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Modern farming techniques for Agriculture in
India The induction of
new machinery and techniques have transformed the agricultural
practice both in rural and as well as urban localities. Equipments
of present day enable the agriculturists to use the modern
techniques to get high yields and returns.
Modern Farming
Techniques:
Button Mushroom Cultivation
The process of cultivation of button mushrooms is known as Button
Mushroom Cultivation. Button mushrooms form an important ingredient
in many culinary preparations.
Method of preparation
It is usually cultivated on a compost, made of
wheat/paddy or straw alongwith other nutrients in a dark room at
temperatures ranging from 16 to 18 celsius and requires a humidity
of 95%. The compost is then filled in wooden trays and planted along
with mushroom seeds, which are called 'Spawn'. It
usually takes a minimum of 30 to 35 days for the mushrooms to pop
up. Mushrooms are fungal fruit bodies which are harvested when the
buttons are tightly closed. 10 kg mushroom are obtained per meter
square of tray in a cropping cycle, which is usually 8-10 weeks.
Liquid Seaweed Fertilizer
The process of preparation of Liquid Seaweed
Fertilizer includes the manufacture of liquid fertilizer from
seaweeds, which contain nutrients and trace elements that enhance
plant growth. It can be used in the form of foliar sprays or can be
directly applied to the soil in the form of a bio fertilizer.
Method of preparation
Seaweed is extracted with water and then using alkali
under prescribed temperatures and pressure after which it gets
filtered and concentrated.
Grain Storage Bin
It is a process of designing
and construction of small capacity grain storage bins.These bins can
be used for storage of food grains in rural areas. Of late
tremendous improvements that have been made in traditional grain
storage structures. Four new designs have been developed, viz :-
|
NAME |
CAPACITY |
| Underground concrete
bin |
1 tonne |
| Brick bin above
ground |
1 to 3 tonnes |
| Semi-underground cement
bin |
1 tonne |
| Domestic clay
bin(cylindrical) |
1 tonne |
The structures mentioned in the
table are usually made of sun-dried bricks laid in mud mortar
reinforced by split bamboo and have wooden lid with suitable opening
to protect from rodents.
Paddy Thresher-Cum-Winnower
These are used for threshing
and winnowing of paddy by paddy farmers. The machine consists of a
rotatory drum, which has spikes attached to it. These spikes rotate
at a speed of about 800 RPM and the paddy coming in contact with the
spikes gets threshed.The winnower is made of a blower, wind box and
the hopper. Air from the upper jet of a winnower liquidates the
mixture of grains, straw and dust. The lower jet effects separation
of the components efficiently. It functions on a 1 HP motor.
Quail Farming
Rearing of Japanese quail or 'Bater' is known as
quail farming. The quail farmer obtains meat and egg from it. Quail
meat is considered as a delicacy and is much more rewarding than
poultry farming, the reasons being a higher rate of egg laying,
smaller floor space (one-tenth) and lesser consumtion of feed as
compared to poultry. A quail is around 150 to 180 grmswhen ready for
consumption and consumes only 400 to 500 grms of feed in 5 weeks
time. Frequent vaccination or deworming is also not required. The
litter or battery system can be used for brooding and rearing
purposes.
Sea Cage Fish Culture
It is a system of producing cultured fisheries,
whereby the cultivator can enhance the productivity in a given space
and time. It also helps in the utilization of unused water
bodies.Fingerlings and Juveniles, which are abundantly available in
the brackish and estuarine waters are caught and allowed to grow in
a floating enclosure such as a cage, which also protects them from
predators. Apart from the natural feed available in the environment,
they are also given supplementary feeds. Within a time span of 6
months, a markeatble quantity of about 200-250 grms is obtained.
Vermiculture
Vermiculture is the use of
surface living earthworms for the purpose of improvement of soil
fertility. These worms help in converting low value organic matter
into high value organic composts, which enhances the soil fertility.
Biotechnology
R & D forms an important part in extending the efforts
towards wealth creation for the society. The ultimate aim of R&D is
to invent something, constantly innovate or upgrade existing
technologies to be applied in agriculture.
Most foundations spend almost 30%
of their income in employing qualified and experienced scientists
and to provide them with infrastructure and training. Even
outstanding students of premier universities are offered with
traineeship every year.
The Government of India, through
the Department of Science and Technology sponsors hi-tech labs,
fully equipped with the latest scientific testing devices. These
labs have been assessed by experts from University of California.
Efforts are on to obtain accreditation from NABL and the Department
of Scientific and Industrial Research(DSIR), Government of India.
The following activities are being carried out in these hi-tech labs
:-
Fertilizers with the ability of
fixing atmospheric nitrogen by inoculating suitable crops with them
are known as biofertilizers. Bacteria present in the biofertilizer
either fix atmospheric nitrogen or solubilise insoluble forms of
soil phosphate.They are low cost, environmental friendly and
renewable source of plant nutrients that supplement the chemical
fertilizers. For sustaining soil health, the use of chemical,
organic and biological fertilizers must be integrated.
The range of nitrogen to be fixed per hectare/year varies from crop
to crop:-
80 - 85 kg for cow pea
50 - 60 kg for groundnut
60 - 80 kg for soybean
50 - 55 kg for moongbean
Greenhouse
A greenhouse is a structure built of glass or plastic, to maintain
an optimum moisture and temperature for plant growth. The
electromagnetic radiation of the sun warms plants, soil and other
things inside the greenhouse. The hot air is reatained in the
building by the roof and its walls. The glass works as a
transmission medium for different spectral frequencies and traps
energy within it, thereby preventing convection.
The principle of autovent automatic
cooling system is based on the functioning of the greenhouse.
Flowers, vegetables, fruits and tobacco plants are mostly grown in
green houses late winter and early spring, then transplanted outside
as the weather warms. Bumblebees are used as polinators for most
greenhouse pollination allthough artificial pollination can also be
done.
Special care must be taken to
control pests and diseases, and extremes of heat and humidity
and irrigation is necessary to provide water.
Soil & Water Analysis (Physical,
chemical and biological parameters)
Microbiological Research
Biochemical Research
Tissue Culture Development
Food Testing
Biofertilisers
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