Promoting Sustainable Rainfed Farming through KVK Interventions: A Success Story of Mogulamma

Mrs. Mogulamma, a woman farmer from Pottpally village of Jharasangam Mandal, Sangareddy district, has developed a diversified farming enterprise by combining improved crop varieties, millet cultivation, livestock and backyard poultry. Her journey reflects the potential of diversified farming to strengthen livelihoods in rainfed farming systems.

Mogulamma was married at a young age and later became the sole support for her two children following the loss of her husband. She continued farming while managing family responsibilities and gradually expanded her agricultural activities. She cultivated about 2 acres of her own land and 8 acres of leased land, bringing nearly 10 acres under cultivation.

Diversification for Better Farm Income

With the objective of improving productivity and reducing the risks associated with dependence on a single crop, Mogulamma diversified her farm with millets, jowar, soybean, onion, redgram and sugarcane. She adopted suitable improved and drought-resilient varieties with technical guidance from DDS–Krishi Vigyan Kendra.The improved varieties adopted on her farm include Jowar PYPS-2, Soybean AISb-50, Onion Bhima Super, Foxtail millet Garuda (SiA 3222), Redgram TDRG-4 (Hanuma) and Sugarcane VSI 12121. Organic manures and botanical pesticides were also used as farm inputs.

The adoption of improved varieties resulted in increased yields compared with her earlier production. Foxtail millet recorded about 40% higher yield, redgram about 30%, sugarcane about 34%, and onion about 28% higher yield.

Integrating Livestock and Backyard Poultry

Mogulamma further strengthened her farm income by integrating livestock and backyard poultry. She initially established a goat unit with one male and four female goats, which expanded to approximately 10 goats within one year. The enterprise generated nearly ₹1 lakh in value/income over a period of about two years.

She also maintained around 40 Rainbow Rooster birds, providing eggs for household consumption and supplementary income. Egg sales generated approximately ₹150 per day, contributing to regular household cash flow. The integration of crop production, goat rearing and backyard poultry enabled Mogulamma to develop multiple sources of income and strengthen her productive assets.

Technical Support from DDS–KVK

DDS–Krishi Vigyan Kendra provided technical support and guidance on improved crop varieties, millet technologies, goat rearing and backyard poultry. Mogulamma actively adopted the recommended technologies and diversified her farming activities based on her available resources.

Her farm demonstrates how crop diversification, improved varieties and integration of livestock and poultry can contribute to reducing production risks and strengthening farm-based livelihoods. The use of short-duration and drought-resilient varieties has also supported her efforts to manage rain fed farming conditions.

A Model of Diversified Farming

Mogulamma's farming enterprise illustrates the benefits of combining millet-based cropping, improved varieties, livestock and backyard poultry within a rainfed farming system. Her experience demonstrates how diversification can provide multiple income sources while improving household food access and productive assets. Her farm serves as a field-level example of millet-based and diversified climate-resilient farming supported by DDS–KVK. Mogulamma has also received recognition for her contribution to millets and sustainable agriculture, including the Nari Shakti Puraskar for her contribution as a woman farmer and seed conservator.

Mogulamma's Message to Farmers

“Do not depend on a single crop. Adopt suitable improved varieties, diversify with millets and other crops and add livestock and poultry for additional income. With proper technical guidance, careful management and continuous effort, rain fed farming can become a stronger and more sustainable livelihood.”