1. BHOOCHETANA (‘Reviving Soils’)
A Novel Initiative for
Sustainable Agriculture
Presented by,
GAYATRI C BALEKUNDARGI
TNAU, Coimbatore-3

2. “We need a second green revolution that is more broad-based,
more inclusive and more sustainable….. this must explicitly
embrace dryland farming.”
- Hon. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh,
11 July 2011

3. CONTENT
• Introduction
• Need and importance
• Objectives
• Consortium partners
• Convergence of different schemes
• Strategies
• Appropriate rainfed agricultural practices included in the scheme
• Awareness programs
• Documentation of Bhoochetana project under going in Belgaum
District
• Success stories

4. KARNATAKA
•30 Districts, 176 Taluks,
747 Hoblies, 5627 Gram
Panchayaths & 29406 Villages.
•30 Districts, 176 Taluks,
747 Hoblies, 5627 Gram
Panchayaths & 29406 Villages.
• Total area 190.50 lakh ha.
Cultivable area 121.61 lakh
ha. (64%).
• Only 33% area under
irrigation.
• 10 Agro-climatic zones with
rich crop diversity & 5 major
soil types.
• 10 Agro-climatic zones with
rich crop diversity & 5 major
soil types.
• 76% are SF/MF holdings.
Average size of holding 1.55
ha.
• 76% are SF/MF holdings.
Average size of holding 1.55
ha.

5. Importance of Agriculture Sector in Karnataka
5
Agriculture plays a vital role in Karnataka’s economy.
 57% of the total households depend - agriculture - principal
livelihood.
 About 61% of the total population lives in rural areas and their
main source of income is farming alone.
 Agriculture and allied sectors account for about 13% of the
GSDP and is among the top three contributors

6. Southern & Eastern tract - red soil (Alfisols)
 Bangalore, Kolar, Mysore, Tumkur and Mandya
 varying depths
 shades of red & pass on to yellow
 Loamy red soils in Shimoga & Hassan districts
Western parts - Laterite soils
 Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada, Shimoga, Hassan,
Bangalore, Kolar, Mysore
Northern Parts - Black soils (Vertisols)
 Bidar, Gulbarga, Bijapur and Belgaum
 Moderately to very strongly alkaline
 Slightly to moderately calcareous
 Organic carbon of 0.33 to 0.63%
Soils of the Western Ghats
 dark brown to dark reddish brown and black - due to the
accumulation of organic matter under the forest cover
Soil types of KarnatakaSoil types of Karnataka
Determinant of Crop HealthDeterminant of Crop Health

7. Rainfed Farming in KarnatakaRainfed Farming in Karnataka
 ~67% of gross cropped area under Rainfed Cultivation
 Distributed mostly in agro-climatic zones I-VI
 Only 33% of gross cropped area is under irrigation
 ~60% land holdings are less than 2 ha.
 Average rainfall is between 550-900 mm in different
districts of Zone I-VI.
 Black soils in the north and red soils in south.
 Sorghum, finger millet, green gram, chickpea, pigeon pea,
maize, sunflower and cotton are the major crops
Farmer Category
No.
(lakhs)
Area
Operated
(lakh ha.)
Average size
of holding
(ha.)
Marginal (Less than 1 ha) 38.49 18.51 0.48
Small (1-2 ha) 21.38 30.20 1.41
Semi-medium (2-4 ha) 12.67 33.93 2.68
Medium (4-10 ha) 5.11 29.04 5.69
Large (10 ha & above) 0.68 9.94 14.71
Total 78.32 121.61 1.55

8. BHOOCHETANA - A Novel
Mission Mode Project to
Improve Productivity in
Rainfed Agriculture

9. Bhoochetana Project: Mission Goal
Increase average productivity of
selected crops in the state by 20%
Increase average productivity of
selected crops in the state by 20%

10. Why Bhoochetana in Karnataka
Karnataka has the second largest area under dryland agriculture next to
Rajasthan
Crop yields are 2-5 times less in dryland areas
GoK has initiated a Mission mode project in 2009 to improve rainfed
agriculture
Mission goal is to increase agricultural productivity by 20 per cent

11. Genesis of Bhoochetana
Brainstorming Meeting by the Development Commissioner to discuss
agricultural productivity
Ex-commissioner WSD stressed the need to emphasize rainfed agriculture
and discussed success of Sujala-ICRISAT success and need to scale-up
GOK officials visited ICRISAT and assessed the potential of improved
management to increase productivity
ICRISAT was asked to present proposal and to initiate work and Mission was
formed

12. Consortium Partners
KSDA(GOK)
(Commissioner&
Director)
Watershed
Development
Department
Community based
Organisations
(KCC)
SAU’s
(Vice Chancellors)
ICRISAT ICRISAT

13. Project Launching
The Bhoochetana project was launched on 23rd May 2009 by the
Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka Sri B. S. Yeddyurappa at Haveri. ICRISAT
and Government of Karnataka signed an MOU on providing technical
backstopping for this mission mode project

