Cotton Chronicle: A Zero Tillage Revolution Raosaheb Jaywanta Mohite, a farmer from Tapargaon, Kannad, in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, has successfully implemented Zero Tillage technology on his 4.00- hectare farm. He cultivates crops like cotton, sugarcane, bajra, wheat, maize, and marigold utilizing a well and drip irrigation system. He had attended two day workshop held by the Project on Climate Resilient Agriculture (PoCRA) project at Saguna Rural Foundation Farm of Mr Chandrashekhar Bhadsawale who is practicing Zero Tillage farming in Rice crop. Mr Mohite got motivated and the Technology Coordinator of the PoCRA project further guided him through Farmer Field School. He prepared broad raised beds of 4.5 feet width in Kharip 2019 and cultivated cotton by dibbling method. Initially, he faced issue of weeds which later turned out to be beneficial as he managed the weeds with weedicides without uprooting them. The roots of the weeds decomposed in the soil and helped increase organic matter. Further, he harvested the cotton in 3 pickings yielding 10 quintals per acre after which he cut the cotton plants retaining the root portion in the soil beds for decomposition. Immediately after harvesting cotton, he cultivated marigold on the same beds without any tillage operation. Then onwards he went on taking crop after crop for last 10 seasons without disturbing the beds. Raosaheb is convinced about the zero tillage practice and has seen remarkable improvements on his farm. The soil has softened significantly, and water percolation has increased, raising the water table in his well and preventing waterlogging during heavy rains. Additionally, the farm has seen a natural rise in the earthworm population, enhanced soil organic carbon levels, decreased soil salinity, and increased microbial activity. These benefits have also led to cost savings on labour and plant protection, and a reduction in soil cracks in his black cotton soil. Raosaheb's experience highlights the effectiveness of Zero Tillage in promoting sustainable and resilient farming practices. As far as crop yields are concerned he has harvested average 9 quintals of Cotton per acre for the last five seasons, which is 1.5 times more than his earlier harvest. He has reaped 20 quintals Corn and 12 quintals Pearl millet per acre which is 20% more than his previous yields. In addition to these gains, Raosaheb has achieved consistent savings in labour cost to the tune of Rs 10,000 to 12,000 per acre per year and he could reduce input cost also. In addition to knowledge received through project, he had applied for subsidy for installation of drip irrigation on 2 acres and had invested Rs 1,30,000/- for the activity. He received a subsidy of Rs 86,000. This support has enabled him to adopt efficient water management practices, significantly reducing water usage and operational costs while enhancing crop yield and overall farm productivity. He is now resource farmer for the project districts, attracting over 1500 farmers from 16 districts to visit his zero tillage farm. He has received awards and appreciation from various organizations including Department of Agriculture. Raosaheb Mohite's success story serves as a testament to the benefits of adopting regenerative agricultural practices like Zero Tillage, demonstrating improved soil health, water management, and cost efficiency. Zero Tillage farming by Raosaheb Mohite since 2019 Village: Tapargaon, Dist: Chh. Sambhajinagar Sl. No Crop Production Expenditure (Rs) 1 First Crop- Cotton (2019) 10.6 Qtl/Acre 29149/- 2. Second Crop - Maize (2019) 20 Qtl/Acre 10180/- 3. Third Crop - Cotton (2020) 9 Qtl/Acre 17350/- 4. Fourth Crop - Merigold (2020) 25 Qtl/Acre 20085/- 5. Fifth Crop - Cotton (2021) 9 Qtl/Acre 17150/- 6. Sixth Crop - Bajra (2021) 12 Qtl/Acre 6500/- 7. Seventh Crop - Cotton (2022) 8 Qtl/Acre 17500/- 8. Eighth Crop - Wheat (2022) 12 Qtl/Acre 7100/- 9. Ninth Crop - Cotton (2023) 11 Qtl/Acre 18450/- About PoCRA The Project on Climate Resilient Agriculture was conceptualised by the Department of Agriculture, Government of Maharashtra and the World Bank to develop a drought-proofing and climate-resilient strategy for the agriculture sector as a long-term and sustainable measure, to address the likely impacts of climate variabilities and climate change. Compiled by: Vijay Kolekar, Agronomist and Soil Science Specialist, PoCRA, Maharashtra Email: vijayskolekar@gmail.com