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KRISHI JAGRAN in Limca Book of Records

Efficient Nutrient management for

RAINFED COTTON

Water Scarcity in Water Abundant KERALA

NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT Â IN KHARIF FRUIT CROPS www.krishijagran.com

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VOLUME 3 ISSUE 7 JULY 2017 ` 70 PAGES 84 Editor-in-Chief

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Dr.K.T.Chandy

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Imran Khan

Water scarcity in WATER ABUNDANT KERALA

Neha Rani

Aniket Sinha

Sreeja.S.Nair

CONTENT

Sr. Executive Circulation

AnilRaj

EFFICIENT NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT FOR RAINFED COTTON D.Blaise

James P. Thomas

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Pratap Mukhopadhyay

NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT IN KHARIF FRUIT CROPS

A.N.Ganesha Murthy, T.R.Rupa ,T.K.Radha

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Agriculture World is published

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POND MANAGEMENT IN FRESH WATER AQUACULTURE

52 INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUES IN RAMBUTAN CULTIVATION

36 HEALTH, SOCIO -ECONOMIC AND AGRICULTURE ASPECTS OF FASTING IN INDIA Rajendra Prasad

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AND MANY MORE

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he on-going farmers’ agitations in major states of India turned violent and ended up in killings and suicides of many innocent farmers. The loan write-offs for small and marginal farmers by Uttar Pradesh government have resulted in farmers’ protests in other parts of the country. In Maharashtra, Chief Minister announced a blanket loan waiver with an estimated outgo of Rs.35, 000 crore. In Madhya Pradesh, it became interest-free loans. Tamil Nadu and Punjab are also facing agitations by farmers. Short sighted actions never solve the issues related to the farming sector. We say farmers are the backbone of our country and at the same time planning to take away the maximum number of farmers from that sector to reduce the agrarian community. The government aims for more people to involve in infrastructure development and construction, the fast developing sectors in India and need more land for such activities, mostly the farms. It’s a wrong agenda and a real look into India’s socio-cultural and rural economy is needed to pave the way for overcoming the crisis we face every year.

Normally, the prices will fall after every bumper crop and Government involvement is always needed to sort out the crisis.

The government then intervenes in the market, procure the product by giving minimum support price and sell to the consumers after declaring a minimum subsidy. This is the system we are following for more than 50 years. In the post-Green Revolution era, we concentrated more on harvesting rice and wheat which need more water and that made farmers tap maximum ground water that too was costly. To get a better yield, they used more chemical fertilizers and thus the soil lost its natural elements and the cost of production becomes high. This condition leads to the suicide of more than 3, 00,000 farmers over the last two decades.

Promotion of pulses and millets instead of rice and wheat and proper procurement by Government for midday meal and other subsidised programmes will turn the traditional farmers to think of alternatives. In addition, we need a transition to a more ecologically resilient agriculture. Integrated farming practices should also be promoted for sustainable development. Effective cooperatives with technological support from various agencies to make value-added products and its proper selling will help farmers to get more income and zero loss of the crops they cultivated. Waiving of loans and declaring large compensation for the family members of the victims will never be a long term solution. Agriculture scientists, economists, social activists, representatives of farmers and lawmakers should sit together and seriously brainstorm to evolve a permanent solution to the farmers’ distress that happens every year. ​​​​​​​

MC Dominic Editor-in-Chief

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Water Scarcity

in Water Abundant Kerala

Dr. K. T. Chandy

(Retired Professor Envt & Natural Resource Mngmnt with Justice XIM. Bhubaneswar) Email. ktchandysj@gmail.com

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he water scarcity situation in Kerala is one of most bizarre type when we consider that among all the states in India. Kerala receives the highest average annual rainfall of 3107 mm amounting to 703,000,000,000 m3 per year compared to the all-India average of 1,197 mm (270,837,141,936 m3) per year. In addition to this high rainfall rate the state is blessed with 44 rivers of which 41 AGRICULTURE

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are flowing and watering through the whole length of the width of the state from North to South before they join some lakes connected with some estuaries or the Arabian Sea. In spite of this abundant source of water, Kerala is reeling under severe water scarcity this year. What are the reasons for this anomaly? There is no immediate solution to the water problem but a proper situational analysis is required to even to www.krishijagran.com

tion of Kerala is 34.5 million. The population of the state increased more than double but the rainfall pattern in the state remained the same if not decreased due to many reasons. Hence increase in population is a key factor in increasing the domestic use of water in Kerala. People in Kerala did not sufficiently taken into consideration this population increase decade by decade.

Secondly the use of water connections in non domestic, institutional, industrial, municipal and village use have increased tremendously as the years passed by. A cocoa cola or soft drink factory consumes huge quantities of water. Similarly the tourism and hotel industry require a lot of water. Food processing industry and the ubiquitous rubber processing units at the local level consume a lot of water. Water is essential for thousands of hospitals and health clinics.

The list of additional water over usage is endless. These are examples of unplanned over use of water.

Thirdly 80% of the rainfall in Kerala occurs within six months from May to October and the rest of the six months only There about 20% of the rain fall occurs creating a huge imbalis no immediance in the distribution of ate solution to the rainfall and the ground water problem but a water recharge in most proper situational analysis of the areas of the state except districts is required to even to underlike Alapuzha, Ernakustand the water problem and lum, Kottayam, Idukky, to solve them in the long run Pathanamthitta and Thiruvananthapuram because the problem was though in the last few created over a period of understand the water probyears even in these disfifty to sixty years. lem and to solve them in the tricts rainfall is on the long run because the problem decline in the months bewas created over a period of fifty tween November to April. The to sixty years. Many are the reasons people of Kerala have not thought for the present water scarcity problem in of means and ways to store the excess Kerala and most of them are arising from an unwater during rainy season for the use in lean just situational and behavioral pattern created season. by the people of Kerala themselves.

The fourth reason is ground water potential of First of all there is an increased use of water by Kerala is very low as compared to many other people due to population increase. The Kerala states in the country. The estimated ground population increased from 15.6 million in 1950 water balance in Kerala is 5590 million mÂł. Dug to 29.1 million in 1991 and further to 33.3 milwells are the major ground water extraction lion in 2011. Present (2017) estimated populastructure in Kerala. The dug wells have a maxiwww.krishijagran.com

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mum depth of about 10 to 15 meters and have a diameter of about 1 to 2 meters in coastal region and 2 to 6 meters in the midland and high land. The open well density in Kerala is perhaps the highest in the country – 200 wells per sq.km in the coastal region, 150 wells per sq.km in the midland and 70 wells per sq.km in the high land. The ground water level in these wells recedes every year drastically during the summer months. Probably nothing can be done to mitigate this situation except following the age old example of Rajasthan people who made the non-permeable well to store rain water.

The

popula-

The fifth reason is the retion of the state charge rate of groundwater increased more than is becoming less and less.

The main reason for this double but the rainreduction is the destrucfall pattern in the state tion of perennial forests in remained the same the hills and mountains of the state from where all the if not decreased rivers originate. According to due to many the principle of environment reasons. management all the slops steeper than 1:3 ratio (1 ft vertical cut and 3 ft horizontal) should be strictly maintained under perennial virgin forests. Anyone can make a vertical cut of one foot anywhere on a slope and remove the soil to make a horizontal cut; if he gets a flat area of 3 feet then it is 1:3 or 33.3 percent slope (vertical/horizontal x 100).

Reforest all the areas having steeper slope than 1:3 ratio (lesser the ratio greater the degree of slope). All the lands having more slopes than 1:3 whether public or private should be put under perennial forests. Virgin forests in vast areas of the slopes greater than 1:3 in Kerala state are destroyed and are being cultivated for several decades causing very high level of soil erosion and less and less level of recharge of rain water into the soil.

The sixth reason is the large scale drying up of the numerous water-springs which emanate from the folds, corners and depressions of the landscape of the hills and mountains in the Western Ghats all along the length of Kerala.

Theses springs are the source of water for the many streams that form the tributaries of the 44 rivers in the state. Drying up of the watersprings in the mountain ranges is associated with deforestation and destruction of the origiAGRICULTURE

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nal spring-generating forest-eco-system around the area of each water-spring. The author of this write up has noticed over the years the drying up of hundreds of springs in many hilly and mountainous areas of Kerala including his own native place. Many of those springs were active for thousands of years teeming with all kinds of small aquatic plants, fishes and animals. As the vegetative area (habitat) around each waterspring was cleared for cultivation and human habitation, those springs also dried up slowly.

As a result the streams which depended on those water-springs also dried up. Most of the mountain streams dry up soon after the monsoon because the springs that feed them dried up; all the springs dried up because there is no recharge or percolation of water into the soil surrounding areas of the water-spring; there is no recharge or penetration of rain water into the soil because all the vegetation in the area around those springs were destroyed. Any area, with slopes steeper than 1:3 or if possible or above 1:5 slope should be left as virgin forest.

Only then there will be more percolation of rain water into the forest and mountain soils and there will be many perennially active water-springs in the mountain ranges to feed the streams in the mountains. Therefore it is most crucial to preserve by all means all the watersprings in all the folds, corners and depressions of the middle and high ranges of Kerala.

Seventh reason is the reduction or stoppage of wetland paddy cultivation in most parts of the state. Wet land paddy cultivation encourages percolation of lot of water into the soil to maintain high amount of moisture into the soil. Due to many valid economic reasons most of the farmers stopped paddy cultivation in Kerala even in the low lying lands of Kuttanad which was the bread basket of state for centuries. Paddy cultivation in 1970-71 was 8,80,000 hectares; since then there was a steady decline in the area under paddy cultivation, from 8,50,000 hectares in 1980–81 to 5,60,000 hectares in 1990–91 and further by 2007-08 the area was reduced to 2,30,000 hectares. Today rubber dominates Kerala agriculture. The low-lying lands are great storages of water in the nature. If paddy cultivation is uneconomical people in Kerala should go for fish and aquaculture business after restructuring the same. Such a venture will generate more income as well as storage of water in the soil. www.krishijagran.com

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The eighth reason is reduction or filling up of inland water bodies such as inundated river banks, lakes, ponds, marshy and waterlogged areas, low and flooding lands, and the reduction of the areas under many lakes in the state.

The biggest backwater lake the Vembanad with an area of 260 sq.km and Ashtamudi the next biggest covering an area of 55 sq km and Sastamkota the largest fresh water lake of the state are slowly getting shrunk in area from all around by the stealthy encroachment. Other important backwater-lakes in the state are, Veli, Kadhinamkulam, Anjuthengu (Anjengo), AGRICULTURE

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Edava, Nadayara, Paravoor, Kayamkulam, Kodungallur (Cranganore) and Chetuva. All are getting reduced in area slowly and steadily both by public and private stealthy encroachers. The deltas of the rivers interlinking the backwaters providing excellent inland waterways along the lower and costal areas of the state are also getting filled up. From the ecological point of view all the natural water bodies should be preserved in depth, width and length along with all types of flora and fauna in them. Kerala neglected this crucial aspect of the management inland water bodies. www.krishijagran.com

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The Ninth reason for the acute water shortage and red tapism are some of the common bottle is type of constructions by way of flats, roads, necks of the water supply system for domestic bridges, shopping complexes, industrial centres and non-domestic use. in the low lying areas of Kerala. First of all such constructions should not be done in low lying Immediate solution and waterlogged areas: One of the principles of environmental management is never to disturb The immediate solution is to adopt one or two the waterlogged and low lying areas in a countypes of rainwater storage at the family, comtry. If it is necessary to use such areas for conmunity, revenue village, or town level. At struction of buildings then the people of present when we talk of rain water Netherlands are good examples in storage people mostly think the management of waterlogged of roof water storage. The Virgin forests area for building residential excess water that flows in vast areas of the and agricultural systems. through the numerous They all can be constructstreams and rivers slopes greater than 1:3 ed but with an environduring the rainy seain Kerala state are dement friendly and strictly son is also rainwater. stroyed and are being culeco-system-preserving Billions and billions tivated for several decades designs meticulously imof cubic meters of plemented without corrain water which may causing very high level of ruption and strict waste be enough to provide soil erosion and low level management components. for the whole of South recharge of rain waHuge flats can be constructIndia is lost in Kerala ed on huge platforms supportduring every rainy season. ter into the soil. ed by a series of deep struck columns and pillars in marshy and How to store them? A protowaterlogged areas without disturbing type model can be seen in one of the eco-system of the place. Both solid and the Ellora cave temples in Aurangabad liquid waste management should be strictly imone of the rain shadow areas of Maharastra. plemented and maintained. In short filling up of The runoff water from the hill is diverted into any water bodies in any country will result in the a large cave like underground pond by the side water scarcity. of that cave temple. Whatever runoff water is available during the scanty rains is diverted into Tenth reason is the lackadaisical manner of the cave pond by the gravitational flow. That is implementing the water supply system in the sparingly used by the families around that cave state. People complain constantly about poor temple. Huge underground storages can be conor even no water supply almost every day for structed at strategic points along the streams months and years. Dozens of drinking water and rivers and water can be stored. The underschemes in the state are pending for years. As ground tanks will not disturb any activity over per press trust of India report on 22nd June the ground as we notice in areas where underground railways, shopping centres and power 2016, at present, Kerala Water Authority has stations are built.

