Know Your Animals!

The Gir is a famous milk cattle breed of India. The native tract of breed is Gir and the forest of Kathiawar including Junagadh, Bhavnagar, Rajkot and Amreli district of Gujrat. This breed is also known as Bhodali, Desan, Gujrati, Kathiawari, Sorthi and Surthi in different parts of the breeding tract. The gir animals are famous for their tolerance to stress conditions and resistance to various tropical disease. Bullocks of this breed are used to drag heavy loads on all kind of soil. The body weight at one year of age is 138 kg in males and 136 kg in female. Adult body weight, height at withers, body length and heart girth cow averaged 313kg, 120 cm, 125 cm and 160 cm, respectively. Milk yield per day of calving interval was 4.98 - 4.97cm. Gir animals are considered as hardy with low overall mortality. The Rabaris, Bharwads, Maldharis, Ahirs and Charnas tribes are mainly involved in rearing of Gir cattle. They move with their cattle from one place to another in search grazing. Sufficient fodder is available in pastures of the breeding tract from july to December, thereafter animals migrate to the adjoining districts.

ASSOCHAM and ICCOA Boosting Food Sector

In the present day, hosting events has become important for the food sector for the sectoral benefit, and participating in such events has become imperative for companies in this industry in order to get noticed. To fulfill these requirement many companies like Associated Chambers of Commerce a Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) and International Competence Centre for Organic Agriculture (ICCOA) has decided to organize such events which will help agribusiness.

Recently, ASSOCHAM has decided to organize 3rd International Summit-cum-Exhibition on Food Processing, Agribusiness and Dairy on September 14, 2011 in the national capital. One of the spokesperson from ASSOCHAM Ahmedabad said that this event is the result of opportunities in food and food processing, skill, infrastructure, especially in areas of canning, dairy packaging, frozen food and thermo processing. The food processing sector is likely to grow by 20% and value addition in this regard is set to rise by 35% by 2015. This would open up for immense opportunities for big investments in the food and food processing sectors.

Similarly, ICCOA with Biofach is organizing 'Biofach India- India Organic Trade Fair 2011', Mr. Manoj Kumar Event Coordinator and Assistant Manager, ICCOA told Explore that this is an excellent opportunity for sectoral players, to get international exposure and become aware of global standards, he further added that these events are today's need if we want to survive in the industry we have to focus on contacting people through such events."

Purchasing of fruits and vegetables is just a click away

With growing number of websites catering to online purchase of fruits and vegetables, a new way of business in horticultural produce, has come to fore. With more and more companies invading the cyber horizon, purchasing fruits and vegetables has become easier, as they offer a list of items available for purchase and delivery within no time. These have entrenched themselves and have created different niches for themselves.


Mr. R.K Venkatesan has started 'Veggie Bazzar' a web portal to order and buy vegetables, and deliver them to home on a 24 hour notice in Chennai. While talking to Explore he said, "The main concept behind online vegetables and fruits shopping is to serve working class in order to reduce their time in going to vegetable market for shopping so, it is better to provide them what they want at their door steps. The maximum business is through telephone calls and the Internet so, people can save their time from wasting on these trifling things."

According to Gaurav Chamaria, team head, freshsubzi.com, online players have made several options available for customers and are benefiting not only customers but also companies.


Mr. Chetan Kumar Manager Reliance Fresh Store, Bangalore told Explore that reliance fresh is also planning to step forward in the market in near future.

Now it is 'Doodh ka Doodh Pani Ka Pani'

'Doodh Ka Doodh Pani Ka Pani Abhiyan' is being conducted by Bhopal Cooperative Dairy Federation with a view to making consumers aware of adulteration in milk. As many as 119 out of 172 samples were found sub-standard at a camp organised by Madhya Pradesh State Cooperative Dairy Federation at Bhopal.


Over a telephonic conversation, Mr. R.S. Pathak General Manager, Bhopal Cooperative Dairy Federation, told Explore that this movement is to make consumers aware about adulteration in milk which they buy from local vendors.He revealed that people ask us why to take milk from Bhopal Cooperative Dairy Federation, and we answer through this way by conducting 'Doodh Ka Doodh Pani Ka Pani Abhiyan' in the residential colonies of Bhopal. A majority of milk purchased by the residents of Bhopal from vendors was found to be sub-standard. A total of 79 out of 172 samples were found sub-standard while adulteration of water was found in 40 samples. Only 53 samples were found to be standard.


The officers of the Dairy Federation have advised the citizens to purchase pasteurized Sanchi Milk instead of loose milk. Sanchi Milk is safe since it is pasteurized apart from being standardized under the Food and Adulteration Rules of the Government. Sanchi Milk is available in different tones and its price ranges from Rs 26 for Double Toned milk, Rs28 for Toned milk, Rs30 for Standard milk and Rs32 for Full Cream milk.

