Pune: In a bid to improve soil fertility, farmers in Daund taluka have started cultivating sunn hemp (Taga) and dhaincha on approximately 100 to 125 acres of land.
For years, sugarcane farming has been the primary crop in the region. However, the continuous cultivation of sugarcane, coupled with excessive use of water and chemical fertilizers, has led to a decline in soil fertility. Many farmers have experienced a drop in sugarcane yields, with average production now ranging between 30 to 40 tons per hectare.
To address this issue, farmers are turning to intercropping and mixed cropping methods, incorporating green manure crops like sunn hemp and dhaincha, which naturally improve soil health and reduce dependency on synthetic fertilizers.
How Sunn Hemp and Dhaincha Benefit the Soil
Sunn Hemp (Taga):
Fixes nitrogen in the soil, improving its fertility.
Enriches the soil with essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Decomposes quickly, releasing up to 60 kg of nitrogen per hectare.
Dhaincha:
Suitable for various soil types, including saline, acidic, and clay-rich soils.
Commonly used as an intercrop in sugarcane and rice fields.
Boosts nitrogen availability through bacterial root nodules, reducing fertilizer requirements.
Why Farmers Are Adopting Green Manure Crops
Restores soil fertility and boosts microbial activity.
Increases water retention and reduces soil erosion.
Enhances the structure of degraded soil, making it more productive.
Minimizes chemical fertilizer dependency, leading to cost savings.
Improves nutrient availability, providing long-term benefits for future crops.
Agricultural experts emphasize the importance of adopting green manure crops to counteract the long-term impact of intensive sugarcane farming.
"The uncontrolled use of water and fertilizers in sugarcane farming is severely affecting soil health. With a decline in livestock, organic manure availability has reduced. To maintain soil fertility, it is now essential to cultivate green manure crops like sunn hemp and dhaincha."
— Shivaji Kadam, Agricultural Assistant, Deulgaon Raje