Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Friday, July 8, 2011
Saturday, January 9, 2010
SAFE FOOD
 | ||||
 | ||||
| ||||
| ||||
| ||||
| RELATED EVENTS |
SAFE FOOD AND NUTRITIOUS DIET FOR THE CONSUMER | |
Executive summary The responsibility for safe and nutritious food is shared by all players in the food system and the challenge is to build comprehensive food systems that ensure the long term involvement and commitment of all concerned parties. In spite of these scientific and technological advances, and the world-wide overall improvement of food control systems, food-borne diseases persist as a cause of serious concern for the consumer. Food is the likely vector of multiple biological, chemical or physical hazards and certainly of several nutritional problems. Consumer perception is also evolving, with a perceived increase in the social unacceptability of food risks, at least in developed countries. Consumer perception also relates to access and availability to a healthy and nutritious diet. A number of ways have been explored to assure the consumer that the food consumed is safe and nutritious. One such way advocated by FAO is the development of a comprehensive and effective food system which ensures both safety and nutrition. The operational objective of a comprehensive food system should be to ensure that foods meet science-based safety characteristics, while ensuring the appropriate balance of other qualities taking into consideration other relevant factors such as technical feasibility, costs considerations, as well as social, ethical and environmental concerns through the integrated activities of all stakeholders- both private and public. A comprehensive food system has a number of attributes:
In developed countries, food systems have many of the attributes of comprehensive and effective systems. Nevertheless, to improve the effectiveness of food systems in developed countries, the priority is to make substantial improvements which will help regain or enhance consumer confidence. This includes increasing the resilience of the source systems along the food chain, enhancing the scientific base for decisions, and providing organisational support for effective participation of all parties in the institutional debate. The extremely diverse food systems in developing countries suffer from a number of weaknesses. They are not always as organised, developed, comprehensive or effective as in developed countries. They are heavily challenged by problems which adversely affect the security, safety and quality of food supplies whereas, at the same time, people in these countries are exposed to a wider range of potential food safety risks. There is often, on a global scale, a lacuna in awareness of consumers about food safety matters associated with a lack of organised mobilisation of consumer groups and interests. Building comprehensive and effective food safety systems in developing countries (as well as in countries in transition) implies basically a capacity building approach. In this context, FAO is calling for a food safety and nutritious diet strategy using the food-system approach that includes: At the international level:
At the national level:
At both national and international levels:
SAFE FOOD AND NUTRITIOUS DIET FOR THE CONSUMER This paper sets forth the rationale for building a comprehensive and effective food system that ensures safe food and nutritious diet for the consumer and outlines their objectives and general attributes. It draws upon the outcomes of the Global Forum of Food Safety Regulators (Marrakesh, 28-30 January 2002) and of the Pan European Conference on Food Safety and Quality (Budapest, 25-28 February 2002). Reference is also made to the chapter on food safety contained in the assessment document entitled "Food Safety and Quality" presented for discussion in the CFS during the week preceding the WFS-fyl. 1 - INTRODUCTION: SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM Food systems stretch from producers to consumers (i.e. from "farm to table") and are international in scope. Ensuring (i) the adequate availability, (ii) the nutritional adequacy, and (iii) the safety of the food supply has become increasingly complex and requires substantial efforts from all parties involved throughout the food system. Over the years, as agriculture and marketing systems have evolved to provide food to a growing population, complex processes built both on culture and food choices as well as on science and technology have been developed to identify, evaluate and manage the risks associated with the food supply. However, in spite of these scientific and technological advances, and the world-wide overall improvement of food control systems, food-borne diseases persist as a cause of serious concern for the consumer. While issues related to meeting availability of food and the nutritional adequacy of the diet are being addressed, public awareness of food safety issues has increased dramatically in developed countries. This is largely due to concerns over BSE, outbreaks of food-borne diseases as a result of microbial contamination of foods, or by toxic chemicals, such as dioxins. Concerns about the safety of genetically modified organisms and the resultant media amplification has influenced the perception of the related risk associated with these developments. Food safety is a matter for increasing concern in developing countries, as well. However, it is often not viewed as a priority in these societies, particularly among the poor consumers. Food safety is but a part of a wide spectrum of issues which go beyond the avoidance of food-borne biological pathogens, chemical toxicants, and other hazards. Consumers in developed countries now expect more than safe food. They expect food to meet their nutritional needs, to be wholesome and tasty, and to be produced ethically respecting the environment, animal health and welfare. In developing countries on the other hand, concerns include related issues such as access and availability of a nutritious diet throughout the year at relatively low costs. As reaffirmed by the 1996 World Food Summit, access to safe and nutritious food is a right of all people. The provision of safe and nutritious food is intimately associated to food security. It constitutes an effective platform for poverty alleviation and social and economic development, while opening and enlarging opportunities for trade. However, ensuring food safety has a cost, and excessive food safety requirements may impose constraints on production, storage and distribution systems, which may possibly result in trade barriers or impede competitiveness. The responsibility for safe and nutritious food is shared by all players in the food system which includes those who produce, transform or handle the food from production to storage and to its ultimate consumption. It also involves the interplay of scientific, legal/regulatory, social and economic forces, both nationally and globally. The challenge is to build comprehensive food systems that ensure the long term involvement and commitment of all concerned parties to ensure that the result is the provision of safe food and a nutritious diet for the consumer. 2 - CAUSES FOR CONCERN: THE EVOLVING FOOD HAZARDS Food is the likely vector of multiple biological, chemical or physical hazards and certainly of several nutritional problems. Some examples are highlighted in Box 1 below.
