Hybrid Rice: The Future is Here | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Along with his team of experts, Mr Bhupen Dubey, Head (Integrated Business), Advanta India have ensured that UPL remains the leader in the development of hybrid rice varieties that excel in yield, seed quality, taste and cooking grain quality. The company has built a strong expertise in hybrid rice breeding and production thanks to its highly efficient breeding programme, global presence as well as elite germ-plasma. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Monday, August 30, 2010
Hybrid Rice by Advanta India Limited a United Phosphorous Limited (UPL) group: 21st June 2010Hybrid Rice by Advanta India Limited a United Phosphorous
Rasi Seeds draws up expansion plan
R. Balaji
Chennai, April 21
Rasi Seeds has charted out an expansion plan that includes increasing its seed output, widening product range, and setting up operations overseas. It is looking abroad for markets and also sites to produce seed to feed the domestic market.
Mr M Ramasami, Managing Director, Rasi Seeds (P) Ltd, told Business Line the company is investing about Rs 50-55 crore in the next two years in the expansion programme.
This includes investing Rs 25 crore in seed production of field crops (rice and wheat) and Rs 30-35 crore in vegetable seeds, which is handled by a separate division launched last year. The objective is to grow its business to about Rs 1,000 crore from the present size of about Rs 430 crore by 2014-15.
The company has so far depended on internal accruals but is now looking at private equity funding or an equity issue, he said.
Maize
A market leader in cotton seed production with nearly a million hectares of cotton cultivated under its brands, the company is looking at expanding its share of the maize seed market.
The company has invested Rs 15 crore in a dedicated, 10,000-tonne a year maize seed processing plant. This plant will help increase its maize seed market to about 10,000 tonnes over the next three to five years from the present 3,000 tonnes. In this period, the total market for maize seeds which is about 70,000 tonnes now is expected to grow to over 1.4 lakh tonnes. Rasi wants to take a 10 per cent share. It is also expanding the area under maize seed contract farming to about 7,000 acres from the present 3,000 acres, he said.
Vegetable
The launch of the HyVeg Division last December for the vegetable seed production business will help it gain a wider presence in India and abroad, Mr Ramasami said.
The company's growth in field crops will be restricted to specific areas of cultivation. But vegetable crops will give it a country-wide presence and larger product range. It plans to produce seeds of about 30 vegetable crops with two to three variants in each. Compared to Rs 430 crore from the field crop business now, HyVeg will contribute about Rs 100-110 crore in three to five years, he said.
Rasi Seeds is looking at vegetable seed production overseas and also marketing its seeds abroad. It will test the seeds it develops here for cultivation in South East Asia. Similarly, it is in discussions in New Zealand for vegetable seed production as the conditions are ideal for crops like beetroot, cabbage and carrot. These seeds could then be marketed in India, he said.
Research Base
The company is also expanding its infrastructure in research to speed up commercial development of new seeds. It now has two research stations in Attur and Aurangabad for field crops and is setting up three research stations in Bangalore, Gurgaon and Kullu for vegetable crops. A research station is to come up in Hyderabad for hybrid rice and bajra, in Kotagiri for wheat and one substation in Uttar Pradesh to test the rice varieties developed in its other stations. Hybrid rice seed production will be the next big area for Rasi Seeds after maize, he said.
Rasi Seeds sets up Rs 10-cr breeding lab
Rasi Seeds sets up Rs 10-cr research facility
Rasi Seeds' R&D centre
TNAU, Rasi Seeds tie-up for GM cassava
Govt to encourage the cultivation of hybrid rice
Farmers, in order to avail of the subsidies, had to get the hybrid rice seeds duly certified — a task which was seen as a major hurdle in its cultivation, restricting the area covered by it across the country. The government is now set to reframe the rules.
Hybrid seed varieties are said to be expensive in nature, mainly because of the complex technology involved in developing them, rendering them beyond the reach of the average Indian farmer.
“In India, the area under hybrid rice cultivation is woefully low. We have now decided to go in for hybrid rice production in a big way so as to give a boost to overall production of rice in the country,” pointed out agriculture secretary P K Basu.
“Even if the hybrid rice is not certified, but is truthfully labelled and notified, will be eligible for subsidies,” Mr Basu added.
The government has decided to implement the revised rules for hybrid rice cultivation from the 2010-11 season itself. The idea has been welcomed wholeheartedly by all the major rice-growing states.
The ministry had discussed the issue at a meeting held earlier this month with representatives of all the big rice-producing states, including Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Orissa.
There was unanimity over the need to give an impetus to hybrid rice cultivation to give a boost to overall rice production. Hybrid rice has a potential to raise production by 15-20% in areas where they are grown.
Countries such as China have taken a big leap in rice production by going in for hybrid rice cultivation in a big way. India has lagged behind so far. In China, almost half of the total area under rice cultivation is accounted for by the hybrid rice varieties.
China’s rice revolution, in fact, was propelled primarily by hybrid rice, which was developed there in the early 1970s. The country had extended the cultivation of hybrid rice to more than half of its total paddy land by 1990 to emerge as the world’s largest paddy producer.
India, by contrast, was slow in encouraging hybrid rice cultivation. The National Food Security Mission (NFSM) has set a target of expanding the hybrid rice cultivation to 3 million hectares by 2011-12 from around 2 million hectares at present.