185 ongoing projects worth Rs 2,040.33 crore under various stages of completion and an Immediately a question may arise in the minds amount of Rs 1,188.45 crore more is required to of people, “Will not the water get spoiled if we complete these projects. No one knows when store water like that? They may argue in their igthe government will release the funds and norance that any water stored in the absence of these projects will be completed; often the half light will remain pure for any number of months completed projects get rusted and ruined leaving the people high and dry. Such endless delays or years. There are many underground streams are also common not only in the case of drinking and ponds and even lakes of potable water deep water schemes but also in the case of irrigation below the surface of the earth. At this point the and hydro-electric generation projects. Political author of this article would like to gently remind interference, delay due to frequent change of all his state mates that all open wells receiving hands, swindling and misuse of allotted finance sunlight on to the water in the well allows the AGRICULTURE

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growth of pathogenic fungus and bactemoney? a persistent Malayalee would ria besides water being dirtied by ask. The answer is: If you can build the droppings of birds and repmulti-crore churches, temples It is most tiles. Hence all the open wells and mosques in every nuke should be kept covered and and corner of Kerala what crucial to preprotected from sunlight or is the problem in building serve by all means air or both; protecting from underground water tanks? all the water-springs sunlight is the easiest way Government should take of preserving the stored up initiative to build such in all the folds, corners water pure and potable. tanks, most of the Malayand depressions of alee would say. The countthe middle and high Now another question may er question to them is, “Are ranges of Kerala. arise in the ever questionall the temples, churches ing minds of the Malayalees: and mosques built by governhow big should be the storage? ment?” People’s need should be Based on the requirement we can fulfilled by people’s contribution in estimate the volume of the underground terms of labour and finance even if the govwater storages. For example if a family has five ernment helps. members and the average need of water per day is 100 litres it requires 500 litres per day; Long term solution and if the family is in need of stored water for four months the total stored up water should The long term solution is reforest all the be 500x 120 = 60,000 litres. 1000 litres make slopes steeper than 1:3 vertical to horizontal one cub metre space; therefore for 60,000 respectively. All the areas in the state having litres we need 60 cubic metre volume tank slope steeper than 1:3, should be kept under which when converted into length, width and perennial virgin forest. Such forests will soak height will be 5x4x3 metres respectively. If the the forest and mountain soil with rain water size of the storage is for 50 families then the which will begin to emerge as water springs volume of the storage would be 60x50= 3000 which in turn will maintain the streams and cub metre the volume of the tank required will rivers active. There is no excuse whatever to be 20x15x10 metre. occupy lands slopping steeper than 1:3 ratio of vertical to horizontal and clear the forest for How can we make such underground tanks? cultivation, habitation or for any other human a Malayalee may ask a question. It may be difor animals activities. As already mentioned ficult to convince him that it is possible. Just any one can make a vertical cut of one foot (12 take him for a trip to New Delhi the capital of inches) and get a leveled portion on the slop. If India. Take him to a few underground metro the level portion is 3 ft or less that slope should stations and ask him to measure the length, not be disturbed. Checking on a number of width and height of those metro stations and spot one determines whether the land 1:3 or ask him to estimate their volumes in cubic me33.3% slope or steeper. Such areas are highly ters. If we could make such huge underground sensitive ecologically. Those who are already metro stations, then huge underground water operating or living on such slope should be storages are also possible. Make any number eventually rehabilitated into other ecologically of such underground storages at strategic locasafer areas. All the areas steeper than 1:3 ratio tions linked to rivers and streams and the exor above 33.3% slope (1/3x100=33.3%) should cess water lost to the sea during rainy season be placed under perennial forest. Both private can be diverted into these underground tanks. and public sector should honour this eternally The area above will not be lost to the owners immutable law of nature “All the slopes at 1:3 either. Make them all in such a way that no or steeper than 1:3 should be placed under pesunlight will fall on the stored water. The water rennial forest”. According to another law of Nawill remain pure for hundreds and thousands ture/Eco-system at least two-third of the land of years. area should be placed under forest cover even if the land is perfectly leveled. Netherland is an Your technical ideas are good but where is the example of implementing this law.

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P

plant

rotection

Biological control of Black Headed Caterpillar in Coconut

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he infestation of Black Headed Caterpillar or Opisina arenosella is a serious threat to countries where coconut is one of the main crops driving economy. It affects coconut of all ages resulting in the reduction of yield significantly. The caterpillar lives on the lower surface of leaflets in galleries made of excreta and silken web and feeds on the chlorophyll containing tissues. The major symptoms of its infestation are dried up patches appearing on the outer layer of leaves, the presence of larval galleries and pupal cases on the lower surface of the leaves. In severe cases the whole plantation presents a burnt appearance due to the drying of leaves. When palms are severely damaged, the attacked leaves droop, bunches buckle and the immature nuts shed heavily.

and Brecon hebetor at the rate of 20/palm are released. But in the case of high intensity damage, huge release of parasitoids is needed.

In recent years the outbreak of these pests was observed in almost all the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh and other coconut growing regions of East Godavari district.

As an Eco-friendly Alternative

Biological Control Bio control of the black headed caterpillar is done by releasing the parasitoids Goniozus nephantidis or Brecon hebetor once in a fortnight.

Usually in case of low to medium damage intensity Goniozus nephantidis at the rate of 10/palm www.krishijagran.com

Several studies conducted randomly in the pest affected areas ascertain that this bio agents release is an effective way of reducing the outbreak. There is a sharp decline in pest population. The larval population of Opisina arenosella in the affected regions decreased by 34.1 to 75.9 per cent after three months and up to 59.6 to 100.0 per cent after six months of release of parasitoids and no leaf damage and pest population was recorded in the newly emerged leaves. Â The pupal population of the pest has also decreased by to 33.3 to 94.5 per cent and up to 92.8 to 100.0 after six months.

Biocontrol is an eco-friendly alternative against pests. Ability to self-perpetuate is a significant advantage of biological control method.

The yield benefit of biocontrol is less than agrochemicals. However it is always a cost effective and sustainable method. In the days where hazardous pesticides are becoming a matter of concern, the increasing usage of biocontrol as an alternate method, enhances the possibility of sustainable agriculture.

(Source: ICAR)

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Efficient Nutrient management for

RAINFED COTTON D. Blaise

ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research, Nagpur

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otton is a major commercial cash crop in the country. Bulk of the cotton area is rain dependent and cotton is a key to sustainable livelihoods of more than 4 million households in the rain fed regions apart from the 50 million people dependent on the cotton processing and value chain industry. The predominant states with rain fed cotton in central India are Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. In south India, majority of the rain fed cotton is grown in Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. In these states, cotton cultivation mainly depend the rain water receiving during the monsoon season. However, in Gujarat, soil and water conserAGRICULTURE

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vation schemes have enormously increased in the area under protective irrigation has led to an increase in the cotton productivity and substantial use of fertilizers as well.

It is well known that moisture stress is the most important factor that determines crop productivity in the rain fed regions. But these regions are characterized with soils that are not only thirsty but also hungry. This is because crops receive limited supply of nutrients due to the risk involved in cotton farming. Furthermore, very little of organic residues are recycled back. Thus, the soils remain impoverished. www.krishijagran.com

ing below the root zone. Therefore, it needs to be applied with caution. From the cotton crop’s point of view, it is sensitive to both deficit as well as an excess of nitrogen. Peak demand for Nitrogen is at the boll formation stage. This period coincides with monsoon cessation, as a result it impedes with the crop uptake. The best way to manage Nitrogen is following, the four cardinal rules of the 4 R’s; i) Right rate of application, ii) Right source iii) Right method of application iv) Right timing In addition, it is to be kept in mind that

fertilizer-Nitrogen may be applied It only when the soils are suffiis essential ciently moist. After placing the that the crop is fertilizer-Nitrogen it should be provided with an adecovered with soil to minimize the ammonia volatilization quate supply of nutrients loss. to meet the crop demand.

Phosphorus (P) By consider fertilizers as Requirement of Phosphocostly inputs, efficient rus is great during the initial management will help and boll formation stages. The to reduce producbest option is to apply the ention costs tire amount of Phosphorus at the

Under such situations, it is essential that the crop is provided with an adequate supply of nutrients to meet the crop demand. By consider fertilizers as costly inputs, efficient management will help to reduce production costs.

Strategies for Fertilizer management and Organic Residue Recycling Nitrogen (N) Among the fertilizer nutrients, nitrogen deficiency is universal and the crop responds rapidly to fertilizerNitrogen application. Much of the fertilizer-Nitrogen is supplied through urea. Although, urea-N is in an organic form, it gets transformed quickly to ammonium and nitrate. Since soils of the rain fed regions are dry, ammonia volatilization will be aggravated.

Further, nitrogen is also lost through nitrification and de-nitrification processes, surface run-off and leachwww.krishijagran.com

seedling stage. Frequently, the crop is found to experience late season Phosphorus deficiency due to soil moisture stress.

Crop needs can be met by foliar application of 2% Diammonium phosphate (DAP) at fortnightly intervals during the flowering and boll formation stages.

Foliar spray of DAP was also found to alleviate the leaf reddening symptoms to certain extent.

Potassium (K) Requirement of Potassium is, in general, greater than that of Nitrogen and cotton is sensitive to low availability of Potassium. The highest content of Potassium is found in the carpel walls also known as the ‘bur’ of the fruiting part. Thus, demand for Potassium is greatest at the boll formation stage. Since black soils are considered high in exchangeable Potassium, potash fertilizers were seldom applied.

However, this has changed now with the cultivation of Bt hybrids.

Recycling cotton crop residues is also a better option. By this way, nearly 30 kg of Potassium can be returned back to the soil apart from adding valuable organic C to the soil and reduction in cost of culti-

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vation. Composting cotton stalks and its application can overcome the problem of the large sticks that hinders inter-row cultivation.

Farmers in the rain fed regions cultivate cotton on shallow and marginal soils with low soil Potassium reserves. Further, they put these soils under cultivation with modern high yielding Bt hybrids. In such situations, positive yield benefits can be obtained when a balanced fertilizer approach is adopted.

Right amount in a balanced manner Applying all the nutrients is the best approach compared to single application. Even now, most often the application is lopsided with heavy application of fertilizer-Nitrogen and Phosphorus to the Bt hybrids.

If one looks at the recommendations of the SAU’s, application of Potassium is not recommended for the desi cotton varieties . However, long-term experiments, have conclusively pointed out the benefits of application of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and PotassiPresently, um fertilizers at recommendthere is a huge ed rates. Greater seed cotton shortfall in fertilizer yield was obtained with the application of NPK than supply and crop nutrithe N and NK plots. Furent demand. Therefore, thermore, yield stability it will not be possible was higher when all the prito meet crop nutrient mary nutrients were applied as compared to application needs through ferof single nutrient. tilizers alone

Right timing

To meet crop demand, it would be most desirable to apply nutrients at a time approximating as closely as possible to the peak requirements. The right time for application of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium is furnished.

Since, Nitrogen is susceptible to loss mechanisms, and a low requirement at the initial growth phase, it is appropriate to split apply fertilizer-N. Researches done in most of the SAU’s have led to recommendation of two to three split application of Nitrogen.

Studies on split application of Potassium were found to have no advantages. However, foliar spray can be done at the time of boll development with KNO3 or KCl. With the former, Nitrogen needs are also met.

Secondary nutrients and micro nutrients Secondary nutrients, Calcium (Ca) and Magnesium (Mg) do not, generally, constrain cotton producAGRICULTURE

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tivity since rain fed cotton is grown on soils having pH greater than 6.5. Excess of Ca, however, does lead to Mg deficiency. Foliar spray of MgSO4 (1%) is recommended as a corrective measure. Most of the soils have been reported to be deficient in the micronutrient zinc (Zn). Positive responses to soil application of 15-25 kg ZnSO4 or foliar spray of 0.5% ZnSO4 have been reported. Soil application can be taken up once every three years. Foliar application is a corrective step for a standing crop showing visual deficiency symptoms.

Integrated nutrient management (INM) vs. non-INM Presently, there is a huge shortfall in fertilizer supply and crop nutrient demand. Therefore, it will not be possible to meet crop nutrient needs through fertilizers alone. Further, relying on mineral fertilizers alone, would lead to soils that suffer from other nutrient deficiencies, low in organic matter and poor soil physical and chemical properties. Thus, the integrated nutrient management (INM) approach seems www.krishijagran.com

Adopting good agronomic practices (GAP’s) is another way to enhance fertilizer use efficiency. GAP’s use influence the efficiency indirectly as it improves the yield

to be the best bet strategy.

Among the strategies already discussed, INM is the one that has the largest impact on cotton productivity. Across all the locations, INM treatments have been found to improve not only the cotton productivity, but also the soil health. Furthermore, at some centres, a significant improvement in the fibre quality has also been reported due to addition of organic manures. Any agronomic practice that leads to conservation of soil moisture would result in enhanced availability of nutrients in the root zone, better uptake and utilization of fertilizer nutrients applied and consequently improvements in input use efficiency.

Good agronomic practices (GAP’s) Adopting good agronomic practices (GAP’s) is another way to enhance fertilizer use efficiency. GAP’s use influence the efficiency indirectly as it improves the yield. GAP’s include the right time of sowing, maintaining an ideal plant population, timely weedwww.krishijagran.com

ing, and insect pest control whenever the insect exceeds and the economic threshold limit. Managing fertilizers in the right way is another GAP. Fertilizer application in excess or its short supply can be avoided by analysing soil samples at regular intervals (once every three years). By doing the analysis, one gets to understand what the inherent soil fertility status is and that will serve as a yardstick for applying fertilizers in its right proportion.

Fertilizers are costly inputs; therefore, its efficient use is imperative. This can be achieved by adopting simple and good agronomic practices. With regard to fertilizers, applying it in the right amount, at the right time and following the right method are simple management strategies for improving fertilizer use efficiency. Further, adopting the balanced fertilizer approach and an integrated nutrient management are options for sustaining high levels of cotton productivity on a long-term basis and improving the soil health.

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Pond Management in Freshwater

Aquaculture

Pratap Mukhopadhyay

A

Former Principal Scientist, ICAR-CIFA, Bhubaneswar Email: pratap_in2001@yahoo.co.uk, Mobile: 91-9038337337. LL: 033-24819208

quaculture which is one of the most efficient forms of animal production systems depends to a great extent on the correct management practices for improvement in fish growth, health as well as to sustain the natural resources. The yield increase especially in small scale aquaculture should come primarily from greater efficiency of inputs which is possible through adoption of simple management measures. Earlier, in

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the absence of a precise knowledge on the control of reproduction and breeding, farmers resorted to collection of larvae and juveniles from rivers for stocking in culture ponds. Subsequently, with the advent of induced spawning technique to breed the fishes in a consistent manner, simple improvements in hatchery technology for mass breeding has accelerated the development of aquaculture. Despite this, the yield gap of fish production for carp in Inwww.krishijagran.com

dia is very high and it is 15 tonne/ha/year at experimental farm level, 10 tonne/ha in pilot farm, 6 tonne/ha in well managed farm while little more than 2 tonne/ha is the national average. Application of scientific principles, biotechnological tools along with traditional knowledge of our fish farmers can bridge the gap by improving growth (through increased feed utilization efficiency, reduced emission of catabolic end products ) and reproductive performances of fish being cultured .