The potential increase of microbial food-borne diseases may be due to:
Chemical hazards need to be evaluated and monitored, with particular regard to:
For both microbiological and chemical hazards, technological factors may interact in two ways:
Consumer perception is also evolving, with a perceived increase in the social unacceptability of food risks, at least in developed countries. As food becomes objectively safer, the remaining and occasional risks tend to incur a sense of "outrage" disproportionate to the incident and are even less tolerated by the public at large. There has been a world-wide call for democratisation of risk decisions related to food safety, with expectations for "stakeholder participation", "openness" and "transparency". Consumer perception also relates to access and availability to a healthy and nutritious diet. Concerns related to the prevention of chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer in later life and their impact on the quality of life and ageing, are increasing in the developed world along with food safety. Consumer demands have increased awareness of the nutrient content of the diet and issues related to providing adequate and reliable information along with nutrition labelling of processed food. These are important issues that may need to be adequately addressed when promoting nutritious healthy diets to a consumer who is increasingly sensitive and vocal about food and nutrition issues. 3 - A NEW APPROACH TO PROVIDING SAFE FOOD AND A NUTRITIOUS DIET TO THE CONSUMER: BUILDING COMPREHENSIVE FOOD SYSTEMS A number of ways have been explored to assure the consumer that the food consumed is safe and nutritious. One such way advocated by FAO is the development of a comprehensive and effective food system which ensures both safety and nutrition. This section summarises the objectives and attributes of a comprehensive food system, with the aim of providing a benchmark for evaluating strategies for ensuring food safety and nutritious diets to the consumer globally. 3.1 - Objectives of the food system The operational objective of a comprehensive food system should be to ensure that foods meet science-based safety characteristics, while ensuring the appropriate balance of other qualities taking into consideration other relevant factors such as technical feasibility, costs considerations, as well as social, ethical and environmental concerns through the integrated activities of all stakeholders- both private and public. A wide range of activities implicated in this process will include adequate monitoring and surveillance; science-based research and development; risk analysis, including risk assessment, risk management and risk communication; good agricultural and manufacturing practices from primary production to final preparation and handling; and appropriate information, technology transfer, education and technical assistance. With the growing numbers of informed and vocal consumers, there is an evolving need to empower consumers by improving the information available to them about foods and diets and by enhancing their ability and desire to seek an adequate and quality diet which promotes health. Consumers need access to wholesome food, and to a diverse diet of adequate nutritive value with the right organoleptic properties. They need to know about the nature and constituents of a varied and adequate diet that promotes nutritional wellbeing throughout the life cycle, from infancy to old age. They need to have access to information which will help prevent both under and overnutrition and provide them with the choice in selecting and access to proper food for a nutritious diet at a reasonable cost. The development of a comprehensive food system should integrate the identified needs of consumers, clarify the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders and ensure promotion co-ordination and planning related to prevention, intervention, control, response, and communication. 3.2 - General attributes of a comprehensive food system:
3.3 The different partners and their roles and responsibilities: A comprehensive food system establishes the roles and responsibilities of the numerous and diverse stakeholders in the food chain and provides the links that are necessary to build a participative, co-ordinated and cohesive framework for action. It needs to be compatible with the overall approach to ensure human health as well as animal and plant health. Through sustained advocacy and education, societies can empower consumers to make appropriate choices for a safe and nutritious diet. Informed consumers are a powerful means of moulding markets and hence ensuring the availability and selection of foods that provide essential nutrients that form a nutritious diet. Ensuring that food standards, quality and safety go hand in hand with providing nutritional information and labelling, plays an important role in furthering consumer choice and confidence. Role of public sector Public authorities are in the best position to influence how the food system works efficiently. They have primary responsibility for guiding the system with the aid of clear and rational national food laws which should normally include a consultative process involving all stakeholders. The national food law should ensure the regulatory and enforcement authority of government and clarify their interface with other partners. Regulations must address all aspects of the entire food system from production to consumption. Public authorities have the responsibility to facilitate the development and use of risk analysis through its three components: risk assessment, risk management and risk communication. Public authorities should create an environment favourable to the interplay of risk analysis elements and the participation of all stakeholders in an open and transparent process. Public authorities also need to build effective surveillance and monitoring systems, to develop education and research with a view to identifying, addressing, responding and adapting to evolving concerns, new technologies and changing consumer's needs. In association with these activities, they have also a primary role in collecting and disseminating to all interested parties, all information pertinent to food safety in a timely and effective manner. The role and responsibility of public authorities in the development and implementation of an effective food safety system is dependant on adequate human resources and financial support and needs to be practical, efficient and cost-effective. Role of the agricultural producers, food industry and other private partners Private partners include producers and importers, processors, marketers, food services, trade organisations, professional societies and private organisations. Within the overall food production chain, the private sector has the primary role of bringing food to the tables of consumers. It should ensure that the food produced meets the food safety requirements established by public authorities (national and/or importing country's requirements, or standards determined by international organisations), while giving due consideration to consumer concerns and expectations. To be effective in these tasks, the private sector must maintain close interaction with the public sector and with the consumers. Private partners need to be involved in the institutional debate about food safety issues. They have an essential role in bringing appropriate information to, and sharing information and data with, other partners in the food chain and with other stakeholders, in order to participate in the development of appropriate policies. Role of consumers Consumers have an important and critical role in a comprehensive food system. Consumer awareness of food safety issues, as well as knowledge of good practices to protect their food through preparation, storage and consumption, is essential. Consumers also play an important role in expressing their need to have simple, credible and reliable information related to food and nutrition that will promote nutritional wellbeing by avoiding the consequences of both under and over nutrition. They can also be powerful forces that can direct the market place to provide access and make available fresh and processed food that constitutes a healthy diet. Awareness of the linkages between food, nutrition and health are crucial in enabling consumers to play their important role in ensuring appropriate food systems in both developing and developed societies,. Consumer organisations play a crucial role in advocacy of food safety, quality, nutritional and related matters and assist greatly in providing education and information. As other stakeholders, they should be involved throughout the risk analysis process. 4 - AN OVERVIEW OF THE CURRENT SCENARIO AND POTENTIAL REMEDIES: This section focuses on identifying and contrasting the main features of the food systems existing in developed and developing countries, to illustrate what improvements are needed. 4.1 - In developed countries In developed countries, food systems have evolved and progressed with time, incorporating many scientific, technological, legal, and societal advances. As a result, in developed countries, the food safety systems have many of the attributes of a comprehensive and effective system. They usually involve the inter-related activities of interested parties. They are guided by national food laws and regulations, encompass food control systems and activities, and address the essential functions of monitoring, surveillance, inspection, enforcement, hazard containment and outbreak management, research, education and information. To diverse degrees, these systems have moved, or are moving, to a more science-based approach, associating the development of quality and safety assurance schemes with the progressive development and implementation of risk analysis Nevertheless, food safety systems in developed countries generally suffer from three main shortcomings. First, and in spite of a permanent improvement of their performance the source systems are still vulnerable to hazard, as demonstrated by recent food crises, e.g. BSE or dioxin. This is mainly due to a lack of preparedness and to a defective global organisation for approaching food safety issues. Second, food safety and food control systems are facing tremendous pressures with regard to the rapid identification, detection, analysis of, and response to emerging hazards and the challenges associated with adequate monitoring and control of the increasing volume of food produced, processed and traded. Third, and in spite of recent efforts to implement the wide use of risk analysis, there is still a serious deficit of information sharing, communication and participation. To improve the effectiveness of food systems in developed countries, the priority is to make substantial improvements which will help regain or enhance consumer confidence This implies in particular:
