Enhancing productivity and livelihood of Bundelkhand farmers through crop - livestock based interventions

An on-farm study was conducted during 2007–2012 to know the impact of various crops and livestock based interventions on sustainable improvement of productivity of farmers in Bundelkhand region. The improved varieties with agrotechniques enhanced the productivity of cereals, pulses, oilseeds and vegetables by 114–240, 80–167, 72–134 and 60 - 206 %, respectively over farmers practice. Similarly, the productivity of fodder sorghum, cowpea and Guar increased by 197, 221 and 187%, respectively while the corresponding increase in Berseem and oat fodder yield was 265 and 115%. This enhanced the milk productivity of cows and buffaloes by 1.5 to 3 litresday⁻¹ animal⁻¹. The green fodder yield of stylo in silvipasture and hortipasture was 250–300 and 275–350 q ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, respectively. The ber top working with improved varieties produced 30–50 kg ber tree¹ with improved size and quality and also generated additional income of ₹ 2000–5000 year⁻¹ farmer⁻¹. The supplementation of leaf meal in ration enhanced the body weight gain in goat by 9–12 g day ¹ goat¹ and milk production in buffaloes by 0.8–1.1 litre day ¹ buffalo ¹ compared to farmers practice of feeding. The introduction of improved farm machinery and drudgery reducing tools resulted into economic benefit to farmers and saved time for farmers and farm women. The capacity building activities improved the technical knowledge and skill of farmers. The living standard was improved by increasing the income of farmers due to adoption of improved agrotechniques.