Study identifies constraints on crop productivity

April 22, 2013 02:54 pm | Updated 02:54 pm IST - VISAKHAPATNAM:

The Department of Agriculture is analysing the constraints causing productivity gap in different major crops in the district as part of its on-going action plan 2012-13.

Studies suggests that the major constraints affecting the crop productivity are poor soil health, lack of efficient irrigation facility and water reach to tail-end areas and low degree of farm mechanization and inadequate extension.

In paddy cultivation, non adoption of green manure and grain legumes preceding rice in kharif and indiscriminate use of nitrogenous fertilizers and top dressing of complex fertilizers containing phosphorous apart from improper nursery management, micro-nutrient deficiency, low plant population and over-aged seedlings, among others, were contributing to low paddy production.

In pulses, non adoption of seed rate and location specific high yielding varieties and non adoption of seed treatment and proper plant protection management were the reasons for poor production levels. Failure in application of phosphorous fertilizers and micro-irrigation systems has also contributed to poor crop performance.

In oil seeds cultivation poor mechanization and management of stem and bud necrosis, non adoption of micro-irrigation systems and non-usage of quality seed, seed treatment and low usage of gypsum are the main constraints.

The agriculture officers as part of measures to boost productivity levels suggested several interventions at village and mandal levels including using of green manure, reclamation of problematic soils and soil correction of micro-nutrient deficiencies. Some of the strategies recommended including capacity enhancement for farmers on specific nutrient requirement for paddy, training farmers on over-aged seedlings management, supplying of paddy transplanting machines on subsidy, imparting training on weed and integrated pest management.

In-charge Joint Director Agriculture D.Kurma Rao told The Hindu that the constraints were being identified for low agriculture production and strategies worked out to tackle them. Farmers are also being educated on adoption of healthy agricultural practices through the farmers field schools and also on the steps that should be taken to tackle productivity gaps and neutralise decline in crop production.

0 / 0
Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.