Flood coping varieties

Climatic Vulnerability

Cachar district receives an average annual rainfall of 3200 mm. Recurrent flood is most common phenomenon in most parts of the district. Generally, flood occurs during April – May. So farmers quite often lose their Boro and early Ahu crops during harvesting time. Incidentally, last year the district had very low rainfall (2100 mm). The recurrent flood phenomenon didn’t occur but under post-flood situation rice variety 'Disang' faced drought and hence yields were low. Similarly during rabi, vegetables faced drought like situation. Due to unavailability of the irrigation facilities, the farmers incurred losses in vegetable cultivation.

Interventions

Introduction of flood coping varieties: 

Farmers in the village traditionally grow local varieties of different crops resulting in poor crop productivity. Hence, improved varieties of different crops were introduced for achieving higher crop yields. The early short duration paddy variety ‘Disang’ was demonstrated on seven farmers’ fields. The improved variety yielded 4 t/ha which was 60% higher than that of local variety (2.5 t/ha). Similarly, improved potato variety ‘Kufri Jyoti’ was demonstrated on 15 farmers’ fields. The performance of ‘Kufri Jyothi’ was better in all the farmers’ fields and it gave 55% higher yield (9.3 t/ha) than the local variety (6.0 t/ha).

Introductions of poultry breeds: 

In order to generate subsidiary income to the landless farmers, five hundred ‘Vanaraja’ chicks were distributed amongst 45 families. The performance of improved poultry breed ‘Vanaraja’ gave much satisfaction to the farmers. While brooding for first 30 days the mortality was 1-2%. The chicks were found to be well adapted to the local climatic conditions. The growth performance of the chicks was very good compared to the local chicks. At 5 months of age, the body weight of male bird was 2.5 to 3.5 kg and that of female bird was 2.0 to 2.5 kg. Mortality rate up to 5 months of age was 8-10%. The male: female ratio was recorded as 38: 62. The female laid first egg at the age of 156 days and body weight at the time of egg laying was 2.25 to 2.50 kg.

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