Krishi Jagran Agriculture World Magazine 2017

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Volume 3, Issue 01, January 2017, ` 70

Seed Industry DemonetizationAn analysis Watering Deccan Plateau with

Himalayan Streams

Climate Change & Agriculture in India

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Volume 3 Issue 01 January 2017 ` 70 Pages 84

Directors

Shiny Emanuel MG Vasan

Furkan Qureshi Kanchan Singh Karishma Lehri Aayesha Khan Pawan Kumar Nupur Das

Sr. Executive Editors

Head Pre-Press

Editor-in-Chief

MC Dominic

Dr. KT Chandy RK Teotia Technical Editor

Yogesh Kumar Graphic Designer

AnilRaj

CONTENT 08

WATERING

Deccan Plateau with Himalayan Streams

CLIMATE CHANGE

Accounts

Udit Mittal K. B Indra

CLIMATE CHANGE & Agriculture in India

Ajith Kumar V R

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Assistant Editor

DD Nair

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CLIMATE CHANGE Blessing or Curse?

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Impact on Sugarcane and Ways to Adaptation

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Economic Importance of

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QUINOA

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SIGNIFICANCE OF

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GREEN SUPPLY

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Indian farmers becoming MODERN

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FARMERS should use their Intelligence

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CREATING

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Seed Industry Demonetization An analysis

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INNOVATION

Dr. B C Biswas Editor

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JANUARY 2017

RHODODENDRON A Crop For Healthy Life

R&D and Technology in Indian Agriculture

Chain Management in India

Healthier Rice

in Agriculture

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Union Budget of india will be presented on 1st of February 2017 from shifting the tradition of presenting it on the last working day of February. The change in date is expected to speed up the process of financial decisions and the government would get more time to efficiently implement financial decisions by April 1 without delay .The biggest challenge Finance Minister Arun Jaitely has to face is the impact of demonetisation and the uncertainty related to implementation of GST. Since 5 important state elections are on ,he has to satisfy the poor and the middle income group by declaring reasonable incentives to attract them to the ruling front. If election commission permits,there is possibility of a number of welfare measures and pro-poor schemes to be declared, that too will be a great relief to the small and medium farmers and the farm workers .

It is beyond doubt that the budget which tells how Government is going to tackle the issues related to Government’s policy decisions and welfare schemes. People expect a change in tax structure by raising the tax exemption bar from the current level of Rs. 2.5 lakhs to 3 lakhs per annum.

Another expectation is that of promoting cashless society by incentivising cashless transactions. We can expect a number of sops encouraging e-payments in the 2017 budget.As far as farmers are concerned there are great expectations on Jaitely’s budget. In 2016 budget ,he envisaged programmes to double the income of farmers by 2022 . He made multiple financial provisions to achieve this goal through making substantial hike in its allocation to the agriculture and allied sector. Rs 47,912 crore had been allotted in the budget for the year 2016-17, which is 84% more than that of 2015-16. while presenting the Budget in Lok Sabha,he said Government is grateful to the farmers for being the backbone of the country’s food security.He also emphasised the need to think beyond food security and give back to our farmers a sense of income security.To achieve this goal, Jaitley announced creating a dedicated long term irrigation fund in the Nabard with an initial corpus of about Rs 20,000 crore and raised the agriculture credit target to Rs 9 lakh crore from Rs 8.5 lakh crore during 2015-16.In order to finance initiatives to improve the agriculture sector, the minister proposed to impose ‘Krishi Kalyan Cess’ of 0.5% on all taxable services. In order to get direct market access to farmers,he introduced the Unified Agriculture Marketing Scheme and an e-platform. Other initiatives include ‘Pashudhan Sanjivani’ ,animal wellness programme and provision of animal health cards, ‘E-Pashudhan Haat’ ,an e-market portal for connecting farmers and breeders, an advanced breeding technology programme and a National Genomic Centre for indigenous breeds.

Presently the GDP from Agriculture in India decreased to 3095.38 IND Billion in the third quarter of 2016 from 3743.90 IND Billion in the second quarter of 2016 and there is possibility of further down road in the last quarter, serious intervention from Government is the need of the hour and that should reflect in the budget itself. It is expected that the agriculture sector will generate better momentum in the next few years due to increased investments in agricultural infrastructure such as irrigation facilities, warehousing and cold storage. The factors like reduced transaction costs and time, improved port gate management and better fiscal incentives are expected to contribute to the sector’s growth. However, there are many hurdles that have to be crossed if we want to achieve these objectives. Its true that there is no magic wand to satisfy all sectors to the expected level, but can look forward with positive musings to hear the words of Arun Jaitley on 1st of February,2017 that emit from the corridors of Parliament House MC Dominic Editor-in-Chief

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Watering Deccan Plateau with Himalayan Streams Dr. K. T. Chandy

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(Retd Professor, XIM. Bhubaneswar Specialist in water resource management) Email. ktchandysj@gmail.com

ecently three of the generators of the Idukky underground power house in Kerala had to be shut down due to some leakage problem in the tunnel that carries water to them and to solve the immediate power shortage in Kerala the State Government decided to import electricity from the neighboring states. Such power sharing is possible because all the Southern states such as Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are under the Southern Regional Power Grid which is one of the five Regional Power Grids in India under the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID).According to the Economic Times June 2nd 2015 report,Power Grid have an investment plan of 22,500 crores for the year 2016 and capital expenditure plan of 1,00,000 crores for the year 2016-17. This gives us an idea of the manner and the extent in which the POWERGRID operates in India and how it can transmit AGRICULTURE

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power from any Regional Grid to any state and to any other Regional Grid. India is also working to interlink its national POWERGRIDs with the Sri Lankan POWERGRID. India has a well laid out flexible power grid structure and an operating system that in case of necessity power can be transmitted and transferred from any part to any other part.

Similarly,we have a huge network of railways.

The statistics show that our railway system consists of 1,15,000 km of track over a route of 67,312 km and with 7,112 stations. It is reported to be transporting about 8.101 billion passengers per year or about 22 million passengers a day and 1.107 billion tons of freight in the year(2015-16 data). In 2014–2015 Indian Railways had revenues of Rs 1.709 trillion which consists of Rs 1.118 trillion from freight and Rs 451.26 billion from passenger tickets.

The railway system is so interlinked that any www.krishijagran.com

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train, passenger or goods, can be diverted from any place to any other place in India if the need arises by way of accidents, repair, emergency transport of the armed forces and their equipments, goods and services. It also has an excellent efficient communication system to guide and control any train on any spot in the country.

Similar is our roads and high ways system. As reported on 31 March 2015 our country has road network of over 5,472,144 kilometers and is supposed to be the second largest road network in the world with 61.05% of it in paved condition. Our road system can transport people and goods from one place to other in any amount.

Mark the physical and financial magnitude of POWERGRID, railways and road systems in India. But water is more essential to human life than any other material or service. Yet we do not have a water-sharing system or “Water Grid of India� operating in our country. Why do we still not have secure water sharing system in this country even after nearly seven decades of Independence? Why is one part of the country submerged in deep flood waters while in another part people and animals are battling for their AGRICULTURE

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survival in severe drought and famine? Why the government has not put in adequate structures for equitable sharing water in our country. In fact India has more water resources than any other country in the world. Among all the essentials human needs, water comes supreme and yet there is no adequate structure for water sharing in India.

The proposal for inter-linking of rivers in India was made first during the British rule by Sir Arthur Thomas Cotton (1803-1899) who was a British general and irrigation engineer. He constructed several dams and anicuts in Andhra and Tamil Nadu areas including the Godavari anicut and the aqueduct on Krishna River. The aqueduct project on Krishna river was sanctioned in 1851 and completed by 1855. After completing the Krishna and Godavari anicuts, Cotton envisaged a huge storage of Krishna and Godavari waters (present Polavaram project). In 1858, Cotton came up with still more ambitious proposal of connecting almost all major rivers of India with canals. He devoted all his life to the construction of irrigation and navigation canals throughout British India. He helped many people by building Prakasam barrage, dhavaleshvaram dam and Kurnool-Cudwww.krishijagran.com

Independent India, Captain D. J. Dastur was the first Indian to submit a proposal in 1977, to construct a high level canal to collect water from the rivers like Ravi, Sutlej, Yamuna, Ganga and Brahmaputra, known as the Himalayan Canal for transferring the harnessed water down to the Southern Garland Canals. His plan consisted of two main canals: Himalayan Canal and Southern Garland Canals. Joshi reported that another proposal was made by Dr. K. L. Rao in 1979 for a National Water Grid comprised of Ganga-Cauvery link through the basins of Sone river, Narmada- Tapi- Godavari- Krishna and Pennar, Brahmaputra -Ganga link, Canal from Narmada to Gujarat, Western Rajasthan and Maharashtra, and links from the rivers of the Western Ghats to the East.

In 1980, India’s Ministry of Water Resources (MWR) came up with a report entitled “National Perspectives for Water Resources Development”. This report split the Water Development Project Proposal (WDPP) of India in two parts: the Himalayan and Peninsular components. In 1982, India financed and set up a committee of experts, through National Wadapah canal. Hindu reported on May 15, 2015 ter Development Agency (NWDA) to complete that “Polavarm” the multi-purpose national irdetailed studies, surveys and investigations rigation project benefitting several states was in respect of reservoirs, canals and all aspects the brain-child of Sir Cotton. In that his dream of feasibility of inter-linking Peninsular rivers was only partially realized; but he is still honand related water resource management. In oured in parts of Andhra Pradesh between ,the inter-river linkand Tamil Nadu for his contriing idea was revived again in bution to the lives of common 1999, after a new political alpeople. A museum was built e do not have a liance formed at the Center. in his honour in Rajahmundry The proposal was modified to water-sharing syswhich holds approximately intra-basin development as tem or “Water Grid of one hundred images and 15 opposed to inter-basin water India” operating in our machine tools that Cotton transfer. By 2004, a different country. Why do we used for constructing the political alliance led by Constill not have secure barrages and dams in Andhra gress Party was in power, and water sharing system Pradesh. Even the much deit resurrected its opposition in this country even spised British thought of the to the project concept and after nearly seven people of India is much more plans. Social activists camdecades of Independhumane than the Indian Govpaigned that the project may ence? Why is one part ernment thinks about . be disastrous in terms of cost, of the country subpotential environmental and merged in deep flood Naveen Mangal Joshi, a Waecological damage, rise of waters while in anter Resource Engineer with water table and unforeseen other part people and 33 years of experience wrote dangers inherent in tinkering animals are battling for in an article in Hydro Nepal, with nature. Between 2005 their survival in severe Issue No.12, January, 2013, and 2013 the Central Governdrought and famine? on “National River Linking ment instituted a number of Project of India”, that in the committees, rejected a num-

w

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ber of reports, and financed a series of feasibility cum impact studies, each with changing environmental law and standards. The NWDA produced many reports over 30 years spanning from 1982 to 2013. In February 2012, disposing a PIL Supreme Court refused to give any direction for implementation of Rivers Interlinking Project. It stated that it involves policy decisions which are part of legislative competence of State and Central Governments and directed the Ministry of Water Resources to constitute an experts committee to pursue the matter with the governments as no party had pleaded against the implementation of Rivers Interlinking Project. However, till today nothing of the projects proposed were not ost of the pursued beyond discussing tributaries of and debating.

Ganges, Yamuna,

M

Brahmaputra and

India has a growing popuSind are lation, and a large impoveroriginating from the ished agricultural population mighty Himalayan that rely on monsoon demountain ranges pendent agriculture. Weather which are much higher uncertainties and potential than Deccan Plateau climate change raise conand are perennial in cerns of social stability and nature as they are fed impact of floods and droughts also by the melting on rural poverty. The populasnow in the summer. tion of India is expected to Applying the principle grow further at a decelerating of siphoning the water pace and stabilize around 1.5 from these tributaries billion by 2050. The demand problem is to conserve the can be transferred to for cereals and millets proabundant monsoon water the Deccan plateau duction alone will be around bounty, store it in huge reserwhich experiences 450 million tones for convoirs, and use it judiciously in scarcity of water even sumption of the same within areas which have inadequate during monsoon. the country without export rainfall, or having drought. of the same in the processed or unprocessed form. Hence Latest proposal according to National Council of Applied Economic Research there is a need for In an attempt to incubate ideas, the author significant improvement in irrigation network of this article proposes the following model than the current status. for North-South water sharing. This model is based on the principle of siphoning water from India receives 80% of its water through its anthe higher altitudes to the lower. Most of the nual rains and surface water-flow during the tributaries of Ganges, Yamuna, Brahmaputra period of over a 4-months period (June to and Sind are originating from the mighty HimSeptember). This spatial and time variance in alayan mountain ranges which are much higher availability of natural water versus year round than Deccan Plateau and are perennial in nademand for irrigation, drinking and industrial ture as they are fed also by the melting snow in need creates a huge gap between demand and the summer. Applying the principle of siphonsupply of water. The answer to India’s water ing the water from these tributaries can be AGRICULTURE

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transferred to the Deccan plateau which experiences scarcity of water even during monsoon.

