The Economic Times
Kolkata, 23 June 2010
New flavours in ITA cuppa
WITH Kenya and Sri Lanka emerging as major competitors for Indian tea in the world market, the Indian tea industry is making itself stronger. The Indian Tea Association (ITA), the apex body of tea producers of Assam and Dooars, has opened the doors for Darjeeling and south Indian tea estates for joining them. This will enable the Indian tea industry to work together and make it more visible in the world market as ITA provides a major platform for promoting Indian tea globally as well as in emerging markets like Pakistan , Egypt and Iraq . The move comes at a time when Indian tea companies are making some headway in the African market through acquisition of tea estates. The likes of McLeod Russel India and Jay Shree Tea & Industries have already acquired gardens in Africa, while others like Rossell Tea and Dhunseri Group are scouting for gardens in Uganda and Rwanda . Nine tea estates from Darjeeling , including those fromGoodricke Group Ltd, have taken the membership of ITA though they will continue with the Darjeeling Tea Association as well. Darjeeling Tea Association (DTA) was formed in 1984, when Darjeeling tea producers decided to form a separate entity which will solely focus on operations of Darjeeling tea estates. Some premium tea estates of Darjeeling like Glenburn, Gielle, Margaret’s Hope, Castleton, Badamtam, Thurbo,Barnesbeg have become members of ITA. There are 87 tea estates in Darjeeling . Confirming the development, Monojit Dasgupta, secretary general of ITA told ET: “ITA’s national committee has taken an in-principle decision to allow Darjeeling tea producers to join our association. In fact, the general rules and regulations of ITA do not restrict any planters to join the association. Even south Indian planters can join us, provided we have the necessary infrastructure to support them. We have put in place the necessary infrastructure at our Terai branch to serve Darjeeling tea estates that have taken our membership. We feel ITA, which has emerged as the largest tea association in the country, will help these gardens in efficiently negotiating wage and bonus with workers, help them deal with land reform issues, suggest ways to reduce cost of production and actively promote Darjeeling tea in world markets.” Goodricke Group Ltd MD and CEO AN Singh said: “We feel ITA will be in a better position to give service to us. Moreover, ITA will also showcase our teas in world market and help in exports. For the time being, we will continue with dual membership of ITA and DTA.” DTA chairman Sanjay Bansal said: “We have heard about this new development. DTA will continue to exist and will provide service to its members efficiently.”
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Spices export rises on demand from East Asia
The Financial Express
New Delhi, 21 June 2010
Spices export rises on demand from East Asia
The East Asian countries have helped India ’s spices sector achieve an impressive export gains in the fiscal ended March 31, 2010 , despite recession in the other parts of the world. In 2009-10, spices exports rose by 7% in terms of volume and 5% in value when compared to the previous fiscal. The performance of 5,02,750 tonne valued at Rs 5,560.50 crore ($1173.75 billion) exceeded the target for the fiscal by 16% in volume and 24% in value. The achievement is commendable considering the fact that the world economies have still not come out of recession, Spices Board chairman VJ Kurian said. The board has set an ambitious target of Rs 6,000 crore ($1.3 billon) for this fiscal, he added. Exports of spices during 2008-09 stood at 4,70,520 tonne valued Rs 5,300.25 crore. Spices exports registered 40% and 25% growth in April and May 2010, respectively, he said. The exports to Malaysia at 8% and China at 7% helped the spices sector to sustain growth, board sources said. Exports to the Asian bloc have increased by around 15% annually in the last four to five years, sources said. India exported spices to 140 countries in 2009-10. Of these, the US leads with around 16%, Malaysia coming second with 8%, China (7%), UAE (6%) and UK accounting for 5%. The slowdown in major consuming markets such as EU and US have adversely affected export of value added spices. In the export basket of spices and spice products, spice oils and oleoresins including mint products like mint oils, menthol crystals, and menthol powder contributed 34% of the total export earnings. Chilli contributed 23% followed by cumin 10%, turmeric 7%, and pepper 6%. India exported a total quantity of 19,750 tonne of pepper valued at Rs 313.93 crore in 2009-10 as against 25,250 tonne valued at Rs 413.74 