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Type : Other Article

Systems Interventions for Agricultural Development

K. MadhuBabu, S. Sowjanya, and Laxman M. Ahire

Abstract

Agriculture system interventions in a region generally should support the actions of the local population, but which of those actions to support is a difficult question to answer. Interventions must be planned within a systems context, taking into account the people, crops, livestock, natural resource base, government policies, accessibility, market factors, cultural norms, nutrition shortfalls, infrastructure, and the interrelationships among all of these factors. Blanket distribution of seeds and tools assumes that availability of seeds is a problem within the region of intervention and that transport of seeds into the area by local vendors is either not possible or unlikely. Access may also be a problem, but the primary cause of seed insecurity is the lack of seed available for purchase. In these cases, the intervening agency will purchase seed from another location, and transport it to the area of need for a wide scale distribution to farmers. The implementing agency will decide what kinds of seed to distribute, what varieties to distribute, and how much to give to each farmer. In decision making process communities may be involved. Extension agencies will also play an important role for the capacity building of farming community. The help of extension agency must be taken for introduction of new crop varieties. Diversification of assets can be an important intervention in areas that are chronically vulnerable to disasters. To come out from these situations involvement of women’s and other community groups in planning and complementation. Moreover, all planned interventions must be community – based and should take into account the needs and priorities of local groups. Farmers can shift from long-cycle crops to short-cycle crops for more rapid recovery following a food and/or feed deficit. In this case, short duration sorghum varieties scan be used both as a grain for humans and fodder for animals. Locally suitable crops are more important in rain-fed areas must be adapted by the farmers for sustainability and systems intervention through various delivery outlets of Government and other agencies should meticulously plan to make farmers reap maximum benefit in order to improve their livelihoods.

Keyword: Interventions; Accessibility; Blanket distribution; Diversification; Early Warning;

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