Key Strategies for Enhancing Farmers Income

Introduction:

Enhancing of farmers income is one of the most important agenda of the central and state governments which can lead to the ambitious plan of doubling farmer’s income by 2022. Increase in total farm output can be one of the strategies but not the only strategy for doubling income. It is essential to focus on a planwhich can ensure a right combination of measures that are relevant for different geographical as well as agro-climatic conditions.

Some of the key strategies are discussed below.

Enhancing crop production through yield increase:

Increase in overall yield or productivity from agricultural or horticultural crops and other related farm enter prizes can be the important single important factor that can increase the income of farmers. Since there is very little scope for area expansion (either through increase in nets own area or through increase in cropping intensity), enhancing the overall productivity is the only way available to enhance production. Bridging yield gaps through had option of recommended good crop production practices, planning profitable crop combinations that can maximize aggregate income, and reducing crop losses through integrated crop management (integrated nutrient/pest/disease/weed management) practices are some of the immediate options that can bring in additional income to the farmers.

Efficient use of water resources:

Water resources are the scarcest resources among the natural resources gifted by the nature. The available water resources is not proportional to the size of cultivable land, dependent population, swelling demands from industry, domestic segment for drinking, sanitation and washing, public uses such as parks and gardens, and hospitality industry etc. As per an estimate by 2050 the global agriculture sector needs to produce 60 percent more, while developing countries need to produce 100 percent more. This target can be met only by improving water productivity and putting in place the right policy mix that supports and ensures efficient use of water resources. Ground water management is one of the important aspects in this regard. There is a need for a paradigm shift in water management in rain fed areas by bringing more dry land under protective irrigation support for bridging dry spell sand for improving agricultural and water productivity through new technological water management options. Anidelay system of irrigation should aimat conjunctiveuse of different sources of water in mutually reinforcing manner while giving due importance to demand moderation and making it compatible with resource endowments of the region. Drip and sprinkler irrigation technology options need to be promoted to manage the demand.

Enhancing productivity from dry lands:

Even after harnessing the fullest possible irrigation potential a large amount of land continues under rainfed conditions. As per an estimate these rainfed or dryland areas are home to 43 percent of our population and receive rainfall between 150 mm and 1000 mm per annum. There is a need to popularize various water management interventions in these drylands. The interventions shall include, adopting an efficient watershed management approach specifying and enforcing clearly defined water rights in watershed communities; reducing vulnerability through rain water harvesting and storage; recharging depleted ground water and aquifers; regulation of ground water extraction; enlisting government support for water saving options; enabling stronger collective action for community development in agriculture and resource management, and enhancing the scientific and technological support to watershed programmes such as land resources inventory(LRI)–hydrology-socioeconomic study based watershed planning as done in Sujala-III program in Karnataka.

Popularizing soil test based nutrient management:

Due to unscientific nutrient management approaches followed by the farmers, the soils are increasingly becoming deficient in micronutrients and the NPK balance has skewed towards nitrogen. The wide spread secondary and micronutrient deficiencies have led to deterioration in soil health leading to low fertilizer response and crop yields in rainfed areas. This degrading soil health trend can be reversed through had option of soil test based application of deficient secondary and micronutrients to harness existing productivity potential on a sustainable basis. The national soil health mission has introduced the issue of soil health cards across the country will be able to address this issue. However programs on education the farmers in this regard are needed for promoting smart

nutrient management practices.

Reducing costs through low external input agriculture and farming systems approach:

The cost of cultivation has been increasing thus reducing the overall profits of the farmers. There is a need to focus on lowering the costs without compromising on the output can lead to the increase the net income. It is possible to do so as there is a general tendency on the part of farmers to apply over dose of fertilizers and pesticides, expecting higher yields. Organic farming, low external input, sustainable agriculture, precision farming, etc. are being promoted with a view to reducing Complementary relations that could exist among farm enterprises are rarely exploited as farmers have been increasingly depending on externally purchased input sand preferring single enterprise rather than a mix of different enterprises. In spite of the advantages of farming systems, their adoption by farmers is not high due to limitation of available production technologies, biophysical or geophysical constraints, labor and input market constraints, financial and credit constraints, social norms, inter-temporal trade-offs, policy constraints, and constraints to knowledge or skills.

Promoting diversification:

Diversification can be a major game changer in enhancing farmer’s income. Diversification can be of three types viz. product (high value enterprises), process (precision farming), and time diversification (delinking from seasonality to prevent price crash with bumper crop). Diversification towards high value crops is required to improve both income and resource use efficiency. Similarly, diversification towards livestock, poultry and non-farm activities is considered ideal, especially for small and marginal farmers who do not possess adequate land to generate enough income for the family. Diversification of agriculture offers food and nutrition security, income growth, diversification of sources of income, poverty alleviation, employment generation, judicious use of land and water resources, sustainable agricultural development, and environmental improvement.

Skill building of farmers:

Since farming in India has been a hereditary occupation of a family, learning how to farm is nearly always limited to traditional practices passed on through generations. The modern agriculture cannot be practiced without proper skilling and professionalization of the farmers. The farmers need to organize resources, collect and leverage information, take crucial decisions and breathe risks which need skilling of farmers. Farming is increasingly transforming in to a skilled job with agricultural markets evolving in the digital space, consumer preferences chemical use. going global, all entrepreneurial functions demanding technical and managerial skills and value chains becoming sophisticated. Present initiatives in farmers’ training such as farmers’ field schools (FFS), Life Long Learning for Farmers (L3F), Training of Local Resource Persons(TLRP) etc, are limited to a few locations in a few states. There is a need for a unified training system, catering to all types of trainings. Besides, there is a need to have distinct modules in school curriculum that teach about our agricultural traditions and practices.

