SEED SYSTEM RRA -MALKANGIRI

Issues: Traditional form of agriculture is being practice, which lead to decline and reduction of yield. Excessive use/need of water. Excessive use of chemical fertiliser and pesticides reduce soil fertility. Changing climate hampering production. Stagnant production of paddy. Food insecurity of small and marginal tribal farmers.

Challenges: Lack of scientific knowledge base of the farmers Non-availability of implements Loosing local varieties on large scale Lack of knowledge on post harvest technology

Purpose Community managed seed system that should provide quality seeds, desired variety, diversity of seeds, before sowing time. The same system is intended to serve alternative contingency seeds in case of crop failure due to weather aberrations. Community managed seed system should be evolved based on local agro-ecological systems, market needs, community food needs, local institutional and market linkages.

Objectives To establish community seed system that is managed by members of farmers with collaboration of local CBOs, NGOs, Government departments and financial institutions. To evolve sustainable seed system that can provide quality seeds, diversified seeds to all dry-land farmers of the community, before sowing season at affordable prices. To build capacities of CBO to manage own seed system.

Objectives To facilitate seed system to link up with all collaborating institutions and organisations To ensure quality seed supply by establishing community seed bank. Provide training to manage quality crop harvest, grading and processing. To conserve and promote traditional varieties of all crops. To promote participatory breeding and protect farmer rights on their varieties. To promote local nurseries to supply annual and perennial plantations.

Basic information about the GP The Sikapally Gram Panchayath consists of three revenue villages and eleven villages/ hamlets. The Sikapally is located in Korukonda block, 20 Km away from Malkanigiri. The GP’s villages and hamlets located on either side of Konta –Malkanigiri high way. All villages of GP are situated within radius of five kilo meters. The land is undulating with thick populations of Mahua and palm trees. The soil type is sandy loam. Major forest based livelihoods of tribal people are collection of Mahua flowers and beedi leaves, during non- agricultural season. However, villagers’ main occupation is agriculture, cultivating traditionally with all available natural resource.

Land use pattern

Farming system

Strategy and approach Convergence of Govt. schemes by linking seed system activities to agriculture and other line departments for financial and technical assistance. Fund flow through Gram Panchayat and funds utilization by CBO. District level RRA secretariat reports the progress of seed system of district administration or collectorate of Malkangiri. District secretariat of RRA monitor, review and report all activities of seed system. Supporting NGO at GP level facilitate seed system by providing capacity building to CBOs and SHGs on seed system management and by giving technical trainings to seed producers.

Institutional approach RRA seed program will be implemented though local bodies, community based organisation and Self Help Groups. For the development of suitable seed system for rain fed farming in the identified GP, it is more appropriate to approach through community Based Organisations, as these are managed by farmer members who are seed consumers and seed producers. Village level SHGs are present which will be federated at revenue village level. All farmer federations become member of Cooperative society. Each farmer federation associate with seed bank at revenue village level.

Expected Results Proper documentation of seed system available in the district. Seed banks established in collaboration with the line Dept. and management & control by community. At least 25 – 30 % of the seed requirement meet from the Seed Bank. At least 10 varieties of local produced seed –like paddy, millets and pulses are exchange through seed fair. The district will have its own seed system and manage and control by people institution in end of the project period. N0n formal seeds produced get recognition by Agriculture Department – Research Institute KVK. Farmers in locality will not have any kind of distress on seed need.

Six month Plan for Kharif 2012 season -process steps and time frame InterventionProcess steps/activities Time frame Supply of certified seed of improved varieties through Seed bank/sale Select farmers based on irrigation and inputs June 1 st week - June 4th week Collect seed indent from farmers and submit to Agric. Dept. Supply of seed June 1 st week - Field monitoring and data collectionJune 1st -3rd week June-Sept

Prodcution of improved vareitiesSelection of farmer and fieldJuly-November Source and supply of foundation seed Training to farmersJune1st -2nd week Field monitoring and FFSJune 1st -2nd week Quality crop management and quality harvestJune 3rd week Processing and StorageJuly-November November-December

Demonstartion of new varietiesSelection of farmer and fieldJune-October Supply of seed and inputs Field monitoring and FFS June 1st week June1st -2nd week June-October Integration of seed bank with grain bankorganising SHGs in all villagesJune Formation of seed bank committee from CBOJune meetingsJune TraininsJune DocumentationJune

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