4.2 - In developing countries There is often, on a global scale, a lacuna in awareness of consumers about food safety matters associated with a lack of organised mobilisation of consumer groups and interests. As a result, developing countries are hardly able to address sufficiently food safety and related issues. This situation results in lost opportunities for developing countries from taking full advantage of their economic potential by operating efficiently in the world food trading system. Building comprehensive and effective food safety systems in developing countries (as well as in countries in transition) implies basically a capacity building approach. This should begin with a thorough evaluation of the situation in each country, to identify the exact needs and priorities and to formulate the appropriate interventions required. In the food safety area, these interventions might encompass, in an incremental manner, one or several of the following: development of a national food safety programme and/or national food control strategy; updating food laws and regulations; strengthening food inspection services; upgrading food laboratories; enhancing the infrastructure level at all relevant stages of the food chains, with particular regard to common places of concern such as storage, transformation, handling, or transportation, and facilitating the development and use of good practices at each link, quality and safety assurance schemes in food production, and development of food inspection and certification systems. In parallel, activities should address the need for enhancing the scientific and technical expertise, and ability to carry out risk assessments with particular regard to developing practicable methodologies to assess consumption patterns and developing exposure assessments. Application of risk analysis should be pursued along with the improvement of information and communication systems including early warning, problem prevention and crisis management. The involvement of stakeholders in the formulation of the needs for improvement of the food safety system and on capacity building activities is an essential element of success and should be pursued. Alliances should be built between public and private institutions involved in food safety in developing countries with their counterparts in developed countries. This will assist in facilitating technology transfer, in building partnerships, and finally, in improving both internal and external confidence in the effectiveness of food systems to comprehensively and effectively address food safety issues. It has to be emphasised that the development of these activities, driven by the country's needs, requires adequate investment. The very recent Financing for Development Conference in Monterrey emphasised the difficulties of developing countries to mobilise adequate resources for development and stressed the need for international efforts and solidarity in this field. 5 - CONCLUSION: THE NEED FOR A STRATEGY FOR PROVIDING A SAFE AND NUTRITIOUS DIET FOR THE CONSUMER Safe food and nutritious diets can no longer be the luxury of the rich, they are the right of everybody. Enhancing the safety and quality of food requires political will and investment. Societies have to decide the level of those investments according to their current situation and based on cost-benefit considerations. Providing safe and nutritious food to consumers everywhere requires a commitment to quality throughout the food chain.. Food producers, handlers and marketers have the opportunity to benefit from investment and technical development in food safety and nutrient quality to meet the consumer-driven demands on the sector. The opportunity exists to reap better returns for value-added products and to reduce quantitative and qualitative losses. Programmes for capacity-building and technical assistance covering a farm (or sea) to table systems-management approach will be required. Development planners, rural extension services, veterinary and fisheries services, academic institutions, regulatory authorities and civil society organisations will all have to be involved. In this context, FAO is calling for a food safety and nutritious diet strategy using the food-system approach that includes: At the international level: Identification, assessment and management of food safety risks: to provide science-based information and harmonise procedures, inter alia through the enhanced work of FAO/WHO expert bodies; Advice and information on nutritional requirements and healthy diets: to advise consumers on how to make the best of their foods and to adopt nutrition patterns which minimise the risk of diet related diseases; At the national level: Capacity building through formulation of food quality, safety and nutrition programmes: to meet country-specific needs and take into account the international and regional contexts; At the national and international levels: Resource mobilisation for capacity building to build efficient programmes and strategies for safe food and nutritious diets - "from farm to table". |
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Monday, May 12, 2008
PAVAGAD- FEDERATION OF TUG'S
Experience sharing of seed village programme in Pavagada location
By : Ramappa K T
Introduction: Pavagada is one of the 10 Taluks of Tumakur district. It is one of the most backward Taluks of the district in all aspects. The taluk is having four hoblis covering 33 Panchayat and 145 villages. The last 10 years average annual rainfall recorded is merely 415 mm; this itself is enough to know the intensity of drought in the taluk. The total population of the taluk is 246255 of which 43.6 % belongs to SC/ST community. As per the 2001 census the literacy rate of the taluk is 56.5% much lower than the state average of 67.5%.
The total cultivable area of the taluk is 77709 Ha of which oil seeds cover 85 % of the cultivable area. Though the taluk is having 57.5% of small and marginal farmers their share in total land holding is just 18.5%. Ground nut is the major crop which covers 92.1% of the total oil seeds and is the only life line for farmers. Because of its drought resistance nature and suitability to the sandy mixed soil, majority of the farmers are well adapted to this crop and it is very difficult to change the mindset of the people for other alternative to this crop.
What is seed village programme? The seed village programme is one of the main activities of the NSP (National Seed Project), a project set up by the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), New Delhi. It is the process of involving the majority of the farmers of a particular village to take up one particular crop, mainly for seed production purpose. For the operational viability of the activity, a minimum of 30-50 farmers of the particular village has to cultivate a particular crop for seed production purpose. The objectives of this activity are.
To increase the seed replacement ratio: A look in to the states average percentage of seed replacement of any crop shows only 12%.Almost all the farmers are using their own crop seeds repeatedly year after year for the crop cultivation. These results in poor crop yield due to susceptible to pests and diseases and reduce the soil fertility.
To increase seeds production: Presently the seeds requirement of the state is taken care by state agriculture department and the Karnataka Oil Federation (KOF). But hardly 10-15 percent of farmer’s need is met by both the organizations.
To ensure seeds requirement of the Farmers: The state’s Agriculture department is in a tremendous pressure to supply the certified good quality seeds to all farmers during the monsoon season. The condition will be even severe if there is a continuous drought for 2-3 years. Farmers are facing problems to procure good quality seeds
Why this programme is initiated in Pavagada?
Pavagada being the draught prone area and the largest producer of groundnut crop, the farmers are facing lot of problems for getting the quality seeds during the monsoon season. Because of scanty rainfall and no other irrigation facilities, the crop yield is also not up to the mark. The worst hits are the small and marginal farmers. The big farmers may have their choice to keep aside some grown seeds for the next season but for small and marginal farmers cannot do it because the quantity got is not enough to meet the year long consumption. Usually government supplies the seeds during the season at subsidized rate but it can meet only 10-15 % of demand, that to not timely. People spend lot of money in search of good seeds from long distance and they are not sure of getting good quality seeds. If the seeds are not available at the time of first rain in the month of June, they will be loosing precious time of sowing and consequently affects adversely the crop yield. As Dhan foundation is working in this taluk since 5 years, it was one of the main issues to tackle to assist farmers for getting good quality seeds.
Because of the growing demand from the farmers and to do something to meet the farmers demand, our team got link with the NSP for doing this activity. Though the NSP is having the idea of doing this activity on its own, it is engaged in doing this activity in and around the UAS campus only. Due to manpower shortage and the remoteness of the area they couldn’t concentrate all around the state and do it to help farmers.
Salient features of the programme:
Seeds distribution at 50 % seed cost: In order to facilitate farmers to take up this activity, NSP is supplying seeds to the farmers at 50% seed cost. The remaining 50% amount can repay at the time of marketing. This arrangement is mainly to get confidence among the farmers and also to have option of getting the produce at NSP only.
Regular monitoring and technical support to farmers regarding package of practice and post harvest handling of crops: At regular interval the NSP official visit the farmer’s field for the crop monitoring. As per the requirement they will also guide farmers for suitable recommendation for pest and disease attack. They will also suggest farmers for some intervention at critical period of crop for better yield.
Buy back of produce at fairly good price: Here the market price for the produce will be fixed well in advance and the NSP is abiding for that price whatever may be the market price. In order to attract farmers during higher market price compare to NSP, there is a possibility of revising the agreed price so that farmers must sell their produce at NSP to meet the purpose.
Seed certification arrangements: The one of the main purposes of the seed village programme is to ensure seed requirement of the state. In order to bring authenticity and for quality ensuring of the farmers produce, 5the NSP is making arrangement for certification of the produce. The district certification agency will be informed well in advance to make necessary arrangement to look in to the quality aspects before certifying the seeds for future marketing.