Addressing the constraints of small-marginal farmers:

Due to continued sub division and fragmentation of land has led to the tiny and uneconomical holdings. The small farmers faces several constraints such as Inability to create economies of scale and scope; Low bargaining power due to small marketable surplus; Scarcity of capital; Limited market access; Lack of knowledge and information; Market imperfections, and poor infrastructure and communications. Therefore, aggregation and collectivization of farmers and their resources through farmers companies can be a wonderful solution to the above constraints.

Changing tastes and economic conditions of people:

The changes in recent trends, tastes and preferences of consumers who are creating higher demand for processed, packaged and branded products that meet the food quality standards. Rise in organized retail chains and online markets are selling agricultural products thus are creating a new retail culture. Small and marginal farmers, given their socio-economic profile, can hardly rise to the expectations arising out of such developments. Without effective organization, the small farmers are likely to face several problems with quality aspects and exploitation at the hands of the intermediaries who are controlling value chains. There is a need to organize them effectively into groups to facilitate better incomes is an important concern. FPOs are promoted on a large scale under central and state government support. Such collectivization of farmers into groups is bound to bring the benefits of scale and scope.

Crop Diversification - A Strategy to Improve Agricultural Production

Introduction:

Farming continues to be the major source of food, nutrition, income and employment for the most of

the rural population in India. The country’s farming is characterized by presence of a large number of

small and marginal scale farmers with small farm holdings. However, the country is blessed with diverse agro-climatic conditions which enable the farmers to produce a large number of agricultural commodities. The challenge of producing enough food for the growing population with the reducing holdings is a herculean task. With the development of commercial agriculture techniques during the post independent period the agriculture sector has been able to cater to the domestic and international markets. In the light of the focus on commercial farming the rich tradition of crop diversity of Indian farming lasts its glory. Few crops are occupying major production area and are grown repeatedly year

after year. This has resulted in emergence of several field levels biotic and abiotic constraints and overall reduction in the benefits realized from farming.

Crop diversification provides the farmers with a wider choice in the production of a variety of crops in a given area so as to expand production related activities on various crops and also to bring down the possible risk. Crop diversification in India is generally viewed as a shift from traditionally grown less remunerative crops to more remunerative crops. The crop diversification is also taking place due to governmental policies, thrust on some crops, market reforms, infrastructure development, government subsidies, certain other price related support mechanisms, higher profitability and stability in production also induces crop diversification. Crop diversification and growing of large number of crops are practiced in dry-land areas to reduce the risk factor of crop failures due to recurring droughts. Crop substitution and crop shift are also taking place in the areas suffering with some specific soil related problems.

The country has made considerable progress in the farm sector during the last 50 years. From 'hand to mouth' conditions in the early sixties, the country has not only become self reliant in food grains but have acquired sufficient resilience to tide over the adverse conditions. The achievements in food production is the outcome of a policy framework of improving rural infrastructure, including irrigation, research, extension, provision of agricultural inputs at reasonable prices, mechanization in farming, marketing support through minimum price mechanism, promotion of FPOs etc.

Factors responsible for crop diversification:

With the introduction of scientific and modern agricultural technologies, there is a continuous surge

for diversified agriculture. The changes in crop pattern, however, are the outcome of the interaction effect of many factors such as (a) Resource related factors, mainly irrigation, rainfall and soil health (b) Technology related factors, mainly seed, fertilizer, water use, marketing, storage and post harvest processing (c) Household related factors mainly food and fodder self-sufficiency requirement as well as investment capacity of the farmers (d) Price related factors covering output and input prices, trade and other economic policies that affect these prices (e) Institutional and infrastructure related factors covering farm size and tenancy issues, research, extension and regulatory policies of the government. These factors are highly inter-related. The economic liberalization policies as well as the globalization process are also exerting strong pressures on the area allocation decision of farmers, essentially through their impact on the relative prices of inputs and outputs. While factors such as food and fodder self-sufficiency, farm size, and investment constraints are important in influencing the area allocation pattern among smaller farms, larger farmers with an ability to circumvent resources constraints usually go more by economic considerations based on relative crop prices than by other non-economic considerations. Similarly, economic factors play a relatively stronger role in influencing the crop pattern in areas with a better irrigation and infrastructure potential. In such areas, commercialization and market networks co-evolve to make the farmers more dynamic and highly responsive to economic impulses.

