Consortium researcher R.K. Malik of Haryana Agricultural University works with farmers to test and spread zero tillage. Phalaris minor began ravaging fields. Farmers were ready to give up their wheat crop because of Phalaris. At first none of the other researchers believed in us, but now they have begun believing in a big way. Malik sees the trust gained among researchers and farmers as opening doors to promoting other worthwhile practices.
Agricultural research requires innovation.
You have to be continuously changing, trying new things based on what farmers need. The approach should be like that of the private sector you have to understand your product and know how and when to launch it. Doing this requires work in farmers' fields and use of their feedback. Another option that Malik and his associates are testing with farmers is that of planting crops on raised soil beds, a practice pioneered by Mexican seed producers and wheat farmers. In this technique, two or three rows of seed are sown into long, flat soil beds about 10 cm high and 70 cm wide.