2. Innovations developed:

Integrated farming system approach, farm pond construction, Live-stock (Cows, Buffalos, poultry) with fodder block management, Inter cropping of vegetables, off season vegetable cultivation, improved practices in cultivation

3. Innovations adopted in Farming:

Farm pond construction, Livestock (Cows, Buffalos, poultry) with fodder block management, Inter cropping of vegetables, off season vegetable cultivation, Improved practices like raised bed, Plastic mulching, Use of Bio-products, IPM/IDM, Effective water & nutrient management with Drip/Micro sprinkles/Fertigation, organic practices in vegetable cultivation

4. Activity wise income, cost-benefit ratio, gross and net income year-wise (previous five years):

Particulars	Area (ac)	Cost of cultivation (Rs./ac)	Yield (q/ac)	Net returns (Rs./ac)	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017
Cucurbits on pendals	5.0	48000	240	186000	---	182000	239800	558000	628750
Off season coriander	2.0	24000	25	118500	---	---	237000	328620	425110
Mango	5.0	20600	40	43500	48500	69200	87000	98200	125600
Maize	2.0	18500	20	13500	22400	27800	27000	32000	34500
Brinjal	3.0	52500	150	38200	42500	29400	114600	---	---
Cows & Buffalos	7 Nos	36000	5760*	163600	84500	91300	112800	132400	163600
Red gram	2	18500	6.5	13500	21500	24000	26800	27500	29200
Others Fish from farm pond	2 cycles	2200	1.8	12800**	---	---	14500	25600	29600
			Grand total		219400	423700	859500	1202320	1436360

5. Productivity Levels achieved in major income generating activity during the last five years:

Particulars	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017
Cucurbits on pendals	---	180	240	260	320
Off season coriander	---	---	25	29	34
Mango	24	35	40	45	47
Maize	12	18	21	21	25
Brinjal	114	128	150	167	195
Cows & Buffalos*	4120	4825	5760	6210	6380
Red gram	5.8	6.1	6.5	6.9	7.5
Others Fish from farm pond	---	---	1.8	2.5	2.8

6. What improvement have been effected for productivity, profitability and sustainability - enhancement:

Water use efficiency improved with construction of farm pond, drip/sprinkler/fertigation paved the way for improved nutrient uptake. Live-stock with cropping system have sustainable income and synergetic effect on yields of all enterprises.

7. Any spread effect on Farmers/Fellow Farmers:

Awareness programmes like field trainings/field days/farmer group discussions were organized by KVK-CRIDA in collaboration with Department officials from Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal husbandry to the farmers from different villages of Ibrahimpatnam division. Farmers were in a position to understand the field problems while managing the Integrated farming system for sustainable income even in variable climatic conditions.

8. Innovative interventions inducted in the system of production and management and effects:

Raised bed cultivation, plastic mulching, integrated pest & disease management, Use of bio-fertilizers, bio-control agents, emulsified oils, Foilar sprays of micronutrients, Green manuring, use of vermi compost, Application of Plant based extracts. Drip/micro sprinklers with fertigation, Need based hormones foliar application, Intercropping, mixed cropping,

9. The contribution of the innovator in terms of:

New package of practices / management strategies: Green manuring, use of vermi compost, raised bed cultivation, plastic mulching, integrated pest & disease management, Intercropping, mixed cropping,

Saving or resources / inputs: Plastic mulching, Use of bio products, IPM,IDM, Raised bed cultivation, Green manuring, Drip/spriklers

Breaking technology transfer barriers: Conducted many field visits to the farmers group with the help of KVK and line departments for transfer of technology

Prevention of outbreak of diseases and pests: Precautionary measures like use of Trichoderma, Pseudomonad, Pacelomyces, Metarizhium, Verticilium, mass trapping with pheromone traps, sticky papers, sprays of plant based extracts avoided the pest and disease out break and reduce the cost of cultivation

Bringing about radical change in management packages/contributing record production from land, water or animals: Farmer with adoption of integrated crop management got tremendous yield increase ( 58 per cent) in cucurbits and vegetable crops

10. Extent of publicity of his / her innovations / contributions / success story:

Team of scientists from KVK-CRIDA and SKLTS Horticulture University, Hyderabad visited several times and documented the practices. Officials of Dept. of Horticulture are also involved in this process.

