Rice Innovations2015 PDF

Correct Citation:
“Rice Innovations 2015”

ICAR- Indian Institute of Rice Research
Rajendranagar, Hyderabad – 500 030
IIRR bulletin No. 89, pp:
August 2015
Compiled and Edited by:

Shaik N. Meera
S. Arun Kumar
P. Muthuraman
U. Chaitanya
Brajendra
V. Ravindra Babu
Published by:
Dr. V Ravindra Babu
Director
ICAR- Indian Institute of Rice Research
Rajendranagar, HYDERABAD – 500030
@2015, ICAR- Indian Institute of Rice Research
Printed at:
Balaji Scan Pvt. Ltd.,
A.C. Guards, Hyderabad - 500 004
Ph: 040-2330 3424 / 25, 6675 0129
E-mail: [email protected]
Message
Dr. S. Ayyappan
Secretary DARE &
Director General ICAR
New Delhi
“Innovation is the ability to see change as an opportunity - not a threat”

Technology transformation for sustainable production, productivity and profitability
depends on the decisions and actions of millions of farmers.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research committed to the cause of farmers and farming as
a whole and visualises massive innovation capacity that exists among the Indian farmers.
Indian farmers have been innovative in showing the world about best rice cultivation
practices over the years while adapting or refining recommended technologies.
To help spur this innovative spirit, the council has been emphasising on bringing into
limelight, the innovations that are developed and practiced by farmers. I am happy to
learn that Indian Institute of Rice Research is organising “Innovative Rice Farmers’ Meet”
under the banner ‘R-innovate’ at IIRR Campus, on 29 August 2015 for showcasing the
innovative spirit of rice farmers from across the country.
I congratulate Dr. V. Ravindra Babu, Director (A), IIRR and his dedicated team for bringing
out this valuable publication on “Rice Innovations 2015”. I am hopeful that this will be
the first step towards realising the farmers centric and demand driven participatory
technology development in rice sector of the country. I convey my best wishes to all the
farmers on this occasion.
17 August, 2015 (S. Ayyappan)

New Delhi
Message
Dr. Jeet Singh Sandhu

Deputy Director General (Crop Science)
Division of Crop Science - ICAR
Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi

When tillage begins, other arts follow. The farmers, therefore, are the
founders of human civilization.
Daniel Webster
Rice is the major cereal crop grown in about 44.6 million hectares in the country. India
represents all kinds of diversity under which rice is grown across the globe. No other crop
is as versatile as rice and it is interwoven in the cultural, social and economic life of millions
of Indians. In short for all of us “Rice is Life”.
Enormous scientific knowledge and a number of technologies have been developed
over last few decades for the betterment of farm families. For contextualising these
technologies, ICAR always believed in giving due attention towards understanding the
farmers perspective and their innovation capacity.
I am glad that Indian Institute of Rice Research is organising “Innovative Rice Farmers’
Meet” under the banner ‘R-innovate’ at IIRR Campus, on 29 August 2015 to bring under
one umbrella, the selected farmers’ innovations very specific to rice. I believe that this
should usher a new era of documenting a cafeteria of technological innovations in rice
farming that would encourage many other farmers to build effective partnerships in the
participatory technology development process.
My hearty congratulations to Dr. V. Ravindra Babu, Director (A), IIRR and his committed
team for bringing out this valuable publication on “Rice Innovations 2015”. I am hopeful
that this kind of activities will be continued for years to come to usher into inclusive
growth in the Country.
17 August 2015 (Jeet Singh Sandhu)
New Delhi
Message
Dr. A.K.Singh
Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension)
Division of Agricultural Extension,
Krishi Anusandhan Bhawan, New Delhi

The “Farmers First” approach has gained significance in redefining the way agricultural
research is conducted world over. At ICAR, we believe that farmers should be rewarded
appropriately for hand-crafting the journey of Indian agriculture. Farmers and their
communities should not be secondary to the agricultural R&D organisations, but instead
be the direct partners in the technology development process.
Keeping in view the need for a paradigm shift from a single technical knowledge system
and diverse local knowledge systems, ICAR has initiated documenting farmers’ innovations
in the country. There is a greater need to identify, recognise and promote those farmers
who are actual grass-root innovators of agricultural technologies. These innovations have
emerged out of farmers’ vast experience and the wisdom. If these kinds of activities are
undertaken crop-wise, many innovations can be documented and promoted effectively.
Rice is the primary food crop of the country and hence, Indian Institute of Rice Research
has come forward to showcase the innovative spirit of rice farmers from across the country.
I appreciate Dr. V. Ravindra Babu, Director (A), IIRR and his team for compiling such a
valuable publication on “Rice Innovations 2015”. I trust IIRR will continue to encourage
rice innovators for developing location specific technologies and for up scaling those
innovations.
25 July 2015 (A.K. Singh)

New Delhi
Message
Dr. I.S. Solanki

Assistant Director General (F FC)
Division of Crop Science - ICAR
Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi
“Innovation is the ability to see change as an opportunity - not a threat”

India’s success in agriculture is the outcome of a close and continuing partnership between
the governments on the one hand and millions of farmers on the other. Innovation and
research supported by the government could not have succeeded until it was tested and
widely absorbed by farmers, helping the country to achieve self sufficiency in food in
the process. It is the basic strength and creativity of our farmers that has made India the
agriculture powerhouse that it is today.
Agricultural innovation matters to small-holder farmers, it matters to poor consumers,
and it matters to scientists. One of the strongest drivers of poverty reduction has been
agricultural innovation bringing down the cost of food. On the other hand, farmers need
to move from a survival mode to a development mode with the continuous innovations
emanating from their field experiences.
The present volume documenting 30 rice innovations is a welcome first step in this
direction. I congratulate Dr. V. Ravindra Babu, Director (A), IIRR and his dedicated team for
bringing out this valuable publication on “Rice Innovations 2015”. I convey my best wishes
to all the farmers on this occasion.
17 August, 2015 (I.S. Solanki)

New Delhi
Foreword
IIRR has been playing a key role in developing technologies to enhance rice
productivity, resource and input use efficiency and profitability of rice cultivation without
adversely affecting the environment. This can only be achieved when farmers’ perspective
is kept in mind while formulating the research projects. Towards achieving the mission
statement of IIRR, much emphasis is given in the recent past for encouraging innovative
extension methods, where farmers are direct partners in technology development,
refinement and re-innovations.
Indian farmers have been innovative in showing the world about best rice cultivation
practices over the years while adapting or refining recommended technologies. To help
spur the innovative spirit among rice farmers, the Indian Institute of Rice Research is
organising “Innovative Rice Farmers’ Meet” at IIRR Campus, on 29th August 2015. The Meet
aims at showcasing the innovative spirit of rice farmers from across the country. About 30
Innovative Farmers from across India are invited to give a brief presentation during the
Meet.
As a continuous process of documenting the farm innovations in rice sector, we are
bringing a publication on “Rice Innovations 2015”. The document comprise of about 25
innovations related to rice farming. We are aware that many more rice innovators are
there across the countries that have developed technologies that deserve upscaling. In
future, we shall be including many more innovators.
We shall be happy to receive your comments or suggestions in making this kind of
endeavour as effective as possible in future and hope this publication will motivate other
farmers to bring in more innovations in the coming years.
17 August, 2015 Dr. V. Ravindra Babu

Director (A), IIRR
Prologue
As per the kind directions from Hon’ble Director General, ICAR - to help spur the
innovative spirit among rice farmers, the Indian Institute of Rice Research is organising
“Innovative Rice Farmers’ Meet” at IIRR Campus, on 29th August 2015. About 30 Innovative
Farmers from across India are invited to give a brief presentation during the Meet. The
meet aimed at showcasing innovations of rice farmers from across the country.
For this, applications / nominations were invited from the farmers from all over the
country. Wide publicity was given using different platforms. A total of 78 nominations
were received from different states.
The committee constituted by the Director had a series of meetings for selection of
innovative farmers. Selection was made based on parameters such as Uniqueness and
originality of the innovation, stage of development, degree of success (or potential for
success) of adoption by other farmers and impact or benefits. The single most criteria
used to assess the applications /nominations was that the innovation must have potential
for use on a wider scale and be able to demonstrate a positive effect on the rice cultivation.
There was some consideration regarding the number of winners in proportion to the
number of applications across the 5 broad geographic regions (North, East, West & Central,
North-eastern and South). At the end of this exercise, we could finalize and document 30
innovations that are likely to have impact on the rice farming at local or regional levels.
We shall be happy to receive your comments or suggestions in making this endeavour as
effective as possible in future.
The innovations documented in this book are as reported by the farmers mentioned
there in. The technologies, even though are duly certified by the nominating agency, not
necessarily are endorsed by the Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad.
17 August, 2015 (Editors)

New Delhi
Contents
S. No. Innovation Page
1. Cost Effective Multi Purpose Tiller cum Puddler
2. Portable Combine Harvester-cum-Power Tiller: Cost Effective Farm
Machinery Suitable for Fragmented Holding
3. Mandava Weeder
4. More rice per drop: Sustainable Micro irrigation strategies to maximise
rice yields
5. Land shaping in flood prone villages
6. 30 cm casing pipe drum seeder and power weeder
7. Aerobic transplanting and SRI for water conservation and sustaining soil
health
8. Organic Rice Farming using traditional Rice varieties
9. Development of Rice Variety NMS -2 suitable for low input management
under irrigated transplanted condition
10. Introduction of Red Rice using SRI Method
11. Conservation of indigenous varieties of rice
12. Cultivation and Processing of non-Basmati aromatic Rice (Tulaipanji)
13. Management of Rice pest through botanical pesticides prepared locally
14. Innovative Insect Pest management
15. Adaptation of SRI Method in paddy
16. Straw Management & Direct Seeded Rice - Wheat Happy Seeder
17. Raised bed Single Seeded Paddy Cultivation
18. Furrow opener implement/ tool for direct seeding of rice
19. Standardised DSR Method in Drought-prone Conditions
20. Cow dung Ball Rice Seedling
21. Insect pest control through ITK
22. Up scaling of organic rice production
23. Saguna Rice Technique (SRT)
24. Innovative Organic Rice Farming Practices
25. Certified seed production under SRI method
26. Paddy under drip fertigation
27. Popularising Direct seeded Rice, Paddy Transplanter, Use of Happy Seeder,
Use of green seekar, Tensiometer
28. Rat control through innovative bamboo trap
29. Popularization of Wet Direct Seeding through broadcasting and drum
seeding
30. Power tiller operated Rice harvester (reaper)
Innovation matters...
Innovations and Inventions!
It is important to understand that an innovation is not synonymous with invention. An
invention culminates in the supply (creation) of knowledge, but innovation encompasses
the factors affecting demand for and use of knowledge in novel and useful ways.
Novelty is fundamental to invention, process of creating local change is
fundamental to innovation.
Innovations are Important!

Science and technology are critical to the development and economic growth strategies
of both developed and developing countries. Scientific and technological knowledge and
information add value to existing resources, skills, knowledge, and processes, leading to
novel products, processes and strategies. These innovations are the changes that lead to
improvements in economic and social conditions and environmental sustainability.
Indian farmers are known for their courage and capacity to experiment and innovate.
There is a need to encourage such innovations for the betterment of society. Many a
times farmers’ innovations are low-cost, farmer-friendly and easy to adopt for fellow farm-
ers, particularly confined to a locality.
Innovation is therefore central to development.
How innovations evolve?

