Fourteenth Annual Report 2003-2004

M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation Centre for Research on Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development Chennai, India M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation Centre for Research on Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development

Third Cross Road, Institutional Area Taramani, Chennai 600 113 India Telephone : +91 (44) 22541229 +91 (44) 22541698 Fax : +91 (44) 22541319 Email : [email protected]; [email protected] Visit us on the World Wide Web at http://www.mssrf.org

Cover Design : The Frontline, Chennai Printed at : AMM Screens Citation : Fourteenth Annual Report: 2003-2004 M S Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai 600 113 Contents

Chairman’s Introduction ...... 004

Programme Area 100 Coastal Systems Research ...... 013

Programme Area 200 Biodiversity and Biotechnology ...... 034

Programme Area 300 Ecotechnology ...... 069

Programme Area 400 Reaching the Unreached ...... 092

Programme Area 500 Education, Communication, Training and Capacity Building ...... 109

Programme Area 600 Special Projects ...... 129

Publications...... 132

About the Foundation ...... 145

The Foundation Staff ...... 149

List of Donors ...... 159

Sources of Project Support ...... 161 List of Acronyms ...... 164

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Chairman’s Introduction

The work done under the six major Programme made the following observations in his Areas of MSSRF during the period 1st July Presidential Address to the Academy in 2003 to 30th June 2004 is summarised in this Washington on 19th April, 2004: Report. At the outset, I wish to record our gratitude to the State Government of Tamil “The State Bank of India is now intimately Nadu and the Government of India, as well as involved as a partner with the M S Swaminathan to the various organizations and bilateral and Research Foundation in each of the village multilateral donors listed at the end of the projects that we helped to inaugurate. Some report, for their generous encouragement and of the projects were dairies, as before, but other financial support. I also wish to record our groups of villagers had set up small production indebtedness to all who have contributed to plants for biocontrol agents. the corpus fund of MSSRF. The interest from In one example, a group of villagers had the corpus fund and from the various special established a factory to produce the small endowments helps us to ensure the continuity parasitic wasp, Trichogramma, which deposits of our core programmes. The corpus fund also its eggs on those of larger insects and destroys helps to build and retain a team of dedicated and distinguished core staff. With interest them. Some of their product is being used in rates declining, the need for an adequate their own village to replace pesticides and endowment fund cannot be over-emphasized. increase plant yields – thus bringing both health This is why we are particularly grateful to all and economic benefits. The remaining product who have contributed to the corpus and is being sold in the market to generate income. endowments. And the women involved had begun to train new groups in neighbouring villages. Here was Thanks are also due to Dr Geeta Mehta and a perfect example of the type of science- the Friends of MSSRF, Tokyo, for their invaluable based franchise for sustainable development contributions to MSSRF’s Sustainable Self-Help that I had been seeking. Group (SSHG) Movement. SSHGs depend upon 4 essential components for their Is this public service activity, subsidized by economic and social sustainability. These are: the government? To my surprise, I learned that technology, credit, management and market. the answer is no. These cooperatively held loans Unless the micro enterprises supported by are being made to so-called “Self-help Groups” micro credit are market driven, they will each composed of 10 to 20 villagers who had collapse. After studying the MSSRF learned to work together. They are among the methodology in this area, Dr Bruce Alberts, bank’s best-performing customers, with 95 President, US National Academy of Sciences, percent of repayments being made on time.

CHAIRMANíS INTRODUCTION ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

The bottom-up development generated by loans activities relating to the creation of opportunities to cooperative groups of the rural poor is a major for remunerative self-employment. movement encouraged by the Indian The United Nations has declared 2004 as the government. It is being stimulated, guided, and International Year of Rice (IYR) since “rice is monitored by India’s National Bank for life” to over two billion members of the human Agriculture and Rural Development, which family. The IYR activities of MSSRF include provides guidance on the establishment and the organisation of grassroot awareness evaluation of Self-Help Groups as well as many generation programmes relating to medicinal other informative details.” and aromatic rices in Orissa and Kerala, The Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the other Tata discussions on the gender dimension of rice Trusts have helped MSSRF to establish the J farming systems and the role of molecular R D Tata Ecotechnology Centre which is now breeding in shaping the future of rice. Both the spearheading the SSHG revolution. 2004 is Eastern Ghats region and the NE region are the birth centenary year of the late Bharat Ratna being given particular attention in programmes J R D Tata. MSSRF is commemorating the life designed to stimulate community conservation and message of this great Indian by organising and womens’ technological empowerment. two interdisciplinary dialogues – one dealing with Since its inception in 1989, a major activity of sustaining and strengthening the SHG MSSRF has been in the area of restoring movement and the other, with the pre-requisites degraded mangrove wetlands along the east essential for fostering a happy India. The latter coast of India and in promoting participatory dialogue is designed to give shape to J R D mangrove forest management, involving local Tata’s wish that India should be a happy country communities and personnel of the Forest even if it does not become a super-power. Departments. Much of this work came to an The importance of a New Deal for the Self- end in 2004, following the completion of the employed through facilitating a SSHG revolution work in Tamil Nadu (TN), Andhra Pradesh (AP), will be evident from the findings reported in the Orissa and West Bengal under a project MSSRF – WFP Atlases on food insecurity in financially supported by the India Canada rural and urban India. The analysis reveals that Environment Facility (ICEF). The ICEF- the main cause of endemic hunger in India supported programme resulted in the restoration today is lack of adequate purchasing power for of over 1485 ha of degraded mangrove balanced diets among the poor. This again wetlands in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and arises from inadequate opportunities for gainful Orissa since 1996. In addition, it helped to foster employment or sustainable livelihoods. With a sustainable livelihood occupations to mangrove population exceeding a billion, a majority of forest dependant communities. Above all, it whom are young, over-riding priority must be helped to spread an understanding of the given to research, training and capacity building importance of healthy mangrove forests to the

ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ecological and livelihood security of coastal rice strains tolerant to 150 mM of Nacl will be communities. Detailed documentation of the multiplied. When the material reaches the stage work done, including three Atlases of the of large scale trials in farmers’ fields, based on mangrove forests of TN, AP and Orissa, resulted approval by the Genetic Engineering Approval from this project. We are grateful to H E (Ms) Committee (GEAC) of the Ministry of Lucie Edwards, High Commissioner of Canada Environment, participatory breeding with farm to India for releasing the three Atlases as well families will be undertaken in order to develop as an integrated Atlas, and to Shri Ujjwal several rice strains combining adaptation to Choudhary, Project Director, ICEF and Dr Jaya local growing conditions and consumer Chatterji, Senior Project Officer, for their preferences with tolerance to salinity. This will interest, advice and support throughout the probably be the first case of an integrated duration of this 7 year project. molecular pre-breeding and farmer-participatory breeding methodology in the world. This will MSSRF’s work on the isolation and use of not only help to de-mystify GM technologies, genetic factors from mangrove species in the but will also help to combine genetic diversity breeding of varieties of rice, mustard and pulses with genetic efficiency. tolerant to salinity and to sea water, entered a significant phase during 2003-04. The MSSRF In addition to undertaking research designed Bio-safety and Bio-ethics Committee and the to strengthen our capacity to insulate coastal Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation agriculture from sea water ingress as a result (RCGM) of the Department of Biotechnology, of sea level rise, MSSRF began detailed Government of India, accorded permission for planning in collaboration with the Swiss Agency the transgenic rice containing genes for salinity for Development and Cooperation (SDC) for tolerance from Avecennia marina to be tested minimising vulnerability and enhancing the in controlled field trials. Replicated trials were adaptive capacity of local communities in semi- conducted in an isolated field kindly made arid areas to changes in precipitation and temperature caused by climate change. This available by the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic will include measures like contingency planning, Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam during 2004. involving alternative cropping strategies to suit The trial consisted of six plots (150ft. x 100 ft) different weather probabilities, and crop life three of which were treated with 50, 100 and saving research. The MSSRF approach to 150 mM of saline water. The transgenic plants building community food security systems, had a shorter height and a slightly higher yield involving an integrated chain of field gene bank, than the control. This marks the beginning of a seed bank, grain bank and water bank, will be new chapter in the area of anticipatory research fostered in areas which are particularly to meet challenges arising from a potential rise vulnerable to changes in precipitation and in sea level as a result of global warming. temperature. This work will be undertaken with The tests will be continued and seeds of the generous support from SDC.

CHAIRMANíS INTRODUCTION ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

With assistance from the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, collaboration among OSU, MSSRF, Jawaharlal MSSRF initiated during this year steps to Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur and strengthen food, fodder and livelihood security the Punjab Agricutlural University, Ludhiana. in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. The next phase of this project, due to begin A Planning Meeting was held in Srinagar on from April 2005, will aim to introduce integrated 29th and 30th September, 2003. This was and sustainable farming systems on a attended by both the Governor of J & K, Lt watershed basis in farmers’ fields. The work will Gen (Retd) S K Sinha, PVSM and the Chief include both participatory research and Minister, Mr Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. The participatory knowledge management systems, first project initiated under this programme is and involve farm women and men. This project, the training of 8 young persons from Ladakh in will lay the foundation for adopting sustainable fruit processing and post-harvest technology, intensification and farming systems with particular reference to apricots and diversification under different soil and agro- seabuckthorn at the Central Food Technology climatic conditions. Research Institute (CFTRI) at Mysore from 21st During this year, two major National Missions to 25th June, 2004. Two onsite training were launched for achieving the following goals programmes in Leh and Kargil are in the by 15th August 2007, which will mark the 60th pipeline. anniversary of India’s independence: Among other significant inter-institutional and Mission 2007: Towards a hunger-free India international projects, mention may be made of the India-Nepal project on enhancing the Mission 2007: Every village a Knowledge contribution of nutritious but neglected crops Centre. to food security and rural income, supported by the International Fund for Agricultural In view of the significance of these two Development (IFAD) through the International Missions in eradicating hunger and poverty and Plant Genetics Resources Institute (IPGRI). in achieving the first among the UN Millennium The crop chosen for intensive attention in Nepal Development Goals, I would like to summarise is finger millet (Eleucine coracana). Both yields their objectives and strategies. Both are and income were significantly enhanced through designed to foster convergence and synergy improved agronomic practices and post-harvest among numerous ongoing programmes and technology. initiatives and to provide a platform for partnership among government and non- The other project which made excellent progress governmental organisations; academic, private is the MSSRF – Ohio State University (OSU) sector and financial institutions; mass media collaborative programme on the sustainable and bilateral and multilateral donors. It is only management of natural resources. This project by mobilising the power of partnership that funded by the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust involves seemingly impossible tasks can be achieved.

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Mission 2007 : Towards a Hunger-free India Work programme and the Employment Guarantee Scheme of Maharashtra, should be During the last three years, MSSRF and the developed and introduced. The National Food UN World Food Programme (WFP) have been Guarantee Scheme will help to provide food working together to analyse the causes of food grains to all who are unable to have economic insecurity in rural and urban India. This work access to food due to inadequate livelihood resulted in the Food Insecurity Atlases of Rural opportunities. The Food for Work programme and Urban India. The latest in this series of should cover skilled work also, so that food Atlases is the Sustainability of Food Security becomes a powerful instrument for social and Atlas of India, which provides information on human development. The use of food as the long-term sustainability of food security in currency has the added advantage of the different states of the country, based on 17 stimulating the production of a wide range of indicators. This Atlas was released by H E food grains, since it is clear that farmers will The President of India, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, produce more if we can consume more, ie, if on 5th February, 2004. MSSRF, WFP and FAO opportunities for assured and remunerative organized a National Food Security Summit in marketing become available. New Delhi on 4th and 5th February, 2004, in order to present the findings made during the Third, a Food for Nutrition Programme should course of the preparation of the 3 Atlases before be introduced to cover pregnant women, infants a wider audience of professionals and public and old and infirm persons. An Integrated Food policy makers. A road map for working towards Guarantee and Food for Nutrition Programme relative freedom from under- and mal-nutrition will involve all vulnerable sections and will be th by 15 August, 2007 was prepared at the based on the principle of social inclusion. National Food Security Summit. This involves Urgent steps need to be taken to eliminate the development and implementation of a Food maternal and foetal under-nutrition resulting in Security Compact at the level of each State. the birth of babies characterized by low birth The hunger elimination strategy consists of the weights (LBW). The incidence of LBW children following five major components. First, a represents the cruellest form of social inequity, horizontal dimension should be provided to all since such children are denied at birth vertically structured nutrition intervention opportunities for the full expression of their programmes, in order to ensure their delivery innate genetic potential for mental and physical on a whole life cycle basis. This will help to development. achieve a paradigm shift from food security at Fourth, the problems of protein-calorie under- the macro-level to nutrition security at the level nutrition and micronutrient deficiencies should of each individual child, woman and man. be dealt with together. The idea of providing Second, a National Food Guarantee Scheme Antyodaya Cards (ie, entitlement cards to the which will combine the features of the Food for ultra poor) is a good one, provided it is done in

CHAIRMANíS INTRODUCTION ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ a transparent manner with the participation of systems on a life cycle basis, introduction of the Gram Sabhas. The Antyodaya Cards, like National Food Guarantee and Food for Nutrition the Food Stamps, will entitle the poor to a certain programmes, elimination of hidden hunger quantity of food grains. We should however use caused by micronutrient deficiencies and the this opportunity to launch a frontal attack on establishment of community-managed Food hidden hunger caused by the deficiency of Banks, will help to achieve the goal of Mission micronutrients such as iron, iodine, Vitamin A, 2007: a hunger-free India. In addition, access Vitamin B12 and folic acid and zinc. All the to clean drinking water, education and primary Antyodaya Households may be supplied with health care need concurrent attention and either a Vitamin premix or multiple fortified salt. investment, to ensure the biological absorption of the food consumed. The cost of this intervention will be about 10 paise per head per day. In other words, the Mission 2007: Every Village a Knowledge annual cost per household of five will amount Centre to Rs.180. This will be an exceedingly The second Mission, fostered by MSSRF in significant step in enabling children, women and association with a wide range of partners and men living in poverty to benefit from the calories with generous technical and financial support they may obtain through food grains. The long- from the IDRC and CIDA of Canada, Tata Social term solution will be economic access to Welfare Trust, Friends of MSSRF, Tokyo, Indian balanced diets, so that all the essential macro- Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and micro-nutrients can be met entirely through OneWorld South Asia and National Association a food-based approach. of Software and Service Companies Finally, the problem of transient hunger can be (NASSCOM), is designed to take the benefits dealt with by fostering a Community Grain Bank of the digital revolution to all the 600,000 Movement. Community Food Banks (CFB) as villages of the country by 15th August, 2007. well as Community Feed and Fodder Banks The Mission for achieving a Knowledge can be operated by local SHGs of women and Revolution in India derives its strength and men. This will also help to widen the food basket confidence from the numerous outstanding by including locally grown millets, pulses and initiatives underway in the country under the tuber crops. The establishment of community sponsorship of Central and State Governments, managed Food and Seed Banks, to start with Civil Society Organisations, academia and the in the hunger and ecological “hot spots” of the corporate sector. The beneficial impact of ICT country, will insulate the poor living in such on the rural economy and quality of life is now areas, from acute distress during periods of widely recognised. What is now needed is the drought, floods and other natural calamities. launching of a self-propelling, self-replicating Thus, an integrated hunger elimination strategy, and self-sustaining model of ICT for rural involving the streamlining of food delivery regeneration and prosperity. This can be

ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ achieved in a short time and at a low transaction The Ministry of Communication and Information cost by the functional fusion of the large Technology of the Government of India and the number of programmes in progress at the micro Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), level. Such a fusion of objectives, strategies as well as several State Governments, have and programmes can be achieved only through already developed strategies for accelerating creating a platform for partnership. the growth of the internet and broadband connectivity in rural India. In all, 670,000 km Such a platform emerged at the Consultation of fibre has been deployed across the country. th th held on 19 and 20 May, 2004 at MSSRF, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has Chennai, on the occasion of the death already laid fibre cables capable of reaching centenary of Jamsetji Tata, who remains for nearly 70% of our villages. The National ever a role model, not only because he dared Informatics Centre (NIC), the Indira Gandhi to think big, but also because he accomplished National Open University (IGNOU) and the State what he set out to do – be it steel or textiles or Open Universities have considerable reach in hotel or building the Institute of Science, the country. Using wireless, satellite and other Bangalore. At the Consultation it was agreed technologies, 30,000 exchange locations can to form a National Alliance for Mission 2007. be leveraged as hubs for distributing broadband The National Alliance includes a wide range connectivity to all surrounding villages. of stakeholders. It was also agreed that we Therefore, “Mission 2007: Every Village a should mobilize the power of the new media, Knowledge Centre”, already has some of the like the internet, as well as traditional media basic infrastructure essential for its success. like television, radio and the vernacular newspapers. The Mission will be top-down in its approach to technological connectivity, but bottom-up in The combination of the internet and community relation to content and knowledge management. radio (FM) is particularly powerful in getting The satellite technology of ISRO will be fully timely information across to those who need mobilised through ISRO’s Village Resource them. Seven Task Forces were set up to go in Centre Programme. A cadre of Rural Service depth into the various components of Rural Providers will be built up. Ultimately, the Knowledge Centres. The term “Knowledge relevance of ICT to rural communities will Centre” was chosen because at the village level depend upon its ability to provide need-based there is need for value addition to generic and locale-specific information in areas relevant information by converting it into locale-specific to human health, nutrition, education, natural knowledge. With training and technical help, resources management and livelihoods. Issues local women and men are able to add value to relating to weather, water, energy and agriculture information and mobilise both dynamic and (with particular reference to meteorological, generic information on a demand-driven management and marketing factors) are principle. particularly important to rural communities. The

CHAIRMANíS INTRODUCTION ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Village Knowledge Centres (VKC) will also help Secondly, the organisation and management to provide to every family in the village an of VKCs will have to be done by ICT Self-help Entitlements Pass Book which gives Groups (ICT–SHG), consisting of both women information on all their entitlements from and men. It will be useful if NABARD could government programmes and on how to access promote a special scheme for supporting ICT– them. SHGs. The ICT–SHGs can be led by the grassroot academicians of NVA. MSSRF’s The replicability and sustainability of the VKC experience over the past 12 years has shown movement will depend upon its success in that rural women and men, whether literate or achieving a sense of local ownership and semi-literate, will master new technologies management. This will ensure that the Centre speedily, if the pedagogic methodology is based provides information and services really needed on learning by doing. A suitable cluster of ICT– by the Community. Government, Civil Society SHGs can form a Federation for the purpose of and Corporate Sector organizations participating ensuring that their collective strength is in Mission 2007 should provide their considerable, even though their individual contributions in a partnership rather than a strengths may be limited. The VKC can be patronage mode. It is proposed to introduce located in a suitable place in the village, like two important management principles to ensure the school or panchayat building for example, that the VKCs are locally owned and managed. so that access is open to everyone, regardless of religion, caste or class. There could be First, the MSSRF-Tata National Virtual specialization among SHG members, in areas Academy for Food Security and Rural like health, water, marketing and climate Prosperity (NVA) will, in collaboration with management. The ICT–SHGs can then alliance partners, identify about 1 million become the flagship of the rural knowledge Fellows of NVA by 15th August 2007. They revolution, led by academicians of the NVA. will have a minimum educational standard of ten years of schooling and will show leadership Both government departments and private and qualities in taking the benefits of ICT to fellow public sector industry should outsource jobs villagers. They should particularly be capable requiring computerisation to the VKC. Initial of preparing Community Business Plans to development capital outlay for infrastructure ensure the economic sustainability of VKCs. development can come from the Universal They will be selected by a Peer Review Service Obligation Fund (USO) of the TRAI. It process. Their honorarium will come from the may be necessary to provide each ICT-SHG a local community. The aim is to give social low interest credit of Rs1 lakh. Thus, in all about prestige as well as to enhance the self-esteem Rs 6,000 crores of credit may be needed over of rural women and men with reference to their a period of 3 years for spreading the ICT-SHG capacity to master ICT technologies and apply network in all the villages of our country by 15th them in their daily life. August, 2007. Business and industry can help

ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ to establish many such centres all over rural of monsoon aberrations. Monsoon management India under their corporate social responsibility and sustainable aquifer management are two programmes. Civil society organisations, areas where ICT-SHGs can play a catalytic role. academic institutions and the corporate sector At least one woman and one male member of should undertake mentoring, training and each ICT-SHG should be trained to serve as capacity building roles. This is essential for Climate Managers. enhancing the management efficiency of ICT- As in previous years, Shri N Ram, Editor-in- SHGs. Chief, The Hindu and the staff of Frontline These two 60th Anniversary of India’s generously helped in designing the cover of the Independence Missions will help the country Report. Dr Nandhini Iyengar edited the report to leapfrog in human development and national with her characteristic thoroughness. Dr Sudha wellbeing. The hunger elimination programme Nair, Ms R V Bhavani and Mr K Rameswaran will enable every child, woman and man to helped to compile the Annual Report and spent enjoy a healthy and active life. The knowledge much time and labour on this effort. The printing empowerment movement will help to has been done by AMM Screens. My sincere strengthen our democratic roots and prevent thanks go to all of them. Finally, my gratitude the enlargement of urban-rural divide in reaping goes to Dr M Velayutham, Executive Director the economic, ecological and social benefits and all the staff and scholars of MSSRF for their that ICT can provide. It will help to spread dedication to the vision and mission of MSSRF. literacy at a faster pace and help farm families The distinguished Trustees of MSSRF and the to improve the productivity, profitability, Governing Body Members of CRSARD gave sustainability and stability of major farming valuable guidance and policy supervision. The systems. Poverty will persist if we continue work reported in the following pages would not to undervalue our rich human resource and have been possible if the Trustees, donors, staff, overvalue physical assets. scholars, banks and rural families had not worked together as members of a symphony The South West monsoon behaviour has been orchestra. erratic until the 3rd week of July, 2004. Global climate change may introduce further M S Swaminathan uncertainties. The ICT-SHGs should therefore Chairman be trained to disseminate information on 31st July, 2004 methods of maximising benefit from good monsoons and minimising the adverse impact

12 Programme Area 100

Coastal Systems Research

An additional area of 746 ha of mangrove was brought under management by forming seven Mangrove Management Units (MMUs) covering 10 villages in Orissa. A total area of 240 ha of degraded mangroves has been restored. A series of 7 manuals under the common title Joint Mangrove Management in Tamil Nadu: Process, Experience and Prospects has been prepared. The GIS unit prepared Atlases of the Mangrove Wetlands of AP and Orissa. The DAE has sanctioned the next phase of the programme on nuclear and biotechnological tools for CSR, for consolidating the gains already made in the project. The project on promoting alternative livelihood options in the Gulf of Mannar region was evaluated by the funders. The final report of the project on inventorisation and characterisation of coastal bioresources is under preparation.

101 Coastal Wetlands: Mangrove Conservation and Management ------14

102 Nuclear and Biotechnological tools for Coastal Systems Research ------22

103 Promoting Alternative Options for Livelihood Security in the Gulf of Mannar Region ------26

104 Conservation, Inventorization and Enhancement of Coastal Bioresources ------31

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plans jointly with the Forest Department (FD) Sub Programme Area 101 and other partners. The LJSS protects its MMU by a system called thengapalli. Under this Coastal Wetlands: Mangrove system, two or three families join together and Conservation and Management patrol the mangrove areas. The stick carried while patrolling, is handed over to the incoming batch the next day. Through this system, the The project on Joint Mangrove Management entire village protects the forest in the true spirit (JMM), supported by India-Canada of community participation. In addition, Environment Facility (ICEF), was implemented Regional Forest Protection Committees in six mangrove wetlands in Tamil Nadu (TN), (RFPCs) have also been formed by involving Andhra Pradesh (AP) and Orissa from 1996 to two or three neighbouring villages. The Sarpanch 2003. It helped in the restoration of 1,447 ha of (village leader), representatives from the Jilla degraded mangroves and organised the Parishad, Foresters and Forest Guards as well management of 12,766 ha of verdant mangroves as staff from MSSRF are members of this under the Mangrove Management Units of committee. While LJSS is active within a village, (MMU) 33 village - level institutions. the RFPCs play an active role in preventing 101.1. Orissa conflicts between villages in managing the mangrove wetland. During the current year, the JMM activities were extended for one more year LJSS of all the 10 villages prepared and in Orissa, with the assistance of an additional implemented micro plans in partnership with grant provided by the ICEF to cover 10 more the FD, various government agencies, villages. This extension project came to an end Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRI) and local in May 2004 and hence, in this Report, apart NGOs. In each village, a Village Development from activities implemented during the year, the Fund (VDF) has been constituted to ensure the cumulative results achieved in the 10 additional sustainability of the activities initiated by LJSS. villages are also given. Mangrove restoration and management Building people’s institution for JMM An additional area of 746 ha of mangroves was In each of the ten villages (Table 1.1), a brought under management by forming seven community-based institutional mechanism MMUs covering the 10 villages. A total area of called Luna Jungla Samrakshyana Samiti 240 ha of degraded mangroves has been (LJSS) was established for JMM. Each LJSS restored, against the target of 200 ha. In about has a General Body (GB) in which both the 127 ha, which receive regular tidal flushing, husband and wife of a household may be restoration was done by direct planting. In the members. The GB elects an Executive Body remaining 113 ha, which are situated above the (EB), which prepares and implements micro tidal level, the fish-bone type canal technique

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(described in earlier Annual Reports) was demonstration villages to meet the domestic followed for restoration. Maintenance of canals needs for fencing materials, small timber and in the restoration areas was done through firewood. The project utilised the saplings desilting for proper tidal flushing by the LJSS. produced in the community-based multiple Table 1.1 also provides details of areas restored purpose tree (MPT) nurseries promoted under and areas under MMUs in the 10 additional the project. The species planted were villages. To overcome the problem of low casuarina, eucalyptus, moringa, bamboo, survival rate of saplings in the restored acacia auriculiformes etc. A total of 1,41,000 plantations, as well as to generate employment MPT saplings were raised by women SHG opportunities for the villagers, village level members in the community nurseries of the mangrove nurseries were established at demonstration villages, and used for homestead Kalatunga village in Mahanadi and Bandar and plantations. The saplings were bought at Re. 1 Naupal villages in Devi mouth area. A total per sapling and distributed to 550 households number of 3,53,000 saplings were raised in in the demonstration villages. these nurseries and used for planting in the Smokeless chullahs, gas stoves and biogas: restoration areas. A total of 709 smokeless chullahs, bought with Table 1.1: Details of restoration and area a subsidy from NEDCAP, Kakinada, were under Mangrove Management Units distributed in 8 demonstration villages. The chullas were paid for with a matching Demonstration Area restored Area under contribution by each recipient. In addition, 233 village (ha) MMU (ha) gas stoves were distributed. Fifteen biogas Kalatunga 35 50 plants were established in Kerabelari village. Kharinasi Ward No-6 10 65 All these helped in reducing the dependency Badatubi 7 on mangroves for firewood and the drudgery of Jamboo 27 80 women in meeting their fuel wood needs. Dhanuharbellari 37* 101 * Kerabellari Poverty reduction and socio-economic Amarapat 46* 50 * development Naupal Self Help Groups (SHGs): An important result Sharatprasad 78* 400 * of the project activity was the creation of men Shashikadeipur and women SHGs in the demo villages, to Total 240 746 organize their savings and enhance their * common to two villages livelihood options. As the area is prone to natural disasters, the group activities were Land-based alternatives aimed at overcoming socio-economic problems Homestead plantation: Community and caused by natural calamities. As shown in homestead plantations were raised in all the Table1.2, 20 SHGs in Mahanadi site, 16 in Devi

ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ mouth site and 7 in Dhamara mouth were a vehicle to meet the transport needs of the formed. A matching grant has been provided to villagers in the area. all the SHGs by MSSRF; two SHGs in On-farm activities: Cultivation of horticultural Mahanadi site obtained bank loans. These crops such as coconut, lemon, cashew nut and SHGs are involved in various on-farm income hybrid mango was promoted in the generating activities and in micro enterprises. demonstration villages to increase income from The case study of a men SHG in Kalatunga agriculture. In addition, kitchen gardens with village indicates how the SHGs are functioning vegetables such as pumpkin, okra, snake gourd effectively and collectively to improve their and bitter gourd were also promoted in most of living standard. The SHG purchased a tractor the demonstration villages. The project provided at a cost of Rs 3.98 lakhs by contributing Rs KB pumps and LLHPs to facilitate a micro 30,000 from its funds and getting a loan of Rs irrigation system for the kitchen gardens, which 2,43,000 from a bank, after availing of a subsidy resulted in better crop yields. Winnowers and of Rs1,25,000. A driver has been engaged for paddy threshers were provided to improve Rs3,500 per month to operate the tractor. The agricultural practices. Galvanised storage bins tractor is being rented to neighbouring villagers were also provided for protecting the harvested and the revenue is being utilised to repay the crop.The subsidy provided by the Save Grain loan. It is expected that the entire loan will be Campaign (SGC) of the Government of India repaid within a period of three years, instead of was utilised to provide the storage bins and 5 years as agreed. Motivated by the men SHG, conduct training programmes on phyto-sanitary the women SHG of Kalatunga has purchased applications in better storage of grains.

Table1. 2: Details of Men and Women SHGs and assistance provided by the Project in the 10 villages in orissa

Name of the village Total No. of SHG Men Women Total members Matching grant (Rs)

Kalatunga 5 1 4 81 13,320 Kharinasi Ward No.6 5 - 5 96 8,400 Badatubi 4 1 3 66 6,540 Jamboo 4 - 4 79 - Amarapat 2 - 2 28 3,120 Naupal 2 - 2 30 3,600 Dhanurbellari 9 - 9 138 - Kerabelari 3 - 3 39 - Saratprasad 2 - 2 32 - Shashikadeipur 5 - 5 87 -

Total 41 2 39 676 34,980

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Micro enterprises: Fishing is the primary headed by women. A number of activities have occupation of the community in all the demo been taken up to empower women financially villages. For obvious reasons, the fish catch, and to reduce their drudgery. as well as income from fishing, is reducing day Training and Capacity building by day. To overcome this problem, different types of need-based micro enterprises such as Several training programmes were conducted to poultry, apiary, potato cultivation, mushroom enhance the capacity of the villagers (Table 1. 4) cultivation, betel shop, rice business, sewing, etc. were promoted. The micro enterprises, 101.2 Facilitating Replication started with marginal investment, have of JMM Through Training and prevented damage to mangrove seedlings and Policy Advocacy in Tamil improved the livelihood options of women, who Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are no longer collecting prawn seeds for their livelihood. The final evaluation of the project implemented from 1996 to 2003, showed that more activities Other developmental activities: In addition to promoting on-farm and off-farm income Table 1.3: Developmental activities generating activities (Table 1.3), the construction undertaken in the project villages of shallow wells and ponds was undertaken as Activity Numbers a poverty reduction measure. So far the seven Power tillers 7 villages have earned Rs1,38,000, which is being 5 H.P. diesel pump and pipe 10 used as village development fund, operated Renovation of community ponds 7 through a bank account. Multipurpose building 5 Deep tube wells 8 Gender concerns Community library 6 The project has tried to address gender Solar street lights 16 concerns and involves women in all the Solar home lights 36 Solar lanterns 16 developmental activities. Gender Musical instruments for school children 3 mainstreaming is ensured by enrolling both men Furnishing / Renovation of school building 3 and women as members of the General Culverts 6 Body(GB) and Executive Committee (EC). In Low cost toilets 365 the EC, 33% representation for women has Sewing machines 13 been ensured in all the LJSS. The women have Community bathrooms 2 equal rights and participate in the project Saline embankment 14 activities with keen interest. Out of 41 SHGs Awareness pillar 1 formed under this extension project, 39 are Renovation of household ponds 101 women SHGs (Table 1.2). In Kharinasi ward Boats for patrolling 2 No.6 and Saratprasad villages, the LJSS are Repairing saline embankments 2

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Table 1. 4: Training provided to members of LJSS and SHGs of the project villages

Training programme Participants Venue Social animator Social animators of all the 10 villages Site office, Kendrapara Volunteer for village survey Volunteers from project villages Kendrapara Record keeping for SHGs SHG members (80 participants) Kharinasi Ward No-6 Group management EC members of all villages KVK, Kendrapara (32 participants) SHG management and promotion SHG members of all villages All demonstration villages (100 participants) Micro enterprises SHG members of all villages Kharinasi, Jamboo and Kalatunga (75 participants) Paddy culture practices All villages (40 participants) KVK, Kendrapara Bee keeping All villages (50 participants) Kharinasi and Kalatunga Mushroom cultivation All villages (40 participants) KVK, Kendrapara Potato cultivation 50 participants Kalatunga Storage of food grains All villages (100 participants) Kalatunga and Kharinasi Poultry farming 100 participants from 2 villages Kalatunga and Kharinasi Tailoring (sewing) 80 participants from 3 villages Badatubi, Jamboo and Kharinasi Prawn and fish pickling 30 participants from 3 villages CIFA, Bhubaneswar

