d1 2A

IMPACT OF CROPPING SYSTEMS PROGRAM

AT SUKCHAINA, Nepal )

B.K. SINGH AND K.D. SAYRE2)

1) Contribution from Farming Systems Program, Nepal, sponsored jointly

by HMG/USAID with technical assistance from Winrock International.

2) Agronomist and Senior Cropping Systems Research Agronomist, respectively,

WI/ICP/Nepal.

s>. Pdts

ABSTRACT

1 This paper attempts to document some of the changes since 1977 that have

2 occurred in Sukchaina Village, through the efforts of the Cropping Systems

3 Program.

4 The seven years that the Cropping Systems Program has spent in Sukchaina

5 is divided into two broad periods : 1977 1980 Research Phase and

6 1980 to the Present Research and Extension Phase. Throughout this

7 time various surveys have been conducted to determine what changes have

8 been taking place. This paper complies and briefly summarizes the

9 results of these surveys, emphasizing those conducted in 1981 and 1984.

10 The main criteria that have been used in this paper to illustrate changes in
crop production strategies that have occurred at Sukchaina involve changes
11 in rice varieties, fertilizer application to rice, rice yields, cropping

12 patterns and Cropping Intensity measured by Land Utilization Index

13 (LUI) and Multiple Cropping Index (MCI),

14 Additional Index Words : Cropping Systems, rice varieties, fertilizer

15 application to rice, rice yields and land use.

INTRODUCTION

16 If you study a map of Parsa District in Nepal, you will find Sukchaina,

17 a village of approximately 100 households and 150 ha of cultivated land,

18 surrounded by a network of irrigation channels. However, these channels

19 are useless to the farmers of Sukchaina because they are designed to

20 deliver irrigation water to other adjoining areas. Sukchaina, because

21 of its location and topography has been by-passed; left as an island of

22 rainfed agriculture. It is representative, however, of thousands of

23 hectares of rainfed, rice-growing lands in Nepal's Terai area. In 1977',

24 the Cropping Systems Program selected Sukchaina Village, one of a network

25 of Cropping Systems Research sites in Nepal, as an appropriate location

26 to test new crop-production technologies for the rainfed areas of the

27 Terai.

28 The Cropping Systems Program has implemented a novel approach to identify

29 useful, improved crop-production technologies in several well-defined

30 socio-agro-climatic situations in Nepal. The approach strives to bring

31 together biological scientists, social scientists and farmers to work

32 together as a team in farmers' fields to identify improved practices to

33 increase crop production and economic well-being, After developing a

34 thorough understanding of the conditions that exist within the area

35 encompassed by the Cropping Systems Research site, research trials are

36 designed and implemented with full participation of carefully selected

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37 farmers to test new innovations and to evaluate their utility.

38 The Cropping Systems Approach seeks to elevate farm income by increasing

39 total crop production of farms though identification of innovations that

40 are compatible with the agronomic and climatic conditions, the farm

41 resources base (capital, labor, power and management capability) and

42 the existing cropping systems. This differs to some extent from more

43 traditional commodity-based research and production approaches that

44 focus on increasing yield of a single crop such as rice, wheat, maize etc.

45 The Cropping Systems Approach strives to increase total crop production

46 per year of farms by improving the crop performances in the predominant,

47 existing cropping patterns or by increasing the intensity of land use by

48 adding additional, relevant crops to the existing patterns or by a

49 combination of both approaches.

50 The biological scientists are aware of the most recent technological

51 advances available from the various commodity programs and research

52 disciplines.

53 The social scientists assist these scientists in deciding which technologies

54 to try by developing a "screen" to shift out the relevant technologies

55 worthy for test, based on their knowledge, developed through observation,

56 surveys and interviews within the site, of the prevailing conditions.

57 The selected farmers agree to try these technologies in their fields in

58 cropping patterns and component technology trials and pass judgement on

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the feasibility of the innovations. Once useful new technologies are

identified, they are extended to the farmers within the site and to farmers
+
in other similar areas.

