Agricultural and Socioeconomic Impact of Village Adoption by Agricultural College, Sircilla: A Case Study

Abstract

The village adoption programme (VAP) an opportunity will be provided to understand the factors that are responsible for development of a village, programmes / schemes in vogue. It is the key to demonstrate the benefits of agro technologies as a model for adoption to improve of rural economy. The VAP aims to boost agricultural production, encourage farmers to adopt scientific farming practices, and involvement of faculty members to drive the process of development in a selected village enhances their understanding of technological options to uplift their socio-economic status. In this context, the Agricultural College, Sircilla was adopted Narsimhulapalle village of Siricilla district, Telangana during 2019-2021. Initially, the majority of farmers lacked awareness of scientific cultivation practices, improved crop varieties and modern production technologies the present study revealed that interventions carried out in adopted village resulted in agricultural developmental changes in village, i.e. yield levels increased up to 6 qntls / acre in paddy. Introduced PJTAU high yielding paddy varieties i.e. JGL-24423, JGL-1798 and KNM-1638 was in the adopted village. Then, farmers shifted cultivation towards modern varieties from traditional varieties. JGL 24423 and KNM-1638 was not cultivated in 2019 and now it was grown in 115 and 60 acres respectively in 2021. JGL-1798 area increased from 15 acres to 40 acres from 2019 to 2021. The farmers were trained in soil sampling methods and awareness was created on application of recommended dose of required fertilizers for different crops grown in the village. About 114 soil samples from all the farmer fields (100%) were collected, analyzed, given suitable recommendations for application of fertilizers and soil health cards were distributed. As a result of these comprehensive efforts, there was a notable rise in farmers’ awareness, empowerment, and capacity to utilize available resources effectively. All these positive transformations were made possible due to the successful implementation of the Village Adoption Programme.