Generally in marginal agro-ecosystems, farmers continuously look for technologies that
best fit their bio-physical, economic and socio-cultural conditions. To large extent, formal
research and development efforts result in technologies that are widely adopted by the
farmers. Notwithstanding these efforts, there may be a need for local innovations. Out of
necessity, and based on their cultural background, inherited knowledge and daily obser-
vations, farmers generate solutions (even though sometimes partially) to their own prob-
lems. Unfortunately, these innovation processes, their results and potential for scaling-up
are poorly studied and documented.
Innovation should be so soft as to touch the people it serves,

but hard enough to leave distinct impact on farmers’ lives
Innovations have some contexts!
There is another type of innovation development process viz., from the farmers. This kind
of process of innovation is shaped in very different ways, depending on the particular
context in which innovation systems emerge and how this context changes over time.
First, the pivotal actors that start the process in agriculture are farmers. Factors that trigger
innovation are quite different—broadly speaking, they are either related to need or to
passion. These factors and farmers put together may develop few innovations.
Innovations can’t be seen in isolation, but in a context.
Can all these Innovations be adopted?

Not certainly.
Like Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK), some of the local innovations of farmers
may be incorporated into the formal research agenda. Giving recognition and
value to local innovations is crucial to institutionalise them in the formal research and
development system, in order to contribute to community empowerment and rural
development.
To achieve this, a validation or screening process is an important intermediary step. But
for validation one can’t pin down best-bet methodological steps. The validation process
is context-specific, based on technology attributes (relative advantage, compatibility,
predictability, observability, complexity and trialability) and largely influenced by
the farmers’ background and perceptions. A broad stakeholder representation and
good facilitation will add to the quality of the process and will avoid any inappropriate
local innovations being scaled up.
Innovations can’t be blanket recommended.

They need thorough validation, refinement and recommendation by local
organisations
✳✳✳✳
Innovation-01 Theme: Innovative Farm Machinery
Cost Effective Multi Purpose Tiller cum Puddler

Profile:
Shri Parma Ram Chaudhary
Vill. Chhatter, PO Jughahan,
Teh. Sundernagar,
Distt. Mandi,
Himachal Pradesh
+919805756261
Age 61 years
Educational Qualification Matric
Land Holding (in hectares) 2.0
Rice Farming Experience (in years) 40
Cropping system adopted Paddy, maize, wheat, vegetables, oilseeds
and pulses
Brief Description
Sh. Parma Ram Chaudhary has developed a multi-purpose tiller cum puddler using the
engine of an abandoned scooter (Lambretta) in the year 2009. He has fabricated puddler
tines, tillers, ridge makers and a weed scraper for use in puddling, ploughing, ridge and
channel making and weed scraping in wider spaced crops, respectively.
How is it developed?
In small and scattered hill farms, it was difficult to use the tractor for heavy field opera-
tions. Further, high cost of manual labour and costly branded tillers are out of reach of
resource poor hill farmers. With this innovation, the field operations are easily done saving
the manual labour and animal draft power.
Work efficiency & Energy use: This equipment can be efficiently operated using petrol
for ignition and can be switched on to kerosene oil later on for energy consumption. This
equipment uses 50 ml petrol and 1 litre kerosene per hour covering 0.24 ha area for pud-
dling, 0.08 ha for ploughing, 0.16 ha for ridging & channel making and 0.08ha for weed
scraping operations.
Labour and time saving: This equipment resulted in huge saving of manual labour as
well as animal draft power.
Rice Innovations 2015 1

Drudgery reduction: The equipment resulted in drudgery reduction in various manually
done farm operations like ridge and channel making and weeding etc.
Adaptability across the system: This equipment weighing 60 kg has been liked by a
large number of the farmers in Balh valley of District Mandi. This equipment is of immense
use in hilly terrains where plot size is small not suited for the movement of heavy farm
machinery.
Images/ Illustrations
Multi-purpose tiller cum puddler equipment Tiller tines of multi-purpose tiller cum puddler
equipment
Puddler wheels of multi-purpose tiller cum puddler Ridge cum channel maker tool of multi-purpose
equipment tiller cum puddler equipment
2 Rice Innovations 2015

Recognition received
ICAR Jagjivan Ram Abhinav Kisan Purskar-2013 (Zonal)
Receiving ICAR Jagjivan Ram Abhinav Kisan Receiving progressive farmer award during Vibrant
Purskar-2013 (Zonal) from Hon’ble Union Agriculture Gujarat 2013 Global Agriculture Summit
Minister, GOI
Practical Utility/ Scalability

Trainees of various agencies from all over the state visit his farm to see his innovation.
Officers from the state departments as well as dignitaries from ICAR have also visited to
see his innovation. Mr. Choudhary is a source of inspiration for the farming community in
the region and with his low cost innovations and models for marginal farmlands has set
an example for other farmers. Now a large majority of the farmers of the area has started
using similar type of equipment available in the market.

Innovation-02 Theme: Innovative Farm Machinery
Portable Combine Harvester-cum-Power Tiller:

Cost Effective Farm Machinery Suitable for
Fragmented Holding
Profile:
Shri SK. Sirajul Islam Shah
Vill. Vior, P.O. Vikahar
P.S. Tapan, Dist. Dakshin Dinajpur
PIN-733133, W.B.
Mobile : 9733334455
Age 67
Educational Qualification Graduate (B.A.)
Land Holding (in hectares) 3.0 ha
Rice Farming Experience (in years) 42 yrs.
Cropping system adopted Jute-Rice-Wheat cropping system
Jute-Rice-Potato cropping system
Brief Description
The land holding of farmers of D. Dinajpur district is very less, i.e. farmers are small &
marginal. Labour problem at the time of peak agricultural operation (like harvesting of
crops) is another barrier for profitable agriculture. This is more conspicuous particularly in
case of field crops like paddy, wheat, etc. It is not possible to use large combine harvesters
for harvesting of crops considering land holding & economic condition of farmers. In this
situation this mini combine harvester may solve the problem of the farmers. Hence this
innovation.
The innovation is a Portable Combine Harvester-cum-Power Tiller. This is cost effective
and is suitable for fragmented holding. The capacity of Portable Combine Harvester-
cum-Power Tiller is 17-18 decimal/ hr in case of Boro and 33 decimal in case of Aman
paddy. Important characteristics of this innovation are Full feed threshing, cage wheel
compatibility working operation, suitable for fragmented holding.
He has a sizable land and suffered from unavailability of sufficient labour during harvest-
ing time. So, he tried for purchasing a combined harvested. Heavy duty large size com-
bined harvester is available in the market. Price of the combine harvester was 16 lakh at
that time. But he did not have that capacity. His quest for small combined harvester went
in vain. But he got a photograph and a booklet of this combined harvester wherefrom he
started. It costs only 2.0 lakh.
He possesses a Mitsubishi power tiller which he used as its engine opening its tiller parts.
He manufactured all other spare parts on his own except the front cutting blade which he
purchased from KAMCO.
1) In traditional heavy duty combine harvester, after threshing paddy is lifted up with a
rotary lifter which causes breakage of paddy grain. He modified it with a conveyor belt
fixed with series of plates which effectively lifts paddy grains without breakage of grain.
2) Modification : Engine of the power tiller shifted to the back of the machine below the
handle; the thresher section is fitted there. Paddy is collected in gunny or polythene bag.
The machine is now devoid of sitting arrangement and operated by walking.
3) Cultivator gear has been kept outside which serves as the main gear of operation of
harvester.
Images/ Illustrations Practical Utility/ Scalability

Considering the problem of farmers & high cost
of large combine harvester, the technology
was developed by the innovative farmer.
As it requires one power tiller, that can be
used separately for tillage operation and
one attachment for using it as mini combine
harvester, the small & marginal farmers can
easily afford this innovated machine. The
machine was successfully demonstrated in
KVK Instructional Farm as well as in different
farmers’ field. The machine is eco-friendly low
cost & profitable for farmers.
The success of this mini combine harvester has
been published in different newspapers, Zonal
ICARZ Report & model is displayed in different
exhibition, Krishi Mela etc. Farmers are interest-
ed for this innovation and are ready to use this
machine

Innovation-03 Theme: Innovative methods of rice cultivation & farm machinery
Mandava Weeder
Profile:
Shri Kishan Rao Parcha
7-1-246/A/1/1, Balkam Pet
Opp. Yellamma Temple Lane
Hyderabad – 500 016
Mobile : +91 9441123197
Email : [email protected]
Age 61 Years
Educational Qualification B.E.(Electrical Engg.)
Land Holding (in hectares) 10 Hectares
Rice Farming Experience (in years) 35 years
Cropping system adopted Traditional, Non-Chemical
Brief Description
Mandava Weeder is an improvised implement to better mulch the weeds in an SRI paddy
field, aerate the soil root zone and lessen the drudgery of the operator so it can be oper-
ated by women also.
The problems solved with the use of Mandava weeder are:
1) The earlier models such as Cono weeder were heavier, thus causing more fatigue
than necessary to the operator .
2) Since the teeth width is limited to 5 inches, the rice plant is not damaged unlike
with other weeders.
The operators of Cono-weeder found that the nuts and bolts , during the use of this weed-
er in the muddy field, are falling off and required immediate replacement. This problem is
completely solved by welding all the joints.
The innovative features of Mandava weeder, compared to other weeders, are:
1) Lesser weight
2) Operator friendly handle
3) Seamlessly welded, without nuts and bolts

4) Thicker metal used for durability
5) Ergonomically designed
6) Cheaper
7) Can be operated by women of average built and strength.
This innovation was conceived during a workshop on the implements used in SRI, in 2004.
All the weeders’ performances were analysed and deficiencies of different weeders were
noted. Keeping in view of all the problems identified by the operators and observers, an
idea was conceived and an improvised implement was designed by synthesizing the ben-
eficial features of different weeders and adding certain features to avoid/neutralize the
identified deficiencies

Various research establishments in India and farmers and NGOs have appreciated the
beneficial features of Mandava weeder. The Mandava weeder is in extensive use in vari-
ous states such as Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Tripura, Utter Pradesh, Uttarakhand,
Himachal Pradesh etc.
Mandava weeder is also introduced to other countries such as Morocco, Afghanistan, Si-
erra Leone, Nepal etc.
Thousands of Mandava weeders were manufactured locally throughout India and abroad
as the design and engineering drawings are open sourced and placed in the Commons.
These designs and drawings can be accessed freely by all, through the public domain of
Internet and other publications. This open offer without strings has facilitated the farmers
and institutions all over the world to replicate and distribute Mandava weeder on a wide
scale.

Innovation-04 Theme: Innovative Water Management Practices
More rice per drop: Sustainable Micro irrigation

strategies to maximise rice yields
Profile:
Shri M. Parthasarathy
No: 5, Govindapuram Post,
Dharapuram Taluk,
Tiruppur Dt, Tamil Nadu 638657
04258253777, 09965020000
Age 69 Years
Educational Qualification PUC
Land Holding (in hectares) 20
Cropping system adopted Rice-Onion-Maize
Brief Description
The concept of drip fertigation was tested in the field trials of Research Stations of Tamil
Nadu Agricultural University during 2010-12. The outcome of experiments proved to be
positive, but there was reluctance in adoption from the farmers.
Technology of drip fertigation was adapted and implemented by this farmer through an
innovative approach of Rice- Onion –Maize Cropping system. It was achieved by laying
out a drip irrigation system in the month of March with a lateral spacing of 90 cm and with
a dripper spacing of 40 cm and raised beds of 90 cm were formed.
Small onion (April – June), Maize (July – September) and Rice under direct sowing (Octo-
ber – February) were grown under drip fertigation making this innovative cropping sys-
tem under drip beneficial, economical and made the drip irrigation in rice adaptable. The
Concept of Drip Fertigation for Rice was selected as Best Management practice by Centre
for World Solidarity in 2014.
The concept of drip irrigation which had multiple benefits in horticultural crops was tried
in cereal crop like rice where the scope of water saving and judicious use of water is more.