Pond management Pond environment management through an understanding of nutrient dynamics in water, soil and their interaction is a prerequisite for maintaining ecological efficiency. Important physical and chemical qualities of water influencing aquatic productivity are temperature, transparency, pH, dissolved oxygen, free carbon dioxide, total alkalinity to mention a few . Fish is very sensitive to unionized ammonia (NH3) also and the optimum range is 0.02-0.05 mg/l in the pond water. Water temperature, light intensity and soil /water quality and their interaction determine the carrying capacity of a pond and thus influence the fish production rate .The ability to support the growth of natural fish food organisms in the ecosystem is algae and phytoplankton. They are the result and effect of abiotic and the most efficient user of energy biotic factors. Release of nutrias directly feeding on producent elements from pond soil Application and exposure to sunlight ers. Detritus feeders feed of scientific princienhances phytoplankton on dead organisms, organples, biotechnological growth on which the ic and decayed matters zooplankton thrives. at the pond bottom; tools along with tradiMaintaining a balance Carnivorous fish feed tional knowledge of our of both these kind of on small size organisms fish farmers can bridge the plankton population including annelid largap by improving growth vae, insect larvae, crusthroughout the culture taceans, and molluscs. period will therefore be and reproductive perOmnivorous species feed useful in ensuring growth formances of fish performance and developon both plant and animal being cultured. ment of immunity towards matter. infection. Judicious selection of fish species is a key factor for Water temperature also affects efficient utilization of available nutrient the dissolved oxygen content of water sources in the various niches of the pond. which, in turn, is responsible for nutrient absorption, bioenergetics and growth as well as Fish can be grouped into four main categories aerobic decomposition of organic matter .In according to the type of food they prefer ungeneral, Indian Major Carps ( Catla, rohu, mrider natural conditions. These are herbivorous, gal, calbasu )as well as exotic carps ( silver carp, detritus feeder, carnivorous, and omnivorous. grass carp and common carp ) in a polyculture Herbivorous species feed on small microscopic system thrive well between a wide range of 20www.krishijagran.com

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fig 4A

fig 4B

300 C. Dissolved oxygen level increases with the increase of light intensity and is recorded maximum around mid-day and minimum in the early morning hours. Oxygen below 3 ppm level can create asphyxiation and therefore it is desirable to provide aeration in water in the early morning hours in case the cultured fish come to water surface for gasping air (Fig.4). It reduces the free CO2 as well as converts unionized ammonia into nitrate nitrogen pH is the index of hydrogen ion concentration.

Water pH below 5.0 may lead to severe stress and can cause fish mortality while pH above 9.0 may also cause similar fatality. pH within the range of 7.2-8.2 is considered as suitable for fish production since various nutrient elements in pond environment are present at optimum level in this range.

@ 250kg/ha- m which varies according to pH of the water.

Pond soil plays several important roles in the production of fish. It helps in the mineralization of the organic bottom deposit and governs the storage and release of nutrients to the water. It also provides shelter and food to the microbiota which play a significant role in maintaining the nutrient status of pond water. Periodic raking the pond bottom with a nailed iron rod (raker) helps escape of obnoxious gases formed at the pond bottom and it also helps in the mineralization process (Fig. 7). Organic compounds are very useful due to their high carbohydrate

Alkalinity is the acid combining capacity of the base caused by presence of carbonate and bicarbonate. Alkalinity above 50 ppm is suitable for fish culture. Turbidity (30-40 cm on a secchi disc scale) is important parameter affecting the primary production in pond; higher the turbidity, lower the light penetration hence production of dissolved oxygen through the process of photosynthesis (Fig.5).

Liming of pond helps to maintain pH, alkalinity and turbidity in desired level and make nutrient available to the pond environment (Fig-6).

It helps in buffering and enhancing the microbial action, thereby reducing the organic load at the pond bottom. Generally lime is applied fig 5 AGRICULTURE

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The istics and fish husbandry. main aim of Semi-intensive fish culaquaculture practicture system: es should be to harvest Fig 8 summarizes fish promaximum fish yield per unit duction in such a system. area of pond in the minimum Stage 1: Provision of natuperiod of time. Moreover, it is ral food organisms only (enalso important to run the syshanced via fertilization). tem in such a way that it beStage 2: Natural food + subcomes sustainable in the strate –like tender bamboo true sense of the term.

content so necessary for bacterial activity. In soil, the bacterial activity depends not only on the carbon content but also on the C/N ratio. Bacterial activity is low when C/N ratio falls below 10: 1 and high when the ratio is 20: 1.

Periodic pond fertilization is a routine management protocol to enhance biological productivity using only organic manure as far as possible. There is difference in the manure dose in ponds depending on their purpose duration of culture and required size of stocked fish. Optimum application rate is the amount that can be cost effective and utilized in a pond ecosystem without affecting water quality character-

poles for further growth of organisms like periphyton and occasional supply of simple mixture of agro-based by-products from processing of cereal grains in the form of dough ball.

Stage 3 : Provision of natural food + formulated feed pellets containing rice polish, mustard/ groundnut oilcake /soybean oil cake, pulses waste vitamin-mineral pre-mix and sometimes certain herbal feed attractants.

Growth rate of fish depends on multiple factors → genetic potential of the fish species → physiological state of health, nutrient and energy profile of the supplied feed –its form, time and frequency of feeding, mode of feeding, nutrient digestibility, voluntary feed intake

fig 6 www.krishijagran.com

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fig 7

Application of tance. Rearing larvae on live scientific principles, food, microencapsulated diets →Water quality: for first few days and then biotechnological tools Water stress, adopting them slowly on along wi3.. Rate of stockavailability of dry exogenous nourishing ing of fish is important for oxygen in water, feed can help to enhance optimum water the survival and growth aquaculture; when too few are temperature rate of larvae. stocked result is large size fish (fish is poikilobut low production; when thermic) etc Management of predatory too many are stocked the fishes and snakes and predPost larval atory animals, monitoring result is high producmanagement the critical physicochemical tion but small size.

Fish larvae (common parameters are important to ( VFI) and so on.

parlance-larvae but rightly to be called spawn and fry) when exposed to the pond environment may be prone to various infections including parasitic disease. Due to their slow moving ability they are easily accessible to predatory insects as well as food fishes therefore it is mandatory to ensure predatory insect free water as far as possible for enhancing survival and growth of larvae. Lower digestive enzyme profile of larvae make difficult to digest and assimilate exogenous feed properly. Thus the availability of natural organisms like mixed zooplankton may provide initial nourishment as well as the required protease, lipase and amylase in particular.

Exogenous larval feeding is of crucial imporAGRICULTURE

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ensure better survival and growth.

The nutritional quality of live food like zooplankton can be considerably enhanced by enriching with nutrients like long chain n-3 fatty acids and vitamin C (ascorbic acid) which are generally found deficient in this community.

Zooplankton enrichment method: Zooplankton culture can be maintained in outdoor tanks which are provided with a mixture of ground nut oil cake, cattle manure and single super phosphate by simple broadcasting. Ten days before addition of zooplankton inoculum, 50% of the fertilizer mixture may be broadcast into 2 split doses, followed by 2 equal 25% doses at 5 day interval after the inoculation. After 15 days of culture zooplankton can be collectwww.krishijagran.com

ed and suspended @ density of 150-200 numbers /ml in stored and well aerated tap water maintained in glass jars. Fortification with vitamin C in the form of ascorbic palmitate can be made. Similarly, fatty acid enrichment can be done using olive oil in the presence of mayonnaise. Enriched plankton can be collected, washed and stored in clean freshwater for use in larvae culture.

Supplementary feeding •

The nursery pond, even at its optimal productive stage cannot meet the entire food requirement of the spawn thus supplementary feeding becomes mandatory.

(FIG: 9)

•

The feed @ approximately 600g/lakh spawn/day in at least 4 installments

•

The fry attains about 25 mm size within 15 days

•

At this stage fry can be transferred to rearing pond for fingerling production.

•

Survival level of 50% must be ensured

•

Rearing ponds are stocked with fry (25mm @ 2-3 lakh/ha): prior to stocking acclimatization to the new environment.

Stocking intensification and management The main aim of aquaculture practices should be to harvest maximum fish yield per unit area of pond in the minimum period of time. Moreover, it is also important to run the system in such a way that it becomes sustainable in the true sense of the term. Fish yield is the product of growth rate (Weight gain of the individual per unit time) and density (number of fish per unit pond area). So, it is essential to manage the both to explore the yield product properly.

The degree of intensification is the central theme of the aquaculture management. It is measured in terms of the levels of inputs and outputs. Extensive system involves a little management. Fish are stocked at low density and no external feed is applied, producing relatively low yields at low productive cost. In contrast, intensive system is densely stocked and fish require high inputs of water ,oxygen, feed and management. High yields are obtained at high production costs. Semi intensive systems lie between two extremes utilizing a combination of natural and applied feeds. This system requires varying levels of management. This is

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fig 9 relatively less expensive system and ideal for our rural scenario. (Fig.10)

Aquatic sector provides livelihood support to over 14 million people through the chain of seed production, grow-out fish culture, fish harvesting, input supply, trading, marketing as well as processing.

A fish farmer must be periodically updated with the recommended management practices which have positive influences on fish growth and health by frequent visits of the fisheries extension officers and field assistants working in the development blocks. It is necessary that we ensure favorable water quality, adequate nutrition for its growth and well-being. It is well known that there are some common items like composted cow dung (from cattle fed with green manure only), lime, potassium permanganate which are very useful in water quality maintenance besides a plankton net, secchi disc, simple tools and implements like pH paper, thermometer, oxygen recorder are required, periodic in situ hands -on training will be very helpful to raise their motivation.

Organic carbon content of pond soil plays a key role in maintaining pond productivity and how best its normal content be maintained has to be demonstrated. Simple raking the pond bottom helps in release of nutrients from the allochthonous and autochthonus organic matter and removal of obnoxious gases which form at the pond bottom. For example, water quality AGRICULTURE

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monitoring especially increased demand of dissolved oxygen after feeding, observing feeding behavior and feed intake, timely availability of quality larvae ( since this is still a serious impediment due to variable reproductive performances and unpredictable reproductive failure of brood stock).

Simple again, since regulating the role of maternal nutrition on reproduction has profound effects on fecundity, hatchability and larval viability, providing the adequate nutrition through the application of suitable feeding strategy will benefit the production efficiency and protection of ambient water. The farmer, therefore, must be aware of the type of feed needed for various growth stages, their declining consumption pattern for example with decrease in water temperature, the correct feeding methods for fry, fingerlings and the brood stock, then quantity to be fed, time of feeding as per the biological rhythm, mode of feed dispensation – all these to ensure enhanced nutrient utilization, optimize productivity and improve quality.

Maximum production is obtained by using combination of species of different feeding habits.

Large number of small fish can utilize the availwww.krishijagran.com

Figure 10 (Modified from Prof. Sena D Silva) able food better than smaller number of large fishes.

The rate of weight gain decreases when the biomass approaches the limit of the natural carrying capacity of the pond. Rate of stocking of fish is important for aquaculture; when too few are stocked result is large size fish but low production; when too many are stocked the result is high production but small size. When optimum number is stocked there will be high production of marketable size having high consumer preference. For every species it is necessary to find out the fast growing period when feed conversion ratio (FCR) is the least that is the most efficient. The fish should be harvested when FCR starts getting upward trend.

Aquaculture is a rural activity everywhere in the world and naturally has social consequences.

In general, its overall management has a major role to play in providing basis for better human health. This sector provides livelihood support to over 14 million people through the chain of seed production, grow-out fish culture, fish harvesting, input supply, trading, marketing as well as processing. Therefore it is important that available rural water bodies under all gram panchawww.krishijagran.com

yaths be utilized for production of edible aquatic organic food sources and if possible social aquaculture in the line of social forestry be introduced wherever possible utilizing the indigenous fish species. This may serve the dual purpose of conservation of these species some of which are becoming endangered as well as production of cheap and best edible product for better human health. These species contribute significantly towards rural household food basket.

On one side we claim to be the connoisseurs of fish and grow most of the fishes in the country and the other side under-nourishment among school children continue to remain unabated.

Such nutritional deficiencies might cause enormous national loss and need to be addressed before it is too late. Micronutrient deficiencies, in particular impair cognitive development and immunity as well as increases susceptibility towards infection. The fortification of food items of daily diet may be a recommended intervention strategy but food based approach at increasing micronutrient status by expanding fish availability is a very simple and sustainable approach of prevention which given the vast water resource availability much of which still remains unexplored.

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T MANAGEMENT IN RICE Anup Das*, M Thoithoi Devi, Subhash Babu and R. Krishnappa ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya *e-mail:anup_icar@yahoo.com Email: pratap_in2001@yahoo.co.uk, Mobile: 91-9038337337. LL: 033-24819208

T

he wide scale adoption of Green Revolution technologies, especially in the irrigated belt of Indo-Gangetic plains (IGP) made India secured in terms of food grain production. This transformation from “ship to mouth” to “net exporter of food grain” was possible due to unprecedented increase in rice and wheat production owing to the adoption of high yielding varieties, intensive use of fertilizer, irrigation etc. Rice production increased from 20.58 million tonnes (mt) in 1950-51 (34.58 mt during 1960-61) to 89.48 million tons in 1990-91 to all time high of 108.8 million tons in 2016-17. The food grain production in 2016-17 is also a record all time high of 271.98 mt. However, to meet the demand of about 1.6 billion population country will be required to produce about 377 mt of food grains and a substantial portion of that has to come from rice.

The consumption of fertilizers in India in terms of NPK has also increased substantially from less than one mt before the mid-1960s to more than 25 mt during 2014-15. The all-India average consumption of fertilizers has inwww.krishijagran.com

creased from 69.84 kg per hectare in 1991-92 to 128.08 kg per hectare in 2014-15. However, all these achievements were at the cost of environmental degradation, loss of soil health specially reduction in soil organic carbon (SOC), decrease in ground water table, water pollution and many more direct and indirect effect which necessitated the present policy makers to look for sustainable production technologies.

Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) The factor productivity which was above 20 kg grain per kg NPK fertilizer during 1995-1996 has steadily declined to about 16 during 201415 indicating the degradation of resource base specially the soil health. The use of NPK fertilizer in IGPs is far higher than the prescribed ratio of 4:2:1. For example in Punjab it was 61.7:19.2:1 and in Haryana 61.4:18.7:1 during 2014. The gap between nutrient consumption and removal has been also steadily increasing from about 10 mt in 2003 to 13 mt in 2010 which is expected to reach about 22 mt by 2025. Rice in India is presently cultivated in an

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Table1. Zone specific INM package for rice Zone Meghalaya Hills.