11. Documentary proof-photos, publications, certificates, awards, etc:

Recognised as best model for Integrated farming system in the district and got high publicity through media coverage

Field photographs and media coverage:

Background:

Cultivation of traditional crops like maize, sorghum, paddy coupled with indiscriminate use of water, fertilizers, plant protection chemicals lead to high cost of cultivation and poor net returns. Growing demand of flowers in auspicious days/ceremonies in metro city like Hyderabad have ample scope for cultivation of flowers more scientific manner lead to high net returns. Farmers who are already in to flower cultivation are cultivating local varieties with inefficient water, nutrient, weed, pest and disease management. Most of the farmers of Ranga reddy district are nearer to Hyderabad and if we divert them to adopt improved varieties with Good Horticultural Practices (GHPs) to reduce cost of cultivation and improves net returns with minimum resource management practices.

KVK intervention:

Farmer experienced low net returns through growing field crops like maize and cotton. Approached KVK-CRIDA and attended training on Good Agriculture Practices in Flower crops. Realized that the break of chain link between plant and other resources like soil, water, nutrient and climate was not in a proper direction. KVK- CRIDA suggested GHPs like selection of Improve varieties, Soil test based fertilizers, Raised bed cultivation, Inter crops with non-competitive crops, Drip with fertigation, Use of Bio-products, Micro nutrient application, IPM & IDM for effective control of Pest & Diseases, etc. Farmer also learnt skill in Vegetative propagation methods (stem cuttings with Rooting hormone treatment) in nursery, established nursery and supplied to 185 farmers in different parts of the state and other states.

KVK organized around four training programs on Good Agricultural Practices in flower crops during 2016-17 in different parts of the district and one or two early adopters were selected after completion of each training. These selected farmers were taken for an exposure visit to KVK and given hands on experience for flower cultivation through practical exposure of GHPS like Raised bed cultivation, Drip and fertigation, Bio-fertilizers, Micronutrient management, Integrated pest & Disease management, Staggered planting, Inter cropping with drumstick, etc,.

Description of intervention:

Six point formulae: Raised bed, Drip, Fertigation, Micronutrient spray, Use of bio-products, Integrated Pest & Disease management. Raised bed chrysanthemum cultivation with Drumstick as intercrop for high net returns. Followed Drip and soil test based fertigation schedule for high water and fertilizer use efficiency, Micro nutrient foliar sprays in critical periods, Use of Bio-products like Azatobactor, PSB, KMB, ZSB, Trichoderma, Pseudomonas and Metarhizium for effective utilization of nutrients and plant protection. IPM & IDM practices like use of Neem Oil (1500- 10000 ppm) in different stages along with chemicals, Sticky traps for sucking pest, Trap crops, pheromone traps, foliar sprays of Micronutrient and hormones for high quality production.Farmers adopted these practices in flower crops has got ample income compared to other crops. When the crop is at peak flowering stage neighboring farmers were called upon to organize Field Day and share experiences of the practicing farmer.

Among the improved varieties Marigold has got higher yields (6.2t/acre) when compared to local variety (3.8 t/acre) followed by Poornima white (6.0t/acre). Variety Raichur got higher yields and more no. of pickings when compared to Poornima yellow (5.7t/acre), Neelima (4.3 t/acre). It is also noticed that large flower size in Marigold and has got long shelf life (12 days) in room temperature. Marigold variety is superior to all varieties in terms of yields and shelf life but don’t have flavor. Poornima white and poornima yellow have flavor. Breaking of petiole in Marigold is observed hence it is not suitable for garland making.

KVK-CRIDA conducted OFT in the year 2015 on improved chrysanthemum varieties with integrated crop management practices in Farmers field Mr. K. Abhilash Kumar Goud from Ramachandra guda village, Maheshwaram Mandal, Ranga reddy district. Farmer could able to get high B:C ratio from flower crops than field crops.

Economics of field crops in comparison with Chrysanthemum under improved practices in the year 2015

Impact of the technology

Effective utilization of Soil, water, nutrient management with raised bed, Drip, fertigation improves input use efficiency enhances healthy crop growth with non-residual effect on soil, water and plant. Adaptation of IPM & IDM practices reduces the cost of cultivation for plant protection without any environment pollution. Success in Chrysanthemum Inter cropping with drumstick since non competitiveness in water, nutrient, season, pest and diseases gives high net returns. Vigorous growth of the plant, improved water and nutrient use efficiency (65 percent), Reduced cost of fertilizers (25 per cent), Vested less cost on plant protection (30 percent saved), Achieved average market price (Rs. 100/kg) due to staggered planting, Inter cropping with drumstick got additional returns (Rs. 1.25 lakhs/acre)

Around Visited 295 farmers along with department officials visited field in this year. 88 farmers are adopting this Technology covering an area of 125 acres in coordination with Farmer and KVK team.