Presently this concept of drip fertigation in rice is being adopted by nearly 50 farmers in
and around Govindapuram Village. One of the possible ways to bridge the gap between
demand and supply of water is to increase the productivity and water saving per unit area
by adopting the appropriate production and management technologies. Drip fertigation
offers scope to increase the productivity of crops per unit land, time and all inputs in crop
production strategies. Hence this kind of innovation may be promoted across the regions.

Innovation-05 Theme: Innovative Water Management Practices
Land shaping in flood prone villages
Profile:
Shri Ananta Naskar
Vill.: Bongheri, PO.: Kaikhali Ashram,
Dist.: South 24 Parganas
West Bengal
Mob:08509994726
Age 60 years
Educational Qualification 5th Standard
Cropping system adopted Rice/vegetable/Fish - Potato/Vegetable/
Fish –Cucumber
Brief Description
Mr. Naskar excavated a small farm pond at one corner of his flat low land. He used the dug
up soil to raise 2 bigha of his low land upto a 1.5 ft high and strengthened its embank-
ment to 3 ft height and 5 ft width. With the rest of the soil, a 5-ft wide and 4-ft high pond
embankment was constructed. For effective drainage of the run-off water, the main field
was connected to the pond through a pipe. While there is continuous 1-2 ft submergence
in the normal (low lying) fields, the raised plot could be drained easily to accommodate
the improved varieties. The pond, apart from collecting monsoon rain also helps to better
utilize the non-seasonal rains during rabi and summer season.
Mr. Naskar now grows short duration HYV paddy in the raised plot and deep water local
paddy in rest of the land during Kharif season. He cultivates Potato after early harvest-
ing of HYV paddy. After harvesting the potato, he takes Cucumber on the same plot. In
the low lying field he grows Green Gram after harvesting the local paddy. He also grows
vegetables like Beans, Chili, Bottle Gourd, Ridge Gourd and Bitter Gourd on the embank-
ment around the pond and field, throughout the year. He uses the stored rainwater of the
pond to irrigate potato, Cucumber and other vegetables on the embankment (occasion-
ally with the help of pitcher). Besides, he uses the pond for growing fish (Monosex Tilapia)
for 8-9 months. He is maintaining one milch cow. He is preparing vermicompost with the
available cowdung and biomass from his field.

Mr. Ananta Naskar had 0.52 Acre of cultivable land in the low lying Bongheri village. The
village is located in the lap of Sundarbans, just adjacent to the river Matla. Heavy rain
during Monsoon inundates paddy fields and keeps them submerged for a long period.
Hence, the villagers have no other option than growing long duration, deepwater, tradi-
tional paddy varieties that give them poor economic return. At the same time, cyclonic
storms (like the Aila in 2009) on and often breaches the river bund and flood the entire
village with saline water to jeopardize agriculture for the next 2-3 years.
The problem of excess water in monsoon is matched equally but completely contrary to
that of water scarcity in Rabi-Summer season. Farmers’ can’t take any crop during these
two seasons due to scarcity of fresh water and due to soil salinity. Few farmers cultivate
green gram with the help of residual moisture but again the productivity is marginalized
due to soil salinity. Farmers, specially the youths of the area depend on seasonal migration
to Kolkata, for sustenance.
Mr. Ananta Naskar and his sons Nemai (32 yr) and Netai (30 yr) had no other choice than
depending on traditional paddy cultivation during monsoon and go out for job work for
the remaining 6-months. The topographical modification helped Mr. Naskar to facilitate
surface drainage and prevent continuous submergence of his field. The improved land
situation allowed Mr. Naskar to cultivate short duration HYV paddy that is giving better
economic return. The broad and elevated embankments around the raised plot and farm
pond provided opportunity to grow vegetables without any water logging. The stored
water supported life saving irrigation during long dry spell during monsoon.

Many farmers witnessed the positive outcomes of the technology and subsequently
replicated the same in their own field. About 71 farmers covering 8.88 ha of area have
already implemented this technology with their own cost, in the same village. It was
observed that previously at least 1 female member per family used to migrate to nearby
towns. These womenfolk could now get engaged in their own farm in various agricultural
activities, besides leisure hour. This kind of innovation is a true reflection of what an
individual farmer can contribute to the society for addressing the local needs.

Innovation-06 Theme: Innovative farm machinery
30 cm casing pipe drum seeder and power

weeder
Profile:
Shri Sk. Imam Saheb
Nelakondapally (Vill & Mdl)
Khammam (Dist)
Telangana State
Ph- 09704812836
Age 40 years
Educational Qualification 7 class
th

Cropping system adopted Green manure-Paddy-Paddy
Brief Description:
Normal drum seeder is having a spacing of 20 cm in between rows. This makes it difficult
for using the cono weeder. This has resulted in the designing of the 30 cm spaced drum
seeder and a power weeder.
The problems of weeds on using 20 cm drum seeder for paddy cultivation have result-
ed in high cost for manual weeding. Also, it was difficult to operate the cono weeder. To
overcome this problem, 30 cm casing pipe drum seeder and power cono weeder was
designed and used.
In SRI , initial establishment of seedlings is difficult, hence he used 20 cm drum seeder. But
in this rum seeder, the spacing between rows do not allow cono weeder operation. Hence,
25 cm casing pipe drum seeder was developed by the farmer. In this case also labourers
were reluctant to use the cono-weeder due to drudgery. Finally he modified casing pipe
drum seeder into 30 cm and converted it into a power weeder to run between the rows.


The 30 cm spacing drum seeder was taken by 20 farmers of various districts from AP and
Telangana. Success story was published in Annadatta telugu magazine, sakshi news, ETV,
etc. DAATT Centre of Khammam is undertaking trials to validate the different spacings of
paddy drum seeder cultivation for this region.

Innovation-07 Theme: Innovative water management practices & methods of rice cultivation
Aerobic transplanting and SRI for water

conservation and sustaining soil health
Profile:
Shri Puttaswamy, M.N.,
S/o Late Nanjundegowda,
Matadadoddi (Village), CA Kere Hobli,
Maddur (Taluk), Mandya (Dist.) – 571422
KARNATAKA
+91 87108 95910
Age 40 years
Educational Qualification 7 Standard
th

Cropping system adopted Rice - Green manure (Diancha) - Rice
Rice - Sugarcane; Rice – Cowpea
Brief Description
The farmer hails from the tail end region of the Cauvery command where in canal water
never reaches their farm during summer. These tail end farmers are facing severe water
shortage for sustainable rice production. Farmers were taking paddy through lift irriga-
tion from the small tributary flowing adjacent to the village. Rice being a high water de-
manding crop, makes it difficult under conventional system with reduced water availabil-
ity. Further, reduced availability of electricity for pumping water made it difficult to cover
the area under conventional system.
The farmer approached the Rice Scheme at ZARS, VC Farm, Mandya in search of alterna-
tives and cultivated KRH-4 with SRI and aerobic method of cultivation. Considering the
success in water saving through SRI and aerobic technique, the farmer started cultivating
rice as that of other arable transplanted crop.
The technique of Aerobic transplanting involves establishment of rice seedlings with

dry seed bed nursery for 20-25 days. The main land was prepared under drier situation
and furrows at 30 cm was opened with wooden plough at the time of transplanting and
irrigated for wetting the soil. Seedlings were transplanted in the furrows at an intra row
spacing of 15 - 20 cm. Then the crop was maintained under aerobic condition with irri-
gation at 6 - 8 days interval. Inter cultivation was carried out by passing wooden plough
in the rows. The weeds were controlled with pre - emergent application of Pretilachlor
+ Bensulfuran methyl @ 4 kg acre-1, inter-cultivation twice between the rows and hand
weeding in the intra rows. Nutrient management was maintained as per UAS, Bengaluru
package. This technique was adopted in 2.0 acre during the 1st Year and realized a produc-
tion of 94 quintals with KRH 4 hybrid.
Earlier, under the conventional system of puddled transplanting, farmers in the village
were using 150 - 175 cm water. However, with the introduction of SRI and aerobic meth-
ods of cultivation the water requirement was reduced to 60 cm and 45-50 cm, respective-
ly. Further, the cost of cultivation was reduced from Rs. 21000/- per acre under conven-
tional system to Rs. 14000/- per acre under aerobic transplanting.
Looking at the success rate, the rice growers association (Sri Harihareshwara Batta Beleg-
arara Sangha) was registered in the village and the technology of SRI and aerobic trans-
planting was up scaled to 400 acres in the cluster of villages.
The demonstration of SRI was initiated during summer 2011. Aerobic transplanting was
undertaken during 2012 summer. Method demonstration on SRI method of rice cultiva-
tion was conducted in matadadoddi in an area of 200 acres under the leadership of Mr.
M.N. Puttaswami under the RKVY project on “Enhancing water productivity in Cauvery
Command area” by providing technical guidance from AICRIP Scientist, UAS Bangalore
through RKVY Project and AICRP on rice was supported with critical inputs and equip-
ments.
It is really worth mentioning about the superb performance of SRI method of rice cultiva-
tion in Matadadoddi village of Maddur TQ. SRI method of rice cultivation has registered 29
per cent improvement on yield over farmers practice besides it has consumed 110 cm of
water as against 135 cm in farmers practice. The water use efficiency in SRI method of rice
cultivation was to the tune of 86.48 kg/ha cm. some demonstration in Matadadoddi was
conducted to know the enhancement of water productivity through selection of hybrid
in place of high yielding varieties. The rice hybrid RRH-4 and the high yielding varieties
viz. MTU 1001, Jyothy, and IR-64 were compares to enhance water productivity. The large
scale demonstration revealed that by selecting KRH-4 rice hybrid it was possible to in-
crease rice productivity by 33%


Many Farmers of Matadadoddi, Maddur Taluk who adapted SRI method inspired by the
success story of Puttaswamy. Water is a major scarce resource for sustainable rice produc-
tion especially in the tail end regions. The Matadadoddi village in Maddur Taluk, Mandya
Dist, Karnataka is the last village under Cauvery command. Rice cultivation during sum-
mer season was tougher as the canal water never reached the farm. Adoption of System
of Rice Intensification and aerobic transplanting helped to cover 250 acres in the village
and the same has been perpetuated to the nearby cluster of villages.
These technologies help farmer in the region to save water, electricity, cover the entire
cultivable area even during summer without compromising for yield and economic profit.
Further, improved soil health with reduced tillage and reduced green house gasses emis-
sions are added advantage even though it was not quantified.

