Farmer FIRST Programme Directorate of Extension Education Junagadh Agricultural University Junagadh, Gujarat
TITLE OF PROJECT: “Integrated Resource Management for Agricultural and Allied Fields for Stakeholders” under FFP
Farmer FIRST Project
The Farmer FIRST (Farm, Innovations, Resources, Science and Technology) programme mainly aims to strengthen the Farmer–Scientist interface and to promote development through people’s participation by integrating and applying improved technologies. This programme has been implemented in India by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) since October 2016. The main objective of the programme is to establish linkages between farmers and scientists and to promote development by integrating location-specific innovative agricultural technologies with local resources.
This project has been implemented at Junagadh Agricultural University since January 2017 with the objective of improving the socio-economic condition of farmers and other stakeholders through the effective utilization of natural resources and application of improved technologies.
AREA OF STUDY:
The FFP project was implemented in six selected villages i.e., Mavjinjava, Nava Vaghania, Deri Pipalia, Hadala, Rafala and Ghantiyan of Bagasara taluka of Amreli district of Gujarat state since 2016-2017 to 2024-25. At present FFP project is being implemented in three villages i.e., Barvala and Mithpur of Mendarda taluka and Piplana of Manavadar Taluka of Junagadh district.
OBJECTIVES:
To establish effective rapport between farmers and development institutions.
To enhance the adoption of latest technologies in agriculture and animal husbandry.
To develop the capabilities of farmers.
To increase farmers’ income while reducing input costs.
To mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on agricultural crops and livestock.
To promote ecological balance.
MODULES UNDERTAKEN AND TECHNICAL INTERVENTION:
From 2016-17 to 2021-22 (Villages: Hadala, Deri Pipaliya, Nava Vaghaniya and Mavjinjva of Amreli district)
Sr. No.
Modules
No. of BeneficiariesFarmers
1.
Crop based module- Cotton
640
2.
Crop based module- Groundnut
400
3.
Crop based module- Chickpea
250
4.
Crop based module- Wheat
500
5.
Crop based module- Green gram
40
6.
Crop based module- Summer sesame
100
7.
IFS based Module
190
8.
NRM based Module
250
9.
Livestock based Module
250
10.
Enterprise based Module
300
11.
Horticulture based module
34
From 2022-23 to 2024-25 (Villages: Rafala and Ghantiyan of Amreli district)
Sr. No.
Modules
No. of BeneficiariesFarmers
1.
Crop based module- Groundnut
50
2.
Crop based module-Wheat
100
3.
Crop based module- Chickpea
150
4.
Crop based module- Sumer Sesame
170
5.
Crop based module- Green gram
70
6.
Crop diversification module
150
7.
Nutritional Kitchen Gardening
579
8.
Livestock based Module
40
9.
NRM based module (Soil-Water Testing)
60
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
Under Farmer FIRST programme, more than 1100 extension activities like advisory services, diagnostic visits, demonstrations, group meetings, khedut shibirs, field visits etc. were organized in which more than 14,500 farmers benefitted.
IMPACT OF THE PROJECT ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECT:
The Farmer FIRST Project was implemented in 2016-17 in Bagasra Taluka of Amreli District (Gujarat State). The major crops in kharif season are groundnut and cotton while in rabi season farmers cultivated wheat and chickpea.
The following improved and high yielding verities of different crops and plant protection measures with advisory were given to the farmers of the selected villages under this project
Sr. No.
Name of Module
Improved practices and varieties
1.
Crop based module- Cotton
High Yielding variety GTHH-49
Closed planting and De-topping
Pink Bollworm management
2.
Crop based module- Groundnut
High yielding variety GJG-32
Plant protection measures for whitegrubs and defoliators
3.
Crop based module- Chickpea
High yielding Variety (GJG 3, GJG 6 ).
Plant protection measures for wilt and pod borer
4.
Crop based module- Wheat
Variety of Wheat (GW 496, GW-366, GW-451).
Plant protection measures for black point
5.
Crop based module- Sumer Sesame
High Yielding variety: GT-3
Enriched compost
Biofertilizers
Pesticides
Bio-pesticides and Bio-fungicide
6.
IFS based Module
Adoption of cotton + sweet corn intercropping system.
Cotton + black gram intercropping
Application of enriched compost for maintenance of soil health.
7.
NRM based Module
Variety of groundnut (GG-22) and Pigeon pea (GJP-1).
Enriched compost
Bio-fertilizer
8.
Nutritional Kitchen Gardening
Improved varieties of vegetable crops for kitchen gardening Brinjal (GRB-7), Okra (GO-6), Cowpea (AVC-1), Sponge gourd (GJSG-2), Bottle gourd (PushaNavin), Ridge gourd (GRG-2), Cucumber (Guj. Kakdi-1) and Indian Bean (GJIB-11 & GJIB-2)
9.
Livestock based Module
Artificial Insemination in buffaloes.
Chelated mineral mixture + Calcium supplement + Dewormer.
The technology package in cotton crops e. de-topping, High Density Planting (HDP) and management of pink ball worm was adopted by the farmers which has increased their income.
The seeds of improved varieties of chickpea, wheat, groundnut, pigeon pea and sesame were provided with plant protection measures, bio-fertilizers to farmers with advisory resulted in higher yield and net income.
Adoption of cotton + sweet corn and Cotton + black gram intercropping increased the farm income.
The seeds of improved varieties of vegetables were provided with plant protection measures to farmers with advisory. So that, Farmers could get fresh vegetables for home use and empowerment of farm women through increased participation in cultivation of various vegetables primarily for household consumption and earnings from selling the surplus produce in local markets. Farmers can preserved the seeds of bottle gourd, ridge gourd and cowpea for sowing next year and also distributing extra seeds to relative.
The dairy farmers were motivated for Artificial Insemination in buffaloes. They were provided Chelated mineral mixture + Calcium supplement + Dewormer resulted in increase in milk yield with improved physical health of buffalos.
The implementation of the Farmer FIRST Project in the villages of Amreli district led farmers to adopt innovative farming practices and high-yielding crop varieties, resulting in an improvement in their production, incomeand standard of living.
