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Main Dry Farming Research Station
Junagadh Agricultural University,
TARGHADIA -360 003, Ta & Dist : Rajkot (Gujarat)

Year of Establishment : 1958 
In  order  to  meet the challenges and  vagaries of  monsoon  in dry land agriculture and with an aim  to evolve suitable technology to minimize such climatic risk  and  to achieve stability, the state government established  the Main Dry Farming Research Station at Targhadia, Rajkot during the year of 1958. In the beginning, it was started with the minimum staff position of one Agril. Officer and two Agril. Assistants which later on strengthened by providing one position of scientist i.e.  Dry farming investigator during the third five year plan period Seven sub centre  viz.,  Vallabhipur, Jamkhambhalia,  Dhandhuka,  Radhanpur, Ratia,Nanakandhasar  and  Dhari  were  established by Government of  Gujarat  in  differentAgro -climatic Zones of the state, where rainfall is less than  625  mm  and  locationsare the true  representative  of  the  region  particularly  under  arid and semiarid areasof  the  state. In course of time, the station has beenstrengthened step by stepthrough AICRP for Dryland Agriculture (1971), National Agricultural Research Project (1979), Strengthening of center of excellence on soil and water management (2005) and many other projects/schemes financed by state/central government andother agencies.
 
Introduction:
The Main Dry Farming Research Station, JAU, Targhadia (Rajkot) is located 14 km North- East of Rajkot city along the National Highway 27. It represents medium black soils of North Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone of Gujarat State. The crops like groundnut, sesame, cotton, castor, pearl millet, sorghum, pulses are grown under rainfed conditions. The centre has been established with the aim to evolve suitable dry farming technology for the region and package of practices for increasing yield of different crops grown in the region.
Mandate :
  1.  To increase of the necessary infra-structure facilities and to conduct need based location specific research on the basis of agro-climatic zones identified in the state.
  2. To rationalization of university research programmes and strengthening the capacity of the agricultural university to undertake research on location specific problems in all parts of the state.
  3. To undertake basic and applied research that will contribute to the development of strategies for sustainable farming systems in the rainfed areas.
  4. To act as a centre for training in research methodologies in the fields for management of rainfed farming systems.
  5. To collaborate with relevant national and international agencies for achieving the objectives.
  6. To organize front line demonstrations on various crops for generating production data and feed back information from farmers.
  7. To organize short and long term vocational training course in agriculture and allied vocations for the farmers, farm women and rural youth with emphasis on "learning by doing"  for higher production on farms, thereby, generating self employment.

Objectives :

  1. To carryout research work on dryland agriculture for crop improvement, soil and water management practices and to develop the package of practices of crops under dry farming conditions.
  2. To conduct research on problem related to the crop production of dry farming areas.
  3. To develop the agronomic practices for increasing crop production per unit area under dryland agriculture.
  4. To determine the rate and the method of application of fertilizer with sustaining soil fertility.
  5. To screening of suitable crops and varieties for their suitability under drought conditions.
  6. To increase water intake rate and moisture storage capacity of soils
  7. To develop the water harvesting technologies that improving moisture regimes.
  8. Evolving suitable soil moisture conservation practices that reducing soil erosion and runoff.
  9. To develop soil and water conservation techniques.
  10. To evaluate suitable farming system in the rainfed area of the state.
  11. To develop suitable dry farming practices for crops grown in different agro-ecological conditions.
  12. To develop the suitable alternate land use planning.
  13. Development of land use pattern for more efficient use of natural resources and ecological potential.
  14. To evolve minimum supplementry irrigation practices at critical periods of crop growth for increasing water use efficiency.
  15. To study the chemicals as anti-transparent and antievoperants for reducing evapo-transpiration and improving moisture storage efficiency of plants.
  16. To evolve bio-intensive plant protection schedules for major pests and diseases of crops grown in the area.
  17. To develop low cost implements.
  18. To provide training to village level extension workers, farmers and farm women for transfer of agricultural technology generated by the university.
  19. To forecast the weather position and to advise the farmers for periodical agricultural operations.
  20. To develop technology to combat or minimize the effect of climate change on crops.     
Faculty Profile:
Sr.
No
Name
Designation
Qualification
Specialized
subject
1.
Dr. D. S. Hirpara
Associate Research Scientist (Agronomy) and I/c Research Scientist (Dry Farming)
Ph.D.
Agronomy
2.
Dr. P. D. Vekariya
Associate Research Scientist (Agronomy)
Ph.D.
Agronomy
3.
Prof. V. D. Vora
Technical Officer
M.Sc. (Agri.)
Agronomy
4
Dr. M. L. Patel
Assistant Res. Scientist (Agril. Statistics)
Ph.D.
Agril. Entomology
5.
Dr. V. B. Rathod
Assistant Res. Scientist
Ph.D.
Geneticsand Plant breeding
6.
Mr. A. M Bhimani
Senior Res. Assistant
M.Sc. (Agri.)
Agril. Entomology
7.
Mr. V. M. Ram
Senior Res. Assistant
M. Tech (Agri. Engg.)
Soil water engineering

