Navadhanya Crop System

Conclusions arrived at from the

Field Day and Consultationwith Farmers
Kummarivandlapalli Village, Nallacheruvu Mandal,
Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh, 22nd January 2016

Field Area of the Farmer: Shri. Narasimha Murthy

Participants
Farmers : Tanakallu, Nallacheruvu, Gandlapenta, Amadaguru, Gutti, Kambaduru,
Peddavaduguru, Dharmavaram about 40
farmers.

Dept. of Agri. : DDA-FTC, DDA-Soil Conservation, ADA-Kadiri,

AOs, AEOs and MPEOs from Kadiri Division,
BTM

ANGRAU : Scientist from DATT Centre, KVK-

Kalyanasamudram

NGOs : Janajagruti, HANDS, Annadata coop, MYRADA,

AccionFraterna, REDS, RIDS,

Facilitated by : WASSAN , HANDS & ATMA

Supported by : ATMA, Anantapur

Total Participants : about 70

Conclusions Arrived At
What is Navadhanya System?

There is confusion between the inter crop/ mixed crop/ multiple crop system and Navadhanya. It
is commonly agreed that this will be called Navadhanya System ( ).

The Navadhanya system has specific design principles and crop geometry (including rows, intra
rows, vertical canopy cover, time of maturity). The Navadhanya System is explained in detail in a
latter section below.

1. The major benefits of Navadhanya observed during the

field day were :

a. Navadhanya system covers soil till February-March (9 to

10 months) and soil is only exposed during April-May
with lots of biomass on it; while, soil is exposed to sun in
single crop rainfed system i.e. after harvest of
groundnut around November.

b. Huge volume of biomass addition to soils through crop residue is observed in the field.

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 c. The system harvests rain very effectively. There are elements in the system that provide
returns in different situations of rainfall failures. The system is highly Climate Resilient
and secures income.

d. While giving the main crop for marketing, the system provides several pulses, oil seeds,
vegetables and cereals/millets for household consumption.

e. The system requires no external inputs and over time the quality of land improves
substantially due to diverse biomass added to soil and soil covered for almost 9 months.

f. The system is less labour intensive and can be managed easily by the family members
up to 2 acres. It involves one time sowing after land preparation and one weeding and
regular harvests. In the case of Ramulamma she alone have managed the entire plot
after sowing expect hiring labour once for harvesting Korra.

g. Only issue is that time needs to be spent on regular harvests of relatively smaller quantities
of grains and their storage and processing. If area is higher each picking of produce may
be adequate to pay for the labour costs. This needs to be explored; i.e. labour / wage rates
need to be evolved.

h. While groundnut is harvested early, Navadhanya System makes use of the rains from N-E
monsoon and later on (including winter dew) to produce; this is most effective way of using
local rainfall. Based on the moisture and rains during late kharif season, a second crop ater
harvesting the main crop is also possible resulting in crop-intensification.

i. Yields and Returns: During the year which was affected by crop losses due to long dryspell
and rains at harvesting (of groundnut) the results are varying across farmers but, the
reported returns are higher than groundnut. Even in such a highly variable agriculture year,
the net returns (value of the harvests at local prices) ranged from 15000 to 20000 Rs. per
acre, all in rainfed lands far higher than that of groundnut during the season in similar
situations.

j. Protective Irrigation: A combination of protective or supportive irrigations ( about 2

irrigations) can secure the crops and even enable double cropping in the main-crop areas if
the crop mixes are properly planned. The net returns could be around 25000 to 30000 Rs
per acre.

2. The program is NOT about Number of Crops but about the Crop Systems and their design in
Navadhanya system.

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 3. Duration of the crop / variety and its nature of growth (canopy spread over time, branching,
ability to mix with other crops and time of maturity) are important in selection of varieties for
Navadhanya System. For e.g., it is observed and agreed in the field day that improved
varieties/ hybrids of castor with shorter duration and early maturity are not suitable for
Navadhanya. The requirement is for a variety that starts its growth late, with high branching
ability and comes to maturity after January when redgram crop is harvested. It will cover the
land till March. Failure of improved varieties of castor is observed in Navadhanya.

