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19 July, 2013

‘Cooperate in reaching benefits to farmers’

In-charge Deputy Commissioner V. Venkateshamurthy has suggested that

bank officials cooperate in reaching benefits of various insurance schemes

to eligible farmers in the district. Mr. Venkateshamurthy has directed the

Lead Bank to take steps in this direction. Difficulties faced by farmers at

banks in connection with implementation of weather-based crop insurance

scheme and the National Agriculture Insurance Scheme came to light at a

meeting convened at the Deputy Commissioner’s office on Tuesday.

Assistant directors, agriculture, of various taluks complained that banks are

not responding in the expected manner to farmers eligible to get benefits

under crop insurance schemes. Shortage of staff at Raitha Samparka

Kendras is impeding officials from reaching the benefits to beneficiaries.

— Staff Correspondent

Farmers: expedite land acquisition

Delay has put us in a quandary, say farmers

As in the case of farmers in Kuditini, farmers in Veni Veerapur and

Janekunte in Bellary taluk are also facing an unsavoury situation. They are

neither given compensation nor are they allowed to dispose off their land.

For, their land spanning about 2,800 acres has already been notified by the

Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) for acquisition on

behalf of the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC), a Central

undertaking, fo0r setting up a five million tonnes capacity steel plant. The

KIADB has been delaying the process of acquisition citing the interim stay

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order granted by the Circuit Bench of the Karnataka High Court on a batch

of writ petitions filed by a group of farmers, whose lands, measuring about

300 acres, form part of the notified 2,800 acres, opposing the acquisition.

“The stay granted relates only to petitioners’ land of 300 acres and does

not apply to a major chunk of the land held by others. Therefore, the KIADB

should start the process of acquisition and arrange to pay compensation,

for which the NMDC has already deposited Rs. 145 crore,” N. Pratap

Reddy, said on behalf of land-losers.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, Mr. Reddy said that the

establishment of a steel plant would pave way for economic activity, which

had come to a standstill following the ban on mining. “Being a Central

undertaking, NMDC will follow all the norms, including providing

employment to one member of each land-losing family and payment of

compensation as per the new Land Acquisition Bill being tabled in the

ensuing Parliament session, among others,” he said. “Either the KIADB

should immediately start the process of acquisition or return the land

already notified, so that we can dispose off our land,” Mr. Reddy said.

Later, a delegation of land-losers met the Deputy Commissioner and

requested him to intervene and instruct the KIADB to start the process of

land acquisition and pay the compensation, at the earliest.

Farmer Martyrs’ Day on July 21

Farmers from various districts of north Karnataka will congregate at

Naragund on July 21 to observe ‘Farmer Martyrs’ Day’ in memory of

farmers who lost their lives during the ‘Raitha Bandaya’ (farmers revolt) in

1980.

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Farmers’ leader Kodihalli Chandrashekar told presspersons here on

Thursday that farmers would pay homage to those who died during the

revolt in Navalgund and Naragund. Mr. Chandrashekhar said that over

5,000 farmers from various parts of north Karnataka would visit the

memorial built at Navalgund to pay tribute to the martyrs. It would be

followed by a convention of farmers in Naragund. The convention would

discuss the delays in the implementation of the Kalasa Banduri Nala

Project, Mr. Chandrashekar added.

Veteran farmers’ leader from Tamil Nadu Shiva Swamy would speak on the

occasion.

Impact of climate change on groundwater resources studied

There is a need to adapt measures to cultivate in a situation where land

and water are depleting, without causing damage to the environment: V-C

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Groundwater accounts for more than 60 per cent of the total agricultural

water use and more than 80 per cent of drinking water requirements.

Climate change has tremendous impact on groundwater resources and

consequently on agriculture and also drinking water use. Realising this, a

project to recommend measures to adapt to climate change has just been

concluded in Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.

The research findings of the project, ‘Climate Change and Groundwater

Dynamics: A Hydro-Economic Analysis of Impacts and Adaptation in South

India’ of the Department of Agricultural Economics, were presented to

stakeholders here at a policy seminar on Thursday. The recommendations

of the project along with the feedback of the stakeholders will be submitted

to the Government.

The project, implemented by the Department in the Centre for Agricultural

and Rural Development Studies of TNAU, was funded by South Asian

Network for Development and Environmental Economics (SANDEE),

Kathmandu, since 2011. R. Balasubramanian from the Department of

Agricultural Economics, was the principal investigator, and Balaji Kannan

from the Department of Remote Sensing and GIS was the co-principal

investigator, of the project.

Explaining the project highlights (see box), Mr. Balasubramanian said the

project used monthly groundwater level data collected over the last 40

years from over 1,700 observation wells spread throughout the State and

these data were correlated with various climatic and non-climatic factors

through econometric modelling. Similarly, the impact of climatic factors and

groundwater levels on agricultural productivity and incomes were also

studied.

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“The shift to water-intensive crops such as coconut and sugarcane in

response to increasing labour scarcity is a major contributing factor for

increased groundwater extraction. Exploitation of groundwater in the form

of deepening of existing wells and increasing the number of wells could

further worsen the situation. Appropriate incentive structures such as

subsidies for water-saving crops and relevant technologies could be

considered as alternative mechanisms to discourage cultivation of water-

intensive crops in dry areas,” he added.

K. Ramasamy, Vice-Chancellor of TNAU, said there was a need to adapt

measures to cultivate in a situation where land and water are depleting,

without causing damage to the environment.

“We cannot survive without urbanisation and development. But this has to

be done with minimum disturbance to the environment. Tamil Nadu

accounts for 58 per cent urbanisation, yet we are able to produce food. We

have to ensure that in the future we adapt sustainable and environmentally

safe agriculture by reusing and recycling,” the Vice-Chancellor said.

Y.E. Raj, Deputy Director General, India Meteorological Department,

Chennai, inaugurated the policy seminar, and M. Dinesh Kumar, Executive

Director, Institute for Resource Analysis and Policy, Hyderabad, delivered

the keynote address. The seminar was attended by representatives of the

State Planning Commission, agricultural scientists, officials from

Government departments, and progressive farmers.

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10 more horticulture clusters to be promoted

Department of Horticulture, which promoted 10 horticulture clusters in the

last financial year, will support an equal number of clusters in the current

fiscal year.

A cluster is a group of villages where a particular variety of horticultural

crop is promoted by registering a society of farmers. Each society would

get Rs. 2 lakh from the government as revolving fund. In addition, the

farmers would get a maintenance grant.

Dakshina Kannada Department of Horticulture Deputy Director Yogesh H.

R. said that in the current financial year the emphasis would be on

promoting clusters of cocoa and pepper as they commanded good demand

in the consumer market. “[The cluster combination] is not fixed. If farmers

suggest any other crop they are interested to cultivate they can take it up,”

he said, adding that two clusters in each of the five taluks would be

promoted. Mr. Yogesh said the process of identification of farmers has

begun and would be completed by the end of this month. The Deputy

Director said the clusters would be promoted under Integrated Horticulture

Development Scheme.

Regularise bagair hukum cultivation, says BDP

The Bharatiya Dalit Panthers (BDP) has demanded that the State

government resume accepting applications under form no. 53 from landless

Dalit farmers to regularise ‘bagair hukum’ cultivation in government lands. .

President of BDP Mallappa M. Hosmanikar told presspersons here on

Thursday that the government should also start the process of disposing of

the pending applications for the regularisation of ‘bagair hukum’ cultivation

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in the State immediately. He said these applications submitted several

years back were pending before the district-level committees constituted by

the government, under the chairmanship of the MLAs. The government

should give direction to these committees to dispose of the applications

immediately.

Mr. Hosmanikar said the members of the BDP would stage a

demonstration at Freedom Park in Bangalore and take out a procession to

the residence of the Chief Minister on July 20, to submit a memorandum.

He said the government should also reverse its earlier decision of

appointing MLAs as the chairman of local committees to select

beneficiaries under different schemes of the B.R. Ambedkar Development

Corporation and Devaraj Urs Development Corporation, and restore the old

practice of appointing the respective Deputy Commissioners as the

chairman.

Mr. Hosmanikar said that the Chief Minister would also be requested to

intervene and take up the filling up of backlog vacancies of more than

16,000 in various government departments in the State immediately. The

government should also pass orders for polling the Special Component

Programme (SCP) funds from all departments and spend the same through

the Social Welfare Department for the welfare of the Dalits.

He said that the government should also withdraw all cases filed against

the members of various Dalit organisations for participating in different

agitations in the State. The government should open special classes to

train students belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes

and prepare them for competitive examinations in all district headquarters,

he said.

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Mr. Hosmanikar said the Union government should concede the long-

pending demand by establishing the divisional headquarters of the South

Western Railways in Gulbarga city immediately.

Kaipad farming to make a comeback at Munderi

Pilot project to revive shrimp-cum-paddy cultivation in 266 acres in three

districts

The traditional shrimp-cum-paddy cultivation in brackish waters will be

revived at Munderi here after a gap of over four decades.

The cultivation is being taken up as part of the Fisheries Department’s pilot

project to restore the ‘kaipad’ fields to the system of rotational farming of

rice and shrimps and the practice of capture-based aquaculture.

