Agriculture

Agriculture is the lifeline of the national economy and its development is very important for the sustainable food security of well-being of citizens. 47 percent of the population is engaged in agriculture and allied activities for their livelihood. The district covers an area of 2196 sq km and has a total cropped area of about 1.364 lakh hectares. The policy and objectives of the Department are to ensure stability in agricultural production and increase agricultural production in a sustainable manner to meet food needs. To meet the requirement of growing population and raw material requirements of agro based industries, thus providing employment opportunities to the rural population.
The Department of Agriculture has taken up the challenge of achieving high growth rate in agriculture by implementing several development schemes and promoting technologies related to increasing production. National Agricultural Development Programme, National Food Security Mission – Pulses, NFSM Oilseeds, NFSMOilpalm, Mission to Improve Soil Health, Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques are prioritized by various programs with better returns To obtain crop diversification and value addition in agricultural produce which improves the economic status of the farming community.
The geographical area of Navsari district is 2,20,458 hectares. Out of which the net cultivated area is 1,36,405 hectares. Of which about 89,799 hectares are irrigated and about 46,606 hectares are rainfed. The average annual rainfall is 1864 mm. Various crops are grown in this district and agriculture is the main occupation of majority of the people of the district.

Objective

Acting as advisor to farmers in their day to day agricultural activities, monitoring supply of quality seeds, quality chemical fertilizers, biofertilizers, biopesticides besides providing advanced technologies from research institutes to enhance crop production and productivity. The main objective of the agriculture department is to double the production and double the income of the farmers.

Goal

• To sustain agricultural crop area
• To increase production and productivity
• Double the production and double the income of the farming community

Topography and Agro climatic characteristics

Rainfall

Navsari district is considered to be a heavy rainfall district. Monsoon usually begins in mid-June. Completed at the end of September. The average rainfall of the last ten years of the district is 1864 mm.

Agricultural climatic zone

Gujarat is divided into eight main agro-climatic zones. Navsari district of South Gujarat falls under heavy rainfall agroclimatic zone. Generally the climate of Navsari district is hot and humid. The maximum temperature of the district is 35° C to 41° C.  can be seen. From the point of view of cultivation, this land can be divided into three sections as follows.

• • West Coast Region
  • Rocky and shallow land with pit mounds in the south-east
  • Area of medium black and black soil

Source of irrigation

Canals, tube wells/bores, lift irrigation and open wells are the main sources of irrigation in the district.
Major agricultural crops
In Navsari district, crops like paddy, toor, urad, vegetables and fodder are mainly grown in kharif season.
In irrigated areas it is planted as a single crop such as paddy rotation, while in irrigated areas beans are planted as mixed crops and intercrops. Like cereals-pulses, cereals-cash crops are planted.

Infrastructure

Soil Testing Laboratory-Vansda

Soil samples are taken from farmers’ fields (grid system of sampling) and sent to soil testing laboratories for analysis. Based on the analytical report of soil testing laboratory, soil health card is prepared and distributed to the farmers. The objective is to educate farmers to supplement chemical fertilizers based on Soil Health Card and to control the indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers which not only affects soil health and reduces the quality of produce but also increases the cost of farming without any
additional cost benefits.

Farmer Training Centre- Navsari:

The aim of the Farmer Training Center is to provide village level training to all farmers for effective transfer of advanced technologies.

Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA)-Navsari

The objective is to strengthen research – extension – technology transfer through demonstration, training and exposure visits to farmers
Plans
Various schemes are implemented in our district to disseminate advanced technology to increase productivity and production in all agricultural crops.

Centrally sponsored schemes

• • • NFSM Commercial Crop Sugarcane (General Farmers)
    • NFSM Commercial Crop Sugarcane (Scheduled Tribe Farmers)
    • NFSM Commercial Crop Sugarcane (Scheduled Caste Farmers)
    • NFSM Pulse Crops (General Farmers)
    • NFSM Pulse Crops (Scheduled Tribe Farmers)
    • NFSM (Scheduled Caste Farmers)
    • NMSA (RAD)
    • Oilseeds and Oil Palm Scheme
    • NFSM -TRFA (Targeting Rice Fallow Area)
    • Sub Mission on Agricultural Machinery
    • Pharma Machinery Bank and Hi-Tech Hub

    State Awarded Farmer Assistance Schemes

    • • • AGR-2 Agricultural Support Program for Common Farmers
        • AGR-3 (TASP) Agricultural Assistance Program for Scheduled Tribe Farmers
        • AGR-3 (Outside TASP) Agricultural Assistance Program for Scheduled Tribe Farmers
        • AGR-4 (SCSP) Agricultural Support Program for Scheduled Caste Farmers
        • AGR-2 (Agricultural Mechanization Scheme for General Farmers)
        • AGR-3 (Agricultural Mechanization Scheme for Scheduled Tribe Farmers)
        • AGR-4 (Agricultural Mechanization Scheme for Scheduled Tribe Farmers)
        • AGR-50 Scheme to provide assistance to farmers for purchase of heavy agricultural equipment (tractors)
        • Kisan Transport Scheme
        • CM Crop Storage Godown Scheme
        • Smart phone support scheme
        • Assistance to caste farmers to increase production/productivity of sugarcane crop – new matter
        • Assistance to SC farmers to increase production/productivity of sugarcane crop – new matter
        • Scheme to promote organic farming
        • Farmer Accident Insurance Scheme
        • Crop Estimate Survey and Crop Harvesting Selection Scheme
        • Chief Minister Kisan Sahay Yojana

    Main operation

    Various agricultural development schemes of the State and Central Governments are implemented and under these schemes farmers are provided assistance on certified seeds, farm implements, agricultural mechanization equipments, small irrigation equipments etc. through i-Khedut portal.
    Through collective programs like agricultural festivals/ fairs, demonstrations, farmer meetings, technical guidance on agriculture is provided to the farmers and the economic development is achieved through agriculture and the standard of living is raised.

    District Level Organization Setup

    

    Offices – Contact Details

    Sr.No	Office	Contact	Email
    1	Office Of DIstirct Agriculture Officer Second floor,District Panchayat, Old Thana, Navsari	02637-233030	daonavsari@gmail.com
    2	Office of the Assistant Director of Agriculture Behind Mayur Cycle Store Vansada Road, Chikhli	02634232438	adachikhli@gmail.com
    3	Office of the Assistant Director of Agriculture Beside Sub Treasury Office Vansda	02630-222302	Adavansda@gmail.com