The Intl Potato Center (CIP) is doing a project funded by GIZ i4Ag in Bihar to promote Zero Tillage Potato cultivation.
See intro presentation
Potato is a 3 month duration rabi crop
During rabi 2023, plan to do an RCT with 2k farmers; half in a treatment group who receive video advisories on PZTM and the other half receive nothing
CIP has tested PZTM in Bangladesh and wants to generate more evidence on its benefits with the focus of this project
DG is collaborating with JEEViKA to develop and disseminate videos
Videos to build awareness will start being shown in August and sowing starts in mid December
Selected 3 blocks each in three districts: Patna, Nalanda and Rothas
Seems like there is some equipment required (markers for putting lines on the ground for placing seeds) but the process can be done without this as well
Seems like there is some plan to measure GHG emission using CoolFarmTool; need to learn more about this
Practice | Farmer Benefit | Environmental Benefit |
|---|---|---|
SHAMS TARIQUE (Unlicensed) to fill out table
20cm layer of mulching; this helps w controlling weeds
Stops burning of paddy residue
Less labor intensive at time of sowing and harvesting; no ploughing required, lower fertilizer usage, one less irrigation
Adding organic matter to the soil