NCSC Project

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28 -29 th th

National Children’s
Science Congress
(NCSC – 2020-21)
FOCAL THEME :
SCIENCE FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING
SUB THEME :
ECOSYSTEM FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING
TITLE OF THE PROJECT :
STUDY OF DIFFERENT AGROECOSYSTEM

Name of Team Leader : UDDIPTA KASHYAP SAIKIA


Address of Team Leader : Panigaon Chariali Namghar Path
District : Nagaon State : Assam
Team member : WASIM M. RAHMAN
Name of guide : Mr. Gaurav Pandey
Name of institution : Kendriya Vidyalaya Nagaon
ABSTRACT
This project is based on “Study of Agro-ecosystem” in the sub theme
“Ecosystem for sustainable living”.
Assam is in a agro-climatic region that is the climatic conditions of Assam is
favorable for different agro-ecosystems. Most of the people of Assam are
involved in some kind of cultivation whether it be large commercial cultivation or
small urban kitchen garden.

We chose the above topic to study the different aspects of few agro-ecosystems
and how sustainable they are, with an assumption that the agricultural systems
are well developed but there is still scope of improvement.

We have chose the method of survey and personal observation of the


ecosystem to gather as much Information possible. We have interviewed may
farmers and owners of plots of land and on the basis of their answers we have
displayed the data.

With an proper analysis of the situation we tried to identify some specific


problems and sought to suggest a somewhat solution to that problem. We
discussed how different methods or techniques could bring sustainability.

We would like to conclude with an attitude that even with our limitations we tried
to gather as much realistic data as we can and that there is future scope of
research and improve in this topic.
CONTENTS

Serial Chapters Page no.


no.
1 Introduction 1
2 Aim and Objectives 2
3 Hypothesis 2
4 Need Statement 3
5 Work Plan 4
6 Methodology 5-6
7 Observations 7-20
i. Paddy Agro-ecosystem : Data 7-12
analysis
ii. Mustard Agro-ecosystem: Data 13-16
analysis
iii. Urban kitchen garden: Data 17-20
analysis
8 Result and Conclusion 21-22
9 Future scope 23
x Acknowledgement 24
xi References 25
STUDY OF DIFFERENT
AGRO-ECOSYSTEM

The existence of biotic and abiotic component in an agricultural land, their


status and functional relationship are considered as agricultural ecosystem
or agro-ecosystem. In many cases, the crop cultivated by farmer in an
agricultural field give different inputs to farm, all these together are part of
biotic and abiotic components of agricultural ecosystem. Therefore,
agricultural ecosystems are considered as man-made ecosystem.

Agricultural ecosystem is one of the important man-made ecosystem, which


has highly evolved for last few decades due to introduction of modern inputs
like mechanical tools, high yielding varieties, irrigation, chemical fertilizers,
pesticides, etc., to facilitate more production. Intensive monoculture practices,
exercising higher cropping intensity make agro-ecosystem more vulnerable
for other organisms and take away from sustainable approach. Diversity of
agro-ecosystem in terms of crops, cultivation practices, landscapes, seasons,
agro-climatic condition etc. are significant and represent high volume of
information of variability of biotic and abiotic components.

Hence study of those agro-ecosystem will help us know how vulnerable are
those for the organisms and how we can take a sustainable approach towards
it. We will be able to suggest some better techniques that are correlated to the
idea of sustainable living.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

• The main aim of the project is to understand different


forms of agro ecosystem in our locality and within our
survey range.
• Develop a sustainable approach towards them.

HYPOTHESIS

• The agricultural ecosystems are well versed in the modern


agricultural sciences.
• But they are deviating from the path of sustainable living
hence improvement is needed
NEED STATEMENT

This project has been selected to draw conclusions about the


types of agro ecosystem in the survey region as a vast majority
of population in Assam in involved in some kind of cultivation.
This study will help us identify the problems and derive a
solution that it sustainable and yet profitable for the farmers.
WORKPLAN

Need of the Project

Methodology

Observations

Paddy Field Mustard Field Urban kitchen garden

Data Analysis Data Analysis Data Analysis

Result and
Conclusion

Future Scope
METHODOLOGY

The study has been done by conduction of survey in different locality with a
agro-ecosystem and through a set of questionnaires on the particular agro-
ecosystem for the farmer or the owner of the field. Some information has also
been collected from the internet. Different features has been recorded
through the survey as mentioned below :

❖ Major nutrient requirement of the crops and the resultant nutrition value
of the crop.

