Agriculture World June 2017

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VOLUME 3 ISSUE 06 JUNE 2017 ` 70

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KRISHI JAGRAN in Limca Book of Records interview with

Dr.Jan Low

sustainable capacity of India and World

Organic farming forwww.krishijagran.com preserving

SOIL HEALTH

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VOLUME 3 ISSUE 06 JUNE 2017 ` 70 PAGES 84 Editor-in-Chief

MC Dominic Directors

Shiny Dominic MG Vasan Sr. Executive Editors

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Excerpts from an interview with DR. JAN LOW

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19 RAINFED FARMING IN GUJARAT NEED FOR A COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION

Organic farming for preserving SOIL HEALTH

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32 PINEAPPLE FOR HEALTHY LIVING

AND MANY MORE

Rahul Singh Abdus Samad

AGRICULTURE

LINK BETWEEN POPULATION AND GLOBE

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MYTH, BELIEF REALITY AND SPICES!

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EVERYBODY NEEDS FOOD, NOBODY WANTS TO PRODUCE IT

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hen there is excess production of agriculture products, we say its curse of abundance. It’s natural that a commodity coming to the market more than its actual demand, the price will slash. Farmers will not get even what they spent for its cultivation. This happens mainly because farmers over expect on the cost of one product that fetched good price in the previous year. Price increase depends mainly on factors like lower production, natural calamities, diseases, weather fluctuations etc. Instead of counting these factors, farmers go behind a commodity which sold on high price and will fall into the trap of excess production. Economists explain this situation as ‘Cobweb phenomenon’ that leads farmers to suicide and debt traps. When there is a shortage of a product, the prices will go up. If farmers expect these high price conditions to continue, then in the following year, they will raise their production and when they go to market the supply will be high, resulting in low prices. If they then expect low prices to continue, they will decrease their production for the next year, resulting in high prices again. The amplification is, essentially, the result of information failure, where producers base their current output on the average price they obtain in the market during the previous year. This is, to some extent, a nonrational decision, given that a supply side shock between planting and harvesting such as an unexpectedly good or bad harvest can lead to an unexpectedly lower or higher price. This results in either a higher output or a lower output in subsequent years, and moves the market into a long-term disequilibrium position. What to produce in the coming year is often based on the results of the previous year. For example, if corn prices are particularly high in a given year, more farmers will choose to plant corn the next year to take advantage of the high price. This increased supply however, will lead to lower prices.

Recently, it happened in Kolar, Karnataka. There farmers dumped tomatoes on the road after the prices collapsed to a new low of Rs.2 per kg from Rs.10 -15 a month ago. Same thing happened in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh where the chilly price has gone down from Rs.10, 000 per quintal last year to Rs.2500 this year.

In Maharashtra, last year the price of tur shot up and due to excess production, this year it plummeted .Grapes also met with the same fate. The Government intervention in the market is very limited and so it’s not possible to control the market and support all farmers by providing incentives to the loss due to cobweb phenomenon. Hence, a wide campaign among the farmers should be initiated to empower them not to fall on the cobweb of price fluctuation and crop selection. Campaign through mass media like TV, Radio, mobile apps, internet, art forms like street plays can be planned by the Government . Print media, especially that are dedicated for farmers can join hands with Government agencies and NGOs can conduct seminars and classes to make farmers aware of the cobweb syndrome and how can it be avoided for a sustainable economic growth and healthy competition in the field.

MC Dominic Editor-in-Chief

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It’s a fight against malnutrition in Sub-Sahara “breeding in Africa for Africa” – Dr.Jan Low

Karthika B.P

Assistant Editor, Agriculture World

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r. Jan Low, World Food Prize laureate 2016 is the Leader of Sweet potato for Profit and Health Initiative (SPHI) Africa.

Her research focussed on the bio fortification of Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) which could help combat Vitamin A deficiency among the children and improve the household food security in Sub-Saharan Africa. She designed and implemented a series of integrated agriculture-nutrition studies that demonstrated the health impact of vitamin A, and spearheaded community-level marketing initiatives to sway opinion on how orange sweet potatoes could help. Excerpts from an interview with Dr. Jan Low. Q. Could you please tell us about your work on the bio-fortified orange-fleshed sweet poAGRICULTURE

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tato (OFSP)?

Sweet potato can be grown two-three times a year where there is steady rain or irrigation.

The crop also has high yields and farmers can produce several crops a year. As a result, this helps address the problem of food shortage, especially in areas where cultivatable land is diminishing or where the population is increasing. In addition, sweet potato can also provide large quantities of quality food that is high in vitamin A. However, it’s also worth noting that a sweet potato variety, which is popular in one country, may not be appropriate for another because of local preferences or that it is not adapted to the area. Apart from creating sweet potato varieties suited to local tastes, there is also a www.krishijagran.com

need to disseminate the crop to different countries. In recognition of these problems, the International Potato Centre (CIP) and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) acquired funding to form the project Sweet Potato Action for Security and Health in Africa .We created new varieties, reduced the breeding cycle from eight years to four years and used a variety of methods to get the crop to different segments of the population. We also used different marketing strategies including radio announcements, songs, and plays to educate the communities and encourage people to accept and eat the orange-fleshed sweet potato.

on breeding for virus resistance. In addition, the breeders in southern Africa concentrated on breeding drought-resistant varieties. In Mozambique, our breeders produced 15 varieties of orange-fleshed sweet potato, and, in east and central Africa, our colleagues increased yields from 4.5 to 10 tons per hectare. We also tackled the problem of vitamin A deficiency.

At that time, there is a conventional wisdom that Africans wouldn’t eat orange sweet potato. In Africa most traditional sweet potato varieties are white fleshed, with neither beta-carotene nor pro-vitamin A, or yellow flesh with very limited amounts. When we were doing taste tests in the field, I observed that people We also used a ‘divide and I believe actually liked the orange conquer’ strategy where that agriculture colour a lot and we later breeders in different has to be better interealized that it wasn’t regions created orgrated with other secange-fleshed sweet actually the colour potato varieties that that deterred people tors. Furthermore, governwere suited to local from eating these vaments need to prioritise market preferencrieties, but rather the the development of hard es and climate. The texture. We quesinfrastructure and create programme asked tioned this convenbreeders in West Afritional wisdom through the conditions that allow ca to create less sweet our research. greater private secvarieties while their In England and USA, the tor investment in counterparts in east and people love sweet potato vaagriculture Central Africa concentrated rieties with low dry-matter con-

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tent. This makes them easy to mash and means that they taste great when roasted. However, in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Uganda, people love high dry-matter varieties that are very mealy. Sweet potato is actually a bread substitute for breakfast so preferred varieties have a dry matter content of 30-32%.

As a result, we recognised that we needed to breed orange-fleshed sweet potato varieties with high dry matter content to win the support of the people. During that first project, we also learnt that the children prefer and love the low dry matter content. The bio-fortified OFSP varieties have emerged from a process of questioning conventional wisdom and theories. We learnt that, if there is a food product that can boost nutrition where it’s most needed, we should exploit it. We can make the most of the OFSP through conventional breeding.

Q. What are the key challenges you have faced while introducing this new variety to African community?

The orange-fleshed sweet potato can really help enhance food security in Africa. First of all, sweet potato is such a flexible crop, as it The challenges are enormous. I believe that can be grown in almost every agro-ecological agriculture has to be better integrated with condition. In addition, it has flexible planting other sectors. Furthermore, governments and harvesting times. Sweet potaneed to prioritise the development to crops will provide adequate of hard infrastructure and creyields even if they are not ate the conditions that allow Success planted at the optimum greater private sector inin agriculture is time. So the farmers can vestment in agriculture. always based on ecooften prioritise more Another challenge is sensitive crops such as logically adapted and that an ageing populamaize and plant sweet tion dominates the rural economically viable techpotato afterwards. It sectors in many African nologies with a collective can also be stored very countries. Consequentresponse from social, easily.

Depending on ly, we need to engage the dry season, farmers cultural, economic young people to pursue can often store it in the agriculture and encourage and political forces ground. them to stay in rural areas, as opposed to migrating to the We’ve also been breeding for cities. We face a number of issues early maturing sweet potato variconcurrently, but they can be addressed eties that are ready in three-five months, through the right combination of policy and inrather than the six-eight month process for vestment. traditional varieties. This is really helpful in a Q. How can the orange-fleshed sweet potato help enhance food security in Africa? What are the advantages that it holds over other traditional varieties?

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changing and unpredictable climatic condition.

Sweet potato’s other great advantage is that all parts of the plant can be used. We can eat the roots as well as the leaves, which have very www.krishijagran.com

tion and adopt methods to disseminate to the needy people.

Q. What are your future research projects?

There is always a constant need for new models and techniques, here also, because the new outbreaks of diseases and pests all affect food. By 2020, we expected to develop an orange-fleshed sweet potato variety that is also bio fortified in iron. In our conventional breeding in Mozambique, we have been selecting for increased iron and zinc content in every generation. By 2020, I think that we will be able to achieve this goal for iron, but not for zinc.

Dr.Jan Low at CTCRI,Thiruvananthapuram

high protein content, and are loaded with lutein, which is important for eyesight. People can also give the vines and leaves for their livestock to eat. It really is a crop that can fit into most food systems in sub-Saharan Africa.

Sweet potato is a short duration crop which can produce high yields in a short time and it can be used in a huge range of products. It also has folic acid and anti- carcinogenic agents which prevent cancer. It contains energy, vitamins and minerals, which make it the ideal food security crop. It is also loaded with minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium.

The crop provides quality food, which can help combat malnutrition. It is actually a crop of the future for feeding the growing population. Using OFSP, we strive to get the crop re-branded as a healthy food for all.

Q. As an agricultural solution how much it is possible in India?

Yes I think it is possible in India. As I early said the orange fleshed sweet potato is flexible, very rich in vitamin A and it produces a lot of energy and we can introduce it in various agri-colleges, develop multiple varieties, do good produc-

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At the CIP (International Potato centre), our emphasis is on creating markets for farmers, particularly smallholder farmers, because any class of farmer can grow sweet potato. Accordingly, we’re very committed to help to develop value chains that help small farmers, not just the large farmers. That requires more work and more training, but we have found that small farmers can be even more productive in terms of pre-unit area use than larger farmers.

What they need are the opportunities, business training and skills to work in associations so they can aggregate their product and reach these emerging markets.

Q. What advice would you give to young Indians who are hoping to pursue a career in agricultural research?

To young Indians who want to pursue a career in agricultural research, I would say the younger generation can help introduce new technologies and develop solutions to the challenges of the growing population. Go with your efforts and try to make a positive impact in society.

Q. Being a social scientist, agricultural economist and working with a social perspective how you look at the problems and developments in agriculture?

Success in agriculture is always based on ecologically adapted and economically viable technologies with a collective response from social, cultural, economic and political forces. So definitely we need a wide perspective to tackle the problems in agriculture.

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LINK BETWEEN POPULATION AND GLOBE Dr. K. T. Chandy

Sr. Executive Editor, Krishi Jagran

E

The

cologists define Carryand water area required for major cause ing Capacity as the a person to meet all his rein the increase number of people quirements in life both for that can be suphis survival and developin global hectarein ported by a unit area of ment. developing countries productive land or waIn global context the ter or both. Other two is increase in population “ecological footprint” major terms related to while in the developed is expressed in terms of Carrying Capacity are “global hectare” (gha). countries it is increase “Bio-Capacity” and “EcoIt refers to the amount logical Footprint”. Bio-cain consumption rate of biologically productive pacity is another term for land and water required in quality and carrying capacity whereas per person on earth. Similarquantity. the ecological footprint is a ly, the term “country hectare” measurement of productive land refers to the same concept at a parAGRICULTURE

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The went up from 6.4 to 7.4 billion in the same period, implyirony is that ing an increase of 18.6% when the consumpin the consumption pattern of the people. tion rate and population This global overshoot increases in increasing means that humanity proportion the land area for is already using 2.4 times more globproduction on earth remains al resources than the same or even decreasing sustainably allowed due to diversion of land and available. In 2004 itself humanity was for purposes other than using 1.8 times more food production. the global resources. That ticular country or even state level. Examples of biologically productive areas include lands under all types of crops for humans and animals, forests for all types of forest products, and fishing or aquaculture water bodies. They do not include deserts, glaciers, hill or mountain slopes, rocky areas and Open Ocean.

According to ‘World Footprint Network’, in 2004 the total number of global hectares estimated was 11.3 billion providing an average of 1.8 global hectares per person. But after a gap of 12 years in 2016 the same went up to 13.4 billion averaging about 2.4 global hectares per person though the world population

means from the beginning of this century onwards we are in effect ‘living on the capital of the planet rather than on its income’.

This overshoot for higher income countries is much more than the overall global averages. On an average the low income countries have a typical footprint of 1.0 global hectare per capita while the average for high income countries is 6.1 global hectares. The United Kingdom is typical among the developed countries having 6.12 global hectares per head as per estimation in 2016. Thus an increase in global hectare from 1.8 to 6.12 within the duration of 12 years (2004-2016) mean that we would already be needing a planet earth 3.4 (6.12/1.8) times bigger than

Average production per hectare in India (productivity of grain-252/120) ...

= 2.1 tones

Average grain required per head per year (500gm x 365) 182.5 kg/1000

= 0.1825 tones

Hence the average area required to produce 0.1825 tones= 1/2.1x0.1825

= 0.087 hectare

In terms of the cost of food items the land area required per head is also

= 0.087

The ratio between the cost of food and nonfood items is ………………

= 1:5

Hence the land area required to produce nonfood items will be 0.087x5

= 0.435 hectare

Per head area required for food + nonfood items is 0.435+0.087....

= 0.522 hectare

The “Country Footprint” in India is also the same.……………………..

= 0.522 hectare

The carrying capacity of one hectare of land in India =1x1/0.522 …..

= 1.9 or 2 persons

Hence the carrying capacity of 120 m ha of grain cropped land 120x2

= 240 m people

Grain based carrying capacity of (land) in our country is only…………...

= 240 million

The number of people depending on (water) fishing in India is………….

= 14 million

The number of people depending on forests (World Bank, 2006) is….....

= 275 million

TOTAL MAXIMUM CARRYING CAPACITY OF INDIA (240+14+275)...........

= 529 MILLION

”

Hence the maximum carrying capacity of our country is much less than half or 42.3% of the present population of 1250 million.

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the present one to support the total world population of 7.4 billion heads if everyone were to have a living standard equivalent to those in United Kingdom.

