WorldVeg’s initiatives boost off-season vegetable production in India

The World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg) has been at the forefront of promoting the production of safe off-season vegetables in India, with the support of the World Bank and state governments through two key projects. These initiatives have focused on enhancing rural livelihoods through the introduction of innovative agricultural practices and capacity-building efforts. By advocating for sustainable seedling production, climate-resilient farming techniques, and nursery entrepreneurship, WorldVeg has played a role in enabling farmers to boost productivity, minimize losses, and enhance their incomes, contributing to the economic wellbeing of the agricultural community and furthering sustainable agriculture and rural development objectives.

In the context of eastern India, the Jharkhand Opportunities for Harnessing Rural Growth (JOHAR) project, executed by the Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society (JSLPS) under the Department of Rural Development, Government of Jharkhand, has made strides in empowering farmers across six districts. This World Bank-funded project has delivered comprehensive practice packages for crop production stages, addressing the unique requirements of specific crops. Over 12,000 farmers benefited from training across 1,173 events, covering healthy seed and seedling production, good agricultural practices, and integrated pest management (IPM), with practical demonstrations in farmers’ fields to facilitate better understanding and adoption.

Nursery entrepreneurship development training has enabled farmers to start their own seedling production businesses, selling healthy and/or grafted seedlings. Techniques such as vertical trellising for cucurbits and staking for tomatoes have led to productivity increases of 25% and 23% respectively. Meanwhile, line sowing of carrots and peas has shown a remarkable 72% yield improvement. IPM implementation reduced brinjal fruit and shoot borer losses by 13%, and intercropping strategies have significantly boosted incomes, demonstrating the economic viability of these practices.

Similarly, in northeast India, the Assam Agribusiness and Rural Transformation (APART) project has mirrored these successes. With technical advice and support from WorldVeg, the project has improved the quality and availability of planting materials and promoted good agricultural practices. Assam Agricultural University’s participatory trials have led to the selection and multiplication of high-yielding, disease-resistant tomato and pumpkin lines. The establishment of vegetable nursery entrepreneurship, alongside climate-resilient production demonstrations, has resulted in yield increases of 30-36% for key vegetables.

These collaborative efforts have underscored the transformative potential of targeted agricultural interventions in India, showcasing the importance of climate-resilient practices and the benefits of cooperation among research institutions, government entities, and local communities. The success of these projects illustrates a path toward a more resilient and productive agricultural future in the region.

Source: www.avrdc.org

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