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Tamil Nadu: A proposal has been submitted to agencies such as credit and banking the FD for orientation and hands-on training for institutions, insurance companies, local bodies, the field personnel and action is being taken government agencies, marketing inter- to identify suitable trainees. The Southern mediaries, etc., financial management and Forest Range College, Coimbatore, has monitoring and evaluation of programmes expressed its willingness to host orientation implemented by the VLIs and SHGs. programmes in its campus. Resource materials, Uttara Devi Resource Centre for Gender and consisting of a series of 7 manuals under the Development (UDRC), MSSRF, was involved common title Joint Mangrove Management in in the identification of the training needs, and a Tamil Nadu: Process, Experiences and suitable institution namely, New Concepts Prospects, and Orientation Guides on Biology Information System, Chennai, to provide and Ecology of Mangroves, Mangrove Wetlands training on leadership and membership qualities. of India and Tamil Nadu and JMM approach and So far, two two-day training programmes have process have been prepared. been conducted for 50 representatives from The following activities were undertaken to SHGs in Pichavaram and Muthupet. In addition, enhance the capacity of the stakeholders: an assessment was carried out with the help of external consultants on how to sustain the Three one-day exposure visits to mangrove VLIs formed in Pichavaram and Muthupet during wetlands were organised for the trainee the previous project. (See SPA 401) Foresters and Rangers of TN FD in Pichavaram and Muthupet. Andhra Pradesh: In AP, systematic orientation and hands-on training are yet to start. The FD Exposure visits to Muthupet mangroves of AP has provided the list of trainees recently were organised for 25 NSS volunteers of and given permission to restore an area of Government Boys’ Higher Secondary School 25 ha of degraded mangroves as part of hands- and 12 teachers and 20 Rotary Interact on training. The participating village for the Volunteers of Girls’ Higher Secondary hands-on training has been identified. Manuals School, Muthupet. on Mangrove Ecology, Community Mangrove A 2-day exhibition on mangrove wetlands Nursery and Restoration Techniques have been was organised for school children of prepared as resource materials for the training Muthupet region. programmes. In addition, the Atlas of Mangrove The following training needs have been identified Wetlands of Andhra Pradesh, which was for community members and SHG leaders. released by the former Minister for Cooperation, leadership quality to enhance capacity to make Government of AP at Kakinada on 4th March, village level institutions (VLIs) and SHGs self- 2004, and a book on Mangroves of Andhra reliant, access various government welfare Pradesh – Identification and Conservation schemes, establish linkages with external Manual will be used for the training. Apart from

ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ these, an audio-video CD titled Biological The training programmes were organised with Paradise of Andhra Pradesh has also been the support of JRD Tata Ecotechnology Centre produced to help the trainees to understand the of the Foundation. Based on the business components and implementation strategies of plans, 13 women SHGs (137 members) from JMM. The following activities, relating to the three demonstration villages of the earlier enhancing the capacity of the FD personnel on project were provided with financial support to mangrove conservation and management were a tune of Rs 4,31,000 under the Community carried out: Banking Project of MSSRF for starting 10 different micro enterprises. In addition, 10 One-day field training in Mangrove Ecology women were given training for two months on for 30 Foresters of the APFD, deputed from coir rope making with the support of a UNDP– Forest College, Karimnagar Coir Board Project. A two-day field orientation for 25 forest Assessment study: A study of the sustainability officials at the level of DFO and Range of village level institutions formed for JMM was Officers who participated in the national conducted in the villages of Godavari workshop organised by IWST on mangroves with the support of UDRC of Conservation, Restoration and Sustainable MSSRF. New Concept Information Systems, Management of mangrove forests in India Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad, identified by UDRC at Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary helped to conduct the study(See SPA 401). The Training in ecological, geo-morphological and report is being finalised. anthropogenic aspects of mangroves for newly recruited FD staff of Coringa Wildlife 101.3 Remote Sensing and sanctuary. Geographical Information Training programmes were conducted for the System community and SHGs. A community banking The Remote Sensing and Geographical programme for sustainable mangrove Information System (GIS) unit, which functions conservation was initiated in the demonstration as a supportive unit to the Coastal Wetlands villages of Godavari. Reorientation training was and Mangrove project, has prepared an atlas organised for SHG members and an appraisal of the mangrove wetlands of AP and Orissa. In of the importance of SHGs and their savings addition, a summary of the atlases of TN, AP was made. The training focused on empowering and Orissa has also been prepared. These SHG members in developing business plans atlases comprise the following thematic maps: and learning accounting to start market-linked geomorphology, river basin and estuarine micro enterprises. The whole exercise was system, temporal remote sensing data of made to ensure the sustainability of the micro wetlands, floral distribution, biophysical enterprises even after the project is withdrawn. properties, socio economic details of the

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Natural resource maps used in the atlases Andhra Pradesh were prepared by analysing remote sensing The mangrove vegetation of AP has increased data. Temporal remote sensing data of 1985/ from 21,727 ha in 1986 to 26,712 ha in 2004. 1986 and 2002/2004 were used for preparing In Godavari wetland, a total increase of about maps of changes in floral distribution, land use 368 ha of mangroves is noticed between 1986 and shoreline in and around mangrove and 2004. Though the mangrove forest cover wetlands. Biophysical and socio-economic has increased by 3,988 ha between 1986 and maps were prepared using the primary data 2004 due to restoration and natural collected by the field staff of the mangrove regeneration, simultaneous erosion and project. Remote sensing data was analysed degradation due to other land use activities both visually and digitally and for digital such as aquaculture have resulted in the loss analysis ERDAS Imaging was used. The of 3,150 ha. Accretion along the Kakinada Bay analysis was enhanced with ground truth contributed to natural regeneration of information collected. GIS mapping and mangroves in about 500 ha. In Krishna analysis was done using Arc GIS software. mangroves, a total increase of 3,823 ha has Tamil Nadu been noticed between 1986 and 2004. The abundant increase in the mangrove area is due Analysis of the data indicated that the mangrove both to restoration and natural regeneration. forest cover of TN has increased from 2,092 Development of aquaculture farms is the major ha in 1986 to 2,728 ha in 2002. In the land use change between 1986 and 2004. The Pichavaram mangroves, nearly 90% of the area of aquaculture farms in Godavari and degraded areas have been restored, leading to Krishna wetland is 6,920 ha and 20466 ha increase in forest cover from 325 ha in 1986 to respectively. Outside the Reserve Forest, 618 ha in 2002. In Muthupet, an increase of mangroves are cleared for aquaculture farms 243 ha has been noticed between 1986 and in Godavari wetland; this has resulted in the 2003. Development of aquaculture farms is one loss of about 650 ha of pristine mangrove of the major changes in the land use pattern forest. Large areas of paddy fields around around both the Pichavaram and Muthupet Krishna mangroves have been converted into mangrove wetlands between 1986 and 2003. aquaculture farms from 1992 onwards. No In the Pichavaram region, prawn farms are mangroves were cleared for this purpose. The found in an area of about 200 ha whereas in Krishna wetland has a vast extent of mudflat Muthupet, prawn farms occupy an area of about area of about 14,340 ha within the reserved 1570 ha. In both these areas no mangrove forest forest, which can be restored with mangroves.

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Orissa such as food access, availability, net area sown, forest cover and wastelands. See SPA In the Mahanadi wetland area, the mangrove 403.1. forest has reduced from 3,953 ha in 1985 to 3,306 ha in 1996. However, the 2004 remote sensing data shows an increase of 300 ha, contributed equally by restoration and natural Sub Programme Area 102 regeneration in newly formed mudflats. In the Devi mouth mangroves, the mangrove area Nuclear and Biotechnological has increased from 258 ha in 1985 to 421 ha Tools for Coastal Systems in 2004. The overall estimate indicates that Research the area of the mangrove forest cover has increased from 2,092 ha in 1986 to 2,728 ha The research project on nuclear and in 2004. Development of aquaculture farms is biotechnological tools for coastal systems one of the major changes in the land use research, a partnership programme between the pattern around both the Mahanadi and Devi Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and mouth mangrove wetlands between 1986 and MSSRF initiated in 1998, was primarily designed 2004. In the Mahanadi region, most of the to integrate conservation of natural resources prawn farms are close to mangrove forests. and sustainable development in the rural Aquaculture farms were not found in the early communities of coastal areas adjoining the 1980s and were limited in 1987. But they nuclear power plants, through strengthening the increased to 1,843 ha in 1996 and further to livelihood security, by blending frontier sciences 3,400 ha in 2004. About 900 ha of mangrove and technology with the traditional wisdom of were found cleared for the development of the rural coastal communities. Both marine and prawn farms in Mahanadi mangroves. In the land-based alternative livelihoods were Devi mouth region, the area of prawn farms is developed to reduce the over-exploitation of 2,270 ha. There are no changes in the forest already degraded coastal bioresources, thereby cover of Bhitarkanika between 1985 and 2004. reconciling development with conservation in Sustainability Atlas of Food Security a mutually reinforcing manner. The primary objectives of the programme, undertaken in The Remote Sensing and GIS unit was also Kalpakkam, Chidambaram and Kudankulam involved in the preparation of different thematic regions of coastal TN, were to introduce nuclear maps for the Atlas of the sustainability of Food and biotechnology tools for the sustainable Security of India. The thematic mapping process development of agriculture, fisheries and animal included the natural break classification of the husbandry in the regions through the evolution indexing parameters of each state of India in of grassroot level institutions, sustainable eco- terms of socio economics and natural resources enterprises and strengthening local

COASTAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ communities through capacity building and NaCl. This salinity tolerance was correlated with knowledge empowerment. The approach higher-than-normal levels of AtNHX1 transcripts, included strategic and anticipatory research, as protein, and vacuolar Na+/H+ (sodium/proton) well as participatory and adaptive research for antiport activity. addressing the problems of the coastal regions. Gene exploratory studies at the RNA level were 102.1 Identification and done through northern hybridisation of total RNA Isolation of Salt Induced Genes from Porteresia coarctata roots and leaves and probed with antiporter genes. A single mRNA This programme aims at isolation, band was observed, indicating the expression characterisation and controlled expression of of RNA transcripts for antiporter genes. The novel genetic combinations from mangrove results obtained indicated that these were an species offering resistance to coastal salinity. upregulation of the transcript up to 48 hrs of Salinity is one of the major constraints in salt treatment. Southern hybridisation studies sustaining agricultural productivity in coastal using the genes as probes were carried out to regions. This problem has been magnified by obtain information on the copy number. The the rise in sea level as a result of global study will help in understanding and elucidating warming. Porteresia coarctata, a mangrove the function of this crucial gene in imparting associate species and a wild relative of tolerance to salinity. Several constructs have cultivated rice, was selected as a target been made from this gene with the objective of species for identification and isolation of salt transforming rice and blackgram varieties to tolerant genes. develop location specific varieties for tolerance A number of ESTs from Porteresia coarctata to salinity. library were sequenced. Insert size in each of 102.2 Activities being Under- the clones was determined by Polymerase taken at Kalpakkam Chain Reaction (PCR) using the universal M13 forward and reverse primers. One of the genes As described in earlier Reports, a model isolated during the process showed homology demonstration-cum-experimental plot was to antiporters. Antiporters are membrane developed in 1998 at the IGCAR, Kalpakkam, proteins that affect the active transport of a based on the model of sustainable Natural solute across a biological membrane. In addition Resource Management(NRM), with emphasis to plasma membrane antiporters, vacuolar on critical water use efficiency, forward Na+/H+ antiporters are also known. The vacuole backward linkages, organic farming and low constitutes an important site for ion input agriculture. In order to facilitate more sequestration and over expression of a vacuolar interaction with the local farming communities, Na+/H+ antiport promotes sustained growth and this year a new site was identified within the development in soil watered with up to 200mM IGCAR campus, near the entrance.

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The aim of this demonstration plot is to include undertook a participatory evaluation of these a number of activities in a single location that varieties. Farmers in Manikulai region of could form a facility for technology incubation Chidambaram have taken up large-scale and adoption. A major activity was the cultivation of these mutant varieties, covering demonstration of the performance of mutant about 22 acres. pulse crop varieties developed by the Nuclear Agriculture and Biotechnology Division of 102.3 Activities Undertaken at BARC. Large-scale seed multiplication of Kudankulam mutant blackgram, greengram and groundnut was conducted and evaluated by the farmers Kudankulam and adjoining areas are being of the region in a participatory mode. The covered under various interventions of this farmers involved in the participatory project since 1999, with the primary objective assessment were happy with the performance of linking NRM with ecological and livelihood of these varieties, compared to the locally used security of the coastal communities around varieties. The multiplied seeds were supplied the nuclear power plant. This region is to many farmers interested in adopting these characterised by low rainfall and poor soil mutant varieties in their region. condition that have resulted in most of the area turning to waste lands. A detailed analysis of New interventions like horticulture, aquaculture soil profile, texture and suitability for cultivation and vermi-composting were also undertaken. was one of the significant interventions carried The priority area for training and capacity out in three villages of Kudankulam region. The building in the region included NRM, innovative high intensity soil survey carried out in agricultural practices and agricultural waste cooperation with National Bureau of Soil management. The focus has been to move from Survey and Land Use Planning, Nagpur, demonstration plots to the farmers’ fields. Three provided information to the local farming villages in the adjoining regions have been communities, about land quality as well as land identified for undertaking activities aimed at suitability. Discussions are being conducted adding value to available bioresources. A with farmers about options and opportunities number of visits were conducted for farmers for appropriate land use planning. An integrated and school children to give them exposure to various aspects of agriculture and resource farming system is envisaged, to include fodder management. grass, agricultural waste management and animal husbandry, in addition to identifying One of the objectives of the project has been suitable crop varieties based on rainfall and to involve the farmers in a large way in the water retention capacity of the soil. The cultivating the BARC mutant varieties in their models developed by MSSRF have received fields. During the year, 37 farmers in overwhelming response from the farming Kilamanakudi region of Chidambaram communities.

