ICAR Rabi season Agro Advisory for Chattisgarh

Wheat

• High yielding and improved varieties of wheat suitable for irrigated eco systems are as follows: Ratan, Chhattisgarh Gehun-2, C.G. Gehun-3, Chhattisgarh Amber wheat, Kanishka (C.G.-1029), Chhattisgarh Hansa Gehun, Chhattisgarh Gehun-1023, H.W. 2004, Lok-1, Sujata, H.I-1500, G.W. 273, D.L. 803-3 (Kanchan), G.W. 322, M.P.-4010, D.L.-788-2 (Vidisha), G.W. 173.
  • Duram wheat: H.D.-4672, H.I. 4498, H.I.-8381, H.L.-8627, H.I.-8713, M.P.-1215.
  • Aestivum wheat: Ratan, H.I.-1531, G.W.-366, H.I.-1544, M.P.- 3336, M.P.-1203, H.D.-2332, H.D.-2864, J.W.-3288.
• Sowing of wheat should be completed by 25th November for timely sown varieties however, for late sown condition, early maturing varieties be sown between 25th November to 15th December. For timely sown condition, seed rate should be 100-125 kg/ha however for late sown condition, 125-150 kg seed should be sown per hectare.
• Before sowing, seed should be treated by Carboxin @ 2 g per kg seed. Row to row spacing should be 20 cm. However, 100 to 120 kg Nitrogen, 60 kg Phosphorus and 40 kg Potash should be applied as a blanket application. Actual quantity of nutrients should be ase3d on soil health tests.
• Irrigation should be applied at critical Root initiation, tillering, jointing, booting, flowering, milk, and dough stages in case of sufficient water availability to fetch maximum yield.
• For weed management, Metsulfuron methyl 1.6-gram active ingredient per acre @ 25-30 days after sowing should be applied for effective control of broad leaf weeds under optimum moisture condition in the field. Pinoxaden, 16-20-gram active ingredient per acre @ 320-400 gram/m.l. should be applied @ 25-30 days after sowing for narrow leaf weed control. Pinoxaden + Carfentrazone (20+8 g active ingredient) should be applied @ 25-30 days after sowing for controlling all types of weeds under optimum moisture condition.

Chickpea

• Chickpea is a major pulse crop of Chhattisgarh plains. Following improved varieties are recommended for cultivation: G.G.-1 (Gujarat Gram-1), JAKI-9218, J.G.-16, Vaibhav, J.G.-130, J.G.G.-1, J.G.-14, Indira Chana-1, J.S.C.-55, J.S.C.-56, B.G.D.-128 (Pusa Shubhra), I.P.C.K.-2002-29, I.P.C.K.-2004-29, I.P.C.-2066-77.
• According to soil type and availability of irrigation or time of sowing any one of the above varieties can be selected for sowing.
• Kanhar soils of Chhattisgarh plains are suitable for chickpea cultivation. Sowing should be done between 15th October to 30th November.
• Seed rate for timely sowing chickpea should be 75-80 kg per hectare however, if sowing is delayed beyond 30th November, then seed rate should be increased by 25 kg/ha. In some parts of Chhattisgarh, utera crop is also taken, in case of utera (Relay), seed rate should be 100 kg/ha.
• Seed should be treated by Carbendazim @ 2 g per kg seed for protection from soil borne fungal diseases.
• After treatment with fungicide seed should be treated by Rhizobium and P.S.B. Culture @ 5 g/kg seed followed by Trichoderma @ 5 g/ha seed, treated seed should be shade dried before sowing.
• Sowing of chickpea should be done with the row spacing of 30 cm. 20 kg Nitrogen, 40 kg Phosphorus, 20 kg Potash and 20 kg Sulphur should be given as basal dose. For good yield light irrigation should be insured at branching and flowering stage.
• Gram pod borer is the major insect of chickpea. For managing the insect apply Nuclear Polyhydrosis Virus 250 L.E. @ 500 litre water per hectare at morning and evening time. Bird perches should be fixed in the field after every 5 metres. 5 Pheromone traps per hectare are also effective in monitoring the insect. Pheromone septa should be changed after 15 days.
• If one caterpillar per square metre is observed, then apply Profenophos + Cypermethrin 44 E.C. or Profenophos 50 E.C. @ 1 litre per hectare.

