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Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia (CSISA) is a joint project of IRRI (International Rice Research Institute, Philippine) and CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, Mexico). CSISA is working in Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bangladesh. CSISA, Pakistan is working for the improvement in farming systems through Conservation Agriculture.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

TWG at Faisalabad, Pakistan

A TWG meeting was held at Faisalabad, Pakistan on 16th May, 2012. Representatives of research, extension, UAF, Pvt industry and farmers participated the meeting (list attached). The agenda of meeting was upcoming DSR technology. Burning of wheat residues, seed rate, method of planting, irrigation and weed control came under intense discussion. Dr. M. Aqil Khan, Country Coordinator, CSISA, Pakistan welcomed the participants and gave a power point presentation to the participants on the subject. An open discussion took place and every body shared their experience. Burning of wheat straw is widespread especially after combine harvesting which causes loss of valuable organic matter and obnoxious source of air pollution leading to respiratory diseases and tragic traffic accidents. A farmer added that burning is practiced due to lack of proper machinery for ploughing in heavily strawed fields and the farmers’ impression that the following rice crop wears yellow and sickly look and, therefore, low yield. However, other farmers disagreed and talked of the positive effect of residue incorporation. Residue decomposition, however, needs extra nitrogen application to speed up digestion. Farmers were suggested by CSISA management to undertake observation plantings of straw burial and its effects on rice crop. Director Agronomy, AARI observed that it is a researchable issue and should be investigated.  Participants agreed that disking is the best available means to plow in wheat straw but it disturbs the field level and LL is necessary there after. Other aspects of DSR were also discussed. Farmers were generally satisfied with various planting techniques to establish the crop. Every method tried – dry sowing versus stale planting or drill versus broadcast all proved good as crop establishment means. A major emphasis was placed on weed control. All agreed that the success of DSR hinges on successful weed control. CSISA management related its experience about the subject and gave a graphic presentation on various weeds and their control. Farmers were apprised of weed threat and how to combat it. Irrigation practices related to DSR were also discussed and means to save water were elaborated/ discussed and a recommendation was developed on the subject.
Dr. Khan, further briefed the participants about CSISA project and the various successes/failures in DSR. A pamphlet regarding production technology of DSR was distributed amongst all at the outset for comments, suggestions and further improvement. Widespread use of rotavator came under discussion. CSSISA highlighted various negative effects of the rotavator use.
The farmers were invited to explain their previous DSR experience. Muhammad Shah, a progressive farmer of district Okara who has already sown 4 acres DSR explained his techniques. He has successfully used broadcast sowing in standing water. Mr. Ahsan, a farmer from district Hafizabad, however, was in favor of preplanting irrigation for planting. Participants were told that traditional wheat drill and CSISA planter has also been used successfully to sow the crop.
The farmers as well as CSISA team had a bitter experience of madhana grass especially in non-core areas. The participants were told that the use of 250 ml Puma super alongwith recommended dose of clover 12-15 days after sowing has successfully controlled madhana grass as well.
The participants were apprised that CSISA team has held training programs of farmers for laying out supervised demonstrations/ trials on DSR as well as its widespread adoption trials amongst the farmers. Director PPRI expressed his views regarding disease incidence on DSR and transplanted rice. It was decided that CSISA team will provide him the list of supervised demos/trials for conducting field trails on disease happening.
At the end Country Coordinator thanked the participants for their valuable suggestions and joining the meeting to review the production package.
Dr. Khan explaining DSR
Participants


Friday, May 18, 2012

CSISA, Pakistan efforts for promotion of DSR

In accordance to the activities planned by CSISA Pakistan for wide spread adoption of DSR amongst the farmers and further improvement in the production technology package the CSISA Pakistan team has enlisted a good number of farmers for DSR plantation, 50 supervised demonstrations/trials at farmer fields and a number of farmer days were held in and outside the hub domain in core and noncore rice areas during the current rice crop season. A very encouraging aspect of CSISA efforts is that not only Rice Research Institute Kala Shah Kaku is working on DSR project for the last two years but they along with Agriculture Extension are conducting farmer days as well for large scale adoption of DSR throughout the rice area. The CSISA Pakistan has till now conducted consultation meetings with farmers at Okara, Faisalabad, Wachoke Kalan (district Hafizabad), Jaranwala (chak # 658/9 GB) district Faisalabad and Shahkot (district Nankana Sahib) on 2nd May, 10th May, 11th May, 14th May and 17th May 2012 respectively for selection of sites for DSR demonstrations/trials, dissemination of DSR technology and adoption by other farmers. Technical Working Group meeting especially focused on DSR production technology and its promotion was also held on 16th May-2012 at Chenab Club(G) Ltd Faisalabad with the participation of researchers, Agri. Ext., representatives of private sector and farmers from various districts of Punjab province. A healthy discussion took place to further improve the technology. Following is pictorial view of the efforts.
At office of Distt. Officer Agri. Ext., Okara
At Chak 658/9 GB, Jaranwala, Distt. Faisalabad
At AARI, Faisalabad
At Wachoke  Kalan, Distt. Hafizabad
At Shahkot, Distt. Nankana Sahib

Field day on 0-til wheat demonstration after rice at chak # 172/ GB

Mr. Naseer a Govt. employee but having innovative mindset, keenly interested in agriculture and especially new technologies got a CSISA planter and used its three functions successfully. During the current wheat crop he used the planter for promoting 0-til wheat planting after rice and maize in his own and adjoin village and covered an area of 55 acres on custom hiring basis in addition to his own 6 acres. CSISA Pakistan conducted a field day on a demonstration block of 22 acres at chak # 172 in collaboration with farmer. The farmer representatives expressed their views about this technology and hoped for substantive increase in area in the next wheat crop. They appreciated the cost saving involved in land preparation, timely crop planting, water saving and the same time better yield. The CSISA team comprising of Rana Farman Ali- Ext. Agronomist, Abdul Hameed- Res. Associate and Hafiz Naveed Ramzan Res. Associate joined the event. CSISA team explained in detail the various CATs, benefits and their role in future agriculture. As rice is grown in the village and the surrounding area so special emphasis was given on DSR and its adoption. 103 farmers participated in the function.


Director Sugarcane Res. Instt., AARI addressing


Rana Farman Ali explaining 
Participants
At 0-til planted wheat field