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The major concern this year was replicability are now interested in replicating the model in of demonstration models in farmers’ fields. Three their own fields. This year, various fruit crops, villages with a total strength of 60 farmers were mainly cashew, cherry and amla, were identified, based on land survey records, land provided to interested farmers, at a subsidised use planning, soil management practices and rate through the State Horticulture Department crop patterns. Short duration mutant varieties for cultivation in their own fields. Since of blackgram, greengram and groundnut seeds Kudankulam falls under the export promotion developed by BARC were supplied to farmers, zone for horticultural products, emphasis is covering about 15 acres of land. Different being given to promoting fruits and flowers in parameters like germination percentage, growth the region. pattern, water requirement and yield data were Many exposure visits to the demonstration recorded. Exposure visits were arranged for the fields and to the fields of farmers who have farmers from nearby villages. Farmers have adopted the technology, were organised on a appreciated the result of BARC mutant varieties regular basis so that the farming community and many of them have shown interest in using can get the right type of intervention in their the seeds in the coming year. own fields. Many training programmes on One of the highlights of this project has been participatory resource management, the demonstration of green belt applicability in vermicomposting, fish and fish product the water scarce region of Kudankulam. The development were conducted. green belt, developed in about 45 acres of land Vermicomposting has been adopted as a with more than 7,000 trees belonging to about viable enterprise by the farmers and more than 21 species, has been drawing the attention of 50 farmers have been trained for making local communities as well as the development vermicompost from agricultural waste. The agencies in the region. The green belt developed technical training for this was provided by Sri some two and half years ago has reached an Paramakalyani Centre of MS University, average height of about 2.5 m, while the Urigam Tirunelveli. Market linkages for their products variety of tamarind has reached about 3 m. were also ensured. Many programmes aimed These plants have been surviving without any at capacity and skill development were additional irrigation, with little input and care. organised with the help of various departments This model has the potential of converting a of the State Government, including large area of degraded land into profitable Agriculture, Fisheries, Horticulture and Women coastal land. Development Corporation. These activities have already led local communities to The Genetic Garden for fruit crops is one of establish direct linkages with the State the many successful interventions undertaken Government. in the region. Many of the species have started yielding fruits and many farmers in the region The project also concentrates on economic

ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ empowerment of rural communities. During the year, 15 SHGs were formed, taking the total Sub Programme Area 103 number of SHGs in the region to 31. These SHGs were able to generate a saving of about Promoting Alternative Options for Rs 9.03 lakhs and have obtained loans of Rs Livelihood Security in the Gulf of 19.57 lakhs through the local banks. Efforts Mannar Region have been made to link these SHGs with viable micro enterprises. The Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve Recent advances in information and (GoMBR), situated between Rameswaram in communication technologies, combined with the north and Tuticorin in the south, was once the contemporary instructional methods of abundant in bioresources and biodiversity. The open and distance learning, offer BR has been subjected to over-exploitation and unprecedented opportunities for large numbers bad fishing practices in recent years, leading of people to gain access to education over an to the near extinction of several marine species extended period of time. So far, six village unique to the GoM. This has resulted in the knowledge centres have been established in gradual destruction of the marine ecosystem, Kudankulam and adjoining regions and these adversely affecting the livelihoods of the coastal have helped substantially in developing populations, especially the artisanal fishermen, location specific information databases as well leading to increasing poverty and conflicts as training a number of village girls in among the coastal communities. The creation developing computer skills. The local of sustainable, alternative or additional sources information centres are being operated by of income for them is one of the options for the trained individuals familiar with the local sustainable management of GoMBR. Against context and language and with adequate skills this background, MSSRF and DHAN in communication, to provide information and Foundation, Madurai, jointly implemented a knowledge services to rural families. These programme on promoting alternative knowledge centres are providing valuable livelihoods, from April 2000 to March 2004. The information for addressing problems of food, DHAN Foundation dealt with promoting and health, livelihood and agriculture security in strengthening SHGs and land-based alternative the region. income generating activities in the coastal areas around GoMBR, while MSSRF dealt with The first phase of the project has come to an promoting livelihood security through marine end. Based on the assessment of the work resource-based activities and establishing carried out during the first phase, the DAE has VKCs in fishing villages. sanctioned the next phase of the programme with effect from April 2004 for consolidating the The main aims of the MSSRF component are - gains already made in the project. assessing the possibilities and demonstrating

COASTAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ models of marine resource-based commercial provided by the project had enabled poor fishing enterprises, establishing links between village communities to access processing and value level institutions and technical institutions for addition technologies that can enhance their technology transfer, processing, marketing and living standards and help them compete in the management of the enterprises, and developing larger market. They also said that the and demonstrating artificial reef as a marine professional back-up and technical expertise bioresources enhancement tool. that has been mobilised by the Project had done much to ensure that the different units are on With these aims, an agar production plant and the road to success and self-sufficiency, but a pearl culture farm were set up in Kunjarvalasai further capacity building is necessary to ensure and Mundalmunai villages respectively in the collective ownership and management by the Mandapam region. In the Tuticorin region, a fish community. pickle unit has been started in Vellapatti village and an artificial reef established in the coastal 103.1 Establishing a Com- waters, with participation from the fishing munity-owned Agar Plant communities of Therespuram village. In each of these villages, a village level society has The United Village Development Society formed been formed, consisting of a GB comprising in December 2001, is looking after the agar plant members from willing families of that village programme. This society created the and an EC with representatives from the infrastructure for agar production. A building with community, MSSRF, technical institutions and all facilities to produce both food grade and government agencies. All these societies are bacteriological grade agar has been registered under the TN Societies Registration constructed. All the machinery and equipment Act, 1975. These village level institutions have needed for agar production have been prepared annual micro plans in consultation with fabricated, installed and tested. The total cost the technical institutions, experts and MSSRF of these facilities is about Rs 21 lakhs and the and have received funds. This approach has production capacity of the plant is 12 kg per helped in empowering the community to day. Permission from the TN Pollution Control manage large business enterprises and in Board has been obtained and a new electrical linking responsibility with accountability. transformer established in the village, to provide uninterrupted power supply to the plant. The funding agencies of the project, the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India and Standardisation of production technique: During United Nations Development Programme, New the current year, technology for production of Delhi, evaluated the project in February 2004 both food grade and bacteriological grade agar by sending a team of community members was standardised through a number of trial drawn from various States and a team of two productions. Experts from the CMFRI and experts. The evaluators reported that inputs consultants from PricewaterhouseCoopers Ltd

ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ participated in the trial production to provide from the society and is interested in buying food technical and managerial assistance. grade agar regularly. Bakers India, Coimbatore, has agreed to buy food grade agar in the form Cost-benefit analysis: A detailed cost-benefit of 10 gram packets and their monthly analysis was done to standardise the requirement is about 150 kilograms. production cost as well as to project expected profit. It was found that about 120 to 150 kg of 103.2 Establishing a seaweed, depending on quality, is needed to Community-owned Fish produce about 12 kg of agar per day and the Pickle Unit expected net profit per kg of food grade agar is about Rs 80 to 100. For bacteriological grade Vellapatti Women’s Fish and Allied Products agar, it varies from Rs120 to 150 per kg. The Producers’ Association: This Association was profit goes to the society, which utilises it to formed in December 2001 and is taking care of provide loans to SHGs and start other income- the fish pickle unit established at Vellapatti, near generating activities. After a thorough cost- Tuticorin. The functioning of the society is good. benefit analysis, working capital amounting to The executive members of the Association have Rs 8 lakhs has been provided for one year. been trained in accounting by the DHAN Foundation, Madurai and other professionals. Management of the plant: Currently, a former The Association has built a fish and prawn Project staff is working in the plant as Manager pickle unit in the village, with freezing units to and assisting the society in managing the agar store raw fish and prawn, processing and plant. Management of the plant will be handed cooking equipment, packing machines etc. The over to the society once production is stabilised, production capacity of this unit is about 20 kg marketing linkages are established and per day. management personnel are trained. This may take another six months. It is envisaged that Eleven members of the Association were the factory will be managed by one Plant trained in fish and prawn making by National Manager-cum-Technician who will have multiple Union of Fishermen, a NGO based at Nagercoil, roles of supervising raw material procurement, for a period of 25 days. Three members of the marketing of end product and managing the Association also received training in fish pickle production process. A management committee making, conducted by Fisheries College and with at least 4 members will be formed to act Research Institute, Tuticorin. Procurement of as a bridge between the society and the plant . fish, preprocessing of fish, preparation of fish pickle and other allied products, packing and Marketing: Marketing of agar is not a serious marketing are some of the topics covered by problem as demand is very high. Meera Traders, both the training programmes. All the 11 trained Chennai, has procured about 100 kg of food members are working in the pickle-making unit. grade agar and 350 kg of bacteriological agar They have also been trained in various aspects

28 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ of personal hygiene and standards of hygiene participation of the fishing community of adopted in food industries, with the help of a Theresapuram, a village located near Tuticorin. professional catering unit. Currently, a former The Theresapuram Artificial Reef Society was Project staff is assisting the society to manage formed in August 2001. 45 representatives of the unit. A tentative management plan, 18 fishers associations and representatives envisaging a Supervisor and Marketing Manager from local NGOs and voluntary organisations from among the 11 members, has been prepared constitute the GB of the Society. An EC with for the fish pickle unit, with the help of a 14 members looks after the day-to-day affairs management consultant. This will be put in place of the Society. The Assistant Director, TN and tested and based on the experience gained Fisheries Department, is one of the members it will be suitably modified. of the EC. Marketing: Attempts have been made to A 5-day training programme on artificial reef establish a long-term tie-up with distributing was organised for the members of the Society agents such as M/S. Alcar Traders, near with the help of CMFRI, Tuticorin. The trainees Tiruchendur, Sagar Marketers, Tuticorin and were given exposure to principles behind Farm Suzanne, a leading producer and artificial reef, identification and construction of marketing agent of Chennai. Currently, the unit suitable reef modules, management of the reef is making fish pickle based on orders and etc. Four artificial reef modules, two for selling a small quantity in the local market. commercially valuable fish such as grouper and Attempts are being made to diversify the lobster and two for other fish and marine products. A marketing and management organisms, have been selected. About 30 specialist of MSSRF conducted a detailed cost- individuals of each module were constructed benefit analysis of the unit, involving factors using cement reinforced with iron rods. Scientists such as cost of raw materials and other inputs, from CMFRI, personnel from the TN Fisheries sales volume and selling prices, and concluded Department, local engineers, architects and the that the unit will be profitable if it is able to sell fishing community were involved in designing at least 10 kg of pickle every day. and fabricating the modules. A total number of 103.3 Community-managed 120 individuals of the 4 modules were deployed Artificial Reef in about 10 m deep coastal water near Theresapuram. The deployment site is located The artificial reef programme was initiated in about 14 km from the coastline. This site was the GoM to show that it can be used to enhance identified by the Society with the help of CMFRI. the bioresources, particularly fishery resources, Before deployment, sea floor survey was as there is an urgent need to ensure the conducted to collect baseline information. The livelihood security of the fishers. This Indomer Coastal Hydraulics, Chennai, deployed programme is being implemented with the the modules.

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Regular monitoring of the artificial reef was generating activity to poor fishing families. It conducted. In February 2004, an underwater has a GB with 105 members and an EC with video of the artificial reef was taken with the 14 members. DHAN Foundation, Madurai, help of local divers and photographers. It provided training in accounts and bookkeeping. shows tangible success in terms of attracting Pearl culture has three steps: producing a significant quantity as well as variety of oysters in the hatchery or collecting them from marine life, just a year after being installed. the wild, implanting the nucleus into the The video shows that there is a good growth oysters through a surgical procedure and of barnacle and a variety of other marine farming the nucleated oysters in the sea. The organisms, including seaweeds, sponges, first two steps require sophisticated facility and ascidians, soft corals and bivalves in all the a high level of scientific skill, whereas the pearl modules. Grouper fish were also found in large farming requires only limited skill. Since numbers around the reef. A few individual CMFRI has agreed to supply nucleated pearl lobsters were also observed. Small size fish oysters to the Mundalmunai Pearl Culture belonging to the family Lethrinidae, Lutjanidae Society, 10 families from the Society were (snappers), Teraponidae (grunters), and given training only in pearl farming. This Balistidae were found in large numbers around training was provided by CMFRI in its pearl the modules. The underwater video was shown farm. The families trained in pearl farming were to the local community, government officials, involved in the selection and preparation of the authorities of the GoM Biosphere Trust, the farming site, construction of the farming TN Fisheries Department and TN FD. facility, preparation of cages for holding The artificial reef is being protected by the nucleated oysters and management of the Theresapuram Artificial Reef Society with the farm. These 10 families have also been cooperation of various fishers’ associations selected as pearl farmers and profit from the functioning in and around Tuticorin. The TN pearl farming goes to them. However, they Fisheries Department and district administration have to give a certain percentage of the net are also involved in preventing illegal fishing profit to the Society, which will be used by it around the artificial reef area. After assessing to start other small enterprises. After training, the success of the artificial reef, the TN a MoU was signed with CMFRI to supply one Fisheries Department has developed a plan to lakh nucleated pearl oysters and provide replicate it in 10 other places. technical guidance in pearl farming and management. 103.4 Pearl Culture A pearl farm that can hold about one lakh pearl The Mundalmunai Pearl Culture Society was oysters has been established near formed in May 2002 for the purpose of Mundalmunai village with the permission of the demonstrating pearl culture as an income TN FD. Rack culture is the method being

30 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ followed to grow the nucleated pearl oysters. implantation were created in the Mundalmunai The total area of the farm which is about 500 pearl culture farm itself. The Society has signed sq. m, is divided into 10 compartments. Each a contract with a consultant who has worked in compartment is further divided into 5 units. In the CMFRI pearl culture unit for implantation of each unit, 25 cages containing implanted oysters. So far 1000 oysters have been oysters are placed in the water from horizontal implanted by this method and these oysters bars. Each cage has about 80 implanted oysters are being reared in the farm. and thus, a total number of 10,000 (125 cages x 80 oysters per cage) implanted oysters are Marketing studies of cultured pearls reveal that reared in one compartment. So far, 70,960 market demand for these pearls is implanted oysters have been introduced in the comparatively low because of the availability pearl farm since January 2003. of freshwater pearls in the market in plenty. Attempts are being made to develop marketing The yield of saleable pearls during the year from tie-ups with established jewellers in Bangalore 28,300 surviving oysters was 2,322. Harvested and Chennai. Attempts are also being made to pearls are segregated depending on their quality, export the pearls through some of the size and colour with the guidance of technicians companies that are involved in exporting from CMFRI. ornaments and shells. The results of the first three batches of pearl harvest show that the survival rate of oysters is good but occurrence of pearls and the number of saleable pearls are comparatively Sub Programme Area 104 low. Analysis of the low percentage of occurrence of pearls and number of saleable Conservation, Inventorisation, pearls indicated that this might be due to stress Characterisation and Enhancement during implantation and transportation of oysters of Coastal Bioresources from the CMFRI pearl culture unit to the Mundalmunai pearl culture farm. In order to Coastal ecosystems are productive and avoid this, a new approach has been developed biologically rich. They are also the most in consultation with CMFRI. In this method, endangered, due to the unsustainable the oysters will be implanted in the development processes around them. In India, Mundalmunai farm itself and maximum care will the livelihood security of millions of people is be taken during implantation. Another dependent on coastal ecosystems. Hence, the advantage of this is that the villagers will get National Bioresources Development Board practice in implantation technique, which would (NBDB) of Government of India initiated and reduce their dependency on CMFRI. CMFRI funded an integrated programme on has supplied 30,000 oysters and nucleus for inventorisation, characterisation and this approach. Facilities for on-the-spot

ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ enhancement of coastal bioresources to West (Malvan, Gulf of Kutch, Vembanad) coasts develop action plans for the conservation of as well as the island ecosystem bioresources in selected coastal locations in (Lakshadweep). The study involved multi- the country, viz. Gulf of Kutch, Malvan tahsil, sectoral participation, using the Participatory Vembanad Lake, Lakshadweep Islands, Rural Appraisal (PRA) method of including Pulicat Lake, Bhittarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary various stakeholders. and Chilika Lake. During the previous year, the Based on the inputs and analysis of the NBDB and MSSRF jointly published a detailed responses of various stakeholders, it was found status report on bioresorces in the seven that concerted efforts are essential for creating locations. The Status Report details the state an awareness and monitoring bioresources at of the bioresources in these locations, the the community level. The local population in all present and perceived threats to the the sites rated lack of awareness and conflict ecosystems, potential bioresources and the status of conservation efforts in these in resources governance and utilisation as locations. prime reasons for the depletion of biological resources in their respective regions. Based on Based on the status report, an integrated study these considerations, an action plan was was undertaken with the help of institutions/ developed for each location, focusing on either organizations with prior experience of working mangrove resources, fisheries, agriculture and in the selected sites to understand the livestock management or a combination of a dependency on bioresources at the local level. few or several of these. These participatory exercises were conducted to study the anthropogenic influence on In the Gulf of Kutch, there is an urgent need to bioresources, and to develop action plans for improve the knowledge base on characteristics, conservation, characterisation and uses, threats and values of biological diversity enhancement,m with the active involvement of as well as documentation of the vast traditional the bioresource - dependent community. This knowledge system. In addition, enhancing and study was conducted in two or three villages in improving the scope of community driven each of the locations selected, based on the conservation efforts for bioresources like coral available bioresources, the importance of these reefs and mangroves for community benefits bioresources for livelihood security and have to be highlighted. In Malvan, multiple possible ways to enhance them through value dependency on available bioresources addition. The overall objective of this exercise necessitates the integration of agriculture, was to develop strategies and site-specific horticulture and fisheries based livelihoods in action plans for the sustainable management a sustainable manner. The study also pointed and effective utilisation of bioresources in the out that there is a need for a detailed scientific seven selected coastal locations, representing investigation regarding a large number of both East (Chilika, Bhittarakanika, Pulicat) and medicinal plant species, for wider popularisation

32 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ and commercialisation. In Chilika Lake region, of the salt barrier, dividing the water body as the integrated action plan developed for the southern fresh water part and northern saline selected villages aims at multisectoral resource water part, has created more problems than it based alternate livelihood enhancement through has solved. The local community in the study implementation of the “biovillage concept” that villages has suggested that extended duration would link ecological security with the livelihood of opened shutters of the barrier in this region security of the local communities. There is a would increase the estuarine fish production and need to alleviate the present pressure on the thereby the livelihood of the local communities. fishery resources through alternate agro-based In Pulicat and Bhittarkanika areas, the study intervention for sustainable utilisation of the revealed that development of alternate livelihood bioresources. Large-scale plantation of elite options for the population requires an integrated aromatic plants available in the region e.g. approach of mangrove restoration, fisheries Kewda (Pandanus sp.), in addition to several based activities, and marketing linkages for the locally available medicinal and biofuel plants products. The study was helpful in developing suitable to the agro climate of the region, hold a framework for enhancing the livelihood promise of providing alternative livelihoods. opportunity of the coastal fishing and farming communities through the integration of new The study carried out in the Vembanad lake technology options for value addition and region points out that the livelihood strategy sustainable management of bioresources. here could be focused around the most important resources of the lake - black clam The studies conducted in these sites, it is (Vellorita cyprioides) and coconut. hoped, would facilitate the development of Mechanisation of the coir industry, with biovillage paradigms for each location, improvement of the byproducts, has potential integrating natural resources availability, of increasing the income of the local community management systems and community. This site also has the potential for interaction with various user agencies at the ecotourism since it serves as a waterway grasssroot level. A detailed report will be connecting many of the islands. The local published by MSSRF and NBDB by the end of community is of the view that commissioning August, 2004.