Punjab Gujarat Arunachal Pradesh

INM package 50% RDF + FYM 10 t/ha CR 6 + GM 20 + 32 kg FN/ha FYM 10 t/ha + RDF 75% RDN through FYM+25% through fertilizer

West Bengal

75% RDF + 25% RDN through MOC + biofertilizer (Azotobacter)

Tamil Nadu

75% N + 25% N through Green manure + ZnSO4@ 25 kg/ha

Yield obtained Transplanted rice, 4.87 t/ha Transplanted rice, 5.9 t/ha Transplanted rice, 5.24 t/ha Upland rice, 3.5 t/ha.

Transplanted hybrid rice, 9.23 t/ ha Transplanted rice, 5.79 t/ha

* RDF- Recommended dose of fertilizer, RDN- Recommended dose of N; MOC- Mustard oil cake, FN- fertilizer N; GM- green manure; CR-crop residue (compiled from published sources)

The impacts of inorganic fertilizers has given an opportunity to the scientific fraternity to look for a paradigm shift from chemical fertilizers to Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) which will not only improve the farm productivity and monetary fertilizer are judiarea of 44 m ha with profit but also the environa production and avciously and ratioerage productivity of nally used which can mental benefit of sustain105 mt and 2.38 kg/ha function in a friendly able productivity and respectively. To sustain eco-system while sustainsoil health. such growth rate in producing and increasing the crop tion there is an urgent need to adopt adequate nutrient management strategies. For producing a tonne of cereal grains about 20 - 27 kg N, 8 - 19 kg P2O5 and 24 - 48 kg K2O are required which emphasized the need for adequate fertilization of soil for sustainable crop production. These impacts given an opportunity to the scientific fraternity look for a paradigm shift from chemical fertilizers to Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) which will not only improve the farm productivity and monetary profit but also the environmental benefit of sustainable productivity and soil health.

In INM all possible available sources of plant nutrients including organic, inorganic and bio AGRICULTURE

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productivity and soil health.

However, this does not mean adding everything everywhere; rather, a well-considered practical and efficient blend of diverse nutrient sources is required which can produce desired yields and maintain soil health on long-term basis. INM system helps to restore and sustain crop productivity and also assists in checking the emerging micronutrient deficiencies. Rather than focusing nutrient management practices on one crop, INM aims at optimal use of nutrient sources on a cropping-system or crop-rotation basis.

INM relies on nutrient application and conservation, new technologies such as deep placement of fertilizers and the use of inhibitors or www.krishijagran.com

urea coatings that have been developed to improve nutrient uptake to increase nutrient availability to plants. INM envisaged soil test based judicious and balanced use of chemical fertilizer in conjunction with organic manure for improving soil fertility. Introduction of customized fertilizers on the basis of soil testing and the agronomic multi-locational trials, which are crop and area specific, are recommended. The dependence on synthetic fertilizers is reduced to a great extent and on-farm residue and biomass recycling is given maximum emphasis in INM. Inclusion of legume in cropping system and green manuring are also integral component of INM.

Components of INM The main components of INM are as follows: Inorganic fertilizers: Application at right

time, right method and balanced application, integration with organics etc should be fol-

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lowed to increase nutrient use efficiency.

Organic manures: It includes farmyard manure (FYM), compost, vermin compost, oilcakes, bone meal, etc.

Green manure (GM): Addition of leguminous GM crops viz. dhaincha etc.

Bio-fertilizers: N bio-fertilizer (Azospiril-

lum, Azotobacter, Azolla etc.), P bio-fertilizer [phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB)], VAM (Vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza)] and K bio-fertilizers are potential microbial fertilizers which are suitable for rice crops and can reduce N fertilizer requirement by 20% and increase P availability to crops.

Legumes in rotation: Inclusion of legumes in cropping system is beneficial through their effect on addition of nitrogen through biological N fixation, addition of huge amount of plant biomass into the soil, improvement in soil fertility etc.

Crop residues: Crop residues including weed biomass from within and outside the JULY 2017

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farm are one of the important sources for healthy and productive soil.

Need for INM in rice The balanced nexus among increasing crop production, maintaining soil health and environmental sustainability can lead to the dream of long-term food security. However, the indiscriminate use of fertilizers has the adverse impact on atmosphere as well as on ground water. On the other hand, The nutrient mining has occurred in many soils due to lack of irrational affordable fertilizer sources use of chemical where fewer or no organic fertilizers during green residues are returned to revolution era disturbed the soils. Intensive rice cropping with short-duthe soil equilibrium leadration high-yielding ing to environmental varieties along with indegradation and furcreased use of mineral fertilizers and improved ther unsustainable irrigation facilities have food ecosystem resulted in spectacular increases in crop productivity.

This has, however, led to gradual replacement of organic manures as sources of plant nutrients.

The low purchasing power of the farming community due to increasing cost of fertilizers and the issue of soil health have gained renewed interest in organic matter recycling in rice farming. Organic amendments such as manure, compost bio-solids, and humic substances provide a direct source of C for soil organisms as well as indirect source via increased plant growth and plant residue return. Use of FYM and other locally available organic materials are important for improving soil quality and meeting crop nutrient demand especially for secondary elements and micronutrients.

Organic fertilizers, in addition to supplying nutrients, improve the physico-chemical properties of soils, enhance nutrient cycling and build the soil organic matter capital.

Some materials, such as brassica green manure, mustard meal, and neem cake also have the capacity to suppress weed, pests, diseases and pathogens. However, long-term experiments have shown that neither organic sources nor mineral fertilizers alone can achieve AGRICULTURE

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sustainability in crop production. Continuous use of FYM is effective in stabilizing rice productivity under low to medium cropping intensity where the nutrient demand is relatively small. Nonetheless, integrated use of organic and mineral fertilizers has been found to be more effective in maintaining higher productivity and stability through correction of deficiencies of secondary and micronutrients in the course of mineralization on one hand and favourable physical and soil ecological conditions on the other. Organic manuring also improves the physical and microbial conditions of soil and enhances fertilizer use efficiency when applied in conjunction with mineral fertilizers.

Combined use of 12 t FYM and 80 kg of N/ha could produce yield of rice equivalent to the www.krishijagran.com

dose of 120 kg N/ha. On an average adoption of green manuring with dhaincha or sunnhemp contributed about 60 kg N/ha to rice with sufficient residual effect on wheat. Application of Azolla along with 30 kg N/ha produced rice yield equivalent to 60 kg N/ha thus, showing a net gain of 30 kg N/ha. Study revealed that substitution of 25-50% N through FYM along with 50-75% recommended NPK through chemical fertilizers to rice resulted in higher yield as compared to 100% chemical fertilizers application alone. The results indicated that FYM application @ 12-15 t/ha to rice could substitute nearly 60 kg N/ha (Mahajan et al., 2008). INM in rice is location specific and varies as per the resources available in the region and with the farmers (Table 1).

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Conjoint use of legume GM and fertilizer N (FN) could alleviate the deleterious effects due to the incorporation of wide C: N ratio cereal CR. Adoption of INM in rice also reduces N2O emissions as compared to application of FN alone. INM also reduce denitrification and results in addition of more SOC as compared to application of FN alone.

Advantages of INM Some of the potential advantages of INM in rice are• •

Enhances the availability of applied as well as native soil nutrients.

Synchronizes the nutrient demand of the crop with nutrient supply from native and

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applied sources.

Provides balanced nutrition to crops and minimizes the antagonistic effects resulting from hidden deficiencies and nutrient imbalances.

Improves and sustains the physical, chemical and biological functioning of soil.

Avoid multiple nutrient deficiencies.

Promote carbon sequestration; reduce nutrient losses to ground and surface water bodies and to atmosphere.

INM has its residual effects and can enhance productivity of succeeding crops by 9-35% in different cropping systems.

It brings economy and efficiency in the use of fertilizers.

INM also contributes to pest management. Cultivation of crops growing in poorly structured soil, under low or imbalanced nutrient conditions will be stressed.

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Constraints and opportunities in the application of INM Some of constraints limiting the implementation of INM at farm level are • • •

• • •

Lack of biomass and residues due to already depleted natural resource base.

Lack of appropriate regulation on the production, supply and distribution of INM inputs eg. biofertilizer.

Use of INM such as application of huge quantity of organic manure is much more laborious and time consuming than application of fertilizer.

Lack of appropriate and well defined land use policy and sometime land ownership.

Increased compulsion to burn dung for household fuel purposes and for animal feed.

Difficulty in farm operations when resiwww.krishijagran.com

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NUTRIENT MANAGEMENTÂ IN KHARIF FRUIT CROPS A.N. Ganeshamurthy1, T.R. Rupa and T.K. Radha

Division of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research Hesaraghatta Lake Post, Bengaluru - 560 089 1Corresponding author E-mail: angmurthy@gmail.com

F

ruit crops, like any other plants, need 17 essential elements for their growth and development. The three elements, carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) are derived from the atmosphere and soil water.

The remaining 13 essential elements, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulphur (S), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), boron (B), molybdenum (Mo), chlorine (Cl) and (Ni) are obtained either from native soil or supplied AGRICULTURE

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through external inputs (organic or inorganic fertilizers).

Many fruit crops are heavy feeders and the growth, development and yield are directly influenced by the availability of essential plant nutrients in a balanced form. The primary elements N, P and K are required by plants in large quantities. Secondary nutrients include Ca, Mg and S used in considerable quantities for normal growth of plants. Minor or micronutrient www.krishijagran.com

The organic manures and biofertilizers not only supply essential plant nutrients, but also improve the soil physical, chemical and biological health elements comprise of Fe, Zn, Mn right source, right placement, and Cu, B, Mo and Cl which are essential for normal growth and development, but in very small quantities. The aim of optimum nutrient management in fruit crops is to maximize healthy plant growth, productivity and profitability and to minimize fertilizer runoff, thus reducing water pollution.

right timing. Attention to these factors will provide ample nutrition for fruit production while minimizing the risk of loss of nutrients to the environment. The 4Rs (terminology promoted by the International Plant Nutrition Institute) are important components of nutrient best management practices.

Fertilizers influence quality of horticultural crops, particularly colour, shape, size, taste, shelf life and processing characteristics. Faulty fertilizer management practices may lead to 1ow fertilizer recovery rates with consequent environmental risks through pollution of groundwater. Supplying required nutrients for fruit production involves attention to four major fertilization factors (the 4Rs) viz., right rate,

Kharif fruit crops include banana, papaya, sapota, guava, pineapple,lime and lemons, sweet orange, pomegranate and a few minor fruit crops. Fruit crops utilize nutrients for vegetative growth and fruit production. Some quantity of nutrients is fixed in plant in its annual growth. A large quantity of nutrients is permanently removed in the form of fruits. These nutrients must be replenished in the form of

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manure and fertilizers. Insufficient nutrient supply causes serious disorders and eventually it leads to low yield and deterioration of soil health. Fruit trees, with their deep perennial root systems, are capable of absorbing nutrients throughout much of the growing season.

In addition, fruit plants are efficient in absorbing fertilizers and recycling nutrients.

Nutrient requirement is influenced by various factors such as plant age, spacing, rootstocks, species, soil, climate and yield potential. Nutrient The aim of requirement of fruit crops optimum nutrivaries with different stages viz., nursery, field estabent management in lishment, non-bearing, fruit crops is to maximize bearing and aging stages. healthy plant growth, proIn nursery stage, the primary concern is quick ductivity and profitability growth of rootstocks and and to minimize fertilizer success of grafts. Durrunoff, thus reducing ing establishment stage, water pollution. focus is to reduce mortality and ensure uniform crop stand and vigorous growth. During pre-bearing stage, priority is to establish a strong tree framework with rapid and robust growth. During bearing stage, major concern is the yield and quality of fruits.

After crossing the bearing stage, primary concern is to rejuvenate the trees to bear fruits further. Mixing of well-rotten FYM in the soil of the nursery helps to maintain its fertility.

Prior to planting, P and K recommendations and lime requirements are to be determined from soil tests.

Continuous application of inorganic fertilizers to fruit crops results in soil destruction, which Adjustment of pH and available P and K are should be avoided as far as possible. Organic required to optimize the growth of young manures help in improvement of soil texture, trees. Optimal pH for most fruit crops is 6.0 aeration, water holding capacity and microbial activities. Commonly available organic ma- 8.0. In field establishment stage, nutrient nures include farmyard manure, compost, verapplication differs from soil to soil, site to site mi compost, leaf mould, oil cakes, fishmeal and and crop to crop. Most of the fruit crops are meat meal. Integrated nutrient management planted in pits dugout in advance and filled involving inorganic fertilizers with organic mawith required quantity of organic manures nures and biofertilizers has greater potential in and no need for immediate application of stabilizing the fruit yields over a period of time. inorganic fertilizers. The recommended dose The organic manures and biofertilizers not only of fertilizers need to be applied once the supply essential plant nutrients, but also imseedlings escape transplanting shock and esprove the soil physical, chemical and biological tablish well in the field. Application of fertilhealth. izers at the time of transplanting should be avoided as it may prove harmful.

Inoculants of Azotobacter and Azospirillum eiAGRICULTURE

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of nutrients. Fertilizers should be applied in synchrony with crop demand in smaller quantities during the growing season.

The application of fertilizers through the irrigation water (fertigation) has the advantages of increasing the efficiency of the fertilizers and reducing the costs of labour and machinery for its application. Fertigation allows the application of nutrients with greater frequency, without increasing the cost of the application, minimizing losses by volatilization and leaching and optimizing nutrient absorption by the roots. With fertigation, the quantity of nutrients (through fertilizers and organic manure) to be applied can be reduced to half the quantity of recommended nutrients.

Considering the growing deficiencies of secondary and micronutrients in Indian soils due to imbalanced fertilizer use, limited or no application of organic manures and excessive mining of these nutrients from soil reserves, it is essential that they should also be supplemented for sustaining higher yields as well as the quality of proTo duce. The essential microminimize the nutrient elements that plants needed in very wide spread defismall amounts funcciency of micronutrients, tion mainly as comit would be the best option ponents of a series of enzymes. Defito incorporate them into macciency or toxicity ronutrient fertilizer sources like of these elements urea, diammonium phosphate, in soil adversely muriate of potash etc. which ther sole or in comaffects the growth bination have been and development facilitates to apply small quanshown to improve of fruit crops. The tity of micronutrient fertilizers N nutrition of plants deficiency and toxicover a large field area in ity limits of micronuthrough biological nia uniform manner trogen fixation and also trients in plant are rathsecretion of some growth er narrow. This calls for promoting substances which location specific manageaffect the growth, nutrition and ment of micronutrients in fruit microbial activity in the rhizosphere. The crops so that these do not become phosphate solubilizing microorganisms (Pseutoxic to plant. Correction of deficiencies of midomonas) play an important role in conversion cronutrients is essential to realize the benefits of unavailable forms of P into available P forms of applied N, P and K. through secretion of organic acids and enzymes. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on To minimize the wide spread deficiency of mithe other hand are abundant in soils throughcronutrients, it would be the best option to out the world and play an important role in afincorporate them into macronutrient fertilizer fecting the plant growth through mobilization sources like urea, diammonium phosphate, www.krishijagran.com

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muriate of potash etc. which facilitates to apply small quantity of micronutrient fertilizers over a large field area in a uniform manner.