Consequences of changes in cropping pattern:

Various initiatives that have led to the changes in cropping pattern as discussed above have also brought in several socio-economic and environmental consequences. Introduction of high yielding verities, hybrids and intensive crop production technologies have fomented, among other things, an increasing tendency towards crop specialization and commercialization of agriculture. While these developments have positive effects on land/labour productivity and net farm income, they also endangered a number of undesirable side effects like reduced farm employment and crop imbalances

and loss of crop diversity at the farm level. Although the expansion of commercialized agriculture has fomented new sets of rural non-farm activities and strengthened the rural-urban growth linkages, it has also weakened the traditional inter-sectoral linkages between the crop and livestock sectors. Besides, crop pattern changes also lead to serious environmental consequences that take such forms as groundwater depletion, soil fertility loss and water logging and salinity - all of which can reduce the productive capacity and growth potential of agriculture over the long-term. Crop diversification as a strategy for food and nutritional security and poverty alleviation: Crop diversification can be used as a strategy for addressing food and nutritional security. The diversification of horticultural crops, especially fruits and vegetables have been very important in ensuring nutrition security. This also has played a pivotal role in poverty reduction. It is not only in the increase of food grain production, but also the production of commercial crops like cotton, oilseeds, sugar cane, fruits and

vegetables as well as livestock production including fisheries have contributed significantly to poverty reduction. Crop diversification can help the farmers in addressing the important determinants of poverty, such as (I) lack of income and purchasing power (ii) lack of productive employment (iii) the continuous increase in price of food, (VI) inadequacy of social infrastructure, affecting the quality of life of the people and their employability. The governments at the centre and the state are focussing on doubling food production with a focus on food grains such as rice, wheat, coarse cereals, pulses; oilseeds; sugar cane; fruits and vegetables; meat; milk and fish. The Action Plan envisages a detailed strategy and specific problems of productivity to substantially increase the supply of various food items in such a way that the demand for such items for the entire population is comfortably met and some exportable surplus also becomes available.

Crop diversification as strategy for issues of natural resource management:
Subdivision and fragmentation of land holdings in the country apart from diversion of cultivable land for various other purposes provide very little scope for further expansion of the net sown area (142 m/ha) and that land scarcity will become an acute feature of the rural economy. Water is another important natural resource which is facing several challenges and there are several concerns regarding water resources in the country and the states. Therefore, a judicious use of land and water resources will have to be thecentral theme for sustainability of agricultural growth. There has been a growing concern in recent years about the deteriorating conditions of soil health and water resources due to unscientific management. The deterioration in land and water resources has been in the form of land degradation, water logging and decline in water table. There is a greater need to have an integrated approach in the management of plant nutrients, chemicals and taking effective measures to deal with the overall pollution problems. There are several possible technologies and alternatives to reduce the use of chemicals in agriculture. Programmes for regeneration of land and water resources need to be strengthened. Scientific crop diversification options are to be planned suiting the land capabilities.

Opportunities in crop diversification due to globalization:

With the advent of WTO and India being a member and signatory to GATT, the scenario of the agricultural sector cannot be the same as that of past. With the liberalization of trade and providing the market access of agricultural produce between the different countries, the country will be required to promote much more diversified agriculture. The crops which are traditionally exported like basmati rice and spices and condiments also need to be supported in terms of area expansion and quality improvement to look towards much more opportunity for export. Crop diversification in the areas of certain tropical fruits and also a few vegetables also need support for both production and postharvest handling in terms of their export opportunity. Accelerated growth in fruits and vegetables production is also required for improved nutrition of the country's population. In future, with improved living standards along with increased purchasing power, more and more people will look for nutritional and quality foods which will also call for greater crop diversification. There are some production areas such as food crops, plantation crops, poultry, dairy, sugar, cotton and oilseeds in which India has made its mark. There are some in which its emerging strength is already evident - sericulture, marine and inland fisheries, for example. There are also others which now attract less attention, but in which the competitive advantages that India possesses can put it on the top of the world. No country grows such a wide range of fruits, vegetables, and flowers and in such abundance as India and yet it has no record worth mentioning in horticultural exports. The rich variety when processed and marketed can help India take care of the health needs of its population besides being

major export commodities.

Research and developmental support for crop diversification:

In order to support the crop diversification, sound research and development initiatives are essential. The future agriculture is much more science knowledge and skill based rather than the traditional subsistence agriculture. In the wake of globalization and opening up of several opportunities in the global market, there will be much more opportunity for entrepreneurship development in agriculture. This also calls for paradigm shifts in research and technology development and also the transfer of technology for successful crop diversification. The research system not only needs to address the issues connected with continuance and indulgence and knowledge in the areas of emerging technologies, but also create a cadre of scientists through the continuous upgrade of skills and human resource development. The researchers also need to popularize the technologies, impart knowledge and skills to the extension functionaries for the transfer of technologies to the farmers. The use of ICT in agriculture can be one solution for transfer of technologies. The revolution brought about by the mobile telecommunication can be used to the advantage of transfer of technologies to the

farmers.

Institutional and infrastructure developments in support of crop diversification:

To sustain and operationalize crop diversification, institutional support is required. Crop diversification in terms of reducing the risk of rain-fed farmers is vital for India. However, crop diversification in well endowed area is more of an economic consideration. The National Agricultural Research System with its Crop and Commodity based Institutions, Natural Research Management Based Institutions and State Agricultural Universities are jointly addressing the issues connected with the crop diversification. The government of India has also developed a counter support mechanism through the establishments of Crop Directorates for each of the major crops and groups of crops for development and technology transfer focus on each of these crops and commodities. These Directorates act as coordinating agencies between the research and development activities on the one hand and between the central and state governments for technology transfer and other promotional activities.

