STRATEGY FOR ENHANCEMENT OF CROP
PRODUCTION
Presented
By
Shri. Dominic. S. Lyngdoh
Jt. Director (R & T)
Directorate of Agriculture
Meghalaya, Shillong
MEGHALAYA - Basic Facts
 Location : between 25° 1’ and 26° 5’ North
Latitude and 85° 49’ and 92° 52’ East Longitude.
 Area = 22,429 sq km
 Altitude = 300 M to 2000 M above MSL
 Temperature range = 2 to 36 degrees Celsius.
 Rainfall = 12,000 mm annual average.
 Population = 29,06,069 (2011 census)
 No. of districts = 11
 No. of C&RD Blocks= 39
STATE’S AGRICULTURAL PROFILE
 Geographical area: 22,429 sq. km.
 Population: 29.64 lakh (approximately)
 Total cropped area: 3.37 lakh hectares
 Major crops: Paddy, Maize, Potato, Vegetables.
 Major Fruit crops: Pineapple, Orange, Banana, Pears,
Plums, Peaches, Strawberries.
 Spices: Ginger, Turmeric, Chillies Black pepper and
Pepper long.
 Plantation crops: Arecanut, Tea, Cashew nut
KHARIF PRODUCTION PROSPECTS
 The State target of
area and production
of foodgrains during
Kharif 2014 has been
estimated at 112280
Ha. and 266084 Metric
Tonnes, respectively.
 The likely achievement was estimated at
112278 Ha and 266080 Metric Tonnes
respectively.
Kharif Oilseeds and Commercial Crops:
The target for Kharif Oilseeds
(Soyabean) was fixed at 1712
Ha. and Production at 3325
Metric Tonnes.
For Commercial Crops, the
target of Area & Production was
fixed 18460 Ha. and 103386
Metric Tonnes, respectively.
Kharif Rice:
 Kharif Rice in Meghalaya is
grown in all the Districts of
the State.
 The estimated Area and
Production of Kharif
Rice 2014 are 96703 Ha
and 232008 Metric
Tonnes.
Maize:
 It is proposed that during the
current Kharif 2014 season
more thrust is given to the
cultivation of Kharif Maize in
the existing command areas as
well as in rainfed areas.
 The target of Area and
Production for Kharif Maize
2014 has been fixed at 14429
Ha and 32611 Metric Tonnes.
Kharif Pulses:
 The target area of Kharif Pulses
(Tur/Arhar) for 2014 has been fixed at
1148 Ha.
 Whereas Production Target would be
at 1465 Metric Tonnes.
Kharif Oilseeds:
 The target of Area & Production of Kharif
Oilseeds (Soyabean) has been fixed at 1712
Ha and 3325 Metric Tonnes respectively
which is grown in all the Areas of the State.
LIST OF MOST SUITABLE VARIETIES OF MAJOR CROP
Sl
No.
1
2
3
Crops
Paddy
Maize
Soyabean
Altitude
Varieties
High
Megh 1, Megh 2, Megh 3
Mid & Low
HY: 6444, Loknath- 505 & 555, SPH- 115,
KRH- 2
HYV: Pantdhan- 12, Ranjeet, MTU-1010,
MTU- 7029, IR- 64, IR-36, Pankaj,
Naveen, Gomati
Improved variety: Bhalum 1, 2 & 3,
Lampnah, Shahsarang
High
Local yellow & Local white, vijay
composite, and hybrids.
Mid & Low
HY: Big Boss, Navjot, All rounder
HYV: Vijay composite,
High, Mid & Low
JS- 335, Bragg
Contd…
4
Rape seed
Mid & Low
M-27
5
Jute
Low
JBO-2003
6
Wheat
Low
Sonalika
7
Black gram
Low
T-9
8
Green gram
Low
K- 851
9
Arhar
Low
ICPL-87
10
Lentil
Low
Aruna
11
Bengal gram
Low
A- 1
12
Pea
High
Azad T- 1 (Kashmir), Pea imported
(Sultan & National Seed Company),
Cheerapunji (Local)
Low
Rachna
BEST PRACTICES:
 Adoption of SRI, increasing yield by three fold of the
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conventional method
Adoption of Hybrid, High yielding and local improved
varieties resulting in higher yield
Complete Package of practices including IPM, INM.