Innovation-08 Theme: Innovative varietal / land race selection based on local needs
Organic Rice Farming using traditional Rice

varieties
Profile:
Shri Anjaneya A.N.
S/o Nagappa A.
Kumbalur, Kumbalur – Post
Harihara tq. Davanagere-Dist.
09972088929
[email protected]
Age 37 years
Educational Qualification 10th Std.
Cropping system adopted Transplanting, 2 crop per year
Brief Description
The farmer is producing and conserving 150 varieties. Seed production and marketing in
12 traditional varieties. The rice variety ‘Andanur Sanna’ developed by the farmer is one
of the leading native varieties grown in 350 ha.
Developed 2 varieties in paddy where in seed. The farmer has been following organic
rice farming in 3.4 ha for last 19 years and the land is a certified under organic farming
for 10 years. No application of fertilizers, Chemical and weedicides. There is virtually no
incidence of pest and disease. Nutrient Management through insitu green manuring with
leguminous crops and traditional native paddy varieties are used. After 4-5 years from the
beginning the farmer is getting sustained yield. Value addition is taken up in rice to make
finished products.
Personally the farmer was suffering from respiratory problem. By adopting organic farm-
ing health condition of the farmer got improved. Reduction in cost of cultivation by or-
ganic farming and by growing green manure insitu crops, there by increased profitability.
Initially, it was found that yield levels of paddy under organic farming conditions went
down. Gradually the yield levels were sustained. The present day rice varieties are not
showing much response to organic farming. Then the friends and relatives of farmer sug-
gested him to go for traditional paddy varieties which are more responsive to organic
farming. For nutrition management, the farmer is growing green manure crop.

Inspired by the success of insitu green manure crop, 340 farmers are taken this technol-
ogy in 1200 ha. The rice variety ‘Andanur Sanna’ developed by the farmer is one of the
leading native varieties grown in 350 ha. in Karnataka. Involvement of family in value
addition and marketing of rice and value added products directly to consumer through
‘Weekly organic market’ at ICAR- Taralabalu Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Davanagere. The farmer
is not spending anything on fertilizers and pesticides and the produce is sold directly to
consumer and with value addition results in increased profitability.
For conserving and promoting the local traditional landraces / varieties along with best
management practices, this innovation finds place in this year’s Rice Innovations.

Innovation-09 Theme: Innovative Varietal/ landrace selection based on local needs
Development of Rice Variety NMS -2 suitable for

low input management under irrigated transplanted
condition
Profile:
Shri M. K. Shanhar Guru
Madarahalli-Village, Kannahalli-Post
T. Narsipura Taluk, PIN 571 124
Mysore District, Karnataka
Mobile: 9900658921
Age 67
Educational Qualification PUC
Cropping system adopted Rice – Sugarcane –Pulses
Brief Description
M K Shankar Guru, 61 years of age, from Madarahalli Village, T Narsipura taluq, Mysore, is
from a family of farmers who have more than 200 years of experience in paddy cultivation.
In the year 1992 he started searching for traditional varieties. A labourer from Tamil Nadu
brought 1kg of Selam sanna seed. Sri Shankar Guru started conserving this under organic
practices. Gradually other organic farmers started taking seeds from him and now Selam
sanna is very popular in Karnataka. It yields 25 to 30 quintals per acre under organic cul-
tivation.
He has also developed the variety NMS2 which is named after him, Narsipura Madarahalli
Shankar. He had submitted this variety with a farm accredited under the Bangalore Uni-
versity for observation and obtained the report. He now distributes the seed himself and
he has got favourable feedback from the farmers.
This variety was developed through systematic selection. After three generations of se-
lection and purification, the variety was distributed to other farmers. The demand for
this variety was immense as it adapted well to the local conditions. It is pest and disease
resistant and does not lodge. The variety came to be known as ‘NMS 2’ in course of time
and has spread across Karnataka.
Varietal characters of NMS 2:
It is a medium fine rice variety
It possess light brown husk and white kernel
It matures in 130-135 days
It gives good quality fodder
There is no shattering
It is resistant to disease
Suitable for Low External Input cultivation
There is no pest attack
Mr. M. K. Shankarguru with his paddy variety N M S – 2

The demand for this variety was immense as it adapted well to the local conditions. It is
pest and disease resistant and does not lodge. The variety came to be known as ‘NMS 2’
in course of time and has spread across Karnataka.

Innovation-10 Theme: Innovative Varietal/ landrace selection based on local needs
Introduction of Red Rice using SRI Method

Profile:
Shri Sh. Kishori Lal

S/o Sh. Sukhia Ram
Village Bagru PO, Basnoor Tehsil, Shahpur
distt. Kangra (HP) PIN 176 208
98160 41907
Age 67 years
Educational Qualification Matriculation
Cropping system adopted Paddy- Wheat
Brief Description
With the implementation of Food security Act in Himachal Pradesh the demand for local
rice reduced considerably. The produce of local rice is not finding any market or buyers. So
Sh. Kishori Lal got an innovative idea that he should switch to Red Rice which is in good
demand in metropolitan cities. This is rich in iron contents and is sold unpolished hence is
rich in fibre contents also. Now looking at the very good demand of red rice he constitut-
ed a group of farmers called ‘Kisan Utthan Club’ with the membership of about 50 farmers.
He provided them the seed of red rice and asked them to produce the crop. He is buying
back the entire produce from the farmers and selling it at the price of Rs. 3500 per quintal.
Further, he is growing hybrid rice, that too with SRI technique. Through this technique he
has doubled his productivity with very little inputs. Now, this year he is also trying to apply
SRI technique in red rice also.
The problem of unmarkatability of paddy was solved by growing red rice which fetch-
es premium prices in the market. The Rice & Wheat Research Station of CSK Himachal
Pradesh Agriculture University developed a new variety of red rice ‘PALAM LAL DHAN’ in
the year 2012. The farmer came to know about it through KVK, Kangra and was provided
seed as FLD. He found a ready market for this red rice.

About 50 farmers have started producing RED Rice in the surrounding areas. On verge of
extinction, the hill state’s Red Rice has got a new lease of life after it became the first crop
variety of Himachal Pradesh to be registered under the Protection of Plant Variety and
Farmers Right Act, 2001. Standardising the economically feasible method of rice (SRI) for
red rice makes this an innovation worth tried across the state.

Innovation-11 Theme: Innovative varietal/landrace selection for local needs
Conservation of indigenous varieties of rice

Profile:
Shri Anath Halder
Vill. Naran Beria P.O., Mahirampur, P.S.
Falta Dist.-‐South 24 Pgns,
West Bengal
09635576523
Age 61 years
Educational Qualification B.A.,B. Ed.
Land Holding (in hectares) 5 ha
Cropping system adopted Rice - Mung -Vegetables
Brief Description
The farmer is engaged with rice cultivation for last 50 years. He has contributed immense-
ly for the society with a unique and noble approach through conservation of indigenous
rice varieties those are under threat of extinction.
It is noteworthy to mention that each of these varieties comprises unique and incompa-
rable characters. Few of the rice indigenous varieties he is conserving for several years
are Dudheswar, Kerala Sundari, Radha Tilak, Nageswar and many others. Additionally he is
playing the role of key person to use the modern technologies of rice cultivation such as
Systemic Rice Intensification, Integrated Pest Management, Vermi-composting, Organic
farming around extended area of his community. In doing so, he became the pioneer per-
son to boost the encouragement of the other farmers to adopt the modern technologies
of rice cultivation.
Traditional varieties of rice having unique characteristics are being lost forever. New high
yielding rice varieties, hybrids etc are playing the key role to replace the indigenous ones.
However, the unique attributes of rice are getting lost which is recognized as a irreparable
loss for the farming community. What Mr. Anath Halder, has done is trying to conserve
such indigenous varieties. His work is immensely influencing the preservation of biodi-
versity in other way too.

More than 1000 farmers have adopted his innovative idea of conserving indigenous rice
varieties coupled with modern cultivation technologies for rice production in a sustain-
able manner. The traditional varieties have amazing adaptability to local environmental
conditions and endurance to climatic changes such as draught and flood. It is in this con-
text, the innovation of this kind becomes worth appreciating.

Innovation-12 Theme: Innovative water management practices
Cultivation and Processing of non-Basmati

aromatic Rice (Tulaipanji)
Profile:
Shri Soleman Ali Pradhan
Vill- Bishnupur, Post: Baharail
Dist. Uttar Dinajpur
Pin- 733134
Mob. No. 09734127899
Age 42 years
Educational Qualification Higher Secondary (10+2)
Cropping system adopted Rice-Maize-Rice; Rice-Potato-Chilli
Brief Description
Uttar Dinajpur district has traditionally been known for cultivating an indigenous aromatic
rice strain called Tulaipanji which is native to the region and has got geographical
indicator that is being cultivated by marginal and small farmers. Poor productivity(1 to
1.5 t/ ha) of this rice variety and substantial quantity of chaffy grains in conventional
cultivation method led Mr. Pradhan to initiate the venture to grow that particular variety
with SRI Technology with total organic manures (Vermicompost and mustard oil cake)
without using any chemical fertilizers and chemical pest control measures. This has led
Mr. pradhan to get a production upto 3.0 t/ ha with significant reduction of chaffy grains.
Tulaipanji Rice is specially famous for its wonderful aroma and tenderness which is very
difficult to maintain in conventional processing. Mr. pradhan after several years of trial
and error, has developed Short soaking and tempering method for parboiling of this rice
variety. This has led to better grain recovery with scintillating aroma.
While cultivating Tulaipanji rice in conventional method Mr. Pradhan had to face heavy
poor production with significant yield loss due substantial chaffy grains. This has prompted
Mr. pradhan to shift from conventional practice of rice cultivation of this particular variety
to SRI Technique using total organic manure in the form of vermicompost and mustard

oil cake @ 225 Kg/ha and 120kg/ha respectively 8 days prior to transplanting. This process
helped him to achieve a production of 2.9 to 3.0t/ha compared to 1.0 to 1.5t/ha in the
conventional method. Farm get price of paddy is enhanced to Rs.3500 to Rs.4800/q.
To overcome the problems related to processing, Mr. Pradhan started trial and error with
the techniques of processing of rice as per following method
• Soaking the paddy in clean and fresh water for 24 hrs.
• Draining and steaming of rice for 5to 7 minutes
• Heaping for half an hour for cooling.
• Sundrying for 3 days with short Intervals
• Milling of parboiled paddy for 4 times for dehusking, redehusking, grading and
polishing.
Final product from conventional processing generally fetches Rs. 60-65/Kg where as Mr.
Pradhan fetches Rs. 80-85/Kg. from his innovative processing and cultivation technique.

Presently around 200 ha of land are being cultivated with Tulaipanji rice with the eco
friendly techniques standardized by Mr. Soleman Ali Pradhan.
The innovation was documented and published in the Daily vernacular newspaper : Uttar
Banga Sambad and Uttarer Sara Di. Mr. Pradhan Participated in different Exhibitions and
Krishi Melas including Krishi mela 2014-15, organized by Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya.
With these efforts and relative advantages of these techniques, the innovation is all set to
benefit the neighbouring villages / districts.

Innovation-13 Theme: Innovative insect pest management
Management of Rice pest through botanical

pesticides prepared locally
Profile:
Shri Churamani Mondal
Vill- East Kalinagar, P.O.- Jagadishpur
P.S.- Uluberia, Dist- Howrah
West Bengal
Ph- 09674117524
Age 52 years
Educational Qualification B.A.
Cropping system adopted Rice-Rice-Mustard/Rice greengram-rice
Brief Description
Churamani Mondal is a resident of East Kalinagar, Uluberia. He is involved in cultivation for
last 30 years. He is a progressive and innovative rice farmer. He got training from different
government organization and applied the technology in his field. He himself applied his
own thinking as how to cultivate paddy which is effective and at the same time there
is no yield loss. After conducting trial for several years he developed a rice production
technology of his own.
He prepared a seed bed of 2 cattah area for 0.133 ha land and sown 1 kg seed in the
seed bed after treating the seed with Trichoderma viride @ 4 g/kg seed. He used 15 kg
vermicompost in the during seed bed preparation.
He transplanted 13-15 days old seeding in the main field (1-2 seeding/hill). The finally
prepared main field was divided into several plots (6 m x 6 m) with 1.5 ft. drainage /
irrigation channel all around the plot. For 0.133 ha area he applied 400 kg vermicompost.
As basal application he used 10 kg DAP and 7 kg MOP, for first top dressing (7 DAT) he
used 10 kg urea and for 2nd top dressing (21-25 DAT) he used 7 kg urea and 5 kg MOP.

