NIRPHAD working on promotion of livelihood based organic farming, Initiation of SRI method of paddy cultivation, Agro-forestry &agro horticulture practices, Livestock rearing, Promotion Support to marginalized farmers for diversification in agriculture, Promotion of allied agriculture based livelihood opportunities, Augmenting the productivity of lead crops program based on sustainable agriculture, Linkages of model farmers in to NABARD supported Farmers Club program, Formation of Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) and Support to farmers for availing institutional agriculture credits for productive purposes, etc . As a step further in this direction.
Towards Nature- Empowerment of the marginalized through Natural Resources Management and Allied Livelihood Augmenting the productivity of lead crops/ activities through adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. Promotion of SRI method of paddy cultivation. Promotion of Disability Inclusive Agro Enterprises based on Organic Farming. Formation of Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) to ensure the productive institutional agriculture credit to land less or small holding farmers. Small and marginal farmers play an essential role in driving forward India’s economy and growth. Despite cultivating nearly 85% of the viable land in the country, these farmers are disproportionately vulnerable to the effects of climate change, market shifts, and other production risks. Too often these farmers fall through the cracks unable to access the services they need to increase their incomes and prosper.The main stay of the people in rural areas is agriculture. NIRPHAD's, efforts include technological innovations for soil improvement. These are essential as the soil is brackish and water is saline. The other efforts of NIRPHAD include, tube- well drilling and providing irrigation systems for sustainable agriculture. Besides the above NIRPHAD made special studies so that the rural agricultural community can overcome from the vicious grip of 'unmet' needs and backwardness. Some of the projects undertaken and completed by NIRPHAD are irrigation saturation for proper management of surface water. 112 tube wells and 408 pump sets/ borings were constructed for small farmers. 22 treadle pump sets were very installed on an experimental basis. In view of the experience gained by the farmers a project application was submitted.
NIRPHAD has conducted more than 5005 soil tests to detect salinity of soil and nutrient deficiencies using sophisticated portable equipment. To combat this, the staff has encouraged very limited use of gypsum and pyrites antidotes. For improving the quality of soil excessive gypsum and pyrites are harmful. Hence compost pits were developed which is a natural source for soil nutrition and also will lessen the use of chemical pesticides. More than 40876 kgs of Fertilizers has been put to use by NIRPHAD. However, now the focus is on the use of environment friendly methods of organic compost Another normal method of enriching the soil, which is culturally accepted, is to permit cowherds to graze cattle and sheep in the fields before the monsoons. The 'droppings' of the sheep and cattle are a rich source of manure and the farmer pays Rs.400 per night to the cattle owners. These cowherds migrate from adjacent Rajasthan during the dry seasons in search of green pastures. While the silage from of bio-gas plants have a high nutrition value, the number of bio-gas plants for demonstration was only 21. Due to shortage of animals and credit facilities the medium-sized farmer is unable to develop bio-gas plants. The ancient custom of dun cakes for use as cooking fuel is still widely used. Conclusive studies are not available if it is more cost-effective, if dung is used as manure or as dried cakes for fuel. Some environmentalist argues that using dun cakes reduces the use of wood for fuel.
A significant contribution of NIRPHAD was introduction of elephant grass from Pant Nagar Agriculture University to overcome the scarcity of green fodder especially in the dry season. 10% of the green fodder requirements can be provided by elephant grass. A 'urea-molasses cocktail' was also developed by NIRPHAD, which can be substituted to a certain extent for green fodder.
The impact is that NIRPHAD project area is today the second largest mustard-growing region. By 1999, NIRPHAD had introduced 40249 kgs of all types of high yielding seeds in addition to 46632 kgs. of wheat through 880 demonstrations. More than 4000 awareness meetings have also been held.
It was noticed that plantation of vegetable had been neglected for a long time. NIRPHAD has initiated a number of for the plantation of Vegetable programs for domestic as well as commercial use. As on date 1280 Kilograms of Vegetable seeds have already been planted and promoted.
The NIRPHAD project areas have gradually started shifting from the age-old practices to modern agricultural practices. These practices have now reached a certain level of competence NIRPHAD has demonstrated the use of the thresher for 62 families and tractor leveler for families. The main emphasis is on sustainable agriculture. NIRPHAD made a following demonstration unit are:
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