The origins of the hundreds of tributaries of Himalayan rivers are at much higher altitudes than the Deccan plateau making up 43% of the land mass of our country with an area of 500,000 square km. The average height of the plateau ranges from 500 meters in the northern part to 1000 meters in the southern parts having a gradual slope from West to East. The Chota Nagpur Plateau adjoining Deccan plateau in the eastern India covering Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar and Chhattisgarh cover an area of 65,000 square km having an average height of 620 meters. These two plateaus make up about 50% of the land mass of our country. If we can share the Himalayan waters with these two plateaus the production potential of our country will be doubled or tripled. Let us analyze proposal a little more in detail. www.krishijagran.com

Gangotri, the origin of Ganges is around 3400 meters high while Yamunotri ,origin of Yamuna is at still higher level (4420 meters). The Brahmaputra is said to be entering into India at 7757 meter height. There are hundreds of other perennially active streams originating in the Indian part of Himalayas and at much higher altitudes than Deccan plateau. After adequate survey of both Himalayan range and Deccan plateau,a number of siphoning systems can be put in place to the strategic locations in the Deccan Plateau. These systems can pass through the Gangetic and Brahmaputra plains underground overcoming all the problems that would be created by the over ground canals and aqueducts.

The over ground canals and aqueducts will usurp a lot of the cultivable and non-cultivable surface area of the land. There will be a lot of opposition from who own that land. Canals and aqueducts passing through these areas will create a lot of environmental problems. There

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will be a lot of pilferage of water from the surface canals and aqueducts by the people. Then there will always be a danger of terroristic and sabotaging activity on the surface canals and aqueducts. Hence, underground transfer of water to the target areas would be the safest and most efficient means of transferring water from the Himalayan regions to the Deccan and Chotta-nagpur plateau.

The siphoning systems will end at different underground storages but at advantage positions in the Deccan plateau to store and distribute water for various purposes. Again huge underground storages sufficient below the soil surface is again advantageous as it does not cause loss of land surface and avoid environmental problems. From these storages water is again distributed following the gravitational force.

Both the storage and supply systems have to be well planned meticulously. Once a master plan is made the work can be executed part by part and the projects can be commissioned one by one. There are several advantages to this proposal.

Advantages • No pumping and use of power is required to transport water from the North to South.

• Underground siphoning will not disturb the over ground systems like fields, factories, institutions, cities and towns as is done in underground metro railways in Delhi.

• Environmental problems due to the project will be least as the surface areas used will be minimum or almost nil.

• Loss of water through surface evaporation will be nil since water will not be exposed to atmosphere in transport and storages.

• Loss of water through seepage and percolation will be the least as water is siphoned through impermeable pipes.

My technical advice is to have underground tunnels through which the huge water pipes are passed through.

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• Underground siphoning is safe and secure from enemy attack within or outside.

• There will be no loss of land surface area for the underground aqueducts siphoning the water.

• Maintenance cost and daily power requirement for operation will be minimum.

• Several branches of siphoning pipes from several adjacent sources can be joined at suitable locations into a bigger siphoning pipe to transport the water to Deccan plateau.

• There will be several independent siphoning pipe systems in place bringing water to different areas of Deccan plateau independently. www.krishijagran.com

• This gigantic project can be completed part by part as we do in underground metros, surface railways and road ways.

• This project will benefit many millions of farming people in the Deccan and Chotta-nagpur plateaus.

• ndia’s production potential in agriculture and animal husbandry will increase many times.

• Environmentally sound land use pattern can be put in place in both the plateaus.

• There are many other snowballing multiple advantages to the flora, fauna and people of the two plateaus.

• The recovery of the capital invested will be much faster than any other infrastructures set up in our country.

• It will be the best use of the altitudinal advantages of the Himalayan ranges and Deccan plateau as well the perennial water sources in the Himalayan and other hilly regions of our country.

• Hence problems in one siphoning system will not affect the other.

• Indian engineers have world class competence in tunneling and underground construction.

• We can condition the farmers to go for micro-irrigation systems instead of the traditional wasteful flooding type of irrigation.

• Similar siphoning systems can be installed to transport water from perennial water sources from Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, Vindhya-Satpura ranges, Aravalli ranges and even from ranges in Chotta-nagpur area.

• The underground storages can be linked to share water between areas within the plateau. www.krishijagran.com

• This will be the best way of reducing and eradicating the centuries’ long poverty situation in India.

• This project will enhance the overall environmental situation in our country.

• This project will give our country a tremendous economic boost.

India is a major agricultural nation and all the crops that are cultivated anywhere in the world can be cultivated in our country indicating the tremendous production and economic potential of our country. In 60s,more than 50% of the economy of our country depended on agriculture; but now it has gone down to around 15 per cent. Nature has blessed us abundantly by providing opportunity to cultivate all types of crops available in the world and all types of animals reared anywhere in the world. In a globalized world, it is our duty to put into use and share of all the water resources both for domestic, agriculture and industrial use.

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Dr Amrit Patel

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eather is the atmospheric condition prevailing at a particular geographical location/place in a given time and is the effect of several weather parameters viz. temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, intensity & duration of sun shine, wind velocity, among others. Climate is the long term pattern of weather conditions for a given area. Climate change refers to a statistically significant variation in either the mean state of the climate or its variability, persisting for an extended period. India is home to extraordinary variety of climatic regions, ranging from tropical in the south to temperate and Alpine in the Himalayan north, where elevated regions receive sustained winter snowfall. In-

dia’s climate is strongly influenced by the Himalayas and the Thar Desert. Four major climatic groupings predominate into which fall seven climatic zones which are defined on the basis of temperature and precipitation.

Climate change includes variation in temperature, changes in precipitation, and higher atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations all of which affect growth rate, quality & yield of crops, photosynthesis, transpiration rates, moisture availability, through changes of water use (irrigation) and agricultural inputs such as herbicides, insecticides and fertilizers etc.

Environmental effects, due to land use pattern, frequency & intensity of soil drainage (leading

Climate Ch Agriculture

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to nitrogen leaching), soil erosion/run off, reduction of crop diversity etc., also, impact on crop productivity.

India’s Green House Gas Emissions Share of the fuel electricity generation among eight key sectors in the greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions in India [2007] was the highest at 38%, followed by agriculture [18%], other energy industries [12%], other manufacturing industries [9%], cement & transport each [7%] ,iron and steel [6%] and waste [3%]. The energy sector emissions comprise of emissions due to fuel combustion in electricity generation, solid fuel manufacturing, petroleum refining, transport, residential and commercial activities, agriculture & fisheries. It also includes the fugitive emissions due to coal mining, and han-

dling of oil and natural gas. The largest chunk of emissions was from electricity generation amounting to 719.31 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent which represented 65% of the total carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions from the energy sector. Five climate modeling studies in India show that the country’s per capita estimated GHG emissions in 2030-31 would be between 2.77 tons and 5.00 tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent.

Projected Climate Change Scenario and its impact India Meteorological Department recorded eight out of 10 warmest years since 1901 and that too all years since 1993, of which all barring only one had mercury level higher than normal confirming beyond doubt that coun-

Change & e in India

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try’s climate has already changed because of global warming. The latest observations of the IMD substantiate that temperature in India would soar by 3.0 to 6.0 degrees Celsius and monsoon rainfall would be up to 15% to 50% by the end of the current century. The rise in the sea level as a consequence of the higher temperature [driven by faster Overall farm producmelting of glaciers and higher tion is forecast to rainfall] may alter the coundrop by 10% to 40% try’s geography especially due to the tempercoastline by submerging sevature rise by the eral low-lying coastal areas, end of this century, including the mangroves-rich making the agriculSundarbans. At another levtural sector the worst el, the disappearance of the sufferer, though its river-feeding glaciers may contribution to global dry up flows in the country’s warming is relatively major rivers, including the meager. mighty Ganga, and adversely impact agriculture to the detriment of the millions of farmers who lack the wherewithal to adjust to the changing climate. Overall farm production is forecast to drop by 10% to 40% due to the temperature rise by the end of this century, making the agricultural sector the worst sufferer, though its contribution to global warming is relatively meager.

Indeed its impact on the wheat crop has already begun since its output remained depressed for several years due to the early onset of summer. Some crops especially kharif crops like paddy may, however, benefit from the higher temperature. Climate models predict that sub-regional variation may increase in more extreme rainfall patterns, resulting in drought and floods, besides rise in sea level and more frequent occurrence of coastal storms and cyclones.

National Mission The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture [NMSA] launched on June 26, 2015, forming part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change [June 2008], aims at transforming agriculture into an ecologically sustainable climate resilient production system, while at the same time, exploiting its fullest potential & thereby ensuring food security, equitable access to food resources, enhancing livelihood opportuAGRICULTURE

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nities & contributing to economic stability at national level. Agriculture needs to progressively adapt to anticipated climate change and supported by the convergence and integration of traditional knowledge and practices.

The NMSA would focus on four critical areas to agriculture in adapting to climate change viz. rain-fed agriculture, risk management, access to information and biotechnology. It has envisaged the Climate Change & Sustainable Agriculture Monitoring, Modeling and Networking to effectively disseminate climate change related information & knowledge by way of piloting climate change adaptation/mitigation research model projects in the domain of climate smart sustainable management practices.

Effective Implementation of NMSA Agriculture development in India needs to sharply focus on reducing GHG emissions through measures, such as significant reduction of deforestation; improving forest cover, conservation and management; control of wildfires; promotion of farm forestry for food, fodder & fuel; soil carbon sequestration; restoring land through controlled grazing; improving nutrition for ruminant livestock; efficient management of livestock waste [through biogas recovery]; and developing strategies that conserve soil and water resources by improving their quality, availability and efficiency of use. • With the inclusion of the NMSA in India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change as back as in 2008, national & State level research institutes have already concentrated to intensify research on developing technologies & innovative farming practices to cope with the changing climate. As the NMSA has been since 2008 [for more than eight years] It is necessary to mount in each agro-ecological region the Action Research Project seeking active participation of resourceful farmers to [i] evaluate the current status [2008 to 2016] of four critical components of the NMSA viz. dry land agriculture, risk management, access to information & biotechnology [ii] assess impact of each component of NMSA on agriculture [iii] identify the factors responsible for betAGRICULTURE

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ter impact as also constraints inhibiting the progress [iv] formulate a road map crystallizing the strategy to achieve the expected results by 2030 under each component of the NMSA along with installation of robust monitoring & management information system [v] monitor & review the performance under each of four components half yearly at the State level & annually at national level [vi] discuss once in a year in the legislative assembly & parliament [vii] train farmers & build capacity of village/ block/district panchayat to cope with the climate change through effective adaptation & mitigation strategies effects • While a National Network Project “Impact, Adaptability and Vulnerability of Indian Agriculture to Climate Change” has been launched with focus on impact of climate change on different sectors of agricultural production it is necessary to estimate the need for public & private financial investments required by 2020 & 2030 to support intensification of research & put in place programs/projects on climate change adaptation, mitigation, technology development, transfer and dissemination strategies among farmers. The required funds & expertise can be sourced from World Bank, Asian Development Bank, International Fund for Agricultural Development, among others.

• Research & extension personnel need be trained & exposure visits organized to share national & international knowledge & experiences.

• Massive awareness among small farmers in particular has to be created on likely impact of climate change & help them adopt adaptations & mitigation strategies. Weather forecasting & early warning systems and water & energy use efficiency have to be improved significantly. Establish hazard & vulnerability mapping. Develop regulatory framework to meet climate change related challenges to agriculture.

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Climate change

Blessing or Curse?

Bimal C Biswas Technical Editor of Agriculture World

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limate change is now an integral part of human life. March–April, 2016 witnessed widespread rain, hail storm and snowfall in the Himalayan region. Hailstorm and storm caused loss of wheat crop, mustard, sugarcane, fruits and vegetables in North-West India. But this is also not true that only loss has occurred. Cool weather prevailed in March, 2016 has increased wheat productivity. In2014, during March there was heavy rain. As a result food grains production increased. But in 2015, grains production reduced by 13 million tonnes . So, climate change is a mixture of loss and gain.

What is Climate Change?

Research results indicate that after Industrial revolution (1780-1850), the Carbon dioxide (C02) content was in between 170—280 part per million (PPM). At present, the carbon dioxide content of the air is 387 PPM. That means in 160 years , carbon dioxide content has increased very rapidly. By 2100 temperature is expected to increase by 2.5to 7 degree Celsius.

In every decade increase in temperature range is about 0.2- 0.3 degree Celsius. This kind of sudden change of weather parameters is called climate change.

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Factors Responsible Water vapour, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbon, nitrous oxide etc. are called green house gases (GHG). They create hindrances in spreading out infrared. As a result, temperature of the world increases. Under normal condition nat-

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ural gas keeps the world temperature at 33 degree Celsius which keeps water in liquid phases and also allows life to exist from equator to pole. It is thus observed that earth climate is a function of incoming energy from the sun and the outgoing energy radiated from the earth and exchange of energy among the at-

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mosphere, land, ocean, ice, and living beings.

Some gases and very small particles like aerosols also affect the flow of incoming solar radiation and outgoing energy infrared radiation.

