Traditional farming helps west Rajasthan framers, says CAZRI

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Farmers in western Rajasthan based on the generation of experiences have devised criteria for judging the suitability of land for cultivation of a particular crop and cropping systems. The region suffers from low rainfall, high temperature and light textured soils. Usually the soil in the region is deficient in nitrogen, low to medium in phosphorous and high in potassium. Due to uncertainty of rainfall and insecure returns the farmers are reluctant to use chemical fertilisers.

A study done by BM Sharma and JP Gupta of the Jodhpur-based Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI) shows that the resource poor farmers have successfully adopted ancient `Khadin’ system of cultivation.

Depending upon the land quality various management practices evolved by the farmers in the region have led to an increase in soil fertility. Khadin system of cultivation not only increases soil fertility but also conserves water.

The other important management practices like crop rotation, fallowing, crop residue use as manure, addition of pond sediments, agro forestry are practiced to maintain soil fertility. The traditional practices have been improved through further scientific researches in agro forestry, ley farming, use of farm yard manure and compost.

Selection of crops and the amount of fertilizer or manure to be used depend upon the quality of land. Mothbean is generally grown in poor soil.

Better soils are preferred for munbean and pearl millet while cluster bean is grown on relatively heavy soil. In sany soil ehere parl millet and mung bean are grown cow dung manure and camel manure are used. In irrigated area sheep and goat manure are applied

Farmers follow certain management practices which help to maintain the soil fertility to some extent. Allowing herd of sheep in the field for one or two days and ‘khejri’ trees to grow in the field are some of the practices followed to increase soil fertility, according to the study.

The field preparation for kharif (summer) crops are initiated in May and June by clearing the shrubs and other weeds. The fields are ploughed with the arrival of monsoon in the region in July.

Normally one ploughing is done in the case of pearl millet, mothbean, mung bean, sesame and cluster bean.

However, if more than one ploughing is practiced the land has to be kept fallow for a long time.

Rabi (winter) crops are usually grown in irrigated areas and in ‘Khadins’. Wheat, mustard and chick pea and in some areas cumin crops are grown. Livestock grazing after harvest is a common practice which helps in regaining soil fertility, according to the CAZRI study.

The field preparation for kharif (summer) crops are initiated in May and June by clearing the shrubs and other weeds. The fields are ploughed with the arrival of monsoon in the region in July.

Normally one ploughing is done in the case of pearl millet, mothbean, mung bean, sesame and cluster bean.

However, if more than one ploughing is practiced the land has to be kept fallow for a long time.