual percentage of loss they were personally
facing by the problem. Frequencies of each rank for a problem were calculated and tabulated
in rank frequency Table Rank Based Quotient (RBQ) and Value Based Index (VBI) were
then calculated using following formulae.

Where,

fi = Frequency of farmers for the ith rank of the attribute

N = Number of farmers contacted for factor identification

n = The maximum number of ranks given for various factors.

i = Rank of the attributes

Value Based Index

VBI = RBQ x Total economic loss % per annum

Ranking of agricultural problems:

Problem RBQ Rank Avg. VBI Rank

economic
% loss
per
annum

Lack of market facilities 102 1 50 5100 1

Price fluctuation 86 3 20 1720 6

Thrips attack in rice 59 9 10 590 9

Blight attack in potato 67 8 50 3350 4

64
FMD attack in cattle 46 11 2 92 14

Shootborer attack in maize 37 13 10 370 10

Anthrax of cattle 29 15 -- -- --

Lack of veterinary facilities 68 7 50 3400 3

Less organic matter in soil 12 18 20 240 11

Storage problem 79 4 25 1975 5

Lack of processing 76 6 20 1520 7

facilities in potato

Fodder problem 23 17 10 230 12

Labour scarcity 43 12 5 215 13

High input cost 77 5 10 770 8

Small landholding 57 10 -- -- --

Lack of enough number of 30 14 -- -- --

soil health card

Nonadoption/ 27 16 0 27 15
discontinuance of improved
varieties

Lack of availability of 96 2 40 3840 2

quality seeds

Ranking of Non-agricultural problems

Problem RBQ Rank

Lack of road facilities 46 2

Lack of proper roofing in houses 15 7

65
Lack of street light 25 6

Political interference in implementation of 32 4

schemes

Lack of awareness about Govt. schemes 25 6

Dowry 9 8

Lack of market facilities for SHGs 51 1

Lack of employment opportunities 27 5

Lack of availability of doctors in health 40 3

centre

CONSEQUENCE DIAGRAM

Consequence diagram helps in understanding the changes which a technology can cause
among the farmers. This will be helpful in predicting the consequences of similar
technologies so that positive consequences could be promoted and negative consequences
could be avoided. This can help the extension worker to prepare extension strategies
cautiously

Key Informants: Mr. Dipak Nandi, Mr. Gopal Paul, Mr. Ashok Das

Consequence Diagram for crops

Since the major crops grown in the village include rice, potato and maize, consequence
diagram was prepared for the above mentioned crops.

Rice: North Gopalpur has a rice based cropping system, where farmers grow rice in kharif as
as well as rabi The key informant stated that the Swarna variety of the crop gave higher yield
compared to other varieties giving an income of Rs 1500/ quintal, without any price
fluctuation. However, the negative consequences include the occurrence of yellow stem
borer, thrips resulting in poor filled or shrivelled grains

66
 High Income

Higher grain yield

High Tillering capacity

Low pesticide consumption

Swarna

Trips attack Yellow Stem borer attack

Poor grain filling

Less Income

Maize: The maize variety 9081 gave higher yield, as stated by the key informants, compared
to other varieties. The major positive consequence which encourages the farmers to cultivate
maize is the stability in the price and the ability of maize crop to resist the fluctuation in the
irrigation schedule without any drastic change in the yield pattern. Besides, maize does not
require too much of labour resulting in reducing the cost of production and increased income
to the farmer. However, the distant location of the market and incidence of pests and diseases
include the negative consequences for maize.

67
 High Income

Higher Net Returns

Less labour involved can withstand fluctuation in irrigation schedule

High Price stability

9081

Cob borer Stem borer attack

Market located at a distant place

Transportation

Increased cost

Less Income

68
Potato: Potato is also a majorly cultivated cash crop in North Gopalpur. The Key informants
stated that the Pokhraj variety of potato gives higher returns in terms of profit in off season as
well which was considered to be the positive consequence. However, lack of marketing
facilities, lack of storage facility and blight disease incidence were identified to be the
negative consequences.