Paddy cultivation and shrimp filteration will be taken up on 25 acres of

kaipad fields at Munderi, close to the basins of the Kattampally river, as

part of the project, launched by the Agency for Aquaculture Development,

Kerala (ADAK) to revive the traditional farming system in a total of 266

acres in Kannur, Kasaragod, and Kannur districts. As much as 222 acres

has been identified.

ADAK project manager Dineshan Cheruvat said the kaipad lands at

Munderi were prepared for paddy cultivation last year by introducing

filteration aquaculture. The group of local farmers involved with the

cultivation had produced paddy saplings required for 30 acres. The excess

saplings would be handed over to other groups, he said.

Sixteen self-help groups of farmers have been formed in the three districts

for the project. Each group has at least five members to undertake kaipad

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farming in 12 acres. Land has been made available to the groups on lease

for a period of not less than five years.

The project covers brackish water areas in Mogral-Puthur, Kumbala, and

Manjeswaram panchayats in Kasaragod; Ezhome, Taliparamba

municipality, Puzhathi, and Munderi panchayats in Kannur; and Atholi and

Ullyeri panchayats in Kozhikode.

The project, however, hit a roadblock at Ezhome, when a group of

environmental activists alleged that mangroves were being cut for the

kaipad farming system. ADAK officials said the 25 acres identified for the

project used to be kaipad paddy fields till 10 years ago. The fields were

privately owned where mangrove trees grew after they were left fallow for

years. A meeting of farmers, eco activists, and ADAK officials would be

held at Madayipara at 9 a.m. on Saturday to discuss the issue, they said.

Rising water level in dams brings cheers to farmers

Sharing of water under PAP pact expected to be a smooth affair

The fast rising water-level in all the eight reservoirs under the inter-State

Parambikulam Aliyar Project Agreement (PAP) between Kerala and Tamil

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Nadu following heavy rainfall has brought cheers to farmers in Palakkad,

Coimbatore and Tirupur districts.

The PAP agreement is to share the waters of the Bharathapuzha, the

Periyar and the Chalakudypuzha between the two neighbouring States.

The water level in the Kerala Sholayar reservoir, the biggest and primary

reservoir in the PAP system, rose to 2,638.90 feet on Thursday as against

2,599.20 ft on the day last year. The Full Reservoir Level (FRL) is 2,663 ft.

As per the PAP Agreement on every February 1 and September 1 Tamil

Nadu has to fill the reservoir to FRL so that Kerala gets water for its

Chalakudy basin during summer months. But in most of the years the

agreement was violated leading to war of words between the two States.

Sudheer Padikkal, Joint Director of the Joint Water Regulatory Division of

PAP, said that since all the eight reservoirs were set to reach the FRL

soon, the water-sharing in the current water year was expected to be a

smooth affair.

The Tamil Nadu Sholayar water level on Thursday was 3,292.30 ft as

against the 3,245.76 ft on the day last year. The FRL is 3,290 ft.

The water level at Lower Nirar on Thursday was 3,313.94 ft as against

3,311.31 ft last year. The FRL is 3,350 ft. In the Thirumurthy reservoir, the

water level on Thursday was 1,238.39 ft as against 1,297.04 ft last year.

The FRL is 1,337 ft. In the Parambikulam reservoir, the water level was

1,796.30 ft on Thursday as against 1,795.48 ft last year. The FRL is 1,828

ft. The water level at Thunakadavu was 1,754.90 ft on Thursday as against

80.55 ft on the day last year. The FRL is 1,770 ft.

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But in the Aliyar dam, the water level is low because of scant rain in its

catchment areas in Tamil Nadu. The water level was 1,050 ft on Thursday

as against 1,563.06 ft on the day last year. The FRL is 1,050 ft.

The water from Aliyar is now released to the Chitturpuzha irrigation scheme

in Palakkad district for paddy cultivation as per the PAP agreement as the

area got less rain fall compared to other parts of Kerala.

The total storage of water in all the eight reservoirs of PAP was 2,3342.08

Mcft on Thursday as against the 1,8817.25 Mcft on this day

last year. The FRL capacity of all these dams put together will be 3,588.00

Mcft.

It’s ginger’s turn now

Cooking with ginger is becoming costly even before the start of Onam with

the prices of ginger soaring to Rs.162 a kg this week. This is the third time

in two months that the prices have gone up.

Farmers are viewing the sudden rise with caution. A similar boom back in

2011 is a lesson they cannot easily forget.

“Last year, I grew the spice on one acre of land but this time, I used only 50

cents for ginger cultivation,” says Ajith Lal, a farmer cultivating ginger for

eight years now, in Nedumangadu.

Agriculture Department Assistant Director Sally V. Joseph said though

there was a price rise the farmers were not very keen to take up

commercial cultivation of ginger.

The high price for raw ginger has also affected its availability in the

markets.

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At the Horticorp outlet at Palayam, customers were stocking up ginger as

many think the price would touch Rs.200 a kg.

Sweet fruits of sheer hard work and a staunch heart to take on odds

It was with trepidation that 62 year-old G. Subramanian, a farmer from

Vattiyoorkavu, decided to try his luck with pineapple farming. Opinions

poured on how the soil may not be suitable or how rain may play spoilsport.

But being a risk-taker, he decided to trust his 30 years of experience.

On Wednesday, as he looked at the workers harvesting pineapple in heaps

from his two-and-a-half acre farm, he knew his efforts had paid off. K.

Muraleedharan, MLA, made the first harvest at a function organised by

Krishi Bhavan under the scheme Pineapple Area Expansion, 2013-14,

supported by the Kerala State Horticulture Mission.

“Officials from Krishi Bhavan and councillors encouraged me to try

pineapple farming as they said the soil condition and climate were suitable.

I decided to take a risk,” Mr. Subramanian says. He had planted the

Mauritius variety. Asha Raju, Agriculture Officer, says the trial cultivation

yielded higher than expected. Fruits weighing two kg each were the

average output. “The real production rate can be assessed only after two or

three harvests. The first set was planted in the worst climatic conditions

and yet it has provided a good yield,” Mr. Subramanian says.

Seminar on aquaculture

Fisheries Minister K. Babu has said the government was taking proactive

measures to overcome the scarcity of fish seeds and fingerlings faced by

fish farmers in the State. He was inaugurating a two-day international

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seminar on ‘Advances in Aquaculture Technologies’ organised by the

Department of Zoology, All Saint’s College here on Thursday. The

programme, part of the golden jubilee celebrations of the college, will

continue on Friday. Fisheries Minister K. Babu has said the government

was taking proactive measures to overcome the scarcity of fish seeds and

fingerlings faced by fish farmers in the State. He was inaugurating a two-

day international seminar on ‘Advances in Aquaculture Technologies’

organised by the Department of Zoology, All Saint’s College here on

Thursday. The programme, part of the golden jubilee celebrations of the

college, will continue on Friday.

Goats to be distributed

As part of a scheme to enhance livestock population in Aruvikkara grama

panchayat, goats and chicks will be distributed to around 150 farmers of

various wards. District panchayat president Ansajitha Ressal will distribute

high-yielding species to farmers at a function to be held at Rathnam

auditorium at Cheriakonny at 2 p.m. on Monday, according to a statement

here.

— Staff Reporter

ENGAGEMENTS

Rubber Board: Valedictory function of Silver Jubilee celebrations of Rubber

Producers’Societies in India, Inauguration by Finance Minister K.M. Mani;

Mammen Mappillai hall; 3 p.m.

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Agriculture Department: Meeting to constitute organising committee for

State-level Farmers’ Day observance; Ministers K.P. Mohanan and

Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan to participate; K.P.S. Menon hall; 3 p.m.

Tutorial DVDs make exotic farming easy

Since many farmers who knew manual pollination were ready to share the

knowledge, Venkatramana Hegde says, he had to DVDs on agriculture

practices.— File photo: K. K. Mustafah

Farmers having access to digital video disc (DVD) players can learn more

about farm practices as DVDs on agriculture practices and animal

husbandry produced by an agriculture graduate have hit the market.

Venkatramana Hegde, the agricultural documentary filmmaker who has

produced them for open market sale, said that since 2004 till now he has

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produced 26 DVDs (titles) in Kannada, 25 in English, 13 in Tamil and seven

in Hindi.

The DVDs produced by Mr. Hegde, an agricultural graduate from the

University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, cover various subjects. Some

of them are commercial cultivation of banana, grafting techniques, dry land

farming, bee keeping, organic farming, grape cultivation and commercial

dairying.

Animal husbandry has not been left out. DVDs are available on rearing

emu, Indian cow breeds, duck, country chicken, rabbit and sheep.

Mr. Hegde said that the script was made after consulting progressive

farmers, scientists in universities and research institutes.

To a question on whether the script would lay stress on organic farming,

natural farming or chemical based farming he said: “We present the reality

without taking sides on any particular method of farming.”

Mr. Hegde, who earlier worked with two television channels, said that his

knowledge as an agriculture graduate and production knowledge in the

channels helped him in producing and directing the documentaries.

The duration of the programme varied from 40 minutes to 65 minutes

depending on the topic.

Vanilla days

It was in 2002-2003 when vanilla was the flavour of the season. Manual

pollination was an important aspect to make vanilla creepers bear beans.