crore of 2008-09, a decline of 22 % in volume and 24 % in value. Imports of pepper during the fiscal was at 17,500 tonne, traders said. Export of cardamom (small) from India in 2009-10 was at an all time high in terms of value. India exported 1,975 tonne of cardamom valued at Rs 165.70 crore as against 750 tonne valued at Rs 47.27 crore in 2008-09, an increase of 163 % in volume and 251% in value. Chilli exports were up by 19 % in value terms and was estimated at 2, 04,000 tonne valued at Rs 1291.73 crore as against 1, 88,000 tonne valued at Rs 1080.95 crore in 2008-09. Fall in Chinese output helped India register impressive gains in chilli exports, traders said. Export of turmeric hit an all time high in terms of value. India exported 50,750 tonne of turmeric valued at Rs 381.23 crore as against 52,500 tonne valued at Rs 248.58 crore. In 2009-10, the average domestic price went up to Rs 127.47 per kg as against Rs 92.12 per kg in 2008-09. Export of spice oils and oleoresins has registered a slight decline in 2009-2010 as compared to last year and the export has been 6,750 tonne valued Rs 708.75 crore as against 6,850 tonne valued at Rs 720.50 crore of 2008-09. Mint products are the second largest product in the export basket accounting for 21 % of the spices export. Export of mint products in 2009-10 has been 19,000 tonne valued at Rs 1189.72 crore as against 20,500 tonne valued at Rs 1420.25 crore in 2008-09.
New Delhi, 21 June 2010
Spices export rises on demand from East Asia
The East Asian countries have helped India ’s spices sector achieve an impressive export gains in the fiscal ended March 31, 2010 , despite recession in the other parts of the world. In 2009-10, spices exports rose by 7% in terms of volume and 5% in value when compared to the previous fiscal. The performance of 5,02,750 tonne valued at Rs 5,560.50 crore ($1173.75 billion) exceeded the target for the fiscal by 16% in volume and 24% in value. The achievement is commendable considering the fact that the world economies have still not come out of recession, Spices Board chairman VJ Kurian said. The board has set an ambitious target of Rs 6,000 crore ($1.3 billon) for this fiscal, he added. Exports of spices during 2008-09 stood at 4,70,520 tonne valued Rs 5,300.25 crore. Spices exports registered 40% and 25% growth in April and May 2010, respectively, he said. The exports to Malaysia at 8% and China at 7% helped the spices sector to sustain growth, board sources said. Exports to the Asian bloc have increased by around 15% annually in the last four to five years, sources said. India exported spices to 140 countries in 2009-10. Of these, the US leads with around 16%, Malaysia coming second with 8%, China (7%), UAE (6%) and UK accounting for 5%. The slowdown in major consuming markets such as EU and US have adversely affected export of value added spices. In the export basket of spices and spice products, spice oils and oleoresins including mint products like mint oils, menthol crystals, and menthol powder contributed 34% of the total export earnings. Chilli contributed 23% followed by cumin 10%, turmeric 7%, and pepper 6%. India exported a total quantity of 19,750 tonne of pepper valued at Rs 313.93 crore in 2009-10 as against 25,250 tonne valued at Rs 413.74 crore of 2008-09, a decline of 22 % in volume and 24 % in value. Imports of pepper during the fiscal was at 17,500 tonne, traders said. Export of cardamom (small) from India in 2009-10 was at an all time high in terms of value. India exported 1,975 tonne of cardamom valued at Rs 165.70 crore as against 750 tonne valued at Rs 47.27 crore in 2008-09, an increase of 163 % in volume and 251% in value. Chilli exports were up by 19 % in value terms and was estimated at 2, 04,000 tonne valued at Rs 1291.73 crore as against 1, 88,000 tonne valued at Rs 1080.95 crore in 2008-09. Fall in Chinese output helped India register impressive gains in chilli exports, traders said. Export of turmeric hit an all time high in terms of value. India exported 50,750 tonne of turmeric valued at Rs 381.23 crore as against 52,500 tonne valued at Rs 248.58 crore. In 2009-10, the average domestic price went up to Rs 127.47 per kg as against Rs 92.12 per kg in 2008-09. Export of spice oils and oleoresins has registered a slight decline in 2009-2010 as compared to last year and the export has been 6,750 tonne valued Rs 708.75 crore as against 6,850 tonne valued at Rs 720.50 crore of 2008-09. Mint products are the second largest product in the export basket accounting for 21 % of the spices export. Export of mint products in 2009-10 has been 19,000 tonne valued at Rs 1189.72 crore as against 20,500 tonne valued at Rs 1420.25 crore in 2008-09.