Here it should be remembered that the increase in global hectare may occur due to several possibilities such as :-

There Carrying Capacity in India was an inOurs is a grain (cereal crease of 18.6% in and millet) based the consumption pattern food consumpof the people between 2004 tion-country and about 80% of the -2016. In 2004 itself humanity consumption cost was using 1.8 times more the of any one in India is on the grains. global resources. That means Hence on the bafrom the beginning of this censis of per hectare tury onwards we are in effect yield we estimate the land area re‘living on the capital of quired per person for the planet rather than his grain requirement on its income’. per year. On the same

•

Increase in population while consumption per head remains the same

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Increase in the individual consumption while the population remains the same

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Increase both in population as well as individual consumption in quantity

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Increase in productivity or production greater than the sustainable level

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Increase in the cost/price of consumer items while all other factors remain the same

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Increase in the waste of consumer items

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Decrease in the productivity of the land and/or water.

But the major cause in the increase in global hectare in developing countries is increase in population while in the developed countries it is increase in consumption rate in quality and quantity. For example the increase in global/country hectare in England is due to increase in the quantity and quality of consumer items whereas in India the increase in country-hectare is primarily due to increase in population. However one thing should be very clear that

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‘as time goes on due to increase in population as well as individual consumption rate, there will be increase in the global/country hectare though the productivity of the land and water remains the same or being depleted’.

land all other requirements like pulses, vegetables, spices and even some fruits can be grown as intercrop or as second or third crop. So the estimation of land required per head per year for cereals and millets would be the easiest way of estimating the carrying capacity of our country and even for many other countries where people are having grain based food consumption. We in India cultivate cereals on an area of 98.7 million hectares and millets on 21.3 million hectares making up to a total of 120 million hectares under grains producing a total of 252 million tones at an average yield (productivity) of 2.1 tons per hectare.

Correlating the productivity with per head per year consumption requirement of grain, we can estimate the land area required for production of grain per head per year.

Now the per head requirement of grains in a family of five to six vary from 350 to 650 grams per day per head making it an average of 500 per day per person considering all the losses of grains from threshing floor to the mouth of the consumer. This 500 gram also includes all other forms of grains a person consumes such as bakery and processed cereal and millet products which the upper class (economically) people consume. Hence 500 gm per day person is a simple and accurate www.krishijagran.com

humans are functioning at very high degree of risk in their carrying capacity. According David Pimentel & Co. of Cornell University the “Optimum population” that the earth can support with a comfortable standard of living is less than 2 billion. But the world population has already crossed 7.4 billion. The prediction is that in 50 years from now, as many as 3 billion people will be malnourished and vulnerable to all types of killer diseases: that amounts to India has only one-twelfth (6.1/0.522=11.68) 40% of the total population. Already in India of the consumption rate (land footprint- 0.522 about 45% of population is malnourished ha) of the developed countries (6.1and are vulnerable to all types of global footprint) signifying the killer diseases so much so all long way it has to go on the Higher the pharmaceuticals in the path of development to world are having the manufacturing reach the standard of maximum markets for and higher energy use developed countries. their medicines.

However the carrywill result in the greater ing capacity of the Our planet’s agcarbon footprint per person land in our counricultural future try is 12.2 times is becoming (the amount of greenhouse gas (2/1x1/6.1) very bleak with equivalent to carbon-dioxide emitmore than that steadily declinted per person). Hence a balance of the develing productivity oped countries between land footprint and carbon and shrinking of in Europe and cropland. At the footprint has to be maintained America. Then world level itself by regulating the consumption how is the footthe percentage of print of developed agricultural land level of every human being countries is 11.68 was reduced by 2% in the affluent countries. times higher than between 1991 and India? It is because, 2013. At the world level their high consumption 2% decline amounts to rate is maintained by offbillions of hectares. It is our everyday experience that all our land incomes like manufacturing, Indian cities are engulfing large chunks of services and higher export advantages which agricultural land for various non-agricultural brought in a substantial income through export of their goods and services. Higher purposes. Similarly a lot of grain growing manufacturing and higher energy use will reareas are converted into non-grain cultivation sult in the greater carbon footprint per person areas. Simultaneously a lot of forest lands are (the amount of greenhouse gas equivalent to converted into non-agriculture use endancarbon-dioxide emitted per person). Hence a gering the eco-system at the global as well balance between land footprint and carbon as each country level. A lot of natural water footprint has to be maintained by regulating bodies are being filled up or destroyed for the consumption level of every human being construction and other purposes. As a result in the affluent countries. The carbon footprint there is acute water scarcity in some parts in the developed countries is also about 12 of our country which affects the food protimes higher than the developing countries duction. Kerala is one of the best examples like ours. Higher land footprint is also an inof both for grain and water scarcity. In spite dicative of the high degree of environmental of the high rainfall and of having large tracts impact and greater degree of development of of wetland for paddy cultivation the “God’s the people with increased carbon footprint.

Own Country” is experiencing worst shortage of food grain and water even for drinking.

Both at the global and our country level we Yet the “state hectare” equivalent to global estimation of food grain requirement for our country. From this per day requirement and production per hectare we can estimate per head per year requirement of the grains and the land area required for producing that much grain. This method is probably the simplest method of estimating “country hectare” of a nation like ours. Step by step estimation method is as follows.

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hectare is very high like any other developed country in the world in addition to a peculiar way of behaviour which belongs to “Devil’s Own People”. (“Gods Own Country but Devils Own People” even at the consumption level: eg. highest liquor consuming population in India and perhaps in the world and also very high investment in gold, clothes, medicare and housing: InjusOur tice Invisible). All these planet’s agriculwill increase the ‘state hectare” and “natural future is becoming tional hectare.

very bleak with steadily de-

The whole clining productivity and shrinkworld is moving of cropland. At the world level ing more and more from itself the percentage of agricultural a biologiland was reduced by 2% between 1991 cal sense and 2013. At the world level 2% decline of living to a mere amounts to billions of hectares. It is our mechanical everyday experience that all our Indiliving and an cities are engulfing large chunks of the resulting operational agricultural land for various nonagand behavioral ricultural purposes. Similarly a system. Even at the school level lot of grain growing areas are mathematics and converted into non-grain computer sciences cultivation areas. are taught much more than the biological sciences.

Hence their production-consumption pattern is also mechanical. In a mechanical system the production curve follows mostly the law of increasing return; whereas in a biological system like agriculture and animal husbandry the production curve follows the law of diminishing return. Hence in the use of land and water resources it is important that our consumption should be adjusted to the minimum and also to the level of carrying capacity of the productive land and water area available.

(Part -2 of the article on carrying capacity of natural resources published in Feb 2017issue) Dr. K.T. Chandy , (Retired Professor , Envt & Natural Resource Mngmnt with Justice XIM. Bhubaneswar) Email. ktchandysj@gmail.com AGRICULTURE

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cover st arming organic ry

Organic farming for preserving soil health

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Organic farming is a bondage in which all components are interrelated necessitating the need to understand the relationship between the soil, water, microbes, plants and animals including the human beings Ashok.K.Patra, K. Ramesh and A.B. Singh

ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science, Nabibagh, Berasia Road, Bhopal (MP)

T

he concomitant health and environmental concerns with the intensive use of chemical inputs has led to renewed interest in natural ways of farming in different parts of the world. Organic agriculture is an effort to establish the best possible relationship between the earth and men and is due to growing interest among the farmers to cultivate crops because of the escalating cost of inorganic fertilizers and health concerns due to chemical usage. One of the important aspects of the organic farming is the soil health management to optimize the crop productivity. The use of manures from livestock and the compost prepared from farm wastes is an important way of recycling nutrients to the soil.

In philosophical terms organic farming means “farming in spirits of organic relationship�. In this system all components are inter related necessitating the need to understand the relationship between the soil, water, microbes, plants and animals including the human beings. It is the totality of these relationships makes the foundation of organic farming. However, sphere surrounding organic agriculture has become considerably more complex due to various reasons. A major challenge today is certainly its entry into the policy making arena, and associated trans-

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organic

F

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natural agriculture etc. are organic farming formation of organic products into commodities. methods. Organic agriculture is one among the Present crop production technologies, supportbroad spectrum of natural plant production ed by policies and fuelled by agrochemimethods that go hand in hand with cals, machinery and irrigation are the environment, partially mimknown to have enhanced agriAfter several cultural production but have icking nature. to depend upon the purpitfalls, organic agThere is a widespread chased inputs. riculture is now being public belief that organic During the past few defarming means simply propagated by the maincades, there has been a the use of organic mastream and shows excelsignificant sensitization nures. In contrast the lent promise for the three of the global commuorganic farming in real pillars of farming viz; comnity towards environsense envisages a commental protection and prehensive management mercial, social and envichemical free food. Arapproach to improve the ronmental viability. dent promoters of organic health of underlying profarming consider that it can ductivity of the soil. Practicmeet the population demand ing organic agriculture involves and become the mean for commanaging the agro-ecosystem as plete human development. After several an autonomous system, based on the pripitfalls, organic agriculture is now being propamary production capacity of the soil under local gated by the mainstream and shows excellent climatic conditions. promise for the three pillars of farming viz; comAlthough the connotation ‘organic farming’ is mercial, social and environmental viability. gaining momentum in the recent past, it was initiated around 10,000 years back when ancient Understanding the concept of organic farmers started cultivation with sole depenfarming dence on natural sources. There is a brief menMany people consider that traditional agrition of several organic inputs in our ancient litculture, sustainable agriculture, Jaivakrishi, eratures like Rigveda, Ramayana, Mahabharata biological agriculture, ecological agriculture, and Kautilya’s Arthasashthra etc. In fact, organic bio-dynamic, organic-biological agriculture and AGRICULTURE

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environment issues has led to the interest and growth in alternate forms of sustainable agriculture.

Can organic farming feed the world?

This is a common question raised in many forums about the suitability of organic farming. Some are of the opinion that when high-input-highyielding systems are failing to feed the world, not because of problems with productivity, but because of problems with distribution, besides the weather vagaries. It is a well-known fact that initial conversion from inorganic to organic, may incur yield losses during its conversion period.

Experiments under NPOF over a decade indicated that in many cropping systems organic farming can produce comparable productivity to that of chemical based framing.

agriculture has its roots in traditional agricultural practices that evolved in countless villages World scenario and farming communities over the millennium.

Agro-ecosystem management implies treating Not less than 141 countries (65 per cent are dethe system, on any scale, as a living organism veloping countries) have a share in organic food supporting its own vital potential for production as on date. The countries biomass and animal production, with the most organic agriculturalong with biological mechaal land are Australia, Argentina Practicing nisms for mineral balancand China. More than one organic agriculture ing, soil improvement and third of organic producers pest control. Farmers, involves managing are in Africa. In Europe, the their families and ruorganic land increased by the agro-ecosystem as ral communities, are more than half a million an autonomous system, an integral part of this hectares, in Asia by 0.4 based on the primary pro- million. agro-system.

About one-third

duction capacity of the of the world’s organically Agricultural practices managed agricultural land soil under local climatwere largely organic up – 12 million hectares is loto the 1960s, consisting ic conditions. cated in developing countries. of traditional varieties that As per the available statistics, were grown with the native India’s rank in terms of world’s orfertility of the soil, application of ganic agricultural land was 15 as per 2013 available farmyard manure and scanty data. The total area under organic certification irrigation facilities. In the post green revolution is 5.71million hectare (2015-16). This includes era, farmers started using agro-chemicals ex26% cultivable area (1.49 million hectare) and ceeding the limits of their safe and economic the rest 74% (4.22 million hectare) is forest and use. Usually, conventional agriculture imposes wild area. no restrictions on management and encourages using chemicals for yield maximization under a Initiatives in India given set of farming conditions. This indiscriminate use of agro-chemicals, particularly in the Department of Agriculture and cooperation, green revolution belt, has resulted in the apMinistry of Agriculture has initiated several steps pearance of several environmental problems. for the growth of organic farming in the country.

Subsequently, growing awareness of health and www.krishijagran.com

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A new Central Sector Scheme entitled “National Agricultural Sciences has issued a Policy Paper Project on Organic Farming” with an outlay of on Organic Farming, which concludes that while Rs.57.05 crore for production, promotion and synthetic pesticides can be avoided, complete market development of organic farming in the exclusion of fertilizers may not able advisable country during the 10th Plan on pilot basis was under all situations. It recommends a “holistic initiated. Later the Ministry of Agriculture has approach involving Integrated Nutrient and Pest taken up the Technical Cooperation Programme Management which enhanced input use effi(TCP) of FAO (TCP/IND/3003) for the developciency and adoption of region-specific promisment of Technical Capacity Base for the Promoing cropping systems, would be the best organic tion of Organic Agriculture in India) to overcome farming strategy for India.” To begin with, the the knowledge gap by quickly producing basic practice of organic farming should be for low information tailored to various ecological zones volume, high value crops like spices, medicinal of the country on the current state of knowlplants, fruits and vegetables. edge on organic crop production packages, inThe Government of India has recently introput production and utilization and certification duced a scheme called “Paramparagat Krishi Viissues including legal and institutional aspects. kas Yojana (PKVY)” is an elaborated component Task Force on organic framing was constituted in of Soil Health Management (SHM) of National 2000. The Ministry of Commerce has launched Mission of Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA). Unthe National Organic Programme in April 2000 der PKVY, Organic farming is promoted through and Agricultural and Processed Food Products adoption of organic village by cluster approach Export Development Authority (APEDA) is imand Participatory Guarantee System(PGS) cerplementing the National Programme for Organic tification during 2015-16 with a budget outlay Production. During 2005, to address the issues of ` 300 crore and the Government of India has on crop productivity and input use under organreported that so far 8000 clusters have been ic farming, an expert committee was formed. constituted in July, 2005 under “Healthy the chairmanship of Dr. H.P. Growth of organic farming Singh, Dean, GB Pant Agriin India soils make cultural University. healthy plants Renewed interest in organic The National Academy of agriculture is mainly due to and healthy human

beings and a health nation” and organic farming could maintain and preserve the soil health.

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two concerns, falling agricultural yield in certain areas as a result of excessive use of chemical inputs, decreased soil fertility and environmental awareness. Organic farming appears to be one of the options for sustainability. Starting of organic agriculture in India in 1900 by Sir Albert Howard, a British agronomist in North India, development of Indore method of aerobic compost (Howard, 1929), Bangalore method of anaerobic compost (Archarya, 1934), NADEP compost (ND Pandari Panda, Yeotmal, 1980) are the major milestones of organic agriculture in India.

also recognized NPOP as equivalent to those in the US. Currently, India ranks 33rd in terms of total land under organic crops to total farming area. The state of Sikkim has formally become India’s first fully organic state after it successfully implemented organic farming practices on around 75,000 hectares area. Formal declaration in this regard was made in the Sikkim Organic Festival 2016 in Gangtok, Sikkim. Among all the states, Madhya Pradesh has covered largest area under organic certification followed by Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan.