Policies and strategies for crop diversification:

Realizing the importance of crop diversification, the central and state governments have taken several

initiatives. Horticulture sector has been given highest importance considering its importance in nutrition security. Some of the important programs of the government include,(a)launching of National Horticulture Mission (b)Launching of Technology Mission for the Integrated Development of Horticulture in the North-Eastern Region (c)Implementing National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (d) Operationalizing Technology Mission on Cotton(e) Provision of Capital Subsidy for construction/modernization/expansion of cold storages and storages for horticultural produce (f)Creation of Watershed Development Fund at the National level for the development of rain-fed areas.(g) Infrastructure Support for Horticultural Development(h) Strengthening Agricultural Marketing (i)Seed Bank Scheme (k) Cooperative Sector Reforms etc are some examples. Similarly state of Karnataka has also initiated several programs that directly and indirectly support crop diversification in the state.

Maggi with 57 per cent share regains top slot in noodles market

Nestle India's instant noodle brand Maggi, whose sales was severally hit by FSSAI ban last year, has regained its leadership position+ capturing 57 percent share of the market in June this year. Within nine months of its re-launch, Maggi noodles now accounts for 57.1 percent market share of the instant noodles segment riding on its marketing/ branding initiatives and new variants. In November, after five month of ban, the company relaunched Maggi, it had 10.9 percent of the market share, which climbed to 35.2 percent in December, according to a Nestle India presentation made to financial analysts and institutional investors. In March 2016, it had 51 percent market share. Nestle says that it has regained leading market share after growth in India turned positive in June on good progress with relaunch of Maggi noodle. Growth in India turned positive in June due to good progress with the Maggi noodle relaunch and favourable comparables.

Source: www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Mahindra Agri Solutions launches four variants of NuPro pulses in Mumbai

Mahindra Agri Solutions Limited (MASL), a 100 per cent subsidiary of Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd, launched four new varieties of NuPro pulses in Mumbai. The brand’s portfolio includes Chana Dal, Moong Dal, Masoor Dal and Urad Dal.

NuPro pulses are free from chemical ingredients; ensuring consumers of the purest form of pulses.

They are available across 4,300 outlets across Mumbai in packs of 500g and 1kg. We are confident that with Mahindra’s inherent farmer connect and robust quality processes classified under Mahindra Quality Standards (MQS), NuPro will become a preferred brand of pulses in the market,” he added.

Further, NuPro products comply with the most stringent food safety guidelines laid out by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The company also stamps its products with the MQS seal. Mahindra will soon expand its footprint in other related value-added products such as besan and increase in its presence to other neighbouring cities over the next three years.

Source: www.fnbnews.com

Tata Coffee hits 52-week high as Q1 profit more than doubles

Tata Coffee has rallied nearly 15 percent to INR 132, also its 52-week high on the BSE in intra-day trade, after its consolidated net profit more than doubles to INR 64 crore for the quarter ended June (Q1FY17), on the back of strong operational income. The Tata Group Company had registered a profit of INR 27 crore in the corresponding quarter last fiscal. Total income from operations of the company during the quarter under review increased 21 percent year to year at INR 426 crore against INR 352 crore in the corresponding quarter of previous fiscal. The raw material costs declined 14 percent to INR 125 crore in Q1FY17 from INR 146 crore in the year-ago quarter.

Source: www.business-standard.com

FSSAI makes draft standards on making instant noodles public

Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) has been putting public domain by draft of standards regarding manufacturing of instant noodles, specifying the ingredients used, quality and safety parameters.

Minister of state for health Faggan Singh Kulaste, says that “ the raw material can be prepared from wheat flour and/or rice flour and/or flour of any other cereals, millets, legumes and water as the main ingredients, with or without addition of spices”. Kulaste also says starches, dried fruits and vegetables, nuts, edible protein and egg powder may be added, if required. The standards also provide that the product shall be of good characteristic colour, appearance, texture, aroma and taste and shall

be free from added colour, undesirable taste, dirt, insect’s larvae and impurities or any other extraneous matter.

The limits for moisture, acid insoluble ash and acid value have also been specified in these standards.

The minister said in case of any violation of labelling requirement, action under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 and regulations they will be undertaken by the state authorities concerned.

Source: www.financial express.com

Kwality Milk Foods launches milkshakes, flavoured milk in three flavours

Kwality Milk Foods Ltd launched milkshakes in three flavours (vanilla, strawberry and chocolate), flavoured milk in three flavours (Badam Drink, Strawberry Delight and Chocolate Treat), UHT milk, canned drinks and malt-based foods. The company has a state-of-the-art UHT milk processing plant for manufacturing liquid milk. It is among the few companies which offer UHT milk in multi-layered pouch packs and multi-layered laminate packs. It has a shelf life of three months.

Kwality Milk Foods Ltd will soon roll out badam milk and flavoured milk in 200ml cans. It expects very substantial markets in India and the Middle East. The company has set up a plant to manufacture malt-based food under the brand name Molto. It intends to launch both brown and white malt products.

Source: www.fnbnews.com

At New Sardar Market, Surat APMC to set up fruit pulp processing plant

The Surat Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee will soon set up a processing plant

for fruit pulp at New Sardar Market in the city, which is slated to become operational in December 2017. The processing fruits will be such as mangoes (on a seasonal basis), guavas, papayas, pineapples and tomatoes. The pulp will be exported to companies based in the United Kingdom, the United States and the Middle East.”

The plant would be set up for benefit of the farmers. Most of the time, when the prices of these fruits

decrease, we will process them into pulp and export it, giving good returns to the farmers.” The facility will have a capacity of 72 metric tonne per day.

