IRRI Experts Urge Varanasi Farmers to Adopt Summer Moong Cultivation Post-Wheat Harvest
In a significant advisory aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability, experts from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) have recommended that farmers in Varanasi and surrounding regions immediately sow summer moong (lentils) after harvesting wheat. This practice, utilizing zero-tillage machines, is designed to maximize cropping intensity, improve soil health, and sustainably increase farm income.
Optimal Conditions and Sowing Guidelines for Summer Moong
According to the IRRI advisory, areas with sufficient soil moisture are ideal for cultivating short-duration moong varieties, which mature in 60 to 65 days. Farmers should use approximately 10 to 12 kilograms of seed per acre to ensure optimal growth. Timely sowing right after wheat harvesting is crucial, as it promotes better crop establishment, efficient utilization of residual soil moisture, and enhanced overall productivity.
Recent rainfall may provide enough moisture to eliminate the immediate need for irrigation, but irrigation can be applied based on soil moisture availability as required. This flexibility allows farmers to adapt to varying environmental conditions while conserving water resources.
Benefits of Summer Moong Cultivation for Farmers and Soil Health
The cultivation of summer moong offers multiple advantages, as highlighted by IRRI. Firstly, it efficiently utilizes fields during the season, leading to value addition through additional income from moong grain yield. Moreover, it improves the grain yield of the subsequent rice crop, creating a synergistic effect on farm profitability.
After harvesting the pods, the remaining biomass of the moong crop can be used as green manure, which significantly enhances soil fertility and improves its physical properties. This practice not only boosts nutrient levels but also promotes sustainable farming by reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.
Strategic Role of Summer Moong as a Third Crop Option
Summer moong serves as an excellent alternative for a third crop, fitting perfectly into the niche between mustard or wheat harvesting and rice sowing. Fortunately, a short-duration variety is available that can be seeded up to April 10, allowing farmers to capitalize on this window without disrupting their crop cycles.
In fields vacated by wheat, farmers have the option to sow green manure crops like 'dhaincha' or summer moong. The crop matures in 60 to 65 days, depending on weather conditions, and should be sown with a zero-tillage machine under sufficient moisture conditions to ensure proper germination.
This innovative approach not only helps in improving profits but also contributes to resource conservation, making it a win-win strategy for the agricultural community in Varanasi and beyond.
