Port Blair, Apr 25: The ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair has issued the following Advisory of Kharif crops for the farmers of Andaman and Nicobar Islands:
Field preparation, sowing & storage of crops
• Farmers are suggested to start preparation of their fields for Kharif rice and collect seeds for the next season:
Deep ploughing of rice fields during summer is very important to increase water retaining capacity of soil. Field should be ploughed once or twice to obtain good tilth. Flood the field one or two days before ploughing and allow water to soak. Apply 12-13 t of FYM to harvest good crop. If green manure crop is raised, incorporate it to a depth of 15 cm by tractor. Farmers are also advised to collect/ purchase only quality seed from a reliable source.
• Field preparation should be started for nursery sowing of early rice crop:
It is the right time for nursery field preparation. Field should be ploughed 2-3 time for good tilth and good amount of FYM to be incorporated in nursery field for healthy seedlings. In waterlogged areas, raised nursery beds should be prepared. About 30-35 kg seeds of rice having good germination (>85%) is enough for transplanting of one hectare area.
• Farmers are advised to start preparation of sowing of green manure crops:
To maintain the soil fertility, farmer can grow crops like Dhaincha, Mung, and Cowpea for green manure. At vegetative stage green manure crops should be incorporated in the soil before 20-25 days of transplanting of rice.
• Farmers ensure prior drying of harvested grains, pulses at field/ home and do not store the seeds/ grains in jute bags that used in previous season to prevent storage pests:
Farmers are advised to always use new bags for the storage of grains to avoid insect infestation. If they are using old jute bags, it should be treated with 5% Neem oil and fully dried before use. Only proper dried grains should be stored at cool and ventilated places.
• Farmers/ workers to follow safety measures and social distancing at each and every step in the entire process of field operations.
Farmers are also advised to maintain social distancing and follow safety measures during filed operations to avoid Corona infection.
