Punjab Agricultural University confers 'Doctor of Science' degree to Tajikistan president



Emomali Rahmon

President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, is coming on his 5^th visit to India in the first week of September 2012 accompanied by Senior Ministers and Business Delegation. During his visit, the President will address a Joint Business Forum in New Delhi on Monday, 3 September 2012.The meeting will provide an opportunity to interact first hand with the President and the accompanying delegation and understand the emerging business, trade & investment opportunities and challenges between India and Tajikistan.

As per the news article reported (here),Punjab Agricultural University will confer the degree of 'Doctor of Science' (honoris causa) on the Tajikistan president, Emomali Rahmon. The ceremony would take place on September 4. "PAU will hold a special convocation on September 4 to confer this. The chancellor of PAU, Shivraj Patil, who is also the governor of Punjab, will preside over this function," PAU's additional director of communication centre, Jagtar Dhiman said.

Besides, Rahmon also has a deep interest in agriculture and PAU officials feel it could be a new beginning of long-term ties between the varsity and Tajikistan. "Punjab and Tajikistan share many commonalities in the field of agriculture. Just like Punjab, the main crops there are wheat and cotton. We are expecting a bright future," said PAU registrar, R K Mahey.

Israel is set to work with Bihar

Cooperation between India & Isreal is growing in various fields as medicine, technologies, humanities, arts and social sciences, agriculture & allied science. This is a good signal of cooperation in the view of Indo-Isreal relation. As per the news article (here) India and Israel signed Memorandum of understanding (MoU) on 1^st August 2012, for academic research collaboration in the areas of medicine, technologies, humanities, arts and, social sciences. This MoU was signed in this regard between the University Grants Commission and Israel Science Foundation for launching a three-year 'India-Israel Joint Research Program' which would bring together scientists and researchers from two countries to carry forward academic research in these areas.

As per the new article reported (here) and (here), Israel looks forward to increasing cooperation with Bihar in fields like agriculture, solar energy, water harnessing and health insurance. The Ambassador of Israel, Alon Ushpiz (image here) said on 22^nd August, 2012 after an hour-long meeting with the chief minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar (image here) that “cooperation would be increased in agriculture sector with thrust on the promotion of horticulture, dairy, fishery besides green vegetables and water area”. He also said that “the cooperation in the energy sector between Bihar and Israel would also be extended, particularly in the field of solar energy”.

Earlier, interacting with the members of the Asian Development Research Institute (ADRI), he inquired about different aspects of Bihar in order to finalize work programs related to agriculture sector. "Currently, we have work plans in eight states of India, Bihar is one of them," he said, adding, "Two horticulture-related projects are already in the pipeline, one at Nalanda and other at Vaishali".

The Ambassador discussed the status of the dairy industry, pisciculture and aquaculture in the state, whether crops are grown in open fields or green houses, availability of land, production and marketing. He said, "We have certain technologies which we can use here to increase productivity".

Ushpiz said, "Bihar is an integral part of our plans in agriculture and we will try to go the extra bit for the state." He asked where his country could channelize its energies to help Bihar.

Prabhat P Ghosh, director, ADRI, said, "Bihar is one of the most fertile regions of the country as it falls in the Indo- Gangetic plains. However, our potential has not been fully utilized, as technology is not very advanced. Now, the development of agriculture is a priority in Bihar. We have an agriculture cabinet that includes 17 departments and is chaired by the chief minister himself".

Throwing light on Indo-Israeli relations, Ushpiz said, "We are celebrating the 20th anniversary of our rich and historic relations (since the opening of Israeli embassy in India), which is not only based on values but on sharing. When we had come here in 1992, the volume of trade between Israel and India was $180 million in 1992. In 2011, it was about $5 billion. We are expecting the free trade agreement is likely to be signed and then the volume of trade can go up to $10-15 billion," Israel's Ambassador Alon Ushpiz said. For the information of readers Indo-Israel Free Trade Agreement is likely to be completed by second quarter of 2013. The fifth round of meeting was held in New Delhi on 14th-16th August 2012.