This approach has been followed at Sukchaina and other Cropping Systems

Research sites. This report attempts to document the success that the

Cropping Systems Program and the Sukchaina farmers have achieved in

improving crop production at Sukchaina.

The reader is directed to the International Rice Research Institute

(IRRI) publication entitled "A Methodology for On-Farm Cropping

Systems Research" by H.G. Zandstra et al for a thorough

presentation of the research methodologies that have been followed.

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METHODOLOGY

66 The seven years that the Cropping Systems Program has spent in Sukchaina

67 can be divided into two broad periods : 1977 1980 Research Phase

68 and 1980 to the present Research and Extension Phase. Throughout

69 this time, various surveys have been conducted to determine what changes

70 have been taking place.

71 The first survey, conducted in 1977, was a reconnaissance survey to

72 describeothe existing situation before the research phase was initiated.

73 This survey was instrumental in helping the researchers plan the initial

74 trials that were established. It also forms a baseline for measuring

75 changes that are observed in succeeding surveys. This survey indicated

76 that : 1) 95 % of the cultivated area in Sukchaina was rainfed; 2) the

77 average land holding was 0.83 ha per household; 3) over 50% of the

78 cultivated area was under a rice monocrop and 4) numerous local rice

79 varieties were being grown over 80 % of the rice area. The farm size

80 distribution was as follows :

Farm Size (ha) % of Household

Landless 5.2

0 1.5 63.8

1.5 3.0 20.2

3.0 and above 10.4

81 In 1981, coinciding with the beginning of the research and extension phase,

82 a parcel to parcel survey of 122 parcels belonging to 40 farmers was

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83 conducted. This survey sought information about cropping pattern being

84 followed, crop varieties, crop yields, fertilizer application, availability

85 of irrigation plus several other factors about each parcel. In 1984, a

86 a second survey using basically the same questionnaire was conducted with

87 the same 40 farmers concerning the same 122 parcels (one parcel, it

88 turned out, had been sold). In addition, in 1984 a Key Informant Survey

89 was conducted with five knowledgeable Sukchaina farmers concerning the

90 current, general agricultural situation in their village. This report

91 compiles and briefly summarizes the results for these three surveys,

92 emphasizing those conducted in 1981 and 1984, to document the striking

93 changes that have occurred at Sukchaina from 1977 to 1984.

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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

94 The main criteria that has been used in this report to illustrate

95 changes in crop production strategies that have occurred at Sukchaina

96 involve changes in rice varieties, fertilizer application to rice, rice

97 yields, cropping patterns and cropping intensity is measured by Land

98 Utilization Index (LUI) and Multiple Cropping Index (MCI). Each of

99 these will be separately discussed.

A. Rice Varieties

100 The reconnaissance survey and other observations during 1977 indicated

101 that many different local varieties were being grown in Sukchaina.

102 Each local variety had defined characteristics recognized by farmers.

103 For example, Anandi had good popping quality; Basmati very fine, aromatic

104 grain and good straw yield; Kasturi had fine aromatic grain; and

105 Handiful was somewhat drought tolerant and had comparatively good grain

106 and straw yield under minimum inputs. All, however, were generally low

107 in grain yield and most were late in maturity. Farmers tended to grow

108 certain varieties in association with certain cropping patterns and

109 land types.

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110 The Cropping Systems Researchers realized at the onset that it would be

111 necessary to test and identify several improved rice varieties to adapt

112 to the existing cropping patterns and land types or for use in new

113 alternative patterns. No single improved variety would fit all situations.

114 Farmers not only considered grain yield but also maturity to fit certain

115 patterns, straw yield, threshing characteristics, grain characteristics

116 for consumption and marketing and certainly other factors. Emphasis,

117 however, was given to identify sound improved varieties that were earlier

118 than most of the locals. The strategy was to make better use of residual

119 moisture from the monsoon rain through earlier rice harvest to allow

120 planting of winter crops at the appropriate time and to spread peak labor

121 requirements.