Farmer guided by KVK for quality seedlings production with stem cuttings treated with rooting hormone (Indole Butyric Acid) in Pro-trays and Coco peat as media for raising seedling. It was proved that the vigour of the seedling is very high and 15-23 percent yield enhanced with Rooted cuttings. Through this shade net nursery farmers supplied quality seedlings (12.25 lakhs) to 185 farmers from different parts of the state and earned Rs.24.01 lakhs.

In total from 8 acres of land farmer earned Rs. 28.57 lakhs net returns in the year 2016 and Rs. 39.8 lakhs in 2017 either from crop and nursery.

Department of Horticulture, Govt. of Telangana and Sri Konda Laxma Telangana state Horticulture University, Rajendranagar notified the quality of nursery and GAPs adopted promoted for commercial activity in the district.

Raised bed cultivation

Background:

Livestock based poverty alleviation programmes are heavily tilted towards dairying, which is water intensive and dependent on irrigated fodder. Sheep and goats provide and alternate in water deficient areas and such diversification may be supported and promoted in general and particularly drought prone areas like Ranga reddy district. In Small ruminants rearing sheep and goat are selective grazers preferably short and low set grasses, few legumes components, all these pastures can’t provide bodily required nutrients for their physiological process and body building. So, minerals are required for building and maintenance of the body. Common mineral deficiency symptoms are reduced appetite, reduced body weight, abnormal hair coat, skin dullness, bone deformities, staggered gait and weak and still born birth weights. These conditions lead to decrease in reproductive performance and effect quality meat production . However, Ranga Reddy, a peri urban district of Telangana has immense potential to meat production. The demand of mutton is increasing rapidly due to increase in economic status, demand for quality meat based products, and floating population of metropolitan cities and growing trend of eating in restaurants and hotels.

KVK intervention:

Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) was conducted for small ruminant farmers of Ranga Reddy district. Created awareness on importance for knowing health status minerals in regulating biological systems, growth, production and reproduction. Most of case studies revealed high incidences of forage and blood serum samples below the critical levels for different mineral elements, especially copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cobalt (Co), sodium (Na) and phosphorus (P). Soils are getting depleted for one or more mineral elements as a result of intensive farming practices which create imbalances of mineral elements in soil, plants and animals. Small ruminants depend on forages for their mineral requirements. The quantity of minerals, thus, present in forages may not be sufficient for optimum growth, body yield and reproduction of animals by noticing the inbreeding, genetic deformities among sheep and goat. In general, inbreeding results in an overall lowering in performance: vigor, disease resistance, reproductive efficiency, and survivability. It also increases the frequency of abnormalities.

Keeping these points in view, KVK encourage few sheep and goat rearing farmers to supplement minerals to small ruminants in the form of mineral bricks. Essential macro and micro nutrients required for body physiological functions of small ruminants are available in mineral bricks in palatable manner through licking.

Impact:

With this intervention in the small ruminants farming community, KVK demonstrated and created awareness on importance of minerals in normal physiological process.70% farmers adopted this mineral brick technology in the village. 46% reduced lamb and kid mortality was observed. 25% reduced weak and still born birth weights in pregnant mothers was noticed.32% increased more body weight was observed. Ultimately farmer fetched more remunerative price of Rs.1500/animals through sale of sheep and goat.

Sl.No	Particulars	Farmers Practice	Mineral Brick Usage
1.	Percent adaptation of technology	8	27
2.	Rate of mortality in lambs and kid	24	13
3.	Weak & still births (No.)	12	9
4.	Body weight (kg)	13	19
5.	Net income (Rs.)@ 250/kg live weight	3250	4750

1. Situation analysis/Problem statement

Krishi Vigyan Kendra Ranga Reddy district felt the need of an harvesting method for paddy and introduced brush cutter for harvesting of paddy in its adopted villages to overcome the financial problems of the farmers to afford charges of combine harvester by the small and marginal land holdings and to achieve timely operation

2. Plan, Implement and Support:

Harvesting by hand is done with a sickle and the ears of rice are cut at about 200 mm above the ground wastage of fodder and availability of labour very critical also consumes the more labor per harvesting .By comparison with hand-harvesting with a sickle or scythe, this method requires about 175 percent more labour. Manual harvesting of rice, which is still relatively common, especially in tropical areas, is being increasingly replaced by mechanical harvesting with brush cutter harvester is machines that do the cutting paddy.