Lathyrus

• Lathyrus crop is taken in dorsa and kanhar soils of Chhattisgarh, sole as well as relay crop. Improved varieties of lathyrus are advised as follows- Ratan, Prateek and Maha Tiwda.
• Sowing of lathyrus should be completed between 15th October to 15th November, seed should be sown @ 40-50 kg/ha. In some parts, lathyrus is taken as relay crop or uter or paira and sown in standing crop of rice, in that case, seed rate should be 75-90 kg/ha.
• Before sowing, seed should be treated by 3-gram Thirum per kg seed, there after by Rhizobium and P.S.B. Culture @ 5 gram per kg seed, then sowing should be done after shade drying. Row to row spacing for sole crop should be 30 cm.
• 20 kg Nitrogen, 40 kg Phosphorus, 20 kg Potash and 20 kg Sulphur should be applied in the soil at sowing time.

Field pea

• Following improved varieties of Field pea are advised for cultivation- Ambika, Adarsh (I.P.F. 99-25), Shubhra, Paras, Vikas, Prakash, I.P.F.D.-10-12, Indira Matar-1, I.P.F.D. 12-2 and Pant P 243. Any one of above varieties as per the availability of seed can be taken.
• Powdery mildew is the common disease of field pea, in the occurrence of this white powdery spots on upper side of leaves appear. For controlling the disease, timely sowing should be done, balanced fertilizer be applied, and Sulphur dust should be used @ 25-30 kg/ha. For spray soluble Sulphur, @3 g/litre water be sprayed as soon as symptoms appear and be repeated after 15 days.

Linseed

• Prominent recommended varieties of linseed are as follows- R-552, Kiran, T-397, Padmini, Shekhar, Indira Alsi-32, kartika, Deepika, Indravati Alsi, R.L.C.-133, R.L.C.-143, R.L.C.-148, R.L.C.-153.
• Linseed is an important oilseed crop of Chhattisgarh suitable for cultivation in dorsa and Kanhar (mid lands) soils of Chhattisgarh. In Chhattisgarh, optimum sowing time of linseed is from October to mid-November. Seed rate should be 30 kg/ha for rainfed and 20-25 kg/ha for irrigated condition.
• Seed should be treated with Carbendazim @ 2 g/kg seed to protect the crop from seed and soil borne disease. Linseed should be sown in the row to row spacing of 25-30 cm in rainfed condition.
• 40 kg Nitrogen, 20 kg Phosphorus and 20 kg Potash should be applied as basal in rainfed however, in case of irrigated ecosystems 60 kg, Nitrogen, 30 kg Phosphorus and 30 kg Potash should be applied at the time of sowing.

Mustard

• Mustard is a potential oilseed crop of Chhattisgarh, following improved varieties are recommended for sowing in the state- Pusa Jai Kisan (B.W.-902), Pusa Bold, Kranti (P.R.-15), Vardan (R.K. 1467), Varuna (T-59), Chhattisgarh Sarson-1, Indira Toria-1.
• Sowing of mustard should be done between 15th October to 15th November, optimum seed rate is 4-5 kg/ha. Before sowing, seed should be treated with Carbendazim @ 1.5-2 g/kg seed. 100 kg Nitrogen, 80 kg Phosphorus and 40 kg Potash is sufficient for good yield. Irrigation should be ensured at branching, flowering, and siliqua formation. Leaf blight is observed in some parts, for controlling the same, seed should be treated before sowing and apply Propeconazole @ 1 ml per litre of water and repeat the spray after 15 days.

Safflower

• Following varieties have been found suitable for cultivation in Chhattisgarh- A-1, Naari N.H.-1, Naari H-15, H.U.S.-305, Manjeera, P.B.N.S.-12, Naari-6, P.B.N.S.-40, Parbhani Kusum, Phule Kusum (J.L.S.F.-414), S.S.H.-129, Naari-38, S.S.F.-658.
• In Chhattisgarh, 15th October to 15th November is the most optimum period for safflower sowing. Seed rate should be 10-15 kg/ha. Spacing between row-to-row sowing should be 45 cm. 90 kg Nitrogen, 40 kg Phosphorus and 30 kg Potash should be applied to fulfil the nutritive requirement of the crop.

