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COMPENDIUM, IEEC-2023   ( ISBN : 978-81-967860-4-5 )
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Theme- 6: Community based Farming System for Nutrition - Achieving Nutritional Security for the Farm Families and Community

Socio-Economic Empowerment and Livelihood Security of Chhota Nagpur plateau of Jharkhand Women through Protected Cultivation

Bhoopendra Singh, C. Kumari, , Manish Kumar, Rupesh Ranjan, A.K. Rai and Shiv Mangal Prasad

ICAR-NRRI-Krishi Vigyan Kendra Koderma Jharkhand - 825409
b.singh@icar.gov.in

Abstract

The farming in chhota nagpur plateau of Jharkhand suffers from scattered traced land, erratic climate, Rainfed conditions. Majority of (75%) male migrate from Chhota Nagpur plateau region to metro city in search of employment. Therefore, the Chhota Nagpur plateau farming is largely dependent on women. Women are also involved in other responsibilities, as a house wife, mother, farming and social activities, with all these commitments, women workers are very hard pressed which affect their health. Therefore, there is an urgent need for women friendly technologies which could save their time and energy. To alleviate the situation, we conducted 10 demonstration on plastics mulch technology (UV stabilized 40-50 micron thick black & silver colour) for off-season high value vegetable crops like Solanaceae group, Cole group and Cucurbits and compared with traditional farming system at different village level during 2019-2022 at koderma district of jharkhand. All GAP, INM, IPM protocols were used under study and it revealed that plastics mulch technology saved 75% time of labor spent on weeding, 25% fertilizer, 50% irrigation/water or moisture losses through evapo-transpiration, 40% soil fertility erosion, 50% expenditures, 50% crop mortality. This technology has enhanced 40% more qualitative yield and return per unit area per unit time as compared to traditional farming methods during all the years. Mulching technology also saved forest pruning ensuring environment security, risk of life hazard, time and money. Plastics mulch technology as compared to traditional farming save 50% time of women farmers which they can utilize in other activities. Mulching technology, a part of protected technology was found to be very cost effective (approximately Rs.10/m2), easy adoptable in field. This technology can play a key-role in organic mode of vegetable production, drudgery reduction, and livelihood security of women in Chhota Nagpur plateau of Jharkhand.

IEEC-2023 at RARI (SKNAU, Jobner), Jaipur, Rajasthan organised by Society of Extension Education, Agra, India