For control of pest and diseases he used different leaf extract. The composition as follows:
Tulsi leaf – 1 kg Karanja leaf – 1kg
Neem leaf – 1 kg Akanda leaf – 1 kg
Cowdung – 2 kg Cow urine – 2 lit.
Molasses – 200gm
Leafs were crushed and all the materials were mixed and kept in a pot for 20 days. The
mixture was stirred everyday for one time. After filtering the solution was spread in the
field as well as in the irrigation channel before transplanting @ 200 gm solution in 10 lit.
water. 800 gm solution was required for 0.133 ha area. This solution was spread over the
leafs during 21-25 DAT (800 gm solution for 50 lit water).
This spray was taken care of major pest and diseases. In this method of cultivation he got
670-680 kg seed from 0.133 ha area.
As in case of any other rice growing region, Howra also there was a problem of different
pest and diseases. He tried different chemical, pesticides to control the pest. But control
through chemical pesticides was proven to be costly. To reduce the cost of cultivation he
tried to use solution prepared from leaves of different locally available plants. Finally by
trial and error method, he standardized the solution and used to control different pest
and diseases. At least 120 farmers of his area adopted this technology. Horizontal spread
of technology is about 25 ha. Feedback from farmers is positive.
al problem. Two main aspects of botanical
pesticides, one search and exploitation
of new botanicals as pesticides including
isolation, identification and evaluation of
the active components and another use of
botanicals in agriculture in different forms
like direct spray applications of the vari-
ous plant materials, soil amendments for
different plant parts, intercropping of bio-
logically active plants with the main crop,
botanical grain protectants, use of botani-
cal based synthetic pesticidal formulations
Practical Utility/ Scalability and also use of botanicals as synergists/
binders for synthetic pesticides. It is in
Use of botanicals is now emerging as one of this context, the innovations from farmers
the important means to be used in protec- experiences should be shared across the
tion of crop produce and the environment platforms to validate and large scale pro-
from pesticidal pollution, which is a glob- motion.

Innovation-14 Theme: Insect Pest management
Innovative Insect Pest management

Profile:
Mr. Vezokho Epao
Thipuzu village, Rihuba, Pfutsero
Dist Phek
8732814767
Age 48 years
Educational Qualification IX Pass
Cropping system adopted Double cropping
Brief Description
After transplanting wild lemon grass is spread over the entire field to control stem borer
in particular and flies and (aphids in bund areas). Wild lemon grass is either put in the soil
or it may let float in the field. Wild lemon grass is found abundantly in the village and most
of the farmers practice this method since time immemorial.
By using wild lemon grass insects like stem borer in particular and flies and aphids are
repelled.

Yellow stem borer is a serious pest of rice throughout India and South East Asia. Stem
borer occurs both in kharif and rabi seasons. Moderate to severe incidence is noticed in
nursery, planting to mid-tillering and panicle initiation stages. Heavy infestation results in
40-60 per cent yield loss. In the absence of absolute control / resistance to stem borer, this
kind of local innovation may be promoted after validating the same.

Innovation-15 Theme: Innovative methods of rice cultivation
Adaptation of SRI Method in paddy

Profile:
Shri Nitish Kumar
Derbeshpura village,
Badi – Post, Katrisarai Block, Nalanda DIS-
TRICT, Bihar - 805105
07250914456
Age 37 years
Cropping system adopted Paddy – Wheat/Potato – cucurbitace
Brief Description
The farmer has made slight changes in the package of practices in System of Rice Inten-
sification (SRI) to suit to his local conditions. Even though SRI method has been practices
across the country, customising the SRI principles and practices Bihar, makes this an inno-
vative effort.
Initially, he started adopting the SRI method of rice cultivation after taking the training
from KVK and support from ATMA and DAO office. Use of green manuring in paddy field
before transplanting of paddy seedlings of rice hybrid Arize 6444 has proven to be highly
productive. Based on this experiments he standardised age of seedlings (12 days old) and
spacing (25 x25 cm) for the local conditions. Weeding done with help of conoweeder and
use of fertiliser NPK as recommended.
He started adopting the SRI method of rice cultivation after taking the training from KVK
and support from ATMA and DAO office. Use of green manuring in paddy field before
transplanting of paddy seedlings of rice hybrid Arize 6444 has proven to be highly pro-
ductive. Based on this experiments he standardised age of seedlings (12 days old) and
spacing (25 x25 cm) for the local conditions. Weeding done with help of conoweeder and
use of fertiliser NPK as recommended. Organic fartilizers and bio-pesticides purchased
from Gujarat Life Sciences have been used for getting the desired results.

By using this modified SRI method there was a less problem of insect like BPH, stembo-
rer in paddy fields. Regular visit of paddy field and close monitoring of KVK scientist and
DAO’s official staff of state Govt. made this method more profitable.

About 2200 farmers from neighbouring villages such as Saidi, Badi, Bahadurganj, Naira,
Chtachubigha, Bilari have adopted this modified method and got benefited.

Innovation-16 Theme: Innovative farm machinery
Straw Management & Direct Seeded Rice - Wheat

Happy Seeder
Profile:
Shri Palwinder Singh S/ O S. Gurmail Singh
Address: Vill: Baronga Zer, Block Amloh,
Distt. Fatehgarh Sahib- 140406
Contact No. 98141-35091, 73072-35091
Age 36 years
Educational Qualification Post Graduate and Higher diploma in Cooperative
Management
Cropping system adopted Rice – Wheat; Rice – Potato; Rice – Potato-Sunflower
Brief Description
Although the several benefits of the crop residues, most of the crop residues are removed
and/or burnt. The residue burning is widely practiced, which is not acceptable for sustain-
able agriculture particularly in intensively cultivated irrigated system.
The greater engagement of cereal farmers in better straw-utilisation could probably

reduce the adverse impacts of open burning of straw on the environment. However, it
seems difficult to achieve with the current knowledge and ability of farmers being limited
and also by other external factors.
The innovator has never practiced rice straw burning over his farm for the last 7 years and
adopted direct seeded rice technique since 2010 which has resulted in improvement in
soil health. The soil status of his farm has also showed improvement as shown below:
OC: 0.3% to 0.5%

P: 9.9 to 21.2
K: 78 to 95
Mn: 2.04 to 9.0

Cu: 1.14 to 1.46
Zn: 3.20 to 3.0
Fe: 23.90 to 31.0
This has resulted in reduced fertilizer requirement and sustained soil health without de-
crease in productivity of rice as well as wheat. The average productivity of paddy at his
farm is 85q/ha whereas that of wheat is 55q/ha.
He has acquired several trainings from different institute like
Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana

CSISA Punjab Hub, Ludhiana,

Crop Care Federation of INDIA

Indian Grain Storage & Management , U.P

 Attended Biocare International Workshop on “Shaping the future of advanced bio-re-
fining for modern societies” at Brussels, Europe.
Time to time different trials were also conducted by the different public and private
organizations at his farm for the adoption of technology.
He himself has initiated the idea of attaching Straw Management System at his combine
harvester. He has been felicitated by PAU as well as State Department of Agriculture at
various platforms for his innovative approaches. He is always pioneering in adopting the
advanced technologies generated by PAU, Ludhiana through Krishi Vigyan Kendra as well
as state agriculture department. Many teams from PAU, Ludhiana and Australia have visit-
ed his farm to see the technologies adopted by him.

Being a member of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Youth Welfare club, Bronga Zer, he enthused
the nearby villagers by showing the results of his techniques from which the farmers start-
ed adopting the resource conservation technologies like DSR, Laser Land Leveller, Happy
Seeder. At this time he disseminated these technologies in more than 80 hactares. He is
often invited at District, Block level farmer training camps as an expert farmer. He has also
delivered a number of TV and Radio talks.

Innovation-17 Theme: Innovative farm practices/methods of rice cultivation
Raised bed Single Seeded Paddy Cultivation

Profile:
Mr. Jiban Das
P.O.: M.T. Para
Teliamura, Tripura-799210
Ph- 09612933475
Age 36 years
Educational Qualification 10 standard
th

Cropping system adopted Paddy-Potato-Paddy, Paddy-Winter, Vegeta-
bles-Paddy, Pulses-Vegetables
Brief Description:
Mr. Jiban Das a progressive farmer of Teliamura subdivision of Tripura has developed an
innovative idea of paddy cultivation where he has done raised bed method of sowing
with a single paddy seed at a spacing of 25x25 cm. By following the direct seeded paddy
cultivation his cost of cultivation gets reduced as because there is no transplanting cost
involved in this method moreover water requirement was also very less in this method
because no continuous flooding was done and water was given through furrow.
Raise bed method of sowing created a better physical condition of the soil. It has observed
that different agronomical characters like tiller per hill per plant, no. of panicle per plant,
no. of seed per panicle and yield obtained per ha of area was quite higher in this method
than the conventional paddy cultivation. This method is also environment friendly also
because green house gas like methane emission will be less through this method because
it doesn’t allow continuous flooding of water.
This innovation can bring success to other paddy farmers also because this method re-
quires less seed, labour and water and yield obtained by this method was also very satis-
factory.
Labour Storage: While transplanting paddy a large no of labour force is required but due
to shortage of labour most of the farmers cannot transplant paddy at the right time which
reduces paddy yield but as because there is no transplanting involved in this method of
paddy cultivation.

Single seeding transplanting in paddy gives a better yield with this hypothesis the farmer
went for single seeded direct sowing of paddy by following the same spacing of SRI and
alternate wetting and drying method. Scientists of KVK West Tripura helped the farmer for
this innovative paddy cultivation by their technical expertise. This innovation is very much
eco-friendly as because it requires less land preparation and less emission of methane
will be there through this method because no continuous submergence is there in this
method

Many of the farmers of Teliamura Sub division have adopted this practice and a total of 52
farmers of that village are successfully practicing this innovation. By following the direct
seeded paddy cultivation cost of cultivation gets reduced and moreover water require-
ment was also very less. This method is also environment friendly also because green
house gas like methane emission will be less through this method because it doesn’t al-
low continuous flooding of water. This innovation can bring success to other paddy farm-
ers because this method requires less seed, labour and water and yield obtained by this
method was also very satisfactory.

Innovation-18 Theme: Innovative water management practices / methods of rice cultivation
Furrow opener implement/tool for direct

seeding of rice
Profile:
Smt. Puspa Sinku,
W/O Sri Harish Sinku,
Vill. Mahtisai,
Hatgamharia Block,
9199749519
Age 36 years
Educational Qualification IA
Cropping system adopted Rice – other vegetable crops
Brief Description
Innovative 8 row furrow opener for direct seeding of rice to reduce drudgery and cost of
cultivation. In West Singhbhum area, rice is sown by broadcasting method in about 70%
area causing heavy weed infestation, higher cost of cultivation due to higher speed and
labour wages. Therefore, this implement is beneficial for combating these problems for
farmers.
She took the help from KVK that has modified this implement from 8 row to 5 row. Slowly
the implement got popularised across the region.

