Harvesting of fish and prawn of a polyculture pond in Mysore
source of income to surrounding local people. Based on the standard design practice and laboratory studies, an effluent treatment plant and a fish pond were constructed. Experimental protocol was standardized on fish culture and a low-cost extruder based fish feed production unit fabricated. Fortified fish feed pellets with essential minerals and vitamins have been tested on fish and performance of standardized fish feed formulation was studied.
Training programmes on feed preparation was organized. The demonstration of technology was undertaken for selected youths belonging to SC/ST weaker sections to train them in wastewater aquaculture and value addition of by-products from a typical parboil rice mill industry.
Animal Husbandry
Project was undertaken to train farmers on various aspects of brooding, hatching, production and reproduction using locally available materials in Mizoram. Quail farming has been popularized among the tribal community and school children of Mizoram, as it is easy for them to rear and earn.
Trained beneficiaries started rearing Quails through adoption of technology packages through erection of bamboo housing and maintaining sex ratio. Pig rearing is also very common in Mizoram and some farmers are rearing both quails and pig together to earn extra income.
Organic Farming
Aspects on organic farming through dissemination of
know-how for on farm fertility management, vermiculture and it's enrichment was undertaken in Rajastan through training programs conducted using agriculture waste, crop residues & cow dung. Around 6000 farmers were trained on various bio-dynamic preparations and composting. Linkage established with the exporters to enable direct market of cotton, banana, turmeric and pulses. Farmers fetches around 20-25% additional revenue for their organic certified produce. In Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh, SHGs formed are creating awareness on productive use of agricultural waste for vermicomposting and mushroom cultivation and its advantages in income generation, employment, enhancing food nutritive value and pollution abatement. Training programmes on compost production were undertaken at Kerala benefiting around 400 farmers. A vermi-mela was organized for technology dissemination to the farmers at Aligarh for two days, which was attended by farmers and district agriculture extension officials.
Biocontrol Agents
Popularization programme on use of Trichoderma spp. was undertaken at National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow to educate and train farmers using cheap agricultural wastes. Mass multiplication of Trichoderma was undertaken using locally available raw material, protecting high value crops against several soil-borne diseases. Packets of mother culture of potential strain of Trichoderma were distributed to the farmers along with the extension material.
Mushroom Cultivation
The activity was promoted as an alternate income generation source in Tamil Nadu utilizing locally available agriculture residues, coir pith, mat, banana dried leaves, handloom waste and paddy straw available at the villages. Various aspects on mushroom cultivation such as spawn preparation, selection of raw materials, bed preparation, harvesting, processing and sale of mushroom were demonstrated. Around 500 beneficiaries were benefited through cultivation of mushrooms, product preparation, commercialization and marketing etc.
The training programmes on oyster mushroom cultivation were undertaken for SC/ST and Weaker Quail farming by tribal folk in Mizoram
section in the Western Dun Valley to benefit around 234 people from 18 villages of Sahaspur Block of DehraDun. A commercial spawn production unit was established and marketing linkages were established. Doon Valley Mushroom Cooperative is helping the beneficiaries in marketing the produce in the local market. The beneficiaries are earning a good income through sale of their produce in addition to consumption in their daily meals to improve their nutritional status.
Medicinal Plants and Plantation Crops
Aspects on biodiversity conservation were pursued to improve the livelihood of communities dependent on forests. High yielding varieties viz. large cardamom, black pepper, ginger were introducted for farmers and cultivation was promoted in Trichy district. Self-help groups were established for successfully producing and selling the compost.
Farmers were trained on scientific cultivation of medicinal plants, organic farming, water management techniques & marketing strategies.
Farmers realized lucrative income through cultivation of medicinal plants as compared to conventional cash crops. Sensitization programme was undertaken for SHGs to introduce non-timber forest produce collectors and herbal healers at Tirupati District, Andhra Pradesh. Model for development of herbal medicines and its cultivation in kitchen gardens were demonstrated to identified SHGs. Training programmes were conducted on herbal medicine preparation, nutritive foods, sustainable harvesting techniques and cultivation of MAPs. Model manufacturing units are being established for manufacturing licensed medicines through tribal involvement. Integrated horti-forest herb cultivation was undertaken in Nagalnd and Manipur through transfer of technology on cultivation of citronella, lemongrass, patchouli, bamboo and mushroom to benefit around 250 people.
