Informal Seed Production Technology for Barani Agriculture

by Nisar Ali Shah  and Dr. Umar Frooq

Published in "The News"  Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi on January 24, 2005 and 
 "Dawn"  of Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi on January 03, 2005

Informal Seed Production Technology for Barani Agriculture  By: Nisar Ali Shah and Dr. Umar Frooq Agricultural sector is one of the major sources of income and employment for the people of barani areas of Pakistan. Successful transfer of improved technology to target beneficiaries require strong and viable linkages of development. The Punjab government has started Barani Village Development Project (BVDP) under the umbrella of Agency for Barani Areas Development (ABAD). The BVDP approach is of participatory type, which is more acceptable at the community level. Increasing the efficiency of agricultural and rural sectors of barani areas is of prime concern to the BVDP. Rapid progress is crucial not only to improve the quality of life of the people who earn their living from agriculture but also to raise income for improved quality of life. 

Besides Barani Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Barani Livestock Production Research Institute (BLPRI) Khairimurat, district Attock, Soil and Water Conservation Research Institute (SWCRI) district Chakwal, Fodder Research institute, Sargodha and Social Sciences Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), Islamabad are collaboration to execute integrated research agenda for different agro-ecological zones of Pothwar region. Average yield of crops per unit of land in Pothwar is much low as compared to other areas. In order to achieve self-sufficiency in food, feed and for sustainable agricultural development, technology transfer is significant. The application level of modern production technology is still very low in the barani areas. Generally, the big farmers are the first beneficiaries of new technology whereas medium and small farm households are usually unable to benefit from new technology. 

Furthermore, majority of farmers are poor and avoid taking risk in adopting new technology until they are sure about its benefits. A number of methods and approaches have been adopted for achieving agricultural and rural development for boosting the income of small and medium farm households. The major cause of low impact of new technology has been the poor linkages with the line department / agencies and research institutes. Therefore, the need for creating a strong linkage between research and development agencies for the improvement of agricultural productivity and conservation of natural resources through raped dissemination of promising technologies in the area. Different proven technologies, after continuous evaluation for the last four years, are now in the stateg to be disseminated in the barani areas. This needs a close collaboration and integration of the technology producers and dissemination agencies. 

Transfer of technology initiative has been launched throughout the project area. This programme is specifically planned to explore the diffusion process and possible constraints and challenges in the transfer and adoption of technologies of the target population. Farmer’s perception and behavior in the adoption of improved crop seed, low cost soil and water conservation structures, gypsum for moisture conservation and genetic improvement of small ruminants would help in further improvement of technology transfer mechanism. Viable technologies including improved seed of different food and deed crops are recommended after testing at integrated research sites in a participatory manner. The informal seed production of fodder crops is being promoted with the help of Agriculture Extension Development through a participatory technology transfer and diffusion process. 

The scientists at Social Sciences Institute (SSI), National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), Islamabad conducted surveys under which the fodder-growing farmers were interviewed during kharif 2003 at three different locations, viz Jand, Gujar khan and Pind Dadan Khan of Pothwar barani tract. Agricultural inputs were provided to the farmers at these locations in time and needful advice was given to farmers regarding use of inputs including seeds of maize, sorghum, millet was provided to the farmers. The basic thrust of this campaign essentially involved the dissemination of improved seeds. There were two basic ways available to farmers for ensuring supply of good seeds for sowing crops in the next season. These were either savings of seed form their own crop or buying it form elsewhere. Likewise, increased in productivity could be attained with substantial improvements in seed selection and more effective management practices. The host farmers produce their own seed for maize, sorghum and millet. The farmers were selected through community organization in the village. 

The basic objectives of these associations are to improve the knowledge, skills, increase farm productivity and income of the farmers. The farmers could sustain significant increase in real income by putting less emphasis upon local seed and devoting greater attention to improved seeds production. Many of these opportunities are within the reach of the farmers. 

The host farmers of the informal seed production also play an important role in the adoption also play an important role in the adoption and diffusion of new verities at community level. A number of farmers have purchased seed form these farmers. About ten fellow farmers purchased seed for the next season form each of the host farmer. This will have a multiplying effect in rapid adoption of these promising varieties. 

The sample farmers got higher grain and dry stalk yield along with good quality fodder from improved varieties of maize, millet and sorghum. The grain yield of maize, millet and sorghum was 33, 40 and 21 percent higher while of dry stalk was recorded 29, 29 and 50 percent higher then the local varieties of these fodder crops, respectively. The fertilizer response of these new varieties is also better then the local variety. These improved varieties have high net benefit then the farmers practice with little higher cost. The beneficiary farmers in the barani tract are obtaining more benefits being reaped by the ‘ conventional ‘ farmers. 

Seed production needs special efforts to maintain the quality and purity while farmers generally give little attention to their home produced seed. Therefore, for achieving self- sustainability the following measures are advised. (a) Special training for farmers to improved technology for increasing productivity and reducing per unit cost of production. b) Local variety should be replaced by high yield through seed dissemination at micro level. (c) Demonstration trail for informal seed production should be conducted with a participatory approach on regular basis. (d) Community involvement at the time of sowing, maturity and harvesting through field days would also be helpful in technology dissemination process. 

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