General Advisory for Rabi Season Sowing should be done within the optimum sowing time of the rabi crops. Mulching should be done through locally available biomass to conserve soil moisture for rabi crops and suppress the weed growth. Zero till cultivation of vegetable pea/toria/buckwheat can be taken up in rice fallow to utilize the residual soil moisture. Nursery should be raised for cole crops (cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli), onion, rayasaag etc. under protected condition. Nursery bed should be protected from rain (Silpauline: 45GSM) to avoid losses during unexpected rain. COVID protocol and measures to be followed while working in the field. Application of lime @ 1 t/ha 15-20 days before sowing the seed may be done for increasing availability of nutrients to the plants. For plant protection measures, spray neem-based formulation (1500 ppm) @ 0.3% as and when required to all the crops. Agricultural crops Rajsmah Sowing of Rajmash seed should be done by last week of August for getting maximum yield. Recommended varieties are – Sikkim Rajma-1, Jwala, Tripura Rajmash Selection 1 etc. Sowing of rajmash should be done on the ridge (ridge-furrow) to avoid seed deterioration due to water logging from continuation rain and proper drainage channel to be made. Apply FYM 5 t/ha + 2.0 t/ha vermicompost + 20 kg/ha biofertilizer. Seed rate of rajmash should be @ 70-80 kg/ha with spacing 30 cm x10 cm. Rapeseed Mustard Field should be prepared in the month of October-November with 2-3 times ploughing for Rapeseed and Mustard cultivation and apply well decomposed FYM @ 5 t/ha, vermicompost 2 t/ha and 100-120 kg/ha rock phosphate to get optimum yield. Sowing of Rapeseed and Mustard should be done from last week of October to December. Seed rate @ 6-8 kg/ha treated with PSB @20g/kg of seed. Recommended varieties are – Pant Pili Sarson-1, Pant Sweta and existing variety like Uttara and Benoy-9, PM-27, and PM-28 etc and Toria variety TS 36, TS 38 Buckwheat Sowing should be done from the second fortnight of October to First week of November. Sowing should be done with the seed rate 30-40kg/ha and spacing 30 cm x10 cm Apply FYM @ 5 t/ha and vermicompost @ 1t/ ha. Horticultural crops At fruiting stage such as orange, kiwifruit utmost precaution should be taken during filed operation to avoid root damage. Ensure proper storage of harvested fruit crop to ensure better price realization like cold storage etc. Precautions to be taken for direct marketing of harvested vegetables and fruits. In orange, FYM @ 20 kg/plant should be applied in the month of April-May every year. Vegetable pea/Field pea: Zero till cultivation of vegetable/field pea should be practiced. Sowing should be done with spacing of 30-4 0cm x 10 cm and seed rate @ 60-70 kg/ha Apply lifesaving irrigation for better yield Apply FYM @ 2 t/ha + vermicompost @ 1 t/ ha during the time of sowing. Cole cops (cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli) and tomato Nursery should be raised in protected condition to avoid untimely rain and low temperature. The nursery site should be dry and free from water stagnation as well as high moisture in the soil. The nursery bed should be prepared by mixing well decomposed FYM or compost @ 4 kg/m2. 25-30 days old sapling should be transplanted with spacing of 40-50 cm row to row and plant to plant. Transplant the seedling must be done in the evening and irrigate immediately. Apply FYM @ 7-8 t/ha + vermicompost @ 1-2 t/ ha for getting higher yield. Root crop (radish, carrot) Soak the seed of carrot overnight in water before sowing for early germination. Seed should be sown on the raised bed of 30-40 cm width. Apply FYM @ 8-10 t/ha + vermicompost @ 1-2 t/ ha for getting higher yield. Spacing for carrot- Row to row: 20-30 cm and plant to plant:5-10 cm and radish - row to row: 30-40 cm and plant to plant: 5-10 cm should be maintained for good crop yield. To maintain proper spacing thinning should be done after 10-15 DAS Potato Potato should be planted in the middle of October – middle of November for higher yield in rice-fallow to utilize the residual soil moisture. Apply well rotten FYM @ 12-15 t/ha along with vermicompost @2-3 t/ha in the line during the time of planting. Tuber size 40-50 g in weight should be planted with row-row spacing of 50-60 cm and plant-plant20 cm. One irrigation is necessary for getting good yield. Good moisture to be maintained in the field to avoid the red ants’ infestation. Livestock specific advisory Cattle and Goats Strict hygiene and sanitation need to maintain at the farm premises to prevent the incidence of diseases. Regular supplementation of mineral mixture @50-60g/day to adult cows and calcium to the lactating and pregnant cows @70-80ml/day/cow is very much essential for milking cows for getting optimum production and productivity and avoid disease occurrence. Follow good management practices related to feeding, watering, housing (clean, dry, well ventilated) and general hygiene to keep animals healthy. Calves should be de-wormed as early as 21 days with Piperazine against round worm @110-130mg/kg body weight. Adult cow should be de-wormed preferably with Fenbendazole @7mg/kg body weight. Ensure de-worming of goats with Albendazole @ 7.5mg/kg body weight. In case of pregnant dose, pregnancy safe anthelmentics (Fenbendazole 25mg/kg body weight) should be administered 15 days prior to expected date of kidding. Feed materials should be store in dry place to avoid possible fungal growth (Aflatoxicosis). Foot bath should be made at the entry point of the farm to reduce the contamination. Balance and timely feeding (dry fodder, roughages, concentrate, vitamin, minerals,) should be practice for the optimum production and good health. Avoid slippery floor especially in case of pregnant cattle. Timely vaccination and deworming should be practice. Poultry Birds Litter materials should be dried and frequently changed in the poultry farm to prevent the incidence of coccidiosis. Proper ventilation and spacing should be followed in poultry farm to prevent the incidence of diseases. Provide artificial heating to poultry birds (day old to 25 days old) through lightning of electric bulb to protect them from low temperature during nighttime. Keep the poultry house well ventilated during daytime. Vaccinate against Ranikhet, IBD, Fowl pox, Marek disease in poultry birds. Poultry birds should be de-wormed with piperazine @32mg/ kg in two consecutive feed or water against round worms and Albendazole against other worm @10mg/kg body weight with or without Praziquantel @5 mg/kg body weight and depending upon age of the bird. Piggery Pigs should be de-wormed with Albendazole @5 mg/kg body weight and Piperazine specifically against round worm @110- 200mg/kg body weight. Pig farmers are advised for regular supplementation of mineral mixture @50-60 gm/day for pregnant sow and calcium to the lactating sows @60-80 ml/day/sow. Restrict the movement of visitors into the farms and follow strict bio-security measures. Use of good disinfectant in foot bath. In pigs vaccinate against Swine fever. Vaccination for FMD, BQ and HS for bovines. Creep box with heating source (bulb) should be used in piglets’ pens to reduce the mortality due to trampling by the snow and cold shock. Source : ICAR Rabi Agro-Advisory for farmers