Met experts want to go beyond rain for drought
Top
Business Standard
New Delhi, 21 June 2010
Met experts want to go beyond rain for drought
Paucity of monsoon rainfall alone is not asufficient determinant of drought, maintains the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). Several other factors need to be taken into account to declare an agricultural drought. This opinion emerges from ameeting of 19 scientists from all regions of the world, convened recently by the WMO at Murcia , Spain , to frame a reliable drought index. These experts called for moving beyond the use of just rainfall data in computing indices for the description of agricultural drought and its impacts on agriculture. “In the context of climate variability and change, water scarcity and food security, it is important to use more comprehensive data on rainfall, temperature and soils in computing drought indices,” said the global meteorological body in a statement issued after the meeting. The experts pointed to the strong need for better soil information and establishment of soil moisture monitoring networks. This would require closer cooperation among the authorities responsible for addressing drought issues at local, national and regional levels, the WMO said. The meeting assumes significance in view of the stagnant agri productivity and rising food deficits in many parts of the world. “Increasing global demand for cereals to feed the growing populations will require a 40 per cent increase in grain production in 2020,” the WMO stated. The challenge is to revive agricultural growth at the global level. In developing countries, where adoption of improved technologies is too slow to counteract the adverse effects of varying environmental conditions, climate fluctuations and droughts are the main factors which prevent a regular supply of food, the key to food security. In India , the state governments are charged with the responsibility of declaring drought in an area. Though rainfall deficiency is usually the key determinant, other considerations, including financial assistance from the Union government, often play a role in drought declaration. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) takes abroader view of agricultural drought, saying such a situation arises from the deficiency of rainfall over an extended period. The ICAR’s conceptual definition of agricultural drought states: “It is a protracted period of deficient precipitation resulting in extensive damage to crops and loss of yields.” Agricultural drought occurs when plant growth gets seriously affected on account of prolonged shortage of moisture in soil, ICAR sources say. “In the arid and semi-arid areas, the specification of drought cannot be divorced from land utilisation. Rainfall too meagre to produce crops may be adequate for pastures,” these sources added. However, the India Meteorological Department, as also the Irrigation Commission, uses rainfall statistics and irrigation facilities for determining agricultural drought. They define drought years as those when annual rainfall is less than or equal to 75 per cent of the normal. If such drought occurs in any particular area in over 20 per cent of the years, that area is designated as ‘droughtprone’, provided irrigation facilities are inadequate there. Different agencies in other countries, too, use different parameters for calling an agricultural drought. In view of lack of uniformity in the perception of drought, the WMO meeting called for the use of common agricultural drought indices, besides a common framework for drought monitoring and early warning. They recommended WMO conduct a survey to compile and assess the capacities and future needs of national meteorological and hydrological services to build such acommon framework for early warning of agricultural drought.