4. In view of the above, it is strongly recommended NOT to distribute improved seeds at random
through any promotional program. It is recommended that local seeds be chosen by
experienced farmers in the location and the same may be procured through Mana
VittanaKendras for distribution.

5. The knowledge of Navadhanya System is wide spread across the district particularly with old
people; the name Navadhanya is not popular across, though.

Promotional Strategy for Navadhanya System

The following points emerged during the discussion on promotional strategy.

1. Intensive campaign : to get farmers motivated. The campaign needs to reach out to individual
farmers encouraging them to try at least one acre under Navadhanya.

2. Knowledge dissemination: though the knowledge is there, the younger generation may not
have complete understanding. It is important to communicate the system of cropping and the dos
and donts. Navadhanya is a knowledge intensive system.

3. Support at Sowing Time: The experiences last year in

promotion of Navadhanya suggests the need for sowing
time support for farmers in choosing and mixing crops/
seeds. The support of Community Resource Persons /
experienced farmers is required.

4. Making relevant and appropriate seeds available

makes it easier. The recommendation is that such seed
be procured locally. All improved varieties may not be
suitable.

5. Improvements: Once the system is established then further improvements can be made over
time particularly in managing drought spells and pest management.

6. Marketing : marketing support, particularly of millets is required.

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From the discussion the following strategy emerged:

1. Mana Vittana Kendram / Gram Panchayat can be one unit of area for promotion.
2. AEOs (and MPEOs) need to be involved along with support from local NGOs for facilitation.
3. Identify 2 experienced farmers in the GP as Community Resource Persons Navadhanya
Sahayakulu. Their remuneration be fixed on task
basis.

4. Organise an intensive orientation (on standardization of

Navadhanya System) program for all the identified
CRPs.

5. Constitute one Navadhanya SalahaSamithi with old

and experienced farmers in the Gram Panchayat that
includes the Navadhanya Sahayakulu.

6. Some farmers also expressed the need to set up

marketing systems for produce from Navadhanya fields for millets, especially.

7. Choosing the seed:

a. The elders committee after the training of the Navadhanya Sahayakulu, discusses and
chooses the type of seed (crops/ varieties) required for the system in their Gram
Panchayat.

b. After the campaign is over, the AEO will compile the list of farmers willing to take up
Navadhanya System and in consultation with the Samithi arrives at the quantum of seed
required for the Gram Panchayat. A compiled list will be submitted to Mana Vittana
Kendram.

8. Procurement of Seed:
a. The required seed will be procured by the Navadhanya Salaha Samithi from within the
Gram Panchayat and gives to the Mana Vittana Kendram. The Salaha Samithi and AEO
will certify the quality of seeds.

b. The seed will be pooled at Mana Vittana Kendram and packed into seed required for one
acre. (separate pack for each seed as per the Navadhanya Table and one pack with all
those small packs for One Acre).

c. Payment will be made by the Mana Vittana Kendram for procuring seed.

d. AEO must ensure that the required seed is procured.

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9. Payment for Seed:
a. APSEEDS enters into an agreement with the Mana Vittana Kendram along with AO.

b. The concerned officer at APSSDC verifies the seed and approves payment after s/he is
satisfied with the quality of seed.

c. The MVK will be paid by APSSDC / AOs.

d. Price fixation for each one acre packs will be done by the MVK.

e. The MVK will sell the seed to the identified farmers taking up Navadhayna.

f. In the first year the proceeds of seed sales will be retained by the MVK as their corpus or
risk fund. From subsequent years, it repays the amount to APSSDC with a small service
fee built into the price of seeds.

g. From the subsequent years, seed production of appropriate varieties may also be taken
up by MVKs.

10. Seed Distribution:

a. Seed will only be sold without any subsidy. Farmers felt that purchasing seeds may not be
a problem for interested farmers.