122 The figure 1, illustrates the changes that have occurred in use of

123 rice varieties in Sukchaina from 1977 to 1984.

124 In 1977, 80% of the area was planted to local varieties and 20% was

125 planted to the two existing improved varieties, Masuli and CH-45. By

126 1981, coinciding with the research phase, 54% of the area was planted

127 to four improved varieties versus 46% for local varieties. Bindeshwari

128 and Malika had been identified in the research as promising and spread

129 to other farmers had occurred by farmer-to-farmer seed sale or exchange.

130 The extension activities were initiated in 1980 (winter season).

131 Therefore, the period from 1980 to 1984 reflects the impact of this

132 extension effort. By 1984, 98% of the rice area in Sukchaina was planted

133 to improved varieties including a still wider spectrum of improved

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134 varieties. Of the 122 parcels that were surveyed in 1981 and 1984, only

135 3 parcels (2%) were planted to local varieties in 1984. The research

136 activities that continued during the 1981 to 1984 period has continued

137 to identify additional new varieties and both IR 8423 and Saryu-49 are

138 entering into general production. In fact, the Sukchaina farmers are

139 calling and have over 2000 kg of seed available for sale or exchange.

140 This, in fact, has been a curious side effect of the program at Sukchaina.

141 The farmers at Sukchaina have become recognized as a source of rice seed

142 of new, high-yielding varieties for rainfed conditions. Farmers from

143 other areas come to Sukchaina to buy seed of the new varieties. Appendix 1

144 presents an estimate of the amounts of seed sold in 1984 and available

145 for sale during 1985. The Key Informant Survey in 1984 indicated that

146 seed had been sold or given to farmers from other areas in Parsa District

147 and from Bara, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Mahottari, Dhanusha and Chitwan Districts

148 and also from India.

B. Fertilizer Application to Rice

149 The Cropping Systems Program has followed an integrated approach to

150 developing relevant fertilizer recommendations for the important

151 cropping patterns in all the Cropping Systems Research sites. The

152 approach has involved determining economically feasible fertilizer

153 rates for each crop in the patterns that considers the fertilizer

154 applications being made for other crops in the pattern and potential

155 residual effects. In Sukchaina, the findings have shown no economic

156 response to application of K on rice. Similarly, there has been no

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157 economic response to applying P to rice if P is applied to winter crops

158 at the rate of 20-30 kg/ha P205 before rice is planted.

159 These findings have guided farmers in Sukchaina to establish economic

160 priorities in buying fertilizer for their cropping patterns and have helped

161 to maximize scarce capital resources. Recommendations that have been

162 developed for Sukchaina commonly involve only N for rice but N and P and

163 where relevant, K, is applied to the succeeding winter.crops. Residual

164 effects of P and K applied to the winter crops appear to provide sufficient

165 amounts for the following rice crop, at least at the current N levels being

166 recommended for rice.

167 The figure 2 illustrates the changes that have occurred in Sukchaina

168 in N application to rice from 1981 to 1984 based on the parcel-to-parcel

169 surveys conducted in 1981 and 1984.

170 The average N application to local varieties in 1981 was 23 kg/ha. In

171 1984, out of the 122 parcels surveyed, only three parcels were planted to

172 local varieties. Average N application to these parcels was 30 kg/ha

173 (not shown in the figure) a modest increase as compared to 1981.

174 The average N application to improved varieties of rice in 1981 was

175 27.7 kg/ha. This increased to 40.2 kg/ha in 1984, an increase of 45%.

176 In 1981, 25% of the surveyed parcels (involving both local and improved

177 varieties) did not receive any chemical fertilizer. This dropped to zero

178 in the 1984 survey.

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179 It was of interest to note from the surveys that most farmers were applying

180 N as both basal and top-dress in 1984 as recommended by the Cropping

181 Systems Program, whereas in 1981 most farmers were applying N only as

182 top-dress. However, the compost application practices to rice remained

183 almost the same comparing the survey results for 1981 and 1984 (See Appendix 2

184 for a summary of compost application information from the surveys).