Studies conducted by the ICAR have shown that hybrid varieties produce between 1 and 1.5 tonnes more rice per hectare than the available conventionally-bred high-yielding rice varieties.
The average rice yield in the country is only around 2.12 tonnes per hectare, even though it is as high as 4 tonnes per hectare in Punjab and around 3 tonnes in Andhra Pradesh.
The total production of rice in the country was 99.18 million tonnes in 2008-09. It dropped to 89.31 million tonnes in 2009-10 against the target of 101 million tonnes. The country lost 10 million tonnes, mainly during the kharif season, because of severe drought conditions.
PM’s Independence Day Speech, 2010
New Delhi, Aug 15:
Dear citizens,
1. I greet you on the 63rd anniversary of our independence. When Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru unfurled the Tricolour on this historic Red Fort, on 15th August, 1947, he called himself the first servant of India. I address you today in the same spirit of service.
2. A few days back, many precious lives were lost in Laddakh due to a cloud burst. I convey my heart felt condolences to the family members and other near and dear ones of those who have perished. In this hour of grief, the whole country stands with the people of Laddakh. It is my assurance that the Central Government will do everything possible for rehabilitation of the affected people.
3. When I addressed you last year on Independence Day, our country was facing a number of difficulties. There was a drought like situation in many parts of the country. We were also affected by the global economic slow down. I am happy to say that we have acquitted ourselves well in these difficult circumstances. Despite many problems, the rate of our economic growth has been better than most other countries in the world. This shows the strength of our economy.
4. This strength has been evident not only in the last one year but also in our economic progress in the last many years. Today, India stands among the fastest growing economies of the world. As the world’s largest democracy, we have become an example for many other countries to emulate. Our citizens have the right to make their voice heard. Our country is viewed with respect all over the world. Our views command attention in international fora.
5. All of you have contributed to India’s success. The hard work of our workers, our artisans, our farmers has brought our country to where it stands today. I specially salute our soldiers whose bravery ensures the safety of our borders. I pay tribute to all those martyrs who have sacrificed their lives for our country.
6. We are building a new India in which every citizen would have a stake, an India which would be prosperous and in which all citizens would be able to live a life of honour and dignity in an environment of peace and goodwill. An India in which all problems could be solved through democratic means. An India in which the basic rights of every citizen would be protected. In the last few years, we have taken many significant steps in this direction. Every person living in rural areas now has the assurance of 100 days of employment through the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. The Right to Information Act is helping our citizens to become more aware. This year our Government has enacted the Right to Education which will help every Indian to share in the benefits of the country’s economic progress and also to contribute to it. To ensure equal partnership of women in our progress, we have taken initiative for reservation for women in Parliament and in State legislatures. Apart from this, reservation for women has been increased to 50 per cent in local bodies.
7. Despite our many strengths, we face some serious challenges. We should resolve today that we will meet these challenges as one people. Our society often gets divided in the name of religion, State, caste or language. We should resolve that we will not allow divisions in our society under any circumstance. Tolerance and generosity have been a part of our traditions. We should strengthen these traditions. As we progress economically our society should also become more sensitive. We should be modern and progressive in our outlook.
8. Our Government has laid special emphasis on the welfare of our farmers and on increasing agricultural production. After we came to power in 2004, we realized that the state of Indian agriculture in the preceding 7-8 years was not satisfactory. Our Government increased public investment in agriculture. We started new schemes for increasing production. We encouraged agricultural planning at the district level. I am happy that the growth rate of our agriculture has increased substantially in the last few years. But we are still far from achieving our goal. We need to work harder so that we can increase the agricultural growth rate to 4 per cent per annum.
9. Our Government wants a food safety net in which no citizen of ours would go hungry. This requires enhanced agricultural production which is possible only by increasing productivity. Our country has not witnessed any big technological breakthrough in agriculture after the Green Revolution. We need technology which would address the needs of dry land agriculture. In addition, our agriculture should also be able to deal with new challenges like climate change, falling levels of ground water and deteriorating quality of soil. In the history of Indian agriculture, Norman Borlaug commands a special place. About 40 to 50 years back he developed new and more productive seeds of wheat. Under the leadership of Smt. Indira Gandhiji, India achieved the Green Revolution by adopting these seeds. I am happy to announce that the Borlaug Institute of South Asia is being established in India. This institute would facilitate availability of new and improved seeds and new technology to the farmers of India and other countries of South Asia.
10. We have always taken care to provide remunerative prices to farmers so that they are encouraged to increase production. Support prices have been increased every year in the last six years. The support price for wheat was enhanced to Rs.1,100 per quintal last year from Rs.630 per quintal in 2003-04. In paddy, this increase was from Rs.550 per quintal to Rs.1,000 per quintal. But one effect of providing higher prices to farmers is that food prices in the open market also increase.
11. I know that in the last few months high inflation has caused you difficulties. It is the poor who are the worst affected by rising prices, especially when the prices of commodities of every day use like foodgrains, pulses, vegetables increase. It is for this reason that we have endeavored to minimize the burden of increased prices on the poor. Today, I do not want to go into the detailed reasons for high inflation. But, I would certainly like to say that we are making every possible effort to tackle this problem. I am also confident that we will succeed in these efforts.
