Category Archives: Agriculture

Thanks to Zaheerabad, Nagaland ‘rediscovers’ millets

Agriculture

A remote village in the North-East has rediscovered and is making attempts to reclaim its culture, after being re-acquainted with the same at the most unlikely place, Zaheerabad of Medak district.

The Chizami village of sparsely populated Phek district has become the experimental ground for cultivation of millets since 2009, when a contingent of the North East Network, a women’s rights organisation from the North-East, was in the city to attend the Convention of Biological Diversity.

Team members from the Network were taken on an exposure trip to the Pastapur village of Zaheerabad mandal during the summit, where millet cultivation was being promoted at a large scale by the Deccan Development Society. Inspired by the success stories shared by women farmers, they took the message back to Nagaland.

“Millets had been part of the culture of Nagaland, especially of the Chakhesang Naga community, which traditionally celebrated a weeklong millets festival every year. However, millets took a beating for the last two to three decades with the onslaught of rice and wheat, and the festival was not being celebrated anymore,” said Stephen from the network, who accompanied Nagaland farmers to the city for participation in the National Convention on Millets organised by Millets Network of India (MINI).

Though Foxtail Millet (Korra) was cultivated and consumed by Nagaland people extensively, it has become rare after green revolution when rice became the staple of many communities across the country. Coupled with low demand were increased attacks by pests and birds, which drove the millet out of mainstream agriculture. The North East Network revived millet farming in the village, and organised a millets festival on August 30 this year, attended by women farmers from 11 villages of Nagaland. “Participants came down from other States too, such as Manipur and Meghalaya, and exchanged millet seeds,” informed Mr.Stephen.

Taking it forward, the village council of a neighbouring village, Sumi, passed a resolution urging farmers to cultivate millets. “We can see increased cultivation of millets in Nagaland and Manipur due to this initiative,” Mr.Stephen shared.

Visiting farmers Kezukhalo Lasuh G.B., Thenole Anole and Wenyi Tsosu, however, said birds continue to be a problem in cultivation of millets.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Swathi V. / Hyderabad – November 28th, 2015

GCC gets APEDA organic certification for 13 products

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Records, All

Visakhapatnam  :

The Girijan Cooperative Corporation (GCC) has received organic certification from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) on Wednesday for 13 products.

The corporation got the certification for products such as Honey, Amla, Tamarind, Shikakai, Soap Nut, Nannari, Karakkaya, Sarpagandhi, Nux Vomica, Gum Karaya, Gum Olipinam, Marking Nuts and Sugandhiphala. The 56-year-old GCC has become the first organisation in the country to get certification for forest produce.

Armed with the organic certification, GCC is now planning to tap premium markets, GCC managing director A Ravi Prakash told TOI. He said the certification is expected to boost GCC’s annual turnover in the coming years.

“Once GCC enters the premium market, our products are expected to generate more revenue. If everything goes well, we will export our products as well,” he said. GCC’s turnover in 2014-15 was Rs 185 crore, which is a 20% jump over the previous fiscal’s turnover of Rs 143 crore.

“We will strive hard for GCC’s growth. This certificate has put more responsibility on our shoulders. We have to plan carefully and make investments to maintain the quality and hygiene of products,” he said.

The GCC MD said that the corporation is also going to revamp its marketing strategy by setting up shops in commercial complexes and putting their products on e-commerce platforms.

“We plan to adopt new trading avenues. Till date, GCC has been active only in the traditional market. But the trend should gradually change for the better,” he said.

Sources said that GCC has decided to go for special advertisement campaigns to penetrate the market by competing with other corporates in some product categories. The corporation is now planning on passing the benefits to the tribal people, who are the backbone of the corporation, the sources added.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Visakhapatnam / by Siva G, TNN / October 29th, 2015

Grass with biosensor properties!

Agriculture
Galla Chandrasekhar shows the reaction of the ‘Pandimullu’ grass to water and heat.—Photo: A.D. Rangarajan
Galla Chandrasekhar shows the reaction of the ‘Pandimullu’ grass to water and heat.—Photo: A.D. Rangarajan

It looks like a common grass variety, but its reaction to different stimuli has attracted the attention of scientists at the Sri Venkateswara University (SVU).

‘Pandimullu’ (Aristida paniculata) is a bristled grass akin to what is used in household broomsticks. When dipped in water, it rotates 360 degrees clockwise. When exposed to heat, it rotates anti-clockwise.

It also responds similarly when exposed to blood, urine, acid, base and petrol. While the touch-me-not plant ( Mimosa pudica ) and sunflower also have sensory properties, this grass retains its sensory properties up to two years after it is plucked.