185 The results clearly indicate that there have been marked changes in the

186 rates of N application to rice between 1981 and 1984 at Sukchaina. This

187 has coincided with the rapid increase in the area planted to improved

188 rice varieties.

C Rice Yields

189 The surveys conducted in 1981 and 1984 questioned farmers about the rice

190 yields obtained in each survey parcel. The figure 3 illustrates the

191 average yields for both local and improved varieties in 1981 and 1984.

192 In 1981, the average yield of local varieties was 1.47 t/ha. In 1984, in

193 the three parcels in which local varieties had been planted, the average

194 yield was 1.40 t/ha, essentially the same. The situation for improved

195 varieties was strikingly different. Average yield of improved varieties

196 in 1981 was 1.73 t/ha whereas in 1984'it was 2.51 t/ha, an increase of

197 45%. this coincides with the increase in N application to rice in 1984

198 compared to 1981. (See Appendix 3 for a summary of the rice yield

199 performance of the major improved and local varieties in 1981 and 1984.)

200 Therefore, it seems clear that the adoption of improved rice varieties

201 combined with increased application has substantially increased rice yields
202 at Sukchaina.

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D. Land Use

203 The results drawn from the initial 1977 reconnaissance survey indicated

204 that approximately 50% of the cultivated land in Sukchaina was planted to

205 a rice monocrop (Rice-Fallow-Fallow cropping pattern). In the parcel

206 survey conducted in 1981, the area under Rice-Fallow-Fallow had dropped

207 to 45%. In 1984, after the influence of the extension effort by the

208 Cropping Systems Program beginning in 1981, the area planted to Rice-

209 Fallow-Fallow in the surveyed parcels was only 2%. Extensive changes in

210 the cropping patterns being followed in the surveyed parcels had occurred

211 between 1981 and 1984. Farmers shifted from Rice-Fallow-Fallow to other

212 more intensive patterns such as Rice-Mixed Crops-Fallow with lentil,

213 mustard and linseed being the major component crops in the Mixed Crops

214 situation, Rice-Mustard-Fallow and, most extensively, to Rice-Chickpea+

215 Mustard-Fallow (See Appendix 4 for a presentation of the cropping

216 patterns grown in the surveyed parcels in 1981 and 1984).

217 The figure 4 presents the average Land Utilization Indices and Multiple

218 Cropping indices determined from the surveys in 1977, 1981 and 1984.

219 (Also see Appendix 4 for definitions of LUI and MCI.)

220 The figure clearly shows the extensive changes in land use that have

221 occurred particularly from 1981 onwards.

222 Much of the increase in cropping intensity has resulted from the adoption

223 of the improved, early maturing rice varieties. This has allowed farmers

224 to spread out the peak work periods, particularly associated with rice

225 harvest and land preparation for winter crops. More importantly, however,

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226 the early maturing improved varieties like Bindeshwari, Malika, CH-45

227 and IR 8423 can be harvested early allowing timely land preparation for

228 winter crops like wheat, lentil, mustard and chickpea. This has allowed

229 a more effective use of the residual soil moisture after the monsoon

230 rains and has indirectly increased yields of the winter crops in addition

231 to the improved cultural and varietal practices that have been developed

232 for the winter crops by the Cropping Systems Research Program.

233 The Rice-Chickpea+Mustard-Fallow pattern has been a major research

234 contribution in Sukchaina. The identification of a new chickpea variety,

235 GO-332, high yielding and adapted to the Sukchaina conditions, combined

236 with possible timely planting in late October to early November after

237 early maturing rice varieties like Bindeshwari has shown dramatic economic

238 increases for farmers in Sukchaina. The obvious results that farmers

239 observed in the Rice-Chickpea-Fallow cropping pattern trials from 1981-

240 1983 was transferred into adoption in their fields with the further

241 improvement that farmer's themselves made by including mustard mix

242 cropped with the chickpea. Twenty of the surveyed parcels in 1984 were

243 planted to the Rice-Chickpea+Mustard pattern whereas no parcels were

244 planted to this pattern in 1981.

