Achievements

Following are the research achievements of the institute:

Upscaling Of Farm Water Control Structures

In rainfed tract of Potowar, usually, the land is not flat and various field/terraces are situated at different levels. Consequently, the water received during torrential rains moves from higher fields to the lower resulting into breaking of embankments, erosion of soil and formation of gullies. The Government of Punjab is spending millions of rupees every year for the construction of masonry structures of bricks and cement for controlling the soil erosion. These structures are very expensive and beyond the reach of the farmers from their own resources. The design of the new structures is based on locally available loose stones without masonry work which permits the safe disposal of surplus rainwater to prevent soil erosion as well as receives and absorbs maximum amount of rainfall in field where it is received. During last two years, these structures were upgraded to sub watershed scale. More than 100 structures were installed in various sub watersheds of Dharabi Dam in collaboration with ICARDA. The villages include khokharbala, Rehna Sadat, Bhatti Gujjar, Chak Khushi and Dhoke Mohri. As these structures consist of loose stones, therefore, the average cost per structure was around Rs.10000/-. Natural grass growing within crevices provides binding strength to these structures.

Upscaling Of Gypsum Technology For Crop Improvement

The agriculture in rainfed tract is dependent mainly on rainfall. The two third rainfalls are received in monsoon season. Any technology that leads to the conservation this precipitation will determine the success of succeeding crop. The techniques being used internationally for conservation of rainfall moisture include tillage, mulch/organic materials and chemicals. Gypsum being naturally available in the country is cheaper than the other chemicals usually used for moisture conservation. Therefore, it was explored for conservation of moisture through improvement in physical and chemical condition of soil. During experimentation, pre monsoon soil application of gypsum in Chakwal, Rawalpindi, Attock & Jhelum has showed substantial improvement in the wheat yield in rainfed area during this extensive experimentation and on an average, 22% increase in grain yield was observed with one ton/acre of gypsum. (See graph 1). The application of gypsum has also shown 10 to 15% increase in the yield of other crops during subsequent years. The beneficial impact of application of gypsum is available for at least three years to other crops. During last two years, the technology was also combined with farm water control structures and up scaled to various sub watersheds of Dharabi dam watershed. Gypsum was added to experimental farmers’ fields on wheat and groundnut

Management Of Gullied / Eroded Lands Without Involvement Of Leveling And Utilization Of Rainwater

It is common practice in Potowar to level (through cut and fill) gullied/severely eroded land with bulldozers for sowing arable crops. The leveling of fields up to ten hour/acre may be considered as economical but bulldozer is being used frequently for hundreds of hours for leveling the gullies at government expenses. It involves huge expenses and buries the top fertile soil containing nutrients. In addition, the soil also becomes prone to water erosion. Therefore, experimentation was started to standardize technology for use of these lands without involvement of bulldozer through growing of fruit plants and utilization of rainwater. A package of technology is being standardized for these fruit plants. The package of technology includes soil conservation practices such as staggered plantation integrated with half moon terraces, stop wash barriers, contour infiltration ditches and mulching etc. Presently, this study is being conducted at gullied/eroded sites of village Damal (Tehsil Jand), District Attock and in village Hafial, District Jhelum. At Damal, blood red, phalsa, grape fruit, sweet lime, Chinese lemon and olive were planted. Irrigation is being done from a running stream with a diesel pump. At Hafial, the plantation includes olive, fig and peach.  Irrigation source is a pond. At these sites, various plants having low water requirement are performing comparatively than other species.

Conservation Of Moisture By Green Manuring

Moisture conservation is the life line of arid agriculture. Green manuring is one of the methods adopted to conserve moisture in the soil and keeping in view the needs of arid agriculture its important becomes more conspicuous. SAWCRI has utilized this method successfully at farmer fields to demonstrate its significance and convince the farmers to adopt this technology. Several green manures have been assessed for their impact on the conservation of moisture in the soil. Among these green manures, guar has been proved most effective for Potowar region. The rate of adoption of this technology among the local farmers is encouraging. Green manuring is playing a significant role in the progress of local agriculture and hence improving its contribution in the national economy.

Rain Water Harvesting Techniques

Rain water harvesting techniques are used worldwide to conserve moisture and plant fruit trees in their commandarea. These techniques have been implemented by SAWCRI at the farmer fields and fruit plants having a compliance with the local climate have been planted in the command areas of the respective rain water harvesting structures. These structures have been proved beneficial in storing rain water in the form of surface water and capillary moisture depending upon their design and size. Local farmers willing to raise orchards are adopting these techniques to uplift their economic conditions by growing fruit trees. These structures are the most suitable method to conserve moisture on the land having a slope less than 5 percent. SAWCRI has implemented these techniques in Kallarkahar, Wallana and khokharbala area of district Chakwal and these have proved themselves as efficient and effective in harvesting rainwater.
 Efforts Of Sawcri For Dissemination Of Technologies

• SAWCRI conducted ten farmers’ days at farmer field’s sites and demonstrated technologies like kitchen gardening, Rainwater harvesting, moisture conservation through gypsum, High efficiency irrigation system and Gully management and farmer’s feedback was taken. Around 900 farmers attended the farmer days.

• Five on job professional training were conducted in which 200 professionals from different departments like Water management; Agriculture extension, forestry and different NGO were trained on Rainwater harvesting, moisture conservation through gypsum, High efficiency irrigation system, and Gully management technologies.

• About sixteen farmers adopted the Gypsum technology of SAWCRI getting inspired from dissemination activities.

• SAWCRI developed eight demonstration sites/model farms for demonstration of technologies to farmers and 9000 micro catchments have been developed on these sites.

• Wheat has been planted at forty three different locations to demonstrate Gypsum and green manure technology for moisture conservation to farmers.

• Trees and shrubs of Barani areas have been collected and planted at one place to establish a botanical garden of indigenous plant for helping soil erosion control.