Weeding is a problem in DSR conditions. This is true, especially in countries where chemi-
cal weed control is not yet widely practiced due perhaps to the fact that herbicides are too
expensive for the ordinary farmer. Direct seeded rice also has a greater tendency to lodge
than transplanted rice because roots of directly seeded rice develop poorly and anchor-
age is poor. This type of local innovations will not only address the emerging challenges
in adopting the DSR method, but also will reduce the drudgery.

Standardised DSR Method in Drought-prone

Conditions
Profile:
Shri Dayanand Tiwari,
Vill – Chechriya
PO- Ataula
PS – Meral Garhwa – 822114
Jharkhand
09431364024, 7782927390
Age 64 years
Educational Qualification Graduate
Cropping system adopted Paddy + Pigeon Pea + Til + Wheat + Potato
Brief Description
Owing to the shortage of rainfall in the lowland areas, the DSR method (Paddy varieties
like Pusa 1509, Abhishek) was introduced by the farmer along with the following prac-
tices. Use of alluvial soil to increase the natural fertility of farm from the nearby Aahar,
Pokhar river silt was practiced. Desilting of Aahar resulted in increasing the ground water
level. Late sowing of Pusa Basmati 1509 to maintain the scented nature of the produce. He
has also used rotovator that reduced the cost of ploughing. He standardised the late sow-
ing of Pusa 1509 and under DSR it can be seeded till 28th July without adversely effecting
the production. FYM and Green Manure can be replaced by silt management.
The area from where the innovator hails is the western part of the Jharkhand Region hav-
ing the rain shadow effect during the monsoon and not for the western winter rain. The
average rainfall of the area declined to 650 mm in 2013 and 550 mm in the 2014. This low
rainfall scenario has paved the way to innovator to re-strategise the method of cultivation
towards DSR method including some innovative practices.

The surrounding villagers facing drought conditions are interested to adopt the set of
practices developed and standardised by the farmer. They should have facilities to provide
the life saving irrigation for the crop. Moreover, these practices were started 3 years ago
and in the development stage.

Innovation-20 Theme: Innovative methods of rice cultivation /Innovative farm machinery
Cow dung Ball Rice Seedling

Profile:
Shri Hemantha Kumar Kar
At- Darabachha
P.O.: Marshaghai
Dt- Kendrapara, Odisha
Ph- 09938475604
Age 55 years
Educational Qualification Bachelor in Arts
Cropping system adopted Rice, Pulses, Oilseeds & Sugar Cane
Brief Description:
Kendrapara District has 1.24 lakh ha of paddy area. 43 % of land in rain fed lowland. In
these types of lands it is difficult to do transplanting operation. Therefore in this type of
lands direct sowing of paddy seeds was done before advent of monsoon i.e. from May
15 to June 15 by the method of sowing by broadcasting or by punzee (4 to 5 seeds in a
cluster).
Cow dung ball rice seedling method is one of the innovative methods which is highly
beneficial in low land rain fed area.
After preparing cow dung slur small of dung is to be made by inserting 4 to 5 no of paddy
seeds inside it. Then the balls have to be exposed to sunlight for drying. The Dried balls
are sown in the field after ward. During summer deep ploughing of the land is done with
the help of tractor or bullock. Before the onset of monsoon the preserved dried dung ball
seeds are placed in the line drawn either by bullock or by hand with appropriate distance.
Several problems can be overcome by this innovation. It acts as seed treatment com-
ponent and is beneficial to the farmer by reducing disease attack. Especially, it controls
severity of BLB for 2 month. It provides nutrients to the young seedling as a root feed-
er. Before germination the ball safeguards the seed from the bird problem. It solves the
weed problem as weed management is easier. To provide employment to women labour.
It provides enhanced moisture to the seedlings.
Innovation-21 Theme: Indigenous technical knowledge in relation to rice
Insect pest control through ITK

Profile:
Shri Rashid Ahmed,
Village Sonairpar,
PO Anipur, District Karimganj (Assam)
PIN – 788734
09435807075
Age 37 years
Educational Qualification XII std
Cropping system adopted Rice – Rice – vegetables/Potato
Brief Description
Attack of rice bug at the milking stage of the rice crop is a serious problem. Most of the
farmer apply chemical pesticides to control the pest. But there are some effective indige-
nous technical methods for control of the rice pests. One such method is use of crabs or
frogs in controlling rice bug infestation.
In this method, farmers keep dead crabs with the shell broken or dead frog cut into piec-
es, hangin at the same height of rice panicle in the field. About fifty crabs or frogs are kept
randomly per hectare for 7-10 days at the milking stage. As a result, rice bug are attracted
by the smell of the dead crabs/frogs. The insects keep sucking the extracts of the crabs/
frog rotten bodies. In the mean time, the rice grains get hardened and the bugs fail to
pierce the grain.
The innovation already existed and it was popularised by the farmer. It has been proved to
be effective method in controlling rice bug infestation. By this technique, the insects are
diverted from the tender rice panicles and allowed to get the grains harden so that critical
time of attack is overcome.
The main concept of this indigenous technology for control of rice bug infestation is es-
caping pest attack by diverting the pest population from target species during the criti-
cal/vulnerable stage of infestation.


The innovation has some advantages over the established methods. The method is
eco-friendly, low cost and done using locally available substances. It is easy to adopt and
many local paddy farmers have started practising in their fields and are satisfied with the
effectiveness of the method and its popularity is increasing.

Innovation-22 Theme: Innovative soil health management
Up scaling of organic rice production

Profile:
Shri P Srinivasan,
No.277, Main Road Agraharam,
Mallapuram Post, KatchakattuMallapuram
Village, (Near aduthurai),
Kumbakonam Tk, Pin 612201
Age 55 years
Educational Qualification B Com, FCA (Chartered Accountant)
Cropping system adopted Two crops of paddy
Brief Description
The farming is done jointly by friends and relatives in about 45 acres of land situated near
Aduthurai(near Kumbakonam), Tanjore District, Tamil Nadu. The area is predominantly
very clayey soil and uneven terrain. A decision was taken amongst them to adopt organ-
ic practices for cultivation of paddy. To this effect importance was given to improve the
quality of soil. Post soil test analysis, it was decided to improve the soil texture and health
of the soil.
After consultation with various experts in the field, for organic cultivation of Paddy, in
house preparation of Compost using cow dung and large amount of green and dry leaves
were used. The composting method was refined over time to get enriched compost ma-
terial. All about close to 1.8 tons of Compost was administered in the first cultivation.
Subsequently, close to about 1 ton of compost is administered for every planting season.
About 1 ton of compost is administered for every planting season. About 10 liters of Flu-
mic Acid diluted over 100 times was incorporated in the soil after the first two ploughing.
Significant improvement in the soil structure was noticed. The Organic Compost is further
enriched with Azosperillum, Phospho bacteria and Fraturia 5kgs each and administered
in two stages over the cropping seasons. First upon transplanting and the next dose in
about 30-45 days. For control of pest, Pseudomonas is administered as foliar spray. Two
doses of 3% diluted Panchakavya is sprayed once around 21st day post transplanting and
again before the flowering stage.

Benefits:
1. The soil texture has undergone change with the incorporation of humic acid and
organic compost materials.
2. The crop is able to withstand drought as well as flooding. There were unseasonal
rains and even heavy flooding during the month of May.
3. There are virtually no pest infection.
4. The health of the crop as well as the quality of the flowering is found to be very
good.
On a comparative note, the fellow farmers who have planted the ADT43 variety of paddy
have suffered damage due to unseasonal rains and also severe pest infection. Their ex-
periment over three farms wherein the above practice was adopted have all given similar
results. It is now very clear that once the soil is corrected by improving the soil organic
carbon, the quality of the crop and capacity to uptake the nutrients and micro nutrients
by the crop is found to be substantially higher. Further the variety of paddy is found to be
resistant to pest and infection. This visible by comparing the health of the crop of fellow
farmers who are largely abusing fertilizers and pesticides and have paid very little atten-
tion to improve the soil management.
The practices adopted and refined over the years can be summarized as follows:
1. Improving soil fertility through application of enriched organic compost material.
2. Improving the Nutrient absorbing capacity of the soil.
3. Application of organic sprays such as panchakavya which improves the quality of
the crop and the grain.
4. Application of organic pest repellant as opposed to pesticides improves the
health of the crop without affecting the soil and its nutrients.
5. The biggest of most important aspect of adoption of the above practices is in con-
tributing to the environmental health as opposed to the environmental pollution.

Innovation-23 Theme: Innovative methods of rice cultivation /Innovative farm machinery
Saguna Rice Technique (SRT)
Profile:
Shri Chandrashekhar Haribhau Bhadsavle
Saguna Baug,
PO Dahivali, Tal. Karjat,
Dist. Raigad. 410101.
09822282623
Age 64 years
Educational Qualification M.Sc (Food Science); B.Sc (Agriculture)
Cropping system adopted Saguna Rice Technique (SRT)
Brief Description
Saguna Rice Technique is a unique new method of cultivation of rice and related rotation
crops without ploughing, puddling and transplanting (rice) on permanent raised beds.
This is a zero till, Conservation Agriculture (CA) type of cultivation method evolved at
Saguna Baug, Neral, Dist. Raigad, Maharashtra. It reduces treacherous labour by 50%, cost
of production by 40%, stops emission of greenhouse gases and improves soil fertility.
The permanent raised beds used in this method facilitates ample of oxygen supply to
root zone area while maintaining optimum moisture condition there. We made suitable
changes in the conventional rice cultivation to ease farmers’ laborious work and to prevent
fertility loss during puddling.
The SRT iron forma facilitates planting of crop in predetermined distances enabling precise
plant population per unit area. Absence of puddling and transplanting of rice makes it
possible for “Not dependent on erratic behavior of rain.” This means ‘No more waiting
for Rain God to shower just optimum rain for best transplanting operation’. Similarly
if rain vanishes for few days during crop season it doesn’t lead to cracking of land or ‘crop
kill’ immediately.
In this method we have to till the soil and make the raised beds only once. The same
permanent beds will be used again and again to grow various rotation crops after
rice in Kharif season.
The best time to make these beds is immediately after kharif paddy harvesting, is in
October. Good ploughing and tilling can be done with available residual moisture or by
giving irrigation. Add desirable and / or available quantity of any organic manure. Finally
till it with rotavator or power tiller to make it workable.
Draw parallel lines with help of rope and lime or wood ash at 136 cm i.e 4.5 feet apart. Use
tractor drawn ‘Bed maker’ or any other means to open furrows at marked lines and make
raised beds.
Make depressions / holes with SRT iron forma on the raised beds. Sow / dibble 2 seeds
of either Wal beans (Kokan Wal no. 2) or Gram (Vijay), or bush type Cowpea (Kokan
Sadabahar) or Horse Gram (Dapoli no. 1) as per recommended variety and distances.
Apply fungicides and / or beneficial microorganisms to the seed as per the agriculture
university guidelines. Irrigate plot with best possible available method. 3 to 4 hours later
spray the plot with selective weedicide Goal (Oxyfluorfen 23.5% EC) @ 1 ml per litter of
water. The crop is ready for harvest till 3rd or 4th week of February. Cut the plants leaving
roots and 2 to 3 inches stem on the beds.
Its very important to leave the roots of previous crop in to soil and spray the plot with Glyphoset
(15 lit water + 100 ml Glyphoset + about 200 g of sea salt or 150 g of Urea) 2 to 3 days after
harvesting.
Summer moong beans are to be planted after the winter crop on the same beds between
25thFebruary to 10th March. SRT iron forma and selective weedicide like Goal are to be
used.
Same raised beds are to be used again without any ploughing or puddling or
transplanting for next Kharif rice crop.
 Approximately 3–4 days before rain begins, make holes on beds by SRT iron forma
and put 3 to 4 treated rice seeds in each hole, press it with mixture of manure or
good soil ( 10 Kg. manure and 400 g. Suphala)
 Next day after the first rain spray selective weedicide Goal (Oxyfluorfen 23.5% EC)
@ one ml per litter of water.
 At about 4 leaf stage carryout gap filling by using extra seedlings from nearby hills
 Between 25 to 30 days carryout manual weeding without walking on beds and
press a Urea (DAP) brickets or one tea spoonful of Suphala in between 4 hills /
plants.
 Soon the plots will start looking very nice. We need to pay attention for control of
crabs (press Gliricidia leaves in holes & plug with mud), clean bunds, water levels
in the plots and so on.
 Its good idea to make a simple light trap for insects, stay in touch with experts of
university and control pest problems just in time.
 2 to 3 days after harvesting of paddy spray Glayphoset as mentioned above.