The embassy's councillor, international cooperation, science and agriculture, Uri Rubinstein said, "Our strength is in extracting maximum from each square meter - high and quality yield. So, in Bihar, we are looking towards the evolution of farmers from traditional methods and diversification of crops".

Such kinds of collaborations are not only good for Bihar but also entire India. 

Parliamentary Standing Committee’s report on GM crops

Taking cognizance of the serious differences of opinion amongst the various stakeholders and the controversies surrounding the cultivation of transgenic food crops, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture had selected this subject for detailed examination and Report to the Parliament. Standing committee comprised of 31-members, chaired by chairperson, Mr Basudeb Achari.

The report took up the matter suo moto in 2009-2010. Which came in the wake of the huge controversy over GEAC, the regulator, approving India’s first food crop, Bt Brinjal for commercial release. In order to elicit public opinion, a press communication was issued on 13 March, 2010 seeking views and suggestions on the cultivation of transgenic food crops from the various stakeholders. 467 memoranda, most of them signed by several stakeholders were received by standing committee. In all, the Committee received documents running into 14826 pages. The Committee also extensively interacted with various stakeholders including State Governments, farmer’s organizations, NGOs, farmers and their families, etc. during their Study Visits to the various parts of the Country during this period.   The Committee on the suggestion of some stakeholders also viewed ‘Poison on the Platter’ a documentary film (here) by Mahesh bhatt on the subject of GM crops.

In all 27 Sittings of the Committee lasting 60 hours and 52 minutes were held for and in connection with the examination of this subject of considerable sensitivity and importance.  The Report was considered and adopted by the Committee at their Sitting held on 3^rd August, 2012. It was tabled in Lok Sabha on 9th August, 2012.

The chairperson of the committee, Mr Basudeb Achari, has released the report on “Cultivation of Genetically Modified Food Crops – Prospects and Effects” in a press and said, “The committee has come to the conclusion that since concerns on the potential and actual impacts of GM crops to our food, farming, health and environment are valid, GM crops are just not the right solution for our country”.

The committee found that GM crops have an impact on health and the environment and these aspects were overlooked while approving Bt Brinjal trials in India. It also states that there was an urgent need GM labelling laws in India. Therefore, The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, in an extraordinary gazette notification, has made an amendment to make labelling of every package containing genetically modified food mandatory from January 1, 2013. The move will impact the imported GM foods that are flooding the markets. The notification (here) published on June 5, 2012 says: “Every package containing the genetically modified food shall bear at the top of its principal display panel the words GM’”.

Consumer Affairs Secretary Rajeev Agrawal told The Hindu (here) that “the government’s intention in introducing GM labelling was to “educate consumers and make them aware of GM products, much in the manner that there is labelling to distinguish non-vegetarian food from vegetarian”.

 Acharia said that there are several issues related to GM food crops  and the report looks at them critically. The report also recommends initiatives and amendments are required in the regulatory system for GM crops by government. According to sources, the report exposes gaps in the Union government's policy on promoting GM crops, which ignores several things like biosafety, biodiversity and food and seed sovereignty and farmers livelihoods.

The report holds great importance as it is being presented at a time when the Union government, especially the ministry of science and technology, is trying hard to introduce a new regulatory system for GM crops by the name Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI). MPs across political parties, including some from the ruling coalition (Congress and Trinamool Congress), have opposed the BRAI Bill due to its undemocratic and unscientific nature. The Bill proposes setting up BRAI under the ministry of science and technology which will act as a single window clearance system for products of modern biotechnology, including GM crops. At present GM crops are under the purview of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests.

Commenting on the only GM crop commercially cultivated in the country, the report states that Bt cotton has not improved the socio economic condition of cotton farmers in the country and in fact had furthered their distress especially in the rain fed areas of the country which forms the majority of cotton and farmer suicide belt. The committee had held a public consultation at Yavatmal in Vidarbha to find out the ground reality on Bt cotton's, the only GM crop commercially cultivated in the country, contribution to the agrarian crisis.