Foliar feeding is often the most effective and economical way to correct micronutrient deficiencies in fruit crops. Application of Zn, Mn, B and Mo to foliage is four to 30 times more efficient than soil application. Foliar fertilization can meet the tree’s demand for a nutrient at times when soil conditions (low temperature, low soil moisture, poor drainage, pH, salinity) would render soil-applied fertilizers ineffective.

Deficiencies of micronutrients can be corrected by foliar sprays of ferrous sulphate (0.5-1%), manganese sulphate (0.5-1%), zinc sulphate (0.5%), copper sulphate (0.1%), solubor (0.1%) and Mo (0.1%) salts to fruit crops.

General recommended dose of N, P and K for kharif fruit crops is given in Table 1. However, the nutrient dose varies with variety, age, planting density, native nutrient reserve of the soil and climatic factors, management practices etc. Therefore the nutrient requirement of fruit crops should be fixed based on soil and plant analysis. In brief, the nutrient requirement of kharif fruit crops is given below.

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Banana: Banana plant requires large quan-

tity of nutrients for its growth and development. In general, banana requires 100-200 g N, 100-150 g P and 200-300 g K per plant per year. Application of fertilizers should be completed within six months after planting. Fertilizers should be placed 60-75 cm away from the pseudo stem in shallow basins taken around the plant. Potassium is required in large quantity for banana and its requirement is high during the flowering period. It stimulates early shooting, increases number of hands, finger size, improves quality and sweetness. Irrigation should be given immediately after manuring.

Papaya: Papaya is a nutrient exhaustive plant and for quick growth and production of high yield, adequate and efficient manuring is essential. Since papaya is continuous in fruiting habit, it removes high quantity of nutrients from soil. Papaya plant responds well to the application of biofertilizers viz., Azotobactor and Azospirillum. Among micronutrients, B deficiency is very common in papaya. It is characterized by distortion of young leaves, brittle, and claw-like, fruit set is severely reduced, poor development, uneven ripening and latex exudation from surface of immature fruits. Boron deficiency can be controlled with the application of borax @ 15-20 g/plant along with other fertilizers at the beginning of the dry season and 20 g/plant at planting. Foliar spray of borax or solubor @ 0.25% at the beginning of the dry season at 4-6 weeks intervals is also recommended.

Guava: Guava responds well during the ap-

plication of fertilizers. Application of fertilizers encourages vegetative growth, which further leads to increased flowering and fruiting. The time of fertilizer application is governed by choice of crop to be harvested. Winter crop is more remunerative and fertilizer application is generally aimed at getting more beneficial effects to this crop. Total quantity of the organic manure, phosphorus and potash and half dose of nitrogen should be applied during June-July and the remaining quantity applied in OctoberNovember. Fertilizers are applied in basins within the drip at a depth 15 to 20 cm. Area of the active root zone is at 30 cm distance from the trunk at a depth of 30 to 60 cm.

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Table 1. Recommended dose of N, P and K for kharif fruit crops Recommended dose of NPK(kg ha-1)

Crops

N

P2O5

K2O

Banana

620

310

620

Citrus

110

35

55

Papaya

925

925

925

Guava

250

175

175

Pineapple

275

70

200

Sapota

100

50

50

Pomegranate

500

425

975

Compiled from different sources

Pineapple:

Pineapple removes fairly large quantity of soil nutrients. Cultivation of the crop on the same land leads to drastic reduction in yield after few years due to exhaustion of nutrient reserves in soil. Nutrient uptake depends on the varietal nature and climate, soil and management practices. Application of organic manure should be as basal dressing at the time of field preparation. It is advisable to give N in six split doses, the first starting by second month and the last within a year after planting.

Potash is given in two splits, during second and sixth months after planting. During peak vegetative phase, foliar application of urea is found to be beneficial for better performance. Active root zone area of pineapple is highly restricted.

Fertilizers should be applied 9-10 cm away in 10-15 cm deep strips around the plants for better results. Fertilizers should be thoroughly incorporated with soil and earthing up by putting soil to sides of plants into the trench should be carried out.

Pomegranate: Pomegranate responds well

to manures and fertilizers. Both organic and inorganic fertilizers can be applied. In general, FYM @ 20 kg/tree should be incorporated into soil every year. General fertilizer recommendations for pomegranate vary from region to region. The dosage can be fixed as 30 kg FYM/ plant FYM, 600-700 g N, 200-250 g P2O5 and 200-250 g K2O/plant/year. Time of fertilizer apAGRICULTURE

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plication mainly depends on choice of crop to be harvested. Full dose of organic manure, P and K and half of N should be applied after ‘bahar’ treatment and second half of N should be applied after three weeks. For ‘amber bahar’, December-January, for `rnrig bahar’ May-June and for ‘hasta bahar’, October-November are the appropriate periods for fertilizer application.

Sapota: For proper growth and development and production of quality fruits, both organic as well as inorganic fertilizers are to be applied at required dose. Fertilizers are given as single dose in rainfed condition i.e. before monsoon.

Under irrigated condition, total quantity of organic manure and half dose of chemical fertilizers are applied in beginning of monsoon period and second half in October. Fertilizers are usually incorporated in active root zone, within a depth of 15-30 cm. There must be sufficient moisture in the soil during fertilizer application.

Citrus:

Citrus plants require heavy manuring. Inadequate nutrient supply causes serious disorders and eventually it leads to decline of orchard. Fertilization in pre bearing stage is as important as for the bearing trees. Nitrogen requirement is high for young trees while more K for bearing plants. Nitrogen should be applied through FYM/compost (25%), oilcakes (25%) and inorganic fertilizers (50%), while P and K as superphosphate and sulphate of potash www.krishijagran.com

or muriate of potash, respectively. A nutrient dose of N:P2O5:K2O @ 500:300:500g/plant/ year is recommended for lime and lemon fruit crops. It has been shown that a fertilizer dose of N:P2O5:K2O @ 400:100:200 g/plant/year increased growth, yield and quality in Nagpur mandarin under rainfed conditions whereas, 1900 g urea and 2730 g super phosphate/plant showed promising in improving yield and quality in Kinnow mandarin under arid irrigated conditions. Apart from major nutrients, secondary and micronutrients viz., Mg, Zn, Mn, Fe and Cu are also highly essential.

stantial crop year after year, these nutrients must be replenished in the form of manure and fertilizers. Balanced application of plant nutrients is essential to achieve high yield and fruit quality. Integrated nutrient management practices involving combined application of inorganic fertilizers, organic manures and use of microbial inoculants for mobilizing micronutrients from slowly available soil pools and foliar nutrient spray of deficient micronutrients are some of the strategies to manage nutrient constraints in kharif fruit crops.

Foliar application of 1.5 kg zinc sulphate, 1.0 kg magnesium sulphate, 500 g magnesium nitrate and 1.5 kg lime in 450 L of water per ha should be given during May or June. This is followed by second spray during September using zinc sulphate (1.5 kg), magnesium sulphate (750 g), magnesium nitrate (750 g) and urea (500 g) in 450 L of water per ha. Manures and fertilizers are applied in circular bands taken around individual tree at a distance of 60-120 cm and a depth of 15-30 cm. Irrigation should be given after the application of inorganic fertilizers. In bearing orchards, manures and fertilizers are broadcasted in basins, 60-70 cm away from tree trunk. Recommended dose of N, P and K for Kharif fruit crops is mentioned in Table 1 Fruit crops remove a sizeable quantity of nutrients from the soil. In order to produce a subwww.krishijagran.com

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integrated

F

arming

THE POWER O F DUCK IN PADDY FIELDS Suresh Muthukulam

Former Principal Information Officer, FIB, Kerala

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ice –duck farming is an integrated type of farming technology especially suited for resource poor farmers to produce organic rice in low cost. The evidences from various countries including Japan, Bangladesh, Philippines and Vietnam reveal this as a promising eco-friendly farming technology. In Kerala also blessed with a large number of water bodies and vast stretches of paddy fields in wet lands there is immense scope of such an integrated farming system. This enables the poor farmers to obAGRICULTURE

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tain not only rice but also subsidiary products like duck meat and egg from the same piece of land. Furthermore the ducklings’ natural movement aerates the soil and strengthens rice stalks and the duck manure serves as natural fertilizer since it provides all essential nutrients to the soil and paddy, leaving the farmers with enough time to invest in other income generating activities. Over and above this type of integrated farming method ultimately eliminates the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, thus protecting www.krishijagran.com

vides natural stimulation and aeration which increases the availability of nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorous and potash to the crop.

•

Rice- duck technology causes the reduction of emission of methane gas from rice field contributing to reduce the global warming.

Traditional duck farming of Kerala If we visit Kuttanad, Kerala at a particular time of year, we can hear the quacking of ducks.

It’s not the sound of a few ducks, but the sound of thousands. In Kuttanad, the low-lying land spread across Alappuzha, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts duck rearing is a subsidiary occupation for many farmers and thousands of ducks wading over the fields, lakes and rivers is a beautiful sight across the districts. Duck farmers from even distant places bring their flocks to Kuttanad during the harvest season. When the season is over duck farmers move out and take their flocks through the pre designated rice fields for feeding. Once the ducklings are out, they are constantly on the move, for up to six months, from one field to another until they are finally sold out for meat. The long- winding feeding tour leads them up to the borders of Tamil Nadu or even beyond, by the end of the season.

human health and environment.

The benefits of such a system can be enlisted as – •

Ducks eat harmful insects and weeds reducing the use of chemical pesticides and manual weeding in the rice field.

•

Ducks get nutrition from eating insects, wild rice, snails, small fishes and weeds in the rice field.

•

The droplet of ducks in the rice field pro-

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Duck farming has been a traditional ancillary occupation for rice farmers in Kuttanad region. Its origins can be traced to the 1970s when debt ridden paddy farmers began switching to duck farming hoping for better prospects. An ordinary duck farmer will have not less than 2000 ducks. There are farmers who keeps 4000 to 50,000 ducks in Kuttanad and Upper Kuttanad . Kuttanad is known for its special duck rearing varieties of Chara and Chemballi. The farmers reared the flocks between two cropping seasons for the bird’s meat and egg- ducks weigh as much a 4kg and lay 160-200 eggs a year. Duck meat and eggs are delicacies in Kerala and hence fetch a decent extra income. The cost of rearing them is low as the ducks mostly feed themselves.

There is also a nomadic way of duck rearing where farmers and ducks leave the village with thousands of ducks, looking for rice

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FF

VERSATILE integrated

fields and water bodies where the birds can feed. Rice field owners get eggs in return for allowing the ducks to feed on their fields. Incidentally nomadic duck farming has reduced greatly due to fall in rice cultivation.

Chara- Chemballi Ducks Chara- Chemballi ducks are related to geese and swans and the duck is the smallest of these birds with shorter wings and neck and and a stocky body. A special feature of this duck is its water proof feathers. Even when it dives underwater its downy under layer of feathers will stay totally 100% dry. There is a special gland called the ‘Preen Gland’ which produces oil near the tail which makes the duck water proof. The webbed feet make them act like paddles designed for swimming.

The ducks has very good vision and can see well underwater. These two highly productive duck breeds. Their eggs are rich with more ‘Albumin’ and have more Omega 3 fatty acids than a chicken egg.

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RUIT arming

Initiative of Takao Furuno Takao Furuno, a Japanese farmer was the architect of duck rice culture method. He was one of the first to begin using organic farming methods in Japan motivated by the descriptions in ‘Silent Spring’ the famous book

by Rachel Carson. After ten years of organic farming Furuno tried the rice farming method that consisted of using ducks to eliminate the weeds in rice field. The method named as ‘Aigamo Method’ began by introducing aigamo ducklings into paddy fields. By continuous observation and research Furuno identified how ducks can work within the rice field to increase a farmer’s crop production with a more environmentally responsible method.

This naturalistic cohabitation known as ‘Aigamo’ has been incorporated into Japanese farming for over 500 years. By this method Furuno found his rice yielded almost twice after 10 years of experimentations. Furuno’s system was so perfect that it has practiced by more than 10,000 Japanese farmers. Later it was incorporated into farms throughout www.krishijagran.com

many other areas including China, India and Philippines.

Aigano System can be summed up like this: “Nature is able to live with itself. These animals can live in a harmony and nature gives animals the power to interact and live with one another. That principle needs to be brought back to agriculture.�

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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E New Holland Agriculture Agri

quipments

delivers the most powerful tractor in India

N

ew Holland Agriculture, one of the world’s leading agriculture equipment brands, delivered the first 230-hp tractor in India to Antony Lara Enviro Solution Pvt Ltd recently. The award-winning T7070, from the New Holland exclusive Blue Power range, will be part of a project in Greater Mumbai which aims to cut the city’s greenhouse gas emissions by improving solid waste treatment. The T7070 will operate a compost windrow turner, a large machine which aerates biodegradable waste.

The New Holland T7070 Blue Power contributes to solid waste management project Antony Lara is a waste management company, currently working on the project for processing and disposal of 4,000 tons of waste per day for a period of 25 years. Antony Lara has developed a scientific and economical method for handling the solid waste and to generate energy in parallel.

This solid waste management project will reduce direct dumping of solid waste in the dumping grounds and in turn the emission of greenhouse gases. It will also enable production of by-products which can be used for power generation and heat recovery, horticulture or farming, thereby promoting sustainable waste management in the city.

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Sustainability is at the core of New Holland’s values and this initiative complements the Brand’s Clean Energy Leader strategy, launched ten years ago to increase farming efficiency and sustainability. Promoting the use of renewable fuels, low emissions, fuel efficient technologies, and sustainable agriculture, this strategy has led to New Holland’s involvement in biomass projects globally.

230-hp and high efficiency for the most up-todate environmental solutions The T7070 tractor is powered by an FPT Industrial NEF engine and features New Holland’s award-winning Auto Command™ transmission, both designed for high efficiency and productivity.