33 Programme Area 200

Biodiversity and Biotechnology

A Manual on Farmers’ Rights has been prepared for use as training material. MSSRF and the Indian Farmers’ Movement (INFAM) issued a joint declaration to transform Wayanad into an “Organic district” by 2007. The Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM) of the DBT, Government of India, accorded permission for controlled field trials of the transgenic rice containing genes for salinity tolerance from Avecennia marina. The novel salt tolerant nitrogen-fixing and phosphate solubilising bacteria strain isolated from wild rice, Swaminathania salitolerans (gen. nov., sp. nov) is being field-tested at Chidambaram. Women SHGs in Karaikal region were trained to maintain a micro, vegetative and seed propagated bioenergy nursery of 70,000 plants, to be taken up for plantation in the coming year.

201 Community Based Agro-biodiversity Conservation and Management ------35

202 Molecular Mapping and Genetic Enhancement ------55

203 Monitoring Ecosystem Health using Microbial Diversity ------60

204 Bioresources Conservation and Bioprospecting of Endangered, Medicinal and Mangrove Species ------65

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Rights was prepared and circulated during Sub Programme Area 201 the International Year of Rice(IYR) Workshop held at Jeypore on 1st and 2nd, Community Based Agrobio- March, 2004. The manual is a simplified diversity Conservation and version of the PPVFR Act 2001 and Management prepared for use as training material for Panchayat Raj institutions and functionaries, farmers, NGOs, women’s The activities carried out under the community organisations and officials. based agrobiodiversity conservation programme are supported by the Swiss Agency Databases and Registers are assuming for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the increasing importance in the creation of prior Ford Foundation (FF) and the International Fund art, in view of international and national for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and are conventions, agreements and legislations. being implemented in the Kolli Hills, Namakkal MSSRF has developed several databases, district of TN, Wayanad district in Kerala and and hence a fair understanding of legal and the Jeypore Tract in Orissa. Food security technical issues in information and portal initiatives supported by the World Food maintenance is essential. To arrive at a Programme are in operation in Namakkal and consensus, a series of meetings was held Jeypore. Following are some of highlights: internally on Databases and Registers, to harmonise them into a common framework Activities related to Protection of Plant that will feed into the Farmers’ Rights Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act (PPVFR) Information Service (FRIS) Database. The and Biological Diversity (BD) Act during the information on crops, seeds and varieties year concentrated on the following:In contained in the databases has legal collaboration with the UDRC, meetings were implications under the PPVFR Act 2001. held for engendering the draft rules to the PPVFR Act 2001 and the BD Act 2002. To commemorate 10 years of establishment The recommendations for effective of the Scarascia Mugnozza Community implementation have been submitted to the Gene Bank, a video film was produced and Ministries of Agriculture and Environment screened in the Italian Parliament in January and Forests respectively. The proceedings 2004 by Prof GT Scarascia Mugnozaa. of the workshop on Farmers’ Rights and The Biodiversity Group in association with Biodiversity: A Gender and Community the HMRC organised the All India Radio Perspective held on 27th and 28th February Programme Executive (PEX) Workshop 2003, were released by Ms Lucy Maarse, (TN) held in July 2003, at Chennai. The Deputy Coordinator SDC/IC on 7th August, workshop aimed at communicating 2003. A manual in English on Farmers’ experiences learnt through project activities

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to a larger section of the population, Marketing mediated through SHGs located in the field Steps were taken towards marketing of millets sites. This information sharing is expected and their commercialisation for conservation to trigger similar efforts by rural through Natural Resource Management (NRM), communities. through a network of SHGs, who have been A Policy Makers Workshop on the theme, trained to process millets and make food Crop Diversity and Tribal Empowerment, was products such as rava and flour from samai conducted as part of the XIII Swadeshi and thinai. As a part of the millet marketing Science Congress in Novemebr 2003 at the model operation, a SHG is managing a de- CAbC, MSSRF, Wayanad. Members husking mill with other processing facilities at belonging to various tribal groups aired their Semmedu in Kolli Hills. The move has enabled views on the subject. (See SPA 506) the SHGs to increase their income. Prior to the Details of training programme conducted MSSRF intervention, millets such as samai and during the year at different sites are given thinai were bartered for other locally produced in table 5.3 under SPA 506 grains. Currently they are sold at the rate of Rs 33 per kg. The market demand which has 201.1 Kolli Hills and Namakkal increased to several tons per month, has Activities were initiated in Kolli Hills, TN a few encouraged farmers to increase the area under years ago, to develop models for the millets. During 2003-2004, an increase of conservation of agro-biodiversity for food 10 -15% was observed in area under millet security, reduction of poverty and management cultivation. of natural resources by widening the food Table 2.1 highlights the employment and income basket. A model of commercialisation for generated during the year. conservation was created by making an attempt to increase the profitability of cultivating The district administration facilitated an outlet millet landraces through processing, value exclusively for Kolli Hills products at Namakkal. addition and marketing. MSSRF helped the SHGs to set up a shop there

Table.2.1: Wage days and income through millet products

Products Quantity Wage days Income Rs (Kg) through through through through Wages cultivation Processing value addition

Grain 12,755.50 255 12,750 25,511 0.00 0.00 Processed Grain 2,317.75 138 6,900 4,636 8,112.00 0.00 Value Addition 736.50 45 2,250 1,473 2,577.75 2,209.50

BIODIVERSITY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ to sell processed millet, rice flour and health disaster management and environmental mix. An interest-free loan of Rs 60,000 was sustainability. given to Nanbargal Suyaodavikulu, Increased production was promoted through Kuchakiraipatti,to provide the capital cost for participatory research in which traditional marketing. Around three tons of millets was breeding and varietal selection were marketed to Food World and local markets. encouraged. Series of selections were made Market linkage for millets export has been by the tribal community from more than 6,000 initiated with Ion Exchange Enviro Farms Pvt. accessions of millets, drawn from different millet Ltd (IEEF) and samples have been sent to research stations. They were cultivated in BIOFAC, Germany for approval. Enquiries on controlled conditions and are currently being millets availability have come from Salem, tested in their fields for identifying suitable Erode and Kalvarayan Hills in TN and varieties. The second cycle of participatory Hyderabad in AP. varietal selection, comprising 125 varieties, (65 Participatory conservation system Finger Millets, 36 Italian Millets, 24 Little Millets accessions) and 10 local land races was To sustain food production, activities have been conducted and 31 varieties were selected. In conducted to revitalise the traditional grain addition 1,232 ICRISAT finger millet accessions storage system known as thombai into a were evaluated and demonstrated under mixed community seed bank with necessary cropping and line sowing for enhancing the modifications, and have been institutionalized. productivity, to optimise income through This activity has enhanced seed storage and improved cultivation methods of nutritive millets. exchange and revitalized the cultivation of millets. Efforts have been made to train SHG Seed multiplication was conducted in the trial members to maintain a stock and record of plot at Singilipatty, Namakkal, for 43 varieties seeds of cereals, pulses, vegetables and (13 varieties of samai, 12 varieties of thinai and horticultural crops and distribute them to people 18 varieties of kelvaragu). in need and collect seeds after harvest with As an anticipatory research, training in the interest. The number of millets landraces was production of Trichogramma parasitoid was increased for seed multiplication from six to imparted to Sutru Sulal Padukappor Sangam, fourteen in Kondichettipatti. 1183 kg of millets Neduvalampatti, in Kolli Hills. This SHG has seeds were distributed to the thombai (Seed started trial production of parasitoid with one bank) maintained by SHGs to facilitate seed hundred trays. Marketing linkages have been exchange. The sustainability of such negotiated in coordination with MSSRF site mechanisms was further ensured through offices at Pudukottai and Kannivadi, with EID improved agronomic practices like seed Parry, Pudukottai. A NGO, CHESS from treatment techniques, biofertilisers, Salem, visited Kolli Hills to learn from the biopesticides and quality seed production for SHG about Trichogramma production.

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A seed driller was designed and developed by training in vermicompost, Iyarkaivalam the site office for saving time and labour in Padukappor SHG established a vermicompost sowing. Farmers of Kolli Hills and Namakkal unit as an economic enterprise at received training in its operation. A seed drill Pananchattupatti, with the support of Rs. was donated to Padasolai village, Thirupuli Nadu 45,000 from the Community Banking Project in Kolli Hills. of MSSRF. SHG members of Kolli Hills and Namakkal were taken on an exposure trip to Biodiversity conservation and poverty Krisna Vermibio unit at Namakkal. Organic reduction farming training with DRDA and IEEF was Support to millet cultivation practices has led organised for the organic pineapple growers. to a decrease in expenses in animal feed and 133 tons of organic pineapples worth Rs 6.65 brought about a net increase in income, thus lakhs were exported to the USA through IEEF. reducing poverty. MSSRF has developed SHGs supplying organic pineapple received enterprise models such as community seed an incentive of Rs 66,000 to get the organic bank, community grain bank, organic product-marketing certificate from ECOCERT. pineapple collection centre, zero energy cool Two SHGs in Thirupulinadu were facilitated to chamber for increasing shelf life of vegetables receive Rs 2.5 lakhs for organic pineapple and information centre. Such infrastructure cultivation through Indian Bank. supports the cultivation of a variety of cereals, Training and capacity building pulses, fruits and vegetables. Seven seed banks, developed in different regions of Kolli Training is imparted on a continuous basis to Hills, support more than twenty-five varieties promote the cultivation and consumption of of seasonal crops, which have helped to vegetables, pulses, nutritious millets and animal increase both wage labour and self- products like milk and eggs, by depicting their employment through processing and nutritive value. Fodder grass and vegetable distribution and opened pathways for different seeds were distributed through SHGs to farmers agribusinesses through marketing. Several at Kolli Hills in Thirupulinadu, Gundurnadu, groups were encouraged to process millets Alathurnadu and Valavandhinadu. Medicinal using mini mills for de-husking, de-stoning and plants from Nature Clubs were distributed to grinding. Linkage has been established with SHG members. The importance of consuming SHGs and the Horticulture Department to sufficient food, especially for pregnant women enable them to access various schemes. and nursing mothers, was also highlighted. Training on compost heap making was During this year, 120 school children of Valvil imparted to SHGs. A model medicinal garden, Ori Higher Secondary School joined the MSS compost pit and vermicompost unit were Nature Club. The medicinal plant nursery in the created, involving farmers at Kondichettipatti Nature Club has grown from 6 to 80 species trial plot, for training purposes. Following of medicinal plants, besides maintaining the

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Hill banana model. Under the Genome Club workshop held at Chennai and to representatives activities in Namakkal, 79 Government Higher of SHGs and folk song singers were invited to Secondary school students (boys and girls) perform. A brainstorming session on developing were trained. Trekking, awareness campaign strategies for Namakkal district with special and veterinary camp were conducted in focus on Kolli Hills, in the context of the collaboration with the Indian Bank, Semmedu millennium development goals, was organised and Department of Animal Husbandary. An at Namakkal in December 2003. A follow-up exposure visit for SHGs at TNAU, Coimbatore meeting was held in April 2004 to draw up was organised as part of Farmers’ Day specific action plans. celebrations . Panchayat leaders of Kolli Hills were exposed to biodiversity conservation, Community feed banks for poultry NRM, poverty reduction approaches and development and strengthening nutritional bodiversity policies during the Panchayat Raj security trainers’ training programme conducted by the The Community Feed Grain Bank (CFGB) is Block Development Officer, Kolli Hills. being promoted as a strategy to increase feed A two-month training on Information Technology grain cultivation and develop poultry industry was organised for Snehithi Suya Uthavi Kulu for livelihood and nutritional security, both at in Kondichettypatti, with the help of DRDA, and the household and community levels in COMP-TECH International, Namakkal. Namakkal. Subsequently an information centre was Increasing sustainable production of maize opened at Vanigavalagam with the support of DRDA, Namakkal and is maintained by the Area selection: Maize is a crop that neither SHG. grows in wetland nor in dry conditions, hence a pilot study was undertaken with two women Networking and partnership building SHGs cultivating maize on leased land. Inter project exchange visit of women field staff Farmers were encouraged to grow maize in to learn from each other was facilitated by UDRC. Parali and Tholur Panchayats of Namakkal in Ms Chitra spent a week understanding the 2002. It was found that in the well-drained red Biovillage Project at Pondicherry. Subsequently, soil areas, the performance of the crop was Ms Meenakshi from the Biovillage Project poor. The performance was better on black spent a week as resource person at Kolli Hills. cotton soil. With this experimental intervention An inter project meeting of the diffeent projects as a base, discussions were held with the operating in Namakkal and Kolli Hills was also TNAU and Government agricultural department facilitatd by UDRC. (See 401.2) on suitable areas for maize promotion. Varagur in Namakkal and Veerabayangaram in Information on activities in Kolli Hills, was Kallakurichi were identified for creating a model shared with the Director of AIR during the media for maize area expansion. With a view to

ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ increasing area in the first phase, large land conducted on the economics of maize holding progressive farmers were approached cultivation and marketing. In this exercise, and farmers’ clubs were formed in the two leading personalities from the poultry industry villages under the concept of Vikas Volunteer and banks had a dialogue with the farmers (See Vahini (VVV club) of NABARD for CFGB SPA 506). Public awareness was created activities. through the local newspapers, magazines, pamphlets and meetings. As a result of the direct Demonstration and training on maize and indirect impact of these activities, around cultivation: Maize cultivation was demonstrated one thousand acres of land in and around at both farmers’ fields and trial plots of MSSRF Namakkal was brought under maize cultivation. in Namakkal. Five different varieties of maize, with different cultivation patterns such as Operational model of CFGB: A feed grain bank spacing and biofertiliser treatments, were model was developed, in which the farmers demonstrated in both places. The farmers were encourage groups of landless labourers (SHG) given training in seed processing, sowing and to take up hybrid seed production. A group of spacing between rows and plants for different landless labourers was given a mini maize conditions. During the growing season a training sheller designed at MSSRF, Namakkal. The programme was conducted to identify nutrient residue from the shelling has been identified deficiencies, pest attack, and crop growth. At for making paper. The purchased grains are to the end of the season the crops were harvested be stored in the feed grain bank and sold to the and post harvest training programmes were poultry units when the price is favourable. Seven conducted. The farmers were trained in drying SHGs have been formed for operating the the crops for moisture maintenance, shelling CFGB model. The Agriculture Department gave and grading. 50% subsidy for two hand-operated maize Seed distribution: The farmers’ club in Varagur sheller machines designed by MSSRF, was given popular varieties of seeds as loan Namakkal. Maize seed production training was for cultivation. The cost of the seeds was paid given to 6 farmers’ club members and 6 SHGs back to MSSRF after harvest and the interest at TNAU, Coimbatore. went to the club fund. One hundred acres of Training was given to 50 SHG members from land in Varagur and three hundred and fifty acres Pondicherry on maize cultivation and exposure of land in Veerabayangaram were put under visits were arranged to help them to understand maize on-farm demonstration for farmers by the three stages in poultry rearing and the farmers in Namakkal and Kallakurichi. different ingredients in the feed mixture. Scientists from MSSRF visited these plots periodically and provided guidance. Backyard poultry promotion in Kolli Hills: SHGs in three villages of Kolli Hills were selected for Confidence building measures: Meetings, promotion of backyard poultry and mixed workshops and brainstorming sessions were