Our approach of programme implementation: Though the NSP hasn’t insisted us to go like this or other way, we have followed our own way to implement the programme. As we been promoting the people institutions to implement the any intervention and we have the net work of these in to cascade and federation we felt it is appropriate to implement the project through federation so that it brings identity to the people institution and can acts as 1st initiatives by the federation so that it brings confidence to the people to take up many more programmes in the future. The processes followed are as follows
All activities undertaken through the federation: The Pavagada Taluk Keregala Jalasamvardhane Vayalagam Okkoota (PTKJSVO) is the network of 41 TFAs, which are promoted to implement JSYS project in Pavagada. Though this is first of its kind, the response we got from the farmers is overwhelming as we got very good cooperation from all the members of our TFAs and the federation is running towards sustainability. As an entry point activity of the federation we thought of taking this activity and discussed with the federation leaders. The leaders accepted the idea and all the activity of the seed village programme are taken through the federation. The activities like seeding the concept, decision taking, cash collection etc are done through the federation.
TFAs and Cascade meetings are act as bridge between farmers and federation: The networking is of three tire systems where TFA and Cascade are the other two to link under federation. There are two members representation from each cascade in the federation executive committee and the farmers selected for the seed village programme are from these villages only. So for any information dissemination these people institutions act as bridge between farmers and federation to make life easy and smooth functioning.
Federation leader’s service has been utilized for proper implementation: As the activity involves lot of risk and hard work, we have utilized best possible services of the federation leaders so that all are worked like a unit to make this event successful. The leaders worked proactively and responded positively for all requirements.
Federation and cascade meetings are utilized for information dissemination: As our entire working area village representatives are there in the cascade and TFAs, the meetings of these institutions are utilized for information collection, dissemination and for collective decision.
Process followed for the programme implementation: This is the 1st time NSP has taken up this activity on large scale. Though the NSP has been in this business for quite a long time, but it is only through bits and pieces. It is just to demonstrate farmers regarding the concept of seed production. This is also first time they have done this activity by involving NGOs. The processes followed during the entire programme period are as follows
Concept seeding/ orientation about the programme
↓
Advance seed amount collection (50% of seed cost in cash)
↓
Continuous contact with NSP officials for follow-up for good seeds
↓
Seed distribution to farmers
↓
Monitoring the crop sowing with seed treatment
↓
Regular crop monitoring and suggesting recommendation for pest and diseases
↓
Field day celebration at the time of harvest by inviting VC, UAS, Bangalore
↓
Orientation on post harvest handling of crop (Stocking, Cleaning, winnowing etc)
↓
Procuring seeds from the farmers
↓
Quality testing of the produce
Physical observation(Maturity of seed, Size etc)
Grading
Sample weight( 75: 25 ratio of seeds to shell and 80% SMK)
↓
Payment through cheque
What are the benefits to the farmers? From the farmers point of view the benefits from the programme are many. Farmers are visualized the benefits and are so happy that they haven’t imagined. Some of the direct benefits people recognized are listed below.
Getting quality seeds in time: Getting quality seeds in time during the monsoon season itself is a very big achievement. As there is lot of demand for the seeds and the department is not supplying the required demand, people felt very happy that they got good quality seeds in time. They also expressed that this one of the main prerequisite for better yield.
Less investment on seeds (Only 50% initial costs): As the NSP is supplying seeds at 50% initial seed cost, it is additional advantage for the people who are struggling a lot for the initial investment. As the taluk is experiencing frequent drought and majority of the farmers are small and marginal, this option is really a boon for the down trodden.
Technical support on crop management: Because of the programme initiation, the NSP officials as well as DHAN professionals sought continuous support to the farmers on crop package of practice. There will be continuous field visits from these officials at regular interval of the cropping period to monitor the crop. From this farmers get timely advice in controlling the pest and disease attack.
Better yield because of quality seeds: Quality of seeds is the one of the most important parameter which has direct impact on crop yield. It may be from better germination or from resistance to pests and diseases. So by getting quality seeds farmers are definitely benefited by better yield. As per the farmers view there was 0.5 to 2 quintal better yield per acre because of quality seeds, good rain and technical support.
Avoiding middle men for marketing: As majority of the farmers of the same village are involved in this programme, there is every possibility for collective marketing. Because of fragmented land and independent farming people bound to depend on middlemen for the produce marketing, this system definitely help farmers in avoiding middlemen and fetch good price.
Less transportation cost due to collective marketing: Again it is a group activity under the association; the marketing is also of collective one. So there is cost sharing of transportation cost which is very less as compare to individual transportation cost. In this way also this programme helps farmers to reduce the expenditure of transportation which in turn maximize the profit.
Getting precise weight for the produce (Weighing by digital balance): Farmers are easily deceived by the traders through different means in getting the precise weight for their produce. Again there is a custom of deducting 1-3 kg per quintal of produce in traditional marketing system. So farmers also benefited by this menace as here we have used digital balance for weighing the produce.
Avoiding Coolie/ Hamali menace: It was decided collectively by all the farmers that, coolie/ hamali has not been allowed for loading and unloading of the produce. After initial resistance by the coolies, we could succeed in dealing with this issue. Only farmers themselves are involved actively in loading and unloading of their produce so that they get benefited by avoiding the coolie cost.
Better price: During the initial period itself, the price for the produce was fixed at fairly better price. Rupees 2800.00 per quintal were fixed irrespective of market price. Accordingly farmers get an additional benefit of Rs.750.00 per quintal as the market price during the period was between Rs.1800-2300/quintal.
Timely payment: The payment for the marketed produce is not a problem from the NSP. They responded very well and ensure the timely payment for the farmers. By this way also farmers got benefited.
Additional benefits through promotional incentives: In ordered to motivate and encourage farmers to involve in the seed village programme in the future, the government waived off the remaining 50% of the seed cost. Because of this farmer need not pay the balance seed cost Rs.1400 per quintal. But we had collected the amount at the time of marketing and there was mixing of produce by small farmers at village level. So we could not maintain that details so that there was a problem of reimbursing that amount. So in the federation meeting it was discussed that, that amount can retain in the federation as corpus.
Challenges of the programme: Fortunately we didn’t come across any major problems during the entire programme, it is worth discuss the anticipated challenges to fore see to minimize the risk if these bound to happen in the future course of time. Some of the challenges of the programme are listed here under.
Programme success depends on climate: Pavagada has received good rain and there was no major pest/ disease attack in this season. Because of this everything goes in our way and there was fairly good crop yield. At the same time the market price for the ground nut at the time of harvest was between Rs.1800 to 2300 per quintal. As against to this the earlier fixed price was Rs.2800 per quintal. So people felt very happy to sell their produce to the NSP and the purpose of the programme was also same. But on the other hand if there is a crop failure there may be chances of bound back by farmers to say that, the crop failure is because of seed mistake and also they cannot sell their produce if the market rate is higher than the NSP.
Timely supply of seeds: As the programme was on large scale and at large geographical area, the timely supply of quality seeds to all the farmers of different villages is again a big challenge. There was no stock at the NSP to supply the seed at the 1st monsoon, but they struggled a lot to procure seeds and finally succeeded to supply the seeds to the farmers at right time.