The discovery was made not by an acclaimed biologist, but by a hobby botanist, Galla Chandrasekhar of Karakollu village in Thottambedu mandal of Chittoor district. He and his band of friends — B. Chiranjeevulu Naidu, D. Bathi Naidu, G.Bhaskar, B. Murali, P. Venkateswarlu, P.Sivaiah and G.Sridhar – fancy themselves as ‘rural scientists’ who explore the woods around Tirupati for plant species and new applications of known plants.

Chandrasekhar is a post-graduate in philosophy, but retains an interest in science. His study on ‘Herbal preparation for controlling nematode and other pests’ fetched him an award from the National Innovation Foundation, which he received from NIF chairman R.A. Mashelkar at Rashtrapati Bhavan in 2013.

When tested with high-tech gadgets in the SVU labs, the grass displayed peculiar properties. “It acts as a biosensor that can gauge changes in temperature and the acidic/basic nature of solvents. While other plants move in a single direction, its multidirectional movement can be put to use,” says Prof D.V.R. Saigopal of the DST-PURSE (Department of Science and Technology – Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence) centre at SVU.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Andhra Pradesh / by A.D.Rangarajan / Tirupati – September 27th, 2015

NREDCAP wins best performance awards

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Science & Technology

The New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation (NREDCAP) in Andhra Pradesh has bagged three awards for its outstanding performance at the national level in three categories.

Corporation Vice-Chairman and Managing Director Kamalakar Babu on Saturday said NREDCAP, which was in the forefront of implementing the National Biogas Manure Management Programme (NBMMP), had formulated the best renewable energy policies, besides introducing a single-window clearance for projects and capacity-addition off grid from waste energy products like bio-mechanisation and bio-kitchen waste.

Speaking after receiving the award presented by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Mr. Babu said the Central government had sanctioned funds to the tune of Rs. 137 crore as an incentive under the 13th  Financial Commission to the renewable energy sector. “These funds will be put to use for development of renewable energy and to develop innovative modes,” Mr. Babu said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Special Correspondent / Vijayawada – August 30th, 2015

Top Indian scientist awarded 1st Sunhak Peace Prize

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Nature, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Seoul :

Noted Indian agriculture scientist Dr Modadugu Vijay Gupta, who has done pioneering work in aquaculture in India and several other countries, was today awarded the first Sunhak Peace Prize, billed as an alternative to the Nobel Peace Prize, which he shared with the President of Kiribati Islands.

Gupta, 76, shared the USD 1 million prize with President of Kiribati Islands Anote Tong here at a glittering function which was attended by invitees from all over the world.

Tong, 63, the head of the Pacific Ocean island nation which is facing dire prospects of being engulfed by rising sea waters by 2050, was chosen for the award for his dogged fight to end the carbon emissions which are spelling doom for small island nations.

The awards were presented by South Korean religious leader Dr Hak Ja Han Moon, the wife of late Rev Sun Myung Moon, who instituted the awards to recognise and highlight the work of individuals making big efforts for the betterment of the people.

Hailing from Bapatla in Andhra Pradesh, Gupta, a biologist, was also the recipient of the World Food Prize in 2005 for development and dissemination of low-cost techniques for freshwater fish farming.

Before his retirement, he served as the Assistant Director General at WorldFish, an international fisheries research institute under the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research based in Penang, Malaysia.

Starting his career as a scientist in Indian Council Agriculture Research over three decades ago in Kolkata, Gupta worked in Laos, Vietnam, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Thailand pursuing his belief that the aqua technology which can provide food security and improve livelyhoods of rural poor.

“I believed throughout my career that all the advanced fish farming technology which we created in laboratories should be taken to people, then only it can make a difference to their lives,” he told PTI after receiving the award.

Regarded as a rebel within the ranks of the agricultural scientist community in India, Gupta mostly worked with the UN and agriculture related international organisations in different countries.

His work with rural communities in Bangladesh, a nation bestowed with lot of water resources, has made fish farming a major source of livelihood for millions of rural poor, according to the organisers.

As a scientist advocating sustainable alternatives, Gupta said aquaculture should be seen as a major source of food security.