12. It is obvious that any person or institution cannot spend more than his income over a long period of time, even if it is the Government. It is our responsibility that we manage our economy with prudence so that our development is not affected adversely in the future because of high debt. We import about 80 per cent of our requirement of petroleum products. After 2004, we have increased the prices of petroleum products much less compared to the increase in the price of crude oil in the international market. The subsidy on petroleum products has been increasing every year. It had become necessary therefore to increase the prices of petroleum products. If this had not been done, it would not have been possible for our budget to bear the burden of subsidy and our programmes for education, health and employment of the poor would have been adversely affected.
13. In the 63 years after independence, India has covered a long distance on the path of development. But our destination is still far away. A large part of our population still suffers from persistent poverty, hunger and disease. When our Government came to power in 2004, we resolved to build a new India under a progressive social agenda. We wanted the fruits of development to reach the common man. We initiated programmes especially targeted to the welfare of the socially and economically backward sections of our society. We still stand committed to the welfare of the poor, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, minorities, women and other backward sections of our society. But today we do not need many new programmes to achieve our goals. However, we do need to implement the schemes we have already started more effectively, minimizing the chances of corruption and misuse of public money. We want to achieve this in partnership with the State Governments, Panchayat Raj Institutions and civil society groups.
14. Secularism is one of the pillars of our democracy. It has been the tradition of our country and society to treat all religions with equal respect. For centuries India has welcomed new religions and all have flourished here. Secularism is also our constitutional obligation. Our Government is committed to maintain communal peace and harmony. We also consider it our duty to protect the minorities and provide for their special needs. This is why we have started many new programmes in the last four years for the welfare of our brothers and sisters belonging to the minority communities. These include scholarships for minority students and special programmes for the development of districts which have a high concentration of minorities. These schemes have shown good results. We will vigorously take this work forward.
15. We have been giving special attention to education and health in the last six years. Improvement in these two areas is an important component of our strategy for inclusive growth. It is also necessary for higher economic growth in the years to come. After independence, these two areas could not get the importance they deserved. We tried to change this state of affairs in the 11th Plan. Today, almost every child in our country has access to primary education. Now, we need to pay more attention to secondary and higher education. We also need to improve the quality of education at all levels. It is our endeavour that every child, irrespective of whether he is rich or poor and which section of the society he belongs to, should be given an education that enables him to realize his potential and makes him a responsible citizen of our country. We will continue to implement the new schemes that we have started in the last six years in the areas of education and health with sincerity and hard work and in partnership with the State Governments. We will soon bring a Bill to Parliament for constitution of two separate councils in higher education and health respectively so that reforms in these two areas can be accelerated.
16. Nutritious food and good health services are necessary but not enough for ensuring good health of our citizens. We also need cleanliness and good sanitation in our villages, towns and cities. There are many diseases which would be difficult to prevent otherwise. The truth is that our country lags behind in this area. I consider it a primary responsibility of all our citizens to maintain cleanliness and hygiene around them. I would like our children to be taught the importance of cleanliness and hygiene in schools from the very beginning under a campaign for a Clean India. I appeal to the State Governments, Panchayat Raj Institutions, civil society groups and common citizens to make this campaign successful.
17. Mahatma Gandhi had said that our earth has enough for everyone’s need but not for everyone’s greed. Imprudent use of the earth’s natural resources has resulted in the problem of climate change. We need to use our natural resources with care and prudence. It is our responsibility towards the coming generations to protect and preserve our forests, rivers and mountains. Our government will endeavour to take care of environmental concerns in our projects for economic development.
18. There is a large deficit in our physical infrastructure which affects our economic development adversely. There is a shortfall in the supply of electricity to industries. Our roads, ports and airports are not of world standards. We have been trying to increase electricity production and improve our roads, ports and airports. The resources required to create good physical infrastructure are difficult for the Government alone to mobilize. Therefore, we have endeavoured to involve the private sector in our efforts. The steps that we have taken after 2004 to improve our physical infrastructure have started bearing fruit now. About one and half a months back, I dedicated a new terminal of the Delhi airport to the nation. This is an excellent terminal which has been completed in record time. We will continue to make such efforts to improve our physical infrastructure.
19. There has been much discussion recently on the issue of internal security. If law and order in any part of India deteriorates or peace and harmony gets disturbed, the common man is adversely affected. Therefore, it is one of the primary responsibilities of any government to maintain law and order so that the citizens can live and earn their livelihood in an atmosphere of peace and harmony. Naxalism is a serious challenge to our internal security. I pay tribute to the men and officers of our security forces who have became martyrs in the attacks by naxalites in the last few months. I have stated this before and I say it again – our Government will fully discharge its responsibility to protect each and every citizen of our country. We will deal firmly with those who resort to violence. We will provide all possible help to State Governments to maintain the rule of law in areas affected by naxalism. I once again appeal to naxalites to abjure violence, come for talks with the Government and join hands with us to accelerate social and economic development. A few days back I took a meeting with the Chief Ministers of States affected by naxalism. We will fully implement the consensus that emerged in that meeting. I would like to repeat here a point that I made in that meeting. It is imperative that Centre and States work together to meet the challenge of naxalism. It would be very difficult for any State to tackle this problem without cooperation from the Centre and coordination between States. We all need to rise above our personal and political interests to meet this challenge.