Repayment of balance 50% seed cost: This is again a very big challenge if there is a crop failure. We are very much fortunate to have good crop as well as waived off the balance amount so that the federation can gain considerable amount of corpus. But on the other hand it was really a big task to collect the remaining balance amount if there was crop failure for any reason.
Ensuring varietals purity (Avoiding adulteration): There was left out farmers in the same village from this programme and they also grown the crop of their own variety, there is always chances of mixing up with our variety of seeds because of good price the NSP offers. Because of our rapport with the farmers and the careful in handling this situation we succeeded in this aspect also.
Storage facilities for stocking: This is the first time either NSP or Dhan has taken up this type activity on large scale. As all the farmers are going for marketing of groundnut at a single stretch, we have faced lot of difficulties in accommodating the procured produce. But APMC (Agricultural Produced Marketing Committee) officials responded positively by giving 5 go-downs for storing the groundnut.
Security of stored product mainly against pest attack: The stored groundnut is highly susceptible to pest attack. As the seeds are using for deed production purpose, at most care is needed to ensure that there won’t be any damage for the seeds. So safe storage of the produce is again a major challenge.
Cooperation between partners (Farmers, NSP and Dhan): Every development initiative is a dependent activity. For the success of any initiative there must be mutual cooperation between partners. Fortunately we got very good cooperation both from farmers as well as from NSP officials. Both are responded positively for all the demands and at the same time we also have done our best to act as a bridge between farmers and NSP.
Timely payment to the farmers: Timely and transparent financial transaction is one of the main prerequisites for the success of any activity. Though the NSP has first time involved in this type of major programme, the response we got in the timely payment for the produce is appreciable. There was very smooth and steady financial transaction through out the programme period.
Managing people feelings: Working with people is not an easy task. That to with the people of heterogeneous in nature with different economic back ground, satisfying all the needs of the farmers is really challenging one. As this is very sensitive activity and needs intensive monitoring in all the day to day dealings and also managing the people feelings is a very big challenge. People don’t realize their mistakes (in terms of quality of produce) but expect the ultimate benefit.
Learnings of this programme: This is the first time we have been involved in this programme, the learnings from the programme are immense. Every day brings new learnings and they are exiting. Some of the important learnings of this programme to quote are as follows.
Proper planning must be there through out the programme: There are so many activities through out the programme like cash collection, seed distribution, material procurement, quality control; storage etc., there must be proper planning for all these activity for the smooth running of the programme.Pro-active thinking and fore seeing the things are very much required to make the programme successful.
Success is possible only through good grass roots agency (For NSP): The programme is fully people participatory and requires good response from the people side. And NSP is operating from far distance (UAS, Bangalore) with less man power; it is definitely not possible for the NSP to involve on its own in all the activities. NSP’s strong feeling about the programme is that, the grassroots agencies like DHAN Foundation’s service is very much essential to make the programme successful.
Grader facilities should be sought well in advance: The ground nut grown under this programme is mainly for seed production purpose. To ensure good quality sound groundnut pod, the grading of the produce is very much essential. In order to ensure the quality of seeds, efficient grader machine facility should be sought well in advance.
Storage facilities should be sought well in advance: Safe storage is very much essential to maintain the quality of the stored product. So clean, safe and hygienic storage facilities can be arranged well in advance for smooth operation of the programme.
Impact created: From the point of view of people institution (Federation), the seed village programme has created very good impact both at village as well as block level. This is one of the unique events under taken in Pavagada taluk for the first time and around 430 small and marginal farmers from 34 villages have participated in the programme.Some of the positive things about the programme are as follows.
Very good identity to the federation and to the Dhan Foundation: The programme has created very good identity to the people federation as people of the Pavagada now recognize that there is one such people institution is existing in the taluk.The programme success also witnessed the requirement of such people institutions in smooth functioning of this type of collective initiatives. It also opens up the strength of the people institution in doing this collective action.
Possibility of sanctioning KVK in Pavagada: The visit of Vice Chancellor, UAS, Bangalore during field day has yielded result as he promised the people of Pavagada to set up Krishi Vignana Kendra (KVK) in the near future. He made this statement by knowing the potential of the taluk for groundnut production and to facilitate farmers to face the drought situation through various researches.
Very good exposure to line departments: The programme also gave very good exposure for both federation leaders as well as people towards various line departments. The various functions conducted in between the programme have helped people and the department officials to know each other and the facilities available. Officials of the line department also came to know that one such people federation covering around 30000 farmers is available in the taluk to make use of that whenever necessary.
Bring confidence for collective action: The programme helped the people of Pavagada, to know their strength in collective action. It has really brought confidence among the farmers that, from the federation they can take up many more such programmes in the future for their benefit. It also helped the federation to come to a conclusion that people will respond positively for the collective initiatives.
Seed village programme details: Some of the important statistics of the seed village programme are stated as under. Though the exact production of the groundnut was not known, but there was crop yield of 5 – 7 quintal per acre of crop.
Area covered under groundnut crop : 720 acre
Groundnut crop varieties selected : TMV-2, JL-24
Groundnut seeds supplied : 331 quintal
Farmers benefited from the programme : 430No.(47big,258 marginal, 125 small)
Villages covered under the programme : 34
Panchayat covered under the programme : 12
Total crop production (Approximately) : 4320 quintal
Seeds procured from farmers : 3050 quintal :
Total financial transaction of the programme: There was mainly three types of financial transaction have happened during the programme.Firstly the initial seed cost born by the farmers for 331 quintals of seeds invested under 720 acre crop coverage. In turn the seeds purchased from the farmers accounts to 3050 quintal. Out of 3050 quintal seeds, 1400 quintal is arranged for seed certification. The details of the financial transaction are as follows.
S.No Particulars Quantity Rate Amount
1 Seeds supplied 331 Qtl 2800.00 9,26,800.00
2 Seeds purchased 3050 Qtl 2800.00 85,40,000.00
3 Seed certification incentives 1400 Qtl 1000.00 14,00,000.00
Total 1,08,66,800.00
Service cost/corpus generated from the programme: As this programme is under taken as an entry point activity of the federation, the idea was to generate some corpus for the federation for its self sufficiency. All the important decisions including corpus/service cost generation are taken in the federation meetings. Though the balance 50% seed cost was waived by the government but at the last moment after the repayment, the federation decided to keep it as federation corpus because of disbursement problem. The exact farmers list couldn’t maintain because some of the farmers were covered under some other’s name. Same has happened under certification incentives. Rupees 1000.00/ quintal incentives got from the government for 1400 quintal (collectively).Out of that Rs.400.00/quintal spent as programme expenditure (Rs.100.00 for certification fee, Rs.150.00 for NSP service cost and Rs.150.00 for other expenditure)
S.No Particulars Quantity Rate Amount
1 Repayment of 50% balance seed cost 331 Qtl 1400.00 4,63,400.00
2 Service cost as per resolution 3050 Qtl 65.00 1,98,250.00
3 Certification incentives 1400 Qtl 600.00 8,40,000.00
Total 15,01,650.00
Incremental benefits per acre: As per the earlier discussion regarding the benefits, an attempt has been made to know the incremental benefits got by the farmers per acre of crop cultivation. Though the additional yield is between 0.5 to 2 quintal/ acre, 0.5 quintal/acre is taken in to consideration. On an average 5 quintal/ acre yield is taken for calculating the incremental benefits of this seed village programme.