14. Objectives
 To identify and scale-up best management practices (soil, crop,
nutrient and water management) to enhance productivity by 20%
of crops in 30 districts
 To train DoA staff in stratified soil sampling in villages, analysis
of micronutrients, preparation of GIS-based soil maps.
 To guide DoA to establish high-quality Soil Analysis Laboratory
in Bangalore. Training field staff of DoA for implementing the
NRM technologies
 To build the capacity of the stake holders (farmers and consortium
partners) to implement practices in the sustainable management of
natural resources and enhancing productivity in dryland areas

15. BHOOCHETHANA
INPUT
SUBSIDY
TRAINING AND
PUBLICITY
CONVERGENCE OF SCHEMESCONVERGENCE OF SCHEMES
LOGOISTIC
SUPPORT
NFSM,
ISOPOM,
A3P,
NPMSHF,
RKVY,
INSIMP
Soil enrichment
 Plant protection
NFSM,
ISOPOM,
A3P,
NPMSHF,
RKVY,
INSIMP
Soil enrichment
 Plant protection
STATE SECTOR
TRAINING
KRISHI UTSAVA
ATMA
RKVY
STATE SECTOR
TRAINING
KRISHI UTSAVA
ATMA
RKVY
INTEGRATED
AGRICULTURAL
EXTENSION
SYSTEM
RKVY
INTEGRATED
AGRICULTURAL
EXTENSION
SYSTEM
RKVY
A Novel Mission Mode Project to improve Productivity in Rain fed Agriculture

16. 1) Awareness of the scheme through wall writings was an initial step to attract the
farmers , enable them to know about the importance of soil fertility and its management
1) Awareness of the scheme through wall writings was an initial step to attract the
farmers , enable them to know about the importance of soil fertility and its management
2) Soil test based nutrient management with major thrust on micronutrients2) Soil test based nutrient management with major thrust on micronutrients
4) 50% subsidy on micronutrients, seeds4) 50% subsidy on micronutrients, seeds
5) Fielding the farm facilitators (KrishiAnugar) for every 500 ha in Kharif and 1000
ha in Rabi seasons to provide farm tips & latest technology
5) Fielding the farm facilitators (KrishiAnugar) for every 500 ha in Kharif and 1000
ha in Rabi seasons to provide farm tips & latest technology
3) Raith Sampark Kendra (KCC) Is a single window system for supply of inputs3) Raith Sampark Kendra (KCC) Is a single window system for supply of inputs
Strategies….

17. 6) Capacity building for farm facilitators
8) Establishment of village seed and nutrient banks at cluster level
7) Identification of high-yielding cultivars preferred by the farmers thru PR&D approach
9) Creating opportunity for active learning through demonstrations and farmers'
field schools.
Strategy (Cont….)

18. Main Focus
Soil test based taluk wise nutrient recommendation
with Special emphasis on deficit micro nutrients i.e.,
zinc, boron, sulphur .
Analysis of over 96000 soil samples. )
Sujala project: 6 districts
2009-10 : 10 districts
2010-11: 14 districts

19. Soil sample collection

20. Parameters analyzed and results are;
pH : Acidic soils -39%
• Normal soils-58%
• Alkaline soils-2%
Electrical conductivity:Normal - 96%
• Critical to salt sensitive crops - 3%
• Critical to salt tolerant crops - 1%

21. • Organic carbon: (Indirect analysis of available
nitrogen)
Deficient soils -52%
• Availalble phosphorus: Deficit soils - 41%
• Availalble potassium: Deficit soils -23%
• Availalble Sulphur: Deficit soils -52%
• Availalble Zinc: Deficit soils -55%
• Availalble boron: Deficit soils -62%
• Organic carbon: (Indirect analysis of available
nitrogen)
Deficient soils -52%
• Availalble phosphorus: Deficit soils - 41%
• Availalble potassium: Deficit soils -23%
• Availalble Sulphur: Deficit soils -52%
• Availalble Zinc: Deficit soils -55%
• Availalble boron: Deficit soils -62%

22. Soil Fertility Atlas Release

23. Sulphur Zinc Boron
GIS interpolation of nutrient deficiencies

26. TRAINING AND PUBLICITY

29. FARMERS FIELD SCHOOLS
 TO CREATE AWARENESS ON NEW TECHNOLOGIES –
Learning by Experience –
• Farmers field schools organized in group of 25 farmers
• Bhoochetana technology is disseminated
• Seed treatment campaigns organized
 TO CREATE AWARENESS ON NEW TECHNOLOGIES –
Learning by Experience –
• Farmers field schools organized in group of 25 farmers
• Bhoochetana technology is disseminated
• Seed treatment campaigns organized

