Category Archives: Agriculture

Dutch expertise for UP to increase milk productivity, conserve water

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Lucknow :

Dairy farmers and workers at Kanpur leather clusters will now learn methods to increase milk productivity and conserve water respectively, by the technology and expertise being brought in by the Dutch government. As a continuation of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between Netherlands and the Uttar Pradesh (UP) government in 2016, two new projects were launched by the Dutch Ambassador on Monday.

The Dutch delegation including ten companies with an investment interest in the state will be meeting up with chief minister Adityanath Yogi in Lucknow on Tuesday.

n a joint co-operation between Dutch company PUM, and Tasty Dairy in Kanpur, a centre of excellence will be set up, targeting an increase in processing of butter, cheese and ghee.

“Currently India processes only 10% of its milk into products and we hope to train the industry in increasing that to atleast 30% which will increase employment and economy,” said Dutch ambassador Alphonsus Stoelinga, in a press interaction.

The second project launched on the day is a public-private partnership to clean up Ganges where methods for conservation of water both at source and in the processing of leather, will be shared with workers. “Atleast two workers in around 5000 tanneries will be given the skills that will indirectly affect around 2,50,00 people,” said ambassador Stoelinga. He added, “A lot of water is wasted in cleaning the animal hide off salt before processing can be done. If this is just rubbed off like powder,water can be saved.”

Pre-treatment of water before it reaches the treatment plant that would cut down on the toxic elements released into the river and using the process of electrolysis making lime usable and reusable for treating animal hide, are also part of the skills to be enhanced. Supported by the Sustainable Water Fund Programme (FDW) with a grant of over Rs 2.3 million euros, the private partner from NEtherlands is a chemical company, Stahl which will work with Indian partners including Ganga Pollution Control Unit, Central Leather Research Institute and the local industry association.

Netherlands also inaugurated the Consulate for Kingdom of Netherlands and appointed Sharat Thadani as the first Dutch Honorary Consul in Lucknow on Monday. Dutch ambassador Alphonsus Stoelinga termed Netherlands as the first country to have its consulate in Uttar Pradesh. “This is a big state with tremendous potential and issues with water, agriculture and environment that Netherlands with its expertise can help ease out,” Stoelinga said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Lucknow News / by Yusra Hussain / TNN / November 13th, 2017

UP pips Maha, is now top producer of sugar

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Records, All

Lucknow :

At a time when cane-growers in western UP, hit by demonetisation, missed the rabi season and were considering to quit farming, the fact that the state has surged past even Maharashtra to become the country’s top sugar producer might restore their confidence.

Maharashtra, which was so far the largest sugar producer, is struggling with around 40 lakh tonne from the earlier 110 lakh tonne a year because the water table sank alarmingly leading to drought like conditions. Majority of the sugar mills are shut and distressed and indebted cane-growers are reportedly facing near starvation.

The highest ever production estimation was revealed by a state delegation at a high-level meeting called by the Centre in Delhi two days ago to assess sugar production in the country. UP’s figures of around 80 lakh tonne surprised the Centre and representatives of other cane growing states as with this the state is all set to record the highest ever sugar production.

Talking to ToI, secretary general of UP Sugar Mills Association, Deepak Guptara said that the farmers deserve special mention for introducing varietal changes in the crop and researchers for the new high yielding crops, while the state government played a key role in implementation of the plans and programmes which resulted in another feather to UP’s cap. He, however, added that the climatic changes in Maharashtra were also a factor in sharp decline in sugar production in that state.

With the highest sugar production in UP this year, to be declared officially by March end, the sugar industry is all set for a revolution as cane and related activities are to get a boost and its benefits are to be harvested by the farmers, mainly nearly 35 lakh sugarcane growers.

The record production of sugar will not only stabilise the price of the product in the market, but would also result in timely payments to cane-growers, even as sugar mills would profit from selling more. In the previous cane year, the state had produced 68.55 lakh tonne. Guptara shared, “We are selling the sugar substantially in sugar deficient states this time.”

The record production in sugar is linked to increase of sugar recovery in sugarcane from around 9 per cent till last year to more than 10 per cent this year. It also got a push with growth in productivity from 59 tonne per hectare to 67 tonne per hectare. Moreover, the government has been able to overcome the barrier of transfer of hybrid and high quality seeds of sugar from lab to land.

The government is confident that a record sugar production will not only invite more investment in sugar mills’ expansion and modernization programmes, but also restore the faith of cane-growers in cane cultivation.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Lucknow News / by Subhash Mishra / TNN / February 10th, 2017

IVRI researcher develops safer, more effective vaccine against livestock disease

Agriculture, Education, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Bareilly :

A research scholar from the city-based Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) has developed a safer, more effective version of the currently available vaccine against brucellosis, a disease that inflicts 20% of livestock in India.