Interview with Mr. Manoj Kumar on Organic Farming In India: Status and Prospects

Mr. Manoj Kumar is Assistant Manager and Event Coordinator at International Competence Centre for Organic Agriculture (ICCOA), Bangalore

Q.1 In your experience, What is your perception about market status of organic products in India?

A.1 Organic food is a growing business with good long-term prospects. The demand for the organic foods is rising in domestic markets at 15-20 %. The sales of organic products worldwide are touching US$ 50 billion and are expected to reach USD 100 billion by 2012. The trade estimate in India shows that the market for organic products have crossed USD 155 million in 2010 (exports at USD 120 million, i.e. INR 5500 million; and the domestic markets touching 35 million, i.e. INR1500 million).

The Indian organic produce is mainly exported to Japan, Netherlands, Italy, France, Switzerland, the UK and USA. India’s organic export is around Rs. 550 crores, which is only 0.25 % of the organic trade. India should target to reach at least USD 1 billion by 2012, thereby capturing at least 2.5% of global market share.

Emergence of Modern Format retail, growing concerns for health and increasing purchasing power of consumers has accelerated the growth of organic food sector in India. Organized Retail chains like Spencer’s, More, Hyper city, Spar, Nature’s Basket and many more have created Organic as separate category. Specialty stores like 24 Letter Mantra, Down to Earth (Morarka), Fab India are selling the certified organic products under their own brand name. Every month in India multi-branded specialty stores are introducing organic products in their stores.

Top 8 metros of India (Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad) contribute more than 80 per cent of sales in country. The most demanded food category are Vegetables, Fruits, Dairy products, Bakery products, Oil, Wheat/Atta, Frozen products and Rice.

Q.2 What are the thrust areas in which India Has to work upon in Organic Industry?

A.2 A systematic approach including all stakeholders of organic sector is important for developing Indian organic sector. Networking activities to create strategic alliances to boost both market access and farm productivity should be the priority. Here are some important thrust areas:
1. Policy Intervention from Govt.
2. Organic Animal husbandry (Dairy , Poultry and others)
3. Technical Capacity Enhancement and Extension
4. Integrated Input Production, On-farm input production and Bio-technology
5. Package of Practices (technologies for Soil Health improvement, Pest control)
6. Processing and Value addition Infrastructure Development
7. Facilitate Creation of Producer companies
8. Internal Quality/Control system (ICS) for quality assurance

Q.3 What is the knowledge level of farmers regarding organic farming?

A.3 Level of awareness about organic farming varies state to state in India. For the Indian farmers, the main motivating factor to convert from inorganic to organic are the market of organic products, the premium price which they get on organic products and health hazardous of inorganic methods of production. Farmers from hilly regions of India (Himalayan regions and North-east India) which is by default organic, are now focusing on certification of their lands which is the result of government projects to promote organic farming in India.

Basics of organic farming like maintaining buffer zone, mixed cropping, on-farm input generation, absolutely no use of synthetic chemicals and fertilizers, Internal control system, maintain the desired documents for certification, registration with certification agencies, etc. are taught by the local NGOs/organizations which are working for the promotion of organic farming.

Farmers who have registered for organic farming, knows preparation of organic formulation like Bijamruta, Panchgavya, vermin-wash, Biodynamic formulation, etc. Government schemes under NHM, RKVY, TMNE, etc., have accelerated the organic movement in India. Small and marginal farmers comes together to form clusters which helps in reducing cost of certification and input generation.

Q.4 What are the experiences of being in the Industry?

A.4 As it is a fast growing sector in India, there is a lot to do. There is addition of numbers of small and medium player in this industry every month but there is huge gap in understandings of consumer’s about organic and its benefits. As per capita purchasing power and concerns about health is increasing, demand for organic products are also increasing. Consumers need full basket of organic including fresh fruits & vegetables, dairy and meat products. But most of the players are failed to fulfil the needs of the consumers.

Organic products are still a life style product in India. Sometimes the premium which is paid by the consumers to buy organic goes up to 100 per cent. Consumers do not mind paying 15-20 per cent extra to buy organic products but consistency in supply and availability of organic products is also a major problem in India.

There are not much subsidies or support from the government, which force farmers to switch from organic to inorganic. If adequate support from govt. and assurance of market is there, farmers will be more than happy to go for organic.

Q.5 Where do you see India 5ys from now in the Industry?

A.5 As Govt. of India has announced separate standards & organic logo (AGMARK logo) for the domestic marketing of organic products in India, it will built credibility among the Indian consumers. Every state will have its own certification agency which will help farmers to get their land certified conveniently. Seeing the growth in recent past, it is very easy to estimate that India will have more than 2 million ha land under organic management. Export potential will be Rs. 25000 million (2.5 % of global share) and total turnover with organic products will be more than Rs. 40 billion in India.