Impact of human activities

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bon–dioxide content in the atmosphere, but the agriculture practices which results in soil erosion, loss of organic matter or cleaning of forest agriculture would certainly increase the concentration of carbon di-oxide in the atmosphere. It is reported that mass scale clearing of forest areas for crop cultivation in Brazil has created environmental problems.

Human activities are the main reasons of climate change. Observations made over last 50 years indicate that about 0.10C per decade inConservation agriculture to combat crease in temperature has taken place. Production of cement, steel, plastic materials, houseOf late, more emphasis has been given on conhold cooling, transportation, generation of servation agriculture with minimum tillage, electricity etc are the main causes for increase proper soil and water conservation, forestin temperature. Burning of fossil fuels for the ry and agro forestry. Sri Ram Chandra Mishuman activities and deforestation sion (SRCM) with World HQ at further ignite global warming.

Mappakam, Chennai has It may be noted that carbon recently developed a very di-oxide, methane, nitrous good model of soil and waoxide and some other gases limate change is ter conservation, forestry are formed due to human acwherein the forest ,soil and neither a curse tivities that instigate climate water conservation departnor a blessing. It is a change. ments of Government of mixture of both.

Telangana have actively Tropical countries Contribution of participated. The name of would be more the place is Kanha Santi agriculture affected while the Vanam, SRCM , village Chetemperate world Unfortunately,agriculture gur, Near Hyderabad. This would gain. We need also contributes green houses place is likely to change the to have policy in gases causing global warmagro-climate of the area. place to have ing. Of late, concentration of The spiritual component appropriate adaptaGHGs is increasing very rapof SRCM leads to the real tion and mitigation idly. And this is in fact cause transformation of India measures. Conservaof concern. It is difficult to through physical, mental tion agriculture needs attribute any major role of and inner transformation of encourage. agriculture in increasing carhuman beings.

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Climate Change(CC) on Agriculture As mentioned earlier, it is very difficult to predict the impact of climate change on agriculture .But it can be safely said that mixed impact is expected. Hot and humid areas near equator are expected to be affected badly while the cold areas far away from equator will gain because of increase in temperature.

India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Malayasia, Indonesia, Philippines, all countries in middle Africa like Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ghana , sub Saharan countries, Brazil and all Latin American countries will suffer while cold countries like Canada, USA, Russia, Mongolia, North China, Japan, North Europe etc, will be benefited.

Impact of rice culture Atmospheric methane is increasing at the rate of one percent per annum. Earlier assessment of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) indicates rice cultivation increases the atmospheric methane. Indian researchers disprove their finding. In India, out of about of 45million ha under rice, we have up land rice, rain fed rice, low land rain fed waterlogged rice, deep water rice, some area having floating rice and irrigated rice which gives stable high yield. Any agency without the in depth knowledge of each of the situations if ventures into the estimation of the contribution of rice cultivation in methane production in Indian subcontinent is likely to commit mistake. Natural waterlogged area always produces methane with or without rice culture.

Fertiliser use and Climate Change Emission of carbon di-oxide, and methane at the atmosphere is not directly related with the use of fertiliser but nitrous oxide, a component of GHGs has direct relation with nitrogenous fertiliser use. The problem of nitrous oxide (N2O) emission to atmosphere can be reduced through efficient use of nitrogenous fertilisers. One hundred two agriculture research institutes under ICAR, more than 80 state and central agricultural universities are engaged in the development of new technology to improve nitrogen fertiliser use efficiency. www.krishijagran.com

CC to increase Fertiliser consumption Fertiliser is the key input to increase agriculture production. According to FAO of United Nations (UN) 50 % increase of food grains production can be safely credited to fertilizer use.

To compensate the loss in agriculture production in tropical climate due to climate change and to match the higher demand of fertilizer due to increase cropping intensity in temperate climate, more fertilizer would be needed.

The C4 plant like maize has the capacity to produce more in high carbon di-oxide concentration. Researchers in genetic engineering are in progress to incorporate the quality of higher production in rice in higher carbon di-oxide concentration and according to the Hindu Business line, very soon such a variety of rice would be available for cultivation which will increase fertilizer use. Studies conducted by the International Fertilizer Association (IFA) and Indian Agricultural Research Institute(IARI-PUSA) confirm the statement made herein.

Climate change is neither a curse nor a blessing. It is a mixture of both. Tropical countries would be more affected while the temperate world would gain . We need to have policy in place to have appropriate adaptation and mitigation measures. Conservation agriculture needs encouragement. Government institutes, NGOs, Input industries and all others concerned agencies need to work on war footing to manage the climate change impact effectively.

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T. K. Srivastava and Ram RatanVerma

Agro-Meteorology Unit ICAR-Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow- 226002

CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT ON SUGARCANE AND WAYS TO ADAPTATION AGRICULTURE

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limate change induced weather extremes affect the sugarcane crop both in sub-tropical and tropical regions of the country. As estimated higher CO2 concentration in the atmosphere may bring up the crop yieldbut associated rise in temperature has a potential to cause yield reduction particularly in sub-tropical climate. However, sugarcane possesses compensatory abilities to withstand the vagaries of weather and overall the effect of climate change on the crop is expected to be moderate. Adaptation measures like adjustment in planting dates and methods, trash mulching and use of organic manures for soil carbon sequestration would further dilute the adverse impact of climate change on the crop.

A Danish saying that “a good harvest depends more on the year than on the field� signifies the importance of local weather and climate on the productivity of crops. Sugarcane being a long duration, high input and management responsive crop, despite its vast compensatory potential, profusely responds to the weather condition during the growing season. The crop during its four phases of growth namely germination (0-45 days after planting-DAP), tillering (45-130 DAP), elongation (130-270 DAP) and maturity (270 DAP onwards) requires distinctly different weather conditions to yield higher cane and sugar production from per unit area. With the change in climate,as evident from 0.86oCincrease in global atmospheric temperature and rise in CO2 content from 280 ppm during last centuryto present 401.6 ppm, widespread change of local weather parameters are increasingly witnessed and reported from far and wide. Influence of climate change induced weather aberrations namely prolonged summer during April to June months with more number of hotter days than normal, higher atmospheric evaporative demand, missing of onset date for monsoon and exceptionally low or heavy rainfall events have cast telling effects on the growth and development of all the crops including sugarcane.

Since sugarcane is cultivated in different climatic conditions namely sub-tropical and tropical

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in India the influence of weather on the crop differs according to the location. Effect of various climate change induced weather conditions on sugarcane growth and productivity and agro-techniques to adapt is summarised hereunder.

Increase in temperature Over the period from 1880 to 2012,global mean surface temperatures have increased at the rate of 0.85oC/100 years; and it has been predicted to increase further by 1.5–2oC at the end of the current 21st century. In India, in sugarcane growing areas both in sub-tropical as well as in tropical India, temperatures >35oC and > 40oC are observed for a number of days and these being above the optimal temperatures for various growth processes will affect the growth of sugarcane crop.

Table:1 Met-weeks exhibiting maximum temperature >35oCand > 40oC in various sugarcane AGRICULTURE

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growing areas in India Sugarcane yield simulation by using ‘Canegro model’ for Lucknow conditions revealed 5-10 % reduction in cane yield against 01oC rise in temperature during the entire growing season, however early maturing varieties proved more resilient than the mid-late ones. Increase in temperature in tropical conditions up to 1-2o C is expected to result in enhanced cane yield. For a crop like sugarcane it could be beneficial also. In subtropical India, sprouting will improve in winter-initiated ratoons and it may improve cane yield of such crops, the probability of frost during ripening/ harvest may be reduced and sugar synthesis and rate of transport may increase (but its storage may be affected as the Topt.for this is 17oC).

Increased frequency of extreme events The year 2015 was unique in the sense that in www.krishijagran.com

SUB-TROPICAL INDIA Place

T max>35oC

Uttar Pradesh

`

Lucknow Basti Shahjahanpur Haryana

Hisar Punjab

Jalandhar

Gurdaspur

Tmax>40oC

14-27 (11) 13-25 (13) 15-27 (13)

21-22 (2) 22 (1) 23 (1)

15-31 (11)

19-25 (7)

17-27 (11) 17-27 (10)

22-25 (4) 21,23-25 (4)

TROPICAL INDIA Andhra Pradesh

Rudrur Krishna Gujarat

Ahamedabad

Vasad (Kaira)

Junagarh Maharashtra

Padegaon (Satara)

Pune

Parbhani

10-24 (15) 9-26 (18)

19,21 (2) 18-22 (5)

10-27 (18) 11-25 (15) 10-25 (16)

15-23 (9) 17-21 (5) 17,19-20 (3)

11-22 (12) 11-22 (12) 9-24 (16)

15-22 (8)

Nb: Figures in parenthesis indicate the number of days exhibiting temperatures higher than the specified limits (Source: Normals of Agro-climatic Observations in India. Div. of Agril. Meteorology, India Meteorological Deptt., Pune, pp 106, 1991)

this year half of the country experienced flooding and the rest half reeled under drought. As per the estimates by the IMD, Monsoon rains were only 88% which led to drought/ drought -like effects. A review of the drought and flood situation in India in 2015 induced by climate change indicated that the prolonged drought was due to more active typhoon season in Pacific. June witnessed heavy rains and flooding in several towns in Assam in the North-Eastern India. In mid-July various regions of western and southern India suffered water shortage and heat waves for several weeks.

Rains due to late monsoon caused floods in several parts of South-Asia. As per India Water Portal.org, the year 2015 is theIndia’s driest year since 2009, and 40% of the country was deficient in rains by about 12%. Heavy rains in July waterlogged Delhi, flooded Gujarat and Kashmir, caused landslides in Uttara Khand and cloud bursts in Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. Of the worst-hit Maharashtra, 1/3d lies in the Semi-arid www.krishijagran.com

climatic zone and 80-84% of the agriculture is rainfed. Marathawada and Vidarbh regions of this state are reeling under severe drought for the last three consecutive years. Deficient rainfall accompanied with a drastic drop in ground water, has worsened the situation leading to an enormous loss in Rabi and Kharif crops in this region.

Western disturbanceS Another manifestation of climate change is witnessed as altered pattern and frequency of western disturbances particularly in sub-tropical sugarcane growing regions of the country. These are extra-tropical storms causing non-monsoonal precipitation driven by the Westerlies, originating in the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean that brings sudden winter rain and snow to the north-western parts of the Indian sub-continent (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal). This increases the relative humidity (RH) substantially from an average of 50-60 % in the normal

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seasons to more than 80 %. Such an unusual high RH favoured during ripening phase of the crop is conducive to continuance of vegetative growth and the crop still remains much greener.

It delays cane maturity, which in turn, affected recovery during early crushing. This has resulted in a drop of around 0.5 units in recovery during early crushing period (2011 - 12) in western U.P. It has other implications on growth also. Germination of sugarcane in the field planted immediately before the onset of rains due to western disturbance (in spring planted cane) may be delayed. But it is beneficial for the growth of autumn planted crops (and also for the spring planted crop which was planted nearly a week before onset of rains).

Technological interventions for adaptation to climate change Drought

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sub-tropical India).Under drought conditions application of higher N levels should be avoided as these are counterproductive.

Nutrient management is also important in this regard. A crop well fertilized with N was affected by drought to a lesser extent (10-45%) than an unfertilized one (15-60%). Spray of urea and KCl (2.5% each) at 60, 90 and 120 DAP (in tropical India) and spraying 2.5% potassium sulfate (aqueous) during the hot summer month is beneficial.Foliar application of growth regulating substances like Ethrel (50 ppm), just before the onset of drought or soaking setts in it (for planting), improved drought tolerance and reduced the loss of cane and sugar yield.

Some of the irrigation techniques like Drip irrigation and Skip-furrow irrigation have also shown promise in economizing water use by 40-50% and sustained/ improved sugarcane productivity.

Trash mulching during formative phase improves cane and sugar yields. Trash mulching Waterlogged/ flooded conditions soon after planting + urea spray on 90, 105 and 120 days after planting-DAP (55 Kg N ha-1, three sprays) overcomes the ill-effects of drought durExcessive precipitation due to changing climate ing formative phase. This practice gave higher may either saturate the soil with water or due to cane yield besides an economy of nitrogen to floods water may remain standing for a few days the tune of 25%.Inducing drought hardiness by to a few months in the field. In the earlier consoaking setts in saturated lime solution (8 kg dition, nutrient and soil management using 13 lime/100 Lfor 2 hrs) a day before planting and foliar spray of 50- 100 ppm of Ethrel solution before or at the onset of drought conditions sustained / improved crop well fertilized with N cane productivity. was affected by drought to a Some modification in planting method, its time and spacing could also be beneficial. In peninsular India, early planting (in February) and closer spacing (60 cm) proved beneficial under moisture stress conditions in formative stage.

