i-CI is promoting Climate-Resilient Agriculture (CRA) which includes sustainably using existing natural resources for crop production and livestock management through integrated organic farming, Diversified cropping system and zero emission irrigation systems to achieve long-term higher productivity, increase organic carbon in soil and farm incomes under climate variabilities.
The shift towards more sustainable and resource-efficient agricultural practices is becoming increasingly important in the face of global challenges such as water scarcity, labour shortages, and climate change. In this context, Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional puddled transplanting methods. DSR offers numerous advantages, including reduced water usage, lower labour requirements, and enhanced profitability. Direct Seeded Rice is a viable alternative to conventional puddled transplanted rice, with strong potential to mitigate and adapt to climate change. This system empowers small and marginal farmers to better cope with climate-induced changes by providing flexible rice establishment methods and reducing the water needed for both crop establishment and growth. Additionally, in the event of early drought, farmers can opt for direct seeding with minimal soil moisture, rather than waiting for adequate rainfall to begin transplanting. DSR promotes early crop establishment, which reduces the risk of yield loss due to late season drought and minimizes the need for costly additional irrigation. ICI has been promoting DSR method in its operational villages since 2021.
Natural and Organic farming is a major component of CRA. By using of local resources, since last seven years i-CI has been promoting Organic and Bio farming models in farmers field through different experimentation and trail in Maa Mati, FFS and Progressive farmers’ field. A comprehensive model has been developed on Soil nutrient (in-situ and ex-situ manures), Seed treatment, Plant growth, Flower and Fruits management, Disease and Pest management and Post Harvest management.
To provide year-round income to the small and marginal farmers i-CI promoting different Integrated Farming System (IFS) that involves the integration of various diversified Agri-crops, Horticulture, Floriculture, Livestock, Fish, Poultry and other agricultural activities to maximize resource utilization, minimize environmental impact, and increase productivity and profitability. This system is complemented each other in a way that create symbiotic relationship to make more economic viable and profitability of farmers. Different IFS model are as follows;
A. Pond Base IFS (Horticulture + Duckery + Fishery + Plantation Crops+ Azola)
B. Agri Base IFS: Agriculture (Cereal + Pulses + Oilseed + Spices + Vegetable) + Diary + Mushroom+ Vermicompost
C. Horti base IFS: Horticulture + Vegetable crop+ Mushroom + Vermi Compost)
D. Livelihood Base IFS: Agriculture (Cereal + Pulses + Oilseed + Spices + Vegetable) + Horticulture + Poultry + Diary + Fishery + Dockery + Plantation Crops + Vermicompost unit+ Azola
To reduce the dominance of rice or specific crops, particularly to enhance soil health, water use efficiency, food and nutrition security and increase the farmers income i-CI is promoting Crop Diversity Board and Rice Fallow management. Covered more than 9000 hectares in 6 districts of Odisha under RFM and promoted CDB with around 87 farmer’s field. Crop like cereal, pulses, oilseeds, millets, spices and vegetables are promoted in different model.
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To avail and supply the ready to use organic and bio-inputs, i-CI has set up Bio-Resource (BRC) in each cluster (Comprising of 7-10 villages). The BRC is managed by the progressive Producer Group (PG). Along with bio-inputs, it is also envisaged as a centre to disseminate knowledge and experience related to natural farming who face challenges while transitioning to natural / organic farming.
The major burden to increased production is due to lack of irrigation facility. To address this challenges of small and marginal farmers, i-CI has been promoting and providing low-cost, and zero carbon emission water lifting device called Peddle Pump (PEP) and Solar Pumps. The main purpose is to provide the facility to produce vegetables in nutrition garden in all three seasons where water is available.