Many farmers who knew this skill were not divulging it to others.

This inspired him to make it a mission to spread the farming knowledge in

his own way. During his stint as TV producer there were many requests

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from farmers for a CD of the agriculture-related programme telecast. It was

not possible to give away CDs due to copyright issues.

Mr. Hegde said that it was then he thought of making farm DVDs on his

own and sell them. Initially he made CDs on vanilla production, which

received good response at an agriculture fair at Dharwad. Then he did not

look back.

He said that his DVDs had now reached West Asia, Afghanistan and the

Netherlands. “Particularly there is demand for DVDs on pomegranate and

beekeeping from Afghanistan,” he said.

Yogesh H.R., Deputy Director of Horticulture, Dakshina Kannada said that

he has watched some of those DVDs. Some methods in it could be

adopted. It guided farmers to some extent. Adoption of farm practices also

depended on local conditions, he said

Udupi to use green tech to process garbage

Proposes to set up a vermicompost unit and a biomethanation plant

Udupi City Municipal Council (CMC) is laying emphasis on green

technology to process the garbage generated in the city.

The CMC is planning to install a vermicompost plant and a biomethanation

plant to process biodegradable waste. The vermicompost plant will have a

capacity to process four tonnes per day, and the capacity of the

biomethanation plant will be two tonnes per day.

Udupi city generates around 58 tonnes of garbage per day. Presently this

garbage is being processed at the Solid Waste Management Plant located

on 22 acres of land in Alevoor village near the city. The CMC would be

taking up a pilot project of waste segregation at source in 3,000 houses in a

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monthThe vermicompost plant will be set up on 10 cents of land at the

Alevoor Solid Waste Management Plant. According to CMC Environment

Engineer M.K. Subrahmanya, the vermicompost plant will have two sheds –

one with 24 pits and the other with 21 pits. Four tonnes of biodegradable

waste would be put in a pit every day. “Farmers and people with gardens

could use this vermicompost. We expect to make Rs. 48,000 per day by

selling the vermicompost,” he said.

The vermicompost plant is estimated to cost Rs. 29 lakh and is expected to

come up in six months. A minimum of two labourers would be required to

look after the plant.

Biomethanation

The biomethanation plant will be established on five cents of land at

Beedinagudde here and is estimated to cost Rs. 33 lakh.

Here two tonnes of biodegradable waste would be converted into slurry,

which would then be fed into the digester of the biomethanation plant. Mr.

Subrahmanya said the waste would decompose in two days and start

emitting methane. This methane would be passed into a generator, which

will produce 15 KV of power per day. A separate power line will be drawn

from this generator and the power generated would be used to light 100

street lamps. In addition, the compost generated from his plant could also

be sold.

Here the CMC expects to make Rs. 2 lakh per year by selling the compost

and also save on electricity bill. “We are yet to get technical sanction from

the State government for this plant. It may take a minimum of one year for

this plant to come up,” Mr. Subrahmanya said.

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“Besides utilising waste in an eco-friendly manner, we want to use green

technology to promote a clean environment,” said CMC Commissioner

Gokuldas Nayak.

Farmers repair canal on their own

Farmers from Agasarahalli near Bookana Kere of K.R. Pet taluk repairing

the distributary of the Hemavathi Left Bank Canal.

Upset over the alleged apathy by officials in repairing distributaries of the

Hemavathi Left Bank Canal near their villages, a large number of farmers

repaired a canal through ‘shramadaan’ in K.R. Pet.

The residents of Agasarahalli near Bookana Kere in K.R. Pet taluk

undertook the repair works on their own on Tuesday morning and

completed it by Wednesday.

More than 50 villagers, equipped with crowbars and shovels, participated in

the 48-hour shramadaan drive and cleaned the distributary of the

Hemavathi canal for a distance of 2 km on Wednesday evening.

The distributary canal, which the farmers repaired, had been supplying

water to hundreds of hectares of agricultural land in the surroundings of

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Agasarahalli, Rangegowdana Koppalu, Bommegowdana Koppalu and

Moduru villages in K.R. Pet taluk. However, the water flow was stopped a

few years ago because of the poor maintenance of the distributaries of the

Hemavathi canal, said Girish of Agasarahalli, one of the volunteers.

Farmers in these villages were reeling under severe drought for the past

two years. They had been requesting the officials of departments

concerned to repair the distributaries of the Hemavathi in this region.

However, no action was taken, he alleged.

The farmers cleaned a stretch of the canal and removed several truckloads

of shrubs and weeds. They also repaired the breaches at several places

along the stretch

Drought drowns scent of jasmine

The daily arrival in Srirangam market has dropped from 3,000 kg last year

to 2,000 kg

VERY FEW TAKERS:Lack of rain and low demand have triggered slide in

the price of jasmine.— PHOTO: A. MURALITHARAN

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Poor rainfall, drought, and the start of Adi month in Tamil almanac have all

pushed down the price of jasmine in Tiruchi district.

Wholesale dealers in Sattara Street in Srirangam – the hub for flower trade

in Tiruchi — say that the arrivals had been poor in recent weeks. The daily

arrivals had come down from the usual 3,000 kg last season to 2,000 kg

this July, says S.B. Sakthipriyan, a wholesale dealer in Srirangam.

The price has slumped from Rs. 150 a kg last month to Rs. 100 now.

Kumar, a jasmine grower of Puliyur village, says apart from quantity, the

quality of the flower has come down because of poor rainfall and scanty

irrigation facility. “The size of the flower is small this season and it is not as

strong as it should be,” he says.

Jasmine is cultivated on 1,500 acres of land in the district. The major

villages are Ettarai, Puliyur, Mudhalaipatti, Melapatti, Kaundanpatti, and

Koppu all in and around Andhanallur block. The flower is cultivated in parts

of Manapparai, Vaiyampatti, and Thuraiyur blocks where fields with black

cotton soil have some irrigational facility. “Black cotton soil is ideally suited

for the flower,” says a Horticulture Department official.

About 3,200 farmers are involved in cultivating jasmine in the district and

the crop is raised on smaller areas ranging between 3 cents to 8 cents.

From 24 tonnes last year, the average daily yield has come down to 22.5

tonnes, according to data available with the Horticulture Department.

The flower is harvested between May and October and the two months

between July and August has been its peak season when the yield is

maximum. The fag end of the season commences from November and

extends till January. “The demand for flower registers a sharp rise these

months,” the official says.

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The size of the flower is small this season and it is not as strong as it

should be.

Kumar,a jasmine grower of Puliyur

DWINDLING FORTUNES

About 3,500 farmers grow jasmine in Tiruchi district

The crop is cultivated on 1,500 acres of land

It is raised mostly on small landholdings of 3 cents to 8 cents

Tuticorin farmers sore over late disbursal of relief

Participants of a farmers’ grievance day meeting here on Thursday

expressed their displeasure over assessment of drought-affected lands and

delay in disbursal of drought relief.

R. Muthu, District Revenue Officer and Collector (in-charge), presided over

the meeting.

V. Ganapathi Raman, a farmer from Masarpatti and district president,

Southern Dryland Farmers Association, alleged that the revenue officials,

including Village Administrative Officers and Village Assistants, did not

properly assess farm lands affected by drought owing to monsoon failure in

2012. He also charged that compensation was not given properly to the

affected farmers.

He sought an enquiry into the drought relief distribution and called for

transparency in the assessment exercise so that the relief would reach ‘real

farmers.’

P. Murugesan, district secretary, Vilathikulam taluk, said that instead of the

real beneficiaries, the land patta holders, who reside elsewhere, received

the compensation at villages coming under the four taluks of Kovilpatti,

Ettayapuram, Vilathikulam and Ottapidaram under the Kovilpatti division.

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The district administration should constitute a special team of officials for

every taluk to monitor whether compensation was given to the affected

farmers, he said. Mr. Muthu assured that based on specific complaints

action would be taken accordingly.

P. Jeyaraj, a farmer from Achankulam in Ettayapuram taluk, charged that

the Agriculture Department was seldom bothered about farmers but only

cared about protecting its officials for their negligence in duty.

The VAOs were least interested in addressing the grievance related to

drought relief, he said. Of his 43 acres of land, relief assistance of

Rs.71,000 was distributed for 23 acres. But for the remaining land, he said

the officials made him run from pillar to post, after shifting responsibilities to

their subordinates, he said. A petition to this effect was submitted to the

Collector on July 1 but no action was taken, he said.

Some of the farmers wanted release of water from the Tamiraparani to

Korampallam tank for irrigation.

D. Ranjithsingh Dhanraj, Joint Director of Agriculture, M. Kanagaraj,

Personal Assistant to Collector (Agriculture) among others were present at

the meeting.

Harvesting fruits of labour

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Mango district:Mobilising resources under government schemes did the

trick.Photos: Sudhirendar Sharma

Leaving behind their impoverished past, 900 tribal families in Jharkhand’s

Gumla district are now growing mangoes and vegetables

simultaneouslyand successfully

Unlike the sage who could not describe its taste, Shivshankar Oraon knows

the flavour of his mangoes. When challenged by the king “Tell me how you

would describe ‘truth’?” the sage had instead handed a mango to the king

saying, “Only by eating it will you know the truth of its taste.” For

Shivshankar, however, the truth is that his life has been distinctly flavoured

ever since he harvested his first crop of mangoes three years ago.