Trench planting is advantageous as it facilitates and utilizes much less quantity of irrigation water (by 13%) than a flat planted crop. Increasing planting density by narrowing row-to-row spacing ensures the build-up of necessary shoot population density (in AGRICULTURE

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Alesser extent (10-45%) than an

unfertilized one (15-60%). Spray of urea and KCl (2.5% each) at 60, 90 and 120 DAP (in tropical India) and spraying 2.5% potassium sulfate (aqueous) during the hot summer month is beneficial.Foliar application of growth regulating substances like Ethrel (50 ppm), just before the onset of drought or soaking setts in it (for planting), improved drought tolerance and reduced the loss of cane and sugar yield.

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kg P and 250 kg N/ha, use of urea super-granule mixed with soil; and incorporating bulk organic matter (PMC, 3t/ha), coir waste, etc., may be helpful. Improving drainage, by installing subsurface drainage system using perforated pipes, though expansive but useful.

ant varieties and irrigating the field when there is likelihood of frost will be desirable. The frost affected cane should be milled on priority to avoid losses.

For flood waters standing for over 2-3 months, with a depth of more than a metre or so, only flood tolerant varieties will be of use. If flood waters are less than a metre, planting on ridges may be desirable, as practiced in Captainganj area near Gorakhpur (U.P.). Early planting or planting pre-germinated setts/ rayungans, under such conditions, will be desirable as by the approach of flood, plants will be sufficiently taller to be affected relatively lesser. Where sugarcane is prone to early drought and late waterlogging, planting in deep trenches improved its yield.

A long-term storage of carbon dioxide (or other forms of carbon) in plants and soil, is a natural mode to counteract CO2 emissions and resultant global warming to mitigate their effects.Like many other grasses, sugarcane also possesses such a unique sequestration process for making plant stone or phytoliths. This process extracts around 300 Mt of CO2/year from atmosphere and store it in the soil for thousands of. This is also called phyto-occluded carbon (PhytOC).

After the flood waters recede, the affected crop should be harvested and sent for milling as soon as possible because its quality deteriorates rapidly.

Low temperature/ frost This is a problem particularly of North-western zone of sugarcane cultivation. Use of frost toler-

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Carbon sequestration

As estimated the PhytOC yield of a sugarcane crop to be 18.1 g C m-2 yr-1, which is sustainable over millions of years and at the same time comparable with carbon sequestered while converting a cultivated land to forest or grassland or changing the conventional tillage to no-tillage.

This amounts to 181 kg C sequestered /ha year.

In a study carried out at the Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow cultivation of sugarcane in a multi-ratooning production system was found to accrue 3.3-3.4 t/ha/year carbon under addition of nutrients through organic

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sources. Whereas, carbon sequestration rate under supply of recommended nutrients through fertilizers was 1.6 t/ha/year. Comparing the effect of sugarcane cultivation in a mono-culture for 50 years in Mauritius on soil organic carbon (SOC) stock with that of virgin land revealed that changes were not significant in the 0-50 cm profile. The long term sugarcane cultivation resulted in a depletion of original SOC by 34-70%.

However, this loss was fully compensated by C input from sugarcane residues resulting in no net change in SOC stock. Hence sugarcane cultivation restores the soil fertility and productivity on long term basis.

Weather aberrations brought about by climate change have potential to adversely impact the growth and productivity of sugarcane crop by affecting the tillering, elongation and ripening phases. Rise in atmospheric temper-

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ature and associated drought conditions have already impacted the crop in Maharashtra and Karnataka. Of late the crop in sub-tropical north India also faced very high temperature during tillering phase which adversely affected the yield. Sugar recovery from harvested cane is likely to slide in the event of more than normal number of foggy days and days with <10o C minimum temperature. However mitigation and adaptation options like adoption of early maturing high sugar varieties to cover 30% area, altered (early) planting in trenches or deep furrows, use of sugarcane trash as mulch, irrigation through sub-surface drip with fertigation and addition of organic manures in sugarcane growing soils should be adopted to continue to reap high sugarcane yields with adequate sugar under the changing climate.

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34

odendron

The Rhod

The Rhododendron is a genus of 1,024 species of woody plants in the family Ericaceae. Both evergreen and deciduous species are there in this genus and found in mountains regions all over the world. It is the national flower of Nepal and abundantly found in Indian Himalayan Region. In Indian Himalayan Region is a hot spot of diversified rhododendron species. The maximum concentration is found in Arunachal Pradesh. One of the most stately and impressive species of Rhododendron is the Tree Rhododendron which is the state tree of Uttarakhand. It is extremely variable in stature, hardiness, flower color and leaf characteristics.

Rhododendron arboreum is a wild plant species possesses high ecological importance and the flower of the species having unique medicinal and nutritional value. The flowers are edible and are used in the preparation of a refreshing drink in the mountain region of central Himalaya.

and 8 varieties of Rhododendrons were recorded in IHR, among these 6 species and one subspecies were reported from Western Himalaya.

They observed the maximum concentration (86%) in Arunachal Pradesh (75 species). The significant diversity in habitat and a broad range of distribution from the altitude of 8006000 m is generally exhibited by species of Rhododendrons. The best range is observed in 3001-3500 m altitudes.

Most species have showy flowers which bloom from late winter through to early summer.

Other than all the uniqueness the tree is famous for squash made up of the rhododendron flower. The squash preparation from flower can be a very profitable venture. The B: C Ratio of the venture was found to be as 1.73. In the genus Rhododendron, 20 taxa are endemic, 30 are rare, 24 are threatened or endangered, 3 are vulnerable. In such a condition the Rhododendron needs an extra attention and promotion as a horticultural crop.

The word Rhododendron has been derived from Ancient Greek word rhódon means “rose” and déndronmeans “wood” means “tree”. Both evergreen and deciduous species are there in this genus and found mainly in Asia, although it is also widespread throughout the Southern Highlands of the Appalachian Mountains of North America. It is abundantly found in Indian Himalayan Region and for widespread and natural beauty, it is declared as the national flower of Nepal. The genus Rhododendron of Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) has been documented and a total of 87 species, 12 subspecies AGRICULTURE

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Shubha Anirban Scientist, ICAR-NAARM, Rajendra

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Nagar Hyderabad,-500030 Mukherjee Scientist, ICAR-VPKAS, Almora, Uttarakhand, 263601 Email: anirban.extn@gmail.com

ne of the most stately and impressive species of Rhododendron is the Tree Rhododendron which is the state tree of Uttarakhand. It is extremely variable in stature, hardiness, flower color and leaf characteristics.

Its species name arboreum means like a tree.

It has broad, oblong and slightly lanceolate, blackish green leaves, 3-7 inch long, with a silver, fawn or brown hairy coating underneath.

In early-and mid-spring trusses of 15-20 bell-

shaped flowers, 2 inches wide and 1.25-2 inch long are produced in scarlet color. They have black nectar pouches and black spots inside.

This plant, Rhododendron arboretum, holds the Guinness Record for Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Largest Rhododendron. A postal stamp was issued by the Indian Postal Department to commemorate this flower.

Rhododendron arboreum was the first Himalayan species to be named. It was discovered by the captain, later Major General, Thomas

Economic Importance of

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odendron

The Rhod

fully, flowers are plucked from branches careHardwicke (1755-1835). In Asia, it is found in fully. The collection is done in the basket from Kashmir to southeast Tibet and even Sri Lanka the forest. and all over Nepal. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pure forests are located nearly between 2700 and 3000m altitude and mainly in the eastern part of the country. It Grading - The anthers and stigma are removed has a preference for slopes and hills ridges. and only petals are sorted out. These are then Its trunk can be gnarled cleaned with water. Afon its smallest trees. Its ter grading 2 kg of the Table 1: strong root generally flowers petals can be runs on the ground. The Nutrient content taken.

R. arboreum is the only in Rhododendron Flower rhododendron on which Blending - In the blend Nutrient Unit orchids grow (in northing process, 3 liters of 1 Fat 7.6 % east Nepal). Blooming water can be taken in begins in February at 2 Protein 16.3% a large pan and then low altitudes (1500cleaned flower petals 3 Carbohydrate 68.5% 1800m) and extends should be added to boil4 Minerals (mg/100gm) to end of May around ing. One tablespoon of 3500-3600m, pure a Sodium 4.8 sodium benzoate should forests bloom generally be added in the pan afb Potassium 17.15 in April. R. arboreum has terward stirring should c Calcium 2.5 its unique characteristic be done to mix the flowof three different colors er petals into the water. of the flower. In the After 20-30 minutes the lower altitude, the pure red colored flower is flower shall release most of the juice, color, bloomed, pink color and white flower can be and aroma in the water. seen as the altitude ascends. This uniqueness in not generally found in other species and for Sieving - after cooling the juice should be this a number of tourists came in hills in the sieved. About 2-2.5 kg sugar can be added flowering season. Other than all the uniqueboiled on fire for another 20 minutes with conness the tree is famous for squash made up of stant stirring. the rhododendron flower. The flower is full of nutrition. The nutrient content is depicted in Preservation and packaging - For the purpose Table 1. of preservation citric acid (10-20gm/ liter) is added before bottling. The bottles are cleaned Rhododendron squash Preparation and sterilized first then Rhododendron arthe juice is poured and boretum flowers are the bottle is capped. To mainly used in juice or serve, mix the juice with squash preparation. The water in the ratio of 1:3. process is started from Preservation of collection of the flower Rhododendron to preservation. For making 4 liters of juice flowers the process is described The harvested flowers here. must be free from all visible evidence of disFlow chart eases. The fully bloomed for preparing flowers must be collect4 liters of Juice ed and Corolla should be Plucking - At the time separated from anthers, of flowering, when the calyx, and stamen. flowers are matured Preservatives (Sodium AGRICULTURE

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bicarbonate, citric acid) must be added in the proper amount. The bottle must be clean and washed with vinegar before packaging.

Chutney preparation Besides making juice, Rhododendron can be also used for Chutney preparation. The corolla part of Rhododendron flowers is used for making the pulp. Then it is boiled for 45 minutes and drained with a strainer. In five kg of pulp, 150 gm of salt is added, 200 gm of grated ginger, 20 gm of red chilli, 25 gm of crushed cardamom, 25 gm of crushed cinnamon, 25 gm of cumin, two gm of crushed javitri (mace), three gm of sodium benzoid, two gm of crushed cloves, a little bit of vinegar and some crushed dry fruits are mixed well. This chutney is ready to serve. (www.downtoearth.org)

Income from squash For 4 liters of squash preparation, shown in above flow chart the economics has been estimated. The cost of fuel was Rs 40; the cost of sugar (with preservatives) was 80; the cost of

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flowers was 40, Cost of bottles was Rs. 40 (Ten Rupees a Bottle); estimated labor cost was Rs 80, another cost 10. Total cost was Rs. 290.

The profit from the venture was estimated as Price of per liter bottle was Rs. 125; Total income from 4 liters of squash was Rs. 500. The estimated net income (Total income- Total cost) was Rs.210. the B: C Ratio was calculated as 1.73.

Benefits Rhododendron arboretum is a wild plant species possesses high ecological importance and the flower of the species having unique medicinal and nutritional value. The flowers of the tree are edible and are used in the preparation of a refreshing drink in the mountain region of Central Himalaya. It is used for making household goods, accent, fuel wood, and agricultural implements by the local people of the region. â&#x20AC;˘

Rhododendron herb is effective for the

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odendron

The Rhod

reliving of chronic bronchitis and its symptom in a cough and phlegm. The main ingredient that promotes bronchial relief is the flavonol compound ferrerol.

•

The herb has a soothing effect on the lungs and also relieves asthma

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The flowers of the herb have sweet taste are used as a cold drink or used for making tea to relieve sore throats and headaches.

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The herb is used extensively in Himalayan traditional medicine for digestive health, to stimulate appetite and to relieve liver disorders

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The herb is also used as a traditional remedy for blood disorders, allergies, and vomiting.

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For homeopathic treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, rhododendron herbs are used.

•

•

•

•

here is a Tpotential tremendous of the

species Rhododendron to provide a sustainable livelihood of hill farmers and youth entrepreneurs.

The herb is also effective for relief of painful symptoms associated with gout, arthritis, neuralgic pains in the eyes, headaches, fever, testicular inflammation and delirium.

Italian researchers at the University of Padova studied the composition of an essential oil from Rhododendron anthropogon species. They have isolated compounds that showed a significant killing effect against strains of bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus,Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus subtilis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and fungi like Candida.

The same study additionally confirmed that the essential oil from Rhododendron anthropogon species reduced cancer cell growth.

A compound isolated from the flower bud of the rhododendron molle species showed selective cytotoxic activity against a human carcinoma cell line.

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In a study reported by Kashiwada et al. in 2001, Daurichromanic acid, Rhododaurichromanic acid-A, found in Rhododendron leaves and twigs showed anti-HIV activity.

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The juice and squash are gaining high popularity not only in the Uttarakhand but also all over the country due to its medicinal property. Flower juice & squash are given to the patient suffering from diabetics (both Type I and II), used as a heart tonic and believed to cure many heart diseases.

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The juice of the flowers is also used in the treatment of menstrual disorders.

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The juice of the flowers is used as a drink in summer to save from sun strokes and is provides refreshment and energy.

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To heal the cuts wounds the petals are crushed and applied.

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It also helps in healing kidney related disorders

There is a tremendous potential of the species www.krishijagran.com

Rhododendron to provide a sustainable livelihood of hill farmers and youth entrepreneurs.