Capacity building of officers and stakeholders
Adoption of mechanisation
Water management
Post harvest management
Expert advice to farmers through Intelligent Advisory
System for Farmers (IASF)
Area Under Crops
Sl.No
Name of the Crop
Area Cover (In Lakh Hectares )
Kharif 2011
Kharif 2012
Kharif 2013
Kharif
2014(Est)
1
Rice
2
Maize
3
Pulses (Tur)
4
Oilseeds (Soybean)
5
Cotton
6
Jute
7
Mesta
Total for the State
95.488
96.039
96.484
96.589
13.820
13.848
14.411
14.420
0.779
0.788
1.136
1.141
1.078
1.098
1.589
1.649
6.816
6.871
7.250
7.275
3.881
3.889
6.380
6.500
4.122
4.125
4.435
4.475
125.984
126.658
131.865
132.049
Proforma 4 (a)
Total Requirement of N,P,K Nutrients
Name of State: Meghalaya
In Metric Tonnes
Sl.N
o.
State
Consumption in terms of N,P,K nutrients
Kharif 2011
Kharif 2012
N
1.
Meghalaya
TOTAL
P
K
N
P
K
N
Kharif 2013
Recommended
Dose for the
District
Total Requirement
of N,P,K Nutrients
for Kharif – 2014.
P
K
N
N
Recommended
Dose for the
District is based on
the Soil Testing
Report/ Soil
Health Card
Report for the
Different Crops
1778
680
150
1948
726
199
2002
674
209
1778
680
150
1948
726
199
2002
674
209
P
K
P
K
1730
835
330
1730
835
330
Group I STRATEGIES FOR KHARIF
PRODUCTION
 Advanced preparation of seed rolling plan
 Ensure availability of
- Quality seed for each season
- Formulate programme of identifying genuine growers
- Training farmers to the registered growers in each a district of the
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state for seed production
Maintenance of seed purity and quality through regular monitoring
and evaluation
Seed bank to be set up in cluster villages
State seed certification agency be set up in the state
Construction of more number of seed go-downs under seed village
programme
State seed farm in different agro-climatic zone of the state be
established
Contd…
 Implement multi-locational trials to assess suitability of advanced
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breeding lines and currently available varieties
Develop linkages with breeding stations to source breeding materials
and advanced lines
Identify landraces with desirable traits and collect germplasm of such
landraces
Evolve improved nursery management techniques for local soil types
and weather conditions
Conduct improved land preparation methods and treatment of
problem soils
Implement site-specific nutrient management instead of blanket
recommendations
Promote use of appropriate agricultural machineries and mechanical
devices
Implement suitable seed storage-community drying facilities,
hermetically sealed containers
Re-orient extension activities to be more demand-driven
-target location-specific rice ecosystems
Contd…
 Seed testing laboratory to be set up in each district of the state
 Seed testing to be conducted in seed testing laboratory to ensure

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germination before distribution to the farmers
Post harvest drying, packaging and labelling of seeds imperative
Conduct PVS (Participatory Varietal Selection) to identify and
disseminate farmer-preferred varieties
Introduce agri-clinics and agri-business centres
Facilitate rapid spread of quality seeds of improved/hybrid varieties
among farmers through
i. Demonstration of programmes in cluster area
ii. Dissemination of information through multimedia of
availability of quality seeds to farmers
 The Kharif Production Campaign will be launched
shortly during April 2014 in all the 39 Community and
Rural Development Blocks of the State
 Wide Publicity would also be given for wide coverage
through regular Radio Talks, Live Phone-in
programme, Doordarshan Kendra Awareness
programme
 Distribution of pamphlets on Kharif Crops/Kharif
Cultivation
 Farmers Training through Farmers Training Centres
and Farmers Training Institutes
Group I:
NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY MISSION.
STRATEGIES:
1.
2.
3)
4)
5)
Mission made by involving stakeholders
Extension of improved technologies and interventions
a) INM
b) IPM
c) Soil amendments
d) Capacity building
Resource conservation
Addressing to local situations
Monitoring.
Group I NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY MISSION.
INTERVENTIONS:
1. Demonstration
a)HYV
b)Hybrid
c)Improved Local variety.
2. Seed Distribution
3. Plant Protection and Soil Management
4. Resource Conservation Technique/ tools
5. Machineries Pump Sets
a)Conoweeder,
b)Other Farm Implements
6. Miscellaneous Expenses
a)Project Management Team
i)Consultants
ii)Technical Assistant
iii)Senior Technical Assistant
Adoption of Improved Technology for Efficient use of
Water
1. State receives maximum rains
2. Interventions to tap and conserve run off water for uses during dry
spell by small adequate rain water harvesting structures to be used
during winter and dry spells for the cultivation of boro paddy and
winter vegetables such as
a)Check dams
b)Sluice gates
c)Diversion Channels
d)Dug outs
e)Surface water pumping
3. Utilize potential ground water by means of shallow tube wells
4) To mitigate havoc of flooding water
5) To tap potential water available from all sources which is still
underutilized.
