WHERE TECHNOLoGY MET TRADITION

Adoption of Technology in Farming Community of Tripura

By Sriparna Datta

August 17, 2024

Being the global agricultural powerhouse – India’s food security depends on producing cereal crops, as well as increasing its production of fruits, vegetables and milk to meet the demands of a growing population with rising incomes. The agricultural sector is facing several challenges which includes raising agricultural productivity per unit of land , reducing rural poverty through a socially inclusive strategy that comprises both agriculture as well as non-farm employment  etc. The scenario is quite similar in the state of Tripura. Considering every consequences , National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) Tripura R. O have taken many initiatives in collaboration with the FPOs and NGOs for the development of agri sector of Tripura. One such initiative is “Introduction of Paddy Transplanter Machine” in paddy cultivation of  Tripura. With the innovative initiation of the then General Manager of NABARD , Sri Loken Das , G.M, NABARD, Tripura R. O  in collaboration with renowned Farmers Producer Company (FPO) –The Bagma Agri Producer Company Limited (BAPCL) , had introduced a project under Farm Sector Promotion Fund – “Exposure Visit to Coach Bihar and Falkata and field demonstration and Technology” within which 25 nos of farmers are selected and sent to   “Satmile Satish Club” of Falkata , Coochbihar in West Bengal in the month of February 2023 . .

 The main aim of this exposure visit is to focus on the field demonstration and technology adoption of the farmers and dissemination of this techonolgy to the farming community of Tripura . In this regard ,Satmile Satish Club “O” Pathagar (SSCOP) NGO, Coach -Bihar , West Bengal, executed an agreement with BAPCL in conducting demonstration of technologies on different types of  farming.

During visit to the Satmile Satish Club “O” Pathagar, the farmers of Gomati district  visited different demonstration plots in regard to sowing of paddy seeds with machineries like paddy transplanter , Zero Tillage, Seed planter, potato seed cultivation, dragon fruit garden, bee keeping techniques., floriculture garden and vermicomposting site. Further, the team also visited Shooting Camp, FPCs,vermicompost production unit, bee-rearing site in a mustard field of mustard variety -DIVYA-55 and also TDF project, Piggery and Goatery maintained by Khagenhat Welfare Organisation-FPO at Nagarkata, Jalpaiguri.

On  return to Gomati district by 22nd February, a meeting was held on  23rd February,2023 at BAPCL conference hall with all the visiting farmers in the presence of MD and CEO of BAPCL and it has been decided that the project will be implemented in two location comprising  2 hectares – 1 hac in South Bagma and another 1 hac in West Khupilong.

As per the operational plan, three phases training on land preparation ,nursery preparation and many other trainings has been organised and executed by BAPCL in collaboration with different line departments, transplantation with paddy transplanter, and fertilisers per hac in both the villages has been gradually distributed . Practical sessions of farmers were an active part of the training on the usage of fertilizers and pesticides on the ground of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)  and Integrated Nutrient Management(INM) approaches . Technical advice and guidance from agricultural experts, agronomists, and extension workers on various aspects of paddy cultivation remained as one of the important portion of the project.

Besides transplantation taken placed in 2 hac( 1 hac in each project location) of land in Daksin Bagma and West Khupilong , the field day programmes and field visits organized by the BAPCL also influenced  the invited delegates of ICAR, KVKs , College of Agriculture etc. which resulted to transplantation in 1 hac land of KVK-South , 1 acre land of KVK-Sepahijala, 0.5 acre land of College of Agriculture, Tripura  and some more 1 acre of land at Birganj GP under Amarpur R.D Block of Gomati district- a total of four (4) hectare land has been transplanted using transplanter- which seems a success in adopting  and transferring of the technology. Farmers are sensitized with practical knowledge through demonstrations about the advantages of transplanter and its technology regarding  the following benefits:

•         It’s a time-saving technology for the farmers

•         Very much cost-effective

•         Ensure uniform spacing between plant to plant and row to row.

•         Reduce labour dependency

•         Planting materials are mostly pest and disease free.

•         Increases production by 5% -7%

Project Location	Total Production	Marketisation
Field at Daksin Bagma	Total production 4500Kg in 1 hac	The produces has supplied to the Agriculture Department under RGP  @ Rs. 29/Kg.
Field at West Khupilong	Total production is 4700 kg in 1 hac.	The produces has supplied to Food Corporation of India (FCI) @ Rs. 21.83/Kg.

This success rate has come to the table of Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of Tripura and they were highly delighted with this incorporation of technology  in the farming community of Tripura . They sanctioned Farm Machinery Bank(FMB) in to SHGs , FPOs, VOs of  eight (8) district of Tripura. Recently M/S. M.V Dealers of Agartala along with Bagma Agri Producer Company Limited (BAPCL) has collaborated with Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare  for the supply of paddy transplanter machine to different blocks of Tripura like Hezamara, Dukli, Panisagar, Belbari,  Matabari , Tepania etc for using transplanter in upcoming paddy-season . Mr. Sudip Majumder, Managing Director of BAPCL has put light on the socio-economic benefits of adapting scientific technology among the farming community of Tripura. The CEO of BAPCl, Mr.Farukul Islam who is an Agriculture Scientist by profession has always awared the beneficiaries regarding the health benefit of plants on usage of paddy transplanter. BAPCL is thankful very much  to  the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of Tripura  for considering their initiative and stand with them for the development of farming community of Tripura.

The author is a Project Coordinator at The Bagma Agri Producer Company Limited (BAPCL).