Business Standard
New Delhi, 21 June 2010
Met experts want to go beyond rain for drought
Paucity of monsoon rainfall alone is not asufficient determinant of drought, maintains the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). Several other factors need to be taken into account to declare an agricultural drought. This opinion emerges from ameeting of 19 scientists from all regions of the world, convened recently by the WMO at Murcia , Spain , to frame a reliable drought index. These experts called for moving beyond the use of just rainfall data in computing indices for the description of agricultural drought and its impacts on agriculture. “In the context of climate variability and change, water scarcity and food security, it is important to use more comprehensive data on rainfall, temperature and soils in computing drought indices,” said the global meteorological body in a statement issued after the meeting. The experts pointed to the strong need for better soil information and establishment of soil moisture monitoring networks. This would require closer cooperation among the authorities responsible for addressing drought issues at local, national and regional levels, the WMO said. The meeting assumes significance in view of the stagnant agri productivity and rising food deficits in many parts of the world. “Increasing global demand for cereals to feed the growing populations will require a 40 per cent increase in grain production in 2020,” the WMO stated. The challenge is to revive agricultural growth at the global level. In developing countries, where adoption of improved technologies is too slow to counteract the adverse effects of varying environmental conditions, climate fluctuations and droughts are the main factors which prevent a regular supply of food, the key to food security. In India , the state governments are charged with the responsibility of declaring drought in an area. Though rainfall deficiency is usually the key determinant, other considerations, including financial assistance from the Union government, often play a role in drought declaration. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) takes abroader view of agricultural drought, saying such a situation arises from the deficiency of rainfall over an extended period. The ICAR’s conceptual definition of agricultural drought states: “It is a protracted period of deficient precipitation resulting in extensive damage to crops and loss of yields.” Agricultural drought occurs when plant growth gets seriously affected on account of prolonged shortage of moisture in soil, ICAR sources say. “In the arid and semi-arid areas, the specification of drought cannot be divorced from land utilisation. Rainfall too meagre to produce crops may be adequate for pastures,” these sources added. However, the India Meteorological Department, as also the Irrigation Commission, uses rainfall statistics and irrigation facilities for determining agricultural drought. They define drought years as those when annual rainfall is less than or equal to 75 per cent of the normal. If such drought occurs in any particular area in over 20 per cent of the years, that area is designated as ‘droughtprone’, provided irrigation facilities are inadequate there. Different agencies in other countries, too, use different parameters for calling an agricultural drought. In view of lack of uniformity in the perception of drought, the WMO meeting called for the use of common agricultural drought indices, besides a common framework for drought monitoring and early warning. They recommended WMO conduct a survey to compile and assess the capacities and future needs of national meteorological and hydrological services to build such acommon framework for early warning of agricultural drought.
Degraded land costs Rs 28,500 crore to India
The Financial Express
New Delhi, 21 June 2010
Degraded land costs Rs 28,500 crore to India
The country is losing Rs 28,500 crore, at current price, on account of degraded lands. This comes to about 12% loss as per the total value productivity of these lands. According to a study conducted by Indian Council of Agricultural Research and department of space, degraded and wasteland in India cover 120.4 million hectare (Mha). The study ‘Degraded and waste lands of India' emphasised on the usage of remote sensing and GIS (geographical information system) technology as one-stop solution for estimation of degraded and wastelands of the country. Large areas in the country suffer from various types and degrees of erosion. Around 93 Mha land is affected due to water erosion and 11 Mha due to wind erosion. About 6.74 Mha is under salt affected soils and 4.36 Mha forest area is under accelerated erosion due to shifting cultivation. Water erosion is predominant degradation class. Uttar Pradesh is the worst affected covering 54% of TGA (total geographical area), followed by Madhya Pradesh (44%), Karnataka (41%) and Jharkhand (40%). Globally, about 1,900 Mha land suffers from various degrees of land degradation, the study finds. Land degradation is continuously converting the arable land into degradable lands. This is depleting rapidly the land carrying capacity and is causing pollution and eutrophication of the natural waters. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) estimates a potential productivity lose of 20 million tonne grains per year due to land degradation globally. As rehabilitation measures are highly expensive, the study stresses on priority-based planning for land conservation. Degraded and wasteland assessment is an essential input for planning and conservation. Scientists believe that space science and technology can help in enhancing efficiency and productivity of agricultural system. “Correct estimation of green cover and water resources will help in the management of precious assets. Advanced yield forecasting can be a good resource for planning to effectively run the public distribution system,” planning commission member K Kasturirangan said. He said that space-based information support for decentralised planning at panchayat level was required. And constellation of satellites for agriculture was needed to look at the dynamics. Space applications for quick and effective delivery of messages to stake holders have already shown the results and impact, he added Planning Commission has identified a set of 100 districts as most backwards. These are food-insecure districts and are identified as degraded lands. As the crop yields and productivity of the ‘favoured agricultural regions’ have stabilised, the study finds it is essential that the degraded and waste lands are rehabilitated and rejuvenated so that such land are rendered cultivable. According to National Academy of Agricultural Sciences president Mangala Rai, technological intervention in agriculture is necessary to increase productivity and efficiency. “The application of information and communication technologies and a sensor-based decision support system, especially for knowledge empowerment of farmers have to receive priority attention,” Rai said.