The tractor’s task, operating the large compost windrow turner, requires high PTO power. The T7070’s ‘Engine Power Management’ feature will play a key role in meeting this. EPM measures the load placed on the driveline, especially during PTO work, and increases engine power when necessary to meet user demand.

This technology allows the T7070’s output to be increased by up to 27 hp, to more than 250 hp.

The infinite working speeds of the T7070’s Auto CommandTM transmission are ideal for

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the requirements of the aeration process. The transmission’s special PTO mode (there are also Auto, Cruise and Manual modes) ensures that engine and transmission always work harmoniously together for optimum efficiency.

All the tractor’s working parameters can be monitored by the operator on the touchscreen IntelliViewTM IV display. The tractor also features a spacious, air conditioned cabin with best-inclass operator comfort for long working hours.

New Holland Agriculture is proud to be part of this environmentally-friendly initiative and anticipates providing more technical solutions from its product range to other, similar projects in India.

CNH Industrial (India) Pvt. Ltd. {formerly known as New Holland Fiat (India) Pvt. Ltd.} is a fully owned subsidy of New Holland Agriculture in India.

New Holland Agriculture is present in India with a manufacturing complex in Greater Noida that also comprises a Research & Development centre and a Training centre for dealers and customers. It offers a wide range of products, from tractors (35 to 90 HP) to balers, providing complete solutions for farming. It supports its customers throughout the Indian Territory with a network of more than 1000 customer touch points.

New Holland Agriculture’s reputation is built on the success of our customers, cash crop producers, livestock farmers, contractors, vineyards, or groundscare professionals. They can count on the widest offering of innovative products and services: a full line of equipment, from tractors to harvesting, material handling equipment, complemented by tailored financial services from a specialist in agriculture. A highly professional global dealer network and New Holland’s commitment to excellence guarantees the ultimate customer experience for every customer.

For more information on New Holland visit www. newholland.com New Holland Agriculture is a brand of CNH Industrial N.V. (NYSE: CNHI /MI: CNHI) a global leader in the capital goods sector with established industrial experience, a wide range of products and a worldwide presence. More information about CNH Industrial can be found online at www.cnhindustrial.com

Contacts: Seema Singh Email: seema.singh@cnhind.com www.krishijagran.com

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w DuPont launches Agri ne

s

Syncra®SWI an Adaptive Feed Additive for Swine

D

uPont Industrial Biosciences, a subsidiary of DuPont, launched Syncra® SWI, an adaptive feed additive that powers the diet by way of improving energy and amino acid digestibility for grower and finisher pigs, thereby improving growth and reducing feed costs.

Syncra® SWI provides unique energy and amino acid digestibility for pigs powered by the probiotic’s agile enzyme-production, working in harmony with the protease. This solution strengthens gut barrier and stimulates short-chain fatty acid production in the hind gut, contributing to enhanced gut health.

With this highly researched and tested solution, swine producers in the United States and Asia-Pacific regions can maximize feed efficiency and achieve consistent growth performance for sustainable profitability.

“We enter a new era with Syncra® SWI – a feed additive that delivers an adaptive and consistent probiotic (direct-fed microbial, DFM) solution for grower and finisher pigs,” said Arno de Kreij, Global Swine segment manager, DuPont Industrial Biosciences. “Disappointing results with products in the past have made swine producers rightly skeptical of feed additives outside of phytase. The proven reliability of Syncra® SWI brings the long-awaited performance and profitability solution that swine producers need,” he added.

DuPont scientists have found that Syncra® SWI delivers exceptional consistency, with 75 percent of Syncra® SWI animal trials showing a feed conversion ratio (FCR) improvement of more than 3 percent. This reliability ultimately helps reduce costs for swine producers.

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Major Biotech Companies

cut investments in India

F

ollowed by the policy uncertainty over the use of genetically modified (GM) crops, global biotech companies such as Monsanto and Bayer are reducing their research activities and investments in India.

The government last March lowered the royalty rates for BT Cotton by 74 per cent and asked Monsanto, which developed the seed, to allow companies to use the Bollgard-2 variety.

“The cotton seed price control orders, fixing a trait fee for our Bollgard technology, and other issues have created significant uncertainty in the business environment. This has compelled Monsanto to withdraw introduction of new technologies in India,” Monsanto had said then.

Two other multinational players, Bayer CropScience and BASF, are also reducing their GM seed research in India. BASF closed its biotechnology research portfolio in the country in 2016 and refocused such research in the US. “One of the major barriers to raising farm productivity in India is the lack of new technologies and new chemistry. A conducive policy environment, strong government support and reliable protection of intellectual property rights are particularly relevant for an innovation company like Bayer,” said Peter Mueller, head of South Asia, Bayer Crop Science.

Biotech companies have not had a smooth ride in India. In 2010, the environment ministry had placed an indefinite moratorium on the commercial release of BT Brinjal, the first GM food that was cleared by the Genetic Engineering

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over GM row

Appraisal Committee. This derailed the plans of Monsanto, which was in the process of launching BT Brinjal commercially.

“A supportive, predictable policy environment encourages innovators to make long-term investments that are necessary for driving R&D in Indian agriculture. We continue to focus on our existing businesses in corn, crop protection, vegetables, biologicals, Bollgard II technology solutions, and digital agriculture,” said a Monsanto India spokesperson.

“The benefits to Indian agriculture from biotech technologies are well documented. Indian cotton production changed after the introduction of BT Cotton in 2002,” said Shivendra Bajaj, Executive Director, Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises-Agriculture Focus Group (ABLEAG). “It is high time India makes attempts to reclaim its leadership, which has been lost in the last few years,” he added.

According to him, uncertainties over intellectual property rights and the requirement of clearances from states for conducting field trials are forcing biotech companies to reconsider their investments in the country.

Other countries in the region such as Vietnam, Bangladesh, Pakistan, the Philippines and Indonesia have moved ahead in biotechnology.

Raju Barwale, MD, Mahyco, said policy uncertainty on crop biotech had forced the industry to truncate its investments in research. For the last four years, permissions for regulatory field trials are pending with states. This has resulted in reduced employment of qualified researchers.

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I

FASTING IN NDIA

HEALTH, Socio-Economic and Agricultural Aspects of

Fasting in India Rajendra Prasad

Ex-ICAR National Professor, Division of Agronomy, IARI, New Delhi (6695 Meghan Rose Way, East Amherst, NY 14051, USA (email: rajuma36@gmail.com) Adopted from Asian Agri History Vol. 21, No. 2, 2017 (109 - 120), Published by - Dr. S.L. Chaudhary.

K

eeping a fast is an integral part of Indian culture and tradition. It rejuvenates the body and helps in meditation and concentration. Current medical research has also proved the health advantages of fasting. After the day’s fast, there is a special meal in the evening, which is made up of delicacies that do not form a part of regular meal. This encourages everyone in the family to participate in fasting.

In several religions, intake of cereals, pulses, meat, and poultry in fasting days are prohibited and therefore it spares these foods AGRICULTURE

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for others. Also non-cereal foods, such as, buckwheat (Kutu), amaranth (ramdana) and barnyard millet (sama), which are used for making post-fast meals are richer in protein and have no gluten and are better for health.

Further, intake of fresh and dry fruits is good for health and helps in increasing the sale and income of those growing these. Fasting in India encourages growing of non-cereal foods in non-traditional agricultural areas and helps in providing the livelihood for the poorest of the poor living in those areas. However, growing, harvesting and processing of the foods associated with fasting are done by the poor www.krishijagran.com

day or several days. It could be without any food and water (dry fasting) or with water (wet fasting) and even with water and some foods including fruits (bananas, mangoes, guava, coconut etc.), nuts (other than peanuts), and grains and seeds (other than cereals and pulses) during the day. It is generally believed that when a person is fasting, he can concentrate better on praying to God. The Sanskrit word for fasting is ‘upvas’ (‘up’ meaning above and ‘vas’ meaning living above or the one who lives above all). The goal of fasting is to decrease the desire and passion for the physical world and attain spirituality by meditation. There are several other aspects to fasting which includes social, health, economic and agricultural.

Health Aspects Fasting has always been considered It is generally as a way for improving health believed that when since times immemorial in Ina person is fasting, he can dia and elsewhere, and it has concentrate better on praying now been proved by modern medical research. to God. The Sanskrit word for fasting is ‘upvas’ (‘up’ meaning Socio-economic above and ‘vas’ meaning living Aspects above or the one who lives above Food has always been in all). The goal of fasting is to short supply in India and it decrease the desire and pasis generally referred to as Ann sion for the physical world Dev (Food God). India has a history of famines and the recand attain spirituality ommendations of the Famine by meditation. farmers, most of it Commissions appointed by the then manually, while their marketing is done by local traders without guaranty of the product. Development of improved processing equipment and marketing of these goods in sealed packets with guaranteed nutrient content is a call of the day. This will help traders, farmers, and people consuming these foods.

With the Indian Diasporas spread all over the world, it could be a multi-million dollar industry, if serious efforts are made by all stakeholders, namely, agricultural and engineering institutions, state and central governments, and the trading industry.

Advantages of fasting Fasting could be for a few hours to the entire www.krishijagran.com

British Government were responsible for the development of agricultural research.

Agricultural Aspects Agricultural aspects of fasting are centered on growing non-cereal specialty foods for fasting.

As already mentioned, in India, festivals are generally associated with fasting during the day followed by a feast in the evening; feast, because the dishes made to end the fasting are delicious and different from the regular meals, for example, Kuttu (pudding) enriched with raisins, dry coconut powder, cashews , pistachios (Pistacia vera) and chiraunji (Buchanania lanzan) etc. The vegetable component is boiled potato, sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) and arvi(Colocasia) with salt only. These com-

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ponents make the meals for breaking the fast quite nourishing. All fruits are permitted as alternative food, the most common ones are banana (Musa acuminata/Musa balbisiana), mango (Mangifera indica), guava (Psidium gujava), coconut (Cocos nucifera), apple (Malus pumila), peach (Prunus persica) etc. All dry fruits other than groundnut are also permitted.

Specialty foods from plants grown in water Fox nut (Makhana): Makhana (in Hindi) or lotus or prickly water lily or fox nut (Euryale ferox ) of family Nymphaeceae is a perennial flowering plant native to shallow waters. It has several names, such as, Thangjung in Manipuri, Nikon in Assamese and Onibus in Japanese. It grows in eastern InIt dia (Bihar, Assam, Manipur), China, Korea and Japan. is now proved

that intermittent

In India, 90% of makhaor alternate day fasting na is grown in nine dishelps in reducing obesity, tricts of Bihar, namely, Darbhanga, Madhuand the risk of coronary arbani, Purnia, Katihar, tery diseases, restricting Type 2 Sitamarhi, Saharsa, diabetes, enhancing the proSupaul, Araria, and duction of growth hormones Kishanganj covering about 13,000 ha and repairing of body cells in 2012-13 with a proor autography. Fasting duction of 25,000 methelps in overcoming ric tonnes. Makhana is currently produced and depression. processed manually involving a lot of human drudgeries, mostly by mallahs (boat men), although some efforts to improve its processing are being made. Makhana Research Centre of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research located at Darbhanga in Bihar and the Government of Bihar State is making sincere efforts to increase its production and a high yielding variety ‘Swarnvaidehi has been recently released.

Makhana produces hard seeds, which pop when roasted, the form in which they are mostly consumed. It is an important component of prasad (offertory) (both charnamrit or panchamrit and panjiri) in Hindu venerations (puja). Charnamrit is a liquid mixture of milk, curd (yogurt), sugar, water, AGRICULTURE

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chopped Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) leaves, raisins and makhana, while panjiri is a dry mixture of fried wheat, sugar, dry fruits, and pieces of makhana. Makhana is also used for making pudding and curry.

Makhana is a good source of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, phosphorus and iron and amino acids. Essential Amino Acid Index (EAAI) of popped makhana is 89% as against 63% for rice, 65% for wheat, 81.5 % for chickpea and 87.7% for mutton. According to Ayurveda makhana alleviates vatta and pitta doshas(problems). It strengthens heart and is useful in curing anaemia and fertility problems in men and women.

Water caltrop (Singhara): Water caltrop or water chestnut or singhara (Trapabis pinosa, T. bicorin, T. natans) is also known as buffalo nut, paniphal, lingjiao (in China) and hishi (in Japan). However, the term water chestnut is confusing, because there is a Chinese water chestnut (Eliocharis dulcis), which is a crunchy tuber. Contrary to makhana, which is a perennial, Singhara is an annual plant growing in slow moving waters up to a maximum of 5m deep and is native to Eurasia. Archaeological studies indicate that water chestnut could have been an important food in times of cereal crop failures in ancient times, in Southern Germany. It is currently grown in several Asian countries including India.

The fruit resembles the head of a buffalo, and that is why the name ‘buffalo nut’. Each fruit contains a large starchy seed which is rich source of carbohydrates (about 60-65 %) and proteins (4.7%). However, most singharais are growing by the use of traditional knowledge and technology and needs improvement to increase production. There is hardly any food processing of this wonderful fruit other than drying and grinding.

Specialty foods from plants grown on land Buckwheat (Kuttu or Kutu): Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentus) or kutu (also known as ogal, phaphar or bresha) is not related to wheat at all as it does not belong to graminae or grass family, which includes wheat, rice or sawan. Buckwheat is a herb belonging to www.krishijagran.com

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Polygonaceae family and because of having plenty of carbohydrates. It is a pseudo-cereal. Domestication of buckwheat was most probably done in Yunnan region of China (Ohnishi, 1998), from where it spread to central Asia and Tibet, and then to Midwest and Europe.

In 19thcentury Russian Empire was the largest producer of buckwheat and even today, it has the largest area (about 712,047ha) followed

by China (about 708,000ha). Nepal has about 10,335ha under buckwheat (FAO, 2014). In India, it is grown traditionally in relatively warmer areas of Ladakh region, where double cropping is possible.

Amaranth (Ramdana): Amaranth or Ramdana (Bihar and Uttar Pradesh) is known by many names in India including rajgira in Maharashtra, Rajgaro in Gujarat, Chuko in Bengal, Siriara in Kullu valley, Kalji or Dankar in Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh, Chua in Kumaun in Uttarakhand, and Maarcha, Nana Orpilum in Nepal (Joshi, 1981). Kirtikar and Basu (1918) mentioned three sanskrit names for Ramdana, namely, Rahadri, Rajagiri and Rajashakini. The Aztecs in Mexico called it Huauhtli (Coe, 1994).