“There can be no peace without food security in the world. You cannot talk peace to a hungry man,” he said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> India / PTI / August 29th, 2015

Andhra’s Vijayawada To Host World Coconut Day 2015

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

Kochi :

Andhra Pradesh’s Vijayawada city will be host the World Coconut Day 2015 on September 2 with the theme “Coconut for Family Nutrition, Health and Wellness”, an official release said.
The release by the Coconut Development Board (CDB) said September 2 has been designated Coconut Day by the Jakarta-headquartered Asian and Pacific Coconut Community (APCC), an intergovernmental organisation of 18 countries mandated to promote, coordinate and harmonize coconut developmental activities of the Asian Pacific region to achieve maximum economic development.
All major coconut-growing countries including India are members of APCC, whose foundation day is also on September 2.
The release said the celebration is aimed at creating awareness about the importance of coconut and its potential in alleviating poverty, encouraging investments and promoting the development of coconut industry in the member countries.
Around 500 farmers from all coconut growing states are expected to attend the function and would be a platform for the farmers to get firsthand knowledge about the new initiatives of the CDB.
An exhibition showcasing latest technologies in coconut sector and various value added coconut products including Neera.
The inaugural session will be followed by a technical session which will be attended by the who’s who of the industry.
As per the statistics of union agriculture ministry’s horticulture division for coconut production for the year 2013-14, the state of Andhra Pradesh occupies the first position in productivity (14,997 nuts/ha) though in fourth position both in area (1,21,920 ha) and production (1828.46 million nuts) among the coconut-growing southern states in India.

source: http://www.siliconindia.com / Silicon India News / Home> News>General / Wednesday – August 26th, 2015

‘Red sanders can be grown like any other crop’

Agriculture, Nature
It is not necessary to inform the Forest Department before going in for red sanders plantation.File photo
It is not necessary to inform the Forest Department before going in for red sanders plantation.File photo

The Forest Department has embarked on a massive plan of action to remove the “meaningless” phobia of red sanders plantation among farmers and planters.

Speaking to The Hindu , Chief Conservator of Forests (Tirupati Wildlife Circle), Mr. P.V. Chalapathi Rao said there were so many fallacies among the public about the commercial exploitation of red sanders plantations.

“They have formulated wrong opinions over the years that growing red sanders is a crime, or its trade is prohibited and involves criminal action by police and forest departments. Farmers and private planters should realise that just by paying a user charge of Rs. 10 or 20, they can grow red sanders and sell them at any price of their choice to anyone anywhere. It will be like growing any other agriculture crop,” he said.

The official said there was no need for planters to inform the Forest Department before going in for red sanders plantation. “Whenever they want to cut the trees and sell them, all they have to do is to get transit permits from the Forest Department. This is for the safety of their own material during transportation,” Mr Rao added.

The officer said though the Forest Department encouraged private plantation of red sanders, “virtually, no farmer is coming forward to openly say that he is interested.”

According to him, though there are some private plantations in Chittoor district, particularly in the western zone close to Karnataka and within the purview of the Tiruapti Wildlife Circle, no steps have been initiated yet for their assessment.

Farmers and private planters, by paying a user charge of Rs. 10 or 20, can grow red sanders and sell them at any price of their choice to anyone anywhere.P.V. Chalapathi RaoChief Conservator of ForestsTirupati Wildlife Circle
Farmers and private planters, by paying a user charge of Rs. 10 or 20, can grow red sanders and sell them at any price of their choice to anyone anywhere.P.V. Chalapathi RaoChief Conservator of ForestsTirupati Wildlife Circle

Efforts on to remove phobia among public

“Only recently, we hit upon the idea of surveying such private plantations, though their owners have not furnished details to the department so far.

“We also do not know at what price they are selling the produce and to whom and how. We will get into the details soon only to remove the public phobia about the trade and to encourage it,” Mr. Rao said.

He added that those who owned private red sanders plantations need not pay fee to the department for raising them, and they needed no official permission. However, he clarified that the government would not provide subsidy to plantations, and that planters should take care of the security of their plantations in view of the mind-blowing demand for red sanders in the international market.

Farmers and private planters, by paying a user charge of Rs. 10 or 20, can grow red sanders and sell them at any price of their choice to anyone anywhere.

P.V. Chalapathi Rao / Chief Conservator of Forests / Tirupati Wildlife Circle

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Andhra Pradesh / by K. Umashanker / August 25th, 2015

Here’s a golden chance for aquaculturists to revive ponds

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Nature
A grower sprinkling feed in an aqua pond at Ravivaripalem of Prakasam district.- PHOTO: KOMMURI SRINIVAS
A grower sprinkling feed in an aqua pond at Ravivaripalem of Prakasam district.- PHOTO: KOMMURI SRINIVAS

Vannamei shrimp culture has come as a boon for aquaculturists in Prakasam district who were hit hard following the outbreak of the White Spot Disease in tiger shrimp farms, leading to abandoning of ponds in large tracts.

The growers are a worried lot now, with the price of Vannamei for 30-count plummeting to around Rs. 400 a kg after touching a high of Rs. 750 in 2013 in the wake of the outbreak of the Early Mortality Syndrome in China.

