Infrastructure

Soil & Water Testing Lab/ Vermi Compost unit, etc

VBKVK has a range of demonstration units, which give villagers a first-hand experience of the innovations and trends in agriculture and allied areas. Some of the demonstration units are as follows.

Agricultural Farm (17 ha.)

VBKVK has 20 hectares of land developed with fruit crops such as Aonla, Pomegranate, Guava etc and vegetable cultivation such as Pea, Okra, Ridge-guard, Bottle-guard, Tomato, Potato, Green-maize, Green-gram, Pumpkin etc. which are sold at the farm-outlet kiosk. The other activities such as farm trials and seed production have also been taken up under alternate land use systems.

VBKVK has made a substantial effort towards mechanized farming and use of new interventions in the farm sector. These are good examples for the trainee farmers, farm-women and extension functionaries, who get detailed knowhow on the technical and financial aspects of these interventions from experts at VBKVK.

In the near future, Integrated Farming System modules (IFS) will be introduced in the Instructional Farm.

Crop Museum

Different improved varieties of Wheat, Maize and other crops are being demonstrated in the crop-museum at VBKVK farm. Farmers are able to see the performance of different varieties and choose the most suitable for their situation.

Techno Park

Vidya Bhawan Krishi Vigyan Kendra has taken an inovation lead in establishing techno-park which consists of demonstrations of new technologies for higher production, productivity and profitability. This has become as important feature for KVK for showcasing technologies round the year. During Rabi, varietal demonstrations of mustard, wheat, gram, chili, tomato, cole crops, exotic vegetables, carrot, leafy vegetables, container garden etc. were done and in Kharif, maize, soya bean, ginger, garlic, yam, turmeric, BT cotton, cucurbits etc. were demonstrated. These varieties were done at a large scale including low tunnel and poly house cultivation. The techno-park was visited by thousands of farmers. It won appreciation for efforts of KVK by farmers, administrators, citizens of Udaipur and all those who came. Farm women, who do major agricultural operations, saw demonstrations of drudgery reducing implements.

The major benefit of techno-park was identifying technologies that give maximum returns. The farmers who came were elated to see beautiful demonstrations and many of them picked up technologies that were showcased.

Orchard (7.5 ha.)

Climatically, Udaipur is extremely suitable for arid and semi-arid horticulture. Efforts done under NAIP by staff of KVK in Kherwara block of district, primarily tribal, ensured adoption of vegetables and fruits led to substantial increase in income and also improved health of children because of consumption of fruits and vegetables. Horticulture generates additional manpower requirement. The people who are presently engaged are underemployed and vegetable and fruit cultivation leads to engagement of 500-650 man days per year per hectare as against only 175 man days per year per hectare for cereal crops. In order to give a push to horticulture in the district, availability of quality planting material is a dire necessity. For meeting these requirements of the farmers, KVK established mother orchards of potential fruit crop namely guava (0.5 ha), kinnow (1.6 ha), pomegranate (0.8 ha), acid lime (0.5 ha), mango (0.4 ha) and some plants of Nagpur Mandarin and custard apple. The planting material for kinnow was procured from PAU, Ludhiana, Guava from CISH Lucknow, Pomegranate from Rahuri, Pune, Lime orange and Sweet orange from NRCC Nagpur, custard apple from Sangareddy, Hyderabad and mango from IARI and Banswara.

Dairy Farm (100 Cows Capacity)

The dairy demonstration unit in VBKVK was established in 1984 with the financial assistance of Rs.25,000/- provided by ICAR, New Delhi. The unit was started with the purchase of five cross bred cows. Interestingly, no other financial help has been provided by ICAR, which is a good example of self- sufficiency of the demonstration unit.

Presently, there are one hundred plus milking crows of cross breed and indigenous breeds. Various need based training programmes are conducted and trainees acquire practical knowledge through learning by doing. At the start of the unit, two small bio-gas plants were established for the dairy workers. Both the units are running even after 25 years. All dairy workers (who are about 15 including their family members) have not spent even a single penny on firewood, kerosene or LPG during this period. Trainees and visitors have been motivated by the success of these plants. In addition, a bio-gas plant of 25 cubic meter capacity was constructed, which has been helpful in operating milking machine and water lifting machines.

From a small shed area for five cows, VBKVK today we has a pakka shed for 100 cows, separate shed for milking calves, heifers shed for 1-2 year age group and 2-3 year age group and a separate shed for pregnant cows. In addition, 300 tonnes capacity fodder godown and concentrate godown have been constructed.

Hence, the self-sustained unit has been a good example for the farmers in general and of Udaipur district in particular. Recently, an Infertility Clinic has been established at the unit with the technical support of Animal Husbandry Department, Govt. of Rajasthan. The success rate, so far, has been between 45% to 55%.

Goat Breeding Farm (20 Goat Capacity)

VBKVK maintains Sirohi bred goats at its farm and promotes for up-gradation of indigenous breeds of goats and cross breeding goats with better performing breeds. The kids are supplied to the farmers after they are made to undergo training on scientific goat rearing and management at the centre.

Hi-tech Nursery (2500 sq. meters)

Hi tech nursery and Insect proof net house were established in the VBKVK for the production of quality planting material and raising seedlings scientifically. It provide favorable climate to emerging plants for their better growth and development. The fenced nursery site has been divided into smaller blocks so that production and management of plants are e more effectively.

Vermi-compost

Vermicomposting is a simple biotechnological process of composting, in which certain species of earthworms (Eisenia fetida) are used to enhance the process of waste conversion and produce a better end product i.e. vermi cast. Vermi-composting or vermi-cast is an organic manure prepared from the bio-agro, city, kitchen wastes and cow dung by the earthworms and a rich source of plant nutrients. The vermi-culture technology has potential of nutrient supply in an environment friendly farming system.

In a simple method of preparing vermi-compost, the crop waste materials are mixed with fresh cow-dung. Water is sprinkled to keep 30% moisture in the mixture, which is kept for 10-15 days. The partial de-composition starts in the mixture. Thereafter, bed is prepared in a shed. The size of a bed is 3m. x 1m. x 0.3m. The bed is filled with partially de-composed mixture. Earthworms are introduced and the bed is covered with gunny bags/ mulch material. Water is sprinkled as per need to maintain the temperature at around 35oC. The earthworms start feeding on the mixture and within 45-60 days the material turns into dark brown vermi-cast.

The process of preparing vermi-compost is described in detail to the farmers, who get a hands-on experience too. Worms and vermi-compost are provided to farmers and other institutions.

Bio-Gas (Power Generated 25 Cu.m.)

Bio-gas units are maintained and made good use at VBKVK; especially to provide fuel and electricity to the dairy workers. It also acts as a practical demonstration for the farmer's community. VBKVK also renders technical support in the construction of bio-gas plant to farmers.

At the start of the unit, two small bio-gas plants were established for the dairy workers. Both the units are running even after 25 years. All dairy workers (who are about 15 including their family members) have not spent even a single penny on firewood, kerosene or LPG during this period. In addition, a bio-gas plant of 25 cubic meter capacity was constructed, which has been helpful in operating milking machine and water lifting machines. Trainees and visitors have been motivated by the success of these plants.