20. As I have stated earlier, most naxalite affected areas lag behind in development. Many such areas also have a large concentration of our adivasi brothers and sisters. We want to end the neglect of these areas. I have asked the Planning Commission to formulate a comprehensive scheme towards this end, which we would implement fully. It is also our endeavour that our adivasi brothers and sisters join the mainstream of development. They have been dependent on forest produce for centuries and this dependence should not end without the creation of new sources of livelihood. Apart from adequate compensation for land which is acquired from them, we should also ensure that our adivasi brothers and sisters have a stake in the developmental project being undertaken.
21. I would like to state one more thing in this context. It is very necessary to make the administrative machinery more sensitive in areas affected by naxalism. The government officials who work there should not only be sincere but should also be alive to the special needs of our adivasi brothers and sisters. It is my hope that the State Governments will pay adequate attention to these requirements.
22. We have a special responsibility towards the States of the North East. We are trying to live up to that responsibility. The North Eastern part of our country has been witness to some unpleasant incidents in the recent months. I would like to convey to all political parties and groups of the North East that disputes in the name of State or tribe can only harm all of us. Discussion and dialogue are the only options to resolve complex issues. As far as the Central Government is concerned, we are ready to take forward every process of talks which could lead to progress in resolution of problems.
23. In Jammu and Kashmir, we are ready to talk to every person or group which abjures violence. Kashmir is an integral part of India. Within this framework, we are ready to move forward in any talks which would increase the partnership of the common man in governance and also enhance their welfare. Recently, some young men have lost their lives in violence in Jammu and Kashmir. We deeply regret this. The years of violence should now end. Such violence would not benefit anyone. I believe that India’s democracy has the generosity and flexibility to be able to address the concerns of any area or group in the country. I recently participated in a meeting with political parties from Jammu and Kashmir. We will endeavour to take this process forward. I would like to convey to our countrymen, especially our citizens in Jammu and Kashmir and in the North East, that they should adopt democratic means to join hands with us for their and country’s welfare.
24. We want prosperity, peace and harmony in our neighbouring countries. Whatever differences we have with our neighbouring countries, we want to resolve them through discussions. As far as Pakistan is concerned, we expect from them that they would not let their territory be used for acts of terrorism against India. We have been emphasizing this in all our discussions with the Pakistan Government. If this is not done, we cannot progress far in our dialogue with Pakistan.
25. I would also like to say something which is related to our glorious cultural traditions. The use of harsh and unpleasant words in our political discourse has increased in recent days. This is against our traditions of generosity, humility and tolerance. Criticism has a place of its own in a democracy and in a progressive society. However, criticism should not be undignified. We should have the capacity to reconcile opposite points of view on important issues through debate and discussion. I would request all political parties to consider this issue.
26. The Commonwealth Games will start in Delhi after about one and a half months. This will be a proud moment for the whole country and especially for Delhi. I am convinced that all our countrymen will treat the Games as a national festival and will leave no stone unturned to make them a success. The successful organization of Commonwealth Games would be another signal to the world that India is rapidly marching ahead with confidence.
27. Our future is bright. The day when our dreams will come true is not far off. Let us all resolve on this anniversary of our independence that we will keep the flag of our nation flying high. Let us march ahead together on the path of progress and prosperity.
28. Dear children, please say Jai Hind with me.
‘JAI HIND’
‘JAI HIND’
‘JAI HIND’
Agricultural Productivity Changes in India Under Global Marketting Scenario
Agricultural Productivity gains through capacity building, eco-friendly farming and Extension Education Reforms
By PROF. GHULAM MOHY-UD-DIN WANI.
DIRECTOR EXTENSION EDUCATION AND DIRECTOR SAMETI,SKUAST-K,SHALIMAR POST GPO 461 SRINAGAR-KASHMIR. Home page.www.profgmwani.page.tl. Email ghulamwani1949@gmail.com wanimohyuddun@yahoo.com Phones 09419095342 09419409546
ABSTRACT
Agricultural Production has entered new era of competitive-low-cost globally oriented enterprise. The cost-benefit ratio decide the mode of Farming. Global marketing needs some changes at base level. Farmers have to be cost conscious and need new strategies of mixing various farming option like Agriculture, Horticulture, Livestock husbandry and Floriculture activities. A new model for incorporating all these fields in an eco-friendly mode is discussed. Appropriate mixed technology in tune with natural resources needed at the moment in India.. An agricultural mission for efficient Resource management should aim at bridging gap between current farm yield and potential Farm yield. Use of bio-technology and bio-informatics for identification of economically viable cropping options and combinations can not be ruled out ,however soil and environmental preservation must be kept in mind while using biotech farming options. We should talk of Eco-conducive-germplasm-base instead of high productive – germplasm, un-competable to our natural resources. All these and other aspects of future agricultural scenario in India is discussed in these pages. India with 1.09 billion people and 60% of them dependent on agriculture can not be leveled with USA who has merely339 million people and only 0.7 of them dependent or agriculture. Therefore the past trend of aping USA OR EU models of agricultural development won’t help. We have to innovate new ways and means conducive to our agrarian conditions and available resource to increase our food production for growing population in future. Some of the original thoughts of the author published as e-papers are reproduced here to suggest new innovative models.
a) Change of mind set We will need a change in the mechanism of technology dissemination thus a reformation model for extension education in India is proposed in these pages. More than 50% of our practicing farmers are women who are not exposed to technology new or old, thus a system of their capacity building and skill up-gradation shall be focused Agricultural and allied technologies tested and available in India have been the replications of commercial farming ventures of the west. I would dare to blame our policy planners for this vulnerable state de-affairs. They professed chemical farming when we were world leaders of organics In the past century when whole world faced the ill effects of chemical farming we are busy in advocating our forgotten options which luckily are still existing in deep and uncommunicable pockects of our country called backward pockects. Our research need a change from individual crop or commodity farming research to mixed farming approaches .My mohy model of 1992 is being quoted withmohy model of 1992 is being quoted with out reference quite often by those whose hollowness of innovative ideas is responsible for our defective policies.
b).Unfinished agenda needs,aims and goals
Needs
1 . Appropriate mixed technology in tune with natural resources.
