Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa Samastipur , Bihar

KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA, BIRAULI (SAMASTIPUR)

BACKGROUND

The Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Birauli, Samastipur was established on 10 July 2004 by Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi under administrative control of Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar. Agriculture is the main stay of the people of the district while olericulure is utmost important for income generation. Samastipur comes under the agro-ecological zone-I of the state i.e. North-West Alluvial plains. The soil is sandy loam with moderately high organic matter, which is suitable for vegetables and spices cultivation. Samastipur district is known for the production of spices esp. turmeric and garlic. Turmeric of this district has potential to become a brand in the international market due to high curcumin percentage.

LOCATION

This KVK is situated at a distance of 15 km from Samastipur and 45 km from Muzaffarpur on State road.

AGROCLIMATIC AND FARMING SITUATION OF SAMASTIPUR DISTRICT

Farming Situation	North-West-Alluvial Planes (Non-canal irrigated calcareous soil)
Rainfall	1142 mm
Soil pH	7.0-8.5
Soil	Light to clay in texture
Climate	Semi arid to Sub-tropical
Temperature	6° C to 45°C
Main crops	Rice, Maize, Wheat, Pulses, Oilseeds, Tobacco, Sugarcane, Spices and Vegetables.
Cropping Sequences	Rice-Wheat, Maize-Wheat, Maize-Potato
Principal Crops of Rabi	Maize and Wheat

MANDATES

	On farm testing to establish the location specific agricultural technologies under various farming situation.
	From Line Demonstration to establish its production potenti81s on the farmers field.
	Training of farmers/Farm women to update their knowledge and skill in improved agricultural technology.
	Training of extension personnel to orient them in the frontier areas technology development

THRUST AREAS

	Promotion of seed village programme to ensure availability of quality seed at local level and at reasonable price.
	Promotion of use of new cultivar of different crops in place of traditional varieties.
	To promote site-specific nutrient management system specially in vegetable farming.
	Promotion of use of IPM.
	Development and promotion of agri-based enterprises i.e. Apiculture, Vermi-compost, nursery management and Integrated farming system.

CORE PROGRAMMES

	Quality seed production through 'Seed Village'.
	Organic farming for sustainability : Vermi-compost and NADEP compost.
	INM and IPM in different crops.
	FLD and OFT in oilseeds, Pulses and other crop.
	Cultivation of aromatic and medicinal plants.
	Value added low cost cattle and poultry feed preparation.
	Socio-economic upliftment of down-trodden people and women empowerment through income generation activities

SELF EMPLOYMENT GENERATION AND VALUE-ADDITION COURSES

	Promotion of seed village programme to ensure availability of quality seed at local level and at reasonable price.
	Promotion of use of new cultivar of different crops in place of traditional varieties.
	To promote site-specific nutrient management system specially in vegetable farming.
	Promotion of use of IPM.
	Development and promotion of agribase enterprises i.e. Apiculture, Vermi-compost, nursery management and Integrated farming system.

DEMONSTRATION FARM

KVK has 50 acres farm for research and demonstration. The different cropping pattern and demonstration unit has been developed as per local need and available resource. The demonstration farm is divided into following blocks:

	Cropping System block
	Horticulture block
	Vermiculture cum production unit
	Apiculture unit
	Agro-forestry cum-medicinal and aromatic plants unit.

LINKAGES

PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED

Collaborative Projects in progress are:

	Panchayat Kisan Mitra Training under Rastriya Sum Vikas Yojna
	National Horticulture Mission Project
	Seed Village Scheme, Govt. of India
	Organic Farming under National Research Centre for Organic Farming

PRODUCTS AVAILABLE

	Vermi-culture, vermi wash and vermⁱ compost
	Seeds and Seedlings of different crops of Improved hybrids/ varieties
	Horticultural plants
	Rhizobium and Azolla culture
	Mushroom Spawn

FARMERS CLUB

KVK has promoted and supported village level farmers club and self help groups containing 12-20 farmers in each club/group in collaboration with NABARD and Nationalized Bank. These groups found as an effective tool for dissemination of technologies.

ACHIEVEMENTS

	Augmenting and popularizing vermi culture and production of vermin-compost and vermi wash amongst farmers.
	Provided customized service to farmer to establish vermi-compost unit at village level alongwith a model bankable project for financing through the bank.
	Supply of vermi-compost and vermi wash to farmers on payment basis.
	Popularized production and application of bio fertilizers namely Spirulina, Azolla, Rhizobium etc. amongst farmers for sustainable agricultural production.
	Imparting training to "Panchayat Kisan Mitra" under RSVY on regular basis, who will act as facilitator at local area to co-ordinate different components in the farming system.
	Imparted training to the rural youth for self employment in the field of nursery establishment and its management as a profitable venture.
	Popularized and supplied true to the type of improved hybrids and cultivars of Mango, Litchi, Guava, Citrus amongst the farmers.
	Carried out OFT at village level in rice, oilseed, pigeonpea and others crops as location specific need.
	Emphasized Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) and IPM amongst farmers to incorporate bio- pesticide to control pests esp. in vegetable and floriculture.
	Also promoted cultivation of medicinal and aromatic' plants by providing training and planting materials of Safed Musali, Satabar, Lemon grass, Mentha and Pamarosa to the farmers.
	Emphasized and popularized organic farming esp. in vegetable and medicinal plants cultivation.
	Promoted training in mushroom production and supplied spawn to farmers.
	Dissemination of high yielding varieties and production technologies of oilseed & pulses in the district through FLDs.
	Adoption of value added low cost feeds in milch cattle.

VISIT OF DIGNITARIES

	Sri Narendra Singh, Minister of Agriculture, Govt. of Bihar laid foundation stone of administrative building on 17.02.2006.
	Dr Mangla Rai, Secy DARE- cum-D.G. ICAR, New Delhi laid foundation stone of trainee hostel on 20.03.2006.
	Sri A.K. Sinha, IAS, Agriculture Production Commissioner, Bihar, Patna visited KVK to attend valedictory function of Kisan Mitra training on 07.04.2006.
	QRT on AICRP (STF) Team Members Dr S.N. Rao, Farmer Director Research NG Ranga A.P. University of Agriculture and Technology, Hyderobad; Dr R.M. Pandey, Farmer Director IIHR, Bangalore and others on 23.04.2006.
	Dr. P. Das, D.D.G.(AE), ICAR inaugurated vermi-compost multiplication cum Demonstration unit as well as valedictory function of Kisan Mitra training on 26.04.2006.
	Dr P.K. Gupta, Regional facilitator, South East Asia CIMMYT, New Delhi on 12.05.2006.
	Dr. A.K. Tiwari, A.D.G. (Education) ICAR, New Delhi.

For any information contact: K.V.K., Birauli, Samastipur Ph. 06274 - 241800