New Delhi, 21 June 2010
Degraded land costs Rs 28,500 crore to India
The country is losing Rs 28,500 crore, at current price, on account of degraded lands. This comes to about 12% loss as per the total value productivity of these lands. According to a study conducted by Indian Council of Agricultural Research and department of space, degraded and wasteland in India cover 120.4 million hectare (Mha). The study ‘Degraded and waste lands of India' emphasised on the usage of remote sensing and GIS (geographical information system) technology as one-stop solution for estimation of degraded and wastelands of the country. Large areas in the country suffer from various types and degrees of erosion. Around 93 Mha land is affected due to water erosion and 11 Mha due to wind erosion. About 6.74 Mha is under salt affected soils and 4.36 Mha forest area is under accelerated erosion due to shifting cultivation. Water erosion is predominant degradation class. Uttar Pradesh is the worst affected covering 54% of TGA (total geographical area), followed by Madhya Pradesh (44%), Karnataka (41%) and Jharkhand (40%). Globally, about 1,900 Mha land suffers from various degrees of land degradation, the study finds. Land degradation is continuously converting the arable land into degradable lands. This is depleting rapidly the land carrying capacity and is causing pollution and eutrophication of the natural waters. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) estimates a potential productivity lose of 20 million tonne grains per year due to land degradation globally. As rehabilitation measures are highly expensive, the study stresses on priority-based planning for land conservation. Degraded and wasteland assessment is an essential input for planning and conservation. Scientists believe that space science and technology can help in enhancing efficiency and productivity of agricultural system. “Correct estimation of green cover and water resources will help in the management of precious assets. Advanced yield forecasting can be a good resource for planning to effectively run the public distribution system,” planning commission member K Kasturirangan said. He said that space-based information support for decentralised planning at panchayat level was required. And constellation of satellites for agriculture was needed to look at the dynamics. Space applications for quick and effective delivery of messages to stake holders have already shown the results and impact, he added Planning Commission has identified a set of 100 districts as most backwards. These are food-insecure districts and are identified as degraded lands. As the crop yields and productivity of the ‘favoured agricultural regions’ have stabilised, the study finds it is essential that the degraded and waste lands are rehabilitated and rejuvenated so that such land are rendered cultivable. According to National Academy of Agricultural Sciences president Mangala Rai, technological intervention in agriculture is necessary to increase productivity and efficiency. “The application of information and communication technologies and a sensor-based decision support system, especially for knowledge empowerment of farmers have to receive priority attention,” Rai said.
Base-rate regime may raise crop loan rate
The Indian Express
New Delhi, 21 June 2010
Base-rate regime may raise crop loan rate
BASE-RATE regime might prove to be costly for farmers who wish to take short-term crop loans from banks. Currently farmers get crop loan of up to Rs 3 lakh at flat 7 per cent. However, with the base-rate regime starting from July 1, the government proposes to link these rates with the cost of funds of banks, which is likely to make these rates volatile. “We will continue to give interest subvention on agricultural credit. This will not be a fixed percentage and would depend on the cost of funds of banks. For now, it will be the difference between the cost of funds and 7 per cent (the rate at which farmers get loans now). Besides this, in case farmers pay their dues in time, they would be eligible for a further discount of 2 per cent, as announced by the finance minister in the Budget this year,” a finance ministry official told The Indian Express. According to bankers, currently the cost of funds of public sector banks hover between 5.50 and 6.25 per cent. This would translate into an interest subvention of 0.75 per cent to 1.50 per cent — less than 2 per cent rebate which is offered now. Since the cost of funds of banks will be reviewed every quarter, it is likely that the interest rate on agriculture credit will also be reviewed. In order to streamline interest rates charged on various advances or loans, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has asked banks to adopt a base rate. Barring priority sector lending that will continue to get subvention, no bank will be allowed to offer loan or any advance below this rate. The RBI has asked banks to review the base rate once in a quarter. “Since all the advances will be linked to base rate, we would have to revisit the interest matrix for different loans quite regularly. However, I do not expect any great changes in the new regime,” said TY Prabhu, chairman of Oriental Bank of Commerce. In his Budget speech, the finance minister proposed interest-rate subvention to farmers of 2 per cent, which brought the effective rate to 5 per cent per annum. He also noted that banks had consistently met the targets set for agriculture credit in past few years. For financial year 2011, the target for farm credit has been raised to Rs 3,75,000 crore from Rs 3,25,000 crore in the last fiscal