2. An agricultural mission for efficient Resource management, bridging gap between current farm yield and potential Farm yield.
3. Use of bio-technology and bio-informatics for identification of economically viable cropping options and combinations.
Emphasis
We should talk of Eco-conducive-germplasm-base instead of high productive – germplasm, un-competable with our natural resources. Economic Farming which means cost effective use of Soil Water resources No air/water pollution
c). NUTRIENT RECYCLING SYSTEM OPTIONS
The chemical fertilizers are to be replaced by use of agricultural waste materials, Plant residues, aquatic weeds, left out materials, post harvest wastes, green manure, rainy season over grown vegetation, or abundant vegetation, green weeds, city drains, human excreta, animal manure, forest wastes, agriculture left out substances, bio-mass, bio-fertilizers, stall wastes & even pigeon beats etc. Nutrient cycling system has to be evolved first by analysing soil status of each agro-climatic zone . The integrated nutrient management system, has to be evolved. A new, refined, Govt-agri policy is needed. New Institutional support system, excellent marketing networks are to be proposed. For efficient land use we must wed traditional wisdom with improved technology, farmers training and profitable end products. We should advocate: a). Use of information technology to increase profits from overall farming; cropping, animal aquaculture etc. b) Analysis of available data on processing, production and its documentation for use in project preparation, policy formulation is a basic necessity.
A new sensitive laboratory facility is envisioned for input and output quality assessment. c) Agriculture of today does not mean more production at environment cost but efficient and economic production with Environmental safeguards. INTRODUCTION Our 65% employment base is agriculture & its allied sectors like livestock We. Need in future : ? Food and environment security ? Employment generation through agrobased industry. ? Economic , balanced and hygienic food with original taste. and flavours. We are in a phase of cultural and economic transit. This transformation Process brings, New livelihood options, New production & utilization system Changed life styles & cultural habits
I do not know how many of us know about USDA’s national Arboretum of Washington DC A 444 acre arboretum now has dropped pesticide use by 75% during 1992-96. They call it new land scope pest Management (NL PM). It was simple spot spraying i.e spray right where it is needed, i.e on diseased twig or branch or plant and only if it is needed. This shift from blanket spraying to selected sprays saved 75% of pesticide cost; other saving was through reduced labour cost and eco-risk factors.
We need safe equipments and labour health monitoring and analysis of data. Another area which needs attention is use of less toxic pesticides. We call them bio-rational pesticides. They reduce cost by 12-32% and consist of Horticulture oils insecticidal soaps, insect growth regulators and predators.
We talk of trainings for Information analysis, monitoring disaster, Management of floods droughts. Use of remote sensing and Global positioning system is needed. We in developing countries in future will have Industrial expansion, and more economic security..This will mean less people being attracted to agriculture or in other words agriculture becoming less renumerative. We need improved varieties, their rapid propagation through biotechnological use. We may have little options not to use biotech agriculture or mend fences between traditional, optional and modern biotechniques.
This is where we talk now of molecular farming, using biotechnology for more transgenic crops . animals, aquaculture and, commercial floriculture. New issues in agricultural and other sciences in India are:
1. Develop data base for patent formulations
2. We need replacement of top down planning with gross root planning.
3 More farmer’s participation with reduced risks .
4 Research in past, centered on improved seeds, irrigation, chemical use. We witnessed green revolution, freedom from hunger, but harmed environment. we have to look for alternate options for the execution of research.
5. Extension education ,dissemination of information to farmer has to be the first concern of the public and private establishments and planners. Birds eye viewers have to be replaced with visionary professors and professionals.
6. Farmer. farming and farm business shall be the First ranking scientific persuit investing at least an equivalent amount on it as is spend on health or nuclear establishments,.
Our policy should be Independent and self conscious farmers, with records of annual balances, gains and losses, risks and benefits.
BOTTOM LINE CHALLENGE
Bring self- reliant proud farmer trained & well versed in Agri-business
Farmers need awareness on
Farming concepts and international zoo-phytosanitation recommendations and regulations.
We need to stop WTO restrictions or options till our farming and farmers are not completely knowledge driven and economically resourceful to face the global farming competitions.
PARADIGMS OF AGRI-EXTENSION. IN INDIA.
