Training and Capacity Building Programme for the Growers of Water chestnut (Trapa bispinosa) in Bihar
Bihar occupies important place in field of fruits, vegetables and spices production. Bihar has 8.5 % area of total national area under horticultural crops. But in this state horticultural crop occupy 10% area of total cropped area of Bihar. Under vegetable crops this state has 8.28 lacs hectare with a production of 136.27 lacs tonnes. Bihar ranks first in lady’s finger and pointed gourd production while it enjoys 2nd position in cauliflower, brinjal and potato production in the country. Besides these vegetables, Bihar also grows mushroom as micro enterprise in which farm women have major role.
To improve the economic condition by the way of producing quick growing early short duration vegetables throughout the years and to make available nutritious
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Aquatic Horticulture has greater role to play for getting regular income and employment to fisherman community in Bihar. Besides fish catching, they use to grow aquatic fruits such as water chestnut, gorgan nut and lotus in ponds having above one meter deep water during growing season. Out of three aquatic fruits, cultivation of water chestnut is more easy and profitable. Its harvesting prolongs for 3 to 4 months, it means it is a crop which supply regular income to the growers. Another special feature of chestnut cultivation is that fisherman only cultivates it. No other castes grow it. So, it is an aquatic fruit crop which is related to fisherman community. If water chestnut yield is enhanced, means economy of the most marginalized poor community is enhanced. |
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Objective of Project:
The production and productivity of water chestnut is very low in Bihar as compared to other states. The productivity per ha of pond of this fruit is 200 q/ha in Punjab and Haryana but it is 140 q/ha in Bihar which is very low. This may be due to old method and unproductive local strains of water chestnut cultivation. So, there is great need to train the water chestnut growers in field of modern production Technology of this aquatic fruit. With above views in mind the present project is formulated with following objectives: Technical Programme:
Selection of growers will be done with the help of Mukhiya of the concerned Panchayat or BAO of block concerned. A directory of trainers and trainees will be maintained for follow up programme. Training and skill development programme will be carried out by the team of scientist & facilitator too.
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