Important Principles:
 SRT insists that all roots and small portion of stem should be left in the beds for
slow rotting.
 Weeds are to be controlled with weedicides and manual labour. No ploughing,
puddling and hoeing is to be done to control weeds.
 This system will get the crop ready for harvesting 8 to 10 days earlier. Take this
into consideration while choosing a variety to avoid getting harvesting caught in
receding rain.

It reduces treacherous labour by 50%, cost of production by 40%, stops emission of
greenhouse gases and improves soil fertility. It also increases the productivity, thus brings
back the confidence of the farmer.
Several Kisan melas, meetings, documentary shows, tv programs on many channels

including DD Kisan, Radio programs etc. is already happening about SRT all the time.
Print media also is covering the subject on large scale. I took the technique to the farmers
on my own in June 2013. In June 2014 Government of Maharashtra, Agri Department
accepted it for Raigad district under PPP-IAD. Looking at the positive results and farmers
acceptance the technique is now (Kharif 2015) promoted in 10 districts of Maharashtra.
Last year 300 farmers and this year more than 1,500 farmers adopted this technique.

Innovation-24 Theme: Innovative Soil Health Management
Innovative Organic Rice Farming Practices
Profile:
Shri Gadde Satish Babu
5-44, Vidyut Nagar,
Near Govt ITI, Eluru – 534007
Andhra Pradesh
09912511244
Age 47 years
Educational Qualification M Com
Cropping system adopted Modified idea of using cattle excrement
Brief Description
Agriculture is more dependent on the cycle of monsoons. Now the rains are unpredictable.
This might be due to ecological imbalances, in addition, the greed among farmers. The
farmers and the land both become poorer and poorer. The farmer is being trapped in a
debt cycle the soil is losing its fertility. Organic farming practices is one and only solution
to get out of all these miseries.
Against this backdrop, when we closely examine the current traditional practices that are
being followed very successfully one will certainly bestow his/her attention to realize the
underlying truth.
Cattle are the basic component. When labour got used to do sophisticated jobs, taking
care of the cattle is a big problem. It is not so. We can overcome the problem like this.
Part of the land is not our fencing is a must. Sufficient hay in the form of hayrick is stocked
at a convenient corner so the cattle after grazing in the open field comeback to hayrick
and enjoy taking as and when they need. This comes out of practice. One or two farm
assistant can take care of the entire operation. During nights, the cattle are tied to a rope
in a row. Every animal’s leg is provided with a belt rope, which is hooked to the big one at
the other end.
This practice is repeated week after shifting the simple pattern from one point to the
other. The main motto is to cover the entire land you demark for the season. When
ploughing for cultivation in the alternative years the whole dung and urine are mixed up
with soil providing good natural manure. By allowing the cattle to graze in the farm, the
soil absorbs more.
Cattle are the main component in organic farming, and in the days of modernization
breeding cattle is a big issue. If viewed practically, it is no issue at all. Agriculture and cattle
-both remain complementary to each other. The methods adopted by us from the days of
our great grand fathers, being practiced with dedication have been yielding good results
which will be presented.
The system we adopt is simple. We allow the cattle to go around a specific area for some
days in the off-season in a cycle and the cultivable land gets drenched with cattle urine
and dung. The process is repeated year after year. Healthy cattle, fertile soil, assured yield
is equal to a contented family. Fertility of the soil remains intact. All the description is to
focus only one important thing. That is our agriculture practice is more traditional and
with us this remains a passion.
In recent years except mechanization to plough, we never tried to resort any other
modern methods even for harvesting. Now a day farmers claiming themselves as pioneers
in organic farming has tuned into a great fashion. Post Independent India is made to
dependent on chemical fertilizers and harmful pesticides. The solemn obligation on every
farmer engaged in organic farming is to liberate the mired farmers from the vicious cycle of
dependence and more dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Bharat is a land
of villages and the farmers form backbone to society is literally true. The organic farmer
becomes a source of inspiration if his produce is rewarded suitably. Organic farmers need
due recognition and public acknowledgement. This becomes possible if encouraged and
supported by govt. and similar agencies all over the world.
In this method the plant will have
more resistance. Organic farming is
more traditional in nature and remains
paramount forever. The fundamental
principle is to keep the sustaining fertility
of the soil by using cattle dung & urine in
place of chemical fertilizers and cow urine
in place of pesticides.
47 farmers in the Kothagudem Organic

Growers Association are practising this
method.

Certified seed production under SRI method
Profile:
Shri Sachidananda Pradhan
S/o D Pradhan
Kundajhari Village, Rengal, Reamal Block,
Deogarh District
Odisha
Age 43 years
Educational Qualification Eighth standard
Cropping system adopted Rice (SRI) – Horticultural crop – Fisheries
Brief Description
The farmer has been a pioneer in introducing System of Rice Intensification as it uses
lesser water and seed and chemical inputs and also as it improves soil health due to use of
organic manures. These changed practices with lower inputs led to enhanced yields with
considerable savings of inputs especially the water which is becoming scarce over the years.
He started experimenting with the SRI Method of rice cultivation since 2008-09 in area
of 0.25 acres during kharif season where he harvested an yield of 4.4 t/ha. There after he
continued the same practice with expansion of area now at 3 acres during kharif and rabi.
Uniqueness of this innovation is blending seed production with the SRI method in a state
like Odisha. This has helped supply of quality seed of latest varieties released by OUAT to
neighbouring farmers.
Motivated the rice farmers for cultivation SRI method of rice doing kharif where there
are assured irrigation facilities and during rabi. Promoted more than 150 farmers for SRI
cultivation in neighbouring four villages.
As the cultivation of rice under SRI is generally cost effective, it is thought to be more
suited for small and marginal farmers. Farmers experiences show that the technology
has the potential to be practiced by small, marginal as well as larger farmers with high
economic returns. Based on the field experiences farmers felt the need for mechanized
multi row weeders (that can be repaired /fabricated locally) to reduce drudgery and cover
more area per unit time.
Innovation-26 Theme: Innovative water management practices
Paddy under drip fertigation
Profile:
Shri Thotla Mahipal Yadav
Chinthalpet (Vill)
Metpally (Mdl), Karimnagar (Dist),
Telangana State
Ph- 09440210032
Age 30 years
Educational Qualification 9 class
th
Land Holding (in hectares) 3.00 hect

Cropping system adopted Paddy in Khariff, Paddy in Rabi, Green manuring in
summer
Brief Description:
Drip irrigation by definition is a method of irrigation where the crop’s water requirement
alone is met through precision irrigation on a daily basis. In rice cultivation, traditionally,
water is flooded and rice plants are allowed to grow in the standing water. The innovation
here is to provide soil moisture enough to allow for rice plants’ uninterrupted growth and
development alone and not to flood the field. Along with the water, required nutrients
also supplied in doses that are easily absorbed by the roots and no excess is left in the soil.
The conservative use of water and nutrients is achieved and productivity per unit inputs is
maximized. This innovation helps in sustainable use of resources; water, fertilizer and energy.
Using this technology of precision input (water and nutrients) management the farmer
could accommodate more crops with the available water and complete the crop cycle. He
also could reduce his costs in Labour use for the crop, energy use for pumping, water use
and fertilizer use. He also could produce more rice with less inputs and cost. It is envisaged
that this innovative method of rice irrigation would be an appropriate solution for the
ever increasing water shortage that the country is experiencing.
Scientists of Jain irrigation have conceptualized growing rice with drip irrigation
and fertigation. Trials in experimental farms were conducted for 4 years and then
demonstrations in farmers field for another 4 years. The farmer was involve in localizing
the concept. The innovative method is economical and an average B:C of 1:2 was obtained
in most cases.


Many farmers are willing to adopt this technology especially from the upland regions.
The limitation of this technology is its higher investment costs. But for being innovative,
we can expect that Indian rice farmers can customize, localize and can make this as cost
effective as possible.

Popularising Direct seeded Rice, Paddy
Transplanter, Use of Happy Seeder, Use of green
seekar, Tensiometer
Profile:
Shri Harpreet Singh,
S/O S. Bakshish Singh
V & PO Bir Naryana, Tehsil Nilokheri,
District Karnal, State Haryana
Ph- 09466242313
Age 37 years
Land Holding (in hectares) 45 Acres
Cropping system adopted Paddy-Wheat, Paddy-Sugarcane, Paddy-Wheat-
Maize
Brief Description:
In Haryana ground water level is going lower and lower and there is big problem of
electricity during the Paddy season, we have to use the generator sets to irrigate our
paddy field. Most of the water consumption is during the puddling of field, but in case of
DSR there no need of puddling. Seed is directly sown to field with the help of machine.
No water is required before sowing. By this technique I save about 30% of water. From my
personal experience there is increase in yield in case of Basmati group paddy. Now days I
am trying this technique on Hybrids and getting good results. There is shortage of labour
and labour is very costly in this season and wastage of time is also a reason for this. In case
of planting we have to waste about two days for the preparation of field and planting but
in case of DSR it’s a work of hours.
1. Water shortage problem in paddy planting time.
2. Labour problem solved. All work done by the machine.
3. Saving of time. Very less time is required for DSR sowing V/S case of planting.
4. Cost benefits.
5. Due to line sowing easy to harvest.

The farmer got connected with CIMMYT and got the knowledge about this technique
then he contacted with Haryana Agriculture University, Hisar and they helped him to get
DSR Machine. With the slight changes in machine started working on it.

With the help of Department of Agriculture, Karnal now he is doing very well in this field.
He always told to other farmers about this technique and forced them to adopt this
technique due to benefits of this technique.
Large numbers of farmers are now adopting this technique. The farmer started with the
five acre now he is sowing about 50 acres every year with this technique. Now the total
area of DSR in that locality is about 5000 acres. Local news paper several time cover his
field and several time in local news channel. Department of Agriculture, Karnal and other
Institutions related to agriculture several time arrange the visit of farmers to his farm.

