Happy seeder

The new technology that is usage of Happy Seeder in states like Punjab and Haryana instead of burning the crop stubbles for reducing the air pollution

1. UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES , RAICHUR . COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE , RAICHUR . DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION EDUCATIO N PRESENTATIO N HAPPY SEEDER TECHNOLOGY Presented by c. vaishnavi M.Sc.(Ag.) PG20AGR12028

2. Rice-Wheat Cropping system of the Indo-Gangetic plains of India cover around 10.5 million hectares. An estimated 23 million metric tons of rice stubble burned in October and November to prepare fields for subsequent wheat crop. Burning of crop residue a major cause of air pollution, in addition to soil degradation. Due to such burning enormous quantity of particulate matter (especially PM 2.5) and other noxious gases are released in the atmosphere. Zero tillage (ZT) direct seeding offers a solution, but affected by large amount of loose residues in field. BACK GROUND

3. In order to curb this menace the central government has sanctioned Rupees 6950 million rupees to the Punjab for the awareness drive and subsidized purchase of in-situ residue management machinery. Among various in-situ residue management technologies, Happy Seeder technology had a major breakthrough due to its exponential expansion in the past two years. This machine was developed in the D epartment of Farm Power and Machinery, Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana in collaboration with CSIRO Land and Water Australia under the financial assistance from ACIAR

4. SOLUTION Happy Seeder - a specialized no-till seeder, combines Zero Tillage seeder with a straw management unit. Shreds residues and deposits around the seeded row as mulch. Reduces evaporation losses, buffers soil moisture and temperature, and facilitates a more efficient uptake of water and nutrients by plant roots. Reduces labour requirements for crop establishment by as much as 80%, irrigation needs by 20-25%, and herbicide use by as much as 50%.

5. R ejuvenation of soil micro-flora and fauna R eduction of weeds especially the obnoxious Phalaris minor to an extent of 65 percent B etter crop health as compared to conventionally sown ones Reduces the GHG emission and Particulate Matter emissions to a greater extent in the area.

6. OASIS OF CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE IN PUNJAB, INDIA: A CASE STUDY OF HAPPY SEEDER TECHNOLOGY Present study was conducted in cluster of four villages viz Jatana, Katani, Mehdoodan and Begowal in Ludhiana district of Punjab where the technology was rapidly adopted. The aim of this study was to explore factors affecting adoption, impact and prospects of the technology in rice wheat cropping system.

7. MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS FOR ADOPTION The lower cost of cultivation, zero burning of paddy straw, S ignificant control of Phalaris minor T echnology was easy to operate, E nvironment friendly and E conomical (saving Rupees 3500/- per ha) due to saving of labour and fuel, along with very low mechanical breakdown etc

8. Mr. Harjeet Singh, a progressive farmer and opinion leader of the area, has also played key role in ensuring rapid adoption of the technology. He not only motivated fellow farmers to gain technical assistance from the KVK but also assisted them in purchasing 26 Happy Seeders

9. ADVANTAGES

10. STUDY FINDINGS Single intervention of Happy Seeder in 2017-18 in a small area of 18 ha at one location increased to 800 ha in the adjoining areas during current year i.e. 2018-19 However, the long-term impacts of this technology on soil flora & fauna, natural resources (land and water), role of opinion leaders in rapid diffusion of technology and its contribution towards poverty alleviation needs to be explored further.

11. IMPACT Reached 0.8 million hectares of adoption of happy seeder/zero tillage technology in the North- Western States of India within a year. An additional direct farmer benefit of Rs 900 crores compared to a burning option. Large public benefits of significant reduction in GHGs & PM 2.5, improving soil health, saving on water and contributing to SDGs. Approximately 13,000 happy seeder machines in operation in north-west India.

12. States like West Bengal has been conducting research trails on Jute cultivation using zero till happy seed technology Government support, including a special scheme of about Rs 1150 crores to support farmers for machinery, capacity development, knowledge sharing and awareness creation involving almost 100 public institutions including Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), ICAR institutions, State Departments of Agriculture, Agriculture Universities.

13. THANK YOU