These underexploited and underutilized natural resources with potential economic importance are crucial for maintenance of subsistence lifestyles in traditional mountain societies. The ability of Rhododendron to continue meeting both subsistence and market needs, however, largely depends upon sustainable harvesting and appropriate management practices for their promotion and conservation. The Rhododendron needs an extra attention and promotion as a horticultural crop and the farmers need to be encouraged to develop or establish nurseries and small startups. Efforts are required for value addition and create consciousness about their high nutritive and medicinal value as health drinks among the rural, urban and semi-urban consumers for solving the problem of malnutrition on one hand and economic development of migrating hill farmers. The promotion of such plants may help to add variety to the monotonous diet so that requirements of minerals and vitamins etc. are easily met and help in publicizing the hitherto less recognized resources of wild species to many naturalists, visitors, tourists, mountaineers, researchers and the local population. www.krishijagran.com

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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QUINOA A Crop For Healthy Life

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word "quinoa" is proTis hederived nounced "KEEN-wah." It from the Spanish

word, quinua, which itself originated from the word "kinwa" or "kinua" in the Quechua dialect.Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) is a species of the goosefoot genus (Chenopodium) and belongs to chenopodiaceae, a grain crop grown primarily for its edible seeds.

Manju Lata Mishra Ph.D,student, CSK HPKV, Palampur (HP)

U. N. Shukla Asst Professor (Agronomy), Agriculture University, Jodhpur

e-mail: umanaths7@gmail.com

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lants with mature inflorescence Seeds Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) belongs to Amaranthus family and is cultivated in many parts of the world for grain which can be consumed like a cereal. Quinoa is closely related to species such as beet root and spinach and other types of amaranths. It is highly nutritious and can meet the demand of the dietary quality of the food industry and consumers. Research results indicate that these are a good source of essential amino acids such as lysine and methionine and also contain high quantities of vitamins (thiamin, vitamin C) and minerals.

The word “quinoa” is pronounced “KEEN-wah.”

It is derived from the Spanish word, quinua, which itself originated from the word “kinwa” or “kinua” in the Quechua dialect.Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) is a species of the goosefoot genus (Chenopodium) and belongs to chenopodiaceae, a grain crop grown primarily for its edible seeds. It is a pseudocereal as amaranth; similar in some respects to buckwheat, rather than a true cereal, as it is not a member of the true grass family. Quinoa is typically consumed in the same way as the cereal grasses (wheat, oats, barley, and rye). However, quinoa is not a cereal grass at all, but rather a member of

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Table 2

Composition of Quinoa seed (cooked) Nutritional value per 100 g Energy Carbohydrates Sugars Dietary fibre Fat Saturated Monounsaturated Polyunsaturated Protein Vitamins Vitamin A

(equiv.lutein zeaxanthin)

Thiamine (B1) Riboflavin (B2) Niacin (B3) Vitamin B6 Folate (B9) Choline Vitamin C Vitamin E

503 kJ (120 kcal) 21.3 g 0.87 g 2.8 g 1.92 g 0.231 g 0.528 g 1.078 g 14.4 g 53 μg 0.107 mg 0.11 mg 0.412 mg 0.123 mg 42 μg 23 mg 0 mg 0.63 mg

Minerals Calcium 17 mg Iron 1.49 mg Magnesium 64 mg Manganese 0.631 mg Phosphorus 152 mg Potassium 172 mg Sodium 7 mg Zinc 1.09 mg AGRICULTURE

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the same food family that contains spinach, Swiss chard, and beets. Many researchers refer to quinoa as a “pseudocereal.”Interest in quinoa has recently gained ground in India , other parts of Asia as well as to Africa and part of Europe. FAO had declared 2013 as “ International Year of the Quinoa” as proposed by the Government of Bolivia and strong support given by Central and South American countries.

Now, quinoa has been singled out by the FAO

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Table1

World Quinoa Production (thousand metric tons) Country

1961

1970

1980

1990

2000

2010

2014

Peru Bolivia Ecuador Total

22.5 9.2 0.7 32.4

7.3 9.7 0.7 17.7

16.3 8.9 0.5 25.8

6.3 16.1 0.7 23.0

28.2 23.8 0.7 52.6

41.1 36.1 0.9 78.1

114.3 77.4 0.8 192.5

Source: Food and Agriculture Organization

America, in the Andes region that is currently divided up between the countries of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

Along with maize, quinoa was one of the two mainstay foods for the Inca Empire that had its start around 1200 AD. Quinoa is a food that could survive in a wide variety of growing conditions. Along with its unusual nutrient richness, its adaptability helped it gain popularity among the Incas for hundreds and hundreds of years.

Most quinoa consumed in the United States still comes from South America. Peru remains the largest commercial producer of quinoa, harvesting 41,079 metric tons in 2010. Bolivia was the second largest producer with 29,500 metric tons. Together, these uinoa has been two South American countries produced nearly 99% singled out by the of all commercially grown FAO as a food with quinoa in 2010. In terms of “high nutritive value,” export sales, quinoa has risen impressive biodiversito the level of an $87 million ty, and an important dollar business in these two role to play in the countries. achievement of food

Q

security worldwide.

as a food with “high nutritive value,” impressive biodiversity, and an important role to play in the achievement of food security worldwide.

We realize that quinoa remains unfamiliar to many people, especially in the practical sense of cooking and recipes. But we hope that situation will change soon.

History of Quinoa The history of quinoa is clearly rooted in South www.krishijagran.com

Some commercial quinoa production takes place in the United States, although total cultivation remains under 10,000 pounds. The Colorado Rockies have been a place of special interest for quinoa production, and some production has also occurred in the states of California, Washington, and Oregon (Table 1)

Uses Researchers date the popularity of quinoa to approximately 3000 BC, when its consumption became widespread in the Andes mountains regions of South America. About 250 different JANUARY 2017

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Quinoa vs Millets Nutritional parameters/100g Energy Fat Fibre Protein Calcium Iron Carbohydrates

Quinoa 368 kcal 6 g 7 g 14 g 31.5 mg 2.76 mg 64 g

Foxtail millet 364 kcal 2.7 g 3.5 g 10.5 g 14 mg 4.8 mg 73.1 g

Proso millet 356 kcal 1.7 g 1.7 g 10.6 g 9 mg 2.1 mg 73 g

Kodo millet 353 kcal 3.6 g 6g 9.8 g 35 mg 1.7 mg 66 g

Source: Deccan Development Society (DDS)

varieties of quinoa were already present at that time, giving quinoa a remarkable tolerance for different growing conditions. Quinoa is able to survive high altitudes, thin and cold air, hot sun, salty or sandy soil, little rainfall, and sub-freezing temperatures. In addition, all parts of the plant could be eaten , not only the seeds that be dried and ground into flour, but the leaves and stems also.

trated amounts. In fact, the concentration of these two flavonoids in quinoa can sometimes be greater than their concentration in high-flavonoid berries like cranberry.

In comparison to cereal grasses like wheat, quinoa is higher in fat content and can provide valuable amounts of heart-healthy fats like monounsaturated fat in the form of oleic acid. Quinoa can also provide small amounts Health benefit of the omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Given this higher fat content, re• Gluten free and good for people with searchers initially assumed that quinoa would gluten intolerance (Celiac problem) be more susceptible to oxidation and result• Healthy and nutritious ing nutrient damage. However, recent studies • More anti-oxidant have shown that quinoa does not get oxidized • Low glycaemic index and excellent for as rapidly as might be expected given its highdiabetic patient er fat content. This finding is great news from • Higher fibre content as compared to a nutritional standpoint. The other crops processes of boiling, simmer• Good source of mining, and steaming quinoa do erals particularly magnot appear to significantly nesium that provokes he quinoa is an compromise the quality of the synthesis of insulin quinoa’s fatty acids, allowing excellent example hormone us to enjoy its cooked texof ‘functional food’ • Good for metabolic ture and flavour while mainthat aims at lowering health taining this nutrient benefit. the risk of various dis• Good for losing Food scientists have speceases.

Its functional weight ulated that it is the diverse properties (proteins, Chemical composition array of antioxidants found minerals, vitamins, in quinoa—including varifatty acids and anResearchers have recently ous members of the vitamin tioxidants) make a taken a close look at certain E family like alpha, beta-, strong contribution to antioxidant phytonutrients in gamma- and delta-tocophhuman nutrition and quinoa, and two flavonoid viz. erol as well as flavonoids like help in fighting against quercetin and kaempferolare quercetin and kaempferol— nutritional insecurity. now known to be provided by that contribute to this oxidaquinoa in especially concentive protection

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The Healthiest Way of Cooking Quinoa To cook the quinoa, add one part of the grain to two parts liquid in a saucepan. After the mixture is brought to a boil, reduce the heat to simmer and cover. One cup of quinoa cooked in this method usually takes 15 minutes to prepare. When cooking is complete, you will notice that the grains have become translucent, and the white germ has partially detached itself, appearing like a white-spiralled tail. If you desire the quinoa to have a nuttier flavour, you can dry roast it before cooking.To dry roast, place it in a skillet over medium-low heat and stir constantly for five minutes.

Quinoa is a perfect food to include on a gluten-free diet, since it not only lacks gluten but doesn’t even belong to the same plant family as wheat, oats, barley, or rye. Some studies also show quinoa flour to have higher-than-expected digestibility. Both of these factors would be expected to decrease the risk of an adverse reaction to quinoa—especially in comparison to a cereal grass like wheat. While it is possible to make baked goods and pastas out of 100% quinoa flour, most companies combine quinoa flour with other flours like tapioca flour , rice flour or with oatmeal to produce a lighter texture. Products made with 100% quinoa flour typically have a heavy and dense texture, sometimes referred to as “truffle-like.” When combined with rice flour or tapioca flour, however, quinoa-based products definitely qualify as gluten-free and should help reduce risk of adverse reactions. www.krishijagran.com

How to Serve ?

• Combine cooked chilled quinoa with pinto beans, pumpkin seeds, scallions and coriander. Season to taste and enjoy this south-of-the-border inspired salad.

• Add nuts and fruits to cooked quinoa and serve as breakfast porridge.

• For a twist on your favourite pasta recipe, use noodles made from quinoa.

• Sprouted quinoa can be used in salads and sandwiches just like alfalfa sprouts.

• Add quinoa to your favourite vegetable soups.

• Ground quinoa flour can be added to cookie or muffin recipes.

• Quinoa is great to use in tabouli, serving as a delicious and wheat-free substitute for the wheat with which this Middle Eastern dish is usually made.

The quinoa is an excellent example of ‘functional food’ that aims at lowering the risk of various diseases. Its functional properties (proteins, minerals, vitamins, fatty acids and antioxidants) make a strong contribution to human nutrition and help in fighting against nutritional insecurity. The minerals presents in the seeds of quinoa act as cofactors in antioxidant enzymes, adding higher value to its rich proteins. Overall, intake of quantitative foods is not much important today, but intake of qualitative food is the major concern. So that consumption of quinoa may help us to build healthy life and healthy world.

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Techn logy

Significance of R&D and Technology in Indian Agriculture

Nand Kishore Aggarwal

Chairman of Crystal Crop Protection Pvt Ltd

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griculture and allied sectors account for approximately 14% of Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s GDP. 50% of our entire workforce is involved these sectors.

India is now the second largest producer of wheat and rice, the major food staples in the world. In the last few years, our country has shown a steady annual increase in the productivity of certain agricultural items.

As a matter of fact, Indian agriculture has

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transformed significantly over the last few decades. Growth in household income, expansion in food processing, and increase in agricultural exports has facilitated double digit growth in this sector. The green revolution was a major technological breakthrough which created a lasting impact on Indian agriculture. However, when it comes to investments on Research and Development (R&D) infrastructure and technology implementation, a lot more needs to be done. www.krishijagran.com

enetic modification of Gproductivity seeds promises high with minimal

use of agricultural resources and agrochemicals, both on a seasonal and long-term basis. The most significant example of this technology in India is the introduction of BT cotton with prior R&D..

for sustainable agricultural practices. Today, even multinationals and private sector firms including agrochemical like Crystal Crop Protection Pvt. Ltd. are investing heavily on R&D. The R&D team of Crystal is revolutionizing the agricultural industry through the promotion and adoption of scientific farming practices.

Benefits of R&D and Technology Here are some of the significant aspects of R&D and technology in agriculture and the potential benefits that farmers can reap with their implementation.

Genetic Modification of Seeds and Crops

R&D in Agriculture: The Ground Reality With ever-increasing supply-side constraints, the role of R&D has become increasingly important and has the potential to offer longterm solutions for Indian agriculture. Farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; access to latest researches can help in overcoming issues such as seed problems, pest and disease problems, crop sustainability, climate change, irrigation problems, soil erosion, and so on.