Discussion Forum on Vermicomposting !!!

Vermicomposting is a modified and specialised method of composting - the process uses earthworms to eat and digest farm wastes and turn out a high quality compost in two months or less. Vermicompost is not a biofertiliser as is touted by some, merely an improved compost.
Vermicompost can also be used to make compost tea. Vermicompost tea is useful as a prophylactic against pests and diseases, for pest repelling and as a foliar spray. A by-product of vermicomposting called vermiwash (which can be collected if there is a tap at the base of the vermicompost tank) also serves the same purpose.
An important point to note in case of vermicomposting but widely ignored, is to carry out proper sieving of the compost before applying it in the fields. The most efficient and widely-used earthworms in vermicomposting are not indigenous and if the worms and casts find their way to the fields, they will quickly colonise and dominate the local species. Farmers can also use indigenous earthworm species, collecting them from their fields using collection baits and introducing the earthworms into heaps.
In the usual way vermicomposting is practiced in India and most other places around the world, it is both labour-intensive and requires some infrastructure. As a result, while a small farm can use this method to compost most of its wastes, a larger farm often finds it expensive and difficult to compost most of its wastes through vermicomposting. We have after some experimentation developed a methodology through which these issues are resolved - labour, time, managerial inputs, infrastructure and the usage of exotic worms.

Interview with Dr. William D Dar, Director General of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) near Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh, India.

Q1: In your experience what is your perception of the Indian agriculture Industry?

Agriculture is one of the strongholds of the Indian economy. However, as we see it, Indian agriculture is currently in a transition state given the convergence of various factors such as shrinking land, low productivity, limited potential to expand irrigated agriculture, declining productivity, and poor infrastructure in the villages. Reports indicate that the contribution of Indian agriculture to GDP has come down drastically to about 18 percent. And while agriculture is directly connected to food, nutrition, health and environment of 50-65 percent of Indian population, given the choice we think a large number of farmers would move out of agriculture and migrate to the city.

In India, the dependence of a large number of people on agriculture for their livelihoods is a paradox. Agriculture, particularly dryland agriculture, currently constitutes 60 percent of arable land in this country. Yet, it remains at subsistence level where a large proportion of farmers are not able to meet their own demand for food, feed, fiber and fuel. India also has a considerable number of poor people (below 300 million) and a high incidence of malnutrition among children.

Taking all that in consideration, India has enormous potential to become a major player in the global agricultural industry.We strongly believe that the best way to reverse Indian agriculture’s decline is to pave the way for the much needed transition from subsistence agriculture to an inclusive market-oriented agriculture supported with a high level of investment.

We at ICRISAT have determined based on a scientific assessment that current farmers’ yields particularly in the drylands of India are lower by four- to five-folds than the achievable potential yields. To achieve full productivity, there is a need to adopt innovative science-led approaches supported by enabling policies and mechanisms, and increased investments for extension as well as research for development.

Along this line, we have been harnessing complementary and purposeful partnerships to more directly address the needs of smallholders including their connections to market opportunities. We are confident that our Inclusive Market-Oriented Development or IMODwill serve as a dynamic progression from subsistence towards market-oriented agriculture. We believe that innovative products, processes and concepts by entrepreneurs and their integration into existing agricultural systems is the pathway to true inclusive agricultural growth in India, in particular, and in the drylands of Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, in general.


Q2: In your opinion what are the top three challenges which agriculture needs to correct to catapult it into becoming a global player?

To harness the potential of Indian agriculture (characterized by subsistence agriculture) to become a market-oriented agriculture, there are a number of challenges, but the most important ones are as follows:

1. Scarce water resources and degraded land are major concerns and bottlenecks for unlocking the potential of agriculture in India. Most part of the country, except the Northeast region, will face severe scarcity of water by 2025. This will be an enormous challenge, considering that agriculture is the major consumer of water for food production to feed the growing population, which is already almost1.2 billion. Land resource in the country is also in a state of degradation and most of agricultural lands are suffering one or other form of land degradation such as nutrient depletion, soil erosion, wind erosion, salinity and water logging, crust formation, development of hard land at shallow depth, toxicity of certain elements, and loss of soil bio-diversity.

To overcome this challenge, farmers will have to adopt scientific agricultural practices that are environment-friendly and sustainable. The most urgent concern is to conserve and harvest rainwater and minimize land degradation to kick start the engine of agricultural growth in the country. Emphasis must be shifted from only rainwater harvesting and conservation to efficient use of available water resources.