Jointly owned with his brother, the small plot of an acre is located in Kurrag

village in Ghaghra block, some 30-odd km from the district town of Gumla.

In undivided Bihar, this district was literally meant for punishment posting

for government officials. In the new State of Jharkhand, however, Gumla

enjoys close proximity to Ranchi. While the district town has retained its

mofussil outlook, its predominantly tribal villages have persisted in poverty.

Not anymore, as some 900 households have been harvesting the fruits of

their labour and patience in four of the 12 blocks in the district. Mangoes

have ushered in an economic prosperity that allowed Mr. Oraon to move

his family to the town for availing education facilities for his children.

Shifting from coarse grains to fruit trees in their erstwhile barren plot has

transformed his life.

Raising a mango orchard isn’t rocket science but nurturing saplings for the

first three years of non-fruiting period could be frustrating for the poor. “Had

the waiting period was not utilised for raising vegetable crops between the

24

rows of mangoes, most farmers would have opted out,” says Rajeev

Ranjan, who led a team of young farm experts under the aegis of

Professional Assistance for Development Action (Pradan) to trigger this

sweet revolution.

Intercropping of vegetables has been worth Rs. 25,000 during each

calendar year. Applying the popular dictum ‘buy one get one free’, the

number of mango growers have gone up to 50 households in Kuraag

village at the strength of vegetable cultivation. Overall, some 557 hectares

have come under mango plantation in Gumla, producing no less than 20

tonnes of mangoes worth over Rs. 12 crore each season.

But what went into the making of this mango district? “We did not raise

funds from traditional donors but mobilised existing resources under

various schemes of the government to usher in the change,” explains Mr.

Ranjan. Under the Integrated Tribal Development Programme, the Micro

Economic Social Organisation (MESO) offered Rs. 29,500 for per acre on

an experimental basis, a part of which was used for creating irrigation

infrastructure in the form of a well.

With the vegetable-mango farming combo becoming economically viable,

not only are tribal farmers but even government officials are upbeat about

the success of the initiative. Amrapali — a hybrid cross

of Dasheri and Neelum varieties — is the lead mango variety being grown

in the area.

For various farm-related interventions, of which mango cultivation is one,

Pradan has mobilised about Rs. 2.15 crore during the last eight years for

216 villages in the district. Unlike time-bound projects, such an approach

helps continue expanding the outreach.

25

Notable in this approach is rather than engaging poor tribals into alternate

livelihood programmes like food for work, the focus of engagement has

been land-based. For tribals, land is the only source of livelihood because

land is not just an economic commodity but a source of spiritual

sustenance as well. Tribal ethos has been suitably understood and

appreciated in reaching out to some 20 per cent of the villages in the

district.

This successful initiative has significant lessons for planners. If one-time

investment of around Rs. two crore can generate Rs. 20 crore on an annual

basis, there lies an enormous potential of turning things around in rural

areas through welfare schemes. However, intermediary organisations with

clarity and commitment need to be supported for pulling the poor out of

poverty. Else, food and employment security will cripple the economy for all

times to come.

(The writer is with Delhi-based The Ecological Foundation)

Diploma course for seed fertilizer dealers

The coordinator of the Diploma in Agriculture Extension Service for Input

Dealers (DAESI), C. Narsingu, on Thursday urged dealers of seeds,

fertilizers and pesticides to enrol themselves in the course with a view to

gain expertise as paraprofessionals. The year-long course, which is

conducted every Sunday, has been designed by the National Institute of

Agriculture Extension and Management (MANAGE) under the Union

Agriculture Ministry.

26

TNAU’s doctoral programme

In a move to encourage professionals working in agriculture related

industry / laboratory / institute take up doctoral studies, the Tamil Nadu

Agricultural University is offering External Ph.D. programmes from this

academic year.

The basic eligibility is a four-year degree in agriculture and a post-

graduation in agriculture or any other science. Professionals working in

agriculture related industry can apply for the programme, without taking a

leave of absence, and will be allowed to complete the Ph.D. in four or five

years.

The guide has to be from the company / institute they work for. He has to

fulfil the standard criteria required for a Ph.D. guide. The university will also

appoint a faculty as co-guide.

“Professionals with a graduate or post-graduate degree in agriculture retire

at the age of 58. The university can make use of their expertise in teaching

and guiding research during their post-retirement phase by way of offering

them re-employment possibilities. This will be made easy if they are Ph.D.

holders. Hence, the university has introduced this programme,” Vice-

Chancellor of TNAU K. Ramasamy told The Hindu here on Thursday.

Terming this initiative as part of the measures to reorient the system of

education, Mr. Ramasamy said that this will also address the problem of

shortage of faculty.

Admissions are open and the response so far has been good. Since the

applicants would pursue the doctoral programmes from their respective

work areas, there was no restriction on the number that would be accepted

for the programme, he added.

27

Greening a panchayat with mango trees

N. Samsudheen, MLA, will inaugurate a unique project to green Mannarkad

grama panchayat with mango trees at 11.30 a.m. on Friday.

In the first phase of the scheme, to be implemented with the cooperation of

the Agriculture Department, 2,500 families will be distributed one mango

sapling each free of cost. The inaugural function, at the panchayat office,

will be presided over by grama panchayat president Rafeeq Kunthipuzha.

— Staff Reporter

Agro-traders cautioned

Agro-traders dealing with fertilizers have been cautioned against selling the

product at a higher rate. Joint Director of Agriculture Krishnaiah said such

traders risk confiscation of their licence. The warning comes in the

backdrop of several complaints against some traders charging a higher rate

than the MRP. — Special CorrespondentDon’t allow fish tanks in Kolleru

area, officials told

Revenue officials of Krishna district have been asked to make sure that no

aquaculture tanks were dug up in Kolleru lake area. District Collector

Buddha Prakash M. Jyothi presided over the District Level Committee

(DLC) for regularising the existing fresh water aquaculture ponds and for

registering new ponds under the guidelines of G.O. Ms. No 7 at his camp

office here on Thursday.

Addressing members of the committee and other revenue officials, the

Collector said that steps should be taken to ensure that no fish tanks were

excavated in the lake. He said that it was the responsibility of all officials to

protect Kolleru lake which was a national treasure.

28

The DLC approved aquaculture as per the G.O. and sanctioned

aquaculture in 180 acres in the Krishna district.

Approval for aquaculture was given only after the RDO concerned

submitted a ‘no objection certificate’ after physically inspecting and

identifying the land for which permission was sought.

The Collector said that the aquaculture tanks should be included in the

village map. He said that aquaculture tanks should not be allowed if they

were a source of pollution to the drinking water sources and damaging crop

in adjoining fields.

Responding to an appeal for the closing of an aqua tank in Koduru

panchayat, the Collector ordered the RDO concerned to submit to the

committee a detailed report. Joint Collector P. Usha Kumari, Fisheries

Deputy Director Kalyanam, committee members Goriparti Narasimha Raju

Yadav, K. Satyanarayana, Agriculture Joint Director Balu Nayak and others

participated.

weather

29

INSAT PICTURE AT 11-30 hrs. Observations recorded at 8-30 a.m. on July

18.

ANDHRA PRADESH

Anantapur 35 24 3 122

Arogyavaram 29 20 0 110

Bapatla 30 23 37 252

Calingapatnam 32 25 0 162

Gannavaram 28 24 3 370

Hanamkonda 29 23 48 458

Hyderabad AP 25 22 8 331

Kakinada 28 25 1 300

Kavali 30 23 17 146

Kurnool 32 24 3 154

Mahabubnagar 27 23 8 329

Machilipatnam 30 24 2 283

Narasapur 28 24 2 366

Nellore 29 25 5 266

Nizamabad 25 22 64 623

Ongole 31 23 12 121

Ramagundam 29 24 0 356

Tirupathi AP 34 26 0 117

Tuni 29 25 0 109

Vizag AP 32 27 0 133

Vizag 32 26 0 132

KARNATAKA

Agumbe 23 18 117 3875

30

Bengaluru AP 27 20 0 193

Bengaluru 27 21 tr 248

Belgaum AP 25 20 3 228

Bellary 31 22 6 191

Bijapur 26 21 tr 258

Chitradurga 28 20 5 133

Chickmagalur 26 19 4 233

Chintamani 29 21 0 124

Gadag 29 21 tr 111

Gulbarga 27 21 2 220

Hassan 30 21 5 286

Honavar 30 24 14 1812

Karwar 30 25 18 1632

Madikeri 22 16 43 1853

Mangalore AP 29 25 6 2005

Mysore 28 19 5 112

Mandya 29 21 tr 33

Panambur 30 25 4 1897

Raichur 29 23 1 138

Shirali 31 24 36 2029

KERALA

Alappuzha 28 23 27 1509

Kannur 29 24 16 2299

Kochi AP 30 22 2 1694

Kottayam 30 23 3 1442

Kozhikode 27 24 11 1640

31

Punalur 29 23 18 1078

Thiruvanantha

-puram AP 29 23 12 672

Thiruvanantha

-puram City 31 23 24 653

Vellanikkara 28 23 41 1602

TAMIL NADU

Adiramapattinam 33 26 tr 43

Coimbatore AP 30 23 0 20

Coonoor 21 15 1 83

Cuddalore 35 27 0 165

Chennai AP 32 26 tr 239

Chennai 32 26 2 117

Dharmapuri 30 21 0 3

Kanyakumari 29 23 13 158

Karaikal 37 26 0 114

Kodaikanal 17 11 3 151

Madurai AP 40 27 tr 7

Nagapattinam 37 27 0 31

Palayamkottai 35 27 0 19

Pamban 32 28 0 1

Parangipettai 37 27 0 48

Puducherry 35 27 0 123

Salem 32 23 0 153

Thanjavur 37 29 0 37

Tiruchi AP 38 27 0 4

32

Tirupattur 31 21 0 58

Tondi 33 27 tr 71

Tuticorin 37 27 0 5

Ooty 15 11 5 201

Valparai 21 19 40 2083

Vellore 32 27 0 200

LAKSHADWEEP

Amini Divi 30 26 5 635

Minicoy 31 27 0 524

Kavarathi 31 25 20 —

OTHER STATIONS

Kolkata (Alipore) 32 27 11 485

Mumbai 28 25 22 1312

New Delhi 34 27 0 254

The columns show maximum and minimum temperature in Celsius, rainfall

during last 24 hours (trace) and total rainfall in mm since June 01, 2013.