Lentil

• Lentil is also an important pulse crop which is grown in dorsa and kanhar soils. Suitable varieties are as follows- Lens-4076, I.P.L.-81 (Noori), J.L.-3, I.P.L.-316, R.V.L. 11-6, L-4717 (Pusa ageti Masoor), R.K.L.14-20 (Kota Masoor-2), L-4727, Kota Masoor-1 (RKL-607- 1), Chhattisgarh Masoor-1.
• Lentil should be sown between 15th October to 15th November, optimum seed rate is 40-45 kg / ha. Seed should be treated with Rhizobium and Trichoderma culture, P.S.B. @ 5-10 grams per kg seed, then after shade drying, sowing be completed. Optimum row to row spacing is 23-25 c.m.
• 20 Kg. Nitrogen, 40-50 kg Phosphorus, 20 kg Potash and 20 kg Sulphur should be applied for fulfilling nutritional requirement of the crop for potential yield.

Fodder Crops

Maize:

• Maize is a good fodder crop for well drained sandy loam soils under irrigated condition. It should be sown by the end of February in summer crop and October- November in rabi season crop. Seed rate should be 50-60 kg / ha with 100 kg Nitrogen, 40 kg Phosphorus and 40 kg Potash fertilizer / ha. Half dose of Nitrogen should be given at sowing time, while remaining half at knee high stage. Following improved varieties are recommended for cultivation in Chhattisgarh- African Tall, Pratap Makka Chari– 6, Vijay, G.F.- 405, J.- 1006.
• Fodder maize is sensitive for drought and water logging. During summer, irrigation should be given in 10-12 days interval and in rabi 15-20 days interval.

Hybrid Napier

• Hybrid Napier is a multi-cut perennial fast growing fodder crop. Although maximum fodder production is harvested during rainy season and summer months. This fodder gives higher production, good quality and digestibility. During winter growth becomes slow. Once planted root slips give fodder for 2-3 years by good management.8 to 9 % crude protein is found in this fodder. Following varieties are recommended for cultivation- C.O. -3, C.O.-5, R.B.N.-13, Sampoorn (DNH-6), IGFRI-7 and 10.
• Under irrigated condition, it should be planted by root or stem cuttings in February- March. Planting should be done in 60 cm row to row and plant to plant spacing, 30000 to 35000 rooted slips are required for one-hectare area. During last field preparation, 20- 25 tonnes well-rotted F.Y.M. be incorporated in the soil and during transplanting 60 kg Nitrogen, 50 kg Phosphorus, and 40 kg Potash per hectare should be given basal and 30 kg Nitrogen be given after each cutting. First cut is obtained after 60-75 days of planting and after each 40-45 days 5 to 6 cuttings can be done.

Berseem

• Berseem is the most important rabi fodder crop since it gives 4 to 5 cuts from November to March. The fodder is very nutritive and liked by the animals, it fixes atmospheric nitrogen into the soil being leguminous crop. It contains 17 to 21% protein, 12 to 15% dry matter and is very digestive. Following varieties are found good for cultivation in Chhattisgarh- Maskavi, Vardan, Bundel Berseem-2, Bundel Berseem-3, J.B.-5, Pusa Jiant, U.P.B.-110, JHTB 96-4, B.L.-22.
• Berseem should be sown from 15 October to 15 November for taking 5-6 cuts. Optimum seed rate is 25-30 kg / ha. 20 kg Nitrogen, 80 kg Phosphorus and 40 kg Potash per hectare be applied for good harvest.
• For weed control Oxyflorfen 0.1 kg a.i. and Emzethapyre 0.1 kg a.i. per hectare should be applied immediately after first harvest. Irrigation be given after 15-20 days interval and in March-April, at the interval of 10 to 12 days.

Vegetable Crops

Tomato:

• Tomato is taken almost round the year, the following improved varieties are recommended for cultivation in Chhattisgarh- Pusa early Dwarf, Sweet 72, Pusa Ruby, Pusa Gaurav, Naveen, Mangala, C.O.-1, C.O.-2, PantTamatar-3, DVRT-2, C.o.-3, N.S.-815, avinash-2, Selection-7, Arka Rakshhak.
• Sowing should be completed in October- November, seed should be done @ 400-500 gram / ha in O.P. varieties and 125-150 gram / ha in case of hybrid varieties. Seed should be treated with Thirum @ 2.5 gram / kg seed. 150 kg Nitrogen, 100 kg phosphorus and 75 kg potash should be applied. For controlling Damping Off soil solarization is the most effective measure. Seed should be treated by Thirum@ 2.5 gram per kg seed or Copper Oxy chloride @ 3 gram per kg seed.
• Seed should be treated by Trichoderma powder or Trichoderma + Pseudomonas @ 8-10 gram per kg seed.