India is endowed with various types of naturally available organic form of nutrients in different parts of the country and it will help for organic cultivation of crops substantially. The 10th five – Year plan encouraged the promotion of organic farming using organic wastes, and integrated pest management and integrated nutrient management practices (GoI, 2001). The Government of India has launched the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) in the year 2001.

This programme involves the accreditation for certification bodies, standards for organic production, promotion of organic farming etc. The NPOP standards of Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) for production and accreditation systems have been recognized by the European Commission and Switzerland as equivalent to their country standards. Similarly, The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has

Rain fed organic farming

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Organic farming has assumed immense significance in the dry land areas also. Soil and Climatic conditions in India’s Rain fed make them particularly well suited to organic agriculture.

These marginal lands, with their marginal soils do not respond well to intensive farming practices. These are actually better suited to low-input farming systems that make ample use of the biodiversity. Extensive literature is also available on the use of legume based inter and sequential cropping systems in the context of organic production. In general, the benefits from legume crop in the system to other component crop in terms of nutrient transfer are not found significant but the succeeding cereal crop benefited due to the residual effect. Therefore, the cropping systems concept has to be built in, while designing the organic production protocols for rain-fed crops.

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Farmers in contiguous areas can be encouraged to adopt farm management practices that are required in organic production. Yield levels in such areas may be further enhanced by using permitted inputs. A commodity and area oriented group certification system may be possible with the support of the Government agencies and service providers. As a second strategy, areas where farmers are already realizing higher yield but using chemical inputs need to be identified and a systematic conversion protocols need to be introduced based on research data. Besides training and capacity building of farmers on production of inputs required for organic farming at farm level, the availability of other bio-inputs like bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides need to be increased in selected areas by encouraging the setting up of resource centers.

This includes maintenance of biodiversity, atmosphere stability, and other ecosystem functions not ordinarily classed as an economic resource.

An environmentally sustainable system must maintain a stable resource base, avoiding over-exploitation of renewable resource systems or environmental sink functions, and depleting non-renewable resources only to the extent that investment is made in adequate substitutes.

Challenges of conversion to organic farming:

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There are several intangible benefits of organic agriculture viz., climatic resilience, carbon sequestration and particularly soil health. Growers use a wide variety of practices to maintain or improve soil health in vegetable production systems. These practices generally are part of long-term, site –specific management programs that aim at developing fertile and biologically active soils that readily capture and store water and nutrients have good tilth and suppress plant disease. Special care is needed to select organic carbon sources for building long term soil quality. Deliberate and routine carbon inputs are essential to achieve this goal in organic production environments.

There are several issues to consider before farmers in India can leave conventional farming and shift to organic farming. These include www.krishijagran.com

soil quality in terms of various parameters, viz. physical, chemical, biological properties, availability of macro-and micronutrients, indicating an enhanced soil health and sustainability of crop production in organic production systems.

The organic agriculture is a viable solution to environmental concerns of chemical inputs and maintenance of soil health. It is said that “healthy soils make healthy plants and healthy human beings and a health nation” and organic framing could maintain and preserve the soil health. From the very beginning, the agriculture in India was based on natural farming, meaning thereby that whatever nutrients were drawn from the soil in the form of agricultural produce were returned back to the soil in one form or the other, as a result all macro and micro nutrients required for production of crops were available in different quantities in the soil.

Renewed

interest in organic agriculture is mainly due to two concerns, falling agricultural yield in certain areas as a result of excessive use of chemical inputs, decreased soil fertility and environmental awareness.

food security, risk mitigation, lack of support, sovereignty of seeds etc.

A survey was made on certified organic farms in the country to ascertain the real benefits and feasibility of organic farming in terms of the production potential, economics and soil health in comparison to the conventional farms. The study revealed that organic farming, in spite of the reduction in crop productivity by 9.2 %, provided higher net profit to farmers by 22.0 % as compared to conventional farming. This was mainly due to the availability of premium price (20-40 %) for the certified organic produce and reduction in the cost of cultivation by 11.7 %. In cases where such premium prices were not available and the cost of cultivation was higher primarily due to purchased off-farm inputs, organic farming was not found economically feasible.

However, there was an overall improvement in

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Regular use of organics could keep away the occurrence of micronutrient deficiencies too in soils as the organic inputs do have micro quantities of the micronutrients.

People have reported that by switching over to organic farming from chemical farming, the production could decline for the initial 3-5 years plausibly due to poor beneficial microbes and soil organic matter in the

soil.

This loss could be compensated by premium price. The pest and disease problems will also be minimized and most of the living forms like earthworms will return back to the soil to add the soil fertility and improve its health. Since organic farming depends on on-farm inputs, farming expenses will be minimized. Increasing an agro-ecosystem’s adaptive capacity allows it to better withstand climate variability, including aberrant rainfall patterns, temperature variations and other unexpected events. However, a cluster approach is essential for the success of organic farming in the country as envisaged in the “Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana” of the Government of India.

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RAINFED FARMING IN GUJARAT NEED FOR A COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION

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Dr Amrit Patel

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ujarat is a State having a wide variation in its topography. About two-thirds of area is under arid and semi-arid region so the risks and instability in crop production is usually high. However, these arid and semi-arid areas have contributed to State’s high and steady annual agricultural domestic product of 9.6% since 1999-2000 as compared to 2.9% growth rate of agriculture and allied activities at the national level during the same period. This has been mainly due to the farmers’ efforts to pursue commercial farming and State’s initiative to introduce innovative approaches and technologies.

Research in Rain fed Farming Acknowledging the impact of low rainfall and erratic monsoon on crop production the erstwhile Government of Bombay State established Dry Farming Research Station [DFRS] at Targhadia in Rajkot district as early as in 1958. It aims at evolving location-specific dry farming technologies and package of practices that can minimize the risks in crop productivity and achieve the stability in the production of a variety of crops grown in the arid and semi-arid region of the State. To achieve these objectives the DFRS has been strengthened with financial and technical support of Gujarat government, Government of India and ICAR. Now it has been a full-fledged Dry Farming Research Institute in Gujarat manned by professionals having specialised qualification in disciplines viz. plant breeding & genetics, agronomy, plant physiology, agricultural chemistry and soil science, agricultural entomology and agricultural engineering in

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particular. It has seven sub-centres to assess arid & semi-arid regions of the State where rainfall is less than 625 mm.

Development of Technologies: Technologies so far developed include evolution of a number of crop varieties, field test and its release for mass cultivation. These varieties are high quality in respect of yield and maturity days. Detailed agronomic practices are also simultaneously developed for their cultivation which include different types of cropping system, optimum seed rate requirement, planting method, nutrient management, weed management, pests and disease control, use of farm implements and equipment, contingency planning and management [ in case of delayed rains, drought spell and early withdrawal of rains] etc.

ARMING commercial cultivation which include pearl millet , sorghum grain, sorghum fodder, green gram , pigeon pea , cluster bean , groundnut bunch , groundnut semi-spreading , groundnut spreading ,sesame and castor. •For Sabarkantha, Gandhinagar, Banaskantha, Meshana, Patan and Ahmedabad districts in North Gujarat, 28 varieties of six crops have been released for commercial cultivation which include castor , pearl millet , cowpea , cluster bean green gram , sorghum , mothbean , pigeon pea and sesame.

Technology-based Recommendations: The DFRS has so far disseminated 119 recommendations based on proven and demonstrated technologies among farmers cultivating groundnut, sesame, cotton, castor, pearl millet, sorghum and pulses under rain-fed farming •For Rajkot, Surendranagar, in Gujarat. These recomparts of Jamnagar, JunThe technolmendations under seven agadh, Bhavnagar and broad-based groups of Amreli districts covering ogies developed on technologies include 73% of area in Saurarain-fed farming manrainwater manageshtra, 39 varieties of agement are disseminated ment, nutrient man11 crops have been widely among farmers in agement, drought so far released for

remote corners of the State through effective cooperation and coordination with various agencies and institutions.

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Table 1. Yield per hectare in Kgs of crops in Gujarat Vs All India Average [2004-05 & 2013-14]

Crops Kharif crops Food grains Rice summer Bajri Pulses Arhar Oilseeds -Kh Groundnut-K Rapeseed-M

2004-05 1146 [1430] 1412 [1652] 3506 [3077] 1172 [859] 675 [577] 928 [667] 910 [820] 891 [909] 1390 [1038]

2013-14 1592 [1866] 1917 [2101] 3033 [3273] 1869 [1164] 909 [764] 1138 [848] 2312 [1123] 2716 [1712] 1582 [1188]

Crop Rabi crops Rice kharif Rice Total Maize Gram Oilseeds Oilseeds-R Groundnut-R

2004-05 2204 [1988] 1745 [1833] 1806 [1984] 898 [1740] 803 [815] 990 [885] 1582 [993] 2391 [1771]

2013-14 2325 [2387] 2015 [2326] 2053 [2424] 1303 [2288] 1150 [967] 2222 [1153] 1598 [1221] 1809 [1929]

Figures in parentheses indicate All India average yield of corps

management, crop management, weed management, cropping system and plant protection.

Technology Dissemination Process: The technologies developed on rain-fed farming management are disseminated widely among farmers in remote corners of the State through effective cooperation and coordination with various agencies and institutions.

Other modes include organizing farmers’ day in each crop season; Krishimela and

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agricultural exhibitions organized by universities and other agencies; pre-seasonal training to extension staff and field visits by diagnostic teams; conducting front line demonstrations of newly released varieties and recommended agronomic practices and releasing press notes; educating farmers during visit of these research centres; involving print and electronic media [TV discussion, Radio talks, articles in newspapers], distribution of literature; spot field diagnosis to get feedback on the extent of adoption and constraints experienced in

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ARMING pared for 9300 villages and distributed at district level to display in villages by Gram Panchayats.

adoption of technology by the farmers.

Innovative Approaches •

Soil Health Cards: An initiative launched by the State government in 2003-04 has been a significant part of strengthening agriculture infrastructure and increasing the crop productivity. In 2013-14, 11.58 lakhs soil samples were collected and 11.46 lakhs soil health cards were distributed to farmers. In last four years, state has established 111 soil testing laboratories at various APMCs, science colleges, Sugar Cooperatives, GLDC, GSSC on the PPP mode. There are total 133 soil testing laboratories in Gujarat State at present.

With a view to educating the farmers on micronutrients availability and their use, Government has launched new programme to prepare the map showing micronutrient status of village on GPS basis. Soil Fertility Maps were pre-

•

Vibrant Gujarat Global Agricultural Investors: During September 2013 the State had organized the ‘Vibrant Gujarat Global Agricultural Investors Summit’ (VGGAS) to attract investment, share experiences and learn from agriculturally advanced countries. More than 7000 farmers had participated out of which about 3500 were from other states. Besides, 184 national and 14 international companies had participated and introduced their latest agricultural technologies.

Increased yield per hectare The massive programme of water harvesting technology has contributed much to enhance the scope of water conservation through

The massive programme of water harvesting technology has contributed much to enhance the scope of water conservation through 1, 13,740 check dams. During the end of decade 2013-14 per hectare yield of most crops has significantly increased in Gujarat over that in 2004-05.

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Table 2. Yield per hectare in Kgs of crops in 2013-14 along with Area Irrigated [%]

Crops Coarse cereals Jowar Bajri Maize Total pulses Gram Arhar Oilseeds Groundnut Rapeseed & Mustard

Yield 1655 [1677] 1292 [926] 1869 [1164] 1501 [2583] 910 [764] 1150 [967] 1138 [848] 2222 [1153] 2670 [1750] 1582 [1188]

Percentage Area Irrigated 18.55 [17.89] 10.8 [09.7] 22.31 [08.5] 12.5 [25.3] 15.2 [16.1] 43.8 [33.5] 07.5 [03.9] 34.9 [27.6] 12.4 [24.3] 95.3 [73.2]

Figures in parentheses indicate All India average yield of crops & percentage of irrigated area

1, 13,740 check dams. During the end of decade 2013-14 per hectare yield of most crops has significantly increased in Gujarat over that in 2004-05.

During 2013-14 percentage of area irrigated ranged from 7.5 to 15.5 in case of five crops in Gujarat as compared to three in the country. However, per hectare yield of pulses & groundnut was relatively much higher in Gujarat than average yield in the country.

As the DFRS has already completed 58 years it is necessary to have a comprehensive evaluation study on the impact of its important research activities, viz. resource management, rainwater management, crop improvement, nutrient management, plant protection and agricultural advisory services in respect of increasing yield of crops and net income of farmers per unit of area and resources, extent to which risks have been minimized, share of farm output from dry farming in the total output, acceptability of technologies by

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farmers, factors responsible to inhibit the progress in research and development of technologies, among others. This study may be district-wise and should provide insight for future researches that can fill the gap between the emerging needs and existing knowledge.

In Gujarat 7.2 mha out of 12.2.mha area is under rain fed farming. It has contributed appreciably well to increase the State’s growth rate in agriculture and significant increase in the per hectare yield of most crops in 2013-14 over that in 2004-05. However, per hectare yield of most crops in 2013-14 is quite low as compared to average per hectare yield in India. This status requires a need for detailed agro-ecological zone-wise studies and identifying the areas of policy intervention, public-private investment and need-based programs involving farmers and PRIs in their planning and implementation that can bring agriculture in Gujarat at par with agriculture in India.

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MYTH, BELIEF REALITY AND SPICES! B.Sasikumar

ICAR- Indian Institute of Spices Research, PO Marikunnu, Kozhikode - 673012, Kerala.

Email:bhaskaransasikumar@yahoo.com

A

ll that glitters need not be gold, so goes the old adage. It is also true for at least some spices of our daily use.

Spices are long been recognized for their medicinal and culinary uses. Purity of any natural product is the cornerstone of its perceived biological efficacy. Adulteration or product substitution not only erodes the consumer confidence but also corrodes or dilutes the core activity of the main product making it less effective besides leading to allergies or AGRICULTURE

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other undesirable side effects.

Superstition, sheer ignorance and mere belief are not uncommon in the real realm of spices!

A myth vs. reality check related to some common spices is quite interesting and surprising as well.

1. Kasturi Turmeric Given the social or cultural back drop where beauty is part of the daily ritual of damsels and laymen alike , be it enhancing the skin www.krishijagran.com

Table1.Important distinguishing features of the two Curcuma species Species

Corolla colour

Rhizome colour

Aroma of rhizome

Taste of rhizome

Leaf midrib colour

Rhizome essential oil(%)

Curcumim(%)

C.aromatica

White

Pale yellow

Camphoraceous

Bitter

Green

4.8

0.01-0.04

C.zedoaria

Light purple

Light orange yellow

Camphoraceous

Slight bitter

Purple

3.2

1.24

Rhizome essential oil of the two species also differs much in composition (Table2).

complexion or the craze for a fair skin, there is always a chance of unscrupulous elements or knaves exploiting the gullible public for quick buck in the name of beauty products.