245 Appendix 5 presents a summary of the economic performances of the improved

246 versions of the cropping patterns Rice-Wheat-Fallow and Rice-Chickpea-Fallow.

247 Although both improved patterns (averaged over three years) are considerably

248 better than the farmer practice of Rice-Wheat-Fallow, economic benefits of

249 Rice-Chickpea are outstanding. This illustrates why there has been a rapid

250 adoption of the improved crop production technologies in Sukchaina as a

251 result of the Cropping Systems Program activities.

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CONCLUSIONS

252 The Basic Principles of Nepal's Seventh Five Year Plan (1985-1990) states,

253 "In the present state of our country, to impart dynamism to the agriculture

254 sector is a matter of paramount importance, if we really mean to increase

255 our productive need of the people". Furthermore, His Majesty the King

256 Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Deo has stated, "Let us note that any plan of

257 development directed to raise the living standards of the people can be

258 brought to frutition only with the active participation of the people

259 themselves".

260 The changes that have occurred in increased crop production and improved

261 economic returns at Sukchaina Village since the Cropping Systems Program

262 was initiated in 1977 are a clear example of how the above directives can

263 be successfully implemented. It has been the result of hard working scientists

264 working together with interested and cooperative farmers within the frame

265 work of a well-defined research and extension methodology. The Cropping

266 Systems Approach demonstrates the need for understanding the farmers existing

267 conditions and resources, their requirements and provides opportunities to

268 design relevant improvements based on available improved technologies. It

269 means that the Scientist must begin to think as a Farmer and the Farmer must

270 begin to understand that science has something to offer. Together, as a team,

271 scientists and farmers can develop sound, purpose-specific field level

272 research to develop solutions to improve crop production.

273 It is difficult to measure the economic contribution of the Cropping

274 Systems Program at Sukchaina. The value of food available to those who

275 did not have enough is priceless. Sukchaina has changed and is a better

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276 place for its villagers to live today than it was in 1977.

277 The striking realization is that these changes have occurred in a

278 rainfed environment that many in Nepal rule out as having potential

279 for major production increases. This clearly has been shown to be wrong.

280 There are hundreds of other rainfed Terai villages in Nepal that can

281 benefit from what has been learned and put into practice at Sukchaina.

WI:BKS/hks

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1984

RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY
(1977)

PARCEL SURVEY
(1981)

PARCEL SURVEY
(1984)

FIGURE-1: CHANGES IN USE OF VARIETIES AT SUKCHAINA FROM 1977 TO 1984

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40

30
N-
kg/ha

20

1981 1984

Ilf;lRE-2: CHANGE IN FERTILIZER APPLICATION, SUKCHAINA

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2.5

2.0

1981 1984

RICE YIELD PERFORMANCE, SUKCHAINA

FIGURE-3:

// 18.1//

0.7 2.5

(LUI) .(MCI
0.6 2.

0.5 1.5
0 (MCI)

1977 1981 1984

FLGURE-4: CHANGE IN LAND UTILIZATION INDEX (LUI) AND
MULTIPLE CROPPING INDEX (MCI), SUKCHAINA

APPENDIX 1A

RICE SEED SALES IN 1984 BY FARMERS IN

SUKCHAINPJ

Variety Amount Sold (kg) Variety Amount Sold (kg)

Bindeshwari 7,300 Malika 415

IR 8423 15 UPLRI 15

Laxmi 292 Janaki 63

CH 45 500 Masuli 500

Total : 8,017 Total : 993 = 9,100

Source: Key Informant Survey, 1984.

APPENDIX 1B

AMOUNT OF RICE SEED AVAILABLE FOR SALE BY

FARMERS IN SUKCHAINA IN 1985-

Variety Amount (kg)

Bindeshwari 14,800

CH 45 760

Saryu 49 500

IR 8423 1,750

P 33 250

Janaki 275

Malika 632

Laxmi 175

Total : 19,154

Source: Key Informant Survey, 1984.