Source: www.fnbnews.com

Lavazza India launches Single Serve & Oro Aroma in Made in India range

Lavazza India extended its portfolio with the launch of two new products - Single Serve and Oro Aroma - in its Made in India range. Single Serve marks the company’s foray into the sachet segment in India, whereas Oro Aroma is an addition to Lavazza’s existing range of coffee beans. It has the sweet and fruity notes of dates, and can be served as an espresso, cappuccino or a latte macchiato.

Source: www.fnbnews.com

ICRISAT, SAARC arm sign pact
South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the International Crops Research
Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) have signed an agreement. SAARC’s Agriculture Centre (SAC) and ICRISAT would work on building a network to accelerate the use of technologies in agriculture in the eight South Asian countries. “ICRISAT and SAC will look for opportunities to carry out joint research in areas of mutual interest by sharing existing resources .This will contribute to the mediumterm food and nutritional security in the region,” said ICRISAT Director General David Bergvinson . The poor people of these areas are also the most vulnerable to climate change and variability.

The research would focus on developing technologies that can improve production and increase sustained productivity in stress prone areas. This will help smallholder farmers to adopt these new and improved technologies to increase food production and raise their incomes in areas of limited water.

Source: www.thehindubusinessline.com

NCDEX rejects 50% coriander on quality issues

The National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange have rejected 50 percent of the coriander bought

into its approved warehouse following complaints on quality by traders. In past one year, the exchange had to suspend trading in castorseed and chana due to sharp run up in prices and regulatory

issues.

The exchange has received complaints from traders about possibility of coriander of inferior quality being deposited at the exchange-approved warehouses. Following this, the exchange deployed its officials at various delivery locations to monitor quality of deposits and sensitise warehouse service provides to traders’ concerns. It also appointed an independent assayer to conduct quality audits of stocks in approved warehouses. The exchange has mandated a stringent process for accepting deposits at the approved warehouses, besides putting in place suitable controls to ensure that warehouses always adhere to norms.

Source: www.thehindubusinessline.com

IRRI wants Asian rice growers’ action plan

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is pushing for rice research and innovation collaboration among rice-growing countries in Asia, in time for an upcoming ASEAN conference on agriculture and forestry in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Dr. Matthew Morell, IRRI director general, says a 10-point action plan before agriculture leaders to ensure that rice remains available and affordable across the region will be introduced, especially amid the challenges brought about by climate change. The initiative aims to create technology collaboration between the countries that may improve the genetic resources of rice varieties. The venture also hopes to develop rice varieties that are adaptive to region-specific conditions of drought,

flooding and salinity.

In 2013, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh entered into a similar agreement which allowed the sharing of rice varieties between these countries. “Now is the time for ASEAN to make this commitment. A joint investment in rice breeding can achieve food security for the entire region as well as create inclusive economic growth in the rice industry,” says Morell.

Source: www.mb.com.ph

ICRISAT, IIMR, Karnataka govt to promote millets

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR) and the Karnataka Government will form a consortium along with other stakeholders to promote millets.

The consortium will work on product development and build a brand for Karnataka ragi (finger millet).They are highly nutritious and have health benefits, use less water and have high drought tolerance and increasing their market value benefits farmers,” says David Bergvinson, Director-General of ICRISAT. The stakeholders agreed to work on an action plan that would include forming a

public private consortium of partners. A more detailed road map will be planned over the next few months.

Source: www.thehindubusinessline.com

Pulses production may exceed 20 Mt in FY17
Pulses production may touch a record 20 million tonnes (Mt) in 2016-17 (highest since 1957) as
the sowing of pulses increased by 35.46 percent in the ongoing kharif season. Encouraged by better returns, farmers have diverted to pulses from rice, coarse grains and soybean in many states.

The rise of INR 600 per quintal in average pulse MSP has played a major role in the increase in area sown under pulse and eventually higher production. As per data from the agriculture department of India, area under pulses has reached 13.60 million hectares as against 10.05 million hectares in corresponding period of 2015. Rise in pulse MSPs and extraction of higher yields per hectare from sugarcane plantations through the use of technology and fertilisers has extensively helped these

agricultural gains.

About 67 percent of domestic pulse production takes place during the rabi season and an additional 13 Mt are expected to enter the market by the end of Q4 2016- 17 and beginning of next financial year. With domestic demand for pulses of about 24 Mt for the current year, a shortfall of 3.2 Mt is expected. India's agreement with African countries such as Mozambique for import of pulses will further adds five million tonnes of buffer stock to this aggregate.
Source:www.business-standard.com

FCI restricts wheat sale to bulk buyers

The Food Corporation of India has decided to restrict the upper limit of wheat a trader or bulk consumer may buy at a single e-auction in open market sales, from 5,000 tonnes till now to only 500 tonnes.

The aim is to ensure against hoarding by bulk buyers, with apprehension of a repeat on what had happened with pulses last year (surging prices and record high import of six million tonnes) and then for sugar, where a situation of plenty got converted to scarcity. As for wheat, part of the staple diet for so many Indians, its price in the Delhi market has risen by 16 percent since April. It appears the prices would stay firm, as supply is dwindling.

The stock with the government is falling and the new crop will come only in March. It is estimated to be better, due to enough rain in this kharif season (and if winter is also satisfactory). However, falling stocks will keep the market tight. Globally, as wheat prices are down 12 percent since April, the government will be opening the doors for import.