Cauliflower:

• Following varieties should be selected for sowing during OctoberNovember- Early Kunwari, Pusa Kartik, Pusa Dipali, pusa shubha, Pusa Snowball-2, Pusa sharad.
• Sowing should be completed in September-October at the rate of 400-500 gram per hectare. 150kg Nitrogen, 80 kg Phosphorus and 75 kg Potash be applied. 

Cabbage:

• Following varieties should be selected for sowing during OctoberNovember- Golden Acre, Pusa Synthetic, Harirani, Ganesh Gol, Pusa Drumhead, Late drumhead.
• Sowing should be completed in September-October at the rate of 400-500 gram per hectare. 150kg Nitrogen, 80 kg Phosphorus and 75 kg Potash be applied.

Onion:

• Following varieties are recommended for cultivation in rabi season in Chhattisgarh- Agrifound Dark Red, N-53, Bheema Super, Bheema Dark Red, Bheema shakti, Bheema shrubhra, Bheema Shweta.
• Sowing should be completed by 15^th November; seed should be applied at the rate of 8-10 kg / ha.

Vegetable Pea:

• Suitable varieties for Chhattisagrh- Arkel, Jawahar Matar-1, Jawahar Matar-2, Azad Matar -3, Pant sbji Matar-3.
• Sowing should be completed in October-November at the rate of 80-100 kg / ha.

Chilli:

• Following varieties are recommended- Pusa Jwala, Pusa Sadabahar, Indira mirch-1, Jawahar Mirch-218.
• Sowing should be completed in September-October at the rate of 500 grams / ha for normal and 200 grams /ha for hybrids.

Potato:

• Following varieties are suitable for cultivation- Kufri Khyati, Kufri Pukhraj, Kufri Surya, Kufri Badsahah, Kufri Leema, Kufri Jawahar, Kufri Arun, Kufri Pushkar, Kufri Chipsona-1, Kufri Chipsona-2, Kufri Chipsona-3, Kufri Fryo and Kufri Frysona.
• For the control of Early blight, apply Copper Oxychloride or Mancozeb @ 3 gram / lr. of water, spray should be repeated after 10-15 days intervals. For late blight, apply Metlaxyl M.Z. @ 1 gram per litre of water and repeat the same after 10-15 days intervals 3 times.

Livestock and Fisheries

Animal Husbandry:

• Animal Vaccinations Pre-Winter needs to be done. Vaccination against Foot and Mouth Disease in Cattle, Buffalo, Sheep, Goat and Pigs is to be repeated since it is given pre-monsoon and prewinter, twice in a year. Sheep and Goats to be vaccinated against Enterotoxaemia, Goat Pox and PPR disease during early months of Rabi season say Early Sept. to Oct. For poultry, vaccination schedule is to be followed as per age of the birds regardless of season.
• Artificial Insemination needs to be continued. For this, farmers should check their animals for signs of heat, especially during winter when the symptoms of heat are sometimes obscure. It is always advised to contact veterinary officer or para veterinary worker and get the animal inseminated at home instead of taking them to veterinary hospital, this becomes more relevant due to the current Covid Pandemic situation.
• To maintain productivity and improve immune status of animals, farmers are suggested for regular supplementation of mineral minute - 60g/ day in adult dairy animals and 20-30g in small ruminants.
• Try to deworm animals using broad spectrum dewormer as per advice of veterinary doctor & remove ecto-parasites using safe insecticide sprays, one to two weeks prior to vaccination. When applying insecticide spray it is important to dilute them in water as per recommendation of the manufacturer and proper mask needs to be worn by the person using the spray.
• The frequency of washing and bathing animals should be reduced during peak winter months. Animal housing needs to be strengthened so that cold exposure to animals may be minimized. This is especially important for northern parts of the state.
• Demand for meat and meat products increases during winter season and farmers need to plan their production cycle so that they can sell their meat animals during this season. Poultry and Goat farmers need to increase the fat and carbohydrate portion of the diet of animals so as to increase their body weight faster and fetch more market price.
• Farmers should practice physical distancing, regular washing of hands and wearing mask whenever they go to market for sale and purchase of farm produce. Give preference to online marketing channels and prefer selling direct to customer to fetch more price and this also reduces going to crowded marketplaces. 