New Delhi, 21 June 2010
Base-rate regime may raise crop loan rate
BASE-RATE regime might prove to be costly for farmers who wish to take short-term crop loans from banks. Currently farmers get crop loan of up to Rs 3 lakh at flat 7 per cent. However, with the base-rate regime starting from July 1, the government proposes to link these rates with the cost of funds of banks, which is likely to make these rates volatile. “We will continue to give interest subvention on agricultural credit. This will not be a fixed percentage and would depend on the cost of funds of banks. For now, it will be the difference between the cost of funds and 7 per cent (the rate at which farmers get loans now). Besides this, in case farmers pay their dues in time, they would be eligible for a further discount of 2 per cent, as announced by the finance minister in the Budget this year,” a finance ministry official told The Indian Express. According to bankers, currently the cost of funds of public sector banks hover between 5.50 and 6.25 per cent. This would translate into an interest subvention of 0.75 per cent to 1.50 per cent — less than 2 per cent rebate which is offered now. Since the cost of funds of banks will be reviewed every quarter, it is likely that the interest rate on agriculture credit will also be reviewed. In order to streamline interest rates charged on various advances or loans, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has asked banks to adopt a base rate. Barring priority sector lending that will continue to get subvention, no bank will be allowed to offer loan or any advance below this rate. The RBI has asked banks to review the base rate once in a quarter. “Since all the advances will be linked to base rate, we would have to revisit the interest matrix for different loans quite regularly. However, I do not expect any great changes in the new regime,” said TY Prabhu, chairman of Oriental Bank of Commerce. In his Budget speech, the finance minister proposed interest-rate subvention to farmers of 2 per cent, which brought the effective rate to 5 per cent per annum. He also noted that banks had consistently met the targets set for agriculture credit in past few years. For financial year 2011, the target for farm credit has been raised to Rs 3,75,000 crore from Rs 3,25,000 crore in the last fiscal
Agri-biotech sector battles confusion over GM crops’ status; wants clarity
The Financial Express
New Delhi, 21 June 2010
Agri-biotech sector battles confusion over GM crops’ status; wants clarity
The Rs 2,000-crore agri-biotech sector is experiencing an existential crisis of sorts due to an uncertain regulatory environment following the moratorium on Bt Brinjal. Companies and institutes with investments of millions of dollars and time in genetically modified crop research, are uncertain about the future. This is owing to lack of clarity in the government’s stance on GM crops, say industry experts. A recent study by the Association of Boitech Led Enterprises (ABLE) — the premier biotech trade body — says that while the moratorium for genetically-modified foods has not had any great impact on the agribio industry’s performance, the industry is waiting for correct signals from the regulator. The recent regulatory approval to conduct field trials of 17 crops has sent mixed signals about the future prospects of the sector, the study said. Bt Cotton is the only GM crop commercialised in the country. However, public and private Indian research institutes have been working on GM technology for insect resistance in cabbage, cauliflower, rice and sorghum, disease resistance in potato, insect resistance and herbicide tolerance in corn, virus resistance in groundnut, and drought resistance in chickpea. “Bt cotton is a great success story for India . However, with Bt Brinjal, regulation became a political and emotional issue and moved away from science and reason, creating great uncertainty for all the research work that is going on,” says KK Narayanan, MD, Metahelix. V Ram Kaundinya, chairman ABLE, says regulatory requirements introduced after the Bt Brinjal moratorium are more favorable for large companies. “Additional studying of the crop for four to five years will require more money, which favours large international conglomerates. Stringent price control also hits smaller companies more and will be counter productive in the long run,” Kaundinya said. Indian bio-tech research companies such as Metahelix, for instance, would find it very difficult to sustain through such requirements. Metahelix has been working on insect resistance for rice and is uncertain about the possibility of taking its product to the market. Last month’s recommendation by the agriculture minister to introduce a new seed bill that would impose price regulations on normal seeds and cut FDI to under 50% could spell disaster for seed businesses, industry fears.