Ramdana is an important alternate food crop for fasting in India. It is generally consumed as chikki (bar) or laddoo (boll) made from roasted grains mixed with sugar or jaggery (brown sugar). As a snack, it is also consumed by kids on all days. Interestingly Aztecs also consumed it as snacks made of roasted grains mixed with honey (they did not have sugar) and chocolate. Aztecs celebrated a festival called ‘Huitzilopochtli’ in December, in which they made a statue of the God with amaranth.

In India, fasting not only encourages the health but also the markets for fruits, vegetables and non-cereal foods (singhara, makhana, kutu, ramdana etc) Further, cultivation of non-cereal foods acts as a major livelihood for the farmers living in areas where conventional agriculture is not possible. At present there is very little organized large-scale processing, packaging, and marketing of these foods and their products. So we need an urge to pay a serious attention to develop better varieties and agronomy for these non-cereal food crops to increase their production and income of the farmers growing these crops.

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TAFE launches ‘JFarm Services App’

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AFE(Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited), India’s second largest tractor manufacturer, has announced the launch of ‘JFarm Services App’ – a mobile app-based aggregator platform which facilitates hiring of tractors and modern farm machinery for farmers in Rajasthan, at the Global Rajasthan Agritech Meet (GRAM), Kota.

JFarm Services App is freely available on Google Play Store and will connect Custom Hiring Centres (CHC) operated by tractors and equipment owners directly to farmers who need farm mechanization services and solutions, thereby facilitating a fair and transparent rental process while focusing on quality, dependability and timely delivery. JFarm Services will also be available to farmers on call through a dedicated toll-free number 1800-4-200-100.

Out of the 95 CHCs allotted through subsidy to TAFE, 38 have been identified across six zones in the State – Bharatpur, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Jalore, Kota and Sikar.

The launch of the JFarm Services App along with CHC franchisees creates a hub where farmers gain access to specialized equipment and JFarm Rajasthan’s agri-extension services including modern farm practices, technical know-how, high-yielding crop varieties, crop protection, organic and sustainable farming, besides customized and specially designed training programmes by leading agri-scientists.

JFarm Services, the aggregator platform in its pilot phase has enrolled over 450 Custom Hiring Centres and suppliers and has connected them to over 25,000 farmers.

Speaking on the app launch, Ms. Mallika Srinivasan, Chairman and CEO, TAFE, said, “The JFarm Services App is a milestone in TAFE‟s journey of Cultivating the World. With the JFarm Services mobile app, TAFE aims to empower the farming community by creating a viable model for the farmers and the Custom Hirers to conduct transactions in a fair and transparent manner. These initiatives are directed towards building a sustainable livelihood for farmers, while preparing them to remain self-sufficient by increasing farm productivity.”

TAFE established JFarm India in Chennai, Tamil Nadu in 1964 with an objective of empowering farmers with advanced farm technologies to increase farm productivity and meet India’s growing food demands. TAFE was named the Best Employer in India 2013 by Aon Hewitt. It has also been bestowed with several prestigious awards in manufacturing field. This service by TAFE will foster digital empowerment of Indian farmers while creating a breed of new rural entrepreneurs and significant job opportunities.

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Rambutan

Cultivation

INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUES IN RAMBUTAN CULTIVATION Dr. Sunny George

Director, Research & Development Homegrown Biotech

Rambutan N18

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Jose Jacob M.D Homegrown Biotech

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armers had already proved that the agro-climatic conditions of India can be turned favourable for the cultivation of Rambutan, one of the most popular fruits of Southeast Asia. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Mangalore, Kudak regions of Karnataka, Konkan region of Maharashtra are suitable for rambutan cultivation. We can grow rambutan as an ornamental tree in our garden. The edible inner portion enveloping the seed is juicy and sweet. The fruits are rich in carbohydrates, vitamins, calcium, magnesium and potassium. Studies show that the antioxidants present in the rind as well as in the aril part of rambutan neutralizes the growth of cancer cells.

Favourable climate & soil Rambutan grows well in warm tropical climate. Higher humidity and favourable climatic condition are important factors.

It also requires a minimum of 150 cm well distributed annual rainfall. The trees grow well at elevations up to 800 m above sea level. The ideal temperature for optimum growth is 22 to 35° C. But the slight climatic variations would not affect its yield and growth. Well drained loamy soils with good

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organic content are most suitable for optimum growth and yield. Acidic and alkaline nature of the soil should be moderate (pH value 4.5 to 6.5). Sites prone to waterlogging should be avoided for plantation. Orchards in slightly sloped lands yield better, because they capture maximum sunlight.

Popular Varieties Several commercial as well as homestead varieties of Rambutan are available. Varieties such as N18, HG Malwana, HG School Boy, HG Baling, HG Rongrien and HG Jarum Emas are excellent for commercial planting while E35 and King are homestead varieties. N18 and E35 varieties are developed

by Kottayam based Home grown Biotech.

Besides, Homegrown have also identified and introduced several commercial as well as homestead varieties of rambutan in Kerala, which are popular in Thailand, Srilanka and Malaysia.

Propagation The Rambutan, a plant of the Sapindaceae family, is known by its scientific name Nephelium leppaceum. The name ‘rambu-

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Homegrown mother farm

tan’ originated from Malay word ‘rambut’ meaning “hair”. The fruit is round or oval in shape. Usually a cluster contains five to twenty fruits. Leathery outer cover often looks red or yellow in colour.

manure and rock phosphate mixed with soil should be sprinkled around the planting hole. Additional fertilizers can be given after 6 months, but only after the new flush of leaves are emerged and matured.

Seedling propagations are not used in rambutan culture because of the difference in sex type of flowers. Instead, budding is the right method of producing high quality plants. If nurtured well, it starts flowering after three years and yields optimum production after six to eight years.

Proper irrigation is essential during the dry season. Keep the orchard clean by periodic removal of weeds. Dried branches and water suckers should be removed regularly.

The ideal spacing in between two saplings is 40 ft, which can vary from place to place depending upon the weather condition.

In one acre of land, up to 35 saplings could be planted.

The pits (1m sq.) should be filled with topsoil mixed with 3 pots of well decomposed cowdung manure or compost and 1 kg each of rock phosphate. Then place the plant with the bud union above the soil level.

A handful of compost or dried cow-dung

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Since rambutan tends to have long, upright growth, early pruning is recommended.

When the budding attains 4 ft, trim the main stem at 2.5 ft. When new sprouts emerge, allow 3 or 4 limbs in different directions, and these limbs produce primary, secondary and tertiary branches, giving the tree a semi-elliptic shape. This will help to attain optimum yield. We can complete this planting method by two years.

Fertilizer Application Rambutan is a plant favourably responding to fertilizer application. Fertilizers could be given only after the new flush of leaves are emerged and matured. Adding 5 kg of

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compost or cow dung manure mixed with soil is effective. Mulching is found to be very effective in moisture conservation. Spraying ‘jeevamritham’ could stimulate the growth of useful microorganisms. It will also help the plants to overcome drought. Application of cow dung manure enriching Trichoderma is useful.

Applying 100 g of NPK 18 complex three times in a year (pre monsoon, onset of monsoon and during summer rain) is found effective in stimulating growth.

For growing trees (six years and above), a fertilizer rate of 1 kg of NPK complex, 30 kg cow dung powder or compost should be given.

Fertilizer application can be started after cutting off the branches followed by harvesting.

Nitrogenous fertilizers should be applied only in August- September.

Applying 300g to 1kg of potash before

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the time of flowering is effective. If same amount of potash is added one month before harvest, it will also give high quality fruits.

Pollination Flowering season is from February to April.

The proper method of irrigation is needed according to the age and yield of trees.

Rambutan is a cross pollinated crop hence the presence of honey bee is essential for its fruit formation.

It takes three weeks after pollination for the initial stage of fruit formation. Again after three weeks we can adopt innovative methods for protecting its quality. Apply 25gm Boron (for small trees) and 50 gm (for big trees) mixed with soil at the time of flowering. Application of Pseudomonas fluorescens liquid formulation (6ml/l) is also worthwhile in managing fruit drop and production of quality fruits. For fruiting trees, in addition to 200 g of 18 complex, 100 to 250g of muriate of potash can be given to 4-5g/l of sulphate of potash can be given as

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Rambutan

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Rongrien

Foliar (1lt per tree). Spraying 1g/l wettable sulphur to the developing fruits is very effective in reducing fruit drop.

Fruit drop can be caused by several reasons like micro element deficiency and oxin- cytokinin hormone variations.

Giving foliar spray by detecting the right proportion of micro elements through leaf tissue analysis is effective. Spraying sulphur solution (3g/l) is an effective method for preventing any type of fungus attack.

High quality trees cultivating in the orchards contain two types of flowers.

Functionally 95 percent of these flowers are female and bisexual in structure.

In order to increase the productivity, the pattern of certain bisexual flowers that perform the female functions has to be altered to that of male, which in turn accelerates the productivity. For this process, 10 percent cluster of flowers has to be identified and marked.

Out of this selected cluster, some buds open at the same time the rest remains as buds. That period is the apt time to spray Superfix solution. In two litres of water, one ml of Superfix has to be mixed and sprinkled before 9a.m. After 6 days flowers might have transformed to male flowers and stamen bursts out, this period facilitates increased productivity. In order to obtain quality fruits utmost attention has to be given for such vital process.

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Pest Control Usually, pests would not affect well nurtured rambutan trees. Maintaining 40 ft spacing is a good method of plant protection. Drying up of branches, attack of mealybugs, beetles and leaf eating caterpillars are the major threats to plants. Burning the affected branches is an effective way to avoid further spread. In case of severe attack Neembased formulations can be used to control leaf-eating caterpillars. Verticillium is effective in managing mealybug infestation.

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PepsiCo launches India made Doritos

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ultinational food and beverage maker, PepsiCo started manufacturing its nacho brand ‘Doritos’ in India.

The nacho brand, currently available across 55 countries, was being imported for sale in six select markets in India by PepsiCo since late 2015.

However, after the company set up procurement lines for two particular varieties of corn from farmers in Bihar, it opted to roll out the product indigenously. Doritos is one of its billion-dollar brands.

Niteen Pradhan, PepsiCo’s Vice President of Supply Chain and Operations said,“Our goal has been to develop local ecosystems and produce locally to address the consumption needs of India.” He claimed that the $63-billion company has set-up India’s largest production line of nachos in its factory near Kolkata after making a ‘substantial investment’ in the unit. It gives the

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company ample scope to roll out substantial volumes as per the demand, besides providing it with an immediate edge in production capacity over its competitors.

The product will be available in six cities across India in the initial stage.

However, the company plans to increase its presence by making the new brand available in up to 40 cities in the following month. Thereafter, by the end of the on-going fiscal year, it will go for a pan- India rollout.

Currently, Greendot Health Foods’ indigenous Cornitos brand, which is estimated to grow by 30 per cent annually, dominates the nachos category in India with a 70 per cent market share. Cornitos has a significant presence in across 300 towns and cities with a base of 30,000 outlets.

However, in the snacks business, PepsiCo has been experiencing low single-digit growth in 2016 amid flat volumes in the domestic snacks business in 2015.

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Farmer is the Focal Point to Serve:

Interview with Dr. D. K. Chopra, Honorary Chairman, AgriFort Technologies India Sharad Awasthi - COO, AgriFort Technologies India Pooja Shrivastava

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griFort Technologies is a start-up joint venture Agri-input company incorporated in 2016. Within a short span, the company has achieved a remarkable growth by improving productivity and quality of farm produce through innovative products. Now, AgriFort has turned to be a leading presence in the farming sector. Sharad Awasthi, COO, ,and D.K Kapoor, Chairman, AgriFort Technologies India talk about the outstanding achievements of company in Agricultural sector, new plans and expectations‌ Q. Please do share your experience regarding this venture- AgriFort Technologies.

Q. Blue Quadrant, which conceived this venture, is a transnational company having operations in Middle East, African countries, East Europe and Latin America. Tell us about research works you have conducted or planning to conduct both in India as well as abroad.

This was conceived by Blue Quadrant, Dubai, which is into selling and marketing various technologies in the domain of Civil Aviation, Banking and other segments as well. But their centre focus remains the same- TECHNOLOGIES. With fast growing economy and rising per capita

AgriFort Technologies is a new young organization launched last year in collaboration with International Company - Blue Quadrant. We had run our pilot operations in states of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand as a humble beginning. We are happy to receive quite encouraging responses from the end user- farmers and channel partners. Farmers have shown great interest and need on our uniquely designed products based on Pro-biotic, Metabolites and Kelp Technologies under the brand name of NutriFlax, Konvertor and ViKelp respectively. As a company we clearly see the segment of Soil and Plant health where a lot of awareness and work is required to help farmers in order to get optimum productivity and quality of their produce in a sustainable manner. During our pilot operations in UP and Uttarakhand, positive feedback and further endorsement from innovative, progressive and elite class farmers have helped us to expand our channel network pretty fast. Now we are focussing on to serve pan-India farmers for promoting scientific and sustainable agriculture.

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income, India is today one of the most favourite destination for new technologies and investments particularly in Agriculture sector. With extensive market research, Agrifort is now well poised to turn a techno leaf in helping farmers to improve their productivity and quality of farm produce through innovative products.

Q. Tell us about your collaborations with National and Global organizations.

Our Mission is to develop, collaborate and offer value added technologies, products and services for optimum farm output. AgriFort Technologies has marketing tie ups with players like Blue Quadrant, Spanish Global Company Trade Corp International offers more than 400 products for Foliar Fertilizers etc., SRIBS Biotechniqs- Mumbai are the few names to mention as of now. Our discussions are going with some Japanese companies for Crop Protection Chemicals.

Q. Point out your goals when you started. Tell us about the problems you faced in order to achieve them so far.

Our long term vision is to become one of the most trusted companies to serve farming community in India and abroad for scientific and sustainable

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D.K Kapoor, Chairman, AgriFort Technologies India

Agriculture. We are quite optimistic with oppor-

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We started our operation from UP and Uttarakhand to have feedback about product performance and its need. We received outstanding results from farmers and that gave us further motivation to expand our operations with greater confidence.

Q. Elaborate the concept of MERA GAON – MERE SAPNE?

Sharad Awasthi - COO, AgriFort Technologies India

tunities available in Agri-input. We don’t find any problem per say but to consistently bringing products of market need and education to the farmers are the key to move forward.

Q. As we know that yours is start up and there is a number of established giants. How do you think you will compete with them?