BIODIVERSITY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ farming systems. Little millet, (Samai), Italian capacity building for the sustainable millet (Thinai) and maize seeds were distributed management of agrobiodiversity. For building from the seed bank at Kolli Hills to the farmers such a “bio-partnership” initiative, a plan of for cultivation and for feed. Farmers were trained action and strategy was carefully developed and to cultivate these crops in mixed cropping and implemented under the guidance of the intercropping with tapioca, as feed to the birds Programme Advisory Committee of the Centre, and in turn enhance their household nutritional chaired by Prof M K Prasad. security by consuming eggs and chicken meat. Another significant development during the year The SHG members were asked to feed the birds was a joint declaration of MSSRF and INFAM with the prescribed quantity and mixture of (Indian Farmers’ Movement) to transform locally available millet grains as per the Wayanad into an “organic district” by 2007. recommendations of the Nutrition Department Short-term placement of students from various of the Veterinary College. Weekly records were institutions began during the year and helped maintained on the feeding behaviour of the birds and their health. the Centre to increase its information base. Inputs were given at two meetings held at the Health cards were given for cross checking Arya Vaidya Sala, Kottakkal, to carry forward feeding behaviour, growth and diseases. the work on Njavara, a traditional medicinal rice Nutrient deficient symptoms were taught and variety of Wayanad, and establish linkages with tablets like B-complex given for appropriate ongoing work. use. Farmers were also trained to vaccinate their birds periodically. Three training Biodiversity conservation and integrated programmes were conducted in which Lassota NRM for poverty reduction vaccine was fed to the birds through mouth, Supported by the SDC, the project entered its nose and eyes at an interval of twenty days. fourth year, with core activities such as paddy Farmers were also taught to provide preventive ecosystem conservation, development of an antibiotics to the birds when needed. NRM model village, networking and partnership 201.2 Wayanad building, women empowerment and collaborative research. The Community Agrobiodiversity Centre (CAbC) Paddy ecosystem conservation: The SRI- held the Swadeshi Science Congress in Madagascar technology was tested in selected association with the Swadeshi Science areas in partnership with both traditional and Movement from 6th to 8th November. The theme progressive farmers for increasing the yield. An was crop diversity and tribal empowerment (See increase in the yield of 2 to 4-fold, compared to SPA 506). It has helped in strengthening the conventional transplanting method, was partnership and networking with line institutions, reported. Traditional varieties like Njavara, NGOs and local administrative bodies in Veliyan, Gandhakasala and Chennellu were

ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ cultivated under this method. The yield revealed that the current NRM needs help in variations were calculated scientifically and terms of agro-ecosystem sustainability. Decline reported, notably by the print media. Seed in soil fertility due to top-soil erosion is a serious purification of Njavara was continued. In order problem. to sustain rice cultivation in the district, MSSRF Training and capacity building for sustainable helped the Department of Agriculture to submit resource utilisation: Transfer of technology in a proposal to the State Planning Board. rice intensification, composting methods, bio- Development of model NRM village: The pesticide production, herbal medicine concept of NRM model village, reported last preparation, sericulture and nursery techniques year, is in progress. The ultimate aim of the continued in the NRM village. The methodology NRM village is to develop a replicable model in adopted for the intervention included field visits, village development, in line with the exposure visits, training and interface between conservation of biodiversity and agricultural scientists and farmers. A series of training productivity. The integrated farming system programmes was organised for women SHGs involves cultivation of vegetables, mushroom, to prepare herbal medicines for meeting their commercially viable plantain varieties and primary health requirements. Even though there medicinal plants and vermicomposting. The is good market potential, the SHGs face many villages now ensure water conservation, soil constraints like lack of proper marketing outlets. management and recycling of agro wastes. The One SHG has started a nursery unit and is activities include: producing seedlings of areca nut, pepper, coffee, cardamom and medicinal plants. People’s institutions for effective implementation of the development activities: Training was given in compost making. A Six institutions, Steering committee, Satellite handbook was prepared and distributed to committees, Farmer SHGs, Women SHGs, farmers to explain the techniques of soil Water Users’ Committee and Nature conservation. With the collaboration and Conservation Corps were set up and are financial support of the Spices Board, 25 partners in the management plan of their village. vermicompost units were established in the village. More units are under construction. The Farm survey and resource mapping: The target is a vermicompost unit for every needy household level farm survey completed during household by 2005. Under the leadership of the the year shows that the total agricultural land water users committee, two vital water bodies is around 250 ha, out of which 225.4 ha are were renovated. They also organised awareness used for cultivating coffee, pepper and other and orientation on water conservation cash crops. Of the 24.7 ha of paddy field only techniques. Efforts were made to conserve 4.05 ha are used for rice cultivation, while the local varieties of banana, tubers, pepper, rest is used for banana, ginger and tapioca medicinal plants and vegetable crops. The seed cultivation. Analysis of the survey results

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materials were distributed to interested farmers. Networking and partnership building

The Centre takes a keen interest in rewarding INFAM – MSSRF joint programme on organic farmers who contribute to village sustainability farming: MSSRF extended technical help to by way of innovative approaches in conserving INFAM, Wayanad, in the area of organic farming. natural resources and crop diversity. At the 13th A training programme was held for 25 trainers, Swadeshi Science Congress, three farmers called “Organic Inspectors”, in order to transfer from different categories–Tribal Farmer technologies from Lab to Land. Conserver, Traditional Farmer Conserver and WARDA-MSSRF joint initiative for Agri Export Farmer Cultivator–were felicitated. This made Zone inclusive of Wayanad district: A multi- an impact in their respective villages in stake holder association named Wayanad promoting alternative methods of agriculture. Agriculture and Rural Development Association Seed exchange mela and vegetable gardens: (WARDA) came into formal existence on 20th In order to establish vegetable gardens in every February. A report on the feasibility of agri household in the village, a vegetable seed exports of the district was prepared and exchange mela was organised. Seeds of more submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture, than 17 species were exchanged among 175 Government of Kerala. farmers as shown in Table 2.2. State Planning Board – MSSRF initiative: Partnership building: Coffee and spices are the Building a partnership with the agriculture policy main crops cultivated in the NRM village. In -making body of the State Planning Board the first stage of the intervention itself, efforts formed an important strategy and approach. Two were made to provide links with institutions proposals on addressing the issue of low such as Coffee Research Station and Spices productivity in rice farming and herbal Board for technical guidance in cultivation, yield development under the Rashtriya Sama Vikas maximisation, organic farming and post harvest Yojana programme were submitted to the State handling. Organic cultivation of pepper and Planning Board. Both were approved and the vegetables was initiated in collaboration with responsibility of implementation of the latter the State Agriculture Department. project was given to MSSRF.

Table 2.2: Details of Seed Exchange

Name of the area No. of varieties No. of farmers Male Female Quantity exchanged attended (Kg.)

Bappanammala 17 47 9 38 3.5 Panthipoyil 17 42 12 30 2 Narippara 17 45 27 18 3.5 Alakandy 17 40 7 33 3

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Women empowerment: 15 new SHGs were SHG leaders training programme for uniform formed during the year in the NRM village and quality maintenance of products, arranging linked with Panchayat schemes. Two more village level medicinal plant germplasm pool to SHGs in this village started herbal medicine ensure the continuous supply of some drugs, preparations. A Harithasangam formed in publication of a revised handbook on primary collaboration with the Agriculture Department, health care and medicinal plants, planting 26 initiated mass vegetable cultivation in 1 ha land. ganams of medicinal plants based on This year the Centre took the initiative to link Charakasamhitha in the CAbC campus, with the SHGs with financial institutions. Four more partial support from the State Agriculture SHGs availed of interest free loans from the Department and revising a handbook prepared Community Banking projec of MSSRF. With the earlier on medicinal plants. MSSRF-friendly financial help of Krishi Bhavan and the groups were formed with the purpose of Municipality, one nursery unit was started in enhancing the outreach of the Foundation’s Puthoorvayal. In order to address violence activities and messages to a wider community. against women and weaker sections of society, Building LEISA farms the SHGs formed by MSSRF organised a Police and Public Interaction meet at Chooralmala. LEISA farm intensification work continued with diversification of crops like turmeric and ginger Sustainable use of medicinal plants and some tuber crops at the interspaces of Revitalising the primary health care traditions coffee/ crops. To popularise the concept of agro- through trained women SHGs continued as an forestry, a new initiative, namely live collection important activity. Efforts were made towards of star plants, was initiated. 15 plants were value addition and marketing of some selected collected and maintained in pots as exhibits. A products. The highlight of the year was approval manuscript on common bio-pesticidal plants for the mega project on the development of 10 and bio-pesticidal formulation is under selected herbal products by the State Planning preparation. Training in earthworm culture and Board. Establishing community level nurseries azolla cultivation was provided to the farmers. was continued for important medicinal and Earthworms and azolla were supplied as spice plants used in primary healthcare needs. nucleus culture. A medicinal plant cultivators’ society named JEEVANY was formed to help small-scale Studies on wild edible foods and RET farmers to cultivate and market medicinal species plants. 165 farmers registered in this society Information on 38 species of wild edible were linked with KINFRA for large-scale mushrooms was documented and 22 species cultivation of medicinal plants. were collected for ex-situ preservation. A Other initiatives included conducting booklet in the local language on wild edible community level awareness programme and greens was also prepared. For the purpose of

BIODIVERSITY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ dissemination of information related to edible resource person was appointed for wild resources, a computerised database is professional guidance. being developed with the help of the Knowledge Dropouts were persuaded to re-enter school. Centre team. Field trips to different parts of Wayanad were conducted in different seasons 201.3 Jeypore and 37 species of wild edible greens collected and planted in the CAbC garden. 18 species of The projects under community-based edible mushrooms and 35 species of fish are agrobiodiversity conservation, natural resource maintained at CAbC as museum collection. management and food security are being Intensive education and awareness implemented in the villages of Patraput, Tolla, programmes were conducted for various groups Kasiguda, Boliguda, Pujariput, Nuaguda, like students, farmers and women. Taliaguda, Bhaluguda, Balia, Bisoiput, Badapar, Kanjai, Maliguda, Chhemiaguda, Bedaguda, A herbarium of 145 species of flowering plants, and Mahuli of Koraput district; Lavanyanagar, including edible species, was prepared. A new Betabadi and Murudimaha villages of species of Medinella was described and an Khandamal district and Routpada, Lineguda, endangered flowering plant Eugenia argentia, Michashola villages of Kalahandi district. a little known tree reported as possibly extinct, was relocated. 145 species of grasses were Pallisamitis (village councils) in the villages now identified. undertake activities like organising meetings, development planning and mobilisation of Every child a scientist funds, in a transparent manner. The success of the efforts can be measured in monetary The biodiversity education programme under terms by the volume of contribution to the this initiative, started in January 2002 with the village development fund which has presently support of the DBT, Government of India reached Rs 1,00,000. continued in building the capacity of children and adults to use bio and natural resources in In September 2002, the tribal communities of a sustainable and equitable manner. the Jeypore Tract received the Equator Initiative Award for Innovative Partnership for 100 children, including 60 belonging to Sustainable Development in Tropical Scheduled Communities, were trained in Ecosystems. Following this, a Panchabati biodiversity conservation. Gramya Unnanyan Samithi (PGUS) consisting Over 7,000 students were given orientation of 100 general body members, comprising 52 in various aspects of biodiversity through men and 48 women from 16 villages of the off-campus programmes. Boipariguda Block of Koraput District, has been Quality resource material was prepared with constituted. The Executive Committee of the the active involvement of experts. A PGUS will operationalise activities related to

ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ biodiversity conservation, its enhancement and at Tolla while seeds from other villages are sustainable use and equitable sharing of stored in their respective village seed banks. benefits. Participatory conservation activities A market survey has defined several options continued at Jeypore, linked with the of sale of grains: among fellow farmers in Community Gene-Seed-Grain Bank. Emphasis nearby areas, in local retail markets, to rice was laid on developing viable marketing millers, and in markets in cities like strategies for kalajeera, a local scented Bhubaneswar. It is encouraging that there was landrace of rice chosen by tribal farmers for demand for kalajeera (both seeds and grains) purification and commercialisation. from various sources, including the Government of Orissa even during harvesting. Participatory plant breeding for poverty reduction Conscious efforts were made for meticulous accounting of kalajeera seeds in seed banks. Participatory improvement, enhancing A passbook (in Oriya language) was given to commercial value of LRs: Participatory each farmer to enter the quantity of grain/seed selection in people-preferred landraces (LRs) deposited by him/her in the seed banks. and their seed purification in contiguous Exploratory sale of seeds and grains at the seasons have consistently shown substantial Orissa Government Exhibition and MSSRF – improvement in realized yields and grain organised International Year of Rice 2004 meet quality. This has spurred tribal farmers to select has been encouraging. Seeds were sold at the a highly scented LR, kalajeera for commercial rate of Rs 18 per kg and rice at the rate of exploitation as briefly reported last year. A few Rs 22 per kg. farmers from Patraput village allotted contiguous plots, totaling 2.6 ha, to produce It is therefore clear that kalajeera, as a scented pure seeds and quality grains of kalajeera on and preferred LR, can be commercialised more a large scale. MSSRF scientists trained the vigorously in future. At the same time, it was farmers and monitored field activities. Twenty- recognised that the rights of the farmers who nine quintals of kalajeera pure seeds produced seeds and grains of kalajeera should (equivalent to ‘breeder seed’) and 14 quintals be protected under Act, 2001, the of grain were deposited in the village seed bank. implementation of which is yet to begin. A kalajeera seed management committee, headed by a woman farmer, was constituted Two interim measures were taken in this regard for managing seed and grain production, – to get a simple MoU signed by every storage, marketing and equitable sharing of purchaser of grain/seeds to the effect that the benefits. Farmers from a few other villages material would not be exploited in any have also produced pure seeds of kalajeera. undesirable manner like resale in a different Seeds produced from the MSSRF–supervised name etc. and the prior informed consent of seed plots have been stored in the seed bank the farmers concerned (with the seed-grain bank

BIODIVERSITY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ from where the material was purchased) would the knowledge on improved practices of LR be sought as needed, and to initiate action to cultivation, seed purification and quality grains get an AGMARK in the name of Basna Rani that contribute to accelerated economic benefit Kalajeera. from LRs, spread very fast from farmer-to- farmer. The net result is the substantial increase The reach of PPB and PPB-based extension: in area allotted to LRs and the number of seed The PPB programme was initiated and banks that have come up for storing seeds/ continued in only six villages near the MSSRF grains before disposal. site office at Jeypore for operational ease. Over a period, the benefits of Participatory Crop Participatory Conservation System (PCS) Improvement (PCI) and participatory Participatory Plant Breeding (PPB) has conservation system (PCS) began to reach institutionalised the process of PCS right from farmers in several villages, essentially through farmer-to-farmer extension. MSSRF facilitated the beginning. Farmers have realised the this process by building the capacity of PPB commercial value of their LRs and the need to farmers through regular training programmes conserve them. They have volunteered land and and knowledge transfer exercises. Purposive labour to conserve LRs. MSSRF provided seeds FAQs and Question – Answer sessions were of LRs initially. Every year, after regeneration, built into every PRA that was conducted to farmers returned a good quantity of seeds, enable farmers to raise good crops. It was found which were distributed the following year, that more than 10 villages in 3 blocks and 2 leading to a self-sustaining cycle of PCS. Thus districts (Table 2.3) became beneficiaries of the 45 LRs were regenerated in 2001, 64 in 2002 successful initiatives for sustainable livelihood and 39 in 2004. An analysis of 17 common LRs from diverse LRs. This is evident from the high across the years based on six productivity traits returns obtained by tribal farmers through LR viz, plant height, number of tillers/plant,number cultivation in Jeypore (Table 2.4). Farmers finally of panicles/plant, panicle length, number of selected six LRs for large-scale cultivation, two grains/panicle and grain fill index, has placed each for upland, medium land and lowland. But two LRs, Alasikiba and Baramasi at the top,

Table 2.3: The reach of PPB and PPB-based extension

Year Villages Gram Panchayats Blocks District

1998 13* 12 6 3 1999 6# 4 2 1 2000 13 7 4 1 2001 13 7 3 1 2002 9 6 3 2 2003 10 6 3 2 Includes demonstration and voluntary extension villages * (Pre-PPB survey) #(PPB Demos)

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Table 2.4: Status and benefits of Land Race cultivation in Jeypore Tract

2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 UL ML LL UL ML LL UL ML LL Annual Income from LR 2400 4800 7000 3800 7200 9800 5000 8000 9800 cultivation (Rs. per acre) LRs conserved by 24.00 29.00 20.00 people in FSB LRs cultivated by 41.00 28.00 25.00 * people in large plots Area under landraces (ac) 8.60 45.80 75.70 Community Seed-Grain Banks 3.00 8.00 8.00

* after selection and verification of variety characteristics UL-Paradhan; ML-Sapuri; LL-Kalajeera with the rest aligned in medium (13 LRs) and storage structures were constructed with low (2 LRs) performing groups. The top two LRs technical guidance from the Save Grain will be further evaluated for their performance. Campaign. The food stock has grown by four or five times, to 24 and 30 quintals in most of Large scale cultivation of LRs: While planting the villages, the maximum stock of 70 quintals kalajeera for sale of seeds and grains, farmers being recorded in Kasiguda over a period of desired to cultivate other LRs for consumption. two years. The grain banks are maintained by This was just to ensure more income from women SHGs, but the entire community helps expensive kalajeera through sale of grains and the committee transact business and check seeds. This voluntary option by farmers provides an indirect avenue of large scale defaulters. The food banks in the target villages conservation of several other LRs. are now seen as their security in lean periods. The seeds are no longer consumed during An analysis of the performance of the LRs periods of scarcity as the grain bank is jointly on grain yield and harvest index is given available. An effort has been made among all in Table 2.5. villages to network the Food Banks and make An overall evaluation has shown that PPB is a the surplus available to neighbouring villages. path to plenty in the tribal tracts of Jeypore. The contribution of ragi seed and grain to the food bank was minimum and hence not Community food banks (Gene - Seed - Grain sufficient to fulfill all the demands of farm bank continuum) families. Therefore a synergy is planned This project is in operation in 16 villages in between the CFB project and promotion of Koraput district and three villages each in underutilised nutritious crops in this area to Khandamal and Kalahandi districts. Scientific address the gaps.