❖ Study of method of cultivation, whether it is organic or inorganic. Listing


about the inputs commercially procured and indigenously prepared.
Problems faced during growth of crops such as pest problems etc.

❖ Different inputs of each ecosystem like pesticides, Fertilizers, Seeds,


farm machinery etc. Study of how crop ecosystems are dependent on
different inputs with their relation to each other.

❖ Local need of the agriculture product along with the volume of


production of each crop and consumption.

❖ Analysis of each ecosystem. The advantages and the disadvantages of


the current practice of each ecosystem. Improvising better techniques
for increasing productivity. Correlation of the findings with sustainable
factors of productivity and further planning.
The study has been done in the month of September-October.

We have chosen 3 different agro-ecosystem for this study :

Agro-ecosystem Locality Remarks

Paddy field Rupohi, Nagaon Mostly harvesting


season has started

Mustard field Rupohi, Nagaon Sowing season has


started

Homestead/Urban Panigaon Chariali, --


Kitchen garden Fauzdari Patty, Nagaon

Some general questions that are being included in the questionnaires are :

Q. How much land is under the cultivation ?

Q. What are the different crop and types of crops cultivated ?

Q. What are the requirements of the crops ?

Q. What are the method of cultivation ?

Q. What are the inputs in the cultivation ?

Q. What is the volume of the products of the cultivation ?

Q. What are the usages of the products of the cultivation ?


OBSERVATIONS

Agro-ecosystem 1: Paddy Field (Rice : Oryza sativa)


Rice is the single most important crop in Assam. It occupies 2.54 million ha of
the gross cropped area of 4.16 million ha and contributes 96% of the total
food grain production of the state. It is the staple diet of people of Assam. The
agro-climatic variation, seasonal variation in temperature and rainfall and
agriculture dependence on natural precipitation have resulted in three main
rice-growing seasons – Sali (June/July-Oct/Nov), Boro (Oct/Nov-May/June)
and Ahu (March/April-June/July).

Nutrient Requirement of Paddy :

▪ Macronutrients : Primary – N, P and K


Secondary – Mg, Ca and S
▪ Micronutrients : Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, B, Mo and Cl
Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K) and Sulphur (S) are the most
important nutrients for paddy.

Nutrition Facts of Rice :

Amount per 100g

Calorie 130 kcal

%Daily value*

Total Fat 0.3g 0%

Saturated fat 0.1g 0%

Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 1mg 0%

Potassium 35mg 1%

Total Carbohydrate 28g 9%

Dietary fiber 0.4g 1%

Sugar 0.1g

Protein 2.7g 5%

Vitamin C 0%

Iron 1%

Calcium 1%

Vitamin B6 5%

Vitamin D 0%

Magnesium 3%

Cobalamin 0%

*Per cent daily values are based on 2000 kcal diet. Daily values maybe higher or lower
depending on calorie needs

QUESTIONNAIRE

A questionnaire has been developed for the purpose of survey and gathering
information. 25 people are asked the questions and the data in pie charts has
been provided on the basis of that.

Q. Which type of rice is being cropped here ?


Ans : Sali and Boro type of rice is cropped here. This is the season of
harvesting the Sali rice and many have started harvesting. Some also have
started sowing the Boro rice.

Q. How much land is under cultivation of rice ?

Ans : On an Average 7.8 bigha of land is under cultivation per person.


Q. What type of methods are used for cultivation ?

Ans : Transplanting technique is used by all farmers in the region.

Q. Are the inputs involved in the cultivation commercially produced or


indigenously prepared ?

Ans :

Q. What are the different inputs that are being used in the cultivation ?

Ans : The following inputs are being used in the cultivation :

Manure : Cow dung and faecal matter of some other animals like chicken.

