India: 22 women use zero tillage method to grow potatoes

Happy with the bumper production at less cost, these women are now motivating others to use the method, which is new in their area.

This new technology had been introduced with the support of International Potato Centre (IPC), Peru, which implemented it with the help of Jeevika in Nalanda and Patna district, initially. Digital Green provides digital support to the Jeevika. Its senior programme manager Shams Tarique said, “In this method, there is no need to plough the land, which saves time as well as money. Soon after the harvest of the previous crop, tubers are simply spread at a distance of 10 to 12 centimetres. After that, vermicompost and leftover straw from the previous crop are used to cover it. Even for irrigation, the sprinkle method is adopted, which consumes less water.”

Tarique said though zero tilling method is being used for cultivation of wheat and other crops in the state as well, potatoes had been produced for the first time by using this method in Bihar. He said IPC had implemented this technology for production of potatoes in Assam and Odisha some two years back.

IPC scientist Suresh Kakraliya, who helped the farmers throughout the production, said, “The quality of potato is much superior than the ones produced by traditional method. Since these are grown on the ground, they can be easily put in the sack and need to pull them out.”

Experts said the production was 10 to 15% more than the traditional method.

Kumari Sangeeta, 45, from Fulelpur village under Athmalgola block in Patna district, was happy with the bumper potato production she had this time. “I have saved time, money and labour and the quality is much superior,” Sangeeta told TOI over the phone, adding, “I have used the photo as my WhatsApp status and uploaded to Facebook. I get calls from many people to know about the technology.”

Sangeeta said she had plucked the potatoes on Wednesday. “I will keep them for a week before selling the produce as many people are coming to see. I am also gifting some potatoes to my friends and neighbours and they are all excited to use this method next time. As of now, two women in the village, including me, have used zero tillage method,” she said.