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research projects and schemes

Sr.
No.
Name of Scheme/Project
Budget Head
Type of scheme
Funding Agency
Year of Start
1.
All India Coordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture
2042-1
Plan
ICAR
1971
2.
National Agril. Research Project   for Strengthening of Dry Farming Research Stations
5042
Non-Plan
State Govt.
1979
3.
Strengthening of Research in Dry Farming
12078
Plan
State Govt.
1979
4.
Scheme for Research on Watershed Management
12905
Plan
State Govt.
2000
5.
Experimental Agro-met Advisory Services at Targhadia (Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa)
18005-1
Plan
Govt.of India
2001
6.
Centre of Excellence on Soil and Water Management - Targhadia
12101-2
Plan
State Govt.
2005
7.
Recycling of organic waste for
sustainable soil productivity under dry land agriculture
12025-0
Plan
State Govt.
2012

Research Activities :

a)
Resource Management
 
  1.
Integrated farming system under rainfed condition.
 
  2.
Crop sequence and nutrient management in respect to sustain crop yield and soil productivity under rainfed agriculture.
 
  3.
Alternate land use in groundnut base crop production system under rainfed condition.
 
  4.
Workout the suitable inter cropping systemfor different crops.
 
  5.
High-density planting and detopping in Bt cotton under rainfed condition.
b)
Rainwater Management
 
  1.
Adaption to climate change: Effect of hydrogel and organic manures to mitigate biotic stress in groundnut.
 
  2.
Adaption to climate change: Effect of hydrogel and organic manures to mitigate biotic stress in soybean.
 
  3.
Adaption to climate change: Effect of hydrogel and organic manures to mitigate biotic stress in Bt. cotton.
    4. Response of tillage and in situ moisture conservation on alteration of soil in cotton.
  5. Catchment command relationship for optimum size of farm pond.
c)
Nutrient Management:
 
  1.
To study the integrated nutrient management in different crops under rainfed condition
 
  2.
Nutrient management in cropping sequence under rainfed condition.
d)
Crop Improvement:
 
  1.
Screening of varieties of different crops for increasing crop productivity of the dry farming areas.
 
  2.
Large/small scale varietal trials of groundnut, sesame, castor, cotton, green gram, black gram, cowpea, soybean, pearl millet, sorghum etc..
 
  3.
Screening  of high yielding released/pre-released genotypes of bunch groundnut for drought tolerance/resistance
e)
Plant Protection
 
  1.
Survey, surveillance and forecasting of pests and diseases of various crops.
 
  2.
Surveillance of pink bollworm in cotton under rainfed conditions.
    3. Study and advisory of management of mealy bug infesting cotton under dry farming condition.
 
  4.
Eco-friendly management of different pest of various crops under rainfed condition.
 
  5.
Study of management of different disease of various crops under rainfed condition.
    6. Evaluation of natural inputs against sucking pests of soybean under rainfed condition
  7. Management of sucking pests in Bt cotton
f)
Agro-met Advisory Service:
 
  1.
Weather forecasting and Agromet advisory to farmers of North Saurashtra Agro-Climatic Zone.
    2. SMS advisory services to the farmers twice in a week
    3. Block wise agromet advisory to farmers of North Saurashtra Agro-Climatic zone.
    4. Management and maintenance of meteorological data.
g)
Plant Clinical Service
 
  1.
Plant sample diagnosis and advice.
 
  2.
Field diagnosis service.
 
  3.
Problem diagnosis and advisory service through telephone and mobile.
 
  4.
Special team visit at farmer’s field by the scientists of the station.
 
  5.
Information broadcasting through radio, T.V., newspaper, bulletins, pamphlets, film show.
  6. Crop specific and seasonal information provided through lecture in training at KVK, FTC and Krishi mela, etc.
h) Plant Physiology
  1. Effect of growth regulators on growth and yield of chickpea
i) Rainfed Integrated Farming System
  1. Characterization of traditional rainfed farming systems for identification of production constraints and problem prioritization.
  2. On farm assessment/ refinement strengthening of traditional rainfed farming systems with improved rainfed technologies.
  3. Optimize on-farm integration of farm enterprises for enhanced farm incomes, resource/ input use efficiencies and employment opportunities.
Achievements:
(A) For  farmers community     
       Theme and Scheme wise Number of Recommendations for the farmers
Sr.
No.
Theme
Technologies generated
Total
AICRP
NARP
DFRS
RWSM
CESWM
1.
Cultural Practice
 
