The pods are stronger and grow at lesser depth under the soil
It is natural for farmers to invariably go in either for a change in their cropping pattern, or in some cases, even stop farming when their crops fail. But it is only a few determined ones who try to find the root cause of the problem and overcome it.
Mr. Dhirajlal Virjibhai Thummar, a groundnut farmer from Gujarat, is credited with developing a new groundnut variety named “Dhiraj 101,” which is resistant to stem rot.
Maturity period
The crop matures in 95-105 days and bears 35-40 pods per plant. About 90-100 kg of seeds are required for sowing in an hectare.
“Groundnut cultivation is a major source of income for many farmers like me in this region. With five wells and a borewell, our fields are well irrigated.
“I also grow cotton (BT varieties), sorghum, wheat and vegetables. Sorghum is grown primarily for the cattle, and vegetables for our own consumption,” says the farmer.
In the year 2004 he sowed GG-20 groundnut variety and the whole crop got infested resulting in wilting and almost complete failure of the crop. Any other farmer would have become depressed but not Mr. Dhirajlal.
He identified a few plants, which did not get affected by this disease. Believing that these may contain some inherent property that makes them stem rot-resistant, he harvested and kept the seeds of these plants separately.
The farmer sowed the seeds separately in the next season and continued the screening and selection for three consecutive years. Finally he obtained plants, that were free from stem rot and wilt.
At 3,200-3,500 kg per hectare, the yield is higher than locally cultivated varieties in the region.
Oil content
The oil content is also higher — 42-45 per cent — according to him. This variety performs well when the monsoon is average as well as in less irrigated conditions.
To promote good crop growth, Mr. Dhirajlal used only herbal pesticide such as neem, kidamari (Dutchman's Pipe), tulsi (Holy Basil) and akda (swallow-wort) for controlling insect pests and diseases.
He also distributed seeds to farmers in Amreli, Rajkot and Bhavnagar districts of Saurashtra regions. He received encouraging feedback about the variety's ability to grow well, remain free from wilt and rust diseases, and also yield well.
Usually before harvest farmers irrigate the fields and then pull out the plants. During pulling, the pods get broken from the roots and remain under the ground.
The problem is not encountered with this variety as it bears pods that are stronger and grow at lesser depth under the soil.
Soil conservation
“Soil conservation and crops that require less water are urgent needs for farmers to keep agriculture sustainable in changing climatic conditions,” says Mr. Dhirajlal.
Professor Anil Gupta, vice-chairperson, National Innovation Foundation says, “Many technical innovations have been centred on groundnut crop in our country. There is an urgent need to invent and popularise crop varieties, which require less water and have more productivity and at the same time are affordable to farmers.”
Helping hand
NIF facilitated the field trial of ‘Dhiraj101' at the Oil Seed Research Station, Junagarh.
The report mentions that it is resistant to stem rot as well and its production is 1.5 times more than a local variety ‘GG-20'.
It performs well even in when monsoon is average and requires less irrigation. This variety matures eight to ten days earlier and also has more average oil content.
For more information readers can contact Mr. Dhirajlal Virjibhai Thummar, Via Mota Akadiya, PO Pipal lag, Taluka Pipal lag, Amreli 365455, Gujarat,mobile: 02792-286093, 9825513469.
Keywords: groundnut variety, cropping pattern, farming community
Sri Thummer deserves appreciation for his innovative approach. Farmers are proving to be more dedicated and have taken the job for themselves as the agricultural research system is not rescuing them.With the establishment of agricultural universities of even three or four for each state and filling the positions with people from the respective regions,these universities are not able to attract talented scientists. With growth of IT sector and rage for engineering education,many intelligent students are not opting to study biological sciences . Therefore the quality of students joining agricultural universities has also gone down. I am afraid that there may not be competent research workers in the field of agricultural sciences from nest decade.
Our government and university extension "Mostly" treats farmers as illiterate dummies and gives instructions for them to apply loads of fertilizers..They all are bent on writing papers and working with universities and NGO's abroad..or genetic engineering groups or seed companies..not recognizing our farmers talents..Listen to any program or read web sites on how to grow for example sugarcane from Indian University web sites..Just recently they are focussing on organic methods which is good. They dont tell farmers to save seeds - infact we have been doing everything to destroy the seeds.
It is highly appreciable that this man with schooling upto 10th standard only is doing a commendable job in crop-research using his commonsense, innovative skill and improvised means. I do endorse the views of other readers for recognition and encouragement of such an innovative and deicated farmer to generate hope and confidence in farmers across the country, majority of whom are living in frustration and many are compelled to commit suicides in utter desperation. There is an urgent need for the Govts. in States and at Centre to focus attention on agriculture since it contributes a major chunk to our GDP which will shoot up sharply by providing this sector with proper technological and financial support. Running agriculture as a Corporate Business by forming co-operative societies of farmers may be promoted to maximise mechanised farming for higher yield and reduced production-cost.
In India many students wants to educate in agriculture faculty but proper guidance needs for them.Does only educational qualification criteria is enough for that? Liking in agricultural education is also important. After education through agriculture side; actual work in agriculture land, research for the same is most important.
It is really surprising that this farmer Shri Dhirajlal Virjibhai Thummar with schooling upto 10th standard only is doing a marvellous job in crop-research using his commonsense, innovative skill and improvised means. The State Govt. should recognise and encourage such a dedicated and sincere farmer to motivate farmers in rest of the country who became frustrated and commit suicides.
Innovations like 'dhiraj 101' are being desperately needed in the field of agriculture which is the backbone of the GDP of our nation.Government should provide more incentives to person like Mr Dhirajlal,agricultural scientists,and those who undertake research work in agriculture.Research work in agriculture and animal husbandry should be promoted.
There is an urgent need for innovation for genetically modified plants(not BT plants who bear seeds) which can grow in arid areas/with less water and in good yields so that the farmer can also prosper. Corporate houses should be given hectres for cultivation employing framers with salary and benefits. Farmers shoulld be encouraged to grow food organically not with urea which contaminates ground water and rivers.The govt should identify what is the best crop to be grow in a particular area based on soil testing water availibility and tradition. Govt should also eliminate middle men in sale of farm produce and develop better storage and foodchain facilities. Also people who use power from solar/biogas water from rain water harvesting/as drip irrigation should be given tax benefits. Farmers need to be regularly educated about recent available technology.
The Govt should at least have the generosity to appreciate such great
jobs/contributions with both monitary and other needed support and
sensitise the same among farming community.
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