Demonstration units on essential oil, bamboo and m u s h r o o m c u l t i v a t i o n w e r e e s t a b l i s h e d . Identification of superior germ plasm and selection of plus trees after extensive survey in different parts of Madhya Pradesh was undertaken. Trees of Aonla, Achar, Harra, Baheda and Mahua are being used far clonal propagation. Seedlings of these species have been produced and budding were successfully carried out. Flowering and fruiting in Mahua was
achieved in one year old clonal plants through clonal propagation technique. Successful epicotyls grafting in Mohua was achieved. Training programmes on activation of bud material and collection of activated bud were imparted to the villagers. The knowledge of aftercare of clonal plants was also given to them through field trainings. Around 6000 clonal plants were distributed to 218 tribal beneficiaries.
Programmes for Women
During the year, 186 new proposals received (April-November). Out of these, 20 were supported after their evaluation through three tier system. The Task Force reviewed 62 completed as well as ongoing projects. Over 16,000 women benefited though these projects under three major categories viz. (i) e c o n o m i c e m p o w e r m e n t u s i n g s o f t e r biotechnologies, (ii) awareness on nutrition and health including importance of traditional food/healthcare and (iii) technical empowerment including capacity building, developing training modules etc. Over 8,000 women were benefited directly through biotech packages for floriculture, horticulture, cultivation of mushrooms, medicinal and aromatic plants, biofertilisers, organic farming, vermicomposting, sericulture, bee keeping, aquaculture, animal husbandry, poultry farming and value added food items. Approximately similar numbers benefited indirectly through programmes for human health and awareness generation.
Highlights of the projects are given below : Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
Approximately 800 women from J&K, Uttaranchal, Herbal plantation production through nursery
Chandigarh, Gujarat and Karnataka states were trained in cultivation practices of medicinal plants of commercial importance as well as conservation of local species. They were also trained in preparation of semi-processed products. Major achievement of some these projects are :
(i) Over 150 women from Lolab valley & Tangmarg were trained in cultivation, semi-processing & value addition of four medicinal plants. These women (are selling the semi-processed items in local market) while growing their own plants in their nurseries and are earning about Rs. 200/- per month/person.
(ii) In another project, supported through S&T Council, Chandigarh, over 230 women were trained in cultivation of Amla along with lemon grass as an inter-cropping covering an area of about 25 ha.
Interested women were also trained in preparation of Amla products for which marketing has been established through two agencies namely Unnati Biofresh and Sunstar Overseas Ltd. (At Supi, Uttaranchal, women were trained in vegetative propagation of high yielding variety of potato (Kufri jyoti and Kufri chipsona) and French bean)
(iii) Through TERI, unit at Supi Uttaranchal women were trained in Orgainc cultivation of digitalis, swertia, oregano and lavender as the commercial crops for medicinal and aromatic importance.
(iv) A training cum demonstration programme was arranged through Zandan Foundation for tribal people of South Gujarat. Interested 41 women were trained in cultivation of Kauncha, Ashwagandha, Senna and Kalmegh.
(v) Through NGO, Rishi Herbal, Bangalore, 208 women have cultivated Coleus, Vinca, Patchouli, Solanum and Artmisia at their own land, covering an area of 45 acres.
(vi) In an attempt to conserve and propagate local plants of medicinal and aromatic importance, a project was supported to H.P.K.V., Palampur.
Through this project, 23 training camps were organized in Lahaul Spiti distt. and over 330 beneficiaries were trained in cultivation practices for Aconitum heterophyllum, Picrorhiza kukrrooa, colchicum luteeum and Valeriana jatamansi species.
Women were also encouraged for entrepreneurship through cultivation of aromatic plants and their processing. Over 700 women from Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh were trained in cultivation of Patchouli, Lavender and
Women participating in medicinal plants cultivation
aromatic grasses. These women are getting good return through sale of semi-processed essential oils procured at oil extraction units set up at their own land or community land. The high lights are as follows
(i) At G.B. Pant University of Agriculture &
Technology, Uttaranchal, tissue culture techniques has been perfected from leaf & nodal explants of Patchouli. Over 300 women were trained in complete technology including cultivation, harvesting and oil extraction. An extraction unit has been installed for the beneficiaries and market linkage established for their product.
(ii) Under a roject supported at HRG, Shimla, over 100 women from 23 families of two blocks of Mandi distt. were selected for training in organic cultivation of lavender. They were provided with 50,000 plants raised in nursery covering an area of 5 ha. The beneficiaries were also trained in rearing those plants and collecting the spikes for Lavender processing. Individual beneficiary has been able to earn around Rs. 3000-4000/- per month through half ha; of land.
(iii) In another project supported to an NGO, at Bhopal, over 300 women belonging to SC/ST category were selected from 6 villages. They were trained in cultivation of aromatic grasses and oil extraction. A low cost extraction unit was also set up.
Women are earning approx Rs. 200/- per month through sales of essential oils of mint and lemon grass.