Brucellosis causes infertility and reproductive disorders among livestock. Pallab Chaudhury, head of the genetic engineering laboratory at IVRI, told TOI, “The disease is caused by the brucella bacteria. It occurs primarily in livestock, including cattle, buffaloes, sheep and goats. Brucellosis can also be transmitted to humans through contaminated milk and unpasteurised dairy products. In humans, it causes fever, headache, joint pain and sweating.”

Chaudhury said the modified version of the vaccine is safer and provides greater immunity against the disease. “This has been proved in a laboratory model. The research scholar who developed the modified version, Jonathan Lalsiamthara, was conferred the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Research in Agriculture last month for his work. However, we will continue to pursue research on the vaccine to establish that it can be administered to cattle and buffaloes,” he said.

“Lalsiamthara, who pursued his PhD under my guidance, generated brucella with defective lipopolysaccharide (LPS) through genetic manipulation as part of his research. The modified organism is less virulent than the original bacteria,” said Chaudhury.

Chaudhury said the vaccine available at present is not very safe and cannot be used in adult animals. “A project has been under way at the genetic engineering laboratory for developing a safer and more potent vaccine.

It has been funded by the department of biotechnology.”

Lalsiamthara’s research paper was published in a reputed international journal. He is currently pursuing his post-doctoral research at Chonbuk National University, South Korea. IVRI director R K Singh congratulated Lalsiamthara for upholding the institute’s tradition of excellence by winning the Jawaharlal Nehru award.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Bareilly / Priyangi Agarwal / August 16th, 2016

UP sets world record for planting 5cr trees in 24 hours

Agriculture, Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, World Opinion

Lucknow :

Uttar Pradesh now holds a world record for planting maximum, 5 crore, trees in a single day. On Saturday, Guinness gave the certificate to state government for planting 5core trees in 24 hours on July 11.

It was on July 11 that more than 5.3 crore trees were planted at 6,166 plantation sites, and 81,000 hectare, in 80 forest divisions of UP. The campaign started with chief minister Akhilesh Yadav planting two Verna trees at his residence.

While chief minister planted trees in Kanpur dehat, SP president Mulayam Singh Yadav planted eight saplings at Kukrail forest division.

Students and teachers, people from different communities, PAC battalion, army jawans, NCC cadets, farmers participated in the plantation drive apart from ministers and MLAs all over the state.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Lucknow / by Neha Shukla / TNN / August 13th, 2016

​Bijnor 1st dist in UP to upload land records online

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Records, All

Bijnor:

The district has become the first in the state where the entire land revenue record has gone online. District magistrate B Chandrakala inaugurated the facility on Monday. According to officials, the facility will not only facilitate the procurement of land records online but will also go a long way in reducing corruption in public offices.

The facility will make purchase and sale of land more transparent and accountable in the district has begun on Monday. Now, farmers of the district can get khasra and khatauni (record) of their land easily. This record will be verified online through digital signature in just a few minutes.

There are five tehsils, including Bijnor, Chandpur, Nagina, Dhampur and Najibabad, in the district, and about three lakhs farmers who are land holders.

Inaugurating the facility, district magistrate B Chandrakala said, “Earlier, farmers had to face many problems to get land records and get them verified by authorities concerned. Besides, it took months to transfer land to the farmer’s name who bought land from other farmers. There was always the possibility of being cheated by the land seller as in the meantime the seller sometimes took bank loan by mortgaging the sold land thereby creating problems for the buyer. This would often lead to a dispute between the buyer and the seller. But after digitizing all land records and putting them online, the sold land will be transferred to the name of buyer immediately. Farmers can not only get their land records but also can verify their such records online by using digital signature of respective authorities. Now, it would be easier to take loan from banks as verification of the land record can be done immediately.”

And if anyone gets the record of a particular plot of land, the real owner will receive an SMS on his mobile phone. Respective departments are collecting mobile numbers and Aadhaar cards from all land holders for this purpose.
“The district has become the first in the state where the entire land revenue record has gone online. Farmers can take their land records from any public service centre or download the same using any computer. The facility has begun in the district on Monday,” said the district magistrate.

Bhartiya Kisan Union district president said, “It is a great effort to make purchase and sale of land more transparent. In addition to this, farmers can get their land record easily and verify it online by using digital signature of officials.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Meerut / by Harveer Dabas, TNN / June 27th, 2016

NBRI cures, restores Parijat to pure original glory

Agriculture, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

Lucknow:

The ancient Parijat tree in Barabanki district is now free of ailments. The treatment administered by the CSIR lab, National Botanical Research Institute, has made the tree healthy again.

On Wednesday, D K Upreti, officiating director, NBRI, handed over the report containing recommendations on how to preseve the generations-old entity to the forest department. Though NBRI had administered chemical treatment to the tree initially, it has now recommended a microbial biopesticide (Bacillus based inoculants) to be applied on the trunk and leaves of the tree thrice in a year to keep it clean of infections. NBRI also gave Bacillus packets to forest department.