RAIN IN PARTS OF COASTAL A.P.

CHENNAI: Southwest monsoon has been active over Telangana and south

interior Karnataka.

Rainfall occurred at most places over Kerala and Coastal Karnataka, at

many places over Telangana, South Interior Karnataka and Lakshadweep

and at a few places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema and North

Interior Karnataka. Isolated rainfall occurred over Tamil Nadu.

FORECAST (Valid until Saturday Morning): Rain or thundershowers would

occur at most places over North Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Coastal

Karnataka and Kerala, at many places over South Coastal Andhra

33

Pradesh, Telangana, Rayalaseema and Lakshadweep and at a few places

over Interior Karnataka . Isolated rain or thundershowers may occur over

Tamil Nadu and Puducherry

Heavy Rainfall Warning: Isolated heavy rain may occur over Kerala,

Coastal Karnataka and ghat areas of South Interior Karnataka during the

next 48 hours.

Farmers Weather Bulletin for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry (Forecast valid

until Saturday Morning): Isolated light to moderate rain may occur

over Tamil nadu and Puducherry.

Outlook For Subsequent Two Days: No significant change

34

Neturlim is home to European honey bee

In an attempt to dig into the rich flora and fauna of Goa, highly-motivated

villagers have turned to apiculture or beekeeping, eager to explore the local

market in the state, breeding the European honey bee in particular.

Nearly 30 farmers from Neturlim, Tudou and Gaondongrim are now

engaged in beekeeping, after being trained by experts from the National

Bee Board in Pune in January 2012. The directorate of agriculture, which

has been constantly working on promoting apiculture in Goa from the past

two years rearing Apis Cerana or Satode, has found enthusiasm in farmers

keen on rearing honey bees, especially Apis Mellifera or the European

honey bee.

After knowing Apis Mellifera has a higher yield and that they can go upto

three km in search of pollen, the agriculture department brought in about

350 bee boxes from Uttar Pradesh in March. Starting out in April 2013, 21

of the 30 farmers are commercially beekeeping, adopting various methods

to get higher produce. Zonal Agricultural Officer,Dattaprasad Desai has

been actively part of this change since the beginning along with the

sarpanch, Shashikant Gaonkar.

Desai says, "When we started two years back with Satode, we did not get a

great response. We revived apiculture in January this year and by April,

began breeding them in Neturlim". As monsoon is not a favourable

breeding period for bees, the process has been slower. Desai says, "We

have tried rearing this breed for the first time and we are studying if they

will adapt to the climate in Goa. By September, the process is expected to

35

speed up. While a local honey bee would produce about seven to eight kg

of honey a year, Apis Mellifera can generate upto 50 kg of clean,

unadulterated honey".

No harvest for tiller Naveen Patnaik

The paddy seeds sown on a piece of land at Barimula village on the

outskirts ofKendrapada town in the district have failed to germinate.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on May 13 had sown seeds to mark Akhaya

Trutiya in the presence of agriculture minister Debi Mishra, MLAs of the

district and senior officials.

Farmers have blasted agriculture department for giving sub-standard seeds

to the chief minister.

Deputy director of agriculture (Kendrapada) K C Ojha blamed the land

owner.

"It was a symbolic paddy-sowing function on Akhaya Trutiya. The farmer

concerned, Kanhu Charan Hansda, did not water the field. As a result the

seeds failed to germinate. We had provided good quality seeds to the chief

minister."

Hansda said, "I was on cloud nine when the chief minister stepped on my

land to sow seeds. My dream of a good kharif crop was dashed after the

seeds failed to germinate."

He also alleged the district administration without his consent constructed a

road and a pandal on my land, using stone chips, turning his land barren.

Naveen, addressing a meeting at Barimula, had said the state government

would irrigate 12 lakh hectare in the state within two years.

36

All farmers will get agriculture loan under Biju Krishi Kalyan Yojana at only

2% interest.

The government will provide health cards to all the farmers, the CM had

said.

"The CM is only paying lip service to agriculture,"alleged president of

district Congress committee Debendra Sharma.

Onion getting costlier by the day

The prices of onion started rising across the city about a month ago. While

onions — central to north Indian cuisine — are currently priced at Rs 5

to Rs 7 higher than they were in June, their prices are only expected to rise

further.

Depending on where one lives, onions can be bought for anything between

Rs 35 per kg to Rs 42 per kg. According to Sonu Kumar, a vegetable

vendor in east Delhi's Patparganj, the prices of onion went up by Rs 2 per

kg on Thursday itself. "Prices have been going up steadily since the past

month and wholesalers say it is due to shortage of the produce. No respite

is expected anytime soon. We are expecting the prices to go up to Rs 40

by the end of this week," he said.

Wholesalers however, have not been able to agree on a trend. The rise in

prices would be arrested in the next few days, said Rajender Sharma, the

chairman of the agricultural produce marketing committee and an onion

trader. "Onion prices went up about a month ago but have been stagnant

for a couple of weeks. In fact, crop from the south of India came in around

July 8-10 and prices fell by Rs 5 or so. But then there was rain in the

southern states and crop stopped arriving from there, leading to a slight

37

increase in prices. In another few days, the prices will fall and August will

be much better," he said, adding the other major reason for decrease in

availability of onions was an increase in export to Pakistan.

Despite this, average prices of onion in the wholesale markets have seen

an almost three-time jump. From Rs 8.59 per kg in the Azadpur Mandi on

June 1, the average price has risen to Rs 22.25 per kg on Thursday.

Trader Surendra Sahani, proprietor of Gujarat Onion Company, however

says that no drop in prices is expected for at least another month or so.

"The price rise is due to non-availability of the produce. Due to a drought in

Maharashtra earlier this year, the production there is down by 10%. Last

year there was a bumper crop in Rajasthan but farmers were unable to sell

and faced losses. This time they planted less and production is down by

30%. Compared to last year, less than 50% of the crop is coming in," he

said.

Sources say the situation may improve in another one or two months once

fresh crop from Karnataka starts coming in. This will be followed by crop

from Maharashtra and then from Alwar in October.

Buy cheap fruits from Monday

If an ambitious plan drafted by agriculture minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-

Patilsucceeds, then all low-cost vegetable outlets will also sell fruits at

reasonable prices from July 22. "We held a meeting with the managements

of cooperative societies and the owners of retail outlets. They have agreed

to sell fruits along with vegetables from July 22. We have proposed to sell

five to six varieties of fruits,'' Patil said.

38

Patil said he also had a meeting with 32 retailers who were given direct

marketing licences. "A large number of the retailers were not buying

agricultural produce from the farmers. As a result, the purpose of granting

them direct marketing licence was defeated,'' Patil said. "A high-level panel

headed by the agriculture commissioner has been set up to probe the

complaints against direct market licencees. They have been asked to open

140 retail outlets across the city by July 22. We have instructed them to tell

us about the location of their outlets and from where they plan to procure

the produce."

Patil said the response to the low-cost outlets has been overwhelming. "We

have been able to bring down the price of vegetables in the open market.

We have adequate stock of vegetables and will continue to operate the

outlets for a few months,'' he said. On spiralling onion prices, Patil said,

"There appears to be hoarding of onions by a section of leading traders.

Sufficient quantity of onion is available. If the prices continue to soar, then

we will take stern action against erring traders."

Cheap veggies scheme for Mumbai angers city consumers

The ongoing scheme of stateagriculture department to make vegetables

available at lesser price for consumers through cooperative stores in

Mumbai has angered city consumers. They are seeing this as step

motherly treatment to smaller cities. They point out people in smaller cities,

where per capita income is much lower, deserve such intervention much

more than Mumbai consumers.

The scheme was launched in Mumbai by the agriculture minister

Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil. From July 9 till Wednesday evening, the

39

agriculture department facilitated opening of 37 centres across the state

capital. As of now, government has no intention of starting such scheme in

any other city. The authorities are justifying their act by claiming that

marketing chain scene at Mumbai was much different from other cities and

the scheme cannot be implemented in other parts in Maharashtra.