Source: www.Business-standard.com

Agri scientists identify 8 varieties of wheat for better yield

Agriculture scientists have identified eight varieties of wheat and one of barley across the country, says officials of the Haryana government. This was informed at the '55th All India Wheat & Barley Research Workers' meet. About 500 participants including scientists from all over the country took part in the four-day event. The aim of the event is to increase the productivity of wheat, the plenary session came with the recommendation of eight wheat varieties and one barley variety in various zones of India.

In North-Eastern Zone consisting of the states, namely, UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal (excluding hills), Orissa, Assam, two varieties - HD 3171 and K 1317 were identified on the basis of their superiority of yield along with resistance to leaf rust and leaf blight diseases. In the Central Zone's Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Kota and Udaipur divisions of Rajasthan and Jhansi division of UP, a pasta product making variety HI 8759 (d) was identified because of its superiority in yield

along with resistance to rusts and nutrient quality.

For Peninsular Zone comprising Maharashtra and Karnataka, a durum wheat variety - 3949 (d) and a variety for chapati making - HI 1605 were identified. For North Western Plain Zone, the variety -PBW 723 was identified because of resistance to yellow rust races over parental variety PBW 343. In addition, a barley variety -- DWRB 123 was identified due to superiority in yield and quality.

Source: www.business-standard.com

Urban Farming a Promising Avenue for Food- Nutrient Security and Health Benefits

Introduction:

Food and nutrition security issues have wide reaching implications for people and their environments,

particularly in developing countries. Among the existing strategies to address these issues, promotion of urban farming can be an important consideration. Urban farming has been widely looked as a potential solution to the food-crisis faced by the increasing population in the cities. As we are aware that urban poverty is on rise and hence a concern for the development planning. It is believed that the urban farming can provide the urban poor with food, nutrition and a potential source of some income for development. The practice of urban farming can help in improving the urban environment and

reducing pressure on agricultural land. Urban farming

is also associated with some potential disadvantages, including the associated health risks and implications for the environment. The usage of urban waste-water which may contaminate the farm produce and intensive irrigation might lead to the spread of malaria and water borne diseases, as well as threatening already limited water supplies. Soil erosion and the intensive use of fertilizers and pesticides might also present health risks to urban populations and damage the environment. Given the current policy drive to promote urban farming, there is aneed to understand its effects on urban populations and their environments.

The experience of growing food through urban farming can be correlated with its consumption. People with more experience in growing food through urban farming are more likely to eat more healthy food. Urban farming can build safe, healthy and green environments in neighborhoods, schools and abandoned areas.

The emergence of urban farming:

The twenty-first century has often been described as ‘the first urban century’. Unprecedented migration of a large number of populations from rural areas to cities has led to the rapid growth of the cities. Furthermore, the growing population over the next few decades will be absorbed by the cities in low and middle-income countries, thus increasing the pressure on urban resources that are often already exhausted. Among the most pressing needs of any urban agglomeration is the question of urban food security and ensuring the right to food. Urban populations depend on the reliable and stable availability of food products, as well as affordable and convenient access to them. High levels of urban income poverty paired with rising food prices, however, often make the formal urban food supply system unaffordable and inaccessible to the urban poor. An informal food supply system, consisting of street vendors, informal markets, home-based enterprises as well as urban farming, exists alongside formal interventions. These informal networks predominantly satisfy the urban poor’s demand for easily accessible – though not often cheaper – foodstuffs. Urban farming has been recognized as one of the most beneficial and promising means of informal food production. Although urban farming has been an integral part of urban livelihood throughout human history, the concept has become more prominent in 1980s. Urban farming is portrayed as an important intervention to improve urban food security.

Urban farming:

Urban farming is nothing but a system of food production located within the city or in the peri-urban areas of the cities that helps in growing and distribution of a diversity of food and non-food products, through recycling of material resources, products and services found in and around the urban area, and in turn supplying human and material resources, products and services largely to that urban area. Urban farming involves food production in community gardens, backyard gardens, vacant sites, green houses, compound walls, fences, rooftops, balconies, windowsills, tank bunds, etc. This also includes other important systems such as aquaculture, hydroponics and shade nets.

Important dimensions of urban farming:

Urban farming is thought to increase food security through two main pathways: improved access to food and increased income. Home-grown foodstuffs increase the total amount of food available to a household and thus can prevent hunger and malnutrition. At the same time the availability of fresh, home grown food products, in particular fruits and vegetables, advances the nutritional status of household members and thereby improves health. Direct access to food often allows particularly poor households to consume a more diverse diet than they would otherwise be able to afford. Especially, animal husbandry is believed to provide an important source of animal protein, which is commonly limited in poor households’ diets due to income constraints. Dietary diversity and kilocalorie

consumption are the two main aspects which influence the outcome of improved nutrition.

Urban farming is assumed to create an ‘opportunity cost’ – domestic producers can either save income, via the consumption of home-produced foodstuffs that are cheaper to produce than to buy from the market, and/or increase income by selling or trading their products. Addressing urban food insecurity, therefore requires a balancing act between urban farming (the opportunity cost of producing your own food) and more efficient urban food markets thus making the food more cheaper.