The humble Kasturi turmeric (‘Kasturi manjal’), commonly used in toiletry articles, especially facial creams, is one such commodity caught in the ‘beauty ‘trap. Scientifically, Kasturi turmeric is Curcuma aromatica, with a creamy yellow camphoraceous rhizome and cam-

phoarceous bitter taste. However, many other Curcuma species are passed on as Kasturi turmeric in the busy streets, places of worship,markets and even in some government shops across the country !The craze for instant beauty comes in handy for the quacks to trade some other common Curcuma rhizomes in the guise of original Kasturi turmeric. The most common turmeric sold in the guise of genuine Kasturi turmeric is an yellow rhizome entity,

fig-3 Dried slices of black ginger

Table2.Composition of rhizome essential oil in the two species of Curcuma –major compounds Species

Compound

Curcuma aro- 1,8-cineole(5.5-9.3%),camphor(25.58-32.3%), germacrone(10.6%),isoborneol(8.2%),camphene(7.4%),curzerenone(11%), matica ar-curcumene(18.6-14.6%),betacurcumene(25.5%), xanthorrhizole(25.7%),alpha pinene(4.8%),alpha camphene(2.7%),beta pinene(5.8%),l-zingiberene(10.7%),1-ar-curcemene(14.6%),1-beta-curcumene(33.8%),alphaterpineol(7.8%),cuminylalcohol(5.5%),de-borneol(5.3%),zingiberol(3.5%),alphatermerone(6.7%),ar-turmerone(6.3%) etc.

C.zedoaria

Xanthorrhizol(38.92%),camphor(10.26%),curzerene(8.84%),beta sesquiphellandrene(12.85),germacrone(8.68%),curzerenone(2.83%),epicurzerenone(4.68% )etc.

Camphor (25.58-32.3%) is the highest observed compound in C.aromatica while it is xanthorrhizol(38.92%) in C.zedoaria. In the genuine C.aromaticq ,curcumin is in traces only.

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“Curcuma zedoaria(Yellow shotty, Kachura, Manjakuva) though both the species can be easily distinguished (Fig1).

It is high time that we recognize the unfair means in the ‘fair skin’ market, aware of the fake entity and root for the genuine product, putting a full stop for the cosmetic ride by quacks.

2. Black Turmeric

pices

piece of black turmeric will become fire proof etc.! And these ‘supernatural powers’ of black turmeric are exploited by the knaves charging the gullible public exorbitantly for the not so rare rhizome.

However, it is true that in some tribal culture, black turmeric is auspicious. In Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, certain tribes believe that a person possessing ‘Kali haldi’ or black turmeric never experiences shortage of cereals or food!

It is another common belief that black turmeric has some magical powers. Vested interests Black turmeric or’ Kali Haldi’ is scientifically disseminate many myths such as Curcuma caesia (Fig.2). As the name suggests, keeping a piece of black turthe inner core colour of the rhizome is meric in the house ushblue black, not the familiar yellow or er in instant wealth It is high pale yellow colour one is common,a traversing steel ly familiar with turmeric. Rhitime that we needle become zome contain 3.6% oil and very recognize the unfair soft and flexiless curcumin (0.01-0.05%). means in the ‘fair skin’ ble like plastic 1,8 cineole(22.24%),alneedle ,inflammarket, aware of the fake pha pinene (0.4%),beta mable petrol or pinene (0.6%),beta ocimentity and root for the diesel impregone (E and Z)(2.1%), camgenuine product, putting nated with a phor(7.73%),linalool(0.995),-

a full stop for the cosmetic ride by quacks

Black Turmeric

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caryophyllene(3.15%), borneol(4.3%), camphene(1.67%), anethole(1.79%), cis-beta-ocimene(14.54%)etc.are the major constituents of the rhizome oil .The rhizomes are aromatic (camphoraceous), bitter in taste, stimulant, carminative and rubifacient used topically for sprains and bruises .Dry rhizome extracted in water, taken internally relieves asthma. Fresh rhizomes are also used against tonsils, leucoderma, dyspepsia, as stomach and liver tonic etc. Black turmeric is occasionally used as substitute of common turmeric in some parts of West Bengal.

3. Black ginger Layman is ignorant; erudite thinks it is a myth!

But black ginger is a reality and not at all elusive. However ,two distinct species are known as black ginger, namely Zingiber malaysianum (‘Midnight Black’ or Midnight Ginger), an ornamental plant with blackish red foliage and Kaempferia parviflora (Thai black ginger, Thai ginseng or krachai dum, Durik Ada,’Karkashur /Yaimu’) with bluish black rhizome(Fig3).

The latter black ginger is used as a male aph-

Bush Pepper

Black pepper (Piper nigrum) gives black and white pepper corns. However, there is misbelief that white pepper is a distinct spice obtained from a separate plant species! In fact white pepper (Fig.4) is a value added commodity obtained by retting or fermenting fresh ripe black pepper or by decorticating dried black pepper. Though both white and black peppers have same qualities, some chefs prefer white pepper for aesthetic reasons.

Bush pepper is another spice very often misun-

Fig 4 - White pepper corns

rodisiac and for improving vitality in Thailand and adjoining regions. Black ginger does not have the taste or pungency of ginger. Black ginger occurs in North East India also.

4. White pepper and Bush pepper www.krishijagran.com

derstood as a separate genetic variety of black pepper. In fact, rooted fruiting branches of any black pepper vines can be grown as bush pepper. Fruiting branches or lateral branches of the vines can be induced to rooting using rooting hormones and such rooted cuttings grow JUNE 2017

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as bushes rather than vines and known as bush pepper(Fig.5).Bush pepper yields green pepper throughout the year unlike the vines which are season bound.

Mode of pollination in black pepper is another subject of widespread myth. It was perpetuated without any scientific study that black pepper is a cross pollinated plant and rainwater is the medium of pollen transfer. However, recent scientific study carried out has helped to dispel this myth and establish the reality.

Now it is proved that the mode of pollination in black pepper is geitonogamy, a form of self pollination and rain water is not essential for pollination in black pepper.

5. Rosemary Rosemary, the memory herb of the mint family, is one spice rich with many myths! This perennial plant has been used by the Chinese and Greeks as a health conditioner since very ancient days. The herb has an age old reputation for improving memory and has been used as a symbol of remembrance (during weddings, war commemoration and funerals) besides bonding conjugal relationship in Europe and Australia. In Hungary, ornaments made of rosemary were once used as a symbol of love, intimacy and fidelity of a couple. The presence of rosemary in one’s body is believed AGRICULTURE

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to enhance clarity of mind and memory. Hungary water, an infusion of rosemary in spirits of wine was first prepared by the Queen of Hungary to renovate vitality of paralyzed limps and considered to be a revitalizing agent.

There are many more myths and folklores associated with rosemary. It is believed that placing rosemary sprigs under the pillow is auspicious and would ward off evil spirits and stall nightmares and that the aroma of rosemary would keep old age at bay .During the Middle Ages it was believed that burning rosemary leaves and twigs would disinfect the surroundings and arrest epidemics. In Europe, wedding parties burned rosemary as incense. Judges burned it to protect against illness brought in by prisoners. Another belief associated with rosemary is related to women supremacy! If rosemary thrives in home gardens, the belief is that the house is ruled by woman! Greeks, who wore rosemary wreaths in their hair, believed rosemary strengthened the brain and enhanced memory. Some of these myths and beliefs had an underlying scientific logic behind it, as present day studies reveal. Now it is clear that the essential oil and tannins present in rosemary leaves produce an aromatic smoke of cleansing and purifying properties! However, the scientific logic of certain other customs and myths surrounding rosemary is yet to be unraveled. www.krishijagran.com

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FOR HEALTHY Dr. Joy P. P

Professor & Head, Pineapple Research Station (Kerala Agricultural University), Vazhakulam-686 670, Muvattupuzha, Ernakulam, Kerala, India.

Tel: 0485-2260832, 9446010905; Email: prsvkm@kau.in, Website: http://prsvkm.kau.in

P

ineapple (Ananas comosus, Bromeliaceae) is a wonderful tropical fruit having exceptional juiciness, vibrant tropical flavour and immense health benefits. The name pineapple in English (or piña in Spanish) comes from the similarity of the fruit to a pinecone. Ananas comes from anana, the Tupi word for the fruit, meaning “excellent fruit”. Comosus means tufted and refers to the stem of the fruit. Pineapple (Ananus comosus, Bromeliaceae) is a herbaceous perennial, 90 to 100 cm in height with spreading leaves which gives the plant a rosette appearance. The plant bears a single fruit terminally on a peduncle protruding out from the centre of the rosette. The Pineapple variety ‘Mauritius’ is also known as ‘European Pine’, ‘Malacca Queen’, ‘Red Ceylon’ and ‘Red Malacca’ in international trade. It is important in India, Malaya and

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HY LIVING Ceylon. Mauritius is exclusively grown for table purpose. The fruit is medium, 1.36-2.25 kg, yellow externally; has a thin core and very sweet golden yellow flesh and juice. Vazhakulam pineapple with registered geographic indication is considered the best in quality, sweetness aroma and flavour. It is grown in the districts of Ernakulam, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and the low elevation areas of Idukki district in Kerala.

The total area under pineapple cultivation in India is 1,13,340 hectares with a production of about 18,92,070 t. India exports pineapple mainly to Nepal, Maldives, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Russia, Oman, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Zambia, Pakistan and Qatar. ‘Kew’ and ‘Mauritius’ are the two varieties of pineapple grown in India. It is grown in Karnataka, Meghalaya, West Bengal, Kerala, Assam, Manipur, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Nagaland. Though Assam has the largest area under pineapple West Bengal is the www.krishijagran.com

largest producer. Karnataka, West Bengal and Bihar are the three states reporting high productivity. Overall, Indian productivity of 16.00 t/ha poorly compares with the world average of 22.58 t/ha.

Varieties In international trade, pineapple cultivars are grouped in four main classes: ‘Smooth Cayenne’, ‘Red Spanish’, ‘Queen’, and ‘Abacaxi’, despite much variation in the types within each class. Smooth Cayenne (Kew) is extensively cultivated in Hawaii, Philippines, Australia, South Africa, Puerto Rico, Kenya, Mexico, Cuba and Formosa. The ovoid medium-sized fruit (1.5 to 2.5 kg) of ‘Smooth Cayenne’ is held on a short and strong peduncle (Fig. 1-4). It ripens progressively, turning yellow from the base to the top, which is reflected in a strong internal maturity gradient too. The flesh is firm, close-textured, juicy and with a pale-yellow to yellow

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Variety Duration (Months) Thorniness

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Kew

Mauritius

Amrutha

MD-2

18

12

12

13

Thorny

Thorny

Thornless

Thornless

Fruit Shape

Oval

Conical

Cylinder

Cylinder

Weight (kg)

1.5 - 2.5

1.5 - 2.0

1.5 - 2.0

1.5 - 2.0

Pulp colour

Light yellow

Golden yellow

Light yellow

Light yellow

Acidity (%)

0.5-1.0

0.5-0.7

0.5-0.7

0.4-0.5

TSS ( Brix)

12-16

14 -16

12 -16

15-17

Vitamin C (mg/100 g)

30-40

30-40

40-50

40-60

3-5

3-4

3-5

3-4

25-35

30-40

25-35

30-40

0

pH Sugar (%) Soil & climate

colour at maturity. Mauritius or Vazhakulam pineapple locally known as ‘Kannara’ belongs to Queen Cultivar (Mauritius) suited for table purpose. The average fruit weight is 13001600g The fruit is having a pleasant aroma, have a slightly conical shape, fruit ‘eyes’ deeply placed, fruit flesh is crisp and golden yellow in colour, juice is sweet with 14-16° brix and its acidity is 0.50 - 0.70%. The Kerala Agricultural University variety Amrutha is a hybrid between Kew and Ripley queen. It has spiny leaves and 12 months duration. Fruit is cylindrical, tapering slightly from near base, weighing 1.5-2.0kg.

Crown is small weighing 80-100g; ratio of fruit weight to plant weight is medium. Fruit is green when unripe and uniformly yellow when ripe; fissure and eye corking absent, spirals are left oriented. Fruit is firm with mild external aroma, skin 6 mm thick, flesh firm, non-fibrous, crisp and pale yellow in colour with rich aroma. Taste is good with high total soluble salts and low acidity. MD-2 or Dinar pineapple is the standard for the international market because of its colour, flavour, shape, lifespan and ripeness. It has excellent fruit qualities like high brix value (17

for ripe fruit), low acidity (0.4-0.45%), medium fruit size (1.5 to 2.0 kg), cylindrical shape with square shoulder, small core size, resistant to internal browning, very long shelf life (about 30 days) etc.

Pineapple is grown on various types of soils including very poor soils. The flavour and quality of fruit grown on light soils is considered to be superior. However, the sandy and loamy soils rich in humus and the laterite soils on the hill slopes in South India are suitable for its cultivation. The plant is particularly sensitive to soil being waterlogged. Therefore, care should be taken to ensure proper drainage. It prefers soils with a pH range of 5.0-6.0. Pineapple grows in warm and humid climate. The optimum temperature is from 15° to 32°C for normal growth.

High temperature over 35°C is unfavourable for the development of fruits, especially if the relative humidity is low. Exposure of the fruits to strong sunshine leads to sun scalding. It can be grown up to an elevation of 1,100 m above the sea level, if these places are free from frost, have a relatively high atmospheric humidity and an annual rainfall of 760-1,000 mm. As a rainfed

Fertiliser schedule for pineapple per hectare Crop

No. of Suckers

Basal at planting Compost + Rajphos

Topdress (May-June; Aug-Sept; NovDec) Urea + Potash (Each time)

Pure crop

40,000

40 t + 800 kg

232 + 178 kg

Intercrop

25,000

25 t + 500 kg

145 + 111 kg

Paddy fields

30,000

30 t + 600 kg

174 + 134 kg

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crop the main season of planting is April-May and August-September in tune with the monsoons, but it can be planted in all months except during heavy rains of June-July. The best time for planting is August. For getting maximum price and better keeping quality, the best planting time is April-May.

Planting material Pineapple is very easy to propagate vegetatively. Suckers arising in the lower axils of the leaves on the main stem form roots and can be used for propagation. Even the crown of leaves above the fruit and parts of the stem itself can be used. Another method of propagation is by slips, which are the propagules arising from the base the fruit. Suckers and slips should be preferred over the crown for planting as they come to bearing earlier and produce larger fruits. Tissue culture plants are also used in commercial planting for uniform population. Short duration varieties are preferred for planting for quick and regular returns.