Four paradigms of Agricultural extension consists of Technology transfer, prevalent since colonial times & later National Agriculture Extension Project (NAEP), reshaped in 1970-80 as Training and visit system across Asia. It involved top down approach. Its role needs discussion. The second paradigm called as Advisory work is what is present system of extension, where, government agencies, NGO and technical industries respond to farmers enquiries which we call advisory role. The third paradigm consists of Human Resource Development. This innovation helped Europe and North America. The Universities gave training to rural youth. It is these educated, trained youth which became future farmers in developed countries. What is known as outreach system of colleges and universities is still unknown in our Agricultural Research system including State Agriculture Universities. A half hearted attempt as Agri-business Agri-clinical is still to be backed with University, research, banking and economic support. Is it which can help us to increase productivity in India or Asia needs consideration? (Wani, 2008).
Technology adoption and Impact
The impact of National Agricultural Research Project (NARP) (1986-92) revealed that technologies generated were few and adoption rate was not high, even then an estimated monetary benefit of Rs.2000/ per hectare was observed. Low relationship between technologies developed and adopted demands a mixed farming technology capsule as 65% of our farmer’sare small and marginal farmers. This needs a total shift to left in our agricultural extension methodology. (Reddy 2001, wani, 2008 a b c). T & V programme initiated with central assistance in state has aroused all round technological awareness among agricultural experts. Its dialogue and technology transfer from University (Scientists) to experts agricultural extension workers was nearly total revolution.
The (ZAREC) Zonal Agricultural advisory Research and Extension counseling was the best plate form to discuss main issues impeding agricultural development. The missionary publication of production recommendations helps a lot in transfer of technology. The presentation of production recommendations in local language is helpful in increasing productivity in many countries. (Wani, 2004) Brinjal production technology adoption in Parbani, Mahrastra was the result of social participation, risk management guarantee, marketing orientation, information websites and communication methods. (Dudhak et al 2003). Various limitation of transport, extension staff were the reasons of poor productivity gains in Malakhand agency of Pakistan. (Mohamad et al, 2003).
The adoption of legume production technologies under Jhodpur arid conditions was low. The problems as indicated by farmers were small farm size. Small holder farmer was less interested to adopt these technologies. Non existence of market and pricing policy, risk of failure, feeding habits, social taboo and lack of Post Harvest Technology (PHT) were identified. (Yadev et al, 2003). Proper guidance or information support was the major constraint in adoption of improved Wheat cultivation in Himachal Pradesh. It contributed to 16.8% non-adoption rate among farmers. Other contributory factors were technological unawareness (13.33%) sloppy land (11.31%), farm input cost (9.41%), non availability of irrigation (8.29%) and lack of inputs (7.95%) (Puran chand et al, 2001).
Social Structure and Technology adoption Schedule caste farmers in Maharastra have low level of rice technology adoption. Among 150 such farmers only 12.6% had high adoption rate (Mankar et al,2004). Adoption of production recommendations of Cashew in Maharastra’s Sindhubrug district was 58% (Bhairamkar et al, 2004). Motto of extension programmes should be reach to unreached, teach to un-teached, be known to unknown (Ganesan et al, 2003) (Wani, 1998). Agricultural productivity in Czch Republic increased when information and communication in extension system was improved for small scale farmers (Slavik, 2003).
A survey conducted among 120 farmers in Karnool district, Andhra Pradesh, India, revealed that education, social participation, scientific orientation, risk management, mass media exposure, economic and market orientation were positively and significantly correlated with the extent of adoption of recommended hybrid jowar (sorghum) seed practices by the farmers. Majority of the farmers (43.33%) had a medium level of the adoption of the recommended practices. (Kumar et al, 2005). It is suggested that five categories of factors determine the adoption of irrigation systems and are the keys to designing relevant, effective and innovative irrigation extension programmes among horticulturalists.
The five categories of factors are : Soil type and topography ; crop quality; sowing time; saving water and crop yield (Kaine & Beswell, 2005). We in J&K under SREP Strategic Research extension plan of Districts notice lack of information on sowing time, seed rate and fertilizer application in almost all the crops. Seed treatment awareness helped farmers to combat paddy blast (Wani, 2006, 2007). Innovative Change Methodologies for analysis of farming system, options for development & sustainable eco-friendly farm science technology are the needs of the houhour. We do have subject-matter-specialists, but the agents for evaluating the composite effect of various discipline oriented technology cover is yet to be structured. This is exactly where we should intervene and restructure the discipline, programmes and divisions of extension education in the country. Infact a total change from existing slow action, low innovative, conventional and disintegrated extension system has to be refined into analytic , managemental , social, economical, marketable system, so that the whole technology transfer could be evaluated in terms of productivity and monetory gains per hectare.
Different cropping and livestock patterns and combinations need to be evaluated & monitored. The impact analysis of wide range of Agricultural technology transfer be it training, entrepreneurship or agri business is needed, both before and after technology application. The available research results have to pierce the farmers farming practices. Non – adoption is the result of our low productivity levels per unit of land. Inspite of tremendous yield gains the per unit profitability has not raised the economic conditions of our farmers.
Our farm economy still fluctuates between season’s, rainy years and among regions. Now for any widespread gains from technology, it is essential to know its impact and adoptability rate. It is therefore necessary to develop new technologies after considering socio-organizational arrangements, local existing soil, water, human needs and resources. The local skills need to be known and refinement is made to improve profitability. Our experience under IVLP showed a net productivity gains of 2 q/hac in rice production by improving local village driven plough. Similar innovative ideas local technologies with improved or exotic one gave good results in development of profitable farming . (Wani, 2004,2003,
Tata Chemicals 15 August 2010 Sunday,
The outlook for the company's fertiliser business (36 per cent of sales) is bright due to the large supply deficit for nutrients in the Indian market, the company's low-cost production capabilities and a more liberal policy environment. Prospects for the soda ash business (45 per cent of sales) are also looking up on better demand and pricing for soda ash in recent months.