Two senior officials TOI spoke to in the department said in Mumbai the

vegetable prices were skyrocketing as the wholesalers were buying

vegetables from Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) and

selling to retailers who in turn were earning very high profits. "It was a price

rise was created purposefully. So the government decided to intervene and

totally do away with retailers. Wholesalers are now directly supplying to

stores identified by the department which has reduced the cost by 30-40%.

Government is not buying vegetables and selling them. It is only making

transportation easier and simpler for wholesalers to reach them to the

stores," said a highly placed officer in the department while asking not to be

named.

However, he could not say what was different about Mumbai and why the

same could not be done in other cities. Another official said the department

was not averse to implementing such schemes in other cities. He said in

another four months the 'vegetable initiative' scheme of central government

will be revived and strengthened so farmers would be able to reach their

produce directly to consumers in other cities too.

"It will also reduce the cost for consumer as it will do away with middlemen.

We had started this initiative in Nagpur too but unfortunately the farmer did

not have the entire basket. Now department is making big groups of

farmers so variety could be increased," he said.

40

The Nagpur consumers, however, do not buy this argument. Loveeta Arya,

a resident of Wardhman Nagar, said the average income of middle class in

city was much less compared to the counterparts in Mumbai. "Why this

difference between Mumbai and others," she asked. Harshali Dharamkar, a

bank employee, said that the purchasing power of citizens in Nagpur was

much lower as they were mostly salaried people and not businessmen. If

there is any initiative by government it should be applicable uniformly for

everyone in state. "Vidarbha too is equally important," she added.

Aruna Jagtap, a businesswoman, had similar views. She blamed this on

local leaders. "Vidarbha leaders are not assertive. They cannot even

demand their right from state government," she said pointing to the fact that

no local leader has demanded such a scheme for Nagpur.

4 new government veggie centres, prices dip

The state government's move to provide cheaper vegetables to the

common man has thrown up a lesson in consumer psychology. For every

low-income citizen who freely voices his concern against food inflation,

there are countless middle-class people who are weighed under the burden

but do not speak up fearing social embarrassment. It is this silent majority

that has welcomed the option to buy at lower rates.

On Thursday, the state agriculture ministry opened four new centres-two at

Navy Nagar in Colaba and one each in Santa Cruz and Bandra.

Prices of several items were lowered by a few rupees as well.

Congress MLA Baba Siddiqui, who is taking the initiative in the western

suburbs, particularly the Bandra-Khar area, said, "There are two segments

we are hoping to benefit. The first, of course, is the poor segment that lives

41

in slum localities. There is also the vast middle class that is burdened by

price rise but is wary of voicing discomfort lest relatives and neighbours

pass judgement on their status. They are extremely relieved at the option of

being able to buy good quality produce at cheaper rates."

Baskets of fresh vegetables arrived at the D'Monte Park Recreation Centre

on Thursday evening and immediately shoppers arrived to buy. Siddiqui

plans to set up similar centres on a permanent basis at the rate of one

every day.

Earlier on Wednesday, state agriculture minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil

met officials of the Maharashtra Chamber of Housing Industry (MCHI), the

parent association of developers, which has offered to take the movement

forward. MCHI president Vimal Shah said, "We have 1,800 members who

have volunteered to network within the housing colonies they have built,

and set up at least 100 centres within seven or eight days. The women of

each society will be entrusted the task of managing the scheme.

Western ghats need to be protected: National Green Tribunal

The National Green Tribunal has ruled that it would have jurisdiction to

entertain all civil cases raising questions of inaction over protection of

environment.

In an order passed on Thursday, the tribunal said that the it is indisputable

and an unquestionable fact that Western Ghats are ecologically sensitive

and require protection.

The government itself had appointed three different committees from time

to time to find out ways and means by which the Western Ghats can be

protected and its degradation prevented.

42

The order came on an application filed by two environmental groups from

Goa - Goa Foundation and Peaceful society - who had sought a direction to

the government and their agencies not to issue any consent/environment

clearance or NOC of permission under Environment protection act and

other acts, within the western ghats areas, particularly in ecologically

sensitive zones - ESZ 1 and 2. The main prayer is for a direction to the

government authorities to discharge their obligations for protection of the

western ghats as enunciated by the western ghats ecology expert panel

headed by Dr Madhav Gadgil in its report dated August 31 2012.

Besides union of India, among the parties named as respondents include

state of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Gujarat, Tamil nadu, state

pollution control boards, etc.

"By inaction, naturally, there will be violation of the precautionary principle

and therefore, the tribunal will have jurisdiction to entertain all civil cases

raising such questions of environment", the principal bench said in the

order.

Rejecting the plea of some of the respondents, the tribunal held that it has

jurisdiction to hear pleas on issues of environment protection. The five

member bench headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar directed that the main

application be listed for hearing on merits.

43

India notifies sugar import duty hike to 15% from 10%

India issued a notification on Tuesday to implement a hike in import duty on

sugar to 15 percent from 10 percent as the world's top sugar consumer

tries to prop up local prices which are falling due to ample and cheap global

supplies.

In a meeting last week, key government ministries agreed to raise import

tax on the sweetener.

The duty increase could mean a halt to India's sugar imports, which have

already slowed to a trickle following a sharp drop in the rupee which makes

dollar-denominated world sugar more expensive. A halt in imports would

pressure global prices further as stocks would not ease.

Indian mills and traders mainly import raw sugar and sell it in the local

market after refining. India has been importing sugar despite surplus local

production as the commodity is cheaper in the world market due to a

bumper output in Brazil.

44

Weather-Chennai

Today's Weather

Cloudy

Friday, Jul 19

Max Min

32o | 25o

Rain: 0 Sunrise: 05:51

Humidity: 74 Sunset: 06:39

Wind: normal Barometer: 1002

Tomorrow's Forecast

Cloudy

Saturday, Jul 20

Max Min

33o | 26o

Extended Forecast for a week

Sunday

Jul 21

Monday

Jul 22

Tuesday

Jul 23

Wednesday

Jul 24

Thursday

Jul 25

33o | 26o 35o | 25o 35o | 25o 33o | 25o 34o | 25o

Cloudy Overcast Overcast Overcast Overcast

Airport weather

Rain: 0 Sunrise: 05:35

Humidity: 79 Sunset: 07:19

Wind: normal Barometer: 995

45

Costlier bulb

Huge demand: Prices of garlic (Allium sativum) have increased steadily in

the last three months due to a 30 per cent drop in output following

unseasonal rains. It was large-scale exports last year to Pakistan that

triggered a shortage in domestic markets. Traders see a steady rise in

demand during the oncoming festive season. At the retail level, garlic is

ruling at Rs 250-280 a kg. — P.V. Sivakumar

46

Spot rubber steady on fresh buying

Spot rubber finished firm on Thursday.

The market extended gains on fresh buying and short covering catalysed

by the overall gains in domestic futures on the National Multi Commodity

Exchange.

Though the commodity was visibly bullish, the market indicator RSS 4

failed to regain strength on buyer resistance possibly due to the gap

between the local and futures markets. The sentiments were led by

sustained rains and supply concerns.

Sheet rubber closed unchanged at Rs 191 a kg, according to the traders.

The grade improved to Rs 191 (190) at Kottayam and Kochi, as reported by

the Rubber Board. The trend was mixed.

August futures firmed up to Rs 189.82 (Rs 187.08), September to Rs

179.75 (Rs 177.06), October to Rs 171.60 (Rs 169.11), November to Rs

165.48 (Rs 164.85) and December to Rs 164.80 (Rs 164.67) on the NMCE.

RSS 3 (spot) dropped to Rs 151.16 (Rs 151.18) at Bangkok.

47

July futures increased to ¥ 245.3 (Rs 146.25) on the Tokyo Commodity

Exchange.

Spot rubber rates RS/kg were : RSS-4: 191 (191); RSS-5: 187 (186);

Ungraded: 177 (175); ISNR 20: 176 (176) and Latex 60 per cent: 153

(151).

In India, investments actually flow out in tea sector

The Centre’s decision to once again relax the norms for foreign direct

investment (FDI) in tea plantations may have little significance.

This is because the industry is witnessing a reverse trend of Indian

companies moving out to acquire tea estates in abroad.

India allowed 100 per cent FDI in tea through the Foreign Investment

Promotion Board route in 2002. After the July 16 Cabinet decision, foreign

investors are spared from taking FIPB clearance for holding up to 49 per

cent stake in a tea estates. The foreign investment board clearances are

mandatory for holding a higher stake

The tea industry, however, has little as way of reaction to such changes.

Available records suggest that between 2011 and 2013, the board cleared

Rs 258 crore worth of foreign investment proposals in two tea companies

Darjeeling Organic Tea Estates and Jay Shree Tea & Industries Ltd.

A Jayshree Tea spokesperson said that the company had planned to issue

Rs 60 crore worth of shares to a foreign investors. But it was abandoned.

Kamal Baheti, Chief Financial Officer of world’s largest tea producer

McLeod Russell Ltd, does not remember any other instance of foreign

investors showing interest in India.

48

Reverse trend

On the other hand, there are instances of foreign companies selling their

legacy investment in Indian tea sector.