Suckers are selected from disease and pest free healthy plants. Suckers are to be graded into those having less than 500g, 500-750 g and more than750g in weight to avoid competition between plants of different sizes. Suckers weighing 400-500g are considered ideal for planting. The graded suckers are planted in different blocks or plots, to get uniformity in growth and flowering. Bigger suckers give early yield. Prior to planting curing of suckers for www.krishijagran.com

8-10 days in shade is necessary as fresh suckers planted in moist soil begin to decay. Before planting some of the lower leaves are removed from the sucker to facilitate the formation and entry of roots into the soil. A solution of Hilban (2.5ml/l) and Indofil (2.5g/l) can be used for dipping of suckers. Treatment with bio-control agents are recommended for organic farming.

Planting After preliminary land preparations, planting is done in small pits of 10-15 cm depth at a spacing of 45 cm between rows and 30 cm between plants in the rows. The planting method varies depending upon the topography of land, rainfall and drainage. There are five planting methods in practice, viz. raised bed or ridge (in paddy lands, poorly drained soils or high rainfall areas), flatbed (in soils with assured drainage), furrow (in areas with good drainage or poor rainfall), trench (in rainfed areas with water scarcity) and contour planting (in hilly areas or sloppy lands).

Pure cropping: Suckers are planted at 90 cm width in rows / strips, leaving the interspaces undisturbed. However, ploughing can be adopted in level land. Planting is done in paired rows of 45 cm distance between rows and 30 cm within the row. Suckers may be planted in triangular method in the paired rows. Interspace between the paired rows is kept at 90-150 cm.

Contour planting may be adopted in sloppy areas.

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Intercropping in coconut garden: Land preparation, spacing and planting are the same as described above. There can be three-paired rows in between two rows of coconut.

Intercropping in rubber plantations: System of planting is in paired rows at 45 x 30 cm. There will be only one paired row of pineapple in between two rows of rubber.

Wetlands / lowlands: Pineapple is highly sensitive to water stagnation and high moisture regimes. Hence it is important to provide good drainage, if grown in wetlands. In paddy lands, pineapple is planted in paired rows at 45 x 30 cm spacing on ridges taken at 60-90 cm height, depending on the water table and drainage requirement. The ridges are separated by drainage channels having 60 cm width. The width of the ridges varies from 120-150 cm. wherever water stagnation and poor drainage are expected, a wider and deeper channel is given in between ridges.

Manuring Pineapple plants require heavy manuring. Application of 20 to 30 t/ha of cow dung / FYM / compost at the time of planting is essential for good yield. It is recommended to give fertilizers at the rate of 8:4:8 g N:P2O5:K2O per plant per year. Nitrogen and potash should be applied in 3-6 split doses at bimonthly intervals, except during flowering and heavy rains. The first dose AGRICULTURE

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of fertiliser is given 2 months after planting.

Entire phosphorus can be given at the time of planting. Application of fertilizer in rainfed areas has to be done when moisture is available.

Excessive fertilizer application and application during flowering lead to neck-cracking and heavy yield loss.

Irrigation Pineapple, though a low water requiring crop, needs light and frequent irrigation due to its shallow root system, especially in light soils. Irrigation is given only during dry months from January till the onset of monsoon. It requires five or six irrigations during dry months at an interval of about 20 days. Mulching the crop with dry leaves at 6 t/ha will help to conserve moisture.

Weed control Weeding is important from the economic point of view. Hand weeding especially in closely spaced crop is cumbersome and uneconomic.

Therefore chemical control of weed is advisable. Application of Diuron at 3 kg/ha as preemergence spray is recommended. It should be repeated with half of the dose, 5 months after the first application. Irrigation followed by the herbicide spray helps in carrying herbicides to the root zone of the weeds. Weeds in interspaces can be controlled by spraying glyphosate 0.8 kg/ha. While spraying in interspaces, care www.krishijagran.com

should be taken that the herbicide shall not fall on pineapple plant.

Flower induction Since pineapples flower erratically, induction of flowering is a common practice. This is done chemically by use of growth regulators which induces flowering and subsequent fruiting. In Kerala, for inducing uniform flowering, 25 ppm ethephon is applied on physiologically mature plants having 38-42 leaves (7-8 months after planting). The solution for application in 1000 plants is prepared by adding 1.25 ml of ethephon (3.2 ml of 39% ethrel or 12.5 ml of 10% ethrel), 1 kg urea and 20 g calcium carbonate to 50 litres of water. Pour 50 ml of the prepared solution to the heart of the plant during dry weather conditions (when there is no rain within 36 hours of application). If it rains heavily within 36 hours ethephon application is repeated. Flowering starts by 30 days and completes within 40 days of growth regulator application in varieties of about one year duration. Fruits will be ready for harvest by 130-135 days after the application of growth regulator. Harvest over different months could be obtained by carefully phasing the planting and growth regulator application.

Interculture Because of shallow root system and weak stem pineapple plants are prone to lodging. Lodging of plants during fruit development results in lopsided growth and uneven development of fruits. Hence earthing up is an important operation in pineapple cultivation, as it helps in promoting good anchorage. It involves pushing soil to the base of the plant from the periphery or into the trench from the ridge, where trench planting is common. Mulching is one of the cultural practices aimed at weed control and soil moisture conservation. It is essential when pineapple is grown as a rainfed crop and is feasible where flatbed planting is followed.

In South India, mulch of leaves or straw is spread on soil between the plants. Use of black polythene film as mulch is equally beneficial.

Suckers start growing with the emergence of inflorescence while slips grow with developing fruits. Only one sucker is retained on the plant for ratooning while additional suckers and all slips are removed. This is essential as the growth of these may weaken plant and hinder fruit development. Desuckering can be www.krishijagran.com

delayed as much as possible since fruit weight was found to increase with increasing number of suckers per plant. Increased number of slips delayed fruit maturity; therefore they are removed as soon as they attain the size required for planting. Where early harvest is required slips are removed as and when they sprout. Removal of crown is not recommended as it mars appeal of fruit, increases chances of disease infection and also makes handling difficult. However, partial pinching of crown by removing the inner whorls of leaflets along with the growing tips one and a half month after fruit set leads to increased fruit size.

Pests Mealy Bug (Pseudococcus brevipes / Pseudococcus bromeliae) : The rapid spread of this malady in the pineapple field is largely due to the feeding habit of bugs. Symptoms first appear on roots which cease to grow, eventually leading to collapse of tissues. The most predominant symptom is wilting of leaves, commencing from leaf tips. Reddish-yellow colour develops in the wilting areas. Finally the plants rot and develop decaying suckers. Fruits developed are undersized. Ants of several species act as carriers of mealy bugs. Application of chlorpyriphos (Hilban) 2.5ml/l or Imidacloprid (Tatamida) 0.3ml/l

at 100 days after planting controls mealy bugs.

This insecticide should not be applied at the time of flowering and fruiting because of its systemic nature. Care should be taken that the spray shall reach the base and also the sides of the plant. Destroy grasses and other monocot weeds, which serve as alternate hosts for the pest. For the control of mealy bugs, control of ants is necessary. Hence apply carbaryl to control ants in its colonies in the farm.

Scale insects (Diaspus bromeliae) : Scalelike bodies appear on the plant, especially on leaves. Other symptoms are similar to that of

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mealy bugs. The spraying of chemicals for the control of mealy bugs, mentioned above, will be sufficient for the control of scale insects

Diseases Black-rot or Soft-rot : A delay of some days between harvest and utilization of the ripe fruits leads to the development of black-rot or softrot. The fungus makes its entry through wounds caused during picking and packing. Infection starts at the stalk-end of the fruit, resulting in small, circular, water-soaked spots that are very soft. Gradually, fruit rots and emits foul smell.

Dipping of fruits for 5 minutes in Thiabendazole (100 ppm) or Benomyl (3000 ppm) minimise rotting. Avoiding injury to the fruit during harvest and transit reduces disease occurrence.

Heart-rot (Phytophthora parasitica) :Root rot / heart rot / fruit rot caused by Phytophthora sp. is common in poor drainage conditions. The disease causes complete rotting of the central portion of the stem. The top leaves turn brown and basal portion of leaves shows sign of rotting with foul odour. Finally the whole plant rots. Poor physical condition of the soil and inadequate drainage are responsible for spread of the disease. Providing drainage is most essential. The water table should be at least 60 cm below the soil surface. Badly affected plants should be destroyed and the remaining plants should be drenched with 0.2% zineb / mancozeb / ziram.

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Leaf and Fruit-rot (Cyratostomella paradoxa) : Base or butt rot of planting material occurs when they are not dried and packed with little aeration. Fungus also destroys older plants by entering through wounds caused in the collar region while weeding or other operations. In severe conditions, the entire plant may turn dark and rot within two or three days. The dis-

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Since pineapple flower erratically, induction of flowering is a common practice. This is done chemically by use of growth regulators which induces flowering and subsequent fruiting

ease can be controlled by dipping planting materials in 0.3% Dithane Z-78 or by spraying on leaves. Copper fungicide should not be used in pineapple as they cause leaf scorching due to toxicity. The diseased plants must be destroyed and suckers for propagation should never be collected from the infested area.

Mealy bug wilt associated virus disease is also common which is spread through suckers. As the virus disease cannot be controlled, mealy bug vectors are checked to minimize yield loss.

Fruit and leaf aberrations are also observed at times in pineapple.

Sun burn : This results when plant leans or falls over to one side, thus exposing one side of the fruit to direct sunlight. The cells of the exposed surface get damaged. Later shell surface assumes a yellow-brown to black colour and cracks may appear between fruitlets. Affected fruits soon rot and become infested with pests. They must be cut as soon as noticed and safely disposed of where they will not contaminate other fruits. Under favourable climate where leaf growth is luxuriant, leaves can be

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tied around the fruits to protect them from sun-scald. The other method is to cover sun-exposed portion of the fruit with dry straw or grass or with any other locally available materials.

During summer months it is necessary to protect the fruits from scorching sun by putting dried grasses, coconut or arecanut leaves to prevent sunburn. Frequent irrigation also alleviate sun burn.

Harvest Pineapple is a perennial fruit crop and the returns continue, usually, for a period of 3 years . Under natural conditions, pineapple comes to harvest during May- August. With the application of Ethephon and fertilizers the first yield is obtained within 11-12 months. Pineapple plants flower 7-8 months after planting and attain harvesting stage in a year, depending on the variety, time of planting, the type and size of plant material used and the prevailing temperature during fruit development. Observing the colour change is the most common method of determining the maturity of fruits. For long distance transportation, fully mature fruits in

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green itself just before colour change are harvested. With a slight colour change at the base of developing fruit, it could be harvested for canning purpose. But for table purpose, the fruit could be retained till it develops satisfactory uniform golden yellow colour. Harvesting is done with a sharp knife, severing the fruitstalk with a clean cut retaining 5-7cm of stalk with the fruit in such a way that the fruit is not damaged. Fruits are stacked in piles or on to the vehicles with the crown facing down. Fruits for fresh fruit market are often marketed with crowns.

Yield The yield of pineapple fruit varies with the variety, agroclimate, agrotechniques and planting density. The fruit yield with a plant density of 20000-25000 plants/ha is about 25-35 t with the yield decreasing progressively from first year to third year which is the normal economic life span of Mauritius pineapple.

Ratoon The plant crop after harvest can be retained as ratoon crop for two more years. After the harvest of the plant crop, chopping the side leaves of the mother plant should be done for easy cultural operations. The suckers retained should be limited to one per mother plant. Excess suckers and slips if any should be removed.

Earthing up should be done. Other management practices are same as for the plant crop.

Profitability Produce maximum A grade fruits for sustainable profit, as the market price of pineapple is reduced almost by half with every reduction in grade due to A, B, C grading based on size. For more A grade fruits and profit remember the following guidelines.  Cultivate Geographical Indication registered Vazhakulam Pineapple (Mauritius) preferably  Well – drained light to heavy sandy loam soil with acidic pH rich in organic matter is best suited  Requires plentiful sunlight and nutrition; irrigate once in three weeks during summer  Use pest and disease free, healthy, first year suckers for planting  Apply Trichoderma/Pseudomonas/VerticilAGRICULTURE

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lium, 20g/l against fungal diseases  Optimum plant density (pure crop: 40000 suckers/ha, intercrop 20000 suckers/ha)  Integrated nutrient management (compost/cowdung - 1kg/sucker, NPK 8:4:8 g/ sucker; compost/cow dung – 25 t/ha, NPK 320:160:320 kg/ha). Apply fertilizers in 3 – 6 splits  To avoid neck cracking, never apply fertilizers during flowering. Never apply excessive fertilisers  For ratoon cropping, retain the best sucker and remove others  Control weeds with recommended weedicides - Diuron (Klass) 3 kg/ha in 600 l water  To induce flowering: pour 50 ml of 25 ppm Ethephon to the central bud at 40 leaves stage (7 – 8 months after planting). For 1000 plants, 50 l water + 3.2 ml Ethrel 39 % + 1 kg Urea + 20 g Calcium Carbonate

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 Mulch and irrigate to prevent sun burn  Apply recommended pesticides if inevitable. Early diagnosis and control of pests & diseases. Destroy infected plants Against mealy bugs: Chlorpyriphos (Hilban 20EC 2.5 ml/l), Imidachloprid (Tatamida 17.8 SL 0.3 ml/l), Quinalphos (Eqalex 25EC 2 ml/l) Against rot : Mancozeb (Indofil 75WP 3 g/l, SAAF 2 g/l), Hexaconazol (Contaf 5SC 2 ml/l; Samarth 2SC 4 ml/l) 500 l/ha

Uses Pineapple can be stored up to 20 days at 10 -13°C. Pineapple is used as fresh fruit, for canning and juice purposes. The surplus fruits can be processed into various products for using throughout the year. Squash, Jam, Jelly, Pickles, Halva, Candy, etc. can be prepared even at home. Pineapple juice contains lot of calcium, potassium, fibre, vitamin C, B1 and B6. Pineapple contains an enzyme bromelain which enhances digestion, repairs body tissues and www.krishijagran.com

imparts freshness. It is effective against rheumatism and heart diseases. Good quality fibre is also extracted from pineapple leaves.

Challenges Agriculture in general, especially the pineapple sector is undergoing great crisis mainly because of the lethargy to agriculture, scarcity and high cost of labour, market uncertainty, high cost of fertilisers and other inputs, ABC grading in pineapple and large variation in the prices of various grades. Pineapple Cultivation has become an agribusiness now, especially on leased lands on a very large scale. Pineapple cultivation costs about Rs. 4.3 lakhs/ha during the first year and more than Rs. 2.5 lakhs during the second and third years. It works out to Rs. 1517 per sucker. Therefore, pineapple cultivation will be profitable only when the market price is more than Rs. 17-20. The prices at certain times increased up to Rs. 50 and came down drastically during other times causing farmers impossible to market their produce.