S.No Particulars Quantity Rate Amount
1 Additional yield 0.5 qtl 2800.00 1375.00
2 Saving from hamali/coolie 2 kg/bags 22.00 200.00
3 Savings from weight loss 2 kg/bag 28.00 616.00
4 Additional price 5 qtl 550.00 2750.00
Total 4941.00
Events undertaken:
Field day celebration: During the harvesting stage of the crop, the field day was conducted in one village called Gundarlahalli. The main reason for selecting this particular village is easy mobility to all the other villagers. For this programme the Vice Chancellor, Agriculture University, Bangalore was the chief guest. The purpose of this programme was for cross learning and motivating farmers for further propagation of seed village technology. The response from the farmers for this programme was overwhelming. The VC has promised to set up a KVK in Pavagada for further agricultural research.
Ground nut sandy day: In order to motivate and facilitate farmers for ground nut marketing, ground nut sandy day was conducted. The farmers sell the left out ground nut during the event. The purpose of this event is to buy back the ground nut as much as possible to meet the seed requirement of the state. This programme is also gave very good result as around 200 quintal ground nut has been procured from the farmers.
By : Ramappa K T
Introduction: Pavagada is one of the 10 Taluks of Tumakur district. It is one of the most backward Taluks of the district in all aspects. The taluk is having four hoblis covering 33 Panchayat and 145 villages. The last 10 years average annual rainfall recorded is merely 415 mm; this itself is enough to know the intensity of drought in the taluk. The total population of the taluk is 246255 of which 43.6 % belongs to SC/ST community. As per the 2001 census the literacy rate of the taluk is 56.5% much lower than the state average of 67.5%.
The total cultivable area of the taluk is 77709 Ha of which oil seeds cover 85 % of the cultivable area. Though the taluk is having 57.5% of small and marginal farmers their share in total land holding is just 18.5%. Ground nut is the major crop which covers 92.1% of the total oil seeds and is the only life line for farmers. Because of its drought resistance nature and suitability to the sandy mixed soil, majority of the farmers are well adapted to this crop and it is very difficult to change the mindset of the people for other alternative to this crop.
What is seed village programme? The seed village programme is one of the main activities of the NSP (National Seed Project), a project set up by the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), New Delhi. It is the process of involving the majority of the farmers of a particular village to take up one particular crop, mainly for seed production purpose. For the operational viability of the activity, a minimum of 30-50 farmers of the particular village has to cultivate a particular crop for seed production purpose. The objectives of this activity are.
To increase the seed replacement ratio: A look in to the states average percentage of seed replacement of any crop shows only 12%.Almost all the farmers are using their own crop seeds repeatedly year after year for the crop cultivation. These results in poor crop yield due to susceptible to pests and diseases and reduce the soil fertility.
To increase seeds production: Presently the seeds requirement of the state is taken care by state agriculture department and the Karnataka Oil Federation (KOF). But hardly 10-15 percent of farmer’s need is met by both the organizations.
To ensure seeds requirement of the Farmers: The state’s Agriculture department is in a tremendous pressure to supply the certified good quality seeds to all farmers during the monsoon season. The condition will be even severe if there is a continuous drought for 2-3 years. Farmers are facing problems to procure good quality seeds
Why this programme is initiated in Pavagada?
Pavagada being the draught prone area and the largest producer of groundnut crop, the farmers are facing lot of problems for getting the quality seeds during the monsoon season. Because of scanty rainfall and no other irrigation facilities, the crop yield is also not up to the mark. The worst hits are the small and marginal farmers. The big farmers may have their choice to keep aside some grown seeds for the next season but for small and marginal farmers cannot do it because the quantity got is not enough to meet the year long consumption. Usually government supplies the seeds during the season at subsidized rate but it can meet only 10-15 % of demand, that to not timely. People spend lot of money in search of good seeds from long distance and they are not sure of getting good quality seeds. If the seeds are not available at the time of first rain in the month of June, they will be loosing precious time of sowing and consequently affects adversely the crop yield. As Dhan foundation is working in this taluk since 5 years, it was one of the main issues to tackle to assist farmers for getting good quality seeds.
Because of the growing demand from the farmers and to do something to meet the farmers demand, our team got link with the NSP for doing this activity. Though the NSP is having the idea of doing this activity on its own, it is engaged in doing this activity in and around the UAS campus only. Due to manpower shortage and the remoteness of the area they couldn’t concentrate all around the state and do it to help farmers.
Salient features of the programme:
Seeds distribution at 50 % seed cost: In order to facilitate farmers to take up this activity, NSP is supplying seeds to the farmers at 50% seed cost. The remaining 50% amount can repay at the time of marketing. This arrangement is mainly to get confidence among the farmers and also to have option of getting the produce at NSP only.
Regular monitoring and technical support to farmers regarding package of practice and post harvest handling of crops: At regular interval the NSP official visit the farmer’s field for the crop monitoring. As per the requirement they will also guide farmers for suitable recommendation for pest and disease attack. They will also suggest farmers for some intervention at critical period of crop for better yield.
Buy back of produce at fairly good price: Here the market price for the produce will be fixed well in advance and the NSP is abiding for that price whatever may be the market price. In order to attract farmers during higher market price compare to NSP, there is a possibility of revising the agreed price so that farmers must sell their produce at NSP to meet the purpose.
Seed certification arrangements: The one of the main purposes of the seed village programme is to ensure seed requirement of the state. In order to bring authenticity and for quality ensuring of the farmers produce, 5the NSP is making arrangement for certification of the produce. The district certification agency will be informed well in advance to make necessary arrangement to look in to the quality aspects before certifying the seeds for future marketing.
Our approach of programme implementation: Though the NSP hasn’t insisted us to go like this or other way, we have followed our own way to implement the programme. As we been promoting the people institutions to implement the any intervention and we have the net work of these in to cascade and federation we felt it is appropriate to implement the project through federation so that it brings identity to the people institution and can acts as 1st initiatives by the federation so that it brings confidence to the people to take up many more programmes in the future. The processes followed are as follows
All activities undertaken through the federation: The Pavagada Taluk Keregala Jalasamvardhane Vayalagam Okkoota (PTKJSVO) is the network of 41 TFAs, which are promoted to implement JSYS project in Pavagada. Though this is first of its kind, the response we got from the farmers is overwhelming as we got very good cooperation from all the members of our TFAs and the federation is running towards sustainability. As an entry point activity of the federation we thought of taking this activity and discussed with the federation leaders. The leaders accepted the idea and all the activity of the seed village programme are taken through the federation. The activities like seeding the concept, decision taking, cash collection etc are done through the federation.
TFAs and Cascade meetings are act as bridge between farmers and federation: The networking is of three tire systems where TFA and Cascade are the other two to link under federation. There are two members representation from each cascade in the federation executive committee and the farmers selected for the seed village programme are from these villages only. So for any information dissemination these people institutions act as bridge between farmers and federation to make life easy and smooth functioning.