It was introduced under custom hiring program through which it will be in the reach of every farmer of the village. An additional attachment was fitted to brush cutter called as gatherer which works as windrower and keeps the stack of harvested panicles together and avoids grain loss. Brush cutter with gatherer is shown in fig 1.

Figure: Brush cutter with gatherer. Table: Particulars of paddy harvester (brush cutter)

#	Feature	Details
1	Model	UMK435T U2ST
2	Brand name	Honda
3	Cutter type	80 teeth circular
4	Engine	GX35
5	Engine type	4-stroke, overhead cam single cylinder
6	Displacement	35.8 cc
7	Maximum horsepower	1.3 HP
8	Compression ratio	8:1
9	Cooling system	Forced air
10	Ignition system	Transistorized magneto ignition
11	Air cleaner	Semi-dry type
12	Fuel	Unleaded petrol
13	Fuel tank capacity	0.63 litre
14	Oil capacity	0.1 litre
15	Blade direction	Anti-clockwise (top view)
16	Handle type	Double grip
17	Start type	Rope pull

3. Output:

The technical specifications of the brush cutter are given in table 1. It was introduced during kharif season with an intention to cover maximum area. To find the performance of the cutter, test was conducted in farmer’s field and the results are tabulated in the table. This method of harvesting was compared with other methods to understand the feasibility and assess the performance of brush cutter. The conventional methods followed in the region were compared with brush cutter and the results of brush cutter.

4. Outcome:

Horizontal spread of problem-solving technology(ies)in the neighboring villages and a brochure written in this technology for farmers and the out come of the machine as below.

5. Impact:

Since the cost of brush cutter is high (about Rs.20,000), a modified brush cutter per paddy attached two additional parts for harvesting of paddy, about 16 farmers are regularly using the harvester for the past three years covering an area of about 32 ac, the estimated cost saving using the machine was about Rs, 38,248/-. Keep in view the demand for the machine KVK has indented for one more rush cutter for the ensuing financial year.

Best option for non-traditional rice in small farms

Cost saving up to Rs 1100/ac

Easy to operate, readily available in the local market

Background

Term mastitis refers to the inflammation of udder and is characterized by physical and chemical changes in the milk which includes discoloration. Clots and a large number of leucocytes are found in the milk. Mastitis is a scourge that results in heavy losses to the dairy farmer by causing a reduction in milk production, drastic decrease or cessation of production, causing permanent damage to the udder or, even death of the animal in severe cases. Annual losses due to clinical and subclinical mastitis (SCM) have been reported to be Rs. 6053.21 crores in India. If one quarter is affected 25% milk yield is lost permanently. It may also spread to other quarters also; hence it causes major economic losses to the farmer. High yielding animals are more prone to this condition, if not milked properly.

Prevalence of Mastitis cases:

In our survey in Ranga Reddy district, it was observed that 40% milk samples were positive for subclinical mastitis infected. Pure exotic breeds like HF, Jersey etc have the highest susceptibility to mastitis followed by crossbreds. The lower susceptibility of local breeds is basically due to its lower milk production and a better immunity levels. Buffaloes are the least susceptible to mastitis. With more farmers taking to crossbreeding for higher production, the prevalence of mastitis is also on the rise. Preventing the occurrence of mastitis would therefore play a pivotal role in making milk business profitable. A proper understanding of the mastitis will go a long way in reducing the incidence at the farmers’ homestead. Diseases of the teat may not lead to production losses directly, but indirectly there could be a decrease in yield due to difficulty in milking and pain caused by the lesions.

Good husbandry practices promote good health and efficient production from livestock. Thus, complete and holistic approaches are essential where maintenance of appropriate environment (both internal and external) is required. In spite of the good husbandry practices, mastitis in dairy animals is inevitable. However, good managemental practices like housing, nutrition (clean water and wholesome food), general hygiene, good record keeping, parasite control, complete vaccination and deworming programme will reduce the incidence of mastitis.

