CIP project on PZTM
- Ashu Sikri (Unlicensed)
- SHAMS TARIQUE (Unlicensed)
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 RothasÂ
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 |
|---|---|---|
Why PZTM (DG captured footage of residue burning, paddy harvesting, marking at field, potato sowing process, using FYM, cow manure irrigation process through spray machine, fertilizer application, harvesting process including crop cuttings process and finally farmers concerns. Â | Low cost and easy to adopt technology. | Minimizing burning of paddy residue. |
 | Potato sowing after 10-15 days of paddy harvest by using moisture content of previous crop. | Saving water, control air and soil pollution from fertilizer use. |
 | Minimal water requirement, less pest attack, protect from late blight and less fertilizer | Soil health condition improves. 10% Less water content potato. |
 | No need to plough the field. |  |
 | Less labor intensive at the time of sowing and harvesting. |  |
 | Saving at least one irrigation and less pest attack. |  |
 | In mulch tuber growth is better as compare to tuber under soil. |  |
 | Store for longer duration. |  |
How PZTM does works (different stages of PZTM). | Potato seeds (no need to buy foundation and certified seeds from market). Â | Â |
 | Fresh paddy straw for mulch |  |
 | FYM . |  |
 | If adequate moisture is not available then remove 1/2 inches surface soil. |  |
 | P2P distance should be 12cm and R2R should be at least 1feet. |  |
Mulch (Paddy straw) | Control weeds and pest attack. | Improves soil health condition. |
 | 20 inches mulch, Water storage capacity |  |
 | Maintain moisture |  |
 | Complete filed covered with mulch |  |
 | Intercrop by maize is possible. |  |
 | Quality of Mulch. |  |
Fertilizer /zero budget application. | Urea, SSP application. Use of mathast (natural farming practice for pest control). | Â |
 | Foliar spray (1st  after 30 days, 2nd after 45 days) |  |
Harvesting process | Steps of harvesting | Â |
 | Less labor requirement. |  |
 | Drudgery reduction |  |
Feedback | Host farmer feedback | Â |
 | Nearby farmers feedback |  |
 | Jeevika official feedback |  |
 | Labor’s feedback (Men and women) |  |
Climate friendly topics | Video topics will be around climate friendly agriculture. | Â |
Success story | Dg will capture 4/5 success story for further replication. | Â |
@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