 
 
 
 
 
a.
Sowing Time
-
1
-
-
-
1
b.
Sowing Time and Fertilizer
-
1
-
-
-
1
c.
Spacing
-
2
8
-
-
10
d.
Seed Size and Seed Rate
-
1
-
-
-
1
e.
Spacing, Seed Rate & Fertilizer
1
-
-
-
-
1
f.
Tillage
-
-
-
1
-
1
g.
Contingency Crop Planning
1
-
-
-
-
1
2.
Growth Regulator
-
2
1
-
-
3
3.
Weed Management
 
 
 
 
 
 
a.
Weed Management in Sole Cropping
1
-
5
-
-
6
b.
Weed Management in Intercropping
-
1
-
-
-
1
4.
Drought  Management
-
2
-
-
-
2
5.
Life Saving Irrigation
1
-
-
-
-
1
6.
Cropping  System
 
 
 
 
 
 
a.
Intercropping System
6
3
8
-
-
17
b.
Mixed Cropping System
1
-
2
-
-
3
c.
Alley Cropping System
2
-
-
1
-
3
d.
Agro-Horticulture System
-
1
-
-
-
1
7.
Nutrient Management
 
 
 
 
 
 
a.
Compost
2
-
-
-
-
2
b.
Organic Farming
1
-
-
-
-
1
c.
Nutrient Management in Sole Cropping System
13
4
15
-
-
32
d.
Nutrient Management in Intercropping System
2
2
2
-
-
6
e.
Nutrient Management in Mixed Cropping System
1
-
-
-
-
1
f.
Nutrient Management in Crop Rotation
2
1
2
-
-
5
8.
Rain Water Management
10
-
1
3
3
17
9.
Farm Power and Machinery
-
4
-
-
-
4
10.
Plant Protection
 
 
 
 
 
 
a.
Pest Control
-
12
-
-
-
12
b.
Disease Control
-
8
-
-
-
8
TOTAL
44
45
44
5
3
141

(B) For Scientific community : 33

Technology developed:

Rainwater Management

  • Grow bunch groundnut at 30 cm distance between rows having three rows on broad bed of 90 cm and furrow of 45 cm for getting higher yield to check runoff and soil loss.
  • Adopt two to four interculturing along with deep ploughing for higher yield of groundnut and maximum moisture conservation.
  • Sow spreading groundnut or grow Dicanthium annulatum on fallow lands to check runoff and to minimize soil loss on sloppy land. 
  • Construct a farm pond of minimum 450 cu. m size for 1 ha cultivable area.
  • Apply FYM @ 10 t/ha and kaolin @ 4% spray (400gm/10 liter water) at dry spell in groundnut and Bt. Cotton for higher productivity and maximum rain and crop water use efficiency.
  • Apply hydrogel @ 2.5 kg/ha before sowing (1:10 mixture of hydrogel and sand through drilling in the furrow) and FYM @10 t/ha for mitigating moisture stress during dry spells and obtaining maximum rain water use efficiency, higher groundnut productivity and net returns

Cropping Systems

  • Groundnut  + castor (3:1 or 6:1), groundnut  and  sesame (6:3), cotton + groundnut/ green gram/ black gram/ sesame/ cowpea (1:1), groundnut  + pigeon pea (3:1),  pearl millet + pigeon pea  (2:1 or 4:1), sorghum + pigeon pea  (1:1), castor + cowpea/green gram (1:1) are economically viable intercropping systems.
  • Adopt paired row planting of castor + green gram (2:1) OR paired row planting of cotton + groundnut (2:1) for getting higher yield and net return.
  • Intercrop cowpea or sesame or groundnut or green gram in cotton (1:1)for getting higher yield and net return.

