Scientists to help farmers field experiments

For farmers, it is all about scientific expertise coming to their door. For scientists, it8217;s all about using the farmer8217;s fields t...

For farmers, it is all about scientific expertise coming to their door. For scientists, it8217;s all about using the farmer8217;s fields to put their academic research to test. In an innovative farmer-oriented drive, the Mahatma Phule Agricultural University, Rahuri, is setting up scientist-farmer clubs across 10 districts.

With one of them having opened in Kolhapur last week, three more are slated to come up in Pune, Rahuri and Dhule. In fact, by April-end, 1,200 farmers will have a one-to-one interaction with agricultural scientists of 27 research extension centres and at departments, right from the sowing season this June up to the harvesting season between October and May, depending on the crop.

Dr Rajaram Deshmukh, who took over as Vice-Chancellor of the university recently and launched the initiative, says, 8216;8216;It will break the coccoon of scientists who, instead of confining their technology to academics, will be an integral part of its application on field.

8216;8216;As for the farmer who is wary of new technology, he will have a guide who will also help in encountering any adversity that may take place in the process. Thus, it will be a viable example of industry agro-academic interaction.8217;8217;

The Mahatma Phule University has been interacting with farmers, but, says Deshmukh, 8216;8216;it was only restricted to elite farmers who could take risks. Now we want to reach out to the common farmer and show we can convert our knowledge into a viable commercial mode by demonstrating it to him on his own field8217;8217;.

Each club will be in charge of 25 to 100 farmers depending on the strength of scientists. They are required to spend all seven days of the week, all the year round, to monitor and train the farmer. The scientist will analyse the land and soil of the farmer to find out how fertile it is. This will help the scientist to advise the farmer on the crops he should grow. 8216;8216;We will educate him on the different varieties of seeds we have developed for one particular crop.8217;8217;

Thereafter, day-to-day interaction will include advice on inter-cropping; sequence cropping and multiple-cropping. The farmer will be educated on the amount of fertilisers to be used, amount of water required, weed control, plant protection and how to market the crop too.

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In order to assess practical problems, 100 farmers will be chosen from the 10 districts who will interact with scientists at the central campus at Rahuri.

What the club members will do

8226; Scientists to check physical, chemical and biological properties of the farmer8217;s soil

8226; Advise on crop pattern and seed selection

8226; Guide farmers on fertilisers and water management

8226; 100 farmers to form core group and interact with central campus at Rahuri

8226; Scientists to help in marketing farm produce

8226; Club activities to carry on till harvest season between October and May depending on crop