McLeod, for example, bought out the 70 per cent stake holding of UK-

based Philip Magor group in Williamson Tea Assam Ltd.

With little scope to expand acreage under organised plantation estates, the

average price for any good estate is substantially higher (approximately Rs

400-450 for every kg of production capacity in North India) compared with

other tea producing nations.

As the high cost of acquisition of Indian estates limits the returns on

investment, Indian tea companies are increasingly venturing abroad to

expand capacities. Foothold across geographies also helps companies to

reduce climate risk.

“In tea plantations, India is the leader. Indian companies have gone

overseas to acquire assets. There has not been any activity from any

overseas player to invest here ,” Baheti told Business Line.

McLeod has already acquired estates producing over 22 million kg (mkg) of

tea in Uganda, Rwanda and Vietnam.

Even relatively smaller tea companies such as Dhunseri Petrochem & Tea

acquired acquires estates in abroad.

Only exception

One of the exceptions in this story in tea sector is Goodricke Group Ltd

(GGL).

Controlled by the UK-based Duncan Lawrie Group, Goodricke is one of the

largest tea companies with well over 30 mkg production. Duncan Lawrie

holds 74 per cent stake in the company.

49

According to Arun N. Singh, Managing Director, the relaxed FDI norms may

offer good investment opportunities for foreign companies in India in view

of the recent devaluation of rupee.

He has a point. But, that’s not a specific advantage with respect to the tea

sector.

Monsoon showers 16% excess rainfall

It has been almost a secular coverage across the country by the South-

West monsoon this year.

According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), barring part of the

Gangetic plains of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chandigarh and the North-

East, the monsoon has been either normal or excess.

Overall, the country has received 16 per cent excess rainfall for the current

season that began on June 1.

The feature of monsoon this year is that the key areas that contribute to

agriculture production in the kharif season have all received ample rainfall

from the monsoon.

This has also reflected in sowing figures put out by the Agriculture Ministry.

Plantings in coarse cereals and oilseeds have more than doubled as a

result, while sowing in rice, cotton and pulses are up at least by a third over

last year’s coverage.

Of the 36 meteorological sub-divisions in the country, 20 have received

excess and 10 normal rainfall.

During the same time last year, just one region had received excess and 22

sub-divisions deficient rainfall.

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The progress in the monsoon has resulted in the storage level in the 85

major reservoirs across the country double.

Currently, the live storage in the reservoirs is over 35 per cent of the

154.877 billion cubic metres.

The storage level in the South that witnessed a prolonged dry period last

year has also improved compared with last year.

Meanwhile, going by the IMD forecast, the North-East which has received

deficient rainfall till now could see heavy rain in the next couple of days.

Other parts of the country, including the peninsula and central parts, are

likely to receive heavy rainfall.

subramani.mancombu@

K.V. Thomas to address commodity meet in Mumbai

K. V. Thomas, Union Minister of State for Food, Public Distribution and

Consumer Affairs, will be the chief guest at the forthcoming “Stakeholder

Awareness and Education Seminar on Agri-business and Commodities

Price Risk Management and the Way Forward for the Commodity Futures

Market”. The event is scheduled on July 22, in Mumbai at Hotel Hyatt

Regency, Sahar Airport Road, Andheri East. Registration opens at 3.30

p.m. and the seminar starts at 4 p.m.

51

Organised by The Hindu Business Line jointly with the commodity futures

market regulator – Forward Markets Commission (FMC) – under the Union

Ministry of Consumer Affairs and the country’s largest agri-commodity

futures exchange – National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange – the

seminar seeks to bring together hedgers and investors to create awareness

about price risk management.

Samir Shah, MD, NCDEX, will welcome the delegates. Ramesh Abhishek,

Chairman, FMC, will make the opening remarks. Experts will then make

presentations on various topics of relevance to market participants.

These include “Indian Food Security and Commodities as critical driver of

India’s economic growth” by G. Chandrashekhar, The Hindu Business Line;

and “Benefits of commodity futures trading and exchange perspective and

price risk management” by NCDEX and “Regulator’s Perspective” by the

FMC. Chief Guest Prof. Thomas will deliver the valedictory address.

Cotton rules flat as inflow rises

52

Prices of the both the varieties of cotton remained unchanged , despite

increased arrival at the sale in the regulated market near here.

“Arrivals increased to 1,657 quintals ( 4,342 bags), but the price of Surabi

cotton increased by Rs 50 a quintal, ” said the Bhoodapady Regulated

Market Committee authorities.Cotton farmers said that some important

buyers did not turn up for the sale on Wednesday due to Aadi festival. They

had expected price to rise this week, but since some key buyers from

Tirupur did not turn up, prices were unchanged.

Traders said that they are expecting the price to increase within a month.

At Bhoodapady Regulated Market Committee, the Surabi cotton was sold

at Rs 6,070-6,600 a quintal, while the Bt cotton was sold at Rs 4,990-5,500.

All the 1,657 quintals were sold.

In the Sathyamangalam Cooperative Marketing Society, Brahma, RTC and

Sanju varieties of cotton arrived for sale. All the 700 quintals kept for sale

were sold at Rs 4,800-5,400 a quintal.

(This article was published in the Business Line print edition dated July 19,

2013)

Dwindling arrivals seen supporting jeera

53

Jeera futures were marginally up on slight short-covering, tracking firm spot

demand.

But the upside was limited due to higher local supplies amid weak demand,

while rains in growing areas also weighed on sentiment.

Spot price inched down.

On the NCDEX, jeera August contract was up by Rs 22.50 to Rs 13,582.50

a quintal with an open interest of 16,107 lots. In Unjha mandi of Gujarat

about 8,000 bags arrived and demand remained at 6,500 bags.

Spot jeera shed Rs 5-7 to Rs 2,750-2,975 for 20 kg and medium grade

jeera was at Rs 2,400-2,650 .

Jeera is expected to hold on amid good overseas demand and falling

arrivals.

Demand is moderating in local markets now but prices continue to linger

just under their four-month highs as the sentiments still remain positive

amid favourable global offtake.

Spot jeera markets are still witnessing a good activity amid renewed buying

interest.

The futures have also witnessed good upside in the last few days and

further rise is possible given the persistent worries over supplies from Syria

in world markets.

54

Rice seen flat on steady demand

The rice market is likely to rule without much fluctuation on account of

steady demand and ample stocks in the coming days, said trade experts.

With not much trade taking place in the market, prices of full grain rice

varieties remained unchanged while brokens dropped on lack of buying on

Thursday.

Amit Chandna, Proprietor of Hanuman Rice Trading Company,

told Business Line that the market is moving at snail’s pace. Trading has

been lukewarm over the last couple of weeks.

According to trade experts, market sentiments are low and any major

alteration in market is unlikely.

In the physical market, Pusa-1121 (steam) sold at Rs 7,550-7,650 a quintal

while Pusa-1121 (sela) quoted at Rs 7,000-7,050.

Pure basmati (raw) quoted at Rs 8,800-20. Duplicate basmati (steam) sold

at Rs 6,600.

55

After ruling flat for almost a month, brokens dropped by Rs 150-300 on lack

of buying interest.

For the brokens of Pusa-1121, Dubar dropped by Rs 300 and quoted at Rs

3,600, Tibar eased by Rs 150 and sold at Rs 4,250 while Mongra was at

Rs 2,900, Rs 200 down.

In the non-basmati section, Sharbati (Steam) sold at Rs 4,750-4,800 while

Sharbati (Sela) quoted at Rs 4,300.

Permal (raw) sold at Rs 2,300-50, Permal (sela) went for Rs 2,300, PR-11

(sela) sold at Rs 2,900 while PR-11 (Raw) quoted at Rs 2,750. PR14

(steam) sold at Rs 3,400.

Paddy arrivals

Around 10,000 bags of different paddy varieties arrived at the Karnal Grain

Market Terminal on Thursday from the Uttar Pradesh.

About 1,000 bags of Pusa-1121 arrived and quoted at Rs 3,000-3,100.

Around 8,000 bags of PR arrived and quoted at Rs 1,000-70 while 1,000

bags of Sharbati quoted at Rs 1,550-1,650 a quintal.

Edible oil market deals hit by bearish outlook

Edible oils market witnessed a mixed trend on Thursday, tracking excellent

progress in sowing of kharif crops and expectation of pressure on

56

Malaysian palm oil futures as peak production season is fast approaching,

said traders.

In Mumbai soyabean and rapeseed oil declined further by Rs 5 each.

Cotton oil lost Rs 3 for 10 kg. Groundnut oil, sunflower oil and palmolein

were unchanged. Shailesh Kataria of Riddhi Brokers told Business

Line, “Slack demand kept volume thin in ready and nearby delivery. No one

was interested in forward covering as the domestic futures market was

bearish. During the day, hardly 200-250 tonnes of palmolein were sold by

an importer at Rs 524 ex-JNPT. Local refineries rates were higher

compared to resellers and hence, volume remained thin.”

Towards the day’s close, Liberty was quoted palmolein at Rs 533 and Rs

535 for August, super palmolein Rs 570 for July-August and super deluxe

Rs 590. Ruchi quoted palmolein at Rs 538 for July, August and September,

soyabean refined oil Rs 640 for July and Rs 645 for August and sunflower

refined oil Rs 810 for July-August. Allana was quoting palmolein at Rs 532-

536 and super palmolein Rs 570 for July. Gokul’s rates were Rs 530 for

palmolein and Rs 545 for super palmolein for July.

