Setting up of demonstration site has helped to build capacity and disseminate the knowledge of vegetable farming to wider groups of the local communities apart from direct beneficiaries. The demonstration site has facilitated in out scaling of locally appropriate climate-smart agriculture practices among farmers through “learning by doing”. Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies, such as the use of biochar formation machines, drip irrigation kit, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), composting, and mulching via the use of jute have been demonstrated in the demonstration site of the land plot of 2738 sq. ft. (8 aana) provided by one of the beneficiary farmers. Besides that, vegetable seeds of cauliflower, cabbage, radish, and tomato were planted in the demonstration site together by the beneficiary female farmers according to the knowledge gained during the vegetable farming training.
The CSA technologies demonstrated in the site are:
a) Biochar machine: The biochar formation machine is used to produce biochar. Its use in agriculture has become popular for its robust design and simplicity to use and because of its role in carbon sequestration and climate change mitigations. Biochar can hold soil moisture for a longer time, enhancing soil microbial activity and for retention of nutrients and moisture which ultimately enhances plant growth. Feedstocks such as crop residues, manure, organic wastes, wood chips, rice husks, leaf litter can be used to form the biochar.
The farmers also learned about the right amount of its applications on the farm along with its importance in mitigating and adapting to the changing climatic conditions. They also obtained practical knowledge about biochar formation machines, ways of cleaning and maintenance, and using it to produce biochar.
b) Drip irrigation: Drip Irrigation System is a micro-irrigation system in which a controlled flow of water in drops is maintained. Thus, it is water efficient as well as time-efficient where even fertilizers can be mixed directly with water. Besides that, the water is directly passed to the roots which decrease the blooming of the weeds in the surrounding areas. Drip irrigation technology can support farmers to adapt to climate change by providing efficient use of water and enabling fertilization through the system.
Therefore, the installation of a drip irrigation system has been kept as one of the major components. The training on drip irrigation was provided to the farmers prior to distribution which included uses of drip irrigation, applicability for what kind of vegetable crops. The drip irrigation kit was installed in the demonstration site by the technician and the smallholder farmers obtained the hands-on training for its installation, major parts of the kit, usage of it, cleaning, and maintenance of the filters.
c) IPM technologies: IPM leads to the reduction of the use of the chemicals in the crops, grow healthy crops, and conserve biodiversity. IPM helps farmers to use all the natural and available resources around them like neem, tite pati, cow urine, cow dung, etc. to create the biopesticides and organic manure. Using such products eventually helps farmers to save their money which they would spend up for synthetic fertilizers and chemicals.
Along with theoretical knowledge during the training, the beneficiary farmers obtained knowledge of using it through demonstrating practically in the field. For controlling pests and insects, some IPM technologies such as traps (yellow sticky trap, light trap, pheromone trap, and nets) were demonstrated in the demonstration site.
