Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK)-Farm Science Centre

Vision

Science and technology-led growth leading to enhanced productivity, profitability and sustainability of agriculture

Mission

Farmer-centric growth in agriculture and allied sectors through application of appropriate technologies in specific agro-ecosystem perspective

Mandate

Technology Assessment and Demonstration for its Application and Capacity Development

Activities

1. On-farm testing to assess the location specificity of agricultural technologies under various farming systems.
2. Organize Frontline Demonstrations to establish production potential of technologies on the farmers’ fields.
3. Capacity development of farmers and extension personnel to update their knowledge and skills on modern agricultural technologies.
4. To work as knowledge and resource centre of agricultural technologies for supporting initiatives of public, private and voluntary sector in improving the agricultural economy of the district.
5. Provide farm advisories using ICT and other media means on varied subjects of interest of farmers

Over view of Morena district:

Morena district has basically agriculture oriented economy.The geographic area of the district is 5.02 lakh ha of which 1.92 lakh ha is under medium to deep ravines and net sown area is 2.68 lakh ha. The area under irrigation is only 1.66 lakh ha. Total population of the district is 15.93 lakhs, of which 12.24 lakh is rural and 3.69 lakh urban.Gender wise 8.74 lakh are male and 7.12 lakh female. The population density of the district is 319/km^2. Agriculture and dairying is the main occupation of the people of the district. Land holding pattern is 60.98 % marginal (<1ha), 22.47% small (1 to 2 ha), 12.30% small-medium (2 to 10 ha) and 4.0% large (>10ha).

Soils

In general, entire area of Morena district is plain to gently sloppy with very undulated patches of ravines. Morena district is part of central high land (plateau). Soil depth varies from 30 cm to >120 cm with sandy loam and clay loam in texture. Soils are deficient in organic matter and available N, low to medium in P and medium to high in K . The deficiency of Zn, S, Mn and Fe has also been observed in the district. The soil pH ranges from 7.5-8.5 in general, soils are neutral to alkaline in reaction. The district has alkanity and salinity problem in patches. The land in the vicinity of Chambal river is heavily eroded and infested with deep ravines.

Water resources

            The district is drained by the important rivers like Chambal, Kunwari, Asan and Sank. The sources of irrigation are 256 pump sets, 4583 tube wells, 132 pounds and 7 canals. About 50 percent of the total geographical area is available for cultivation and nearly 58.74 percent of the cultivable area in the district is irrigated. Canal is the main source of irrigation, which accounts for 42.94 percent of the total irrigated area. However, since the release of water is under the control of Rajasthan, there is no timely release of water nor it is sufficient. In general, the quality of underground water is good and alkali water is found in some paches.

Climate

            The climate of the zone is characterized as semi arid with extremely hot summer during May-June. Rainfall is 701 mm mostly concentrated in the months of July and August. Normally, onset of SW- monsoon takes place in first week of July withdrawal in first fortnight of September. Nearly 90% rainfall is received from south-west monsoon during July-September and there is some winter rainfall. The rainfall is erratic in distribution. The temperature varies from a minimum of 0⁰C in winter to a maximum and minimum temperatures in summer are 39⁰C and 21⁰C and in winter 26.3⁰C and 8.2⁰C, respectively. Mean summer temperature is 30.1⁰ C and mean winter 17.2⁰C. Dust storms are common in May and June.

Cropping Pattern

Major cereal in Kharif season is pear millet having 79.8 ha area followed by wheat in Rabi having 69.5 ha area.Among the Oilseed crops, mustard is the major crop, having 161 thousand ha area.

• Among the pulses, pigeon pea is the major crop in Kharif having 26 thousand ha area followed by chickpea in Rabi having 8.0 thousand ha area.
• Fruits like guava, citrus, mango; and vegetable like potato, tomato, brinjal, Chilli, cucurbits are also grown in the district.

The following major cropping sequences are adopted by the farmers of the district:

            Fallow/Peal millet – Mustard

            Pearl millet/Cluster bean- Wheat/Barley/Chickpea

            Black gram/Green gram- Mustard/Wheat/Chickpea/ Potato

            Fallow- Mustard + Berseem

            Sesame- Wheat/Chickpea/Barley

            Pigeon pea- Wheat

Livestock

            District has 4,49,711 graded murra, 1,61,128 deshi buffaloes, followed by 1,58,353 indigenous and 3775 crossbreed cows. The dairyman is most interested in rearing of buffaloes (Murra and Bhadvari). Production of milk and its products like ghee, paneer, casein and khoa (mava) etc. are sources of rural income.