Federation leader’s service has been utilized for proper implementation: As the activity involves lot of risk and hard work, we have utilized best possible services of the federation leaders so that all are worked like a unit to make this event successful. The leaders worked proactively and responded positively for all requirements.
Federation and cascade meetings are utilized for information dissemination: As our entire working area village representatives are there in the cascade and TFAs, the meetings of these institutions are utilized for information collection, dissemination and for collective decision.
Process followed for the programme implementation: This is the 1st time NSP has taken up this activity on large scale. Though the NSP has been in this business for quite a long time, but it is only through bits and pieces. It is just to demonstrate farmers regarding the concept of seed production. This is also first time they have done this activity by involving NGOs. The processes followed during the entire programme period are as follows
Concept seeding/ orientation about the programme
↓
Advance seed amount collection (50% of seed cost in cash)
↓
Continuous contact with NSP officials for follow-up for good seeds
↓
Seed distribution to farmers
↓
Monitoring the crop sowing with seed treatment
↓
Regular crop monitoring and suggesting recommendation for pest and diseases
↓
Field day celebration at the time of harvest by inviting VC, UAS, Bangalore
↓
Orientation on post harvest handling of crop (Stocking, Cleaning, winnowing etc)
↓
Procuring seeds from the farmers
↓
Quality testing of the produce
Physical observation(Maturity of seed, Size etc)
Grading
Sample weight( 75: 25 ratio of seeds to shell and 80% SMK)
↓
Payment through cheque
What are the benefits to the farmers? From the farmers point of view the benefits from the programme are many. Farmers are visualized the benefits and are so happy that they haven’t imagined. Some of the direct benefits people recognized are listed below.
Getting quality seeds in time: Getting quality seeds in time during the monsoon season itself is a very big achievement. As there is lot of demand for the seeds and the department is not supplying the required demand, people felt very happy that they got good quality seeds in time. They also expressed that this one of the main prerequisite for better yield.
Less investment on seeds (Only 50% initial costs): As the NSP is supplying seeds at 50% initial seed cost, it is additional advantage for the people who are struggling a lot for the initial investment. As the taluk is experiencing frequent drought and majority of the farmers are small and marginal, this option is really a boon for the down trodden.
Technical support on crop management: Because of the programme initiation, the NSP officials as well as DHAN professionals sought continuous support to the farmers on crop package of practice. There will be continuous field visits from these officials at regular interval of the cropping period to monitor the crop. From this farmers get timely advice in controlling the pest and disease attack.
Better yield because of quality seeds: Quality of seeds is the one of the most important parameter which has direct impact on crop yield. It may be from better germination or from resistance to pests and diseases. So by getting quality seeds farmers are definitely benefited by better yield. As per the farmers view there was 0.5 to 2 quintal better yield per acre because of quality seeds, good rain and technical support.
Avoiding middle men for marketing: As majority of the farmers of the same village are involved in this programme, there is every possibility for collective marketing. Because of fragmented land and independent farming people bound to depend on middlemen for the produce marketing, this system definitely help farmers in avoiding middlemen and fetch good price.
Less transportation cost due to collective marketing: Again it is a group activity under the association; the marketing is also of collective one. So there is cost sharing of transportation cost which is very less as compare to individual transportation cost. In this way also this programme helps farmers to reduce the expenditure of transportation which in turn maximize the profit.
Getting precise weight for the produce (Weighing by digital balance): Farmers are easily deceived by the traders through different means in getting the precise weight for their produce. Again there is a custom of deducting 1-3 kg per quintal of produce in traditional marketing system. So farmers also benefited by this menace as here we have used digital balance for weighing the produce.
Avoiding Coolie/ Hamali menace: It was decided collectively by all the farmers that, coolie/ hamali has not been allowed for loading and unloading of the produce. After initial resistance by the coolies, we could succeed in dealing with this issue. Only farmers themselves are involved actively in loading and unloading of their produce so that they get benefited by avoiding the coolie cost.
Better price: During the initial period itself, the price for the produce was fixed at fairly better price. Rupees 2800.00 per quintal were fixed irrespective of market price. Accordingly farmers get an additional benefit of Rs.750.00 per quintal as the market price during the period was between Rs.1800-2300/quintal.
Timely payment: The payment for the marketed produce is not a problem from the NSP. They responded very well and ensure the timely payment for the farmers. By this way also farmers got benefited.
Additional benefits through promotional incentives: In ordered to motivate and encourage farmers to involve in the seed village programme in the future, the government waived off the remaining 50% of the seed cost. Because of this farmer need not pay the balance seed cost Rs.1400 per quintal. But we had collected the amount at the time of marketing and there was mixing of produce by small farmers at village level. So we could not maintain that details so that there was a problem of reimbursing that amount. So in the federation meeting it was discussed that, that amount can retain in the federation as corpus.
Challenges of the programme: Fortunately we didn’t come across any major problems during the entire programme, it is worth discuss the anticipated challenges to fore see to minimize the risk if these bound to happen in the future course of time. Some of the challenges of the programme are listed here under.
Programme success depends on climate: Pavagada has received good rain and there was no major pest/ disease attack in this season. Because of this everything goes in our way and there was fairly good crop yield. At the same time the market price for the ground nut at the time of harvest was between Rs.1800 to 2300 per quintal. As against to this the earlier fixed price was Rs.2800 per quintal. So people felt very happy to sell their produce to the NSP and the purpose of the programme was also same. But on the other hand if there is a crop failure there may be chances of bound back by farmers to say that, the crop failure is because of seed mistake and also they cannot sell their produce if the market rate is higher than the NSP.
Timely supply of seeds: As the programme was on large scale and at large geographical area, the timely supply of quality seeds to all the farmers of different villages is again a big challenge. There was no stock at the NSP to supply the seed at the 1st monsoon, but they struggled a lot to procure seeds and finally succeeded to supply the seeds to the farmers at right time.
Repayment of balance 50% seed cost: This is again a very big challenge if there is a crop failure. We are very much fortunate to have good crop as well as waived off the balance amount so that the federation can gain considerable amount of corpus. But on the other hand it was really a big task to collect the remaining balance amount if there was crop failure for any reason.
Ensuring varietals purity (Avoiding adulteration): There was left out farmers in the same village from this programme and they also grown the crop of their own variety, there is always chances of mixing up with our variety of seeds because of good price the NSP offers. Because of our rapport with the farmers and the careful in handling this situation we succeeded in this aspect also.
Storage facilities for stocking: This is the first time either NSP or Dhan has taken up this type activity on large scale. As all the farmers are going for marketing of groundnut at a single stretch, we have faced lot of difficulties in accommodating the procured produce. But APMC (Agricultural Produced Marketing Committee) officials responded positively by giving 5 go-downs for storing the groundnut.
Security of stored product mainly against pest attack: The stored groundnut is highly susceptible to pest attack. As the seeds are using for deed production purpose, at most care is needed to ensure that there won’t be any damage for the seeds. So safe storage of the produce is again a major challenge.
Cooperation between partners (Farmers, NSP and Dhan): Every development initiative is a dependent activity. For the success of any initiative there must be mutual cooperation between partners. Fortunately we got very good cooperation both from farmers as well as from NSP officials. Both are responded positively for all the demands and at the same time we also have done our best to act as a bridge between farmers and NSP.