Parliamentary committee slams regulatory system on GM crops and chairperson said (here) soon after tabling the report that “The committee found that the present regulatory system in our country which comprises of Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is inadequate and the regulatory system needs to be more robust, ensuring severe scrutiny”.

Millions of farmers across the Vidarbha region, Maharashtra, and environmental activists have welcomed the parliamentary committee’s report (here).

Greenpeace has also welcomed (here) the report and termed it as the most comprehensive assessment of genetically modified (GM) crops in the country. “The standing committee report exposes the serious gaps in our country's GM regulatory system and the lopsided GM technology promotion policies of the government,” said Neha Saigal, Sustainable Agriculture campaigner, Greenpeace India. She added that it is time that our government prioritise the welfare of its citizens over profit motivated seed companies who the only ones are benefiting from GM crops. Greenpeace demands the Indian government to take the recommendations of the Parliamentary standing committee on agriculture seriously and immediately act on them.

Ahlers to setup chemical warehousing facility in India

Ahlers, a logistic and maritime services provider group, headquartered in Antwerp, Belgium. Ahlers provides opportunity of work to more than 700 staff members in 16 countries in Europe, CIS and Asia. Ahlers’s presence can be seen with the help of map (here). Ahlers facilitates industries such as textile-industry, the furniture-industry and the agriculture-products industry.

For information of readers and as per new article (here), Ahlers India won the 'Freight Forwarder of the Year - International' award at the South East CEO Conclave 2012 on 17^th July, 2012. The award is an initiative of Exim Shipping Times, the leading publishing company for the logistic and maritime industry in India. The other nominees were DHL Global Forwarding and Schenker India.

 In 2004, Ahlers has established a branch office in India, headquartered in Chennai (here), aim to cover Southern India in first phase, with two additional offices in Coimbatore and Cochin. Presently, it has presence in many cities of Indian states as Ahmadabad, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Cochin, Jamshedpur, Kolkata, Guntur, New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, and Tamil Nadu. It is plan to set two more offices in Vadodara and Gandhidham. It also plans to open offices in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Ludhiana and Jalandhar, said Pradeep Joseph, General Manager, Ahlers India. 

As per the news article (here), Ahlers is also plans to set up a chemical warehousing facility in Gujarat. Joseph said the location of the Gujarat facility has yet to be finalised. However, it could be in the Ankaleshwar-Panoli-Mumbai belt, where major chemical factories are located. The facility will be of around 20,000 sq ft. This warehouse will handle and store packed chemicals, including hazardous goods. He said that Chemical storage in India is still at a nascent stage, with factories finding it difficult to transport critical products to their customers/ports without adequate storage facility in the supply chain. There are many other local & foreign players as Rhodea in chemical storage business. There is huge scope for such investment in India. Such kinds of expansion creates employment opportunities too. 

PMEAC proposed reforms required for Agri. & Allied sectors

As per the news article reported (here), The Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (PMEAC) on 10^th August, 2012 suggested a series of measures including reforms in the liberalizing tenancy arrangements, domestic market for agriculture produce and, reducing input subsidies.

Legalizing Tenancy:

Field studies in the several parts of the country have shown that the area under informal tenancy varies between 15 to 35 percent of cultivated area; above 90 percent of tenants belong to the category of landless labour and marginal farmers. Granting legal tenancy rights to a large number of small farmers would expand their small land holdings, PMEAC in its in its economic outlook for 2012-13(here) noted that large farmers who would like to pursue non-farming activities may like to lease out their land if the risk of losing their ownership rights is averted. Such benefit can only accrue if leasing –in and leasing out is legally sanctioned. As it is, lease markets are heavily restricted in most of the states, while some states prohibit tenancy.

As per a special edition paper (here) in FAO Corporate Document Repository on the Current land policy issues in India by Dr. R. S. Deshpande, Professor and Director, Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bangalore, India. Special edition paper inform that the most of the tenancy reform laws also contained provisions concerning the ability of tenants to surrender the land back to the landlord voluntarily. These provisions were used by landlords to weaken the impact of the laws. In most states the surrender of land falls under the jurisdiction of the revenue authorities. The authorities allowed such surrender after verification of the voluntary element in the process. Punjab, Kerala, Karnataka, Gujarat, Tripura and Andhra Pradesh (Telangana area) did not provide for any surrender by the tenant to the landlord, but some did allow for surrender to the state. Tenants in some states were also given the right to purchase the land. For example, in Maharashtra, where tenancy is not prohibited, the tenant acquires the right to purchase the land after one year from the date of tenancy.