“When we visited the site and studied the samples of the tree and soil we found a huge number of bacterial and fungal infections but now it has been treated and cured completely,” said NBRI’s senior principal scientist S K Tiwari.

NBRI, a CSIR laboratory, was brought on board by the forest department to study the condition of the tree after TOI highlighted how it is wilting and is in dire need of conservation. Scientists had collected samples of the tree’s healthy tissue, wood from the affected portion and soil to find the cause. The sample analysis showed the tree was infested with multiple bacteria and fungi.

The tree was put under treatment in February and administered chemical therapy twice. The tree has a small temple at its base and devotees, for years, have been offering water and sweets as prasad there. Right at the spot it had developed a large opening in its trunk.

Though the tree is being looked after by the forest department as less than an acre land on which the tree exists in forest area, the treatment by the department along with regular spraying of disinfectants proved inefficient and insufficient to preserve the tree.

Parijat (Adansonia digitata) is an exotic tree, an African specie with peculiar features. It bears only flowers and no fruits, the reason it is difficult to grow anywhere. Its white flowers turn golden after a certain period. Barabanki’s Parijat is mythically believed to have come out of the ‘samudra manthan’ (churning of ocean) and brought to earth by Arjun from the garden of Indra for his mother Kunti to offer to Lord Shiva and seek victory of Pandavas over Kauravas. A few years ago, the Centre had released two postal stamps on this tree. “Parijat is said to be ‘kalpvrikhsh’ or the wish-fulfilling tree,” said a priest at the site of the tree.

Experts from Narendra Dev University of Agriculture and Technology, Faizabad too studied the cause of the tree’s decay after Barabanki district administration sought help in 2012.

The age of the tree is anybody’s guess. According to forest officers, it’s only when one cuts the trunk of the tree and counts its rings that it can be known how old it is.

Parijat is ‘top-drying’, meaning its branches dry from the top. It sheds leaves in winters and during May-June new leaves sprout, so for six months it is green and rest of the year barren.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Lucknow / Neha Shukla, TNN / June 02nd, 2016

Azamgarh Tulsi farmers get international exposure

Agriculture, Business & Economy, World Opinion

Lucknow :

Tulsi farmers of village Haripur in Azamgarh on Friday hosted a gathering of international guests when 12 international distributors of Organic India dropped into their village. The international delegation experienced, first hand, village life and the experience of organic farming.

Following a presentation on the company’s humble beginnings by chief operating officer, Balram Singh – of three farmers who started farming on three acres of land – Singh talked about how the company now works with 300 marginal farmers across 400 acres of land, in Azamgarh, and with more than 2000 farmers across over 10, 000 acres of certified organic land.

With guests from France, New Zealand, Norway, Dubai, Czech Republic, Australia, Bulgaria and Singapore the meeting, some said, provided an opportunity for those working on the ‘front line’ of sales and those growing tulsi and other herbs to understand the importance of each other’s roles.

This also gave our international distributors firsthand experience that their efforts make a big difference to the lives of small and marginalised farmers in rural areas,” said Balram Singh, COO, Organic India.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Times of India / News Home> City> Lucknow / by Swati Mathur, TNN / May 27th, 2016

In UP’s parched Bundelkhand, one farmer scripts a success story, sets example

Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Nature

A farmer stands in his field in the village of Bangaye on the outskirts of Tikamgarh district in Madhya Pradesh (AFP Photo)
A farmer stands in his field in the village of Bangaye on the outskirts of Tikamgarh
district in Madhya Pradesh (AFP Photo)

Banda :

In Uttar Pradesh’s parched Bundelkhand region, one farmer is scripting a success story, and has set an example in a region ravaged by farmers’ suicide and drought. Locals and activists are now approaching Prem Singh to find out how his practices have transformed his farm into a lush area.

Bundelkhand, according to the estimates of NGO Parmarth Samaj Sevi Sansthan, has seen 113 farmers’ suicides since January 2016. In the past 10 years, the region has seen drought for four times, and 70% farmers suffer from the ravages of crop failure.

Singh, 53, is among the very few farmers in a land with plummeting water tables to have an orchard, processing units and flourishing livestock across his 32-acre farm. What Singh has been practicing since 1989 was recommended by National Institute of Disaster Management in 2014, “Emphasis should be on diversification – minor crops and animal husbandry.”

Bundelkhand, which comprises 13 districts — seven in Uttar Pradesh (Jhansi, Jalaun, Lalitpur, Hamirpur, Mahoba, Banda and Chitrakut) and six in Madhya Pradesh (Datia, Tikamgarh, Chattarpur, Damoh, Sagar and Panna) — suffers from meteorological (rainfall much below average), hydrological (below average water availability) and agricultural drought.

