Acitvity 1: water harvesting and recycling of farm wastes through vermi composting in horticultural based integrated farming systems
As per the Office circular dated 12.12.2019 regarding the observance of Swachhata Pakhwada 2019, the Division of Fruit Crops conducted campaign on water harvesting and recycling of farm wastes through vermi composting in horticultural based integrated farming systems today, the 23rd, December, 2019. The farmers from Bijapur, Karnataka and Seethakempanahalli attended the programme along with the Institute staff. The nodal officer of Swachha Bharat Abhiyan at the Institute, Dr. Nandeesha and Principal Investigator of NICRA Project at ICAR-IIHR, Dr. R.H.Laxman were present on the occasion. The details of the programmes carried out are as follows:
A brief introduction about the relevance of the programme under Swatchha Bharat Abhiyaan was given by Dr. B. L. Manjunath, Principal Scientist of the Division. Later he explained in detail the relevance for water harvesting and recycling especially in the context of mango based integrated farming systems and the need for judicious use of water. The demonstration of water lifting through solar pump and the irrigation to crossandra through drip irrigation was also demonstrated on the occasion. It was stressed that the judicious use of harvested water for cultivation of profitable intercrops and to mango through critical irrigation was highlighted on the occasion.
Later, shared in detail the methodology of vermicompost making by converting farm wastes into valuable manure for improving soil health through the use of earth worms in the production of agri-horticultural crops. The use of multi species of earthworms for faster decomposition of organic wastes and use of vermi compost to reduce the over dependence on use of chemical fertilizers to achieve optimum yield and income without polluting the environment was highlighted on the occasion.
Activity 2: Plastic free campaign cum awareness programme:
As part of the Swachhta Pakhwada 16-31 Dec., 2019 undertaken at ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru, Swachhta awareness programme was organized at Maruthinagar in Thirumalapura Village with complete participation of all the staff including students, contractual staff and casual labourers of the division of Entomology and Nematology and Floriculture, Medicinal & Aromatic crops on 24.12.2019. The participants, in groups, visited the houses of the community and appraised the villagers on the importance of keeping the surrounding clean. The groups stressed the need to avoid single use plastic items in their day to day activities. The groups in house to house campaign talked to the household on utilization of organic wastes, segregation wastes, composting of kitchen and home waste materials to promote cleanliness and hygiene. The groups were well received by the villagers and expressed their willingness to keep the message in their stride to maintain cleanliness in their society.