Fertilizers : Super phosphate, DAP, Urea

Pesticides : There are no major usage of pesticides

Seeds : Local variety of seed

Irrigation : poorly developed

Labour : It is labour intensive. Labour is mainly local people of the community,


people with small plot of land working for larger farmers.
Tools and machinery : There are few tractors that are lent to other farmers by
larger ones. Otherwise primitive tools are used.

Q. What are the different problems that are faced in cultivation of rice ?

Ans : The two major problems that are faced by almost all are : Irregularity in
rainfall and pests.

Q. What is the total volume of rice produced ?

Ans: On average 1.5 - 2 ton of rice is produced per hectare. The total volume
of rice varies with the size of the field.

Q. Usage of the rice that is being produced.

Ans :
DATA ANALYSIS
Rice being the most important crop of Assam, the relative size of field is much
larger. The ecosystem around the rice fields are also affected because there is
only one type of crop across long stretches of land. From the aanalysis and
interviewed data we were able to derive a few important points that are to be
noted :

❖ The average land used for per person ranges between 7-8 bigha, most
people falls under the category of ‘less than 10 bigha’ and the upper
extents of land reaches up to 18 bigha.

❖ The methods used for cultivation of rice are mostly primitive and along
with the inputs which are of low quality. The farmers are aware of the
modern agricultural sciences only to some extent.

❖ The farmers have excellent knowledge about different requirements of


the crop but their analysis of these facts are done on the basis of their
previous batches’ produce

❖ Many people know about the integrated rice cultivation and fishery
methods but they hesitate to take the initiatives fearing the loss of their
main income source.

❖ There is excessive use of inorganic compounds in comparison to other


organic compounds which is not a very good choice in long term.
Agro-ecosystem 2 : Mustard Field (Mustard: Brassica)

Mustard cultivation is done in Assam on a large scale. It gives a yield of over


400 kilograms per hectare. It is a Rabi crop, meaning it is grown in the winter
season, so it requires less amount of water as compared to other crops like
paddy etc. Approximately 400 mm of water is required for this farming.
Mustard seeds are grown to fulfil the requirement of mustard oil. In order to
extract 1 kg of oil from the mustard seeds, a minimum of 4.5 kg of seeds is
required.
In Assam, Majuli is a region, with abundance of Mustard cultivation.

Nutrient Requirement of Mustard :


▪ Macronutrients : N, P and K.
▪ Micronutrients : Fe, Mn, Cu, Mo and S

Nutrition Facts of Mustard :

Amount per 100g


Calorie 66 kcal
Total Fat 3g
Saturated fat 0.1g
Carbohydrates 7.8g
Sugar 2.84
Fiber 3.2g
Protein 4g
Sodium 1120mg
Cholesterol 0mg
Potassium 151mg
QUESTIONNAIRE

1. How much area is used in the cultivation of mustard?


Answer 1 :- More than 1 acre
Answer 2 :- Less than 1 hectare
Answer 3 :- More than 1 hectare.

2. How much yield one does usually get per hectare from mustard
cultivation?
Answer 1 :- Less than 500 kilograms
Answer 2 :- Less than 800 kilograms
Answer 3 :- Less than or equal to 1000 kilograms

3. How much seed is required to extract exactly 1 kg of oil ?


Answer 1 :- 5 kg
Answer 2 :- 4.5 kg
Answer 3 :- More than 5

4. How much water should be in the field to cultivate mustard?


Answer 1 :- more than 1 feet
Answer 2 :- over 1.5 feet
Answer 3 :- Less than 2 feet
Answer 4 :- Over 1 feet

5. How much is the input cost in mustard cultivation for 1 hectare?


Answer 1:- More than 10000
Answer 2 :- Less than 15000
Answer 3 :- More than 15000
(Note : Input cost includes price of seeds, electricity, etc.)

6. What problems are being faced in the cultivation of Mustard?


Answer 1 :- Insect attacks
Answer 2 :- Pests attack
Answer 3 :- Lesser providing of nutrients
Answer 4 :- Ill irrigation facility.