Fodder Cultivation and Preservation

• Sowing of Fodder Crops like Maize, Jowar, Oat etc. and Leguminous fodder crops like Barseem, Lucerne and Cowpea etc. should be initiated with the onset of Rabi Season. Procurement of seed, land preparation and inputs required for cultivation of fodder crops should be started as early as possible.
• During the late part of Rabi season, when harvesting of crops are done, it is highly advised to preserve fodder for summer season when there is imminent scarcity of fodder for livestock. For central and southern parts of Chhattisgarh making ‘hay’ is advised while in northern cooler parts of the state, making ‘silage’, along with ‘hay’ is advised.
• For making hay crops like oat, napier, lucerne, berseem, peas, cowpea, chick pea, field bean, are suitable and for silage making crops like maize, jowar, para grass and Napier are most suitable for the state.
• Paddy straw needs to be stored as dry fodder in quantities sufficient to cover entire winter and summer till monsoon. Enrichment of paddy straw by urea treatment should be undertaken. Neem coated urea can also be used for this purpose.
• Feed requirement for animals and human being is generally more during winter. Increase the animal ration by 5-10% during winter season to maintain production of animals.
• Take special care so that agricultural pesticides and disinfectants do not get mixed with animal feed and fodder even in little quantities.

Cattle and Buffalo

• In Chhattisgarh as per the breeding policy Artificial Insemination is preferred in rural areas using Indian Cattle Milch Breeds - Gir, Red Sindhi and Sahiwal and Dual Breed – Tharparker, Ongole, Kankrej and Hariana while in semiurban area Cross Breeding with half bred Jersey and HF is advised. In urban areas and large dairy farms depending on the rearing condition and market demand AI services is advised.
• Purchase of animals for dairy farming is advised during early months of Rabi season because of suitability of climate, high availability of green fodder and possibility of getting Kisan Credit Card linked loans from financial institutions is more soon after Kharif season is over, and MSP are released.
• Animals need protection from cold winds especially during night. Open sheds need to be partially covered using gunny bags and adequate bedding materials. However, proper ventilation is important in cattle shed in winter especially in northern and southern parts of the state which tends to get suffocative.
• Provide green succulent forage together with leguminous hay or straw to the extent of animal can consume, so that all its maintenance requirements are met with through forage only. Extra concentrate at the rate of 1 kg for every 2 to 2.5 litres of milk should be provided. Salt and mineral supplements should be given to maintain the lactation.
• High milking breeds require calcium supplementation in order to prevent metabolic diseases like milk fever and ketosis.
• Water requirement decreases a little during winter. However, in very cold periods warm water must be provided. Watch individual animal for symptoms of mucous secretion from muzzle, sneezing, cough or difficulty in breathing, in the event of which immediate veterinary aid should be sought.
• Provide at least 60 - 90 days dry period between calving. If the dry period is not sufficient, the milk yield is subsequent lactation will be reduced. Extra concentrate mix of 1.25 to 1.75 kg should be provided for pregnant animal as pregnancy allowance.
• Wallowing of buffaloes in water is best avoided in winter months.
• Feed laxative about 3 - 5 days before and after calving (Wheat bran 3 kg + 0.5 gm of Groundnut cake + 100 gm of mineral mixture of salt).
• Cattle and buffaloes are not seasonal breeders, hence care and management of pregnant animals, during parturition, after parturition and care and handling of newborn calf is as recommended throughout the year. However, since research indicates more incidence of dystokia in winter, farmers are advised to be more vigilant and keep veterinary officer informed beforehand regarding the scheduled date of parturition. 

Small Ruminants (Goats)