All the companies who are giants today, they also started their operations some point of time in past; and they are able to establish themselves with their own strengths and strategies in place.

In Agriculture and especially in India huge scope is there to work to bring new products of fitment, farmer education, awareness, service etc.

For AgriFort Technologies, FARMER IS THE FOCUL POINT TO SERVE. We are committed to bring innovative products, solutions and services for them and wish to contribute significantly and make a mark in the marketplace. Our company’s foundation is built on our value systems which distinguish us and guide our every action.

MERA GAON – MERE SAPNE is an innovative initiative which is unique of its kind where AgriFort Technologies as a company is aiming at motivating rural youth to serve farming community towards scientific and sustainable agriculture by bringing them into entrepreneurship. Under this initiative, company is enrolling rural youth who is passionate to become nucleus point for farmers of his village and adjoining villages by joining the company as a franchise and open Agrifort outlet. Company gives extensive training to enroll youth to understand the challenges being faced in Agriculture and the solutions. This outlet shall work on farmer education, knowledge sharing, seminars, rewarding and recognising innovative farmers, making coordination with Govt bodies to connect with the farmers for schemes like Micro Soil Testing, Crop Insurance etc.

In this initiative enrolled youth can contribute to his village and adjoining area by venturing into entrepreneurship. And can have his dreams by staying in his own village- MERA GAON-MERE SAPNE. Q. You are offering a variety of products for farmers. Tell us what makes your product different?

Yes, we shall be offering a wide range of products to farmers like research based unique plant

Q. Outline some of your new plans?

There are lots of plan with products and markets but as of now we are planning to introduce our wide range of product in different vertical like Plant Health, Bio product, Crop Protection Chemicals, Seeds, Water Soluble Fertilizers and aquaculture business in select geography the country and few African Markets.

Q. About the pilot operations you have conducted in UP and Uttarakhand?

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health products, biocides, safe chemical pesticides, seeds and aqua-health care products. Plant Health Products will cover new unique formula based on Plant Metabolites, Pro-biotic and Kelp.

These products will contribute significantly to get better yield and quality of the produce. We shall also offer excellent range of Water Soluble Fertilizers- WSF, Micro-nutrients etc.

Q. What would be your key strategy to reach out to the customers?

We would ensure quality in every sphere of our business - products, systems, processes, team and trade partners. We are in the process of setting up our own R&D in Maharashtra that will work on new research and technologies.

It is often said that ‘ People make the difference.’

We at AgriFort are hiring best resource from the market and our galaxy of leadership shall work towards our vision and mission with great passion.

Team AgriFort will make the difference.

Q. Your slogan “Farmer wins, we win” is touchy.

What do you think about Agriculture in India? Is it Farmer friendly? If not, give your suggestions Thanks for your compliment. As far as agriculture in India is concerned, needless to mention that still around 60% of our populations lives in rural areas.

However, contribution of Agriculture in our GDP is only about 15%. That itself tells the scope and opportunity in this segment. If we look at three basic needs of our society Health, Education and Food- food has to come from Agriculture. With growing population and shrinking farms, demand of the food and quality of produce is going to be questioning and thus Agriculture has to grow.

For the Farmers, lot of initiative and awareness program have been taken by the Govt and corporate houses but lot more to do. We think, there could be collaborations with Govt and corporate to carry out knowledge sharing and bringing awareness to meet the food requirement.

Q. Government of India is supporting rural and agricultural sector through a variety of means.

This is definitely a welcome step for farmers but how is it impacted? What you think?

Government tries to give leverage to the farmers for better livelihood and I feel this is really admirable and as I previously said, “Farmer wins, we win”, so any of the government project relate for farmers betterment is interlinked with our business because end of the day farmers are most important part of our business.

Q. There are planning going on here to regulate agriculture market. Do you think that by 2020 we will achieve this target?

I believe whatever planning going on to regulate agriculture market is purely for sustainability of agriculture economy and now time rapidly changing so this is the right step to maintain the agriculture market. Any such planning must ensure that farmer almost get due return on their investment. A robust marketing infrastructure without middle man in between will help farmer realise good prices for their produce.

Q. India continues to rank at low position in terms of ease of doing business. What are your personal views? Has this government provided business friendly environment?

For any new venture and set up in any country for that matter, it has its own challenges that every organization has to pass through. But we must appreciate some new initiatives by the Govt like “Make in India”, “Stand up India” and “Start-up India” etc that is great silver lining to its further support. NDA government has taken significant step in terms of “Ease of doing business” in India. GST is one such an initiative.

We do believe however that a lot more needs to done to facilitate and in fact encourage young entrepreneur and foreign investor, by creating efficient system and process.

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Cabinet Extends Interest Subsidy on Short Term Crop Loan for one year

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armers will continue to get short-term loan of up to Rs 3 lakh at a subsidised interest rate of seven per cent, and prompt repayers will get it at four per cent as the government extended the subsidy to banks for 2017-18.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the Interest Subvention Scheme for 2017-18 in the Cabinet meeting.

The Government has earmarked a sum of Rs. 20,339 crore for this purpose. According to a release by the Cabinet, the move will help farmers getting short term crop loans up to Rs. 3 lakh payable within one year at only 4 per cent per annum.

The interest subvention will be given to public sector banks (PSBs), private sector banks, cooperative banks and regional rural banks (RRBs) on use of own funds and to NABARD for refinance to RRBs and Cooperative banks, the release added.

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The scheme will continue for one year and it will be implemented by NABARD and RBI. “The objective of the scheme is to make available at ground level, agricultural credit for short-term crop loans at an affordable rate to give a boost to agricultural productivity and production in the country,” the Centre added.

As an interim measure, the Reserve Bank last month had asked the banks to continue giving the discount on interest on short-term crop loans during the current fiscal.

The Cabinet decision to continue the interest subvention comes at a time when there are farmers protests in several parts of the country, more particularly in Madhya Pradesh demanding farm loan waiver. Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra have already announced such waiver.

For 2017-18, the target of agriculture credit has been raised to Rs 10 lakh crore, from Rs 9 lakh crore in 2016-17.

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NIPGR Develops New GM Rice to Reduce Phosphorus Fertilizer Usage

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he scientists at National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR) have developed new genetically modified riceto improve the uptake of natural Phosphorus from the soil, cutting down the use of artificial phosphorus fertilizers.

This GM rice has been produced by introducing a gene called OsPAP21b taken out from a traditional rice genotype called Dular, found in states like West Bengal, Bihar and Assam.

Pandey has proposed OsPAP21b as a useful concept for improving phosphate acquisition and utilization in rice.

Deficiency of plant available phosphorus is a limiting factor for cultivation of rice crops in various kind of soil on earth. Application of phosphatic fertilizers can compensate soil phosphorus deficiency but it is hazardous both to our environment and health.

Phosphorus is an important mineral in the metabolism, growth This GM rice and development of plants in has been produced general and rice in particuby introducing a gene lar. About 20 mha of upland called OsPAP21b taken area under rice cultivation out from a traditional rice is phosphate deficient. In genotype called Dular, major rice producing counfound in states like West tries like India, more than Bengal, Bihar and The paper published in Plant Bio60 percentsoils suffer from Assam. technology Journal demonstrated low to medium phosphate that introduction of the gene proavailability. This is compensatduces an enzyme, which when secreted by application of phosphatic ed into the soil through the roots of the fertilizers. rice plant helps in absorption of organic phosphorus available in the soil.

Unfortunately, the source of such fertilizers, rock phosphate is finite, rapidly depleting and This enzyme increases organic phosphorus abconcentrated only in few regions worldwide. Insorption by 50 percent under controlled experidia imports almost 90 percent of its phosphate mental conditions and hence can help reduce fertilizer requirement. Further, applied phosthe cost of fertilizer use for the farmer. phate is quickly fixed into insoluble inorganic or organic forms due to its high reactivity and The team led by Dr.JitenderGiri, consisting of microbial action.

Ph.D. students, PoonamMehra and Bipin K. Supported by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), the study showed that OsPAP21b plays important role in improving growth on organic phosphorus substrate through better phosphate uptake and utilization.

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Swedish Brand Husqvarna launches Outdoor Power Products in India

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usqvarna, a world leader in forestry and landscaping equipment, has launched their array of outdoor power products and innovative solutions for forest, park and garden care in India.

Husqvarna is a Swedish brand which has already carved a niche in 100 countries for more than 325 years, offers a robust range of quality products that are best suited for Indian conditions. Husqvarna aims to bring an ease of access to modern engineering and help in boosting the productivity with their diverse range of products.

Husqvarna India, the Indian arm of Husqvarna, presently has a strong network of about 60 dealers in the country and this is expected to grow beyond 100 dealers by the end of 2017.

“We have evaluated the market potential of India and believe in India being one of the fastest growing markets for us. Our products are especially engineered for tough market conditions like India, enabling users to handle sturdy jobs efficiently. We are coming in with handpicked products and are growing a network of dealers to make sure the right product reaches the right consumer at the right time”, said Rajesh Raghavan, Managing Director, Husqvarna India during the launch.

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The estimated combined market size of the industry in India is INR 3000 crores. The company is expecting a market growth of around 10% for premium hand held outdoor power tools over the next 3-5 years, said Pavel Hajman, Global President, Husqvarna Division.

Over the last five years, the Global Forest and Garden market value in India is estimated to have increased around three percent per year.

The addressable market for forest and garden products in regions and segments where Husqvarna Group is active is estimated to be SEK 185billion (INR 1352 bn.).

Since 1689, Husqvarna has manufactured high performing products and delivered industrychanging innovations such as anti-vibration and automatic chain-break on chainsaws, as well as the world’s first commercial robotic mower. It has been recognized by ‘Global 100’ as one of the most sustainable companies in 2014 and has also been included in the ‘FTSE4Good’ which awards companies based on environmental, social, governance criteria.

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PlantbiotiX introduces Four Products to Enhance

Crop & Soil Health

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lantbiotiX, one of the leading microbial & biological agriculture manufacturers, has launched four biological products Incryl, FruitUp, XplorerPlus and BP-100, to improve plant health and productivity.

Incryl is a granular biological solution for crop growth and yield booster. It comprised of seaweed extract, malic acid, hydrolyzed proteins (Amino Acids), humic acid and soil microbial growth promoter (SMPG). Application of Incryl improves nutrients release in plant rhizosphere and stimulates growth of beneficial micro-organisms and provides nutritional support to plant at critical stages of growth. This helps to gives the optimum nutrients boost to all crops for growth, nutrients uptakes, flowering and fruits developments resulting better yield performances. Incryl is recommended to all crops at critical growth stage at 3 Kg/acre.

FruitUp is a soluble nanotechnology driven formulation for healthier crops & fruit quality. Essential nutrients in FruitUp consist of Calcium,

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Magnesium, Zinc, Boric acid, Silicon, Magnesium and Microbial Growth Promoter (MPGP). Its application enhances photosynthetic and metabolic activities in plant and also improves fruit quality and yield. FruitUp is recommended to all crops at critical growth stage at 2 gm/acre by spray.

XplorerPlus is unique formulation of three My-

corrhizal Consortia enrich with growth promoter and natural minerals. Its application to various crops improve plants nutrients uptake P, Zn, Cu, N and water from the soil. XplorerPlus is recommended to all crops at critical growth stage @ 4 kg/acre by broadcasting.

BP-100 is a soil Vitalizer contains super natural

biopolymer to enhance nutrition delivery & microbial activity. It helps to stores excess nutrients in the soil and release nutrients gradually over a period of time thus help farmer in reducing chemical fertilizer requirement. Its regular use also improves water availability to plants. BP-100 is recommended to all crops at critical growth stage @ 5 Lit/acre by drip or drenching.

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76 EXPERTS ADVICE MEANS FARMERS GROWTH : SANJAY GUPTA

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s we need balanced diet for our growth and development, plantsalso need balanced fertilization for their healthy growth and development. We may claim to be the most intelligent living beings on the earth, but we are unable to produce our food. Plants which produce our food, have many enemiesnamely insects, pests and diseases. They need proper protection from these enemies. Use of plant protection materials helps to protect plants from the diseases and pests. As we get treated of all diseases by doctors, so also plants get treated by the plant pathologists. There are some companies to provide good agricultural product, treatment and advice. Amber Crop Science is one of suchcompanies working as a good doctor for crops. This company provides a full crop protection solution to farmers in a good manner. Interview excerpts with Mr. Sanjay Gupta,Managing Director, Amber Crop Science.

Q: Could you please share your journey of success and vision?

I would like to tell you that this company was started in 2008 from zero. The vision behind starting this company was to provide quality products to farmers.

In the beginning we were marketing the pesticides but after that we started to manufacture our own brand. So our vision is to provide better crop solution for farmers. In the starting we face lot of the problemsto convince the farmers about the products and product registration in government department. We did hard work and gradually we got success in our way.

Q. What are the major products of yourcompany?

As I told you we were started with marketing of pesticide products but after that we started our own brand and manufacturing products in that label.

Now we haveall range of crop solution like insecticide, fungicide, herbicide and PGR. Our products are very popular among the farmers. We feel proud when farmers come to us and shared their experiences and feedback while using our products.

Q. What are your future plans and strategies for further growth?

Presently we have branches in major northern states including Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Now we are planning to move across India to spread out our business and services.

Q. What are the research and developmental facilities that the company has provided throughout the journey?

I would like to tell you that every company which is

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manufacturing the best and quality products always need a Research(R) and Development (D) facilities.

Presently we don’t have our own R&D Center. We are now doing our research programs through some reliable sources. But in future we plan to establish our own R&D Center. We have two manufacturing units one in Delhi and another situated in Haryana.

Q. Your perceptions on the socio-economic challenges Indian farmers face?

We know that ours is an agrarian society but still here the farmers are struggling hard to meet their requirements. But our government has a vision toincrease the farmers’ income by 2022. I am sure that it will make a change. Farmers need to be made aware about new technologies in agriculture industry. If the farmers became aware of new innovative technologies that will definitely improve yield and reflect in their income.

Q: How you evaluate the impact of GST on agriculture industry?

I believe that the adoption of GST was a good decision. It will increase the wealth of country. The agriculture related sectors are also get benefited from the adoption of GST. Q. Do you have any suggestions to farmers?

Farmers are the backbone of country. I would like to suggest that if farmers want good productivity and good profit they should always take advice from experts. Another thing is that whenever farmers purchase any agricultural products they should ensure the quality of products. They never copy the person who uses agricultural products without experts’ advice. www.krishijagran.com

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