The main objectives of the study were:
- Study the existing cropping pattern in each type of degraded lands in selected districts, blocks and villages;
- Study the existing marketing arrangements and other linkages in each of the selected areas;
- Suggest suitable alternate crop models for each type of degraded land(s) which could be implementable and suggest a tentative action plan and extension strategies for implementation by the concerned departments viz. Agriculture, horticulture and forest.
- Suggest appropriate agenda for the future research programme with specific objective of developing alternate remunerative crop model for these lands.
The study involved field surveys and interactions with scientists, officers of State Department and farmers in various agro-ecological zones of the State covering these degraded lands. Based on discussions essential features and edaphic requirement of medicinal and aromatic plants were noted. Alternate crop models including crop plantation, grasses, agro-forestry as well as vegetables and spices were recommended. It was recommended that direct marketing to consumers and private traders be done by marketing by capacity building of Farmer Cooperative Societies and Farmer Interest Group (FIG). Research issues like tailoring Jatropha cultivar to withstand frost, development of Khesaris (Chatri Matri) varieties, which are low in Biotic Histidine – free Amino Acid (BHAA) study on amalgamation of super sweet principle with sucrose at factory level were suggested.
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