Innovation-28 Theme: Innovative Pest Management
Rat control through innovative bamboo trap

Profile:
Mr. Ajit Biswas
P.O.: M.T. Para
Teliamura, Tripura-799210
Ph- 08414038159
Age 42 years
Educational Qualification 12 standard
th

Cropping system adopted Paddy-Potato-Paddy, Paddy-Winter Vegeta-
bles-Paddy, Pulses-Vegetables
Brief Description:
Rat management is a real challenge in paddy. Zinc phosphide based food bait or iron
maid mechanical rat trap are used to kill or trap the rat. The efficiency of the technology is
not up to the mark being achieving 30-40% level of control. The management cost per ha
area varies between Rs. 750-1000.
The average per unit cost of such structure is around Rs. 25-30 which is much less than the
cost of mechanical iron made commercial rat control trap. The success rate to control field
rat that comes in touch and cut the rope inside the bamboo hole at trapping end of the
structure is almost 100%. It has the capacity to kill 7-8 rats per day.
To prepare the structure of the trap, a 1-1.5 ft long single nodded bamboo having 15-20
cm diameter and a big hole at the one side near node is taken. Another bamboo of 8-12
cm diameter and 2.5-3 ft is inserted into one side. One nylon rope (4-5 mm diameter)
having 4-5 ft length is tied with another piece of bamboo (6-7 ft). now the first inserted
bamboo tied with one small hole by making a knot outside after passing it just through
another small hole of opposite side of the first one. The whole structure is now shaped
like a bow. The food bait for rats is kept inside of the bamboo hole just behind the rope.
Rats are attracted to the food and faced the obstacle by the jute rope. To get the food they
cut the rope, within a moment just after cutting the rope, sharp bamboo traps the rat by
heating mainly the head.


Presently all the farmers of Batapora, Ramchandra Ghat, Sonatala and Chebri have have
adopted the technique.
On Farm Trials was conducted in that village during 2014-15 and it was found that in case
of trapping with local made bamboo trap at tillering stage of crop @ 32 traps/ha, Per cent
cut tillers = 2.7, Trap index = 11, BC ratio 1:1.90. In case of Zinc phosphide poison baiting
(2%) @ 10 g/burrow at tillering to PI stage of the crop, the Per cent cut tillers = 2.3, BC
ration was 1:1.85, in case of both trap and zinc phosphide Per cent cut tillers = 1.6, Trap
index = 3, BC ratio was 1:2.38.
Rodents cause significant losses both in the field and in post harvest rice management.
Hence, the local innovations such as these should be taken into consideration while
promoting the rodent management campaigns.

Popularization of Wet Direct Seeding through

broadcasting and drum seeding
Profile:
Shri Nekkanti Subba Rao
D No 8-67, College Road,
Achanta, West Godavari District
Andhra Pradesh
09491254567
Age 74 years
Educational Qualification SSLC
Cropping system adopted Rice – rice - Pulse
Brief Description
Direct –seeded rice (DSR) is a feasible alternative to conventional puddled transplanted
rice with good Potential to save water, reduce labour requirement, mitigate green -house
gas (GHG) emission and adapt to climatic risks. Direct seeding has several advantages
over transplanting. In addition to higher economic returns, DSR crop if faster and easier to
plant, less labour intensive, less water consuming, conducive to mechanization, generally
flower earlier and thereby reducing the duration and have less methane emissions.
Direct seeded rice establishes earlier than transplanted rice without growth delays from
transplant injury. What is important here is how well the local innovative farmers can
customise and localise the DSR method to suit to their local conditions.
The farmer has customised and popularized the technology of wet direct seeding through
both broadcasting and drum seeder from the past five years in both the seasons with
suitable variety. The technology was popularized to almost 2000-2500 farmers from 15-20
mandals of West and East Godavari districts. Through this technology there is reduction in
cost of cultivation up to Rs.5000/- per acre and increased production of 3-5 bags per acre
depending on the season.
Also there is increased tiller number/hill coupled with reduction of pest and disease load
in the wet direct seeded plots compared to the transplanted rice.

Every season atleast two farmers interaction meetings with scientists of APRRI, Maruteru
on wet direct seeding was organized by me which helps the farmers to take up this
technology. Also this technology was disseminated by me through a large number
of telephone calls. Through dissemination of this technology, atleast 30% area in West
Godavari district was converted to DSR especially during Rabi.

Cultivation of suitable variety/hybrid in the larger areas improves the productivity of the
rice and thereby improving the livelihood of resource poor farmers. Enhancing the rice
production and productivity using this technology will improve the country’s economy
and also helps in attaining the food security.

Innovation-30 Theme: Re-invented the existing technologies
Power tiller operated Rice harvester (reaper)

Profile:
Shri Laxman Baburao Dalvi

At-Post-Vadap, Tal-Karjat
Dist-Raigad, Maharashtra,Pin-410201
02148226617, 09273187434
Age 64 years
Educational Qualification S.S.C
Cropping system adopted Line Plantation, Sri, Char Sutri, Drum Seeder
Brief Description:
Most of the rice farmers of Konkan region have small holding and undulating land. Most
of the farmers have power tiller for their rice cultivation operations. As the combine
harvester is not suitable for this situation, most of the rice grower harvest there crop
manually. The reapers available in the markets had its own limitations. It harvested the
paddy crop above 4 to 5 inch from ground level resulting in the reduction of the straw
yield. It was also observed that the safety pins are breaking frequently and very difficult to
turn the machine on curve leaving some paddy hills remain unharvested.
Considering this fact in mind, attached power tiller operated rice harvest (reaper) was
developed due to which separate engine or gear box is illuminated which minimized
manufacturing cost of reaper. The power tiller operated harvester is easy to operate in
small field and curve also. Rice crop is harvested by this harvester at 1 to 1.5 inch close to
the soil/land surface due to which straw yield is increased, which is helpful to farmer for
their livestock and also minimizing problem of stem borer. For harvesting 1 acre of paddy
crop 2.5 hours is required, one man can harvest 5 to 6 acre of paddy crop in a day. By using
this harvester saving of nine labour per acre is possible.
The reaper is easy for attachment to power tiller as well as transportation. The reaper is
attached to power tiller belt by a pulley therefore breaking of safety pins is reduced. The
fuel consumption is very low i.e. within one liter diesel 1 acre paddy crop is harvested. For
one acre nine labour saving is costing about 1800/- (one labour @ 200 per day). Therefore

this power tiller operated rice harvester (reaper) is effective and cost benefit to farmer.
The power tiller operated rice harvester (reaper) is very useful to farmers by using
their own power tiller he can harvest the crop very effectively.
Specifications of power tiller operated rice harvester (reaper):
Length : 914 mm
Width : 1524 mm
Height : 736.6 mm
weight : 65 kg
Sr.No. Operation Labour Cost (Rs.) Benefit

1 Paddy Harvesting Manually 10 per acre (Rs. 2000/-
200/- per labour)
2 The power tiller operated 1 labour + fuel 300/- 1700/- per
rice harvester (reaper) per acre acre

Harvesting of paddy crop is labour intensive.
The power tiller operated rice harvester
(reaper) is very effective for harvesting
the paddy crop and save the labour cost.
This innovation is adopted by the farmers
of konkan region. Demonstrations were
conducted in the year 2012 at RARS,
Karjat and in the farmers’ fields. Till now,
25 machines were sold to farmers from
different regions.

Epilogue...
Gone are the days when Indian farmers are profiled as silent receivers of the technologies.
In the current scenario, there is a general agreement in recognising farmers as innovators
of farm technologies in parallel with the agricultural researchers.
In this backdrop, with this publication we tried to document few innovations in rice
farming, some of which are generated and some other re-invented. These innovations
are like precious portraits painted by farmers with their creativity, hard work and zeal to
bring novel solutions to their micro level situations and thus playing an important role in
accelerating innovation-led agricultural growth.
Rice being an important crop of the country, this is a maiden attempt to aggregate, process,
document and share rice innovations among wider audience. This is only a beginning and
we wish that many more farmers will come forward to share their innovations through this
platform. Down the line few years from now, we wish to document as many innovations
as possible from across the country.
We look forward towards synergistic partnership between innovative farmers and rice
scientists in incorporating some of these ideas into the formal research agenda.
Acknowledgements
Constant encouragement, support and guidance received from Dr.S. Ayyappan, Secretary
DARE & Director General ICAR, Dr. J.S. Sandhu, Deputy Director General (Crop Science), Dr.
A.K. Singh DDG (Extn) and Dr. I.S. Solanki ADG (FFC), ICAR for organising this innovative
event are gratefully acknowledged.
We are thankful to all the farmers who are nominated from various organisations for the
Innovative Rice Farmers Meet 2015. We gratefully acknowledge their innovative spirit.
As we could not accommodate all the nominees in this year’s event, we shall try to invite
many more farmers in years to come. Our thanks are due to all the organisations and the
officers who had shown great interest in nominating best of the innovations available in
their respective regions.
We acknowledge the support received from selection committee members Drs. L.V.
Subba Rao, VP Bhadana, RM Kumar, Mangal Tuti, Gururaj Katti, M Srinivasa Prasad, MBB
Prasad Babu, T. Vidhan Singh, B. Sridevi, K. Surekha, Brajendra, P. Muthuraman and Jeya
Kumar. Special thanks to Sr. A.O, F.A.O, DDO, AAOs and other Administrative and Finance
staff for their cooperation.
We thank all those directly or indirectly involved in the compilation of this book.

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Correct Citation:

“Rice Innovations 2015”

Compiled and Edited by:

@2015, ICAR- Indian Institute of Rice Research

“Innovation is the ability to see change as an opportunity - not a threat”

17 August, 2015 (S. Ayyappan)

Dr. Jeet Singh Sandhu

17 August 2015 (Jeet Singh Sandhu)

25 July 2015 (A.K. Singh)

Dr. I.S. Solanki

“Innovation is the ability to see change as an opportunity - not a threat”

17 August, 2015 (I.S. Solanki)

17 August, 2015 Dr. V. Ravindra Babu

17 August, 2015 (Editors)

Innovations are Important!

Innovation is therefore central to development.

How innovations evolve?

Innovation should be so soft as to touch the people it serves,

Innovations can’t be seen in isolation, but in a context.

Can all these Innovations be adopted?

Innovations can’t be blanket recommended.

Cost Effective Multi Purpose Tiller cum Puddler

Rice Innovations 2015 1

2 Rice Innovations 2015

Practical Utility/ Scalability

Rice Innovations 2015 3

Portable Combine Harvester-cum-Power Tiller:

Images/ Illustrations Practical Utility/ Scalability

Rice Innovations 2015 5

The problems solved with the use of Mandava weeder are:

The innovative features of Mandava weeder, compared to other weeders, are:

6 Rice Innovations 2015

Practical Utility/ Scalability

Rice Innovations 2015 7

More rice per drop: Sustainable Micro irrigation

8 Rice Innovations 2015

Practical Utility/ Scalability

Rice Innovations 2015 9

10 Rice Innovations 2015

Practical Utility/ Scalability

Rice Innovations 2015 11

30 cm casing pipe drum seeder and power

Land Holding (in hectares) 1.2 ha

12 Rice Innovations 2015

Practical Utility/ Scalability

Rice Innovations 2015 13

Aerobic transplanting and SRI for water

Land Holding (in hectares) 2.0

The technique of Aerobic transplanting involves establishment of rice seedlings with

Rice Innovations 2015 15

Practical Utility/ Scalability

16 Rice Innovations 2015

Organic Rice Farming using traditional Rice

Practical Utility/ Scalability

18 Rice Innovations 2015

Development of Rice Variety NMS -2 suitable for

Mr. M. K. Shankarguru with his paddy variety N M S – 2

20 Rice Innovations 2015

Introduction of Red Rice using SRI Method