Floriculture
Over 300 women from Shillong, Itanagar and Chandigarh were trained in complete packages of h a r d e n i n g o f m i c r o p r o pa g a t e d p l a n ts o f commercially important varieties of orchid viz.
Dendrobium fimbriatum var. oculatum, D.
longicornu, D.lituiflorum, C. pendulum, C. aloifolium and C. giganteum in their backyard. The beneficiaries were also trained in vegetative propagation of local species and post-harvest technologies. Also 100 women from Papum Pare Distt., Itanagar were trained in establishing hardening facilities using local resources such as bamboo.
Horticulture
In an attempt to provide quality hybrid rice seed to the farmers, a project was supported to TNAU, Coimbatore, where the technology had already been perfected. Through this project, about 200 progressive farm women were trained in cultivation practices at their field covering an area of 4 ha; about 5000 kg of CORH-3 hybrid rice seed was produced which has provided additional profit of more than Rs.
10,000/ ha.
In another project supported to TERI, New Delhi, women from Supi, Uttaranchal were trained in vegetative propagation of high yielding variety of potato (Kufri jyoti and Kufri chipsona) and French bean.
Organic Farming / Vermicompost
Organic farming has been taken in a big ways This sector not only deals with application of various bio-agents but production of biopesticides, biofertilizers based on local strains and vermicomposting.
Thousand of women are benefited with several projects supported throughout the country. A examples are as follows :
(i) A formulation of bio-control agent (Pseudomonas fluorescens + Trichoderma harzianum and P.
fluorescens + Paecilomyces lilacinus) developed at Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessarghata was tested at farmers field. About 300 rural farmers were trained to produce the formulation for the treatment of seeds, nursery substrate to be used for raising the seedlings of the horticultural crops in the polyhouses, nursery soil mixture and nursery beds in the open field conditions.
(ii) In another project supported to Sri Padmavati Mahila Vishwavidyalaya, Tirupati, 320 members from 8 villages of 3 mandals of Chittur Distt. were trained in preparation and marketing of phosphate solubilising biofertilizer enriched vermicompost. The individual beneficiary is earning around Rs.570/-.
(iii) Through JSS Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Suttur, Karnataka, farmers were trained in large scale production of vermicompost enriched with vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM). The farmers were educated on the benefit of organic cultivation of various vegetable and horticulture crops. 30
vermicompost units were set up at beneficiarie's land. The trained beneficiaries are selling their surplus vermicompost @ Rs. 3/kg and are able to earn additional income.
(iv) A low cost biofertiliser production unit has been set up at Kuttathavaranpathi for the benefit of farmers from 8 villages under Rediarchatram block through a project supported at MSSRF, Chennai.
(v) At UAS, Dharwad, 350 women from 12 villages were trained in vermicomposting. 70 units were set up at beneficiaries site. A hatchery for rearing the quality worms Eudrilus euginae, was set up at demonstration unit. The beneficiaries were encouraged to use their vermicompost at their farm.
The surplus vermicompost was purchased by the University @ Rs. 2.5/kg and were demonstrated in various horticultural crops like pomegranate. On an average each family is earning Rs. 500-2000/- per
month through the sale of additional vermicompost.
(vi) Under a project at College Damoh, MP, over 1000 women were educated on the benefit of vermicompost, recycling of agrowaste and organic cultivation of vegetables and horticultural crops. Out of these, 200 beneficiaries from 8 villages were trained in production and application of Vermicompost, They were provided earthworms and assisted in setting up Vernicompost units at their land. The individual beneficiary is now earning Rs.
200-400 per month through the sale of compost.
(vii) In another project supported at Bhubaneshwar through an NGO, 500 women were trained in converting coir pith to vermicompost, 5 demonstration unit set up at beneficiaries land and market linkages established after making 25 SHGs of trained women.
(viii) At Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Anantpur, 40 women were trained in seed collection, drying, pulverizing and collecting neem oil by cold compression method. A neem processing unit has been installed at sub-centres. The beneficiaries have been trained to operate these units. On an average each beneficiary is earning around Rs. 6,500/- per month through the sale of neem oil.
Mushroom Cultivation
About 150 women from Tarra and Dondekhurd villages around Raipur were trained in cultivation and processing of oyster and milky mushroom. Out of these, 13 women were trained in spawn production technology. These women have established spawn production unit at Panchayat's land and are selling their product under the name of Swa Shakti Samiti.
The unit
has earned Rs. 68,000/- in six months.