Tata Chemicals' acquisition of a controlling stake in Rallis India, forays into specialty fertilisers and biofuel businesses, and success in the consumer segments where it is present (Tata Salt and Swach water purifiers) also add new growth engines for the medium term.
Tata Chemicals' consolidated numbers for 2009-10 (sales down 25 per cent and profits down 12 per cent) were muted due to factors such as lower fertiliser and soda ash realisations, one-off disruptions in production and write-offs due to closure of Dutch soda ash operations.
The numbers over the past two quarters, however, show a significant improvement on all counts. Strong agri-input sales, lower costs in the fertiliser business and better realisations and volumes on soda ash lifted the company's profits before exceptional items for the June quarter by 24 per cent compared to last year, even as sales grew at a modest 6 per cent.
Sales growth may accelerate from here on, as normal operations resume at the fertiliser units and the agri-input sales benefit from a rebound in this year's monsoon. Over the medium-term, favourable policy changes for fertilisers — the shift to nutrient-based subsidy, cash subsidy payments and stepped up gas allocations for urea — remove many of the nagging uncertainties that have been major constraints to growth in the fertiliser business. In soda ash, the geographic diversity of Tata Chemicals' operations (Mithapur – India, Brunner Mond – the UK and General Chemicals- the US) has helped it tide over a difficult 2009-10.
The price outlook for soda ash is now improving on the back of supply tightness in the US and the imposition of safeguard duty in the domestic market. European soda ash operations do remain vulnerable to weak offtake; however the company's low-cost advantage may enable better profitability in quarters ahead.
After loan repayment over the past year, Tata Chemicals now operates at a comfortable net debt:equity of 0.7:1. This, combined with strong cash flows and a sizeable investment book (Rs.30/share excluding Rallis), suggests that bankrolling the proposed fertiliser expansion plans will not be a major problem.
Rising potato production and export potential pakistan
POTATO is a tasty, nutritive and highly digestible vegetable with 75 per cent water contents. One hundred grams of potato possesses 22g carbohydrate, two gram protein, 90 kilocalories energy, 13mg calcium, 17mg vitamin C, 11mg riboflavin 1.2 mg niacin and traces of certain other minerals and fibre. Potato is eaten intensively in a variety of forms such as boiled, baked, and cooked. As vegetable it is eaten alone as well as mixed with other vegetables, and as snacks, the most popular of them being the finger chips. It has medical significance.
It is free of cholesterol and also contains some antioxidants which are capable of protecting human beings against cancer and heart diseases. It has potential to lower high blood pressures due to presence of a compound kukoamine. Potato mask can be employed for skin beauty especially on the pigmented ones. Potato tubers if exposed to sunlight during growth become green in colour due to formation of poisonous alkaloid compounds solanine and chaconin which are injurious for humans as well as animals and can even cause death.
Potato was introduced to the subcontinent in the 16th century and at present it is being grown as cash crop. During the year 2006-07 the area under potato was 0.131 million hectares (ha) with a total production of 2.6 million tons which was 67.2% more than the preceding year’s production of 1.5 million tons.
Punjab, NWFP, Sindh and Balochistan contribute 83, nine, one, and seven per cent respectively to the total potato production. Average price of potato in the country increased from approximately Rs250 per 40kg in 2000-01 to Rs550 per 40kg in 2005-06. Exports of potato either chilled or fresh during the year 2005-06 were 15.39 million kg earning a foreign exchange worth Rs173.2 million which was lower than the previous year’s export of 20.76 million kg earning a foreign exchange equal to Rs183.99 million. Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Malaysia are the major markets of Pakistani potato.
Although there was considerable increase over the time in area and production of the crop in the country, however, the average yield is still lower than the potential.
Various factors accountable for low potato yields include lack of knowledge among farmers about growing techniques, costly seed, diseases, weeds and insect pests, mismanagement of fertiliser and irrigation, and damages caused to potato tubers during harvesting, packing, transport and storage.
Potato can be grown from sea level to 3,000m altitude. The major potato growing districts in Pakistan are Kalat, Pishin and Killa in Balochistan; Sialkot, Okara, Sahiwal, Jhang, Kasur and Gujranwala in Punjab; and Dir, Nowshehra and Mansehra in NWFP.
Three potato crops can be grown in the country in one year, two in plains including autumn and spring and one in hilly areas during the summer season.
The time for plantation of autumn crop, which contributes more than 70% of the total yield, starts in early October and ends in mid November. Spring crop contributing less than 10 per cent to the total yield, can be sown from mid- December to mid -February while the summer crop contributing more than 15% is sown in early April up to mid- May.
Red and white skin potato varieties are cultivated in the country. The white skin varieties are Sante, Multa, Diamant, Ajax and Patrones while the red skin varieties include Lala Faisal, Ultimas, Desiree, Cardinal, Oscar and Symphonia. Deep, fertile, well-drained, well-aerated, loose-textured, sandy loam, silt loam and peat soils with a neutral pH are best suited for potato cultivation.