7. How are these Problems being eliminated?


Answer 1 :- Using insecticide and pesticide.
Answer 2 :- Providing the soil with nutrients using fertilizers.
Answer 3 :- Using drip and sprinkler irrigation system, so that not too
much water is provided.

8. How much earning can be done by mustard cultivation ?


Answer 1 :- Over 50000
Answer 2 :- Over 100000
Answer 3 :- Over 200000
DATA ANALYSIS
The data has been collected by over 25 people, in a particular village, which
has Mustard fields. Also, the people had answered the questions based on
their experiences with the type cultivation.

• The average area being used in this type of agriculture is 1


hectare or 10000 sq. m but the output is comparatively lesser
than the desired and the expected.
• The total amount of production varies between 500 kg to 1000 kg,
• For, the output of 1 kg of oil (~1 litre) a total of 4.5 kg of mustard
seed is in requirement. Also, a good amount of water is required
for the production.
• Generally, people invest an amount of 10 to 15 thousand rupees in
this cultivation. Also, some people may invest more money and
may earn more benefit, as per their capability and capacity to
invest.
• People often face certain problems like insects and pests attack,
poor irrigation and supplying of nutrients, lesser than the desired.
Agro-ecosystem 3 : Urban Kitchen garden

Urban Kitchen gardening is a type of farming which can is done


usually in the urban areas for different purposes. Urban kitchen
gardening can be done in small patches of unused land in the house
compound. A very large area is not required for an urban kitchen
garden.

Today more and more people are choosing an urban kitchen garden
in their homes, where they can grow the desired crops. One main
advantage of this type of farming is that one should not have to
spend on the vegetables fruits that he wants to eat, if it can be
grown in their own hones.

The main points of our study will be based on the use of utmost of
the ability to use the resources.

QUESTIONNAIRE
The questions were asked to about 33 people with different responses. All
these questions were answered by different people on their experiences

1. Do you have an Urban Kitchen Garden in your houses?


This question has been answered yes by 76 percent of the people. And no by
24 percent of the people in our survey zone.

2. What crops do you grow in an Urban Kitchen Garden?

Answer 1 :- Spine gourd, bottle gourd, brinjal


Answer 2 :- Carrot, Cucumber
Answer 3 :- Cauliflower, Carrot, Spine gourd
Answer 4 :- Radish, Turnip, Beet, Spinach, Broccoli

3. How is nutrition being provided to these plants?


Answer 1 :- Chemical Fertilizers
Answer 2 :- Cow dung, Vermicomposting
Answer 3 :- Kitchen wastes

4. What nutrition do you get from these vegetables?


Answer 1 :- Vitamin C, Vitamin B
Answer 2 :- Calcium and Minerals
Answer 3 :- Carbohydrates and Lower amounts of fats.

5. How much land is used in this type of farming?


Answer 1 :- Less than 50 squared meters
Answer 2 :- Less than 100 squared meters
Answer 3 :- Less than 200 squared meters
Answer 4 :- More than 200 square meters

6. How is the crop grown used?


Answer 1 :- Self consumption
Answer 2 :- Selling to street vendors.
Answer 3 :- Donating to the poor

7. Do you opt for Urban Kitchen Garden?


Answer 1:- No
Answer 2 :- Yes
Answer 3 :- Partially

8. What materials are used to grow crops in rooftop ?


Answer 1 :- Thermocol box
Answer 2 :- Large plastic boxes
Answer 3 :- Others

9. How is irrigation done to these crops?


Answer 1 :- Through motors
Answer 2 :- Through hand watering
Answer 3 :- Other means
DATA ANALYSIS

An Urban Kitchen Garden is a small patch of land (usually in the unused part
of land in the compound of a house). An Urban kitchen garden may have a size
of over 250 squared meters or as small as 50 squared meters.

Problems usually faced by the people to initiate an Urban Kitchen


Garden :
1. Lack of Land : In the urban areas, generally people do not have access to
much land, as land prices are way higher. Also having land is not
sufficient, it should be nutrient enriched.
2. Unable to manage : Gardening is not only about to plant a certain plant
and leave it. It should be maintained well. Like human beings have a
particular routine, plants also have a particular routine for eating and
drinking.