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EVERYBODY NE NOBODY WANTS T

Ankur Aggarwal

T

Managing Director, Crystal Crop Protection

wenty-five-year-old Satwinder Singh, from Punjab, decided to take up a 10to-6 job as a business executive with an MNC in Guru Gram after completing his Masters from Delhi University. Going back to his village near Ludhiana where his family has been doing farming for generations was not even an option worth considering. He is happy with his job and the amenities of city life which he

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cannot dream of getting back home in the village. Satwinder is not the only one! His choice reflects a growing mind-set that farming is not a career option for the country’s youth. They are all heading, instead, to cities in search of work.

Why? What can be done to make things better? The irony is no other job can provide the same security as farming, because people will always need food, so there is always money to www.krishijagran.com

NEEDS FOOD, S TO PRODUCE IT

Low productivity, back-breaking work and quality of life in the villages dissuade youngsters to take up work and settle down here.

be made. But the farming sector in India is not attractive. We need to take a close look at the agriculture sector to come up with answers.

concern. Low productivity, backbreaking work and quality of life in the villages dissuade youngsters to take up work and settle down here.

Current Scenario and Challenges

The average per capita food grain production in our country has seen a steady decline in recent years. India currently tops the charts when it comes to the number of farmer suicides, which is again an indication of the poor state of an ag-

India is predominantly a rural economy. But the stark shortage of talent and manpower in the agriculture sector has become a matter of grave

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India has about 80 agricultural universities churn out thousands of graduates every year who are either taking up jobs in the government agencies, financial institutions, NGOs, or the private sector, but hardly look upon agriculture as a profession worth pursuing. ricultural economy. Limited artificial irrigation facilities, high cost of agricultural inputs (such as HYV seeds, fertilizers, crop enhancers, etc.) and modern technology based machineries, and small and fragmented landholdings are the major problems that plague the Indian agriculture, forcing farmers to be dependent mostly on out-dated technologies.

Moreover, India has about 80 agricultural universities churn out thousands of graduates every year who are either taking up jobs in the government agencies, financial institutions, NGOs, or the private sector, but hardly look upon agriculture as a profession worth pursuing. One reason for this is the rise of aspirations of the rural consumer since the opening up of the Indian economy. We are unable to deliver essential services and facilities to our villages.

No wonder, farming fails to attract talent and may continue to do so, if necessary steps are not taken. Agriculture must be transformed so that it offers young people an appealing alternative to urban life.

The Solutions: What needs to be done?

Clearly, development of the agricultural economy is crucial for dealing with the problem of talent crunch. Here are a few holistic solutions to resolve the crisis and deal with the dichotomies AGRICULTURE

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that exist at almost every level of the agribusiness value chain: Farmer Education: Community participation is indeed the cornerstone of rural development and implementation of community measures can become successful with enhanced levels of farmer education at the grassroots level. There are probably two ways to do this—one, the Government through its agencies must educate farmers on the latest techniques of seed, agrochemical, and water usage for best yield outcomes, and two, a renewed focus must be put on vocational courses and skill education for people from remote villages, which will help in the creation of a bunch of progressive rural micro-entrepreneurs to make rural India self-sustainable. Improvements in rural infrastructure such as electricity supplies and access to subsidies and credit could go a long way to support older farmers and encourage their children to stay in farming.

Use of ICT: Leveraging Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has the potential to create a revolution in the agriculture industry. Be it customized messaging services for weather forecast or use of GPS-based technology for farmto-folk tracking or renewable energy for power www.krishijagran.com

Technology, coupled with right education and innovation can pave the way for a better outlook for agriculture sector

tillage, embracing the right balance of smart, sustainable, and futuristic technologies can make agriculture a viable career option for young Indians. Value added services like Dial for FM or soil testing apps can make farming more interesting and less secluded occupation.

Building Research Capacity: With everincreasing supply-side constraints in agriculture, Research & Development (R&D) holds the potential to offer long-term solutions for Indian agriculture. Research & Development is surely associated with agricultural productivity. It can also help in overcoming other issues such as seed problems, pest and disease problems, crop sustainability, climate change, irrigation problems, soil erosion, and so on. In fact, adoption of scientific farming practices can revolutionize the dynamics of the whole sector, and once the sector comes to realize this, participation from youth innovators is bound to increase.

Way Forward Indian agriculture has transformed significantly in post-independence period. Multiple factors such as growth in household income, expansion in food processing markets, and increase in

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agricultural exports has facilitated double digit growth in the sector. But somewhere down the lane, the thrust to project agriculture as an attractive and rewarding career for the youth is still missing, which is leading to the widening talent shortage. Very often, people from the rural areas are somewhat forced to move to cities in the search of better opportunities. In recent times, we have seen efforts in the right direction to mitigate the inadequacies in infrastructure in the rural markets.

Technology, coupled with right education and innovation can pave the way for a better outlook for this sector.

Government, corporate, agricultural research institutions, and all other stakeholders must come forward together to portray the empowerment of the modern day Indian farmer and move past the rural development agenda which only focuses on poverty alleviation. If agriculture is to be attractive it has to change.

Farmers and rural development figured high in this year’s Budget speech and the allocation for these sectors has increased by 24%. A host of new schemes with generous central allocations, aimed at revitalizing the rural economy, will hopefully give farming the much need turn around and make it worthwhile for the youth.

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LEMON:

A VERSATILE FRUIT OF MULTIPLE USES Mahendra Pal

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Narayan Consultancy on Veterinary Public Health and Microbiology, 4 Aangan-I, Anand-388001,Gujarat, India Email:Â palmahendra2@gmail.com

emon is one of the most popular citrus fruits in the world with multiple uses.

Belonging to flowering plant family Rutaceae, it is packed with rich nutrients and health benefits. In 1493, first lemon tree in America is planted by the Italian navigator Christopher Columbus. The major producers of lemon today are USA, Italy, Turkey, Israel, Spain and Greece. In India, the cultivation is carried out in UP, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Punjab.

In India though the most popular variety of citrus fruits cultivated and used is acid lime. It is grown largely in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu, and to a limited extent in other states of country.

Areas with dry climate and low rainfall are best suited for growing limes. Lemons can be grown in heavy rainfall humid regions. The best season of planting is June to August. Tree can grow about 12 to 22 feet tall and will start giving

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fruits at the age of 3- 6 years. Irrigation water containing 1000 ppm of salt is injurious to the growth of the crop. High humidity can favour several diseases. Frost is injurious and hot wind during summer results in desiccation and drop of flowers and young fruits. Average production is about 700 fruits after stabilization. Life span of tree is about 15 to 20 years.

Planting of lemon can be a profitable business.

James Lind in 1747 found that lemons are very useful to treat scurvy, a deficiency of vitamin C. The researchers claimed that vitamin C plays a significant role in immunity and helps to neutralize free radicals in our body and thus reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Lemon contains many vitamins (niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, choline, pantothenic acid, foliate, vitamin C, vitamin B6) and minerals (calcium, copper, iron, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc), which are needed for human body. It should be stored at room tem-

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perature away from direct sunlight. Lemon is used as home remedy for many people in India.

However, it is imperative to mention that person suffering from serious illness should seek expert opinion of the qualified Physicians before doing self-medication with lemon.

Uses of Lemon Lemon has very appealing colour, odour and flavour. People of India regularly used lemon to treat a wide variety of medical problems since ancient times. It improves digestion, enhanc-

es our immune system, boosts energy, alkalizes and hydrates the body, reduces mucus and phlegm, promotes healthy and rejuvenated skin, boosts brain power and helps in weight loss.

This fruit is said to reduce inflammation of joints by removing uric acid from joints. It has antibacterial and antiviral properties. It increases absorption of iron. Lemon soothes the itching and alleviates the rash, reduces the age spots, and cleanses the face. Lemon water helps in the enzyme functions in our body stimulating the liver and flushing out toxins. Lemon juice relieves symptoms of indigestion such as bloating, burping and heart burn. It can reduce the effects of nausea, dizziness, and also found beneficial in chills, fever, headache, respiratory problems, arthritis, diphtheria, rheumatism, depression, stress, diabetes, cholera, high blood pressure, heart diseases, indigestion, constipation, sore throat, internal bleeding,

Lemon contains many vitamins (niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, choline, pantothenic acid, foliate, vitamin C, vitamin B6) and minerals (calcium, copper, iron, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc)

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burns, and obesity.

Using lemon juice in a glass of water with one teaspoonful of sugar and pinch of black salt is a quick and healthy remedy for minimizing the side effects of scorching heat during summer.

It contains potassium, which is responsible for controlling high blood pressure. Furthermore, lemon juice is the best for oral health. It stops bleeding from gums, mitigate toothaches, and gives fresh breaths. It is a powerful antiseptic and can be used for vaginal hygiene.

Juice of half lemon in a bucket of water during bath will help to remove bad odour of sweat during summer season. Lemon with turmeric powder and rose water is used to improve the skin complexion. It helps to fight skin damage caused by sun and pollution. Lemon can lend a wonderful flavour to sauces, salads, desserts, and drinks. Lemon pickle is a side dish often seen in Indian dining tables. Lemon can also be

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used to preserve the food. Few small pieces of ginger soaked in lemon juice are eaten before meal to increase the appetite.

For the hardware industry, it is also a very valuable raw material in the manufacture of stain removers, detergents, perfumes made of oil extracted from the skin, etc. The used lemon is cut into small pieces, boiled in water, filtered, and after adding very small quantity of any detergent powder, can be used to clean utensils.

The scent of lemon is deterrent for pests in the house.

Daily consumption of lemon water helps to purify the blood and also significantly improves mental health. It is a powerful antiseptic and can be used to disinfect cuts, abrasions and scrapes. In order to keep good health, it is recommended that one lemon squeezed in about 150 ml of water must be taken daily in the morning before going to toilet.

Lemon improves digestion, enhances our immune system, boosts energy, alkalizes and hydrates the body, reduces mucus and phlegm, promotes healthy and rejuvenated skin, boosts brain power and helps in weight loss.

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KRISHI JAGRAN ENTERS LIMCA BOOK OF RECORDS

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rishi Jagran, a pioneer agricultural magazine in India has entered the Lima Book of Records for being the largest circulated agri- rural magazine in the country with a combined readership of nearly one crore.

Started as a Hindi magazine in 1996

by M.C.Dominic, Krishi Jagran has now published in 12 languages with 22 editions covering 23 states. The magazine reaches out to all remote rural areas through a powerful network of co-ordinators in almost all districts of the States. It’s regularly updated web portal (www. krishijagran.com) is available in Hindi and English Magazine has 10 lakh plus subscribers and 10 million readers. Krishi Jagran is also active in facebook as ‘Krishi Jagran Kisan

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Club’and has thousands of followers in twitter and LinkedIn. Magazine also has more than hundred whatsapp groups all over the country to update latest trends and to provide instant advice to farmers.

Its unique and multifaceted activities in social media platform have a wide popularity among diverse farming communities and other allied sectors. Since its inception, the magazine has been publishing with a view to educate the farmers about the progress that Agriculture is witnessing in India. It also offers an exclusive platform for sharing knowledge, innovation and networking in Agriculture and serve as a responsible interface between the industry and the government.

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SPIRULINA: A PROMISING “SUPER FOOD” TO FIGHT MALNUTRITION AGRICULTURE

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Nirali P. Vadhel and Juned Pathan Department of Aquaculture, Post Graduate Centre for Fisheries Education and Research, Kamdhenu University, Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat- India

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pirulina is a super food containing high content of protein (70%), essential fatty acids, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, antioxidants and polysaccharides. It is gaining importance in aquaculture as a feed additive for several species; it improves growth rate, immunity, survival and skin pigmentation.

It is gaining importance as a functional food for human consumption worldwide, improves immunity and it is anti-cancer and anti-viral.

Spirulina can be cultured using animal waste and waste water, agro-industrial waste and sea water as a media to reduce cost of Spirulina culture.

Spirulina, a multicellular, filamentous cyanobacterium, forming populations in freshwater and brackish lakes and some marine environments, mainly alkaline saline lakes . Commercial It is gainproduction ofSpirulina ing importance as has gained worldwide attention as a human a functional food for food supplements, human consumption worldanimal feed and wide, improves immunity and pharmaceuticals. it is anti-cancer and anti-viral.

In aquaculture, Spirulina is used Spirulina can be cultured using as a feed additive animal waste and waste water, to improve growth, agro-industrial waste and feed efficiency, sea water as a media to carcass quality, and physiological response reduce cost of Spiruto disease in several spelina culture. cies of fish . The growth of Spirulina and the composition of the biomass produced depend on many factors, the most important of which are nutrient availability, temperature and light . In addition, Spirulina requires relatively high pH values between 9.5 and 9.8 .

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METHODS OF SPIRULINA CULTURE Use of animal waste and waste water as a media for Spirulina culture To reduce the cost of production of Spirulina many methods have been attempted . The use of animal waste to produce algal biomass as a means to recycle its feed value has been investigated in recent year. Some animal waste and wastewaters, such as from pig and poultry, contain high concentrations of ammonia and although cyanobacteria can grow in a wide range of salinity, wastewaters must first be diluted before they can be used as cultivation media, especially for pH values exceeding 8.0, because the free form of ammonia is toxic for cyanobacteria growth . However, one of the major advantages of cyanobacteria cultivation in digested animal waste is that the macroand micro-nutrients required are provided by this kind of raw material . S. maxima can grow on raw cow manure wastes in an outdoor pond, and can get yield of up to 3 g/litre of total suspended matter after 30 days in batch culture . Shelef et al. (1980) obtained a production of 2.5 g/litre after 30 days in batch culture on raw cattle waste.

OOD precipitation with NaHCO3 or Na3CO3 before enriching with potassium phosphate and urea . An experiment demonstrated that Spirulina platensis, can be adapted to grow in seawater enriched with a commercial compound fertilizer (N: Υ: Κ = 12:12:12), NaHCO3 and FeSO4 .

USAGE AND POTENTIAL OF SPIRULINA IN AQUACULTURE Spirulina is one of the most commonly used

Use of agro-industrial wastes and wastewaters as a media for Spirulina culture Spirulina grows photosynthetically but an organic substrate can stimulate its growth. Molasses is potentially useful for microalgae culture Spirulina is .Wastewater from the production of sago starch is one of the most also used to cultivate commonly used micro S. platensis .

Use of Sea water as a media for Spirulina culture

algae in aqua feeds because of its rich source of protein, vitamins, essential amino acids, minerals, essential fatty acids and carotenoids such as b-carotene, xanthophylls, zeaxanthin, echinenone and cryptoxanthin

The best method of Spirulina culture involves the use of nutrient-enriched seawater culture medium.

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micro algae in aqua feeds because of its rich source of protein, vitamins, essential amino acids, minerals, essential fatty acids and carotenoids such as b-carotene, xanthophylls, zeaxanthin, echinenone and cryptoxanthin.