Earlier, research institutions, agricultural universities, and public sector corporations were important stakeholders in the R&D ecosystem www.krishijagran.com

Genetic modification of seeds promises high productivity with minimal use of agricultural resources and agrochemicals, both on a seasonal and long-term basis. The most significant example of this technology in India is the introduction of BT cotton with prior R&D. Cross-breeding and genetically modified crops are aligned to well-researched genetic engineering and agri-biotechnology, and introduce a new trait to the crop which does not occur naturally in the species, thereby helping in increasing productivity and pest resistance at times. Genetically modified (GM) high yield seeds have gained increasing acceptance among farmers around the world. Nowadays, transgenic and hybrid seeds are dominating the rural market in India, especially when it comes to cereals, vegetables, and oilseeds.

Testing and Research on Pesticides and Fertilizers The importance of understanding the judicious

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use of fertilizers and pesticides cannot be overemphasized. The use of low dosage, high potency agrochemicals that suit local agricultural conditions need to be stressed. It is important to ensure the right amount of agrochemical and fertilizer at the right time to reap maximum benefits. The right approach is to strike a balance between marketing generic agrochemicals that are already in the market and inventing new molecules that will bring about an ‘evergreen revolution’. To ensure quality of the agrochemicals used in agriculture, the Indian government has recently set up 71 pesticides testing laboratories across the country.

Several private firms are also investing on quality assurance research for appropriate use of agrochemicals and fertilizers. Crystal’s quality control laboratory is ISO certified and accredited by National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories. Crystal’s R&D team emphasizes on good manufacturing processes to ensure quality production of agrochemicals.

Efficient Water Management Water is indispensable for all agricultural activities. The unpredictable monsoon rains coupled with increasing demand for food production has made smart irrigation imperative Environment-Friendly Agriculture for Indian agriculture. Water management must be designed to augment local water resourcUse of biotechnology in agries and effective wastewater culture can reduce vulnerabiltreatment. Area-specific R&D echnology ity of crops to environmental on irrigation technologies can impact and over dependence integration has the play an important role in this on chemical fertilizers to impotential to regard. In India, electric and prove yield. Off late, techtransform the entire diesel pumps are generally nologies with respect to agribusiness value used to extract groundwater. bio-formulations have been chain, from New age water lifting defound effective against soil agricultural vices such as treadle pumps borne pathogens to mainproduction and origiand efficient water managetain the productive capacity nation to trading, and ment systems such as drip of agro-ecosystems. Realso helps irrigation allow regular research shows that adoption farmers to take of zero-tillage agriculture lease of water directly to the informed decisions. can save water by as much as roots of the plants through With the application 11% as against the convena network of economically of Internet of Things, tional sowing techniques.R designed plastic pipes. With mitigating risks and & D units ,both at private the efficient use of the above tracking crop from and government level, conmentioned technologies and field to farm is nowduct in-house field research further R&D, small farmers much easier. and process development for can cultivate year round and environment-friendly agriincrease crop productivity.

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cultural practices and for educating farmers on land use patterns. Adopting eco-friendly agricultural practices can improve agricultural production and at the same time work towards biodiversity conservation to improve livelihoods of rural communities. Crystal is a member of Gujarat Enviro Protection and Infrastructure Ltd for remarkable Integrated Common Hazardous Waste Management.

The Road Ahead Technology integration has the potential to transform the entire agribusiness value chain, from agricultural production and origination to trading, and also helps farmers to take informed decisions. With the application of Internet of Things, mitigating risks and tracking crop from field to farm is now much easier.

There is no doubt that agri-tech will play an important role in aiding sustainable agriculture for tomorrow. Technology and R&D combined has emerged as critical differentiator of the Indian agro industry, be it at the www.krishijagran.com

primary (production), secondary (processing) or tertiary (marketing and packaging) level.

R&D generates new technologies and passes them to farmers. In the coming years, agricultural technology will play a vital role in addressing their concerns related to conservation and management of rural resources. Crystal has been continuously associated with Indian Agricultural Research Institutes (IARI), Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI), Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI), and Directorate of Rice Research (DRR) which are all affiliated to Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for various R&D related trials.

In spite of successful R&D initiatives around crop cultivation and crop protection and huge investments from the private sector, a majority of farmers in India are not able to get optimum yield in the absence of expert scientific advice. The need of the hour is to bridge the gap between research and practice.

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GREEN UPPLY Dr. Swati Sharma , Prof. Gautam Parmar Assistant Professor, ASPEE Agribusiness Management Institute Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari

he economic growth increases the level of energy and material consumption, which contribute to the environmental issues and resource depletion problems. It has become increasingly significant for organizations facing competitive, regulatory, and community pressures to balance economic and environmental performance. The business activities can pose a significant threat to the environment in terms of carbon monoxide emissions, discarded packaging materials, scrapped toxic materials, traffic congestion and other forms of industrial pollution hazards.

ties had increased attention in developing environmental management (EM) strategies for the supply chain. Thus, the concept of Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) arises as a new systematic approach and becoming an important factor for business activities today.

The Green component in the supply chain will indicate the effects and relationship of supply chain management to the natural environment in order to sustain the competition, thereby mounting pressure on industries. Further India has gained its position among the top ten countries and has become one of the largest manufacturing economies of the world.

The current change in environmental requirements that influenced manufacturing activi-

The Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) is considered as an environmental innovation.

GREEN SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT IN INDIA

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Prof. Gautam Parmar

The concept of GSCM is to integrate environmental thinking into supply chain management (SCM). Green supply Chain Management (GSCM) aims to minimize or eliminate wastages including hazardous chemicals, emissions, energy and solid waste along supply chain such as product design, material resourcing and selection, manufacturing process, delivery of final product and end-of-life management of the product. As such, Green supply Chain Management (GSCM) plays a vital role in influencing the total environment impact of any firm involved in supply chain activities and thus contributing to sustainability performance enhancement.

jectives by lowering their environmental risks and impacts, while raising their ecological efficiency. Green supply Chain Management (GSCM) was emerging in the last few years as an important management standard. Unlike conventional supply chains, green supply chains are designed to ensure that value creation, rather than risk and waste, accumulates at each step.

Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) has emerged as an important new innovation that helps organizations to develop “win-win” strategies that achieve profit and market share ob-

• Savings: There are long term savings opportunities through green movement. Companies need to show some long term appetite by holding into the GSCM investment. At least in the short term they could reach a stage of a revenue neutral level. The corporate should not expect huge benefits upon implementing Green SCM immediately but it can definitely proclaim to become a competitive advantage for firms marketing goods with environmental characteristics.

Opportunities of Green Supply Chain Management: The Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) can help organizations in the following ways:-

• Lower risk: By buying greener products or services, organizations can avoid risks which often translate into financial costs or losses. There are large numbers of cases propping up wherein the suppliers and vendors of a company are using illegal means to supply or extract raw materials thus hitting the corporate image. In fact some of the supplier communities have very poor environmental track records. These risks can be sidelined by using and adhering to environmental friendly practices.

• Increase in revenue: Companies are competing to improve efficiency of their business processes and reduce energy and material consumption by utilizing instruments like green supplychain management. Industry has been the prime investor in energy efficiency, renewable energy and green building projects thus satisfying stakeholder demands, enhance brand image, and imwww.krishijagran.com

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GREEN UPPLY

prove customer loyalty.

a major challenge for many companies to integrate the recycled waste as raw materials to be used again in manufacturing units.

• Indirect yield and Brand Image: Being n important aspect environmental-friendof GSCM is intely, organizations can gration of recycling reduce considerable • Another challenge of the products. It is waste and protect the is the fear of failure. The ora major challenge for natural resources. It ganizations are not confident many companies to can enhance the brand whether the Green initiative integrate the recycled image of the company will lead to success or failure. waste as raw materiand will indirectly benals to be used again in efit the motivational • The lack of awaremanufacturing units. levels of the employness regarding the impleees, suppliers and othmentation process, regulaer stakeholders. The tions and best practices is company can enjoy again the major hurdle in implethe brand image and market share by menting GSCM. promoting environment friendly products.

• A critical factor in implementing a GSCM initiative is the support and comChallenges of Green Supply Chain mitment from the top level management but unfortunately due to lack of Management in India: confidence on the concept and high Implementing GSCM is not an easy task. initial investment, the top management The organizations are likely to face cerbecomes apprehensive in implementatain challenges some of which include: tion of green practices.

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• Cost is considered as the biggest barrier in implementing Green supply Chain Management (GSCM).

• As supply chain has lot of participating stakeholders, anyone’s reluctance

• There is lack of green architects, consultants, green developers, contractors in the region. Due to lack of green practitioners available, the organizations are apprehensive to go ahead with the investment.

• An important aspect of GSCM is integration of recycling of the products. It is

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to accept and get involved in the design process and technology affects the overall performance of the whole chain.

• In today’s market scenario uncertainty is very high due to global competitiveness, and customer’s preferences are changing continuously. This makes the companies to deter from implementing GSCM concepts as market competition influences the innovative capability as well as intention to adopt innovations.

• The innovative green practices promote innovative design, new market opportunities and makes their quality better than others but the management is showing resistance to implement green practices due to increased market competition, cost and time bound targets.

In essence,we can conclude that green supply chain management is an emerging field which integrates the environmental saving factors with the supply chain management. GSCM has been now identified as an approach for improving performance of the processes and products according to the requirements of environmental regulations. It is a modern way of conventional supply chain management that adopts green practices to sustain and attain competitive advantage. Further, there are many obstacles in implementing GSCM that can be overcome with increased awareness among organizations, top management, employees and customers.

• A major barrier of GSCM seen in Indian industries is lack of awareness of customers about the benefits of green products. Customers’ awareness means increased demand for eco friendly products and to meet the customer requirements the company has to incorporate new technology for innovative green products.

• Members of the Green Supply Chain should work as integrated systems rather than working individually to improve the overall performance of GSCM. Most of the firms’ SCM are affected by lack of coordination and whose consequences are like inaccuracy in forecasting, excessive inventory, inadequate customer service, inventory costs, time concerns, poor quality, poor customer focus and poor customer satisfaction.

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CIFT signs MoU with Department of Fisheries Government of Himachal Pradesh

ICAR

- Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Cochin signed a MoU with Department of Fisheries, Govt. of Himachal Pradesh for setting up of canning and fish processing unit with the technical consultancy of ICAR-CIFT on 9th January, 2017 in presence of Thakur Singh Bharmouri, Minister for Forest and Fisheries, Govt. of Himachal Pradesh.

Gracing the occasion minister lauded the role of ICAR-CIFT scientists to bring an euphoria among the fisher population of the state through their scientific interventions and said that the MoU will strengthen the linkage between ICAR-CIFT and Department of Fisheries, Govt. of Himachal Pradesh to go ahead in fishery sector development. In his presidential address Dr. C.N. Ravishankar, Director, CIFT briefed the accomplishments of the Institute since its inception and citing the example of Himachal Pradesh asked for the cooperation of the line departments of other states to address the problems in harvesting and post harvesting sectors of fisheries across the country.

Gurcharan Singh, Director, Department of Fisheries, Govt. of Himachal Pradesh appreci-

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ated the prompt and timely initiatives by CIFT for taking up field survey and situation analysis on status of fishery in Himachal Pradesh, which enabled them to formulate policy strategy for the development of the sector. According to him HP is the leading state in trout production and is taking all efforts to increase the production of other cultivable varieties of fishes as per the recommendation of CIFT Dr. K. Ashok Kumar, Head, Fish processing Division stated that as per the MoU, ICAR-CIFT will provide the details like design of processing units, procurement of equipments and training of Fisheries Department officials and fishermen on processing and value addition.

Processing units will be constructed at Gobind Sagar, Pong, Solan and Una. For implementing this, Department of Fisheries, Himachal Pradesh has transferred Rs. 82.2 lakhs to ICAR-CIFT. Dr. George Ninan, Principal Scientist & Principal Investigator for Agri-Business Incubation Centre at ICAR-CIFT and Gurucharan Singh, Director cum Warden, Department of Fisheries, Himachal Pradesh signed the MoU in presence of Thakur Singh Bharmouri and Dr. Ravishankar, C.N., Director, ICAR-CIFT.

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‘KALPA KRUNCH’ LAUNCHED

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National Meet on “Prospects of Coconut Sector” and Kisan Mela-2016 was organized at Kayankulam Regional Station of ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasaragod , as part of the celebrations of 100 years of coconut research dating back to 1916.

Radha Mohan Singh, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Govt. of India inaugurated the programme .During the function, Minister launched “Kalpa Krunch”, a coconutbased extruded snack product jointly developed

by ICAR-CIFT and ICAR-CPCRI. The technology

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of Kalpa Krunch will be transferred to entrepreneurs through the Agriculture Business Incubation Centres of ICAR-CIFT and ICAR-CPCRI. Over 3,500 farmers and other delegates attended the meeting. Various central and state government agencies like the ICAR institutes and Krishi Vigyan Kendras in the state; Coconut Development Board; NABARD; Kerala Agricultural University; Department of Agriculture, Kerala; ATMA; Coconut Producers’ Companies and Federations and various private entrepreneurs and input agencies were partners in this twoday’s programme.

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KRISHI JAGRAN AGRICULTURE WORLD NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY

COMPETITION

K

rishi Jagran announces its first Agri-Rural National Photography Competition in 2017. Both professional and amateur photographers can participate in the competition.