APPENDIX 2

COMPOST APPLICATION TO RICE IN SURVEYED PARCELS

AT SUKCHAINA DURING 1981 AND 1984

Average Application of Compost to those
No. of Parcel Received Compost which received ( t / ha )
which received ( t / ha )

1981 1984 1981 1984

80 72 2.05 2.03
4+ +
(65.6)- (59.4)- (0.22) (0.20)

Percentage

2 Standard Deviation.

APPENDIX 3

RICE YIELD PERFORMANCE (T/HA) OF DIFFERENT VARIETIES

AT SUKCHAINA FROM PARCEL SURVEYS IN 1981 AND

1984

Variety 1981 1 % Increase % Increase Over
Over 1981 Local Var. of '81

CH 45 1.67 (0.62)t 2.15 (0.60) +28.7 +46.2

Bindesh-

wari 2.09 (0.57) 2.99 (0.37) +43.1 +79.0

Masuli 1.65 (0.49) 2.16 (0.50) +30.1 +29.3

Handiful 1.51 (0.55) 1.20 (0.00) -20.6 -28.2

Other

(Local) 1.42 (0.50) 1.50 (.042) + 5.6 -10.2

Numbers in the parenthesis are Standard Deviations.

APPENDIX 4

CROPPING PATTERNS, LAND UTILIZATION INDEX (LUI) AND MULTIPLE CROPPING

INDEX (MCI) IN SURVEYED PARCELS AT SUKCHAINA IN 1981 AND 1984

Cropping Pattern No. of Parcel LUI MCI
1981 1984 1981 1984 1981 1984

Rice-Wheat 52 60 0.71 0.71 2.0 2.0

Rice-Fallow 49 3 0.34 0.34 1.0 1.0

Rice-Mixed Crop 5 22 0.70 0.60 4.0 4.0

Rice-Barley 4 0 0.70 0 2.0 2.0

Rice-Chickpea+Mustard 0 20 0 0.73 0 3.0

Rice-Mustard 0 4 0 0.61 2.0 2.0

Rice-Lentil 8 7 0.69 0.69 2.0 2.0

Rice/Lathyrus 4 5 0.73 0.73 2.0 2.0

Weighted X 122 121 0.56 0.70 1.68 2.53

Land Utilization Index -

Multiple Cropping Index-

The

the

number of days during which

land during a year, divided

crops occupy

by 365.

The sum of the areas planted to different crops

harvested during the year, divided by the

total cultivated areas.

Mixed Crop involves varying combinations of Mustard, Lentil, Linseed,

Broadbean, and Peas. Average of 3 crops in the mixed crop situation

has been used to calculate MCI.

APPENDIX 5

ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF DIFFERENT IMPROVED CROPPING PATTERN AT SUKCHAINA

(X= 1982-84)

+ +
Total Annual Gross Total V'able"
Cropping Pattern Yield (t/ha) Returns(Rs/ Cost (Rs/ha) MBCR
ha)

A. IMPROVED PRACTICE

Rice-Chickpea-Fallow 4.57 15,012 5,249 9.27(1.57)

Rice-Wheat-Fallow 4.40 11,558 5,977 2.43(0.30)

B. FARMER'S PRACTICE

Rice-Wheat-Fallow 3.12 8,940 4,642 -

Total variable costs include input costs and labor and power costs.

I MBCR = Marginal Benefit Cost Ratio This is calculated by dividing

the difference in the Gross Returns of the Improved Practice minus the

Gross Returns of the Predominant Local Farmer's Practice by the

difference in the Total Variable Costs of the Improved Cropping Pattern

minus the Total Variable Costs of the Predominant Local Farmer Practices.

Numbers in the parenthesis are Standard Deviations.

Farmer Practice used to calculate the MBCRs of the Improved Practices.