From the questions asked to the people, it is clear that many varieties of crops are
grown in here. And also people are getting the most essential nutrients they want
from these crops. One thing that everyone should do is donation that a few people
are doing. It will help reduce malnutrition among the poor to some extent.
RESULT and
CONCLUSION

From the analysis of these 3 agro-ecosystems we could interpret some


common features :
It is seen that there is excessive use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides etc. In
long term this could result bad because it has many effects.

➢ Continuous use of these chemical fertilizers depletes essential


soil nutrients and minerals that are naturally found in fertile soil
as it doesn’t help in replenishment of nutrients.
➢ Phosphorous does not dissolve in water and its overuse may
cause hardening of soil.
➢ Overuse of specific nutrients may cause imbalance in the supply of
soil nutrients further resulting in soil degradation and the loss of
equilibrium of a stable soil.
➢ Excessive use of pesticides and other protective chemicals will
reduce the immunity and resistance of the plant making it more
susceptible to pests etc.
➢ Use of chemical fertilizers will kill soil friendly micro-organisms or
will reduce their effectiveness.
➢ Run-off of those chemicals into water bodies will contaminate
those and harm the organisms in them and those dependent on
them.
➢ Chemicals that are used will end up in our bodies through
Biological Magnification.

People afraid to take new initiatives fearing the results. Primitive technology
and tools and still prominent. Dependency on natural factors and the unhappy
of mind of farmers can clearly be seen.
It is very clear that the agricultural practices are not sustainable in a way that
it is also harmful in long run and the farmers are still not in a satisfied state of
mind. Our hypothesis has became the real truth to a extent that there is no
point of sustainable living an the fact that primitive methods are still prominent
makes the situation words.

To cope up with the situation we would like to suggest some solutions to those
problems on the basis of our knowledge and observations.

Overall, new methods should first be used in small scale and then taken to a
large extent. Technological advancements should made available to farmers
in lower costs. Instead of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, people should
use bio fertilizers that includes microorganisms ( bacteria, fungi, algae) that
are much beneficial in rounded way e.g. Nitrogen fixing bacteria,
cyanobacteria and bio pesticides derived from different organisms e.g.
Bacillus thuringeinsis. Rearing of livestock animals can add to the overall
income and their feaces such as cow dung can used as manure.

Precisely in case of Rice agricultural people should try to incorporate


integrated fish cultivation, where fishes are left in the waters of irrigation.
They eat up the insects and pests.

In case of mustard, intercropping, mixed cropping can be performed with


leguminous plant. This will retain fertility of soil, also acts as natural pests
control and as a security if one crop fails.

While in urban kitchen gardens, it should be done in rooftops where they


could get enough sunlight and even water through rain.
FUTURE SCOPE

The ever increasing population, constant amount of land it’s


degrading quality is a major threat. Green revolution had brought
improvements in agriculture but it’s effects are declining and a new
revolution is needed.

Our project was intended to study major trends in today’s


agriculture. We studied 3 different agro-ecosystems, the faults in
them and tried to suggest some solutions. But a study at this scale
will not be able to capture the much bigger scenario. We had our
limitations of time, our reach and expenses but we tried to present
our best. The need of a change has opened a wide scope of study
and research in agricultural sciences. With the development of
technology we should also make improvements in agriculture that
had been the backbone since a long time.

New advance methods of hydroponics, vertical farming, genetic


engineering, etc. has been adopted by many developed countries
and should be procured to the lower levels of agriculture.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We would like to express our special thanks of
gratitude our Principal sir Mr. Sanjay Sarkar and Vice
principal sir Mr. Ravindra Kumar who gave us the
golden opportunity to do this project on the topic
“Study of Agro-ecosystem” and also to our teacher Mr.
Gaurav Pandey sir who guided us thoroughly
throughout the project.

We would also like to extend our thanks to our parents,


friends and everyone else who had helped us with
their slightest of effort.

We are really thankful to do this project as we came to


know about many new things and experiences
REFERENCES

• Nutrient Requirement and Nutritional Facts : Google


• NCERT class 8 geography textbook
• Modern Farming Methods : www.agrifarming.com
• Chartie application for graphs and pie charts.

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