The title of the competition is “A snap shot of Indian Agriculture”. In this contest , participants can send photographs related to Indian agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries and anything connected to our agriculture and farmers of India.

The best photograph will receive an award of Rs. 25,000/- a citation and a certificate. 2nd prize will be Rs. 20,000/- and third prize Rs. 10,000/- plus citation and certificate. Ten consolation prizes of Rs. 1,000/- each will also be given. A jury comprising experts from this field will screen and select the best photographs.

The entries should not have any mark or address to identify the photographer. Name, Address, Mobile No. and email id should be attached separately.

The size of the photograph will be 12 x 18 inches. A colour copy and soft copy in CD with minimum size of 3 mp should be sent to the address below. A competitor can send a maximum of 3 photographs. Photographs should be original and any manipulation will be a disqualification.

The right of entries send by the competitor will be the sole property of Krishi jagran Publications. Krishi jagran should have the freedom to use it in our magazines, exhibitions and virtual media.

Proper acknowledgement will be given to the used photographs.

Those who agree with the terms and conditions can participate in the competition.

LAST DATE FOR RECEIPT OF ENTRIES - 30TH APRIL 2017.

T H E P U L S E O F G L O B A L A G R I C U LT U R E

THE PULSE OF RURAL INDIA

WRITE ON THE TOP OF THE COVER : ENTRIES FOR PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION 2017 AGRICULTURE www.krishijagran.com

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Address :KRISHI JAGRAN 60/9, 3rd Floor, YusufSarai Market, Near Green Park Metro Station AGRICULTURE www.krishijagran.com Email: photo@krishijagran.com Contact - 011-26511845, 26517923 JANUARY 2017

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he new concept of payments bank is on your door step now. RBI had granted in-principle nod to 11 payments banks in August 2015 to bring financial services within the reach of millions who still lack access to formal banking. Payments banks can take deposits and remittances but are not allowed to lend.

Bharti Enterprises chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal launched India’s first payments bank - Airtel Payments Bank - giving a 7.25% interest on savings accounts, which makes it the highest interest rate on offer.Presently , public sector banks offer only 3-4% interest on savings deposits and a few private sector banks offer up to 6%. Besides the lucrative interest rate, the bank also offers personal accidental insurance of Rs1 lakh with every savings account and free talktime equaling the amount deposited AGRICULTURE

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in the payments bank-saving account.

The fully digital and paperless bank aims to take basic banking services to the doorstep of every Indian by leveraging Airtel’s vast retail network.With the launch, over 250,000 Airtel retail stores across the country would double up as banking points. The plan is to scale up to 600,000 banking points by the end of the year.Shashi Arora, managing director and chief executive officer of Airtel Payments Bank, said, “We get reach through 1.5 million outlets from the telecom operations, of which almost 50% will become banking points in future.”

From these points, customers would be able to open savings accounts and deposit and withdraw cash. The platform that will connect 100 million Airtel customers, is aiming to add 25,000 accounts per week.In the initial peri-

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od, Airtel Payments Bank will not charge any processing fee from its customers and merchants partners for digital transactions, in a bid to encourage them to adopt cashless payments.The company said it would develop a nationwide merchant ecosystem of over five million partners including small kirana stores, grocers, pharmacies, restaurants, etc. These merchant partners will accept digital payments from Airtel Payments Bank customers over mobile phones.The newly launched bank has committed an initial investment of Rs 3,000 crore to further develop a pan India banking network and digital payments ecosystem.

Bharti Enterprises chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal also hinted at roping in a strategic partner for the payments banks, launched on a pan-India basis. As per current RBI norms, the promoters have to keep a minimum 40% stake in www.krishijagran.com

the payments bank in the first five years. Foreign shareholding is allowed in these banks as per the rules for foreign direct investment in private banks in India.Mittal said, if at any juncture the company found a suitable partner, it would be open to offering a 10-20% stake to that strategic partner. Private-sector lender Kotak Mahindra Bank owns a minority stake in Airtel Payments Bank.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who launched Airtel Payments Bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s national operations said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Airtel payments bank is a convergence that was waiting to happen and moving forward, banking and digital transactions will increase in a less-cash economy.â&#x20AC;?Payments banks are expected to increase competition in the sector by offering higher interest rates on deposits. Other telecom players that have payments banks licences include Reliance Industries (Jio), Vodafone and Idea Cellular.

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armers Marcello Personeni

CEO and Managing Director at SAME DEUTZ-FAHR India (P) LTD

Indian farmers becoming

modern Imran Khan

Sr. Correspondents, Krishi Jagran

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ractor is a major agricultural equipment for farming. This powerful Machine is important instrument in farmer’s life as it makes farmer’s life easier. An Italy based tractor company is making farmer’s life easy and interesting; because this company is providing a new generation tractors to farmers worldwide. Marcello Personeni, Managing Director of SAME DEUTZ-FAHR discuss with Krishi Jagran about world wide activities of his Company. Presenting below the words of Marcello Personeni given in an interview.

In which segment SAME DEUTZ-FAHR is working?

SAME-DEUTZ FAHR is a world famous company working in the segment of motor manufacAGRICULTURE

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turing and tractor manufacturing. We are providing world famous brands to our customers like Hurliman, DEUTZ-FAHR and Lamborghini. Majorly we are manufacturing tractors for farmers. As already told you SDF is a world famous company. Presently we are working in 18 major countries of the world.

What is your presence in India?

If we talk about India we have a good presence in Maharashtra, Tamilnadu, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat.

Apart of this we are focusing another states also like Punjab , Haryana, Karnataka and other states. We are promoting SAME DEUTZFAHR in other parts of India.

Which tractor category you have? www.krishijagran.com

Indian Farmers are very intelligent.

They are adopting the advance technology of Agriculture. I feel Indian farmers are becoming modern farmers. They know better which product and techniques useful and harmful for crops.

According to farmers need we are providing tractors from 35 HP to 80 HP worldwide. In a particulars tractor series we have 35, 40 and 42 HP tractors. Very soon we are going to launch 45 HP Tractor also. We are planning to manufacture 20 to 25 HP tractors.

Would you like to share something about product quality?

If we talk about product quality we follow international quality standards to manufacture our products. With international market our tractor mostly participated in Indian market. Indian farmers like SAME tractors. If we compare with other companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tractors our tractors have a quality to save 25% fuel. We manufacture powerful tractors in affordable cost. I would say we are providing international quality to farmers.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s your position in European and American market?

In Europe and South Africa we are a leading company and we are performing better. We also working in South America but not in North America. In North America we are not so much popular because there companies like Johan Deere and New Holland working well. If we www.krishijagran.com

talk about market value in Europe there is a big market of 80 HP and more than 80 HP Tractors.

If We talk about Indian Market here is a big requirement of 35 HP to 50 HP Tractors.

What you are doing to spread out your network further in India?

Presently we have 100 dealers in India. In the coming years we will increase dealers number will be doubled. To increase the number SAME team is working very fast. We ready to reach out across India. We have our own manufacturing unit in Ranipet, Tamilnadu with world class facilities. We have experts Team in our plant.

How is your understanding with Indian farmers?

Indian Farmers are very intelligent. They are adopting the advance technology of Agriculture. I feel Indian farmers are becoming modern farmers. They know better which product and techniques useful and harmful for crops.

Then they use better products. We are providing them advance technology and better products so we have a good coordination with Indian farmers.

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Farmers should use their Intelligence Imran Khan

Sr. Correspondents, Krishi Jagran

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armers using advanced technology in farming to harvest . They are using lots of the new machineries like power mini tractor, harvester, power tiller, seed driller and rotary tiller. Rotary is one of most usable product in Indian farming sector. Indian farmers look forward to qualitative rotary tiller.

Rotary blades play important role in use of this machine. In Indian agriculture market ,there are a large number of rotary blades manufacturers. Among them, Taiyo-India Pvt. Limited is the leading manufacturer of qualitative blades. Here are the excerpts of the chat we had with Mr. Shakti Mathur, Sales Head, North Zone, Taiyo India Pvt. Ltd. • When was Taiyo-India private limited started in India?

Taiyo Co. Ltd. Japan is the parent company of Taiyo India Pvt Limited. This company is a leading manufaturer of rotavator blades. Taiyo AGRICULTURE

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has maintained extensive R&D programs. The purpose to start this company in India was to provide world class rotary tiller blades.

• Did you face any problem after starting of the company?

Initially we faced a lot of problems because Indian market is flooded and dominated by cheap quality blades, which are selling in the market at much lower prices. Dealers in the market were not interested in selling our blades due to higher price . As lot of local blade manufacturers print ITALY on their blades, initially customers treated us as another local blade manufacturer, who was printing JAPAN on blades.

• Being a farmer representative company what is your expectation from govt?

Government should educate farmers, in collaboration with quality blade manufacturers and www.krishijagran.com

Shakti Mathur Sales Head, Taiyo India Pvt. Ltd

other quality product manufacturers to use quality products and do not run after low cost products which are not designed and manufactured scientifically.

• What role can Taiyo-India play in doubling farmer income?

As the blades play quite a vital role in rotary tiller operation, if the farmers use quality blades, this will improve performance of rotary tiller and tractor. A good quality blade helps them in preventing their tractors from consuming more fuel and also in reducing cost of maintenance of their machines.

• How do you differentiate the farmers condition before ten years and after 10 years?

If we see 10 years back, farmers were happy in doing their farming activities in conventional ways, because their education level and awareness about new technologies was less. Today, a lot of companies and Government are carrying out lot of programme to create awareness about advance technologies in farming sector.

Farmers are also becoming tech savvy now and with easy access to internet and mass media, they are well aware on mechanization in www.krishijagran.com

While buying blades for their Rotary Tillers, they should not run after sub standard blades, just because they are low priced. Dealers in the market will always try to sell products in which they get more profit. In this situation ,the farmers should apply their own intelligence and understanding to buy a good agricultural product. farming. The scenario after 10 years will drastically change, as the new generation farmers are cropping up. With more and more scientific methods being introduced in Agriculture Industry, farmers will get adapted to these methods to get better yield of their crops.

• Do you feel there is enough competition in the market ?

We do not treat any of the companies our competitor because our quality standards and business practices are totally different from other companies in this sector. We do not want to compete with anyone, but we want to create our own market. We are educating our Marketing Team also like that.

• What would you say to farmers in case of purchasing the products?

While buying blades for their Rotary Tillers, they should not run after sub standard blades, just because they are low priced. Dealers in the market will always try to sell products in which they get more profit. In this situation ,the farmers should apply their own intelligence and understanding to buy a good agricultural product.

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Science

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Creating Healthier

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Suresh Muthukulam

ice is an ancient symbol of wealth, success, fertility and good health. In Asia rice is a natural prosperity and abundance symbol. But now research activities are going on at international level to make rice which is the staple food of over half the world’s population, more healthier. Many people in Asia rely heavily on rice for most or their entire calorie needs because they cannot afford to have a full range of nutritious food such as fruits, vegetables and food from animal sources like meat, dairy products or eggs. As a result lack of iron, zinc and vitamin A has become prevalent deficiencies in rice-consuming countries. Since rice is the dominant cereal crop in most Asian Countries and is the staple food for more than half of the world’s population even a small increase in the micronutrient content of rice grains could have a significant impact on human health. It is estimated that two billion people suffer from what is known as ‘hidden hunger’ or micronutrient malnutrition. Hidden hunger can result in more frequent severe illness and complications during pregnancy, childbirth, infancy and childhood.

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To overcome this global problem IRRI is developing rice varieties that have more iron, zinc and beta carotene content to help people get more of the important micronutrients which can ultimately help to reduce micronutrient deficiencies. The main ‘healthier’ rice varieties are as follows

a) High-iron rice The World Health Organization (WHO) states that 2 billion people - or about 30% worlds population –are anemic, manly due to iron deficiency. Studies confirm that anemia can be a risk factor for maternal death. In developing countries instance of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) are higher. Woman, children and the elderly are more prone to develop IDA. For women and children, the main cause of IDA is an increased iron requirement coupled with very low dietary intake. IDA not any affects the health of the individual but alos affects the overall productivity of the population. Estimates from WHO suggests that treatment of IDA can boost national productivity levels by upto 20%

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Bright future for

T Tilapia GIFT

Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) has been developed for nearly 30 years to have fast growth benefiting millions across the world

ilapia is probably the oldest farm raised fish in the world. Stories from biblical scholars suggest it was the fish used by Jesus to feed the crowds at the Sea of Galilee, the so-called ‘St. Peter’s fish’. Today over 80 nations produce farm-raised tilapia including the United States. China is the largest producer accounting for over 50 percent of the word’s production. Since aquaculture is the fastest growing food production sector in the world, by 2030 it is estimated that aquaculture production will grow by 40% to satisfy global fish demand. Tilapia, now the second most farmed fish in the world will continue its lead role in the growth of aquaculture and will continue in the future.

Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) has been developed for nearly 30 years to have fast growth benefiting millions across the world. This particular strain is providing small-scale farmers with an income and households with a sustainable source of food and nutrition, Today GIFT is produced in at least 14 countries, helping to reduce poverty and hunger.