KVK intervention:

KVK interacted with dairy farmers after conducting animal health camps in villages and diagnosed by conducting field level tests. The early detection of disease is very important because in early stages it is amenable to treatment. A field level test named The California Mastitis Test (CMT kit) is most commonly used and has proved to be very efficient. After mixing milk and the reagent the result is read as traces 1, 2, 3 and negative depending upon the gel formation in the milk sample. Affected cases were treated by KVK through parental injections in the form of antibiotics and udder infusions consist of water soluble ointments. Maintaining an adequate level of Selenium and Vitamin E in the system helped in preventing mastitis. . In some severe cases cortisone are used to facilitate the reduction of inflammation. Later created awareness on clean milk production in the form of diagrammatic pictorial presentations and teaching aids as pamphlets. During udder treatment strict hygienic and aseptic precautions were explained to the dairy farmers to follow.

Impact:

With all these interventions in the dairy cattle, Dairy farmers saved expenses in treating the subclinical mastitis by 60%. Dairy cattle health improved a lot and thereby increased milk yield by four fold. Ultimately with the sale of milk, after treatment farmers fetched a remunerative price on of Rs. 160/animal milk with a net increase.

S.No	Particulars	Farmers Practice	Package of Practices on Mastitis
1	Percent adaptation of technology	5	25
2	Expenses for treatment of mastitis (Rs.)	2000	800
3	Milk productivity (Litres)	1.5	5.5
4	Remunerative price of milk @ Rs 40/litre	60	220

A skill development training program was organised by the ICAR- CRIDA in association with KVK, RR District for rural youth and farmers on " Farm Pond Construction and Lining" during June 2 to 16, 2017 at KVK , Ranga Reddy district. 100 rural youth and farmers were trained from five districts namely Nalgonda, Siddipet, Medchal, Mahaboobnagar and Ranga Reddy district from Telangana state. The trainees were imparted with skills of location of farm pond based on the slope direction, marking for the farm pond, construction procedure with machinery, calculation of farm pond capacity for different catchment areas, inlet and outlet structures along with silt trap, size of the lining material and selection of lining material etc. The trainees were also exposed to the field visit of farm pond technology in Gunegal Research Farm and Hyathnagar Research Farm. The trainees were explained about ARYA and PMKSY schemes introduced by Govt. of India for implementation of the farm pond scheme in the Telangana state

Dr K Sammi Reddy, Acting Director, ICAR-CRIDA gave away the certificates to the trainees on 13 June, 2017 from Siddipet district. While addressing the trainees, he emphasized the need to control land degradation through water conservation technologies like farm pond technology in the farmer’s fields for water storage and utilization through efficient irrigation systems during dryspells at critical stages of the crops in dryland areas. Dr K Srinivas Reddy, Principal Scientist (SWCE), Program Co Ordinator and Er S Vijaya Kumar, SMS (Agricultural Engineering) for the skill development program stressed the need for water resource development through farm ponds and efficient utilization for enhancing the water productivity at farm level for enhancing the farmer’s income through crop diversification and multiple use of water in rainfed areas. Dr V Maruthi, Head, KVK spoke on the crop management practices under farm ponds for efficient utilization of water resources in rainfed areas.

Ranga Reddy, a peri urban district of Telangana has immense potential for fruits and vegetable cultivation. To meet the growing demand for fresh produce, intensive cultivation is need of the hour. Unpredictable rains and fluctuations in extreme temperatures during nursery cause severe loss to farmers. Seeds of hybrid vegetables are sold at very high price, hence converting every individual seed into a healthy seedling becomes essential and this requires intensive nursery management. Use of shade net nursery by individual farmer, particularly those with small land holding was found to be feasible and economically viable

Dr K Sammi Reddy, Acting Director, ICAR-CRIDA gave away the certificates to the trainees on 13 June, 2017 from Siddipet district. While addressing the trainees, he emphasized the need to control land degradation through water conservation technologies like farm pond technology in the farmer’s fields for water storage and utilization through efficient irrigation systems during dryspells at critical stages of the crops in dryland areas. Dr K Srinivas Reddy, Principal Scientist (SWCE), Program Co Ordinator and Er S Vijaya Kumar, SMS (Agricultural Engineering) for the skill development program stressed the need for water resource development through farm ponds and efficient utilization for enhancing the water productivity at farm level for enhancing the farmer’s income through crop diversification and multiple use of water in rainfed areas. Dr V Maruthi, Head, KVK spoke on the crop management practices under farm ponds for efficient utilization of water resources in rainfed areas.