• Farmers are advised to start preparing for breeding of sheep and goats in Rabi season by increasing ration for breedable male and female goats and keeping close observation for signs of heat. Being seasonal breeders, they tend to breed from September to November but may continue to February. This is more prominent in northern Chhattisgarh while in rest of the state, being truly tropical they breed throughout the year.
• Goat farmers of Central and North Chhattisgarh may choose among breeds like Jamunapari, Beetal and Sirohi while Southern regions may prefer Black Bengal instead of Sirohi. Farmers need to upgrade their desi nondescript goat stocks with male of these breeds.
• The males should be replaced or exchanged once in two years to avoid inbreeding. Hence, all replacements should be done before the onset of Rabi so that the new animal inducted may have sufficient time for acclimatization.
• In order to synchronize them improved hormonal technology may be used, or buck may be in a partitioned corral of woven-wire net so that the does and the buck may have full view of each other. This may be done a week or two before or during the breeding season.
• Efforts should always be made to avoid kidding during the peak winter season of January month which can be practically achieved by a planned breeding avoiding summer season within a specified period between 15th May to 15th June. This will save the kids from cold susceptibility and resultant pneumonic death during winter.
• Goats are particularly sensitive to cold and winter rains triggers many diseases. Farmers of northern regions of the state should provide covered night shelters during peak winter but should not use fireplace or sigri to warm the closed shelter because this may lead to quick accumulation of noxious gasses and can be life threatening.
• Small and weak animals should be covered with a body cover made from jute gunny bags or cotton cloth. Such animals should be given warm water with added jiggery.
• The beddings of animals need to be replaced more frequently during Rabi. This will protect them from cold as well as diseases especially parasitic diseases.
• In this season due to close contact of herding animals like sheep and goats’ infectious diseases spreads faster. Farmers need to be vigilant for off-feed animals and symptoms like running nose, sneezing, and coughing.
• During this season, to escape from severe winter, large flocks of migratory sheep and goats arrive from parts of HP, UP, Gujrat and Rajasthan into the central parts of Chhattisgarh through MP and Maharashtra. All such flocks, if not previously, need to be vaccinated against HS, FMD, PPR and Enterotoxaemia and quarantined for 15 days at border areas. Local sheep and goat farmers should make every attempt not to allow their own flocks to mix with these migratory herds.

Commercial and Backyard Poultry

• Commercial large poultry farms have little seasonal variation in their rearing practice. However, due to increased market demand they should plan their production cycle so that their output increases by a significant margin to gain more profits, loess stocking and cater to consumer requirement.
• Commercial poultry farmers should adhere strictly to their vaccination schedule which is dependent on age of birds rather than seasonality. However, Rural Backyard Poultry Farmers need to vaccinate their birds against Ranikhet Disease and Fowl Pox.
• Due to proximity of birds in winter communicable disease spreads very fast. Hence strict daily vigil must be done for a sample of birds in large farm or each and individual bird in the flocks reared under backyard condition. If disease symptoms like drooping, ruffled feathers, coryza, discoloration or pock marks erupting in comb and wattles, diarrhea with white or reddish discoloration are observed the birds need to be quarantined immediately for 5-7 days or till full recovery is attained as per advice of registered veterinary practitioner or para-veterinary personnel under supervision.
• Deworming of backyard poultry with any broad spectrum dewormer is advised before onset of Rabi as per veterinary advice and prevalence of parasitic diseases in the area.
• Disinfect the premises of poultry houses with 1% sodium hypochlorite and restrict the entry of any outsider to the poultry houses and premises.
• The moisture and quality of the litter materials in poultry shed need to be maintained to prevent coccidiosis infestation.
• Migratory Birds arrive in parts of Eastern Central Chhattisgarh from parts of Odisha and Northern Chhattisgarh from parts of North India. Hence, poultry farmers must be vigilant not to allow their poultry in direct or indirect contact with the migratory birds. In case of any unusual death of migratory, poultry or any other birds in the area farmers should immediately inform nearest Veterinary Officer.

Fisheries

• Farmers are advised to stock larger size advanced fingerlings in the perennial stocking ponds, community ponds and reservoirs.
• Every month in Rabi fish farmers need to apply lime at the rate of 10 Kg per acre in perennial water bodies.
• Organic and inorganic fertilizers should be applied for production of natural feeds. Doses should be decided as per organic carbon content in the soil.
• Fishes should be fed supplementary feed at the rate of 10% body weight along with natural feed.
• Supplementation of Vitamin and Mineral Mixture at the rate of 1% of feed weight (1 Kg per 100 Kg feed) should be continued.
• Netting should be done monthly to release the noxious gasses from the pond bottom for observing fishes for disease symptoms and recording growth of fishes for calculating feed required.
• Since in Rabi rain and other water sources from catchment area generally decreases hence alternative ground water source should be made ready.
• To have regular annual income fish farmers are advised to adopt Integrated Fish farming model. Under this initiative, due to decreasing water level in water bodies, especially during later part of Rabi, combining fisheries with poultry, duck farming and goatery is advised.
• During winter months feed requirement for fish decreases, hence farmers are advised to decrease the feeding quantity as winter temperature decreases.
• During mid Rabi there is increased demand for fish and fish products. Hence, farmers should plan their production cycle so that they harvest maximum during that period to gain more economically.

Source : ICAR Rabi agro-advisory for farmers