In Rajkot, groundnut oil declined further by Rs 20 to Rs 1,550 for telia tin

and by Rs 10 to Rs 1,010 for loose (10 kg.). Soyabean arrivals were about

1.10 lakh bags and its prices were Rs 3,550-3,650 ex mandi and Rs 3,730-

80 for plant delivery.

Malaysia BMD crude palm oil’s August contracts settled higher at MYR

2,340 (MYR 2,277), September at MYR 2,305 (MYR 2,266) and October at

MYR 2,291 (MYR 2,250) a tonne.

The Bombay Commodity Exchange spot rates (Rs/10 kg) : groundnut oil

1,000 (1,000), soya refined oil 640 (645), sunflower exp. ref. 750 (750),

57

sunflower ref. 810 (810), rapeseed ref. oil 680 (685), rapeseed expeller ref.

650 (655) cottonseed ref. oil 645 (648) and palmolein 527 (527).

Vikram Global Commodities (P) Ltd quoted Rs 571/10 kg for Malaysian

super palmolein - August delivery.

Higher oilseeds output hopes crush mustard

Mustard oil ruled flat in mandis across Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and

Gujarat on scattered and restricted buying support.

In Indore mandis, mustard oil on Thursday ruled at Rs 632, while it was Rs

625 in Neemuch and Rs 630 in Morena.

In Rajasthan mandis also, mustard oil ruled stable with its price in Kota and

Ganga Nagar being quoted at Rs 635 for 10 kg each, while it ruled at Rs

650 in Jaipur. In Gujarat also, mustard oil was down Rs 5 from last week at

Rs 630.

After ruling high a few weeks ago, demand in mustard oil has got stagnated

in the last one week, leading to sluggishness in prices, said a mustard oil

trader Kailash Agrawal. With plenty of rains lashing oilseeds growing

58

States, the prospect of rise in sowing and further rise in production has also

added to sluggish trend in mustard oil.

With arrival in the State declining to 7,000 bags, mustard seeds in Indore

mandis rose marginally to Rs 4,100-4,250 a quintal (up Rs 50). Similarly,

raida also gained Rs 50 to Rs 3,050-3,100. Mustard seeds, however,

traded lower on weak buying support with its July and August contracts on

the NCDEX closing at Rs 3,380 (down Rs 20) and Rs 3,385 (down Rs 16).

Plant deliveries of mustard seeds are also down Rs 50-55 from last week at

Rs 3,480-3,500 on weak demand from crushers. Arrival of mustard seeds

declined to one lakh bags .

Export contracts fail to sweeten sugar

Sugar prices ruled steady across the country on Thursday due to slack

demand and ample supply.

In the Vashi wholesale spot market, barring S-grade which rose by Rs 3 ,

prices remained unchanged .

59

Naka and mill tender rates were steady on routine business activities.

An observer said that prices in the futures market continued to be bearish.

Though there were reports that producers have committed around 1.5 lakh

tonnes of sugar for export to neighbouring countries, it didn’t reflect in the

market as production is higher this year.

Sources said that in Vashi market volume remained routine despite

Ramzan and AshadhiEkadashi festivals.

There were inventories of over 120-125 truckloads of stocks and need-

based routine local demand kept volume and price volatility thin and range

bound.

Arrivals at Vashi market were 63-64 truckloads (of 100 bags each) and

local dispatches were about 63-64 loads.

On Wednesday evening, about 14-15 mills offered tenders and sold about

64,000-65,000 bags to the local traders at steady rates of Rs 2,930-3,000

for S-grade and Rs 3,030-3,110 for M-grade.

The Bombay Sugar Merchants Association's spot rates were: S-grade Rs

3,062-3,145 and M-grade Rs 3,172-3,322.

Naka delivery rates: S-grade Rs 3,020-3,080 and M-grade Rs 3,130-3,220.

60

Local demand lends colour to turmeric

Spot turmeric prices increased on Thursday due to local demand and

arrival of quality produce.

“The arrivals have increased and prices were increased as the traders have

procured for their local orders. The price of the hybrid variety was up due to

arrival of good quality. The price of the finger variety increased by Rs 900 a

quintal in Regulated Market Committee as the medium variety arrived for

sale,” said a trader.

Traders said that they have received few local orders for the yellow spice.

Prices may increase only in the end of this month after receiving upcountry

demand.

The price of the finger variety increased by Rs 600 a quintal in the Erode.

Of the 1,400 bags that arrived, 70 per cent was sold.

At the Erode Turmeric Merchants Association sales yard, the finger variety

was sold at Rs 4,199-6,575; the root variety Rs 4,109-5,880.

Salem Hybrid Crop: The finger variety fetched Rs 6,350-7,529 and the root

variety Rs 5,619-6,080. Of the 370 bags put up for sale, 107 were sold.

61

At the Regulated Market Committee, the finger variety was sold at Rs

5,455-6,814; the root variety Rs 5,014-5,971. Of the 357 bags on offer, 344

found takers.

At the Erode Cooperative Marketing Society, the finger variety quoted Rs

5,269-6,710; the root variety Rs 5,049-5,911. All the 434 bags were traded.

At the Gobichettipalayam Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Society, the

finger variety fetched Rs 5,698-6,789 and the root variety Rs 5,068-6,216.

Of the 124 bags up for sale,102 were traded.

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Sugar down 0.5% on sluggish demand, ample supply

Ample supplies in the physical market also put pressure on sugar prices

Sugar prices fell by 0.59% to Rs 3,024 per quintal in futures trading today

as speculators reduced their holdings due to sluggish demand from bulk

consumers in the spot market.

Ample supplies in the physical market also put pressure on sugar prices.

At the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange, sugar for delivery in

August fell by Rs 18, or 0.59% to Rs 3,024 per quintal with an open interest

of 36,140 lots.

Similarly, sugar for delivery in July contract traded lower by Rs 2, or 0.07%

to Rs 2,965 per quintal in 330 lots.

Market analysts said sluggish demand from bulk consumers against ample

supplies in the market, mainly led to fall in sugar prices at futures trade

Castorseed down 1.5% on selling pressure

Most active near August contract sheded by 0.14%

Castorseed oil prices looked down by Rs 53 to Rs 3,400 per quintal in

future trading today following increased selling by traders in tandem with

weak physical markets sentiment.

Lack of buying support from soap, paints, lubricant and pharmaceuticals

industries against ample supply in spot markets mainly resulted the fall in

castorseed prices.

Fall in export demand too damapened the trading sentiment to some

extent.

At the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange, castorseed for

63

current month July's contract dropped by Rs 53, or 1.53%, to Rs 3,400 per

quintal, with an open interest of 1,210 lots.

Most active near August contract sheded by Rs 5, or 0.14%, to Rs 3,486

per quintal, having an open interest of 1,99,650 lots

Potato declines by 1% on profit booking

Increased supplies in the domestic market from producing regions

dampened the sentiments

Potato futures prices today fell by 1.04% to Rs 693.10 per quintal on profit

booking by traders due to lower spot market demand.

Besides, increased supplies in the domestic market from producing regions

too dampened the sentiments.

At the Multi Commodity Exchange, potato for August delivery fell by Rs

7.30, or 1.04%, to Rs 693.10 per quintal, with a business volume of 75 lots.

Potato for delivery in September fell by Rs 5.40, or 0.83%, to Rs 645 per

quintal, with a trading volume of 48 lots.

Marketmen said fall in potato prices was mostly due to profit booking by

traders against increased supplies

Cardamom weakens by 0.7% on profit-booking

Subdued demand in the spot market against adequate stocks position

mainly kept pressure on the cardamom prices

Cardamom extended weakness with prices falling further by 0.73% to Rs

753.80 per kg in futures trade today as speculators booked profits at

prevailing levels amid subdued demand in the spot market.

64

Adequate stocks in the spot market following increased arrivals also put

pressure on the prices.

At the Multi Commodity Exchange, cardamom prices for delivery in August

declined by Rs 5.60, or 0.73%, to Rs 753.80 per kg with a business

turnover of 595 lots.

Likewise, the spice prices for delivery in September shed Rs 3.80, or

0.48% to Rs 785.10 per kg in 63 lots.

Market analysts said subdued demand in the spot market against adequate

stocks position mainly kept pressure on the cardamom prices at futures

trade

Mentha oil weakens by 0.5% on profit-booking

The fall in mentha futures prices was mostly due to profit booking by

speculators

Mentha oil futures prices fell by Rs 4.30 to Rs 918.60 per kg today as

speculators locked in gains at prevailing levels amid slackened spot

demand.

At the Multi Commodity Exchange, mentha oil prices for delivery in July

declined by Rs 4.30, or 0.46%, to Rs 918.60 per kg in business turnover of

324 lots.

Likewise, the oil prices for delivery in August contract traded lower by Rs

3.80, or 0.40%, to Rs 932 per kg in 45 lots.

The fall in mentha futures prices was mostly due to profit booking by

speculators after recent gains and sluggish demand from pharmaceutical

units, analysts said.