| Details of Innovation |
In the farm earmarked for the ginger crop, prior to sowing, deep-ploughing is done. In May-June, in this farm, Indian beech (Pongamia pinnata) flowers are spread and mixed with soil. Then cow-dung mixed with manure is added in the subsoil in the field at the rate of 10 to 12 baskets per acre. In the field so prepared ginger is sown. On the day of sowing or the following day, branches of bustard teak (Butea monosperma) with leaves as well as leaves of teak (Tectona grandis) are spread in the field and watered. After watering 2 to 3 times, the teak leaves turn into manure and the branches are removed along with weeds. Owing to the elaborate preparation, ginger root-bulbs become bigger and more roots are formed. This cumulatively results in more ginger production.
The use of Pongamia pinnata<i/> flowers in ginger production has been accidental. Keshavsing Baria has an Indian beech (Pongamia pinnata) tree near his farm. Pongamia flowers fell in his groundnut crop, and the crop yield was higher than his expectations. This has been enough of a cue to Keshavsing to use pongamia flowers for increasing ginger yiled also. He tried it on ginger and proved right. Not only pongamia flowers help soil fertility, but also these make the soil disease/insect- free.
This practice has been in use in Devgadh Baria taluka for the past two years. Last year, in the monsoon, this method was applied and higher production was observed. This year also (2004), this method has been tried out. Most of the farmers are taking to the practice. (This practice has been rechecked by Purshottambhai B. Patel in June 2004). |
Honey Bee Network Knowledge & Innovation Database (HBNKIND)