In this scenario, Banda activist Sanjay Singh said Prem Singh’s model of diversification can be replicated by small farmers in times of drought. “He has come across as a model farmer in the current agricultural and rural scenario, and now he should make it extensive,” said Sanjay, talking to TOI.

Prem Singh has processing units and has diversified into organic farming, orchards and animal husbandry in order to sustain his farm. Today 22% of the people in his village have an orchard on their farms. “Their earnings have increased and so has their yield,” he said.

On his farm one can see full water bodies, fruit-laden trees — which have improved the risk-taking capacity of the farmer — and healthy cattle, which in turn provide manure for organic farming. The quality of the soil continues to be good as he has access to natural fertiliser.

Prem works on the land with three of his brothers, and the distinctive features of his model are crop rotation, animal husbandry, organic farming and food processing. “I have units so that dal can be used for daliya, mustard seeds for oil, fruits can be processed into pickle and murabba and milk can be processed into ghee,” said the farmer, who also authored a book on his system, titled ‘Avaratansheel kheti’.

It has been an eventful journey for him, involving learning from his mistakes. “I maintained a notebook on farming, and realized that 70% of my money was going into paying interests, chemical fertilisers, electricity bill and diesel. Then I thought of doing something that would bring me out of this vicious cycle and of the risk of crop failure.”

Right now, Prem is busy with German activist Ulrike Reinhard, who works in Panna on ways to solve the water scarcity problem of that MP region. Prem said, “This May I will be visiting Panna to meet the villagers and guide them on revitalization of natural springs.”

Reinhard said, “For villagers it is easy to take notes from one among them. He will be talking in their language.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Lucknow / by Eram Agha / TNN / May 01st, 2016

‘Bael seeds can help fight diabetes’

Agriculture, Nature, Science & Technology

Allahabad:

Scientists of Allahabad University led by Geeta Watal have found that the seeds of bael have qualities to fight diabetes.

Those suffering from diabetes often refrain from having drinks made from the pulp of ‘bael’ (aegle marme-los), oblivious of the fact that the seeds of this fruit are beneficial in controlling diabetes and also bring down cholesterol level.

In their research paper published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, the scientists have reported that the extract from bael seeds bring down the level of blood glucose up to 60.84% and that too just after a fortnight of consumption of the extract.

The extract was derived after drying the seeds and making its powder.

The powdered extract was boiled in water and administered to rats. When a chronic diabetic rat was administered the dose of 250 mg for 14 days, its FBG level came down by 64.84% and the urine sugar came down by 75% as compared to the pre-treatment level.

The seeds of bael have also shown promising results in terms of benefiting the patients suffering from high blood pressure as the extract of this seed reduces the level of cholesterol.

“Our results show that the total cholesterol (TC) came down to 25.49% and the high density lipoprotein (HDL) increased by 33.43% and low density lipoprotein (LDL) decreased by 45.77%.

It means that patients suffering from high blood pressure are likely to get benefited by consuming the extract,” Watal said.

With mercury soaring high, sale of drinks like ‘panna’ and ‘bael sharbat’ is on the rise.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Allahabad / April 17th, 2016

AU scholar turns flower waste into scented dyes

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Education, Science & Technology

Allahabad:

A research scholar of the Allahabad University (AU) has created scented dyes from the petals of marigold and rose dumped outside city temples. The dyes have been accepted for patent and the research could help check pollution in rivers where tons of flowers are thrown after puja.

The dyes — yellow from marigold and pink from rose — have been prepared by Manpreet Kalsy, a research scholar under head of the department Prof Sangeeta Srivastava. The patenting authority has issued temporary patent numbers 27/DEL/2015 and 253/DEL/2015 for dyes prepared from marigold and rose respectively.

“The two scented dyes have been prepared under controlled lab conditions and tested on silk. They could be used for a number of times after being prepared and the dyed fabric would retain the fragrance for over six months,” said Manpreet.

“Huge quantity of flowers are offered in temples daily and later dumped in rivers, adding to environmental pollution. This gave us the idea of utilising used flowers. Our research is aimed at extracting natural colour from this huge quantity of floral waste,” said Prof Srivastava.

Natural dyes are one which are eco-friendly, biodegradable and non-toxic in nature. Moreover, the dyes prepared by us are antioxidant and antimicrobial in nature, she added.

Manpreet, a junior research fellow (JRF) who has done this work along with her guide, said: “The samples for preparing these dyes were specifically collected from the major temples of the city besides the banks of the Ganga because it was this menace that we wanted to handle. We are confident that at least one of the major sources of river pollution, ie, marigold and rose, could be used for colouring silk.”

Silk could be the fabric of choice as it is used for bridal dresses and scented dye would add to the fragrance, she added.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Allahabad / Raveev Maini / TNN / April 12th, 2016