Minimum Tillage Options for Maize Production in Terai and Inner Terai of Nepal. (3570)
Authors:
N.P. Rajbhandari* - CIMMYT, Kathmandu, Nepal R.P. Shah - NMRP
R.C. Ghimire - NMRP K. Adhikari - NMRP
S. Justice - CIMMYT/Nepal D.P. Sherchan - NMRP
Abstract:
Minimum tillage is a new concept for farmers in Nepal. In recent years, lack of draft power due to reduction in livestock numbers and labor shortage has given impetus to mechanization in Nepalese Terai and inner Terai. Experiments
conducted in Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal over the period of four cycles have indicated encouraging results of increased net profit from resource conserving minimum tillage options. Maize grown with minimum tillage using Furrow Irrigated Raised Bed (FIRB) planter and Chinese Hand Tractor (CHT) produced around 3 tons/ha with open pollinated varieties. This was at par with research station practice and farmers practice involving costly land preparations. All the minimum tillage options produced higher net benefit compared to farmers practice. A maximum of NRs.16, 553 was obtained from using Chinese Hand Tractor and planting by jab planters compared to NRs.12, 490 from farmers practice. The improvement in plant growth and plant stand with the minimum till equipment did not give any advantage in yield. However ease in irrigation and intercultural operation and reduction in labor requirements are added incentives for adopting minimum till option for maize cultivation. The minimum till technology using CHT and FIRB has very high potential to expand in non-traditional maize growing areas in Nepalese Terai and inner Terai.
Speaker Information: Neeranjan Rajbhandari, CIMMYT, Kathmandu, Nepal, PO Box 5186, Kathmandu, ; Phone: none; E-mail: [email protected]
Session Information: Monday, November 1, 2004, 9:25 AM-12:00 PM Presentation Start: 10:15 AM