Successful substitution of formulated diets with up to 50% Spirulina was reported for the growth of milkfish fry (Chanos chanos) . Carp fry were fed with 10% Spirulina and this diet

resulted in a better performance of the fish .

The effect of supplementation of Spirulina in the diet was also studied in the giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) .

Spirulina meal significantly improved growth, survival and feed utilization irrespective of the supplementation level in the range of 5-20% in the feed.

Effect on tissue (carcass) and other qualities Extensive studies have been done on the effect of Spirulina on body color enhancement in fishes. In a study to elucidate the relative importance of the major carotenoid pigments of Spirulina in red tilapia (Tilapia nilotica, T mossambica), Matsuno et al. (1980) did feeding tests with test diets containing Spirulina; the color of the integument in the control, lutein, rhodoxanthin and Spirulina groups became pale pink, orange, pink and orange red in appearance, respectively. Lia et al. (1993) found a significantly higher carotenoid content in the carapace of black tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon) fed a 3% Spirulina diet compared to other diets.

Immunomodulatory effects of Spirulina Duncan et al. (1996) have reported that Spirulina are capable of enhancing non-specific immune responses in fish. Spirulina received increasing attention mainly due to its bioactive components that have antioxidant activity .

Bermejo et al. (2008) suggested that Spirulina could be used to produce a natural dietary antioxidant supplement or added to healthy food products, such as cereals, fruit bars or drinks, to prevent some chronic diseases where free radicals are involved.

SPIRULINA FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION Millions of people eat Spirulina cultivated in scientifically designed algal farms. Current world production of S. platensis for human consumption is more than one thousands metric tons annually. The USA leads world production followed by Thailand, India, Japan and China. The addition of Spirulina to the diet can give a wide range of vital nutrients. www.krishijagran.com

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They are accepted as functional food. Spirulina contains high level of various B vitamins, and minerals including calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium and zinc . Nutrients of Spirulina are readily absorbed by the body and help to bring nutrient status up to normal level. Clinical trials have shown that Spirulina can serve as a supplementary cure for many diseases. Spirulina capsules have proved effective in lowering blood lipid level, and in decreasing white blood corpuscles after radiotherapy and chemotherapy, as well as improving immunological function.

OOD research is needed to determine its usefulness against AIDS and other killer diseases.

Scientists in India, China, Japan, USA and other countries are studying this remarkable food to unlock its potential. Awareness of the better nutritional quality of sea food proteins and lipids will soon make them a major source of protein in the human diet.

Anti-viral Effect of Spirulina: Spirulina has all bio-chemicals Spirulina in its constitution that can build a healthy immune capsules have system, which scavenges proved effective in free radicals as well. lowering blood lipid levCompounds extracted el, and in decreasing white from Arthrospira have inhibitory activity blood corpuscles after against a wide range of radiotherapy and cheviruses such as HIV-1, motherapy, as well as HSV-1, HSV-2, HCMV, improving immunoinfluenza type A, measles, etc. Extracts from cyanological function. bacteria have antimutagenic and anticancer effect and can prevent development and growth of tumors as well as inhibit metastasis or proliferation of cancer cells.

Anti-Cancer Effect of Spirulina: Several studies have shown that Spirulina or its extracts can prevent or inhibit cancers in humans and animals. In vitro studies suggest the unique polysaccharides of Spirulina enhance cell nucleus enzyme activity and DNA repair synthesis.

This safe and natural food provides nutritional support, the multifunctional role of Spirulina makes it an ideal natural drug with immense prophylactic and therapeutic properties.

Spirulina species also have antibacterial and anti-parasitic activity. It has been demonstrated that the use of Spirulina and its extracts may reduce cancer and viral diseases. More AGRICULTURE

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CROP LIFE’S ‘MADHU SANDESH’ WINS ASIA PACIFIC EXCELLENCE AWARD

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rop Life India pollination project “Madhu Sandesh” recognized internationally at Asia Pacific Excellence Awards for its new approach to farmer communication.

Through “Madhu Sandesh” Crop Life India provides subsidized bee hive rentals to farmers to pollinate their crops. This not only results in improved yield and incomes for farmers but also instills a holistic understanding of the need to use crop protection products in a manner that protects the environment and ecosystems.

At the end of the first year, 90% of the 180 participants reported better quality crops.

Pomegranate farmers saw an average of 35% increase in their yields, corresponding to a 42% increase in income while the training they received helped to reduce waste. Moreover, the farmers who benefitted from the program became enthusiastic advocates of promoting pollination, protecting the environment and using crop protection products responsibly.

The programme continues to enrol more participants as it moves into its second year.

“We are extremely proud and honoured to receive this recognition, which was made possible through the effort and excellent teamwork of our partners ICAR and KVK Baramati and would like to thank them on this occasion”, said Mr.Brij Uberoi CEO, CropLife India. www.krishijagran.com

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BIOFERTILIZERS: BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES Paritosh Bhattacharyya Ex Additional Commissioner ( INM ) Email : paritoshb.21@gmail.com

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producing or pathogens and some are agriiofertilizer is a carrier based or liquid culturally beneficial. Interestingly , microbes based product containing beneficial agare responsible for maintaining and enhancing riculturally useful microorganisms like soil fertility in the soil which sounds “ Soul of nitrogen fixers, phosphate solubilisers Infinite Life”. Without microbes, the soul / mobilizers, compost accelerators, potash of the soil has no relevance. Only solubilizers / mobilisers, zinc solubimicrobes, govern the transforlizers, consortium biofertilizers mation of all nutrients in the etc. It is an important comMicrobes soil. ponent of Integrated Nutriare responsible ent Management ( INM ) for maintaining and Biofertilizer is a product and also in high demand (carrier or liquid based) enhancing soil fertility for use in organic containing living or farming. Commercially, in the soil which sounds dormant agriculturally some producers supply “ Soul of Infinite Life “ . beneficial microorgansubstandard quality Without microbes , the isms like bacteria, fungi, of biofertilizers which actinomycetes, algae soul of the soil has is a matter of serious alone or in combination concern. The Ministry of no relevance which on application help in Agriculture, Government of fixing atmospheric nitrogen or India has addressed the issue solubilizing / mobilizing soil nutriand notified its quality protocols ents in addition to secretion of growth under Fertilizer Control Order. ( FCO ) promoting substances for sustaining soil health and enhancing crop growth. “Bio” means living Microbes or microorganisms are forms of life and “fertilize” means a product which provide which can be seen only by microscopes. It nutrients in usable form. includes bacteria, fungi, mold, actinomycetes etc. In nature, especially in soil, there are The concept of biofertilizer was initiated in billions of microbes. Some of them are disease AGRICULTURE

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Nitrogen Biofertilizer ( N -BF )( based on N- fixation ) Name

Nature

Benefits Recommended for

Rhizobium

Symbiotic

Contributes 20 – 200Kg Pulse legume, Oilseed Bacteria N / ha legume , forage legume

Azotobacter

Free living

Contributes 20 – 40 Kg Mainly Cereal ,vegetable, Bacteria N/ha , secretes Growth and Flowers Promoting substances

Azospirillum

Associative

- -do-( mainly C-4 plants)Bacteria

Acetobacter

Endophytic

- do -

Azolla

Water fern

- do - Paddy crop,Symbiotic with BGA-Anabaena

Blue Green

Photosynthetic

- do - Paddy crop Algae Algae

Sugarcane crop Bacteria

Phosphorus Biofertilizer ( P – BF ) ( based on P-solubilization/mobilization)

1834, when J B Bossingault, a French agricultural Chemist, contributed classical concept of Biological Nitrogen Fixation by legumes . In 1888, Beijerinck, a Dutch Scientist, confirmed that a bacterium (now named Rhizobium) is responsible for nitrogen fixation in legumes.

The commercial history of biofertliser began with the launch of Rhizobium (Trade name : “ Nitragin”) by F Nobbe and L Hiltner in 1896.

First commercial production of Biofertiliser (Rhizobium) in India began in 1956.

Benefits of Biofertilizer Use • •

• • •

Biofertilizers are cheaper, pollution free and based on renewable energy sources .

They can supplement chemical fertiliser by adding 20 – 100 Kg N /ha under optimum condition and solubilizing / mobilizing 30 – 50 kg phosphate per ha.

They are capable of liberating growth promoting substances, vitamins and helps to maintain soil fertility.

They improve soil physical properties, tilth and soil health in general.

They can increase crop yields by 10 – 20 % on an average.

Type of Biofertilizers In general, we are acquainted with two type of Biofertilizers e.g. Nitrogen Biofertilizers ( N – BF www.krishijagran.com

) and Phosphorus Biofertilizers ( P – BF ) i. ii.

P- Solubiliser* Bacteria, Fungi & Solubilise insoluble All Crops Actinomycetes phosphate P – Mobilizer** Endomychorrhiza Mobilize phosphate All crops ( * PSM / PSB = Phosphate Solubilizing Microorganism / Biofertilizer & PMB = Phosphate Mobilizing Biofertiliser )

OTHER BIOFERTILIZERS : i. Potash Biofertilizer ( K – BF ) : Faturia aurantia , Bacillus mucilaginosus etc. are capable of mobilizing / solubilizing potash. ii. Zinc Solubilizer ( Z – BF ) : Some species of Bacillus are capable of solubilizing insoluble Zinc compounds. They are considered as important biofertilisers in Zinc deficient soils. iii. Compost Accelerating Biofertilizers ( C – BF ) : Some cellulose decomposers like Trichoderma species are used as Compost Accelerating Biofertilisers. iv. Microbial Consortium Biofertilizers ( MC –BF ) : Mixture of N-BF, P-BF, K-BF, C-BF etc . are used as consortium and found effective . v. PGPR Biofertilizers ( PGPR – BF ) : The group of beneficial, root associative bacteria that stimulates the growth of plant is termed as as Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria.

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It may be used for multipurpose . These are part of MC – BF .

Generally , biofertilizers are available in a solid ( using peat, lignite, charcoal as carrier), or in liquid base . Biofertilisers may be prepared from either single or multiple stains.

APPLICATION METHODOLOGY Biofertilisers may be applied as below : i.

ii.

iii.

includes 1) Preparation of suspension 1 – 2 Kg biofertiliser in 10 – 15 litre Multi – locaof water. 2) Dipping the seedlings into tional trials in India the suspension showed that biofertilfor 20 – 30 iser application increased minutes and the yield of different crops 3) Transplanting treated , on an average , 11.5 perseedlings cent . It can supplement immediately.

the use of chemical fertilizer substantially

Seed Treatment : The process includes 1) preparation of paste or slurry by mixing 200 g biofertiliser with 400 ml water, 2) pouring paste biofertiliser on 10 – 15 Kg seeds kept on a gunny bag on the floor and mixing the paste with seeds by hand, 3) spreading inoculated seeds in shades for 10 – 15 minutes for drying and sowing the treated seeds immediately.

iv. Seed treatment is more or less similar to seedling treatment. For liquid based biofertiliser, it is better to follow the process as mentioned on the container . For blue green algae , algal flakes at the rate of 10 – 15 Kg/acre is recommended to the farmers . In the case of Azolla, it is better to apply @ 3 – 4 t/ha.

Some Precautions

Soil Application : The method includes 1) preparation of the mixture of 5 – 7 kg biofertilizer in 100 – 150 Kg soil / Compost and 2) Broadcasting the mixture in one hectare ( 0.4 ha ) either at sowing or 24 hours earlier.

• •

Seedling Innoculation : The process

•

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•

Keep biofertilizer packets under shade.

Dry treated seeds under shade and sow treated seeds immediately after drying.

Don’t use poor quality biofertilizer. Don’t use packets on which crop, date, batch no name of manufacturer and expiry date is not mentioned.

Don’t mix biofertilizer with insecticides,

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•

several biotic and abiotic factors. Emergence of some Bio- Organic mafia groups who are selling substandard products are really threats The Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India notified quality control measures for biofertilizers under Fertilizer Control Order ( FCO ) in 2006 and its modification, Biotime to time, is on-going. If fertilizers farmers get quality biofertilizare cheaper, ers, they may get adequate pollution free and benefits from its use.

fungicides , herbicides or fertilizer .

Don’t mix the biofertilizer with seed under direct sunlight

SWOT Analysis A ) Strength : It is pollution free and low cost. It is required in low quantity. As sources are microbes, these are available in sufficient amounts from nature.

based on renewable energy sources

B) Weakness : Poor shelf life, Substandard quality, low awareness of farmers, Inadequate storage facilities. Most of the times, its application is not supported by organic or green manures. Its impact on the field is not always visible.

c) Opportunity : Biofertilizer is an essential component of Integrated Nutrient Management ( INM ). As organic farming is gaining momentum, its demand is increasing. In dry land area and hill area, its use is highly encouraged.Liquid biofertilizers are being preferred by many users. d) Threat : High expectation from biofertilizer is always not practical as it is influenced by

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Multi – locational trials in India showed that biofertiliser application increased the yield of different crops, on an average, 11.5 percent. It can supplement the use of chemical fertilizer substantially.

Simultaneously, it sustains the soil fertility by several interactions. Although the current production figure of biofertiliser is 40000 metric tonnes roughly, but there is still lack of awareness among farmers on its appropriate use. So, under this situation, two issues are very much important for popularizing biofertilizers; one is obviously, the “ Quality of the Product “ and the other is “ Skill Development on its Use “ by organizing trainings. Unless these two issues are addressed properly, the wide acceptance of this important input will be in question.

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ENGINEERING

INTERVENTIONS IN AQUATIC WEED CONTROL Alfiya P V,Manoj P Samuel

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Scientist, Engineering Division, ICAR-CIFT, Cochin Principal Scientist and Head, Engineering Division, ICAR-CIFT, Cochin

quatic weeds have emerged as a potential threat to the water resources in the country today. The growth rate of these weeds is so fast that they develop a dense mat over water bodies.

The risks associated includes enormous water loss through evapotranspiration, clogging of rivers and canals, hampering of navigation and the most important of all- displacing of the native fish species due to depletion in oxygen levels. About 20-40% of the water loss in India is caused by the menace of aquatic weeds.

Dense growth of aquatic weeds may provide ideal habitat for the development of mosquitoes causing malaria, encephalitis and filariasis; thereby affecting human health as well. These weeds may also serve as vectors for disease

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causing organisms and can greatly reduce the aesthetic value of water bodies from a recreational point of view. Commonly identified aquatic weeds can be emergent (Eg. Cattail,Water lily, Water primrose, Alligator bulrushes, Spike rushes, Typha, Phragamites, etc.), submersed (Eg. Hydrilla brittle, Pond weeds, Coontail, Vallisneria, etc.) or floating (Eg: Duckweeds, Azolla, Water hyacinth, etc.) types.