Timely payment to the farmers: Timely and transparent financial transaction is one of the main prerequisites for the success of any activity. Though the NSP has first time involved in this type of major programme, the response we got in the timely payment for the produce is appreciable. There was very smooth and steady financial transaction through out the programme period.
Managing people feelings: Working with people is not an easy task. That to with the people of heterogeneous in nature with different economic back ground, satisfying all the needs of the farmers is really challenging one. As this is very sensitive activity and needs intensive monitoring in all the day to day dealings and also managing the people feelings is a very big challenge. People don’t realize their mistakes (in terms of quality of produce) but expect the ultimate benefit.
Learnings of this programme: This is the first time we have been involved in this programme, the learnings from the programme are immense. Every day brings new learnings and they are exiting. Some of the important learnings of this programme to quote are as follows.
Proper planning must be there through out the programme: There are so many activities through out the programme like cash collection, seed distribution, material procurement, quality control; storage etc., there must be proper planning for all these activity for the smooth running of the programme.Pro-active thinking and fore seeing the things are very much required to make the programme successful.
Success is possible only through good grass roots agency (For NSP): The programme is fully people participatory and requires good response from the people side. And NSP is operating from far distance (UAS, Bangalore) with less man power; it is definitely not possible for the NSP to involve on its own in all the activities. NSP’s strong feeling about the programme is that, the grassroots agencies like DHAN Foundation’s service is very much essential to make the programme successful.
Grader facilities should be sought well in advance: The ground nut grown under this programme is mainly for seed production purpose. To ensure good quality sound groundnut pod, the grading of the produce is very much essential. In order to ensure the quality of seeds, efficient grader machine facility should be sought well in advance.
Storage facilities should be sought well in advance: Safe storage is very much essential to maintain the quality of the stored product. So clean, safe and hygienic storage facilities can be arranged well in advance for smooth operation of the programme.
Impact created: From the point of view of people institution (Federation), the seed village programme has created very good impact both at village as well as block level. This is one of the unique events under taken in Pavagada taluk for the first time and around 430 small and marginal farmers from 34 villages have participated in the programme.Some of the positive things about the programme are as follows.
Very good identity to the federation and to the Dhan Foundation: The programme has created very good identity to the people federation as people of the Pavagada now recognize that there is one such people institution is existing in the taluk.The programme success also witnessed the requirement of such people institutions in smooth functioning of this type of collective initiatives. It also opens up the strength of the people institution in doing this collective action.
Possibility of sanctioning KVK in Pavagada: The visit of Vice Chancellor, UAS, Bangalore during field day has yielded result as he promised the people of Pavagada to set up Krishi Vignana Kendra (KVK) in the near future. He made this statement by knowing the potential of the taluk for groundnut production and to facilitate farmers to face the drought situation through various researches.
Very good exposure to line departments: The programme also gave very good exposure for both federation leaders as well as people towards various line departments. The various functions conducted in between the programme have helped people and the department officials to know each other and the facilities available. Officials of the line department also came to know that one such people federation covering around 30000 farmers is available in the taluk to make use of that whenever necessary.
Bring confidence for collective action: The programme helped the people of Pavagada, to know their strength in collective action. It has really brought confidence among the farmers that, from the federation they can take up many more such programmes in the future for their benefit. It also helped the federation to come to a conclusion that people will respond positively for the collective initiatives.
Seed village programme details: Some of the important statistics of the seed village programme are stated as under. Though the exact production of the groundnut was not known, but there was crop yield of 5 – 7 quintal per acre of crop.
Area covered under groundnut crop : 720 acre
Groundnut crop varieties selected : TMV-2, JL-24
Groundnut seeds supplied : 331 quintal
Farmers benefited from the programme : 430No.(47big,258 marginal, 125 small)
Villages covered under the programme : 34
Panchayat covered under the programme : 12
Total crop production (Approximately) : 4320 quintal
Seeds procured from farmers : 3050 quintal :
Total financial transaction of the programme: There was mainly three types of financial transaction have happened during the programme.Firstly the initial seed cost born by the farmers for 331 quintals of seeds invested under 720 acre crop coverage. In turn the seeds purchased from the farmers accounts to 3050 quintal. Out of 3050 quintal seeds, 1400 quintal is arranged for seed certification. The details of the financial transaction are as follows.
S.No Particulars Quantity Rate Amount
1 Seeds supplied 331 Qtl 2800.00 9,26,800.00
2 Seeds purchased 3050 Qtl 2800.00 85,40,000.00
3 Seed certification incentives 1400 Qtl 1000.00 14,00,000.00
Total 1,08,66,800.00
Service cost/corpus generated from the programme: As this programme is under taken as an entry point activity of the federation, the idea was to generate some corpus for the federation for its self sufficiency. All the important decisions including corpus/service cost generation are taken in the federation meetings. Though the balance 50% seed cost was waived by the government but at the last moment after the repayment, the federation decided to keep it as federation corpus because of disbursement problem. The exact farmers list couldn’t maintain because some of the farmers were covered under some other’s name. Same has happened under certification incentives. Rupees 1000.00/ quintal incentives got from the government for 1400 quintal (collectively).Out of that Rs.400.00/quintal spent as programme expenditure (Rs.100.00 for certification fee, Rs.150.00 for NSP service cost and Rs.150.00 for other expenditure)
S.No Particulars Quantity Rate Amount
1 Repayment of 50% balance seed cost 331 Qtl 1400.00 4,63,400.00
2 Service cost as per resolution 3050 Qtl 65.00 1,98,250.00
3 Certification incentives 1400 Qtl 600.00 8,40,000.00
Total 15,01,650.00
Incremental benefits per acre: As per the earlier discussion regarding the benefits, an attempt has been made to know the incremental benefits got by the farmers per acre of crop cultivation. Though the additional yield is between 0.5 to 2 quintal/ acre, 0.5 quintal/acre is taken in to consideration. On an average 5 quintal/ acre yield is taken for calculating the incremental benefits of this seed village programme.
S.No Particulars Quantity Rate Amount
1 Additional yield 0.5 qtl 2800.00 1375.00
2 Saving from hamali/coolie 2 kg/bags 22.00 200.00
3 Savings from weight loss 2 kg/bag 28.00 616.00
4 Additional price 5 qtl 550.00 2750.00
Total 4941.00
Events undertaken:
Field day celebration: During the harvesting stage of the crop, the field day was conducted in one village called Gundarlahalli. The main reason for selecting this particular village is easy mobility to all the other villagers. For this programme the Vice Chancellor, Agriculture University, Bangalore was the chief guest. The purpose of this programme was for cross learning and motivating farmers for further propagation of seed village technology. The response from the farmers for this programme was overwhelming. The VC has promised to set up a KVK in Pavagada for further agricultural research.
Ground nut sandy day: In order to motivate and facilitate farmers for ground nut marketing, ground nut sandy day was conducted. The farmers sell the left out ground nut during the event. The purpose of this event is to buy back the ground nut as much as possible to meet the seed requirement of the state. This programme is also gave very good result as around 200 quintal ground nut has been procured from the farmers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)