The latter may be a result of urban or peri-urban farmers’ contributions to the markets. Higher cash income at the household level is then positively linked to food security as households are believed to have greater access to food products. This relationship, however, to large extent, depends on the calorie elasticity of income that is, the extent to which a change in income leads to a meaningful change in calorie intake. Households with low-income elasticity, for example, might not experience improved levels of nutrition linked to an increase in income. Given the low input costs of urban farming it is believed to have great potential in addressing urban poverty and food insecurity. It is also important to note that the potential for urban farming to improve food security depends on the inefficiency within the current system to allow scope for improvements. It will not in all cases be more economically efficient for households to grow their own food as opposed to engaging in other

productive activities or buying food from the market.

Health benefits of urban farming:

The value of health benefits associated with urban farming is many times not acknowledged. Urban farming leads to lots of physical exercise and indirectly the exercise related health benefits. It ensures enhanced consumption of more fresh fruits and vegetables produced by urban farming because of easy access. There will be improved dietary knowledge, practice and habits among the people involved in urban food production. It can also promote cooking of healthy foods at homes. The most important aspect of urban farming can be saving in money spent on buying fruits and vegetables apart from other food products produced in urban farming. Urban farming contributes to community food security. Apart from food and nutrition security it can contribute for the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social health of the individuals and the communities involved in farming apart from its contribution to the family income realized through the sale of the produce. Some of the studies have shown that gardening can reduce the risks of obesity, coronary heart diseases, glycemic control, diabetes and occupational injuries. Gardening can expand little or intensive amounts of energy. Even moderate forms of garden exercise increase muscle strength and endurance in activity reduced persons, including pregnant women, cancer survivors, and those generally sedentary. Gardening

can be a preferred form of exercise across age, gender, and ethnicity. Working in the urban farming activities, especially gardening can bring benefits of enhanced mental health, mental outlook and personal wellness of individuals. Cultivation of variety of crops in the gardens can trigger illness prevention and healing responses. The field of horticulture therapy can promote plant human relationships to induce relaxation and to reduce stress, fear, anger, blood pressure and muscle tension. Another important aspect of urban farming in schools can bring health effects on students along with the enhanced skills of food production. These gardens can be the nontraditional learning laboratories for the students who become familiar with the art of growing various crops, especially fruits and vegetables which are critical to reducing obesity and chronic diseases. Such of the school garden programs can develop passion among the students for gardening and can teach the students the hands on skills and lifetime hobby that provides exercise, mental stimulation and social interactions. The

urban community gardens can help overcome social, health and environmental justice challenges. It can help in the safe and pleasant neighborhoods promotion through the active lifestyles and outdoor exercises that counteract the physical passively associated with obesity epidemic.

Critics of urban farming:

Apart from the perceived absence of empirical evidence on urban farming, researchers have also pointed to urban health risks associated with urban farming and the implications of these for the environment. The usage of waste water, for example, is feared to contaminate produced food and intensive irrigation might lead to the spread of malaria and water borne diseases, as well as lowering the water table. Soil erosion and the intensive use of fertilizers and pesticides might also present health risks to urban populations, as well as cause environmental harm. Furthermore, both largeand small-scale food productions are associated with deforestation, draining of water reservoirs, etc. Urban farming often excludes the most vulnerable groups in society through a lack of legal tenure, capital and policy support. Land use planning in urban areas often implies that once land that has been used for urban agriculture rises in value, the land is removed from agricultural use. Only if and when city administrations set aside dedicated pieces of land for urban agriculture with low opportunity costs to those intending to use it, will potential users be able to use it for improved access to food or in order to generate income

Jack – An Untapped Potential Fruit crop

Introduction

One of the most important fruit crop of the low land tropics of eastern and southern parts of India

which grows well without much care is Jackfruit. It is known by many names such as Panasam (Sanskrit); Kathal (Hindi, Bengali); Theibong (Manipuri); Panas(Oriya); Pala pazham (Tamil); Panasa (Telegu); Phanas(Marathi); Halasu (Kannada)etc. It plays a significant role in Indian agriculture and culture. It was cultivated in India 3,000-6,000 years ago.The jackfruit is believed to have originated in the rainforests of Western Ghats and is cultivated throughout the low lands in South and Southeast Asia.

It is the largest edible fruit with a weight ranging from 20-40kg. This fruit crop has very high potential, but it is yet to receive due attention at national and international levels. It is not generally cultivated in regular plantations and is mainly grown in homestead for domestic uses and also as a shade tree in coffee or cardamom plantations. It has capacity to fulfil many aspirations of human needs such providing food, timber, fuel, fodder, and medicinal and industrial products. The primary economic product of jack is the fruit. Jack is commonly grown in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Brazil, Jamaica, Myanmar, Singapore. Jack has spread to other parts of Southeast Asia. It is grown throughout Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. It’s also a popular fruit in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and several other parts of the world including Africa. In India, itis grown in Assam, W.B, Tripura, Bihar, UP, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Kerala.

