Preparation of compost: As pit method of composting requires about 3-4 months time to decompose, this is the right time to prepare the compost pits under various suitable methods so as to meet the requirements during coming Kharif season. The areas where cattle population is very less the farmers can collect dry leaves and prepare economic compost (by applying cow dung slurry) before the leaves are set to fire. This is the peak period of leaf shedding and it may be difficult to get the required volume afterwards unless appropriate action is taken now. Leaf compost is proved to be the best for pit method for planting sugarcane and vegetables.

Vermicompost: Similar is the task for those who are preparing vermicompost. As the breeding season for earth worm is approaching, this is the right time to provide them sufficient worm food materials ( partly decomposed FYM/compost with appropriate C:N ratio ) to get maximum number of cocoons. During summer, extra attention is required for maintaining the level of moisture by regular sprinkling of water and providing shade to avoid excess dehydration. Arrange clay pots and other materials for preparation of compost, jeevamrut and pot manure.

Seed Selection: As harvesting of paddy crop is over, farmers and field promoters should take care to select and keep the required quantity of preferred variety of paddy and green manure crop seeds (Dhaincha, Sun hemp etc.) after sun-drying for 3-4 days. This is also the right time for seed exchange by farmers.

Green manure seeds: Every year we are falling short of green manure seeds even though we all know that green manuring is vital component of organic farming. Hence extra care needs to be taken for collecting and safe keeping these seeds so as to meet the requirements.

Summer field operations: The most important message is that all the farmers should be motivated for summer ploughing of their land where no crop is grown after harvest of Kharif Paddy due to several reasons. Summer ploughing along with dressing of field bunds has many advantages. This is the most efficient and natural method of soil treatment. This exposes and damages the eggs and larvae of the insect pests hibernating inside the soil, plant residues and field buds .Ploughing and bund dressing after first shower of seasonal rainfall does not serve the purpose because eggs of most of the agricultural insect pests hatch just after the first shower of rainfall is received.
The field bunds should be kept as clean as the agricultural land so as to minimise the insect population. Some of the progressive farmers have already completed this operation

For farmers in Orissa: If a particular variety of improved paddy seed is required by any of our partners to meet their specific requirements, please place the order/ request before the In-charge of the nearest Departmental Seed Sales Centre/Agriculture Extension Officers immediately so that they will get sufficient time to fulfill the demand. Same for the requirement of green manure seeds also. The seeds sale by the Departmental Sales Centre starts from the Akshaya Trutiya every year (27th of April for the current year).

In case a particular variety of indigenous / local paddy seed required, do contact any of our SRI network members (BOJBP, Kesharpur ( Nayagarh), UAA, Ganjam, PRAGATI, Koraput and others) and SAMBHAV (Rohibanka, Nayagarh).