Variations in tenancy laws across major Indian states:

State	Specific features
Andhra Pradesh	In Andhra region leasing is permitted but regulated. In Telangana region leasing out land by large holders is prohibited. Smallholdings below three family holdings are allowed to lease out land for a period of five years. Exemptions are provided.
Assam	There are no restrictions on leasing out of land.
Bihar	Leasing out is prohibited except for persons with disability. Public servants with a salary not exceeding Rs250 are included under exempt category.
Gujarat	Leasing is prohibited and unauthorized leasing is punishable offence with a fine up to Rs1 000.
Karnataka	Leasing is generally prohibited. Soldiers and seamen are exempted. Recent amendments allow further limited exemptions, most granted on a case-by-case basis. Violations result in land vesting in the state.
Maharashtra	No ban on tenancy, but the tenant acquires the right to purchase the land within one year of the commencement of tenancy.
Madhya Pradesh	Abolished the past leases but not the future leases. Past leases are divided into two categories called Bhumiswami tenant without payment and other tenant with payment. They cultivate on terms and conditions agreed between parties. Other land owners can lease out their lands for one year during consecutive period of three years.
Orissa	Prohibited all future leases. Past leases continue after surrendering half of the leased land to the landlord or rayat.
Punjab and Haryana	There is no ban on leasing and the tenants do not acquire any rights on land.
Rajasthan	The landowners (Khatedar) can lease out for a non-renewable period of five years. Ghair Khatedar tenants can sublease for a period of one year.
Tamil Nadu	Leasing is permitted but the law stipulates that every contract should be in written form and in triplicate. A copy of the document shall be deposited with the revenue officials
Uttar Pradesh	Lease for any period is prohibited. Exemptions allowed for widows, unmarried women, military persons, students and physically disabled.
West Bengal	Fixed-rent leasing is prohibited, but sharecropping is allowed and subject to protection. A person lawfully cultivating others' land is presumed to be a sharecropper and is given permanent and heritable rights with a fixed level of rent (25% if sharecropper provides inputs and 50% if landlord shares in inputs). On resumption the sharecropper has to be left with 1 ha of land and the landowner can resume on a maximum of 3 ha.

Reform in Agriculture marketing & reducing input subsidies:

Calling for opening up of the state agricultural marketing system for better price realisation, the Prime Minister’s panel has noted that Agricultural Produce Marketing Committees (APMCs) have not been able to stop collusion among traders and opaque ways of price determination. The same is also reported (here) that, APMC is not protecting the interests of primary producers and mandis have thrived under a politicised and restrictive regulatory framework, strengthening mercantile control and collusion, while leaving both farmers and consumers worse off on either end of fragmented and inefficient supply chains. Farmers are subjected to taxes and levies without receiving commensurate benefits,” the panel has observed.

Stressing on the agricultural subsidies such as fertiliser and free power is putting fiscal burden on the government, PMEAC suggested the government to make “determined move” to dismantle the existing system. It has also observed that the issue has been complicated and that fertiliser production in the country was not based on the comparative advantages.

“These subsidies are progressively losing their relevance and are becoming an unbearable fiscal burden. Their role in contribution to productivity enhancement is fast disappearing,” PMEAC stated. An interesting paper on Fertilizer Subsidy in India: Who are the Beneficiaries? (here) by Vipul Sharma, IIM-Ahmadabad.

Among various suggestions for reforming fertiliser sector, those offered by the Expenditure Reforms Commission and reiterated by the PMEAC needs to be examined for implementation, it added. In the current fiscal, the fertiliser subsidy is estimated at Rs. 65,592 crore.