Important Uses

The tree has several uses. The immature tender fruits and the seeds of ripe fruits are used for culinary

purposes. Ripe fruits are used for table purpose, nectars, dehydrated leathers, jelly and chips etc. Pickles are made from immature tender fruits. The skin of the ripened fruits and other wastes of the fruitsand leaves are the excellent source for cattle feeds. The flour of the seeds is mixed in variety of poultry feeds. The tree produces valuable timber that is used for making furniture, musical instruments, toys, carvings and crates. The unripe fruit (green), is remarkably similar in texture to chicken, making jackfruit an excellent vegetarian substitute for meat. Jackfruit seeds (nuts) can be roasted like chestnuts, or boiled. The fruit pulp is sweet and tasty and used as dessert or preserved in syrup. The fruits and seeds are also processed in a variety of ways for food and other products. Jackfruit value added products include chips, papads, pickles, ice-cream, jelly, sweets, beverages

like squash, nectar, wine and preserved flakes, etc. Additionally, jackfruit leaves, bark, inflorescence,

seeds and latex are used in traditional medicines. It is a nutritious fruit rich in carbohydrates, proteins,

potassium, calcium, iron, and vitamin A, B, and C. Due to high levels of carbohydrates; jackfruit supplements other staple foods in times of scarcity in some regions. The flesh of the jackfruit is starchy and fibrous, and is a source of dietary fibre. Research findings have indicated that the fruit has cancer-fighting properties. It is also known to help cure ulcers and indigestion. In spite of such a vast potential and usefulness, jackfruit remains an underutilized fruit species and deserves to be given

the needed thrust for research and development. The USDA nutrition chart of jack indicates its importance from nutrition point of view.

Varietal Wealth

The cultivated types are broadly classified into two groups such as (i) fruits with firm flesh and crispy in nature (ii) fruits with soft flesh and very juicy. Some types with local names like ‗Gulabi‘(rose scented), Champa, Hazari, Rudrakshi (small roundish fruits) are also available. A genotype (No.7) was selected from Uttar Pradesh, with moderate yields. A variety GKVK-1 and Swarna with superior quality fruits were released from Karnataka and Gumless jack, Muttan Varica from Kerala also found to perform better. Singapore or Ceylon Jack is remarkable for its early bearing in 21 /2 to 3 years and has medium in size (7-10 kgs) fruit. The flesh is sweet and crispy and the carpels are compacts, yellow and firm with strong aroma, the fruit contain about 80 seeds.

Strategies for promoting jack as a future fruit crop

In recent decades, a number of scientific and economic interests have emerged to promote and commercialize jackfruit products. The primary reason for this is the crop is already well-suited to the household and farming systems of small farmers vulnerable to food shortages and nutritional deficiencies. Diversification within these systems, through enhanced use of jackfruit could lead to increased production of new products which can be sold to raise income as well as to satisfy the subsistence needs. To address these issues, suitable approaches need to be adopted by policy makers, researchers, extension workers, food processors and traders to improve the crop.The research has to focus on post-harvest handling  processing and product development.The following important points need consideration. (a)Appropriate methods for post-harvest handling, processing and product development for local and regional markets should be developed. (b)At the local level, technology needs to be transferred to promote products, packaging techniques and better long distance transportation. (c) Current information on the possible efficacy of some of the remedies might be based upon some limited phytochemical screening and very limited amount of clinical testing greater efforts need to be made in this direction to explore and utilize in a therapeutic manner. (d)For jackfruit seed powder, pasting behaviour of jackfruit seed flour at different level of incorporation and utilization in non-bakery industry need to be investigated. (e)Outreach activities need to be strengthened for popularizing the utilization of jackfruit seed flour at household level. (f)A cumbersome process is involved in cutting and scooping out the bulbs/flakes and making it ready besides big size fruit which small family finds difficult to consume in a day. Hence, there is a need to develop efficient mechanical methods for cutting and scooping out the bulbs/flakes.

Apart from all above there is a great need to establish appropriate market linkages so that the jackfruit farmers can channelize the sale of their produce in an efficient and cost-effective manne

Overview of Horticulture Sector in Karnataka

Dr. Ashok S Alur

Introduction:

India remains home to the largest number of undernourished people in the world (217 million-17.5%

of its population) as of 2012. Hunger and malnutrition are, to a large extent, two sides of the same coin. According to UNICEF report about 48% of the children in India are malnourished. In the light of this focus, access to food has shifted from food security to nutrition security. This has pushed horticulture to take the driver seat in feeding the population with nutritious food. The horticultural crops are rich in essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals and can reduce the magnitude of malnourishment. The shifts in consumption patterns along with diversification, nutrition and safe food will determine the growth rates for horticulture. The shift in consumption pattern towards fruits and vegetables are expected to bring about increase in demand. To meet the growing demand, there will be pressure on supply of horticultural crops.

Healthy Soils For Healthy Life-Commemorating The International Year Soils Beyond 2015

Introduction

India is blessed with a great soil diversity soils. Taxonomically eight out of twelve Soil Orders in the

world exist in India. Due to variety of reasons the arable land available per head has been reduced by 50 percent from 0.34 ha (1950) to 0.16 ha (1998-99) and is shrinking further at an alarming rate due to the exponential growth of urbanization that commensurate with increasing proportion of lands unsuitable for cultivation of crops (Yadav, 2002).It is essential to promote the soil health in order to maintain the achievement already made in realizing self-sufficiency in food production.

United Nations Organization declared 2015 as the International Year of Soils with a great ambition of

enhancing awareness on soil health and promoting healthy soil management practices. The central and state governments, Indian Council of Agricultural Research and the farm universities in India planned several initiatives to enhance the awareness about soil health among the farmers, general public and the policy makers throughout the year with great zeal but there is a need to continue the same tempo beyond 2015.