Through Manipur Science & Technology Council, a spawn production unit for Pleurotus and demonstration units for Oyster mushroom including few local species were set up. Selected 55 women were trained in mushroom cultivation including identification of edible variety, mushroom diseases and pests maintenance of spawn, harvesting and marketing. On an average each family is earning approximately Rs. 600/- per month by selling fresh mushroom @ Rs. 50 per kg. At TBGRI, Thiruvananthapuram, 25 strains of Pleurotus were collected from different places throughout Kerala state. They were screened for better yield, their availability throughout the year using RAPED and ITSRFLP methods. Seven training-cum-awareness fair were organized, over 10,000 people participated in these 3- day fair, out of which 2000 women were trained in Pleurotus cultivation at three satellite units. They were provided with quality spawn and assisted in setting up their units. 75 women are selling fresh mushroom @ Rs. 100/kg in local market.
Bee Keeping
A project was supported to an NGO, HESCO, Dehradun to promote entrepreneurship through bee keeping. Under this project about 400 women from two different altitude were selected and low cost wodden hives were introduced for lower altitude and upgraded wall hives in higher altitude. The lantana hives became very popular among the beneficiaries for its being cheaper as well as availability of the lantana in the region. They were also trained in value-addition like extraction, purification, packaging for honey. The interested farmers were also trained in lantana box preparation. The trained women have already started their units and are selling their products in local market @ 150/- .
Poultry and Livestock Farming
In an attempt to strengthen livestock industry through biotechnology, projects were supported for improved production and productivity for cattle a project was supported to Veterinary College & Research Institute, Namakkal. A total of 200 women from 10 villages were trained in detection of mastitis and their control, low cost feed for better milk yield in cattle.
Interested women were also trained in preparation of anti helminthic mineral blocks for sheep and goats.
These women are earning good amount through the sale of these mineral blocks @ Rs. 35/- each. Also training was provided to selected women in entrepreneurship through poultry farming including low cost hatchery, feed and disease aspect. In order to strengthen the animal feed sector through protein and vitamin rich azolla, a project was supported to an NGO at NARDEP, Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari. Under this project 1000 women were trained in low cost technology for azolla production and its application as supplement animal feed. The project had shown significant improvement in production & productivity in poultry & cattle. Over 1000 women from Mutharasanallur, Pirattiyur, Nachikurichi, Maruthanddakurichi and Melavaaladi villages of Tiruchirapally were trained on desi chicken rearing and incubation using custimised hatchery unit. Out of these 100 women have set up a small poultry farm and are earning Rs. 35,000/- per annum.
Aquaculture
Through College of Fisheries, Mangalore, a dedicated demonstration facility has been installed at Bengre village having 16 racks with the capacity of 20 kg fish each and dry fish storage cabinets.
Approximately 140 women were trained in various activities for maintaining a fish village by these fisherwomen. About 40 women were trained in hygienic fish drying and packaging, 37 women in aquarium fish breeding and feed pellet making, 20 women in Laboratory analysis of dry fish, 20 women in laboratory analysis of water & ice and 26 women in handling computers. An attempt to train women in entrepreneurship through ornamental fish three projects were supported at T.N., Orissa and West Bengal. Over 700 women were trained in the preparation of pelleted fish feed, glass tanks, mother
aquarium, backyard breeding tanks for commercial and local of ornamental fish. The trained women are earning good amount through these projects.
Sericulture
Under project for economic empowerment to women in through Sericulture projects are supported at Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal. A total of 130 women were trained in organic cultivation of Mulberry, rearing of silkworm including disease management. They were also trained in preparation of various decorative items using the cocoon waste for additional income through the by-product of silk industry.
Healthcare
Through a project supported to Mahavir Hospital, Hyderabad, attempts were made to create awareness on lead toxicity to women and children working in paints or batteries industries. The blood samples from these population were screened for chemical, biochemical and clinical data. The affected population were also provided counseling and treatment. Kowing the fact that Vitamin D deficiency affects more to growing children and women a project was supported SGPGIMS & KGMC, Lucknow, Through the project, 200 girls from 6 villages were selected on random bases. Their detailed health status and serum alkaline phosphatase (SAP) level recorded. The affected population was advised to take 600 unit of calcium in
Through a project supported to Mahavir Hospital, Hyderabad, attempts were made to create awareness on lead toxicity to women and children working in paints or batteries industries. The blood samples from these population were screened for chemical, biochemical and clinical data. The affected population were also provided counseling and treatment. Kowing the fact that Vitamin D deficiency affects more to growing children and women a project was supported SGPGIMS & KGMC, Lucknow, Through the project, 200 girls from 6 villages were selected on random bases. Their detailed health status and serum alkaline phosphatase (SAP) level recorded. The affected population was advised to take 600 unit of calcium in