30. Farmer Field School

32. H’ble agriculture Minister Visiting the Bhoochetana plot in
Davanager District

33. State Level Field Day

34. Appropriate Rainfed Agricultural Technologies
• Conservation furrows-laid on a gradient of 0.2 to 0.4% at the
time of sowing
• Cultivation across the slope or contour cultivation- for
conserving soil moisture.
• Broad-bed and furrow (BBF) systems- laid out on a slope
range of 0.4 – 0.8% with an optimum of 0.6% slope.
• Tropicultor -A multipurpose wheeled tool carrier (Tropicultor),
for sowing of seeds, application of fertilizer and interculturing

35. • Integrated Nutrient Management-
1. Balanced nutrient application
2. Biofertilizers
3. Biocontrol agents
4. Integrated Pest Management
5. Improved varieties

36. Distribution of Micronutrients at village level
and application of gypsum in the field.

37. Implementation during Kharif season
Component 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15
No. of Districts
06 16 30 30 30 30
Area(lakh ha) 2.2 12 28 37 48.77 50.26
No. of Farmers
registered
(in lakhs)
2.0 8.5 20 42 41 41
No. of villages 1440 5030 14000 26000 27000 27346
Farmer
facilitators
(in No’s)
517 2500 5600 9700 9931 6572

38. Implementation during Rabi season
Component 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15
No. of Districts
03 10 13 15 15 15
Area(lakh ha)
0.590 3.30 5.70 27.00 22.00 19.00
Farmer
facilitators
(in No’s)
110 730 1300 2790 2516 2750

39. PRODUCTIVITY IN BHOOCHETANA PROJECT AREA
CROPS 2010-11 KHARIF
Check plot
Yield(Kg/ha)
Bhoochetana
Plot Yield(Kg/ha)
%
increase
Ragi 1705.1 2326.6 36.45
Maize 4976.6 6688.3 34.39
Pearl millet 1665.0 2205.0 32.43
Sorghum 1612.7 2275.0 41.07
Black gram 930.0 1260.0 35.48
Green gram 496.0 684.0 37.90
Pigeonpea 1224.0 1648.0 34.64
Groundnut 1433.8 1862.4 29.89
Soybean 1802.0 2491.0 38.24
Sunflower 640.0 775.0 21.09

40. Yield estimation as per annual report submitted by
ICRISAT(2011-12)
Crop
YIELD (in kg/ha)
Farmer’s Management
(Non Bhoochetana
plots)
Improved management +
Micronutrients
(Bhoochetana plots)
% yield
increase
Ragi 1450 1904 31.35
Maize 4018 5302 32.13
Pearl millet 1693 2343 39.26
Sorghum 1945 2735 41.32
Black gram 615 825 34.76
Green gram 540 765 40.46
Pigeonpea 824 1100 33.22
Groundnut 1632 2260 38.99
Soybean 1377 1876 37.88
Sunflower 1286 1736 34.77

41. Yield estimation as per annual report submitted by
ICRISAT(2012-13)
Crop
YIELD (in kg/ha)
Farmer’s Management
(Non Bhoochetana plots)
Improved management +
Micronutrients (Bhoochetana
plots)
% yield
increase
Ragi 1380 1830 33
Maize 3750 4930 31
Pearl millet 1355 1855 37
Sorghum 2050 2675 30
Green gram 823 1093 33
Pigeonpea 1009 1283 27
Groundnut 930 1210 30
Soybean 1060 1407 33
Sunflower 1008 1316 31
Paddy 3630 4600 27
Cotton 2200 2910 31
Chickpea 630 820 30

42. IMPACT
 Awareness among farmers regarding integrated nutrient
management.
 Increase in application of micronutrients .
 Increase in yield by 25-40% in rain fed crops through improved
management (The adoption is in 20-25% of area)
 Acceptance of technology by large number of farmers
 Introduction of new verities of crops also added to the increased
yield and enhancement of farm income.

43.  Promotion of organic farming through large scale
introduction of bio Agri gold and city compost
 There are opinions among the farmers that they will
continue the initiatives even without the Government
subsidy
 The advantages of seed treatment with bio agents has been
well recognized

44.  Government of Karnataka has decided to extend the science-
led productivity enhancement initiative (Bhoochetana
program) in advanced form i.e Bhoochetana plus.
 The success of the Bhoochetana, is being replicated by the
Philippines government under the same name.
( Source: www.thehindubusinesline.com
dated 25th Feb 2015 )

46. Philippines team visit

47. Documentary(Belgaum)

48. 1038 villages were planned to cover
Out of which 930 village benchmark survey is completed
281619 Farmers Registration
206 Cluster Godowns for Inputs
Total of 441 wall writngs have been taken up
BHOOCHETANA ACTIVITIES

53. FFS FIELD DAY

59. References
• agricoop.nic.in
• raitmitra.kar.nic.in
• m.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national……article4881552
(July 4th 2013)
• www.icrisat.org.>Bhoochetana>pdf,
• oar.icrisat.org/8789/….
• rkvy.nic.in
• www.ifpri.org./project/bhoochetana-plus-initiative