Farmer Participatory Approach for Formulating Crop-specific Organic Nutrient Packages in Two Contrasting Agroclimatic Zones of the West Bengal State, India

Abstract

Aims: Low adoption of organic inputs for soil fertility maintenance is one of the major challenges to agricultural extension agents working towards sustainable agriculture. The present article aims to develop the methodology for organic nutrients sourcing for five crops [Rice (Oryza sativa), Chilli (Capsicum annuum), Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia), French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and Green gram (Vigna radiata)] in two agro-climatic zones of the West Bengal State, India. Study Design: The study followed a systematic farmer-participatory research (FPR) approach for sourcing crop specific nutrient. Based on the soil fertility and nutrient recommendation of the State Department of Agriculture for individual crops, the nutrients were sourced from available farm resources, mainly agricultural waste, animal excreta and urine with the participation of the farmers. Results: There were three nutrient packages identified under each of the three farming systems in the agro-climatic zones. These packages were combinations of different ratios of bulky manure (Farm yard manure (FYM), poultry, goat and duck manures) and liquid manure prepared from green biomass, cow dung and water (Sasyagavya) commensurate to their availability in a farm.   Conclusion: The developed packages suits farmers’ typology and are more likely to be adopted by the farmers.