New Delhi, 21 June 2010
Agri-biotech sector battles confusion over GM crops’ status; wants clarity
The Rs 2,000-crore agri-biotech sector is experiencing an existential crisis of sorts due to an uncertain regulatory environment following the moratorium on Bt Brinjal. Companies and institutes with investments of millions of dollars and time in genetically modified crop research, are uncertain about the future. This is owing to lack of clarity in the government’s stance on GM crops, say industry experts. A recent study by the Association of Boitech Led Enterprises (ABLE) — the premier biotech trade body — says that while the moratorium for genetically-modified foods has not had any great impact on the agribio industry’s performance, the industry is waiting for correct signals from the regulator. The recent regulatory approval to conduct field trials of 17 crops has sent mixed signals about the future prospects of the sector, the study said. Bt Cotton is the only GM crop commercialised in the country. However, public and private Indian research institutes have been working on GM technology for insect resistance in cabbage, cauliflower, rice and sorghum, disease resistance in potato, insect resistance and herbicide tolerance in corn, virus resistance in groundnut, and drought resistance in chickpea. “Bt cotton is a great success story for India . However, with Bt Brinjal, regulation became a political and emotional issue and moved away from science and reason, creating great uncertainty for all the research work that is going on,” says KK Narayanan, MD, Metahelix. V Ram Kaundinya, chairman ABLE, says regulatory requirements introduced after the Bt Brinjal moratorium are more favorable for large companies. “Additional studying of the crop for four to five years will require more money, which favours large international conglomerates. Stringent price control also hits smaller companies more and will be counter productive in the long run,” Kaundinya said. Indian bio-tech research companies such as Metahelix, for instance, would find it very difficult to sustain through such requirements. Metahelix has been working on insect resistance for rice and is uncertain about the possibility of taking its product to the market. Last month’s recommendation by the agriculture minister to introduce a new seed bill that would impose price regulations on normal seeds and cut FDI to under 50% could spell disaster for seed businesses, industry fears.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Hybrid Paddy Seed Production Technology- AK Gupta, Ph.D
Location : Karimnagar, Kurnool, Warangal, Toopran, Shadnagar, Nizamabad, Miryalguda, Sattupally, Attur (T.N), Mysore (Karnataka)
Soil type : Preferably red soils, Light black soils. Saline soils & deep cotton soils are not preferred. If compulsory use Gypsum for Saline soils. There is a difference of 2 days in flowering between both the parents from red soil to black soil. In black soils - difference between flowering increases by 2 days
Season : Preferably Rabi (Post rainy or Dry season), Kharif (Wet season) normally results in low seed yields.
Days to flower : Andhra .Pradesh (Rabi/DS) Andhra Pradesh (Kharif/WS) Tamilnadu (Early Rabi) Mysore (WS/Kharif) Sowing Period :
Rabi season (DS) : 15th Nov (1st male) to 5th Dec . Sowings after 10th Dec results in low Yields.
Kharif Season (WS) : 25th May to 30th June. Kharif sowings are risky & normally results in low seed yields. Chances of grain deterioration & Poor germination..
Early Rabi (Attur -Tamilnadu) : 15th Sep to 15th October
Staggering : Differ for Hybrid patents
Note: Male parent is Photo & Thermosensitive, Male parent takes more number of days to flower particularly in late sowings after 10th Dec. Thus male flowering gets delayed by 5-8 days . Poor nicking results in poor seed set.
Seed Rate : Male Parent :3 kg & Female Parent 5 kg per acre (Note: Need to use more seed of male parent in order to increase plant population to get more pollen load).
Transplanting: Rabi & Early Rabi: Transplant male parent first when 2nd sown male seedlings are of 25-30 days old, followed by female parent.