High Income

Profit in off season High Production

Pokhraj

Lack of marketing facilities Shorter shelf life

Lack of storage facility Disease incidence (Blight)

Less Income

69
Consequence diagram for Livestock: North Gopalpur has a significant population of
livestock, especially cattle, both local as well as exotic breeds. However, the consequence
diagram was prepared considering the Jersey breed. The KI‟s stated that Jersey yielded higher
milk with regular and fixed income compared to the local breeds. The animal excreta were
used for vermi-composting thus reducing the cost of production. The breed was however,
prone to infection with FMD, Tapeworms and mites, which could pose loss to the cattle
farmers.

High Income

Regular and fixed income

High milk yield giving higher profit

Excreta used for composting

Jersey

FMD, Mites and worms Susceptibility to higher temperature

High mortality

Loss to farmer

70
PROBLEM AND SOLUTION TREE
Under this PRA tool, all the problems were discussed with the farmers for all possible
reasons using top down approach. It is a short dendrogram analysis of the problem by the
farmers. The possible solution for each cause was also discussed with the farmers. These
causes and solutions were discussed with the subject matter specialist of KVK, Cooch Behar
and UBKV before finalization of the problem-solution tree.

i) Market related problems:

Lack of Market facilities in the vicinity of the village was one of the focal problems faced by
the farmers of North Gopalpur. The subsequent effects of this problem were Lack of crop
diversification, credit trap, susceptibility to diseases and pests, reduced profitability
ultimately leading to economic loss to the farmers. The root causes included lack of proper
road connectivity within the village, absence of a nearby market where the farmers could sell
their produce, lack of market information to the farmers. In order to combat this situation,
functional APMC should be implemented and proper developmental policies should be
implemented for village development in terms of the connectivity to nearby market. The co-
operative approach can be adopted by the farmers to pool up their produce to be sold, which
would reduce their cost of production as well.

71
Problem-solution tree I

72
Problem regarding wastage of Potato:

Losses in potato were the other major problem faced by the potato growers of North
Gopalpur. The ultimate effects as stated by the key informants were financial loss and low
income to the farmers. Further investigation with the key informants, the root causes resulting
in the focal problem identified were- low shelf problem of the crop, lack of storage facilities
and processing units, over production in some of the seasons, lack of marketing facilities.
Construction of cold storage facilities, establishment of processing units, awareness about
about the market, crop diversification could help in overcoming the issue of produce loss.

Problem-solution tree II

73
Cattle health related problem:
Poor health and hygiene, improper nutrition and non-availability of medical facilities to
animals were the major root causes identified for cattle related problems resulting in lower
milk yields lower conception rates in cattle and low income to the dairy farmers. The above
mentioned problems could probably be sorted out by providing hands-on-training to the
farmers, construction of silage units in the village for ensuring proper nutrition to the cattle,
maintaining the recommended animal density, timely vaccination to animals.

Problem solution tree III

74
ACTION PLANS:
Based on the above discussed problem we tried to formulate research action plans to solve
the identified problems which are discussed in the table below.

Si. Action Plan

Who What Where When Outcome
No.
Designing
Effective
and
Agril. Structure CIPHET, post harvest
development
and Process Engg. Ludhiana management
of value Establishment of
Agril. Economist UBKV, WB of potato
1 chain cold storage and 2018-2020
Agril. Extention MOFPI, New through cold
management processing units
Consultant Delhi storage and
system for
(MOFPI) value
potato
addition
growers
Designing
of an Agril. Structure
efficient and Process Construction of Proper
silage Engineering efficient silage health and
NDRI, Karnal Apr 2018-
2 making unit scientist making units for increased
UBKV,WB Mar 2020
for ensuring Animal Eastern productivity
proper Husbandry and Himalayan zone of the cattle
nutrition to Dairy Scientist
the cattle
Increase in
Designing Development of a seed
Seed Scientist
of suitable suitable model for replacement
SMS (Agril. IARI, New Delhi
model for dissemination of rate with
3 Extention) KVK, 2018-2021
diffusion of quality seeds for better yield
Biochemist Coochbehar
quality Eastern potential of
seeds Himalayan zone new
varieties
4 Evaluation Plant pathologist Adoption of blight UBKV, WB 2018-2021 Improved

75
 of various Horticulturist resistant CPRI, Shimla productivity
elite Plant Breeder varietiesfor
cultivars cultivation in
suitable for north gopalpur
Dooars village
region of
West Bengal
for blight
resistance in
potato

