Water and labour saving technologies by micro-irrigation and machineries, selection of farmers and appraisal of potato cultivation in system

Abstract

In a meeting with stakeholders at Maan Sagar, the project aims such as advantages of adopting potato cultivation in cropping system in rotation with cereal, use of micro-irrigation to save water, improved production technologies such as paired row planting, machineries to save labour and get higher productivity, introduce high yielding heat and drought tolerant potato varieties suitable for arid ecology, bringing private sectors to introduce contract farming for easy availability of quality seed, inputs and provide platform for marketing their produce at remunerative prices were discussed. CIP has hired three local field staff to be based at project site in Maan Sagar area particularly for communicating with project target farmers in implementing the activities timely and successfully. The staff includes two young energetic youth one male and one female and third a mature farmer who are well acquainted with the potentials and problems of the area and new technologies.