Crop Management

  • Semi spreading groundnut (GG-20), bunch groundnut (GG-5 and GJG-9), cotton (G. cotton hy.-8), pearl millet (GHB-719,744 and 732) and castor (GAUCH-1 and GCH-7) keeping row spacing as 60, 45, 120, 60 and 90-120 cm, respectively for maximum yield.
  • Use of small seeds of groundnut for sowing can save seed rate to the extent of 25 per cent.
  • For effective weed management in kharif groundnut, spray pendimethalin @ 1.0 kg/ha (in 500 liter water) as pre-emergence + two hand weeding at 30 and 45 days after sowing.
  • Spray fluchloralin @ 0.9 kg/ha (500 liter water) as pre-emergence + two hand weeding at 40 and 60 days after sowing  for weed management in groundnut + castor (3:1).
  • In groundnut crop give supplementary irrigation at soil moisture deficit of about 40 % (about 20% soil moisture content)
  • Detopping at 75 DAS and foliar spraying of Ethrel @ 50 ppm at 90 DAS in cotton.
  • Spray of Gibberellic Acid (GA3) 1 gram/10 litre water (@ 100 ppm) at flowering stage and pod development stagesof  blackgram in kharif season
  • Keep groundnut crop weed free through hand weeding and inter-culturing at 15, 30, 45 and 60 DAS or for chemical weed control, apply POE Quizalofop-ethyl @ 40 g/ha at 20 DAS + 1 HW & 1IC at 40 DAS or PE of Oxyfluorfen @ 0.24 kg/ha + 1 HW & 1 IC at 40 DAS

Energy Management

  • Plough 20 cm depth in alternate furrows (alternate year) and apply FYM @ 5 t/ha + RDF give higher yield of groundnut.
  • Multipurpose tool bar can be used for three operations (seed +fertilizer drilling and covering) at a time. Earthening up attachment can also be used with this implement.

Recycling of organic/farm waste

  • Prepare enriched compost by recycling of crop residues with addition of bio-inoculants (composite compost culture, Azotobacter and PSM) @ 500 g each per tonne of organic residues as well as urea @ 0.5 per cent, rock phosphate @ 1.0 per cent P2O5 and pyrite @ 5 per cent.
  • Recycle of cotton stalk by chopping into small pieces of 5-6 cm using cotton shedder and composting with addition of compost culture @ 500 g per tonne, urea (N @ 0.5%), cow dung @ 20% as well as Azotobactor and PSM) @ 500 g each per tonne during first turning of cotton stalk to get enriched compost within 120 days.

Nutrient management

  • Apply 80-40; 90-30; 20-40; 40-0; 30-30 and 50-25 kg NP/ ha in pearl millet, sorghum, pulses, cotton, castor and sesame, respectively for getting higher returns.
  • Apply 50 % and 100% RDF to groundnut and castor respectively in groundnut + castor (3:1) for higher return.
  • Apply 80 kg nitrogen/ha to cotton and 25 kg nitrogen and 12.5 kg phosphorus/ha to sesame crop under hybrid cotton + sesame intercropping for getting higher yield.
  • Apply 100 % RDF (80-40 kg NP/ha) only to the pearlmillet in groundnut-pearl millet crop rotation.
  • Apply 40 kg N and 20 kg P2O5/ha to sorghum under Ghed area for obtaining higher yield and net return as well as sustaining soil fertility. The nitrogen should be applied in two equal splits i.e. 50% as basal at the time of sowing and 50% as top dressing by drilling in 10 cm soil depth at 45- 50 days after sowing
  • Apply 100-30-60 N-P2O5-K2O kg/ha to Bt. cotton for obtaining higher yield and net return as well as sustaining soil fertility under rainfed conditions. The phosphorus and potash should be applied as basal, while nitrogen should be applied in three splits i.e. 25 % as basal at the time of sowing, 50 and 25 % as top dressing at 35-40 and 60-65 days after sowing, respectively by drilling in 10 cm soil depth.

Integrated nutrient management

  • Apply 80 kg N +10 t compost +500 kg castor cake/ha along with bio-fertilizer (Azotobacter + PSB) in Bt. cotton for higher yield and improving soil fertility.
  • Mulching of wheat straw or groundnut shell  or  farm  waste @ 5 t/ha with 50 % RDN to groundnut and 75 %  RDN to pearlmillet in groundnut – pearlmillet crop sequence for sustaining soil fertility and crop productivity.
  • Adopt INM practice (25% RDF + compost @ 5 t/ha + castor cake @ 500 kg/ha + Azotobacter and PSM in groundnut, sesame, pearlmillet, cotton and castor  mono-cropping or crop rotation for sustaining soil fertility and crop productivity.
  • Apply 50 % of RDF (N:P:K 10:20:0 kg) + 10 kg K2O + 5 kg bentonite + 500 kg vermicompost per hectare under three irrigations to chickpea under rabi season for obtaining higher yield and net return. 