The PMEAC has observed that “rising power subsidy given by states to the farmers is not going to solve problems; there is a growing consensus among experts on removing it after reforming the power sector. A number of states as Andhra Pradesh, Orrisa and others have started implementing reforms in a phased manner. “But so far no perceptible results have been obtained”.

The PMEAC has also observed that “while there is some thought, though not much action, on removing subsidies on fertilisers and electric power, removal of subsidies on canal water has not attracted serious attention of policy makers”.

Meanwhile, PMEAC also stated that the deficient monsoon rains this year is expected to pull down the farm sector growth in the current fiscal to a meager 0.5% from the 2.8% reported in the previous year.This is the lower ever growth projection by PMEAC for the agricultural and allied sector as during 2009-10, when 14 states declared drought, covering 338 districts in all. That year, June's rainfall fell 47 per cent short of the normal (news article here). “A similar pattern is expected this year and the impact will be less severe than was the case in 2009,” the PMEAC stated in its report. “It is certain that crop output would be hit on account of the weak monsoon, of which one and half month yet remains to be seen,” PMEAC chairman C Rangarajan said.

The Micro Finance Institutions (Development and Regulation) Bill, 2012: Parliament released news

The Micro Finance Institutions (Development and Regulation) Bill, 2012 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on May 22, 2012.  The Bill aims to provide for the development and regulation of micro finance institutions. The drafted bill can be accessed (here).

A micro finance institution (MFI) is defined as an organisation, other than a bank, providing micro finance services.  These services are defined as micro credit facilities not exceeding Rs 5 lakh in aggregate, or with the Reserve Bank’s (RBI) specification Rs 10 lakh, to each individual. Other services like collection of thrift, pension or insurance services and remittance of funds to individuals within India also come under micro finance services.

The Bill allows the central government to create a Micro Finance Development Council with officers from different Ministries and Departments. The council will comprise members not below the rank of Executive Director of NABARD, National Housing Bank, the RBI and SIDBI. Joint secretaries from the ministry of finance and the ministry of rural development will also be its members. This council will advise the central government on policies and measures for the development of MFIs.

In addition, the Bill allows the central government to form State Micro Finance Councils. These councils will be responsible for coordinating the activities of District Micro Finance Committees and reviewing the MFIs in their state. District Micro Finance Committees review the development of micro finance activities within the district, monitor over-indebtedness and monitor the methods of recovery used by MFIs. These committees can be appointed by the RBI.

The Bill requires that all MFIs to obtain a certificate of registration from the RBI. The applicant needs to have a net owned fund of at least Rs 5 lakh. By ‘net owned fund’ the Bill means the aggregate of paid up equity capital and free reserves on the balance sheet. The RBI should also be satisfied with the general character or management of the institution.

Every MFI will have to create a reserve fund and the RBI may specify a percentage of net profit to add to this fund. There can be no appropriation from this fund unless specified by the RBI.

At the end of every financial year, MFIs are required to provide an annual balance sheet and profit and loss account for audit to the RBI.  They will also have to provide a return detailing their activities within 90 days of the Bill being passed.

Any change in the corporate structure of a MFI, such as a shut down, amalgamation, takeover or restructuring, can only take place with approval from the RBI.

The RBI has the power to issue directions to MFIs. This could include directions on the extent of assets deployed in providing micro finance services, ceilings on loans or raising capital.

The RBI has the authority to set the maximum annual percentage rate charged by MFIs and set a maximum limit on the margin MFIs can make. Margin is defined as the difference between the lending rate and the cost of funds (in percentage per annum).

The RBI shall create the Micro Finance Development Fund. Sums raised by the RBI from donors, institutions and the public along with the outstanding balance from the existing Micro Finance Development and Equity Fund form this fund. The central government, after due appropriation from Parliament, may grant money to this fund. The fund can provide loans, grants and other micro credit facilities to any MFI.

The RBI is responsible for redressal of grievances for beneficiaries of micro finance services.

The Bill allows the RBI to impose a monetary penalty of upto Rs 5 lakhs for any contravention of the Bill’s provisions. No civil court will have jurisdiction against any MFI over any penalty imposed by the RBI.