6) To sustain farming in specific pockets than massive structures which are
more helpful for small and marginal farmer.s
Adoption of Improved Technology for Efficient use of Nutrients
INM
1. Soil Test Based Agro climatic zone and package of practices for all crops.
2. Use of complex and customized fertilizers yet to be adopted by farmers
of the State.
3. Farmers prefer straight fertilizers.
4. Use of Organic Manure and natural composting in the State has been a
practice by tradition rather than default.
5. Bio-fertilizers are being promoted in most crops through chemical
fertilizers are used in cash crops like potato, tomato, paddy, etc.
6. State is rich in nitrogen, low in phosphorous and medium low in
potash.
7. Issue of Soil health cards totaling manual 14000 till date and 2000
online.
Adoption of Improved Technology for Efficient use
of Plant Protection Chemicals
•The demand/ consumption of pesticides during the
kharif 2014 was discussed during the zonal kharif
conference for North-East Zone.
•Insecticides like Chloropyriphos, Quinalphos,
Dimethoate, Carbofuran,Monocrotophos,Phosalone,
synthetic Pyrethroids and Fungicides e.g. Carbendazim
Mancozeb etc.
•Sale points=120 Nos, Dept., Cooperative, and private.
•Regional Pesticide Testing Lab= 1 no.
•Biological Control labs=2 nos. ( Trichogramma and
Trichoderma )
•Judicious use of Pesticides i.e. need base.
IPM:
1.Pest surveillance and advisory reports as
communicated by Indian Council for Agricultural
Research (ICAR).
2.IPM awareness and regular training by FTI’s.
3.Two- Biological control labs in the State producing
Trichogramma and Trichoderma.
4.Promotion of bio control agents and bio-cides.
5.Adoption of all IPM techniques.
Other adoptable Technologies developed and recommended:
1.System of Rice Intensification
The Technology is being adopted in the high
attitude during Kharif and mostly Boro paddy in low
altitude areas by making use of available moisture from
reservoir, Check dams, dug outs, surface flow and shallow
tube wells.
The system is being promoted through RKVY,NFSM
and other State plan schemes.
Strategy for Contingency plan in the event of
aberrant South West Monsoon.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Rainfall being erratic.
Flash floods are common.
Hail storm during April.
Submergence of paddy is common in low lying areas water stress and late
precipitation in certain years.
5. Contingency plan will be prepared.
6. There has not been any drought but only short dry spells.
7. In case of prolonged submergence alternate crops such as pulses &
vegetables are grown. Seeds and other inputs are in place.
STRATEGIES
• Conservation Agriculture through Water harvesting structures like Check
dams, surface water pumping, shallow tube wells, dug outs and other
irrigation means.
• Availability of Seeds and other inputs to be put in place.
• Machineries for land preparation seed drills etc.
• Diversification and changing of the cropping pattern.
Crop & Weather Scenario
The Kharif crop calendar i.e. from April to September 2012, began
with delayed onset of Monsoon and comparatively less rain from
April to July in some areas of the State thereby affecting the
agronomic activities of the Kharif crops however onwards from
July end the weather condition for the crops improved and
generally normal except in parts of the State affected by landslide
and flash flood. Sowing, planting, broadcasting and transplanting
of paddy, tuber crops, vegetables, maize, paddy, horticultural crops
and other kharif crops was normal. In some areas due to erractic
rainfall in rainfed paddy field sowing and transplanting of paddy
crop was delayed. However, the prospect of monsoon rains in
August was encouraging and the crop particularly Sali paddy
appears to be doing well with ample moisture in the initial stages
of crop growth. It is hope that with no further heavy rain as in the
previous year.
Marketing intervention to ensure renumerative
prices of pulses, oilseeds & Coarse Cereal grain.
1. No. pulses production in adequate quantity. We have intra export. Hence no
market constraint.
2. Oilseeds
Soyabean- High demand but less production. No market constraint only local
soyabean grown in few packets of the State and that is utilized in preparing local
fermented chutney.
3. Mustard
Oil produced in small quantity and is being processed locally and is sold within
the State and of high demand. No market constraint.
4. Coarse Cereal Grains
Maize grown only as Kharif maize and in small quantity, nut demand is high for
Cattle feed. Hence it is intra import but demand is high especially with the
implementation of the IBDLP.
5. Rice
Inadequate to feed the Sates. Hence, intra import and consequently no market
constraint.
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