Optimum temperature for germination, vegetative growth and tuber formation in potato is 25°C, 20°C and 16-24°C respectively. Well decomposed farm yard manure at 20-25 tons per ha is recommended to be incorporated in the soil before land preparation. Field is given a soaking irrigation nearly two weeks before sowing to provide seed tubers with ample moisture for germination.
Field is ploughed 3-4 times using a mould board plough followed by two harrowing to prepare a fine seedbed. Potato is propagated vegetatively. For acquiring optimal potato yield certified, healthy, vigorous and disease-free seed tubers are indispensable. Seed tubers must be of uniform size and shape without any sign of infection.
One potato tuber can be cut into pieces before sowing but the weight of each piece must be nearly 50g possessing 2-3 eyes. However, the cut pieces are more vulnerable to diseases. Seed rate is variable depending on the size of the tubers, however 800-1000kg potato tubers are recommended for cultivation of one hectare. Sowing of sprouted seed is preferred which results in higher yields than the un-sprouted ones.
Potato tubers about one week before sowing are taken out of cold storage and spread at a cool and ventilated place usually under the shade of a tree. They start germinating in 7-9 days and are sown when the sprouts are 1cm long. Potato seed remains dormant for 12-16 weeks so the tubers obtained from autumn crop can not be used to plant spring crop. Seed tubers are treated with fungicides like dithane-M, captan or benlate to protect them from fungal infections.
Potato tubers can be planted either on flat beds, in the furrows or on the ridges; however, ridge sowing is the most preferred method. Ridges are 30cm high and 60cm wide. Ridges are marked at 60-75cm apart and the seed tubers are kept at 15-20cm distance and at the end the ridges are made using a tractor drawn ridger to cover the seed with soil. Potato accomplishes its growth very speedily and has high nutrient requirements.
Recommended NPK per ha is 175kg, 125kg and 125kg respectively. All P, K and half N are added at the time of sowing as band placement along with the seed tubers while the remaining N is given 30-40 days after sowing. Contact between the fertiliser and seed is avoided as it results in deterioration of seed tubers. Zinc sulphate 25 per cent is added at 25kg per ha to cure zinc deficiency.
Potato is irrigated 5-7 days after planting or even earlier and the subsequent irrigations are applied depending on the soil, crop and environmental conditions usually with 7-10 days interval. Over irrigation causes the water to reach the top of ridges to harden the soil surface and resultantly impede soil aeration, so care must be taken to keep water below the apex.
Severe damages caused to potato crop due to frost in the month of December can be evaded by irrigating the fields. More or less 15 fungal, bacterial and viral diseases are known to harm potato crop. Major fungal diseases of potato include early and late blight, wilts, powdery scab, common scab and black scurf while leaf roll, virus Y and mycoplasma are the common viral diseases of potato.
Potato cyst and root knot are caused by nematodes while black leg and hollow heart common bacterial diseases. Disease management in potato include sowing of healthy, disease free seed, destroying plant debris after harvesting, cultivating crop on well drained soils and raised beds or ridges, controlling insects, proper crop rotation and rouging of infected plants. Most of fungal diseases can be controlled or at least prevented by following the above mentioned practices along with application of fungicides like dithane-M, benlate and bordeaux mixture. Aphids, jassids, leaf hoppers, and the cut worms are most damaging insects of potato. Aphid also acts as vector for spread of viral diseases.
Neem extract two per cent solution is effective to control aphids and jassids in potato crop. Cutworms incise young potato plants at ground level and feed on tubers. They get suppressed by flooding of the field. Moreover, application of carbafuron 3G at 25kg per ha control cutworms and leaf hoppers in potato. Weeds are serious threat to potato crop and may cause 20-30 per cent losses of the crop. Pre-emergence application of either of the herbicides pendimethalin 330E, gramaxone 20EC or sencor 70WP at 2.25L, 3.0L, 750g per ha respectively, effectively control potato weeds.
Potato crop matures in 100-120 days. Drying of vines, hardening of potato skin and yellowing of leaves are the indications that the tubers have gained maximum size and weight. Potatoes are reaped either using a mechanical harvester or manually using spade for their digging. Tubers if kept under shade for 2-3 days harden their skin to avoid its removal during grading and packaging. Tubers are graded for separate packaging of superior grade to get high prices.
Potato tubers which are uninjured, clean, dry and free from diseases are packed in clean, disinfected and unspoiled bags. Potatoes to be kept for seed purposes are stored at 3-4°C while the ones to be marketed after 2-3 months can be stored at 10-15°C.
Source: uniquepakistan.com
Publication date: 12/12/2007
India: Punjab govt constitutes Potato Development Board
Disclosing this here on Thursday, a spokesperson of Chief Minister's Office said that the Agriculture Minister would be the Vice Chairman of the board.
The official members of the board would comprise: Financial Commissioner Development, Vice Chancellor Punjab Agriculture University Ludhiana or his representative, Managing Director Markfed, Managing Director Punjab Agri-Export Corporation, Director Potato Research Centre Jalandhar, Director Horticulture besides three non official members Sukhjit Singh Bhatti President POSCON, Raghvir Singh, President Jalandhar Potato growers Association and Jang Bahadur Singh Sangha.
The board would also review the prospects of potato crop from time to time and give recommendations to improve its quality and devising ways and means for its storage.
