Study on Soil Fertility Variations, Distribution of Soil Health Report and Key Suggestions for Problems Identified for Improvement of Livelihoods in Adopted Village Narsimhulapalle, Telangana, India

Abstract

The Agricultural College, Sircilla of Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, as the sixth and youngest college of the University, started during the academic year 2018-19. One of the mandatory activities of the college in addition to academics is adoption of village and disseminating need based relevant technologies of the University for improvement of livelihoods of the villagers. Hence, a village by name Narsimhulapalle of Thangallapalli Mandal, Rajanna Sircilla district was adopted as part of extension activities of the college which is about 19 km from the college. Prior to the dissemination of improved technologies, the identification of existing scenario in the village with regards to soils, fertility status, crops, varieties, package of production technologies followed were taken up. Soil samples were collected with geo-positions from every farmer’s field i.e., 114 farm holds of the village, processed and tested for fertility status. Action plan was prepared based on crop grown to alleviate the livelihoods of the village. A systematic collection of demographic, socio economic conditions and livelihoods of the villagers from primary and secondary sources along with prevailing farming practices were documented. All the 114 soils of the village were deficient in N, while majority of soils were medium to high with respect to available P and K. The Soil fertility based fertilizer recommendations were advocated to every individual farmer based on their soil test report for the crop grown. Soil fertility maps were prepared and displayed in the village Panchayat. Bridging of the identified extension and research gaps was planned by proposing relevant technological interventions for the enhancement of livelihoods.