Integrated pest and disease management

  • Apply imidachlopride 17.8 SL 0.007% (4ml/10 l) OR thimethoxam 25 WG 0.01% (4g/10 l) OR acetamapride 20 SP 0.004% (2g/10 l) at ETL of aphid (1.5 aphid index/plant) and jassid (3 nymphs/3 top leaves) for effective and economic control of these sucking pests in groundnut.
  • Soil  application of the granular insecticide cartap  hydrochloride  4G  @ 10 kg/ha at 55 to 65 DAS OR Karanj cake or castor cake @ 250 kg/ha in furrow at the time of sowing for control  of pod borer in groundnut.
  • Apply granulose virus @ 300 L.E./ha at ETL (4 larvae/plant) with  wetting agent (sandovit) @ 10 ml and UV protectant (Ranipal) @ 1 g in 10 litter for control of semilooper in castor.
  • Apply alternate spray of mencozeb 0.2 %, carbendazin 0.025 % and mencozeb 0.2 % OR fresh neem leaf extract 2 % at 35, 50 and 65 DAS for effective control of tikka and rust in groundnut.
  • Apply two sprays (at initiation of the disease and 20 days after first spray) of hexaconazole 0.005 % OR carbendazim 0.05 %, for management of powdery mildew in black and green gram.
  • Apply three sprays of propiconazole 25 EC 0.025% (10 ml / 10 l) or cymoxanil 8 WP + mancozeb 64 WP 0.1% (20g/10 l) or mancozeb 75 WP 0.2% (25 g / 10 l) i.e. first spray at 40 days after sowing and subsequent sprays at 12 days intervals for effective and economical management of leaf spot disease.
Publications :

 

Sr. No.
Particular
 Numbers
remarks
1.
Research Paper Published in Journal
252
Since 1975
 
a. International journal
83
b. National journal
169
2.
Paper presented/accepted & published in proceeding/ abstracts
187
Since 1977
3.
Popular article published in periodical/ magazine/news paper
482
Since 2004
4.
Radio talk
210
Since 2000
5.
T.V. talk delivered
98
Since 2000
6.
 Publication of leaflet, technical bulletin, booklet , folder, etc.
95
Since 1995
Transfer of Technologies :
The technologies developed at this research centre is being disseminated to the various extension agencies, NGOs, GSFC, GNFC, IFFCO  farmers and students in the following ways.
  • Organizing farmers day / participation in agricultural fair.
  • Participating in the 'Krushi Mela', farmers days and Agril. Exhibition organized by University or other agencies.
  • Educating extension worker / officers in pre-seasonal training, diagnostic team visit and other training programmes.
  • Conducting front line demonstration of new release varieties/recommended technologies and organizing field days on farmer’s field.
  • Educating students during RAWEP and to farmers during visit of the station.
  • Through TV, Radio broadcasting, literature, press note, personnel/spot field diagnosis etc.
  • Extent of adoption and constraints in adoption of dry farming technology by the farmers.
  • Identification of research needs of dry farming technology for the farmers.
  • Diagnostic visits of scientists on problems.
  • Twice in a week bulletin based on climate.
  • SMS advisory services to the farmers
Linkages for the Extension :
The dry farming research activities linked with the extension personnel, farmers and other agencies of the region are as under:
1. District Level Technical Committee with Department of Extension of the State
2. Zonal Level Technical Committee. 
3. Agricultural Research Council of JAU
4. Training and Visit Programmes.
    1. Short Duration Training Programme.
    2. Special Training Programme for VLWs.
5. Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVKs) of North Saurashtra Agro Climatic Zone.
6. Farmers’ Training Centre (FTC).
7. District administration and Agriculture Department.
8. MGMG Project.
Linkages with farmers :
  1. Adoption of villages under RIFS, NICRA and MGMG.
  2. Organization and celebration of various days and events pertaining to Farmers.
  3. Visits of the scientists to farmers’ field.
  4. Visits of the Farmers at the centre.
  5. Trainings and workshop for the Farmers and stockholders.
Infrastructure Facility:
·         Office building
02
·         Guest house
01
·         Staff quarters:
17 
·         Godowns:
03
·         Soil testing laboratory:
01
·         Meteorological observatory:
01
·         Runoff plots
01
·         Open well:
01
·         Bore well:
02
Land use Pattern :

Detail

 
Area (ha)
Total land
:
23.71
Cultivable area
:
17.96
Area under experiment
:
6.46
Area under seed production
:
10.95
Area under Roads,  buildings and Demonstration unit
:
3.29
Area under horticultural crops
:
0.55
 Farm ponds and  drinage channel
:
0.87
Non cultivable fellow land
:
1.59
Contact :
Dr. D. S. Hirpara
Research Scientist (Dry Farming)
Main Dry Farming Research Station
Junagadh Agricultural University
TARGHADIA -360 003, Ta & Dist: Rajkot (Gujarat)
Email:  Office This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Personal This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 
 




 

News

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