Bihar Farmer crafts low-cost tillage tool, helps 450 farmers

The share of Agriculture in Gross Domestic Product has reached almost 20% in the last 17 years, making it the sole bright spot in GDP Performance during 2020-2021, according to economic survey 2020-2021.

The survey indicated the importance of the Agriculture Sector in the nation’s development. Nowadays we are seeing a paradigm shift in the sector and the emergence of science and technology in the sector (Machines/research on seeds, soil, fertilizers, pesticides). But we can’t forget the contribution of smallholder farmers which consist of 87% of India’s peasants.

This story from Ramnagar, BIHAR tells about innovation and practices done by small farmers through their traditional knowledge and Practices. Farmers of India are very innovative generally evolve new methods and practices in the field.

Ramadhar Yadav has invented TTARI, a localized version of Hoe. It is an agriculture farm tool used in farming to save labour and time. It is a very simple handheld implement used for primary and secondary tillage of the soil. It is also very useful in de-weeding in between the plants.

This simple technology/ TTARI solved the problem of vegetable producer doing in small plots where Hoe is not competent. This Hoe is made of an iron rod with a bamboo handle to control, at one end it has two thin blades and another end with one thin blade. The farmers chop into the ground then pulls (draws) blades towards them. After experienced the utility 19 farmers in the village are using the TTARI. Now we are planning to Promote/replicate in other farm areas among smallholder farmers.

“I made it and tested in my own field, it is very handy in moving between plants for de-weeding. It is not expensive and anyone can make it with an iron rod and bamboo. I have promoted it among 17-20 farmers in my ward”, says Ramadhar.

Another Practice is being done by the women’s farmer group of Dholkarha village of Ramnagar is of using SALARI liquid. The use of liquid is being done to make plants diseases free and pest resistant. farmers are making this liquid with the use of locally availably materials.

Required Materials (1. Desi Cow’s or Buffalo’s cow dung: 1 Kg,2. Urine of Desi cow’s or buffalo’s: 1 liter,3. Gram floor: 01 kg, Normal water: 2.5-liter,5. Earthen clay: 2 Kg. In making the mixture animal are chief sources, hence these animals are playing a very important role in modern mechanized agriculture for smallholder farmers.

The Mixture of the following ingredients is being used by the women farmers for Pest control. The member farmers are not only using this but also promoting the mixture in villages. Started with only 15 members, has not extended to 450 farmers across 20 villages.