The Bill gives the central government the authority to delegate certain RBI powers to the National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development or any other central government agency.

The central government has the power to exempt certain MFIs from the provisions of the Bill.

Krishi Mela and International Agriculture Fair-2012

As per the news article reported (here), The University of Agricultural Sciences Dharwad, in collaboration with state department of Agriculture, Horticulture are set to organise Krishi Mela - 2012 and International Agriculture Fair from 22^nd  to 25^th September, 2012 . For more information about the mega event, kindly see the brochure of the event (here) and registration form (here).

This year Karnataka state is facing drought in many districts and the farmers are put to lot of hardship. The UAS, Dharwad has been engaged in developing technologies for drought mitigating and developing varieties tolerant to drought. This mega event will be showcase of technologies mitigating drought and biggest opportunity of interaction among farmers, Self help groups, extension personnel and agriculture scientists.

During Krishi mela-2011, a record of more than 10.91 lakh farmers, farm womens, extension personnels and members of self help groups etc. have participated. Nearly or more than earlier participation of farmers, farm womens, extension personnels and members of self help groups are expected in the mela. During the four-day mega event demonstrations on Integrated Farming System for sustainable livelihood, exhibitions and information on the following various relevant issues will be arranged.

UAS Vice Chancellor, Dr. R. R. Hanchinal said that “Agricultural Technology for Drought Management” will be the theme for this year's Krishi Mela. Eminent scientists, researchers and progressive farmers would discuss at length with the farmers on the new technologies available in the market for taking up hassle-free cultivation, he added. The sprawling UAS campus will have nearly 450 stalls which will showcase various farm equipments set up.

The priority areas of the Krishi Mela are Integrated farming system, Drought management, flood management, Rainater harvesting, waste land management, organic farming, Agri-clinic & agribusiness, sericulture & apiculture, intellectual property rights& WTO, biotechnology, Nutrient management, bio-fertilizers and soil health care etc.

VC also said, there will be consultancy cell and Krishi community radio programmes, Farmer's innovations, farmer’s scientist’s interaction meet, and exhibition of Hi-Tech horticulture, medicinal and aromatic plants, fruits and flowers. Besides, there will be deliberation on Agro-Forestry, Bio-fuel crops and wasteland management, Integrated Pest Management, IDM, pesticide and bio-pesticides. UAS will confer the Best Farmer and Best Farmwoman awards to farmers from each of the seven districts of North Karnatka, he added.

Provision of sponsorship is also made as detailed below. Interested firm/organization requested to contact on or before 15^th September, 2012. (i) Diamond sponsorship -Rs.1,50,000 (ii) Gold Sponsorship-1,0000/- and (iii) Silver sponsorship- Rs.75,000/-.

It is expected that our farming community will be surely benefitted due to this mega event

Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology approved

As per the new article (here) and press release (here) from PIB, Govt. of India .The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Research and Education for the establishment of the Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology (IIAB) in Ranchi (Jharkhand) at a cost of Rs. 287.50 crore during the 12th Five year plan(2012-17).

 The National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology (NRCPB) was established in 1985 with a vision to impart the biotechnology advantage to the much-needed thrust to Indian Agriculture. Mandates of NRCPB are (i) To undertake Plant molecular biology research for understanding molecular mechanisms underlying basic biological processes;(ii) To devise tools and techniques of biotechnology for crop improvement; (iii) To apply the knowledge of genomics for advancing agricultural production; (iv) To serve as a national lead centre for plant molecular biology and biotechnology research and to create trained manpower in the area of plant biotechnology.

Mandate of the IIAB:

The mandate of the Institute would be (i) to undertake multi-disciplinary basic and strategic research with a view to future developing crops for traits such as increased yield, or increased tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress; (ii) to design and start academic programmes to develop the highly trained manpower required for fundamental research in agricultural biotechnology, and award post graduate doctoral and post-doctoral degrees; (iii) to provide its research output to breeders and developers in agricultural universities and other institutions, to develop the germplasm, vaccines etc. that would enhance productivity and reduce losses due to biotic and abiotic stress; (iv) act as a mother institute that would provide both curricula and course material to India's agricultural universities and other institutions who are running or trying to establish successful agricultural biotechnology graduate and post graduate programmes.