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Table 2.5: Eleven LRs under large scale cultivation – Kharif 2003

Rank LR Cultivation villages Rating

1 Muktabali Nuaguda High

2 Sapuri Nuaguda 3 Kalajeera Nuaguda 4 Kalajeera Pujariput Medium 1 5 Barapanka Nuaguda 6 Gathia Nuaguda

7 Machhakanta Nuaguda Medium 2 8 Sapuri Tolla

9 Gathia Baliguda 10 Muktabali Tolla Low 11 Paradhan Nuaguda Cropped area varied from 700 to 3000 sq.m.

A model CFB has been set up in Michashola Dependence on seed banks is decreasing, as village in Kalahandi district with contributions 40% of the farm families are confident of from the community and MSSRF. The food bank producing quality seed and storing them. They was started with 550 kg of food grain and now are skilled in using the right quantity of seeds the stock has grown to 670 kg. 24 accessions for their cultivation. Farmers from other villages were collected and deposited in the Gene Bank. are purchasing seeds from these villages. Crops The Community Seed Bank was established other than rice are also being maintained in the with a contribution of 155 kg of seeds by the seed bank. Production of rice is increasing due community and now the corpus seed stock has to quality seed availability. There is a decrease increased to 297 kg. A storehouse for in the dependence on village moneylenders for Community Seed-Grain continuum has been loans in all the villages. constructed. Infrastructure for community food storehouse, Some of the problems encountered by the Seed water bank and soil conservation was facilitated Bank were lack of skill in quality seed in 5 villages in Koraput, 3 in Kandhamal and 2 production, rapid decrease in land races, loss in Kalahandi districts. of four or five varieties in each village, illiteracy SHGs and micro enterprises: The SHGs in the and consequent difficulty in the maintenance project villages are now capable of maintaining of CSB records. But there has been a significant records, preparing proposals, mobilising funds, change in the seed-borrowing pattern, with approaching banks for assistance, raising their many families becoming self-sufficient. voice against social issues, organising

ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ meetings, collecting monthly contributions etc. formal cultivation methods, seed purification, Market driven micro enterprises supported by seed storage, breeding poultry and fish, micro credit, have been initiated by the self- mushroom cultivation, and value added help groups and by individual members. The products from rice and millet. Awareness camps SHGs are monitored by the Pallisamitis of the were conducted in the villages on aspects like respective villages to enhance their efficiency balanced nutrition, environmental sanitation, and ensure repayment. social issues and degradation of biodiversity. Community medicinal plant gardens were In Michashola in Kalahandi, two women SHGs established by the community in many villages received Rs 6,000 each from the concerned and backyard kitchen gardens were promoted. bank to initiate micro enterprises and one In Michashola, health awareness campaign and women group got Rs 5,000 as matching grant check up camps were organised twice in from ICDS. association with the Department of Health and Vermicompost as an enterprise was initiated Family Welfare, Government of Orissa. 217 and managed by 53 farm families from 10 cases were identified and treated with medicine villages. MSSRF and the Spices Board supplied by the Department. The Department supported construction of 22 cement also gave some medicines for emergency structures for vermicompost production, while treatment. A Biodiversity Fair was conducted the rest were of the bamboo basket type. In for farmers belonging to 16 villages, to assess addition, three unutilised biogas tanks were the diversity of the agricultural crops of the taken over for vermicompost production. region.

Issues such as alcoholism, caste conflict, Networking and capacity building exploitation by moneylenders, education of The focus was on strengthening the capacity children, domestic violence, child labour, wage- of target groups like NGOs, GOs, farm related exploitation, malnutrition and entitlement families, SHGs, researchers and local people etc were raised by SHG members in different in improving soil fertility, bio fertiliser villages before the Pallisamiti. Many of the SHG preparation and application, replication of members were able to release their mortgaged activities by NGOs & GOs in the area of pure land from moneylenders. The Pallisamiti has seed production, PPVR Act and seed and food become more empowered and vibrant by taking banks. Network was established with the Spices these issues to the local administration. Board, Koraput, with whose support, the Other activities: Entitlement Cards, listing construction of a vermicompost tank was Government schemes for the poor, were printed possible with ATMA, Koraput, providing technical in Oriya and dissemination workshops held in guidance and training. One state level workshop the project villages. Training programmes were on community food bank and food security was organised on NRM, biofertiliser, biopesticide, organised, in which representatives from 50

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NGOs and 16 Government Departments and development activities that have helped the Universities participated (See SPA 506). village as a whole.

Management of water resources At Gunduri village in Kalahandi, 6.07 ha of agriculture land was saved from sand casting Three check dams were constructed in the during the rainy season due to the construction villages of Tolla and Maliguda in Jeypore. The of check dams. 4.86 ha of agricultural land was ponds are dependent on water percolating irrigated. Although MSSRF has departed from down from the streams, which were recharged these villages, the activities are being after the intervention of the villagers. The two- continued. percolation tanks at Tolla cover an area of 0.3 ha sq m in which water to a depth of 5 ft Enhancing the contribution of nutritious but remains throughout the year. The pond irrigates neglected crops (millets) to food security on an average 7.3 ha, utilised by 20 families, and to incomes of the rural poor in two seasons. In addition, it has protected more than 8.1 ha from sand casting. 2.03 ha The project is under implementation in Balia of land was utilised for raising horticulture village of Jeypore. The activities undertaken crops. At Maliguda, the tank covers an area are farmer participatory varietal trial on Finger of 0.0045 ha and the depth is 19 ft. Water from Millet, Little Millet and Italian Millet, farmer this pond was utilised throughout the year for participatory yield enhancement trial on vegetable cultivation and agriculture. It nutritious millets, value addition, processing and benefited 60 farm families, mostly from Mali marketing, creation of local capability for communities, who are vegetable growers. production and supply of good quality seeds of These people were also successful with millets, survey on use, constraints and pisciculture activities. opportunities of millets, and documentation of local knowledge of millets. The ponds have provided water to households as well as drinking water for livestock, which The process adopted for carrying out the above were saved from sunstroke. An area of 4.86 ha activities includes village meetings, PRA on of a forest at Tolla is supported by this pond. the agricultural status of the village, Wild animals have come back to the forest due identification of interested farm families, linking to easy access to water. Fish farming and with existing Community Gene-Seed-Food horticultural activities initiated by the villagers Bank, training and demonstration on formal are remunerative to the village committee. methods of cultivation, participatory varietal Resolution of conflicts in the village could be selection, initiation of micro enterprises, achieved due to mass participation in such awareness on including millets in the daily diet activities. Construction of water harvesting for nutritional security and training to SHG structures with little expenditure has members on preparation of millet based encouraged the people to undertake several nutritious value added products.

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Farmer participatory varietal trial and selection: Value addition and networking: Exhibitions were The trial was conducted in two replications organised during tribal fairs in the region, at through RBD design (Table 2.6). Selection of which millets were sold. A booklet has been preferred varieties was made in a participatory published in Oriya giving recipes using millets. mode by 43 farmers (20 men and 23 women) Four SHGs (2 men and 2 women) established and 5 scientists. The criteria for selection through the CFB Programme were facilitated included duration, grain and fodder yield, taste, to take up value added millet activities. Four colour, time of maturity and land type (upland, NGOs of three districts have shown interest to medium and lowland). Women appeared to give replicate our activities. An orientation-cum- more importance to grain colour, taste, fodder awareness training was conducted on the use yield, time of maturity and local traditional of nutritious millets for urban housewives. A varieties, while men considered grain yield, video documentation was done of millets grown land type, duration, and market demand. 27 in the demonstration village. varieties were in this manner (Table 2.7). Creation of local capability for production and supply of good quality seed: Seeds of 4 varieties Farmer participatory yield enhancement trial: of Finger Millet and 3 varieties of Little Millet Two demonstrations were conducted, which (both local and improved) were multiplied during improved agronomic practices such as use of the kharif season to meet the seed demand of quality seeds, optimising seed rate and sowing farm families. 181 kg of Finger Millet, 6.8 kg of in time and in rows. Intercropping of millets Little Millet and 6 kg of Italian Millet certified (Finger Millet and Little Millet) with pigeon pea seeds were provided to 50 farm families. More and niger was also introduced. than 50 acres of land was brought under Finger

Table 2.6: Farmer participatory varietal trial

Millets Ex-situ Collection Local germplasm Total Finger Millet 100 9 109 Little Millet 25 4 29 Italian Millet 39 3 42 Grand Total 180

Table 2.7: Participatory varietal selection

Millets Ex-situ Collection Local germplasm Total Finger Millet 7 2 9 Little Millet 9 1 10 Italian Millet 7 1 8 Grand Total 27

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Millet and Little Millet cultivation in 2003, as Keerapalayam, Cuddalore district. To boost the compared to four acres in 2002. This increased interest of the villagers, a free medical camp the possibility of availability of quality seeds was organised with the help of Siddha Doctors. at the local level. Seeds of 9 selected varieties Training was arranged for women SHG of Finger Millets were multiplied during summer members in home remedies. In Wayanad, three to meet the demands of the farm families of colonies were identified to focus on legumes the demonstration villages. and cucurbits cultivation and one women group was formed to monitor cultivation. 201.4 Community Gene Bank Germplasm exploration: Exploration activity Community Gene Bank is one of the was done in TN and Wayanad in Kerala. In TN components of the integrated gene exploration was conducted in Thiruvannamalai management system, which links ex-situ district, Tirupattur in Vellore district, Bhavani in facility with in-situ on-farm conservation. Erode district, Rasipuram in Namakkal district, Plant biodiversity Sankari in Salem district and Chengalpattu district. A total of 48 germplasm were collected The National Agricultural Technology Project during the year and have been deposited with on Plant Biodiversity (NATP-PB) extended the the NBPGR both at Thrissur and New Delhi. In project period by nine months on its conclusion Wayanad, exploration was conducted in in March 2003. In addition to germplasm Kartikulam, Pavagadda, Chandarathodu, exploration, the project organised exposure Pannipatti, Tholpatty, Vellarimala, Noolpuzha. visits for farmers from Galigattum village to Kuttiyadi, Memmeni, Karragu, Alathur, Triunelli, Chidambaram, Pondicherry, Chennai and Lakkidi, Puttumasla and Chooralmala. Thiruvannamalai. In Chengam, Pudupattu village seed bank distributed seed materials Germplasm characterisation: IPGRI and to needy farmers. Two women SHGs received NBPGR descriptors have been taken into a revolving fund from the SBI, Thiruvannamalai. consideration at the time of characterization for paddy and millet. Observation was done at the Under this project, the main focus was on early and late vegetative stage, active tillering exploration and characterisation of germplasm stage, panicle initiation stage, flowering stage and on-farm conservation in TN and Wayanad. and maturity stage. At Chengam, Overall, 474 germplasm were collected and Thiruvannamalai district, from June to deposited. The collection includes traditional December, 60 paddy and millets collected under cultivars, medicinal plants, minor fruits, the Plant Biodiversity project were taken for sesamum and dye yielding plants. The project characterisation. Out of the 60 materials taken has undertaken on-farm conservation of for field trial, 40 germplasm have been medicinal plants by establishing herbal home characterised. In Wayanad, between January gardens in Vadakku Pichavaram and and August, 20 legumes and cucurbits which

ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ were collected under the Plant Biodiversity a total of 733 classified voucher specimens. project were given priority for characterisation. 500 pictorial diagrammatic representations have In addition to the morphological characters, been added with the help of an artist. protein estimation for 12 germplasm was completed with the help of TNAU. In Jeypore, Indigenous technical knowledge Orissa, with the support of the SDC project, The National Agricultural Technology Project on characterisation of paddy germplasm was taken collection, documentation and validation of up from June to December. 100 gene bank Indigenous Technical Knowledge (NATP-ITK) accessions collected earlier from Orissa were got an extension, from March 2003 to December taken back to the field for conducting 2004. The objectives of the project are to characterisation as part of the gene bank catalogue and characterise the information for activities. Herbarium was also prepared in the developing a database, ascertain the extent field for each variety; they are yet to be and level of use of various ITKs by farmers in deposited in the gene bank. the management of their systems, validate Germplasm conservation: A total of 474 ITKs through quick screening and formal germplasm accessions, along with the experimentation, evolve mechanisms to protect passport data, have been deposited with both people’s property rights and facilitate the sharing NBPGR Thrissur and New Delhi. Cereals alone of benefits by the farming community. All the are stored at the MSSRF Gene Bank in Chennai. documentation collected under the project, In addition to this, 105 gene bank accessions including the results of the validation, have been of vegetables, spices, cotton, grass, wheat, oil, compiled and published by the ICAR, New rare, endangered and medicinal crop species Delhi. have also been sent to the NBPGR, New Delhi. During the extension period, priority is being Voucher samples of seed materials received given to continue validation based on the merit along with the data recorded from the field after of the practices. An attempt was made to characterisation were also sent for storage. document disclosed information from Goa and NBPGR has allotted IC numbers for all the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. A total of 143 accessions sent for storage. disclosed information was added to the Community herbarium: The original voucher collection, which includes various agriculture specimen of the plant materials with reference and allied activities. to the rare, endangered, medicinal and A suggestion was made, to extend validation traditional cultivars have been housed at the for one or two seasons, both within and across Foundation. Voucher specimen for 100 the zones. Hence validation of 3 selected ITKs traditional paddy germplasm accessions were has been identified within Zone II, as well as prepared at the time of characterisation study validation of 5 ITKs selected across the Zones conducted at Jeypore. The herbarium houses between January and December 2004.