Introduction and background

This is the story of 3 farmers namely K. Satyanarayana, M,Narsimhulu and Ananta swamy of Thimareddyguda, Shabad Mandal , Ranga Reddy Dt., who had started the polyhouse cultivation of flower plants -carnation in an area of 0.5 acres in 2008 by taking subsidy and credit facility under NHM program. They were able to produce the carnation flowers for few months and earned marginal money by marketing the produce in Hyderabad flower markets. After 8 months the production dropped down due to some problems (abiotic and biotic) and the farmers ran in to losses and were unable to clear their debts. They were desperately looking for alternatives to come out of the debt trap

Intervention by KVK

Though floriculture was their own initiative with NHM support, since KVK Ranga Reddy Dt., CRIDA is also working in this adopted village, intervened in the process and tried to recover the floriculture production by inviting specialists, but could not succeed. Then the KVK, RR Dist suggested the farmers to go for high value vegetable cultivation in polyhouse instead of flower crops. Capsicum (Hyb: Indira) was recommended and the three farmers raised the crop during 2010 under KVK supervision and followed the management practices as recommended. The farmers could take 5 harvests and earned regular income, as there is a good market potential for Capsicum in Hyderabad with an average price of Rs. 35- 40/kg. The farmers are happy with the intervention and have recovered from the financial losses.

Introduction and background:

Jalaguda, Pamina (Chevella Mandal) and Thimmareddiguda (Shabad Mnandal) in Ranga Reddy district lack quality fodder, especially during November to May which is a major limiting factor for improving livestock production. These villages possess 2819 buffaloes, 1637 cattle, 26650 sheep and 11437 goat populations. The benchmark of milk productivity in the cluster was 2.5 litres/day per animal with a fat content of 4-5%. The sale price of milk was Rs.18 per litre. During summer all livestock has to rely on crop residues like paddy straw and hence many animals go undernourished and weak leading to severe anoestrous condition. Because of urbanization, small land holdings and lack of water, fodder crop cultivation is practiced by a very few farmers in the village.

Traditional Forage Production Techniques

Generally paddy straw and sorghum stover account for about 70 - 80 % of the available feed. However its quality is poor, especially in terms of protein to meet their dietary needs. The feed conversion can be improved by urea treatment of straw and by feeding concentrates to milking cows.

Sowing fodder Jowar locally called “Bhu jonnallu” once or twice a year with recommended seed rate and thinning for green fodder. The straw from this generally gives poor quality fodder besides giving low yields.

Some of the farmers graze their large and small ruminants on cotton crop residues after harvesting

Fodder jowar M.P.Chari Var. at Pamina village                                                                           Perennial fodder Guinea grass (Macunae var.) at Jalaguda village

Perennial fodder APBN1 var. at Thimmareddiguda Village

Introduction and background:

This is the story of a farmer Mr. Bolla Subba Reddy, a para-veterinary worker undergone training in NDDB and entered in to the farming. Initially he was cultivating rice and other crops for 5 years, in which he could not get good returns. As his residence is very near to KVK premises, he is a regular visitor the KVK, Ranga Reddy Dt for technical guidance in rice and other crops. In one of such visits he saw the vermin compost demo unit established at KVK farm and got the idea of entering in to compost making

Institutional Intervention:

He has undergone training program along with other farmers and extension functionaries on different composting methods. He started a small shed with 4 beds (60 x 20 feet shed) near the cattle market at Chintalakunta, Ranga Reddy Dt. Initially he struggled for marketing of the vermi compost (6 t/month). With the guidance from KVK, he could establish contact with several potential buyers. He started another 3 units by 2004-05, and now he is maintaining 148 beds with about 50000 sq. ft area. The production capacity has increased from 6 tons initially to 100 t/ month now, with a price tag of Rs. 3000/t. He has established a market in 8 districts of the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and several other states like Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Now KVK, RR Dist, as a part of exposure visits is taking farmers regularly to his vermicompost unit to create awareness and inspiration. He, on his own, is providing training to other farmers in establishing the vermin units in different district of Andhra Pradesh. He is distributing the initial culture of earthworms with out any cost to those who approach him. He is regular participant of exhibitions conducted by the department of Agriculture, KVK and other NGOs. He has created employment for 25 laborers through out the year and also contributing to enrichment of soil fertility and enhancing soil health.

