Team TrickyScribe: To tackle the challenges of low soil moisture and inadequate irrigation in rice-fallow areas during the Rabi season, the ICAR-RCER, Patna, is spearheading an initiative to enhance agricultural productivity. Under the leadership of Dr. Anup Das, Director, and Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Senior Scientist, farmers are being trained in advanced rice-fallow land management techniques to optimize production and improve their livelihoods.
Pulses and Oilseeds: A Path to Economic Growth
This project enables farmers to cultivate high-value pulses and oilseeds in their otherwise unutilized lands, significantly improving their economic conditions. A dedicated team of ICAR-RCER scientists is actively implementing this initiative in Guleriachak village, Tekari block, Gaya district. So far, conservation agriculture techniques have been successfully tested in 300 acres, utilizing residual moisture for enhanced pulse and oilseed production. This has sparked hope among local farmers, encouraging them to reclaim more rice-fallow land.
Empowering Farmers Through Scientific Guidance
On February 8, 2025, a farmer training program was conducted in Guleriachak village, where experts, including Ram Kumar Meena (Technician), Randhir Kumar (Senior Research Fellow), and Shrikant Choubey (Field Assistant), guided farmers on advanced agricultural practices. The team also collected soil samples from chickpea, lentil, and safflower fields to monitor crop health. Farmers received insights into maintaining soil moisture, adopting climate-resilient crop varieties, and leveraging modern agronomic practices across 75 acres.
Boosting Crop Productivity with Nutrient Management
Farmers were educated on the benefits of NPK (15:15:15) foliar spray, a critical solution for improving crop growth under moisture stress conditions. This nutrient application significantly enhances drought tolerance, boosts productivity, and ensures higher yields in water-deficient regions. The event, organized with the support of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Manpur, Gaya, witnessed active farmer participation, underscoring the growing interest in modern agricultural techniques.
Reviving 25,000 Hectares of Rice-Fallow Land in Gaya
Gaya district has nearly 25,000 hectares of rice-fallow land, where no crops are planted post-harvest, leading to economic hardships for farmers. The ICAR-RCER initiative, launched in 2023, aims to revitalize these lands through scientific interventions. Dr. Anup Das and his multidisciplinary team are committed to maximizing pulses and oilseeds production, ensuring sustainable agriculture and improved farmer incomes.
“ICAR-RCER, Patna, is leaving no stone unturned in enhancing pulses and oilseeds production in rice-fallow areas,” said Umesh Kumar Mishra, Member Secretary, Media Management Committee, ICAR-RCER, Patna.
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