VILLAGE SEMINAR
Village seminar was conducted on 8th March, 2018 at Farmers‟ Club in the Village
North Gopalpur which is usually the common gathering point for the farmers of the village at
2.00 PM. Around 80 farmers of the village actively participated in the seminar to discuss
their agricultural problems. The village seminar took place in the presence of Dr. V. K. J.
Rao, Principal scientist, ICAR-NAARM, Hyderabad. A group of multidisciplinary experts
including Dr. Surajeet Sarkar, SMS (Horticulture), Dr. Suraj Sarkar, SMS (Plant Protection),
Dr. Ganesh Das, SMS (Agril. Extension), KVK, Cooch Behar, Dr. Kaushik Pradhan,
Professor, UBKV, Dr. Kalyan Sundar Das, Scientist, ICAR-ATARI, Kolkata, and Gopalpur
village panchayat members were also present during the seminar. The focus in the village
seminar was to identify the critical agricultural problems that were obstacles to increase the
income of the farmers. The programme was divided into three sessions, first sessions includes
the drawing of social map. The farmers were asked to draw their village map and depict all
the spatial and relational dimensions of the village in the map and the all the six scientist
(Probationers) facilitated the farmers in depicting PRA tools and learn from the farmers about
the village through observation. Simultaneously, the findings through PRA techniques were
triangulated with the villagers and the necessary feedback and corrections were taken up.
This was followed by the second session which includes a participatory discussion with the
farmers, KVK expert group and Scientist probationers with the objective to discuss the
agricultural problems existing in the village. A mutual interaction ranging from production to
marketing was discussed and for some minor problems, on the spot solution was
recommended by the KVK expert team and the scientist probationers. For the major problems

76
like researchable and developmental problems were carefully documented for the further
reference. The response to village seminar was very positive since many farmers and
villagers took active participation in the discussion. The top most researchable problem we
identified by discussions were unavailability of market, price fluctuation, unavailability of
veterinary doctors, diseases in potato and lack of commercialization facilities for products of
women SHGs. Apart from this problems reported by the farmers, Scientist (probationer)
trainees also discussed the observed problems during their village visits. These problems
were sensitized to both the farmers and KVK experts for the possible solution and feedback
from the farmers and KVK experts. Finally, in the third session, KVK Scientist and FET
group explained the villagers how to handle those problems and also shed some light on
researchable issues like availability of market and value chain information, storage of potato,
animal disease management etc. The seminar was a learning experience for the FET
Scientists of 107th FOCARS and also a valuable time for sensitizing the need of the farmers
to experts of KVK Cooch Behar.

INSTITUTE SEMINAR
The institute seminar was held on 9th March 2018 at ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra,
Cooch Behar in the presence of Dr. V. K. J. Rao, Principal scientist, ICAR-NAARM,
Hyderabad, Dr. J. C. Jana, Vice Chancellor, UBKV, Dr. Satyendrachandra Sarkar, Dean,
UBKV, Dr. Ashok Chowdhury, Director of Research, UBKV, Dr. Ashish Kumar Singha
Roy, Professor (Agronomy), UBKV, Dr. Kaushik Pradhan, Professor (Agril. Extension),
UBKV, Dr. P. K. Pal, Professor (Agril. Extension), UBKV, Mr. Litan Das, Asst. Professor
(Agril. Extension), UBKV, and Mr. Dipak Nandi, Head, Thaneswar Vivekananda Krishak
Sangha During the institute seminar, we discussed all the 21 PRA Tools including Action
plan in detail. The presentation by each FOCARS trainee apart from different PRA tools also
included information on the problems of farmers which were observed and analyzed during
our frequent village visits during FET Period. We also discussed our data and information in
detail that were collected from the village with the KVK staff. After the seminar, active
discussion was held among scientists and valuable suggestions were received. We also
gained some insights on how to improve or double the farmers‟ income by solving the
problems identified during FET Visits.