Aquatic weed menace Rapidly growing aquatic weeds should be controlled through effective, economic and environment friendly methods. Engineering interventions for control of aquatic weeds employs mechanical equipment’s and methods for cutting as well as weed removal. Some of the www.krishijagran.com

methods are discussed below.

Mechanical harvesting: Mechanical harvesting is a common form of mechanical control. The harvester cuts the vegetation below the water’s surface. This tool is primarily used on large lakes to control submerged aquatic vegetation. Most harvesters have the capacity to cut down to a 5 or 6 foot depth. The weeds collected by the harvester can then be transferred to an upland disposal site. Due to the size of the machines, only larger areas with a sufficient depth are suitable for this treatment. The price per acre of mechanical harvesting may range from 20,000-32,000, excluding mobilization, and the cost for equipment purchase ranges from Rs.1, 400,000 to 4,400,000.

Weed cutters and harvesters Rotovation: Rotovation is a method for chopping up and disturbing plants, focusing on the base of the plant, including submerged portions. A rotovator is a barge mounted rototilling machine that lowers a tiller head about eight to ten inches into the sediment to dislodge plant root crowns. Unlike harvesters, rotovators do not have the capability to collect the uprooted plant material and the buoyant root masses float to the surface.

The plant material may then be removed by a harvester following the rotovator, manually collecting plant material from the water surface,

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or raking along the beaches. Costs for rotovation vary according to treatment scale, density of plants, machinery used, and other site constraints. Contract costs for rotovation range from Rs.48.000 – 68,000 per acre.

Chaining: Chaining consists of a heavy iron drag chain attached between two tractors, which is dragged down a densely weed infested ditch or medium canal. The chain tears the rooted weeds and loosens them from the bottom. This method has been found effective where there is dominance of emergent and submersed weeds.

The practice of chaining should be followed when new shoots of weed are around 30-50 cm above water level. Dragging the chain up and down the stream may be effective in dislodging most of the weeds. For effective weed control the practice should be repeated at frequent intervals if found successful.

Dredging: Dredging is one of the techniques by which the weed vegetation along with excess silt is removed from drains and ditches. A Dredger is a machine equipped with a forked bucket which can be opened and closed on command. The machine could operate from the ground or from a boat in water. Dredging is done in large water bodies, canals and drains. It is a common method of cleaning ditches but slow, time consuming and is a costly operation. Small lakes, water reservoirs etc. get silted if area surrounding

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them is under cultivation or surrounded by erodable lands with poor aforestation. When silts get sedimented at bottom the water retention gets decreased and emergent weeds establish.

Such a situation demands the use of dredging facilities to remove silt and increase the water capacity of lakes. This also reduces the problem of emergent weeds. Results of dredging can be very long term.

Dredging Mowing: This process consists of cutting the weeds close to the ground with the help of manual or power operated mowing machines. Mowing is effective on tall growing plants. Repeated mowing not only prevents seed production of emergent weeds but may also starve the underground parts which store carbohydrate reserves and provides energy to vegetative reproductive organs. The best time to mow is when carbohydrate reserves are low. Repeated mowing hastens carbohydrate depletion and slow death of plants. Generally, this practice effectively controls emergent weeds on canals, water reservoirs etc . The effect of mowing is short lived.

Weed rollers: Weed rollers and sweepers are relatively new methods to control nuisance weed infestations in small locations. Weed rollers include a long metal cylinder (up to 30’) attached to a dock or piling on one end. A motor drives the cylinder forward and backwards in a 270-degree AGRICULTURE

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arc from the attachment point. The cylinder compresses young plants and soil in the area.

Fin-like blades on the roller remove taller plants from sediment and may remove roots. For weed control, use once per week should be sufficient.

Barriers: Bamboo or inflatable rubber boom fencing is used to restrain the drift of free floating aquatic weeds. The barriers are made to allow water to pass through them and to sustain the wave and wind action. The use of floating booms can be useful in a floating plant control program. They can be deployed to prevent floating plants from clogging water intakes, marinas, swimming areas, or other susceptible sites. Floating booms can also be used to collect floating plants being moved by currents within a water body, or prevent plants from entering the main course of the reservoir from feeder embayment. Plants collected in such manner can be more efficiently removed with other control methods.

Barriers for weed control The growing demand for water resources for recreation, agriculture and industry propels to resort on weed control techniques. Engineering intervened methods are found to be quick, target specific, environment friendly and provides fewer chances of permitting ecological shifts in aquatic flora. Also these are more reliable compared to biological and physical methods of weed removal. Hence, this area of weed harvesting is gaining popularity and momentum in the present scenario.

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ANDHRA’S BANGANAPALLE MANGO GETS GI TAG

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s widely accepted for its unique aroma and sweetness, Andhra Pradesh’s popular variety Banganapalle mango has got Geographical Indication tag.

Now the State has become the registered proprietor of this fruit.

Primarily originating in Kurnool district it has been grown for over 100 years in the state. It is also known as Beneshan, Baneshan, Chappatai and Safeda in various parts. The prominent characteristic of ‘Banaganapalle mangoes’ is that its skin has very light spots, having very thin seed with sparse and soft fibre all over and having forked veins, which are prominently

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raised over the surface of the seed.

The life of the Banganapalle mango after it fully ripens is about 10 to 12 days and more than a month in cold storage. Rayalaseema region, Coastal region and Telangana are the secondary regions of its origin.

In Andhra Pradesh an estimated 24.35 lakh metric tonnes of mangoes were grown every year and approximately 7, 68,250 families of farmers and traders were engaged in its production and market. India exports about 5,500 tonnes of Banganappalle mangoes annually to countries like the US and UK and Gulf nations.

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CDB SURVEY SAYS COCONUT PRODUCTION TO DECLINE BY 6.22%

he production of coconut is likely to fall by 6.22 % in the crop season 2016-17(July-June), over the previous year, reports a survey conducted by the Coconut Development Board (CDB). The study was conducted by the board in the major coconut growing states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha, Maharashtra and Gujarat.

The survey says that coconut production during the last season was estimated at 20,789 million nuts. In Gujarat and Odisha major decrease in production was estimated at 15.86% and 10.38% respectively. The four major southern states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu,

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Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh which contributes almost 91% of the country’s production, indicated comparatively lesser decrease at 8.47,5.85,5.17and0.81%respectively.

The survey indicated increased production in the states of West Bengal and Maharashtra.

In Andhra Pradesh only a meagre decrease was estimated, an indication that the state was returning to normalcy after being severely hit by cyclonic storms in successive years 2013 and 2014 according to CDB. The decline in production in almost all the states is attributed to deficient monsoon, especially in Kerala where majority of the coconut cultivation is under rain fed conditions, the study said.

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INDIA RAISES RECORD IN FOOD GRAINS PRODUCTION India’s food grain production is increased in 2016-17 over the previous year. As per the third advance estimate released by the Agriculture Ministry, total food grains production is estimated at 273.38 million tonnes.

Further, the estimates show that production of key crops like rice, wheat and pulses will be at record levels during the year. While wheat production is estimated to rise by 4.7% to 96.6 million tonnes in 2016-17 (compared to 92.3 million tonnes in 2015-16), production of pulses is likely to rise 35% from 16.4 million tonnes last year to 22.1 million tonnes in 2016-17 With an increase of 7.27 million tonnes (28.80%) over the previous year, total oilseeds production in the country is estimated at 32.52 million tonnes. The production of Oilseeds during 2016-17 is also higher by 3.27 million tonnes (11.17%) than the five year’s average Oilseeds production.

Production of sugarcane is estimated at 306.03 million tonnes which is lower by 42.42 million tonnes (-12.17%) than the last year’s produc-

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tion of 348.45 million tonnes.

Despite lower area coverage during 2016-17, higher productivity of cotton has resulted into higher production of 32.58 million bales (of 170 kg each), i.e. an increase of 8.57%, as compared to 30.01 million bales during 2015-16.

Andhra Pradesh to form tie up with US to promote agriculture Andhra Pradesh government has signed a memorandum of cooperation with State of lowa, US, to promote research and development in the fields of science, agriculture and life sciences.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has informed the gathering of the farm producers’ organisations and water users association established in Andhra Pradesh. He said the state is adopting a number of best practices from seeds to cultivation practices to storage and post-production processes. This move would help in increasing the seed production and research in the state leading to an increase in crop output.

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GM CORN TO PREVENT DEADLY FUNGUS AFLATOXIN

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his has been a breakthrough in the development of crop management; scientists at Arizona University have discovered a new gene based technique to stop the production of deadly fungus Aflatoxin.

DR MADHURA SWAMINATHAN SELECTED FOR GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY PANEL

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r Madhura Swaminathan, Chairperson, M S Swaminathan Research Foundation has been selected to serve as an expert on the group writing a report on ‘Multi-stakeholder Partnerships to Finance and Improve Food Security and Nutrition in the Framework of the 2030 Agenda’. This group is constituted by ‘The High Level Panel of Experts’ on food security and nutrition of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS).

Dr Madhura is among five international experts selected out of 78 global candidates. The others are from South Africa, Brazil, Sudan and Germany. The announcement came from Rome, the headquarters of FAO, earlier this week.

Speaking on the selection, Dr Madhura said “I am happy to have the opportunity to contribute to global policy to help food and nutrition security of millions of people across the world. It is an honour and I do hope it will help also provide perspectives from India and the Asian region.”

Dr Madhura, is also Professor and Head of Economic Analysis Unit of Indian Statistical Institute, Bangalore. A development economist, she has authored eight books including one on food policy in India.

She has served on Government of India’s High Level Committee on Long Term Grain Policy, the UN Committee on Development Policy and on the Board of International Potato Centre in Lima.

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Aflatoxin is a well- known global health threat. It is a natural chemical produced by Aspergillus fungus, commonly seen in corns, wheat, rice and many other crops.

Hot climates and inadequate storage practices are the major factors that augment the spread of the fungus and its accompanying toxin. It often occurs in crops in the field prior to harvest. Postharvest contamination can occur only if crop drying is delayed or due to the lack of proper storage condition. Countries in the developing world cannot afford to either test for aflatoxin or discard crops containing it. Corn riddled with aflatoxin are still be eaten or fermented to make alcoholic beverages.

Scientists used a technique called host-induced gene silencing, a branch of a broader approach to genetics known as RNA interference. They create a genetic sequence containing the desired fungal trait that is an absence of aflatoxin production and insert that sequence into the corn. That sequence is then transferred to the infecting fungal cell, overriding the genetic code linked to aflatoxin production. www.krishijagran.com

COTTON REGAINS ITS LOST GROUND IN PUNJAB

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otton often termed as ‘white gold’ regained its lost ground in Punjab where the area under the crop is expected to rise by more than 50% after it fell to ever lowest 2.56 lakh hectares in the last year. The restoration of the fiber crop is buttressed by highest productivity of 756 lint kg per hectare in kharif season 2016-17 compared to lowest ever 197 lint kg per hectare in 2015-16.

Joint Director Agriculture, Punjab, JS Bains said, “This year cotton is likely to make revival in several South Western districts where paddy was grown in the last few seasons’’.

“In recent years farmers had opted for paddy in this region because traditionally grown cotton after yield declined and liberal sanction of new tube wells facilitated paddy sowing, The state has recorded highest ever cotton productivity in 2016-17’’, he said After the drop in the area of cotton fields in Punjab due to vast damage caused by Whitefly this kharif season the cotton plot is expected to jump over four lakh hectares. In this season the revival of cotton has outburst in the demands of the cotton hybrid seeds in North India. This trade of cotton hybrid’s rise has been noticed by many seed companies like Rasi seeds, DCM Shriram and Ankur.

In Haryana farmers are being used to cut area under pulses and guars to grow more cotton. “There could be increase in area by 10-12 percent under cotton this year’’, a senior official of Haryana Agriculture Department said. The hard fall in 2015-16 to 196 lint kg per hectare in Punjab resulted in severe losses to farmers.

The agricultural department of Punjab has organized 2223 lakh packets of cotton hybrid seeds approved by Punjab Agriculture University. Seeing high demand more cotton seeds will be made available to farmers, Bains said. This year the agriculture department has arranged for surveillance teams, scouts to control weeds. Last season reported highest productivity in Punjab by the dedicated government supported crop management, pest and weed control programs, he added.

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THE FUTURE SEEMS PROMISING FOR CASTOR SEEDS

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emand for castor seeds in forthcoming market will bounce back. The traders were thinking of lowering the production this period. However, the requirement is on greater side. NCDEX contract on castor seed future rose more than 1.50 percent. Since April 4 this is the huge one day percentage gain for the contract to settle at Rs. 4,675 per quintal.In 2015-16 the production predicted was 14.13 lakh tones. The production of castor seed in 2016-17 is revised down to 12.55 lakh tones in the latest third advance estimates for Gujarat, which is lower by 1.65 lakh tonnes in its second estimates in January 2017.

After reaching its two years high in the first week of April, the castor has started coming down. The drop in the price has traced the reduce in the demands of bulk buyers and crush-

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ers at higher prices despite forecasts of weaker output, slower arrivals in physical market and expectation of good export demand.

FEED BACK We invite your opinion on articles published in the magazine and your comments on the subject discussed . Please send the feed back to feedback@krishijagran.com or write to Feedback,Agriculture World, 60/9,3rd Floor,Yusuf Sarai Market,Near Green Park Metro Station,New Delhi 110016

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Suresh Muthukulam

Former Principal Information Officer FIB, Kerala

CHICKEN FAECES TURN USEFUL BIOFUEL

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ndia is now one of the fastest growing markets for chicken in the world. According to National Sample Survey the appetite for chicken is growing at around 12 percent a year. India’s total chicken meat consumption for 2017 is forecast at 4.49 million metric tons. With the rising middle class income and more international exposure due to travel and expansion of fast food restaurant chains, consumption continues to rise for chicken meat in general and processed chicken meat in particular.

But the bird’s popularity results in a lot of waste that can pollute soil and water. Now science reports appeared in ACS’ journal Energy & Fuels tell that the chicken faeces can be converted to biofuel by mixing it with another environmental scourge, an invasive weed which affects agriculture in Africa. Chicken droppings can contain nutrients, hormones, antibiotics and heavy metals and can reach into the soil and surface water. But poultry droppings alone can’t transform well into biogas. So it is mixed with plant materials such as Mexican sunflower, which was introduced as an ornamental plant to Africa decades ago.

The researchers developed a process to pre-treat chicken droppings and then have anaerobic microbes digest the waste and Mexican sunflower together. Eight kilogram of poultry waste and sunflower produced more than 3 kg of biogas more than enough fuel to drive the reaction and have some leftover for other use such as powering a generator. The residual solids from the process could be used as fertilizer or soil conditioner also.

As said earlier how another curse is turned to a blessing by the growth of science.

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