Category	Details
Raw material used	Animal dung and waste from nearby fruit market
Quantity of raw material	6 t/bed
Cost of production	Raw material: Rs. 1,500; Labour: Rs. 750/t
Production	1.7 t/bed
Price of produce	Rs. 3000/t
Total produce	100 t/month
Gross returns	Rs. 3,00,000/month
Cost of production	Rs. 2,25,000/month
Net returns	Rs. 75,000/month; Rs. 9,00,000/year

National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) Project was launched at Kandlapalli, Mirzapur and Yenkepalli villages in Pudur Mandal, away from 100 km from Hyderabad. The population of three villages was 4255 and the total cultivated area is 11398 ha, the cluster consists of red and block cotton soils. Analysis of various types of rainfed situations revealed that soil and water conservation, and efficient water management are the key to sustainable development. As part of NRM activities in the three villages the following activities were taken up. A close analysis of various types of rainfed situations would reveal that soil and water conservation, watershed development and efficient water management are the key to sustainable development of rainfed areas, the watershed approach has been accepted as a major theme for development of rain fed areas with a view to conserving natural resource of water and Part of NRM activities done in three adopted villages selected in Rangar Reddy Dist, Pudur Mandal, the villages names are Knanlapalli,Mirzapur and Yenkepalli, Land Reform beneficiaries of small and marginal farmers account of land- holdings & operate of cultivated land and Highest Priority to Water Conservation.

Rain water harvesting structures and reusing methods (Farm Pond Technology)

Renovation of water bodies (Percolation tanks)

De-silting of tanks & canals

Land Development and leveling for additional cultivation

Flood control measures in different rainwater harvesting structures

Micro Irrigation facilities for conserve the water and efficient irrigation to crop

Groundwater use in pre-project period

In the pre-project period (2010–11), total water requirement for irrigation during kharif and winter was increase in 15%. This requirement was met by rainfall (0.5 ha m) and by the net availability of groundwater quantity (53.4 ha m) due to existing percolation tanks in the vicinity. This resulted in a desirable situation of groundwater surplus to tide over drought years, which is a common occurrence (once in three years) in this arid to semi-arid tract.

Groundwater use in post-project period

In the post-project period (2011–2014), the average irrigated area in the pre-project period. Correspondingly, the average groundwater draft increased pre project period to average post-project period. Irrigation water was met by direct rainfall and natural recharge plus recharge due to existing Tank in the vicinity. Among the existing eighteen open wells (average depth 15 m) some of the well shave dried up since 2006 due to the indiscriminate drilling of bore wells. Further, failure rate of the bore wells commissioned since 2003 was three for every successful bore well and resulted in increasing the financial liability of the farmer.

Table: Change in Groundwater levels in three villages

Village Name	Open Wells			Bore Wells
	Pre Project (m)	Post Project (m)	Change (%)	Pre Project (m)	Post Project (m)	Change (%)
Kandlapalli	20	15	25	25	18	28
Mirzapur	10	6	40	20	15	25
Yenkepalli	13	9	31	20	15	25

Table: Increase in ground water use for irrigation with time

Project period	Year	Rainfall (mm)	Irrigation quantity
			Required (ha m)	Water availability (ha m)
Pre-project	2010	1108	14	15.51
Post-project	2011	612	28	17.13
	2012	780	36	28.08
	2013	655	30	19.65
	2014	520	33	17.43
Average		641.75	31.75	20.57

Table: Changing in crop area during per and post project period

Crops	Pre-project area (ac)	Post-Project area (ac)				% Increase
	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014
Paddy	12.3	14.5	15.6	16.3	15.2	25.20
Maize	4.7	5.1	5.3	6.5	6.6	25.00
Redgram	12.2	14.1	16.4	20.2	15.2	35.04
Jowar	7.5	8.3	9.1	9.8	8.3	18.33
Turmeric	3.2	3.5	4.3	5.8	4.4	40.62
Vegetables	6.5	7.2	7.7	8.3	12.1	35.76
Fodder	2.1	2.4	3.2	3.5	4.6	63.09

Conclusions:

Productive wells increased

Area under irrigation increased

Cropped area increased

Production of Fodder crops increased

Vegetable production increased