Kharif (WS) : Transplant male parent first when 2nd sown male seedlings are of 30 days old. Give 4-5 days gap then transplant female parent when seedlings are of 22-25 days old.(If gap is more than 4-5 days between two transplantings, soil becomes hard to transplant. Transplanting in hard soil reduces root growth & prevents root penetration in the soil, which results poor growth of the plant.
GA-3:Spray 12gms (60 ppm) GA-3 at 5-10% flowering and 8 gms (40 ppm) at 35-40% flowering during evening hours. Late or too early spray give negative effect. Give 1-2 sprays (2gms of GA-3 per spray) only to male parent separately to increase plant height.
Supplementary Pollination : with stick is more effective. Need to engage minimum of 4 persons per acre. Supplementary pollination needs to be done 4-5 times during anthesis. That is normally between 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.
Physiological Maturity including tillers : Female Parent : 145 days in normally-may differ for hybrids parents
Days to harvest at 18%-20% moisture including bottom spikelets of tillers : Female Parent : 155-160 days(may vary for hybrids parents wise)
Average Yield per acre : Male parent 500-800 kg & Female Parent 600-800 kg
Water Stress Condition : Male parent advances in flowering
Key success factorsMore male plant population to get more pollen.Timely sowing & TransplantingHigh Crop management.Effective Supplementary pollinationEffective & efficient field monitoring.
Soil type : Preferably red soils, Light black soils. Saline soils & deep cotton soils are not preferred. If compulsory use Gypsum for Saline soils. There is a difference of 2 days in flowering between both the parents from red soil to black soil. In black soils - difference between flowering increases by 2 days
Season : Preferably Rabi (Post rainy or Dry season), Kharif (Wet season) normally results in low seed yields.
Days to flower : Andhra .Pradesh (Rabi/DS) Andhra Pradesh (Kharif/WS) Tamilnadu (Early Rabi) Mysore (WS/Kharif) Sowing Period :
Rabi season (DS) : 15th Nov (1st male) to 5th Dec . Sowings after 10th Dec results in low Yields.
Kharif Season (WS) : 25th May to 30th June. Kharif sowings are risky & normally results in low seed yields. Chances of grain deterioration & Poor germination..
Early Rabi (Attur -Tamilnadu) : 15th Sep to 15th October
Staggering : Differ for Hybrid patents
Note: Male parent is Photo & Thermosensitive, Male parent takes more number of days to flower particularly in late sowings after 10th Dec. Thus male flowering gets delayed by 5-8 days . Poor nicking results in poor seed set.
Seed Rate : Male Parent :3 kg & Female Parent 5 kg per acre (Note: Need to use more seed of male parent in order to increase plant population to get more pollen load).
Transplanting: Rabi & Early Rabi: Transplant male parent first when 2nd sown male seedlings are of 25-30 days old, followed by female parent.
Kharif (WS) : Transplant male parent first when 2nd sown male seedlings are of 30 days old. Give 4-5 days gap then transplant female parent when seedlings are of 22-25 days old.(If gap is more than 4-5 days between two transplantings, soil becomes hard to transplant. Transplanting in hard soil reduces root growth & prevents root penetration in the soil, which results poor growth of the plant.
GA-3:Spray 12gms (60 ppm) GA-3 at 5-10% flowering and 8 gms (40 ppm) at 35-40% flowering during evening hours. Late or too early spray give negative effect. Give 1-2 sprays (2gms of GA-3 per spray) only to male parent separately to increase plant height.
Supplementary Pollination : with stick is more effective. Need to engage minimum of 4 persons per acre. Supplementary pollination needs to be done 4-5 times during anthesis. That is normally between 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.
Physiological Maturity including tillers : Female Parent : 145 days in normally-may differ for hybrids parents
Days to harvest at 18%-20% moisture including bottom spikelets of tillers : Female Parent : 155-160 days(may vary for hybrids parents wise)
Average Yield per acre : Male parent 500-800 kg & Female Parent 600-800 kg
Water Stress Condition : Male parent advances in flowering
Key success factorsMore male plant population to get more pollen.Timely sowing & TransplantingHigh Crop management.Effective Supplementary pollinationEffective & efficient field monitoring.
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