Programs in Institute:

IIAB The Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology (IIAB) at Ranchi (Jharkhand) will be established as a deemed University. It will have schools of Genomics, Bioinformatics, Genetic Engineering, Nano Biotechnology, Diagnostics and Prophylactics and Basic and Social Sciences and Commercialization.

We hope that, the establishment of this institute will play vital role in the area of Agricultural Biotechnology in our country and global level also.

Kasaragod set to be organic district in Kerela.

In continuation to our earlier post (here) about Sikkim, this is set to be organic state by 2015. Some of the state governments are working in the same direction and preparing road map for implementing organic farming by taking Sikkim as a successful model.

As per the new article reported (here), Kerala is now planning to follow the same model in Kasaragod district as a pilot project, and has taken the technical assistance of the Sikkim Organic Mission to kick-start the project.The draft guidelines are under discussion & approval stage. These guidelines have details of crops, usage of manure and organic pesticides etc.

Why kesaragod district is chosen for pilot project?

Senior agriculture officials said that, Kasaragod was chosen as a sort of redemption from the abuse of endosulfan that brought misery to its people. Around 500 people lost lives due to excessive use of the pesticide in the cashew plantations in Kasaragod in the past 20 years.

How the pilot project is going to implemented?

Senior official of agriculture department informed that, five gram panchayats in Kasaragod district would be selected for the project initially. There are thirty eight gram panchayats in Kasaragod district. The farmers will be given training and expertise in organic farming methods. The state will also assist farmers in marketing these organic products, so that they will not incur losses after shifting to organic farming.The department will also allocate Rs 4 crore to set up animal husbandry farms in the district as part of the project. "This is done to ensure enough manure for the farms that have switched over to organic farming.

What will be the future of genetically- modified crops in the state?

As agriculture is a state subject, it is the prerogative of the state governments to decide whether to adopt GM seeds or not in their commercial production. Agriculture minister K P Mohanan said that, the by seeing scientific studies establishment on GM Crops, state has decided to ban the production & commercialization of genetically-modified crops.

Senior officials from the agriculture department said that Sikkim being a small state, it was easy to implement the organic farming initiative there.Kerala has a greater challenge, as it has to feed a larger population, but it is possible to switch over to organic farming as it has huge health benefits, which are far greater than the initial hardships.

We believe that this is a good initiative by Kerala government. If pilot project model implemented successfully, then it can extend to entire state. 

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University's community radio channel- Vivasayee

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University's (TNAU) has launched community radio channel Vivasayee FM 107.4. It will go online with a full-fledged archive, enabling people around the globe to listen to their broadcast. The 50-watt broadcast is available in 22 villages falling within a distance of 20 km from the university. Around 10,000 to 12,000 farm families will have access to the broadcast from 10.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. every day. 

TNAU acquired a license from the ministry of information and broadcasting. The World Development and Media Lab Asia, are TNAU's partners and work closely with the university to create the broadcast.

Topics-talk: mainly topics will be related to agriculture and allied sectors like fisheries and veterinary. Programmes on education, health, development of rural communities and entertainment will be covered. Information on weather and market prices of crops will find prominence. Based on these prices, farmers can choose crops accordingly.

The TNAU is currently scouting for radio presenters from All India Radio(AIR) to host the programme. "We will engage on a casual basis. We will also hire post graduate students. This will be good exposure, especially for students preparing for the communication paper, part of the extension course," said Dr. S P Ramanathan, Professor and head of department of market extension,TNAU.

Success stories of farmers and their experiences form another core aspect of the broadcast. Farmers can call 661523 and fix appointments to meet with the director of technical education

TNAU acquired a license from the ministry of information and broadcasting. The World Development and Media Lab Asia, both NGOs, are TNAU's partners and work closely with the university to create the broadcast.It is an appreciable attempt by TNAU to assist farmer by using radio as mode of communication.