There are a number of ways and means that India may adopt to minimize land degradation, largely through diversification with legumes, minimizing soil erosion through appropriate landform treatments, rainwater harvesting for increasing groundwater recharge, and appropriate soil test based nutrient management practices. ICRISAT and its partners have mapped more than 50,000 fields in different states of the country and observed that the Indian soils are not only water deficient, but 80-100% of the farmers’ fields are also deficient in multiple micro- and secondary nutrients along with nitrogen and phosphorus. A large number of small and marginal farmers do not have access to knowledge about soil health and options for correcting these deficiencies. ICRISAT along with the Government of Karnataka have undertaken a mission mode project “Bhoochetana” under which all the 30 districts in the state are mapped for soil health. Taluk-wise recommendations based on soil analysis results are provided to the farmers, ensuring timely supply of required inputs (macro- and micro-nutrients, improved seeds, bio-fertilizer and seed treatment, chemicals and suitable machinery etc.). This mission mode project covered a 2- million ha area during 2010-11 season.

Using the inputs provided under the project, farmers in different parts of the state enjoyed up to 60 per cent increased yields of different crops (finger millet, sorghum, groundnut, soybean, maize, green gram, black gram, pigeon pea, chick pea, etc.). This is a novel undertaking in which knowledge-generating institutions like state agriculture universities and ICRISAT are linked with extension agencies (Department of Agriculture) to bring knowledge to the doorsteps of the farmers.

2. The second challenge not only to Indian agriculture but to the world as well is climate change. With increasing variability in high and low temperatures and rainfall distribution (quantity and intensity), small and marginal farmers in India become more and more vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change. Hence, there is a need to build the system’s resilience with climate-change ready crops, knowledge of adaptation and mitigation strategy, and linking farmers with toward an inclusive and sustainable agricultural growth.

ICRISAT has adopted the Inclusive Market Oriented Development (IMOD)strategy to move people out of poverty from subsistence agriculture to marketable surplus agricultural economy with increased availability of research products, knowledge, institutional support, credit facilities and market linkages. This is a tall order and an enormous challenge which we will have to address for millions of small and marginal farmers and India can make it happen if it wants.

3. The third challenge is how to reach millions of small and marginal farm households to benefit from improved products, technologies, and approaches for sustainable management of agriculture generated by national and international institutions. Currently, extension support for farmers in India needs a lot of strengthening, and here we need to bring in innovative communication and technology transfer and exchange tools and practices to reach small and marginal farm households. The convergence of different arms of the government along with agricultural research institutions and corporate industries is very much needed, because productivity alone will not translate into improved livelihoods unless the assured price support by the industry is provided to the small and marginal farmers. Knowledge and innovations will stimulateagro-enterprises, raise rural incomes and create opportunities beyond agriculture. Smallholder farm families have to be empowered and assisted along this development pathway to lead them from pessimism to prosperity.


Q3: What are the experiences of the agriculture industry?And what are its strategies for future growth?

As we know, the agriculture industry in India has the capacity to produce the required food for its people, but the challenge is not only to produce more with limited resources through increased productivity. The major challenge on agriculture in the country, as emphasized by various state governments, is to transform Indian agriculture into a major global player to help achieve food security not only for its own population, but also for the global markets.

Upgrading rainfed agriculture through integrated watershed management practices, RashtriyaKrishiVikasYojana (RKVY), pulse villages, vegetable villages around urban areas, horticultural missions, oil seed missions and so on – all these are directed toward improving the agriculture industry in the country. However, investments need to be substantially increased along with enabling policies and their implementation in the right spirit by building partnership through convergence of research institutions, developing agents, corporate industry, and most importantly farmers’organizations to jump-start the engine to the inclusive and sustainable growth of the country’s agriculture industry.

ICRISAT together with our partners are putting our best efforts through the development of climate-change ready crops. Some of these are pearl millet which can flower and set seeds above 40oC; short duration chickpeas which can be grown in Southern India and has been revolutionizing chickpea production in Andhra Pradesh; development of pigeon pea hybrid which is the first in the world; and developing cultivars with tolerance to pests and diseases using new molecular biological tools.

ICRISAT together with our partners are also revolutionizingdryland agriculture through the integrated watershed development program approach where rainwater conservation and harvesting is used as an entry point to move farmers from subsistence agriculture to IMOD in a step-wise approach. Farmers can double the productivity of rainfed crops, and with increased water availability and ability to invest more in agriculture, diversifying into cultivation of high-value market oriented crops to bring in additional income for their families can be realized. The convergence of all these, and the inclusion of livestock-based activities, diversification of sources of livelihoods, building resilience to cope with the impacts of climate change – is what we call inclusive pathways to prosperity.

Our basic approach in ICRISAT is to use research for development and build on partnerships to reduce poverty, hunger, malnutrition and environmental degradation in the dryland tropics. IMOD is a win-win strategy for all stakeholders, but it calls for not only increased investment but a change of mindset in the way we do the business of agricultural management.