In this scenario, the Fisheries Department had chalked out an action plan to fully tap the potential of the district by focusing on revival of brackish water aquaculture in abandoned ponds on the one hand and cutting costs through supply of subsidised seed and feed.

Estimating that aquaculture is currently in vogue in around 3,000 hectares, the district administration has fixed an ambitious target of doubling it to 6,000 hectares in the district over a period.

Speaking to The Hindu , Fisheries Assistant Director said the State government had identified aquaculture as a growth engine and had come out with schemes for the revival of abandoned ponds, besides those for providing subsidy for inputs and mechanisation of aqua ponds to ensure sustainable shrimp farming.

Aquacutlurists, according to an estimate, have abandoned aqua-ponds in over 500 hectares in the district.

“We want to see that aquaculture is revived in at least 100 hectares during the year, he said, adding that selected players would be offered a subsidy of Rs. 2 lakh per hectare for specific pathogen-free seed, feed and chemicals.

Subsidy scheme

The department has also come out with a scheme to provide Rs. 5 lakh as subsidy for the Rs. 10-lakh mobile lab to test soil, water and shrimps right at aqua ponds for disease surveillance, Fisheries Development Officer K. Lakshminarayana said. The growers can also avail 50 per cent subsidy on purchase of solar pump-sets, iron rods, fans, paddle and aerators to ensure sustainable shrimp farming.

Farmers going for Tilapia culture in ponds are eligible for 50 per cent subsidy for a two-hectare unit costing Rs. 2 lakh to grow exotic species imported from Africa to augment their income, they add.

Growers are worried lot with the price of Vannamei for 30-count plummeting to around Rs. 400 a kg after touching a high of Rs. 750 in 2013

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Andhra Pradesh / by S. Murali / Ongole – August 25th, 2015

A.P. major contributor to marine exports

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, World Opinion

A major player in the aquaculture sector, Andhra Pradesh contributed 46 per cent of marine exports, valued at around Rs. 35,000 crore, during 2014-15.

The contribution of the fisheries sector to the country’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is 6.04 per cent, and the total fish and prawn production in brackish and fresh water in the State was 19.78 lakh tonnes, and it was worth around Rs. 21,325 crore.

However, aqua farmers fear a dip in production owing to the prevailing drought situation.

Price fluctuations

“Aqua farmers invest Rs. 5 lakh on an average in an acre of pond for raising shrimp. But, the benefit is marginal, thanks to price fluctuation in the international market and adverse weather,” said V. Sathibabu, a farmer from Gudivada.

Another aqua farmer, G. Venkanna from Undi in West Godavari district, said canals, which were the principal sources of water for aquaculture, had dried up, and that a few tanks were dependent on bore wells.

“Aqua farmers spend lakhs of rupees every season on procurement of seed strock, feed and medicine, not to mention labour and power charges.

Apart from that the lease value is between Rs. 40,000 and Rs. 50,000 per acre a year,” he added.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Gudivada (Krishna) – August 24th, 2015

Research on organic farming pays dividends

Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature
Representational image
Representational image

Nellore: 

In view of increasing demand for organic food everywhere, Nellore based Rice Research Station has been carrying out extensive research on organic farming at their model farm using popular rice varieties produced by the organisation.
Same variety of rice is being raised separately in the plots earmarked for organic and inorganic methods of farming since 2006. The efforts of the scientists have started paying off during the last few years.
“The yields in the organic method of farming are on par with the same crop raised by us-ing fertilisers and pesticides in our farm. The management practices are being shared with the farmers and many of them are showing interest to switch over to organic farming,” claimed Ms U. Vineeta, scientist.
According to Ms Vineeta, half an acre plot in the RRS is exclusively meant for organic farming using different kinds of manures such as poultry, press-mud compost, vermicompost, farmyard manure, neem cake, castor cake and karanja cake apart from bio-fertilisers.
The research team said that they noticed using karanja cake and castor cake resulted in high yields. The tests are carried out during early kharif (April to May 15) and rabi (October to November) seasons.
“The output was much high in the crops raised during kharif season because of faster rate of decomposition of manure applied to the crop in view of summer,” Ms Vineeta explained.
She attributed the reservations among cultivators against organic farming to scarcity of organic manure, high transportation cost besides labour problems. She observed that farmers would certainly opt for organic farming if the government offers special support price and marketing facility to enable them to transport their produce to organic food counters in the cities where consumers are after organic food.
Meanwhile, the RRS is also coming out with disease free short, medium and long duration high yielding varieties of rice containing superior nutritional value. Principal scientist (rice) Y. Suryanarayana said that they have been offering mini kits of NLR 4001 and NLR 4002 rice varieties after successfully tested them in research farm.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / by Pathri Rajasekhar / Deccan Chronicle / August 04th, 2015