Driven by poor production in Tilapia farms ‘World Fish’ an international nonprofit research organization and a member of CGIAR, conducted reviews of the world’s tilapia genetic resources.

They found that inadequate seed supply and the deterioration performance of fish in many aquaculture systems in Asia were major concerns.

Thus the ‘Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia’ project was formed in and started genetic improvement of Tilapia through selective breeding.

The first generation of GIFT were bred to grow quality and monitored for good survival. The founding population of GIFT comprised Wild Nile Tilapia from Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal and farmed Nile tilapia from Israel, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand. Later on the GIFT strain was spread world wide. Now Tilapia as an affordable source of protein, vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids have helped improve food and nutrition security in the developing world.

(The Author is former Principal Information Officer of FIB, Kerala)

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Seed Industry & D An analysis Dr Kalyan B Goswami Executive Director, National Seed Association of India, Email- kalyan.goswami@nsai.co.in

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Nilendri Biswal Deputy Director National Seed Association of India, Email- nilendri.biswal@nsai.co.in

n 8 November, Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the biggest-ever demonetisation exercise India thereby withdrawing Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes from public use. The move is being intended to clamp down on black money, fake currency menace, terror funding and corruption. The banned currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 worth Rs 14.5 lakh crore from the economy, accounting for 86 percent of the total currencies available in the system ceased to be legal tender.The announcement was accompanied by certain exemptions for the first 72 hours, including permission to use old currency in government hospitals, for buying fuel, medicines, train tickets, airline tickets, in government buses and for paying utility bills and so on. There was also cap on withdrawal from ATMs and Banks. With more than 2 months since then, rules have changed many times. Demonetisation exercise is not new to India, according to RBI data the highest denomination note ever printed by the Rs 10,000 note in 1938 and again in 1954. But these notes were demonetised in January 1946 and again in January 1978.

Financial Inclusion & Digitalization Primarily demonetisation was initially characterised by serpentine lines before ATMs and Banks, surprise raids and cash crunch across India. However, the public support was strong in favour of Government of India. If we look at aspect of financial Inclusion India is still fighting to achieve financial inclusion for its citizens. The AGRICULTURE

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latest government report on financial inclusion — ‘Overview and Progress on Financial Inclusion’ — says that according to the 2011 census among 246,692,667 households, the penetration of banking services is 58.7%, at 144,814,788 households. According to World Bank data, the number of bank branches per 100,000 adults in India was 9 and 13 in 2004 and 2014, respectively. This is broadly in line with the global average of 9.1 and 13.4 branches in 2004 and 2014, respectively. But India has got a long way to go to catch up with many developed countries.

The World Bank data show that the number of ATMs per 100,000 adults in India was 18.07 in 2014. This is way fewer than the global average of 43.9 ATMs. According to McKinsey report (2011), with 120 million internet, India has third largest internet in the world after China and the US and India targeted for 330—370 million internet users in 2015. Further it is reported that 7% of account holders in the country are using the Internet/ Debit Card/ Credit Card for banking transactions. Hence the call for ‘100 % Cashless Transactions’ will take its due course of time. More so in case of rural India where there are issues of Cellular Network Connectivity and Electricity availability in villages. The efforts being made

by Government are encouraging and in time beyond doubt we would achieve the needful.

Impact on Agriculture The impact of demonetisation was not only in urban areas but also in rural areas. The urban www.krishijagran.com

y & Demonetization-

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hullabaloo was captured by teeming cameras and enthusiastic journalist but the impact in rural areas was largely neglected. One must not forget India lives in its villages and that the backbone of Indian economy is Agriculture.The livelihood of millions of farmers is derived from agriculture. In-fact rural economy is largely dependent on agri output which in turn is heavily cash dependent. In a year, there are primarily two very essential phases for the farmers of our country i.e. RABI and KHARIF season.

Most of the farming income is largely dependent on output during these two seasons.

The demonetization exercise was announced at a time of kharif harvest and start of rabi sowing.

Post Demonetisation based on reports in print and visual media stress in agriculture have begun to appear because of demonetization. Formal financing in many parts, especially Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Kerala is significantly from cooperative banks, which are barred from exchange-deposit of demonetized currency. In order to discourage black money hoarders to misuse cooperatives, this decision was taken. However, one may argue that millions of farmers have their accounts with cooperatives. Following demonetisation National Seed Association of India(NSAI) has received feedback regarding requirement of credit for farmers for purchase of Seeds, fertilizers and other equipments. Rabi being a season of vegetable seed cultivation and wheat cultivation, cash is urgently needed by farmers for purchase of seeds. Also, a farmer has to have access to liquid cash for arrangement of sale, transportation, marketing of produce to nearby markets and mandis. Often the rural agrarian economy is based on trust and age old relations but cash is primarily needed to enable smooth running. Also, one of the key areas of concern was the agriculture produce being perishable in nature, the decision has to be quick in order to avoid loss.

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Impact of Seed Industry As soon the demonetisation was pressed in NSAI placed its appeal before Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley and Hon’ble Agriculture Minister Shri Radha Mohan Singh topermit farmers to use old Rs. 500 and 1000 notes to purchase inputs for farming and animal feed till 31-12-2016. The Government was quick to act and allowed farmers to Farmers can purchase seeds from the centres, units or outlets belonging to the central or state governments, public sector undertakings, national or state seeds corporations, central or state agricultural universities and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), on production of proof of identity.

The Seed industry is closely knit industry with network of farmers, dealers, industry representatives working seamlessly to ensure growth in production and output. The value-chain of Indian seed industry has multiple players who are play different roles, disruption at any one point may lead to huge loses. The seed industry is a labour intensive industry with requirement of manpower for maintaining demonstration plots, transportation of Seeds, diesel cost, tractors, crop insurance payments, processing, packaging, treatment and storage of Seeds.

The network of seed industry trade is spread across vast areas across India numerous villages, blocks and cities. All through the system was till date heavily cash dependent.There was some amount of difficulty faced by industry due to demonetization however the same has been managed well.

Sowing area under wheat has risen by 11.5 per cent to 225.63 lakh hectares while that of pulses is up 10 per cent to 121.74 lakh hectares so far in the current Rabi (winter-sown) season on the back of good monsoon and higher support price. However, the acreage of padwww.krishijagran.com

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dy and coarse cereals is lower than last year.

As per preliminary reports received from the states, total area sown under Rabi crops as on December 9, 2016 stands at 472.43 lakh hectares as compared to 438.90 lakh hectares this time in 2015.

Upon the clarion call of Honâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi, the industry is seriously contemplating on ways to promote cashless mode of transactions. However, this would require time. A brain storming Session is being organised by NSAI during its upcoming Indian Seed Congress to discuss â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Digitalization in Seed Industry. The same would be attended by prominent economists, scientists, bankers and industry representatives. The Seed industry would also be promoting among its members the use of digital money transfers.

Also, the likely impact can be debated as the production patterns and cycles vary and there is uncertainty over demonetization impact on rural areas. In case of vegetables the harvest season ranges from 2-3 months we are yet to access the magnitude of vegetable seeds sown during the season. Production for Rabi 2016-17 for vegetables might be impacted.

While there is no denying about the impact of Demonetisation on Indian Seed industry we strongly believe going digital is the way forward and we completely support the Government of India in this effort. Despite certain short term troubles, demonetization is certainly going to give a boost to the Indian economy in the long run.

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griculture plays a major role in economic and social development of the country like India where 60% population directly or indirectly depends on Agriculture. India has high population pressure on land and other resources to meet its food and development needs. The natural resource base of land, water and bio-diversity is under severe pressure.

Food demand challenges ahead are formidable considering the non-availability of favorable factors of past growth, fast declining factor productivity in major cropping systems and rapidly shrinking resource base.

The challenges of todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s world are bringing many pressures to bear on agriculture: popula-

tion growth, the impact of climate change, the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture, rapid development of the emerging economies and growing instability associated with land, water and energy shortages.

This scenario heightens the critical role of innovation to make agriculture more competitive and sustainable.

Innovation, in general terms, is a process by which something new is implemented in a given context; it is socially appropriate and provides benefits for the parties involved. It serves as a driver of economic growth and competitiveness in the countries. Innovation and the processes that facilitate it do not emerge from nothing; innovation arises in a particular

Satish Tiwari

General Manager & Regional Business Head -NorthCoromandel International Ltd India & Member, FICCI National Committee on Agriculture Mob-91-7042291650 Email - tiwaris@coromandel.murugappa.com

Innovation in

Agriculture AGRICULTURE

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socioeconomic context and is shaped by the presence (or absence) of favorable conditions in which it can thrive .The innovation process comes about largely within “innovation systems” made up of organizations and private and public stakeholders interconnected in different ways and possessing the technical, commercial and financial competencies and inputs necessary for Innovation.

link of the agricultural production value chain.

•

Markets, not production drive agricultural development

The private sector in India stands at the forefront of innovation processes in agriculture and is a source and the primary recipient of new technologies. It is made up of companies (large, medium-sized and small) and profit-seeking firms, regardless of ownership structure, scale or size, or of whether they are legally registered or directly involved in some

•

The economic environment of agriculture has become more dynamic, interconnected and evolutionary – largely due to globalization, also urbanization

•

Rate of change has increased, with a need for more rapid responses – competition, trade rules, technological paradigms, cli-

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The government plays a fundamental role, supplying the economic, social and institutional conditions that foster innovation; it does this through effective policies.

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mate, pest and diseases.

•

Digitalization will play a major role in the process of Agriculture innovation.

India has made impressive strides on the agricultural front during the last three decades.

Much of the credit for this success should go to the several million small farming families that form the backbone of Indian agriculture and economy. Policy support, production strategies, public investment in infrastructure, research and extension for crop, livestock and fisheries have significantly helped to increase food production and its availability. During the last 30 years, India’s food grain production nearly doubled from 102 million tons in the triennium ending 1973 to nearly 200 million tons (mt) in the triennium ending (TE) 1999. Virtually all of the increase in the production resulted from yield gains rather than expansion of cultivated area.

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Availability of food grains per person increased from 452 gm/capita/day to over 476 gm/capita/ day, even as the country’s population almost doubled, swelling from 548 million to nearly 1000 million. Increased agricultural productivity and rapid industrial growth in the recent years have contributed to a significant reduction in poverty level, from 55 percent in 1973 to 26 percent in 1998. Despite the impressive growth and development, India is still home to the largest number of poor people of the world. With about 250 million below the poverty line, India accounts for about one-fifth of the world’s poor. Child malnutrition extracts its highest toll in this country. About 25% children suffer from serious malnutrition. More than 50 percent of the pre-school children and pregnant women are anemic. The depth of hunger among the undernourished is also high.

India has high population pressure on land and other resources to meet its food and developwww.krishijagran.com

Challenges & opportunities• Conservation of natural resources and protection of environment.

• Vast untapped potential of our soil and water resources, and farming systems • Technology revolution especially in the areas of molecular biology, biotechnology, space technology, ecology and management.

• Revolution in informatics and communication and the opportunity of linking farmers, extension workers and scientists with the national and international databases.

• Integrated nutrient management: • More Crop Per Drop-Water Management.

• Bridging Yield Gaps with in Indian State and benchmarking countries.

• Value Addition in Agriculture Produce.

ment needs. The natural resource base of land, water and bio-diversity is under severe pressure. The massive increase in population (despite the slowing down of the rate of growth) and substantial income growth, demand an extra about 2.5 mt of food grains annually, besides significant increases needed in the supply of livestock, fish and horticultural products. Under the assumption of 3.5% growth in per capita GDP (low income growth scenario), demand for food grains (including feed, seed, wastage and export) is projected in the year 2020 at the level of 256 mt comprising 112mt of rice, 82mt of wheat, 39mt of coarse grains and 22mt of pulses. The demand for sugar, fruits, vegetables, and milk is estimated to grow to a level 33mt, 77mt, 136mt and 116 MT respectively.

Vision-2020• Enhancing Yield of Major Commodities www.krishijagran.com

• Better Mktg facilities , Keeping Pace with globalization.

Productivity increasing varieties of crops, breeds of livestock, strains of microbes and efficient packages of technologies, particularly those for land and water management, for obviating biotic, abiotic, socio-economic and environmental constraints; • Yield increasing and environmentally-friendly production and post-harvest and value-addition technologies; • Reliable and timely availability of quality inputs at reasonable prices, institutional and credit supports, especially for small and resource-poor farmers, and support to land and water resources development; • Effective and credible technology, procurement, assessment and transfer and extension system involving appropriate linkages and partnerships; again with an emphasis on reach-

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ing the small farmers;

ticipation of women farmers; and

• Improved institutional and credit support and increased rural employment opportunities, including those through creating agriculture-based rural agro-processing and agro-industries, improved rural infrastructures, including access to information, and effective markets, farm to market roads and related infrastructure;

• Primary education, health care, clean drinking water, safe sanitation, Adequate nutrition, particularly for children (including through mid-day Meal at schools)and women.

• Particular attention to the needs and parAGRICULTURE

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The above investments will need to be supported through appropriate policies and that could help the country to feed our growing population in a better way. www.krishijagran.com

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