11. Communication Material:

a. Prepare a booklet on the system with detailed explanation on its components.
b. Leaflets on Navadhanya for wider circulation
c. Small video (that can be circulated in whatsapp and other means).
d. Using local cable TV to broadcast the films.

12. Facilitation System:

a. The process needs to be anchored by the Navadhanya Salaha Samithi consisting of
elders experienced in Navadhanya with two persons designated as Navadhanya
Sahayakulu to attend training and provide inputs to farmers on field.

b. Mana Vittana Kendram will be the nodal point for any operations/ payments/ procurement.

c. AEO will take responsibility for supporting the Navadhanya Salaha Samithi in identifying
farmers along with NGOs and the MPEOs and in seed procurement etc. The responsibility
lies with AEO.

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 d. An identified local NGO will support the Navadhanya Salakha Samithi in promotion, in
organizing meetings, campaign, and other support..

e. NGO will facilitate the operations at MVK level.

13. Issues to be resolved:

a. Crop losses due to droughts are common feature of Anantapur district. Compensation
through crop insurance or special drought assistance from the government in such
occasions is also a common feature. Farmers raised the issue of what happens in
situations where partial crop failures in Navadhanya? For e.g., this year the farmer in
whose field the workshop was organized lost groundnut crop due to very large drought
spell but could harvest several other crops. Would he be eligible for compensation?

b. How to apply insurance for Navadhanya? How to develop a crop insurance product?

c. Several of the seeds appropriate for Navadhanya are not bred in the agriculture research
stations and are not notified. How to extend seed subsidy and Seed Village Program to
Navadhanya?

Target for 2016 -17 Season

1. The Navadhanya Paddati can be promoted along with Groundnut seed distribution. Each
farmer taking Groundnut seeds from the MVK/ department may be encouraged to take up this
system in one acre of land.

2. As about 1.0 lakh farmers will be targeted under CMSS

directly a target of 25,000 acres can be set (distributed
to different AEOs) for the season. i.e. 1/4th of the CMSS
farmers. In locations where CMSS is not operational
yet, the AEOs may be involved and take up the program
this can be another 5000 acres target. The AEOs
involving in the program must be identified and trained
well.

3. A total of 35000 acres can be set as the target for this year.

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Navadhanya System

The following Table explains the system. The details are arrived at from the reflection/ discussion
with farmers from different parts of Anantapur and from the knowledge base that Shri. Narayana
Swamy (HANDS) has compiled.

Sowing time for Navadhanya System is June July. If the onset of monsoons fail, i.e. sowing gets
extended to July then only plant 1stAkkidi (Do away with 2ndAkkidi crops).
S.No Rows Duration of Crops Crops Suitable
st
1 1 Akkidi 4 months + 2 crops :Sajja (Bajra) + Alasanda in 7:1 ratio
i.e. 0.75 to 1 kg Sajja with 100 gm Alasanda.
2 2ndAkkidi 6 months + 2 kg Redgram +
Castor can be there up 100 gm Alasanda +
to Feb-March. 100 gm Greengram +
Creepers like (Anumulu/ kg Castor
Dolichos) will spread on 25 gm Gongoora +
ground and fruits till 25 gm (Choudekayalu)
January), 25 gm Benda
3 Main Crops in between Akkidi 3 to 4 months
(5 rows)
Type 1: Groundnut as main crop 60 kg Groundnut/ ac (mix with Local Alasanda,
Green gram or Seetammajonna or Castor)
Type 2: Korra/ Saama + Sesame 3 to 5 months 3 to 4 kg Kora +
50 gm Nuvvulu (Sesamum)
A 2nd crop is possible, if there is moisture.
Type 3: Sorghum/ Bajra These were not
Others: Sun flower / Maize discussed in detail
4 Border rows (Kanchepanta) Sorghum/ Sajja or Bajra in 4 rows
(can be accommodated within the above seeds)

The pattern illustrated here

repeats within the border crop
planted in 4 rows around the plot.

Crop mixes (as detailed in the

Table above will be planned as
per the farmers choices).