77
INSTITUTE VISIT:
Significant institutes regarding agricultural activities were visited by our FET tem on
11.03.18 and 12.03.18 with the help of the local coordinator.

a) Visit to Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Cooch Behar:

Significant Farm activities of Cooch Behar KVK:

• Harvesting of long duration paddy (Foundation and certified seed production plots)
• Selling of Boro-paddy seeds (var. GB-I, Annada, Ranjit)
• Harvesting of jute seed production plots (variety S-19, JB02003H)
• Sowing of Lentil (variety Maitrayee)
• Land preparation for boro padday
• Planting of tomato (variety Arka Vikash),Brinjal (variety Arka Kusumakar) and
Raddish (Arka Nishant)
• Inter-culture operation at progeny orchard farm

The KVK has remarkable influence in the village North Gopalpur regarding agriculture
related decision making of the farmers. The linkage has grown stronger after establishment of
the farmers‟ club in the village which is in regular contact with the KVK and helps to build
better link between the KVK and all farmers of the village. Many improved varieties and
technologies have been introduced in the village due to strong KVK intervention. Recently,
thirty cemented vermin-compost pits have been established in the village by the KVK.

b) Visit to Dept. of Fisheries:

Mandates:

 Training to the Fish Farmers, Development of Tank Fisheries, Development of

Aquaculture through FFDA.
 Promotion of Integrated Fish Farming.
 Reclamation of big water body, i.e. Chhara/Beel, Infrastructure Development.
 Development of Fishermen Co-operative Society, Old Age Pension, Wet Land Day
Observation. Demonstration Center, Magur breeding with Hatchery along with
Indigenous Species.
 Development of Aquaculture through Short Term Credit.
 Fish Farmers Day Observation and Construction of Landing Centre.

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 In the process of discussion with Mr. Bijay Kumar Garai, Distt. Fishery Officer of
Kooch Behar it was found that lots of potentials are there in fisheries sector for the farmers of
the district. He mentioned that per capita availability of fish is decreasing and also, many
indigenous breeds are getting extinct due to excessive fertilizer and pesticide application. He
suggested that farmers can easily convert the seasonal water bodies into perennial water
bodies by plastic lining and also take help of artificial seeds for gaining better production. He
also suggested integrated farming with paddy and fish that can be profitable for the farmers.
He concluded that if farmers are aware enough about this sector they can increase their
income by taking up fishery multiple times.

c) Visit to Dept. of Animal Husbandry:

Mandates:

 Breeding policy for livestock and poultry;

 Providing health cover and containment of diseases through prophylactic, diagnostic
and curative service;
 Disease diagnosis and surveillance;
 Manufacturing and supply of veterinary biological and critical inputs for genet
improvement programme;
 Veterinary education and research through West Bengal Animal & Fisheries Sciences
University Promotion of co-operative poultry and backyard poultry;
 Compilation and analysis of statistical assessment of production of animal products

We discussed the animal health related problems with Dr. Krishnendu Sinha, Distt.
Veterinary Officer of Cooch Behar. He opined that lack of sufficient veterinary doctors poses
real challenge for the department to serve the remotest of the villages in the district. Lack of
awareness of the farmers about vaccination schemes, animal nutrition and hygiene and their
reluctance to visit the hospitals cause economic loss to the farmers. He suggested that dairy
can be fixed and secure source of income for the farmers, therefore, greater awareness
programmes regarding animal health and nutrition are required.

d) Visit to Dept. of Agriculture and Dept. of Horticulture:

Mandates:

 Ensure Quantifiable improvement in Production & Productivity,

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  Reduce yield gap with focused interventions,
 Maximize returns to the farmers from Agriculture & Allied sector,
 Augment Marketing interventions and export promotion,
 Promote Competitiveness in Agriculture and Allied Sector and
 To meet the challenges of Climate change and evolve mechanisms for effective
drought and flood management.

We discussed the agriculture and horticulture related problems of the districts with Dr. K.
Alam, Distt. Horticultural Officer and Dr. Gabindachandra Sen, Dist. Agricultural Officer. In
case of horticulture, lots of potential exist in floriculture, orchid cultivation, strawberry
cultivation, cultivation of spices etc. due to favourable climatic condition. There is also scope
for export in case of pineapple, strawberry and orchid. Lack of market availability and lack of
processing units were found to be major challenges out of the discussion.

