Fertilizer, Herbicides, and Certified Seed

Although weather remains the single most important determinant for grain yield in Kazakhstan, improvements in crop management practices fueled by the growing State subsidies have contributed to the recent increase and relative stabilization in wheat yield.  The use of mineral fertilizer has tripled since 1999, but current application rates represent only a fraction of the frequently excessive amounts applied during the peak of the so-called "intensive technology" movement in the late 1980's.  According to Ministry of Agriculture data, subsidies covered the purchases of 23,600 tons of fertilizer (active ingredient) in 2002, 33,800 tons in 2003, and an estimated 40,000 to 45,000 tons in 2004. Furthermore, the government has allocated approximately US$1.3 million to enable farmers to monitor soil fertility and make more efficient use of mineral fertilizers.

According to specialists at the Ministry of Agriculture, nearly half the total cultivated area in Kazakhstan is infested with weeds, including 2.5 million hectares infested with black oats. Between 1999 and 2002, farmers applied virtually no herbicides for the control of black oats and infestation was having a significant negative effect on yields.  In 2002, farmers began using herbicides against black oats on approximately 320,000 hectares. In 2003, treatment expanded to 1.0 million hectares thanks to government subsidies of about US$2 million which reduced farmers' cost of chemicals by 30 to 40 percent. Herbicide subsidies increased to nearly US$3 million in 2004 and the treated area grew to about 1.4 million hectares. Specialists report that weed infestation has decreased by about 15 percent every year since the anti-black oat campaign was launched.

Arguably the most important technological factor contributing to the apparent improvement in Kazakhstan grain yield is the increase in the use of certified planting seed.  In 2002, only 50 percent of planting seed was certified seed; the remaining 50 percent was "common" seed (seed reserved from the previous year's harvest).  By 2004, the use of certified seed had increased to 94 percent, including an increase in the use of elite seed (top-quality certified seed) from 37 to 57 percent.  In 2004, the State also provided subsidies for chemical disinfection of planting seeds. 

The government has been more effective in recent years in helping farmers procure adequate fuel for planting and harvest operations.  State subsidies partially compensate farmers for the high cost of diesel fuel, and each spring and fall the government imposes a ban on the export of diesel fuel in an effort to keep seasonal price increases in check.  

TEXT №9

Types of Tillage Operations

Types of Tillage Operations: Tillage includes use of different kinds of implements at different times are classified on the basis of their timing into-3types:

1. Preparatory tillage: Tillage operations that are carried out from the time of harvest of a crop to the sowing of the next crop are known as preparatory cultivation/ Tillage. OR Operations carried out in any cultivated land to prepare seedbed for sowing crops are preparatory tillage. These includes in sequence, plouging, clod crushing, leveling, disking , harrowing, manure mixing & compacting the soil and implements to be used are ploughs, clod crushers, disc ploughs or harrow , bladed harrow etc. It includes primary & secondary tillage:

a) Primary tillage: It mainly includes the ploughing operation which is opening of the compacted soil with the help of different ploughs. Ploughing is done to:  1) Open the hard soil,  2) Separate the top soil from lower layers,  3) Invert the soil whenever necessary 4) Uproot the weeds & stubbles.

 b) Secondary tillage :  Lighter or finer operation performed on the soil after primary tillage are known as secondary tillage which includes the operations performed after ploughing, leveling, disking, harrowing etc.  2. Seedbed preparation:  when the soil is brought to a condition suitable for germination of seeds & growth of crops, called as SEED BED.  After preparatory tillage the land is to be laid out properly for irrigating crops if irrigation is available for sowing or planting seeding which are known as seedbed preparation: It includes harrowing, leveling, compacting the soil, preparing irrigation layouts such as basins, borders, rides & furrows etc. and carried out by using hand tools or implements like harrow, rollers plank, rider etc. After field preparation, sowing is done with seed drills. Seeds are covered & planking is done so as to level & impart necessary compaction.  3. Inter tillage/ Inter cultivation/ Intercultural/ after care operation: The tillage operations that are carried out in the standing crop are called inter tillage operations. The tillage operation done in the field after sowing or planting and prior to the harvesting of crop plants known as inter cultivation. It includes gap filling , thinning , weeding , mulching, top dressing of fertilizers, hoeing, earthling up etc. unless these are carried out at right time, with suitable implements mainly hoes & hand tools the crop will not attain   a vigorous growth. These operations are carried out in between the crop rows.

 

TEXT №10