Soil Conservation Extension in Two Damodar Valley Villages

Abstract

In the year 1948, Government of India established Damodar Valley Corporation with the major objective of flood control. In order to supplement the task of engineers and give longevity to the dams, the Corporation started Soil Conservation Department in the year 1949. An extension branch was added to it with a view to educate the farmers of the valley in the techniques of conservation farming in the year 1951-52. In the year 1954 this wing which was hitherto carrying only demonstrations of improved agricultural practices in the upper valley decided to start main soil conservation work. This new programme consisted of contour ploughing, application of fertilizers in upland, mixed cropping of Arhar (Cajanas cajan) and Gora paddy (an upland variety of paddy), construction of graded terraces and grassed water ways, establishment of grass land and various gully control measures. Special merit of this programme was consolidation and reallotment of holdings along the terraces and construction of terraces by farmers themselves. The entire work including the consolidation was to be carried out without any backing of law.