In case of field crops, small landholding, labour scarcity, high input cost, poor quality of
seeds, lack of crop diversification, excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides were found to be
major challenges. Custom hiring centres, balanced use of fertilizers, quality seeds availability
were the suggestions from the experts. It was also mentioned that if better quality of jute
varieties suitable for textiles industry are made available, it can be a profitable crop for
farmers.

e) Visit to Dist. Marketing Department:

We discussed market related problems with Mr. Parthasarathi Ghosh, Asst. Director of
Marketing, Cooch Behar. He opined that market price fluctuation, lack of cold storage
facilities, lack of functional direct markets in the district pose serious challenges for the
farmers. The e-NAM scheme is also non-functional in the district. He suggested that if
market infrastructure is improved along with improvement of transport system and value
chain management, farmers will be able to realize better profit.

INDUSTRIAL VISIT:

We visited a well-known saw mill, Mohapatra Kath mill, located on the premises of our study
village, Uttar Gopalpur on 11th March, 2018. The aforesaid village is owned by Mohapatra
brothers i.e. Madav Mohapatra & Johnny Mohapatra. It was established on 11th March, 2014
covering an area of 0.8ha.Most of the wood logs are produced from local vegetation such as

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mango, gamari, kadamb,etc. The mill gives employment to 2 managers, 13 workers and 2
drives for efficient management of wood cutting and transportation to the furniture making
shops. The basic operations carried out in the mill are wood cutting of different
measurements by cutters, sharpening of edges, polishing of the wood logs and finally binding
of wood logs for transport. The mill runs 8-9 months a year with an annual production of
nearly ------- earning a profit of approximately …..The labour wages is Rs 800/day. The saw
dust obtained from the saw mill fetches a market price of nearly Rs 60/50kg and is used as
bed cushioning for poultry farms. This mill provides employment to mostly landless
labourers, therefore, acts as a supplementary source of income for many poor households in
the village.

CONCLUSION

The 21 days on the field training at North Gopalpur village of Cooch Behar district was time
sufficient enough to teach us about the lifestyle of the villagers, their socio-economic
background and pattern, their formal and informal leadership pattern, rural resources,
problems, opport unities and the thrust areas where the research and developmental
efforts to be given to further enhance their livelihood by augmenting their income.

The village North Gopalpur is a small, open and agrarian economy where almost 70
% of the villagers are engaged in farming activities. The major source of income for almost
all the households is agricultural and allied activities like dairying, fishing and agro forestry.
However, dairying and fishing is not a commercial venture for the villagers instead they
maintain 2-3 cattle and one or two flocks of poultry in home for home consumption. On the
infrastructural front, the village is endowed with educational, health, financial institutions and
market infrastructure like input shops, and village level market yard. The status of human
resource is quite good as majority of our key informants were graduate and some were post
graduate. The status of women is quite appreciable as they do not go to the field for work
(except the female laborers) instead they are engaged in household activities and dairying
activities. Thus, the females in the village have more free time. Some of the women in the
village have organized to form Shelf help group (SHG) also. Thus, this resources (SHG and
leisure time) can be gainfully utilized by imparting some vocational training to these SHG
women which would help them to take up some commercial activity which would augment
their family income.

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 On the other front the villagers face the problems of marketing, spurious seed, extra
caution towards diseases and pests in crop that encourage indiscriminate usage of agro-
chemicals into the crop and soil, lack of veterinary hospital in the village which has direct
bearing on the income of the farmers. However, the village has ample opportunities to utilize
its available resources and augment their income. The village has good water resources,
proximity to Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Agricultural University and other line department on the
other hand the farmers club, water users association and SHG are some of the important
village institutions whose potential can be gainfully utilized in delivering new technical
knowledge and information. The agro-climatic condition of the region is suitable for flower
and mushroom production which has good market potential in Kolkata and Bhutan and can
be a sun rising avenues to augment the income further. The underutilized fishery and dairy
resources can be gainfully utilized if taken on commercial level to further augment the family
income.

MAJOR LEARNINGS

The field experience training (FET) was a wonderful experience for all of us as we
were exposed to a different agro-climatic situation and different agro-ecological situation
which was entirely different from the one we belong. This FET was quite useful for us to
understand and carry out the participatory tools of data collection, involving people in
identification of their resources, problems and prospects for future growth. The FET duration
was a good management lesion for all of us that have taught us about the time management,
optimal utilization of available resources, crowd management, liaison and co-ordination with
other departments working in the same area and most importantly the team building and
group behavior.

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