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principal areas of cultivation of this crop are Sub Programme Area 202 Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, TN, Karnataka and AP. In order to establish the Molecular Mapping and Genetic diversity between genotypes and relationship Enhancement between species, a detailed study was undertaken in 13 genotypes of Pennisetum Advances in the area of biotechnology and typhoides and eight wild species of the genera genetic engineering have opened up new Pennisetum. avenues to enhance sustainability and stability in agricultural productivity. The coastal 13 accessions of P. typhoides, belonging to five ecosystem, one of the most productive geographical regions, were analysed for the ecosystems, has been under various threats, genetic diversity existing across the including climatic changes, rise in sea level, geographical regions and the entire sample set. increasing population and depleting natural A combined analysis of eight primer resources. Over the last few years, MSSRF’s combinations showed 156 of 435 AFLP bands effort in this area has been aimed at providing being polymorphic across the primer viable options to the fragile agricultural systems combinations tested. The total number of AFLP in the coastal regions through appropriate loci recorded per primer combination varied from technology intervention. Hence, the primary 32 in E-ACC x M-CAC to 70 in E-ACG x M- focus of this programme has been: CAC. The percentage of polymorphism across the landraces ranged from 12.7% in E-AGC x Analyses of diversity and species M-CAT to 50% in E-ACC x M-CAG with an relationship among species of importance average of 35%. to the region, using molecular marker technology, and The dendrogram revealed two major clusters, with accessions from Gujarat alone placed in Isolation and characterisation of stress one cluster with 94% similarity and the tolerant genes, both for salinity and drought, remaining placed in the other with 89% to develop pre-breeding material for crop similarity. The second major cluster was again varieties offering tolerance to abiotic stress. divided into two sub clusters, one with three Species relationship and diversity in accessions from Tamil Nadu and one from Pennisetum Andhra Pradesh and the other cluster consisting of all the other accessions, with The genus Pennisetum includes approximately the ones from Rajasthan forming a tight cluster 140 species that are distributed in tropics and with 93% similarity. subtropics. Pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides (L) Leeke.) belongs to section Paniceae. Pearl Eight wild species of Pennisetum were analysed millet is the most important millet in India. The using five primer combinations. Profiles

ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ differentiating all the eight species were Generation and analysis of expressed observed in all the primer combinations. The sequence total number of AFLP loci recorded per primer Salt-stressed leaf tissue from the mangrove A. combination varied from 54 in E-ACG x M-CAG marina was used as the RNA source for this to 78 in E-ACC x M-CAA. A combined analysis library. The cDNA library was directionally of five primer combinations showed 313 of 316 cloned into the Sal I - Not I sites of pSPORT1. AFLP bands being polymorphic across the Individual clones picked at random from the primer combinations tested. The combined plasmid library were sequenced using M13 percentage of polymorphism across the species reverse primer. Of 1821 sequencing reactions was 99%. attempted, 1525 produced readable sequences. To establish the relationship of cultivated Each EST was compared against sequences Pennisetum typhoides with these eight wild in the non-redundant database (nr) at the NCBI species, AFLP analysis was done with primer using the programme TBLASTX, which combination E-ACC x M-CAA. One of the compares translated protein sequences with Rajasthan samples was used as a nucleotide sequences. The result of each representative of the P. typhoides landraces as comparison was screened manually and 1525 their contribution towards total polymorphism ESTs retained after screening. Putative was less significant compared to other samples identification was attributed to each EST by and they showed less population variation. The considering the numerical cutoff values dendrogram showed P. typhoides more closely obtained along with additional analysis, using related to P.mollissimum than to the other information from PubMed. analysed samples. Of the 1525 ESTs, 1050 had significant This is one of the first studies undertaken to homology to previously identified genes and analyse the genetic diversity within and these were grouped into 12 functional between Pennisetum species using AFLP categories. The remaining ‘unknown’ genes marker system. The potential of AFLP marker (475 ESTs) refer to that subset of ESTs that system to discriminate genotypes is show a significant similarity (high e-value) to demonstrated, providing the basis for the genes reported in the public database but do implementation of SSR markers in future. not have an assigned function to date. Unknown Polymorphic AFLP loci may be mapped and genes form the largest category at 30%, evaluated for linkage with genes and followed by genes required for primary quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for the relevant metabolism (13%). Genes involved in target trait. Putative association with agronomic transcription and chromatin organisation, genes will also assist the selection of divergent protein synthesis and processing, each potential parental genotypes for trait-specific represent 10% of the sequenced ESTs while mapping crosses. those involved in membrane transport and

BIODIVERSITY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ intracellular trafficking represent 9% of the expression. For a number of applications, ESTs. 8% of the ESTs relate to signal transgenes need to be expressed differentially transduction while 7% are similar to previously or under specific abiotic stress conditions, reported stress induced genes. The percentage which requires the use of a set of specific of redundancy was highest for cell wall structure promoters to drive regulated gene expression. and metabolism (24%) and lowest for membrane However, relatively few promoters are currently transport and intracellular trafficking (9.8%). available for a specific or fine regulation of gene Genes for transcription associated proteins and expression. Given the high amount of similarity membrane transport form large groups (100 between the Porteresia and rice genomes, an and 90 clones respectively). attempt has been made to isolate the promoter elements for transgenic applications. The adaptive response to salt stress also involves the activity of water channel proteins, Flanking regions of genes, containing these sugar transporters and ion transporters that elements, are generally isolated through transport water, sugar and ions/osmolytes screening of genomic libraries using cDNA as respectively, through the plasma membrane a probe. However the screening of genomic and/or tonoplast to adjust osmotic pressure libraries is a time-consuming process. TAIL PCR under stress conditions. While these genes is a rapid and efficient method for genomic have been classified separately in membrane walking. PCR was carried with long gene transport and processing, they play an integral specific primers and short degenerate primers role in the response to water deficit such as of arbitrary sequence. An elaborate thermal that imposed by salt stress and include cycling programme, composed of aquaporins (20 clones), proline/glycine betaine “supercycles”, each consisting of one low transporter and Na+/H+ antiporter. In addition, stringency cycle and two high stringency protein factors involved in the regulation of cycles, allows only sequence specific primers signal transduction events such as receptors, to be amplified. protein and lipid kinases, calmodulins and protein phosphatases which may have a role For TAIL PCR, a set of three gene specific in stress signaling pathways, have been primers was used in combination with categorised separately. Transcription factors degenerate primers. For primary reaction, containing similar domains are present in the genomic DNA was used as template. Two A. marina ESTs and could have a role in successive rounds of PCR were carried out regulating the response to salt stress. using the products of previous PCR as templates, employing a common arbitrary Isolation of the promoter from the mangrove primer and a gene specific primer in a species consecutive manner. The products of the primary, secondary and tertiary reactions were Isolation of promoter and enhancer sequences separated on adjacent lanes in a 1.5% agarose is crucial for the study of regulation of gene

ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ gel, and discreet PCR products, showing Based on the results obtained from the tests difference in size corresponding to the relative done in the laboratory, it was decided to take positions of the gene specific primers, were up a field trial. The laboratory results were identified. The results were confirmed by doing examined and permission for the field trial was a southern blot analysis. A 1.9 kb band, which given by the RCGM, (permit no: BT/BS/17/20/ showed the strongest signal, was reamplified, 2000-PID) after which the field trial was taken gel purified and cloned. This clone was up at Kalpakkam. One homozygous line subsequently sequenced. isolated from the two lines at the T2 generation was taken up for the field trial. The field trial for Lab testing of transgenic plants and field the transgenics was done in an isolated field at trial Kalpakkam as per the guidelines of the Second generation seeds were collected from Government of India. The approved plot design the transgenic rice plants transformed with was 150 ft X 100 ft, with appropriate isolation AmSOD1 gene. Plants were raised from these distance. The study was conducted in six plots seeds and tested for the presence of the gene, within the bigger plot. Every plot had 20 and confirmed using PCR, Northern transgenic plants, with a total of 120 transgenic hybridisation and Isozyme analysis. Southern plants grown in the approved land. Each plot hybridisation done with the transgenic plants had a buffer zone, consisting of untransformed showed that the copy number of the control plants surrounding the transgenics. transgene in the transgenic plants was single Three of the six plots were treated with 50, 100 and 150mM of saline water (one time treatment). copy insert. Two lines having single copy insert The biometric data of plant height and number were chosen for subsequent analyses. of tillers was recorded systematically every Northern hybridisation of the transgenic plants fifteen days. The transgenic plants were found revealed the expression of the transgene in to have shorter height and higher yield per plant the transgenic plants. SOD isozyme revealed in comparison with the control. The grain yields the presence of an additional isoform of SOD across the transgenic and the control plants that migrated just above the endogenous were calculated and found to be comparable. Cytosolic Cu/ZnSOD. This band was confirmed The grain yield per plot in transgenics was 1.9 to be a Cu/ZnSOD based on the inhibition kg while for the control it was1.8 kg.However, studies using KCN and H2O2. Salt stress larger field experiments will be undertaken to analysis of the transgenics and the control arrive at the definite yield pattern in the plants revealed that the transgenics could transgenic vis-á-vis control. Gene integration tolerate upto 150 mM of NaCl concentration and transgene expression analysis were also for about 7 days while the untransformed done from the field-grown transgenic plants. control plants started showing signs of wilting Further analysis is being done to examine the from the fourth day itself in the hydroponic on-field performance of the transgenics in saline medium. soil environment.

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Drought tolerance studies cells were selected using the appropriate antibiotic (chloramphenicol). Three such Drought is the most important of abiotic transformation mixtures with average stresses that affect crop productivity severely. transformation efficiency of 106 were pooled In the Asian uplands, water deficit results in an from the unamplified library, which was then estimated average annual loss of 190kg/ha, or plated on LB plates to form the amplified library. 17% of production. With the aim of developing The cells were pooled and stored as glycerol drought tolerant crop plants, we have stocks at –800 C. undertaken research in Prosopis juliflora (Family Leguminosae), a widespread drought tolerant Plasmids were isolated from isolated single species as a donor species for isolation of colonies (from the library) and plated on LB- candidate genes for drought tolerance. chloramphenicol plates. The size range of the cDNA inserts were checked by amplifying the Total RNA was isolated from the control and insert from randomly selected colonies using the stressed plants using the GITC method. A forward and reverse primers. The average size cDNA library was constructed using the total was found to be 820bp. RNA from the water stressed plants using Clontech’s Creator SMART cDNA construction cDNA inserts were sequenced from the 5' end kit. The cDNA with a size range from 500bp- using M13 forward primer. So far, 850 ESTs 3Kb was ligated to the vector and transformed have been sequenced and categorised into 13 to E.coli strain XL-10GOLD.The transformed categories of which genes encoding proteins

150

100

Stress Unknown Cytoskeleton Miscellaneous Cell division cycle Primary metabolismSignal transduction Defense and cell rescue Secondary metabolism

Protein synthesis and processing Cell wall structure or metabolism

Gene Membraneexpression transportand chromatin and intra organization cellular traffi... Figure 2.1: Categorisation of ESTs from Prosopis juliflora

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of unknown function were most predominant prospecting the microbes for efficient beneficial (27%) followed by genes encoding proteins microorganisms and also screening lichens for involved in protein synthesis and processing bio molecules. The leads established in this area (18%). Genes encoding proteins functioning in of work have helped to bring in more funding to defense and cell rescue and stress coping support it and diversify into other study sites mechanisms were found to be of 3% and 6% and more application-oriented work. In relation respectively. A graphical representation of the to the studies on the beneficial functional categorisation is given in Figure 2.1 microorganisms, the strains have been taken to the field, work has progressed from the Of the 850 cDNA inserts sequenced, 49 were agricultural soils to screening the rhizosphere full-length genes, of which about ten were of the mangroves and attempts are underway previously reported to be functioning in stress to set up biofertiliser units as local level tolerance. They include heat shock proteins, enterprises in Kannivadi region. In the area of epoxide hydrolase, cytosolic ascorbate lichen research, work has intensified in terms peroxidase, glutathion s transferase, vacuolar of culturing and identification of bio-molecules ATPase subunit c, metallothionine etc. Some which have potential for certain clinical of these genes are being cloned to expression applications. vectors as a prelude to the creation of stress tolerant crop plants. A few full length genes, 203.1 Microbial diversity in coding for proteins of unknown function, are coastal agri-ecosystem also selected for further studies and characterisation. In the consolidated analysis of the study on screening for phosphate solubilisers in the coastal agricultural rhizospheres, very low recovery of phosphate solubilizers was Sub Programme Area 203 observed from the coastal region, especially Monitoring Ecosystem Health from saline soils. In all, about 35 potential strains were shortlisted and screening using using Microbial Diversity tri-calcium phosphate revealed that the isolates released 300-400 mm/ml from the initial 500 Studies in the last few years focused on mm/ml inorganic phosphate supplied. From this indexing and understanding the functional lot of strains PS4, PS5, PS9, PS10, PA12 and diversity in the niche areas, be it the agricultural PA51 were taken up for greenhouse level soils in coastal systems with special reference evaluation in black gram, groundnut and paddy. to the rhizobacteria, or lichens for developing They were also tested for efficiency under site specific ecological methodology to quantify different soil types (saline and non-saline). The the level of disturbances, if any. In the process parameters assessed were survival rates and of functional analysis, the focus had shifted to the comparative effect on the growth under

BIODIVERSITY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ control and treated conditions in terms of wt/P testing. A trip was undertaken to Chidambaram content in the plants. to identify the sites to carry out the field level trials. After a participatory session with farmers Greenhouse trial: Paddy seeds (CO43 and from a SHG in Manikollai, a few farmers were Ponni) were sterilised and incubated for identified to begin with for a participatory field germination. After germination, the seedlings evaluation. were transferred to cups filled with different soil samples, collected from the study sites at T.S Six-phosphate solubilsing salt tolerant strains pet (EC 1.08), Kuriyamangalam (EC 0.54) and (PS 4,5,9 &10 PA6 and PA51) were taken to Mettupalayam (EC 3.15) in the coastal the field on 20th November, 2003. The agriculture region of Cuddalore district, TN. Broth formulations in combination (4,5,9 & 10 – T1, cultures of 1 ml of the different isolates were 5&10 – T2, 6 & 51 – T3) in vermiculite were put diluted to approximately 107 cells ml-1 and used under four sites (three paddy and one ground for inoculation (application). The plants were nut), and monitored. Control sites were also carefully uprooted from the soil 60 days after maintained. Provisions were also made to treatment and the roots were washed in a running distribute the combinations (mixed cultures as stream of water. Then, the whole plant was dried stated above) to more farmers as part of a and the total dry matter content was measured larger outreach, for them to use and give a by weight. Mean plant height and dry weight feedback. These isolates have been distributed from five replications were calculated for each as biofertiliser to 23 farmers and about 38 acres treatment and the controls. Plant samples were have been covered so far. Analyses on the analysed for the total phosphorus content. There terms of yield and phosphorus content in the was a significant increase of about 20-30% in field trials have been variable among the the phosphorus content in the plant samples strains. Strains PS5 and 10 have shown very when compared with the control. promising effects. Studies have also been initiated in black gram and phosphobacteria. To analyse the shelf life of the strains, these The new genus and a couple of Azospirillum isolates were taken up for study and tested over strains were also taken to the field at the same a period of time. Sterilised packets containing time. Field trials will be repeated in the coming vermiculite were inoculated with cells at a season with more farmers. Meanwhile, on concentration of 10 7/gm of carrier material and request, packets of phosphobacter are being additional source of nutrition was provided. distributed. From the first trial it was observed Samples were taken at an interval of 15 days that there is a need for timely intervention in and analysed for viable count for about 120 days. terms of biofertiliser and biocontrol agents. The count varied between 107/gm to 109/gm. There is also a need to increase the number of Field trial: After successful shelf testing, the viable cells in the packs and to integrate other short-listed isolates were taken up for field- components of biofertiliser along with organic

ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ amendments. These strains have now been Swaminathania salitolerans gen. nov., spnov., submitted to IMTECH, the national culture and the accession numbers were obtained – collection facility. LMG21291T = MTCC3851T .

Status of work on the novel strain: The results PGPR and mangroves: Work has progressed of work on the novel salt tolerant strain isolated in the new initiative on screening for PGPRs in from wild rice, which could fix nitrogen and selected mangroves and associated plant solubilise phosphate, showed intensive species. To understand the rhizosphere diversity colonization in Pokkali when compared with wild (with special reference to plant growth promoting rice and Ponni. The results, which had been bacteria) in selected mangrove and associative communicated to International Journal of plants, and to isolate the plant growth promoting Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, bacteria from the rhizosphere regions and have now been finally accepted (Figure 2.2) and characterization for their functional roles, are in press. Type strains were submitted to molecular tools were used in the Pichavaram Belgium Culture Collection Centre and the mangroves, south India. Plant species which National Culture Collection Centre, India, are chosen for this preliminary study are: Avicennia marina, Rhizophora mucronata,

Figure 2.2: Phylogenetic relationship between the isolates PA12 and PA51T and other species of the Acetobacteraceae family determined from 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities

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Excoecaria agallocha, Porteresia coarctata and for rural women has been sanctioned by DBT, Sonneratia apetala. Soil samples were also New Delhi. It is hoped that demystification of subjected to physico-chemical analysis. such technologies at rural levels will address the problems of shelf life and availability of As a first step to understand the diversity biofertiliser at the appropriate time to the associated in the rhizosphere region of these farmers. This programme is being implemented plants, the total heterotrophic count was along with the ecotechnology centre and is enumerated. Selective media were used to reported under that section (See SPA 301.3). isolate diazotrophs and phosphate solubilisers. For isolation of diazotrophs, nitrogen free 203.2 Lichen Research combined carbon source medium was used. All isolates have been given reference numbers Bioprospecting is a vital component of an and will be taken up for further characterisation. effective conservation strategy to achieve Preliminary attempts have been undertaken to sustainable development. Bioprospecting of extract soil DNA. Crude DNA extracts were lichen (fungi that live in an obligate symbiosis stored at -200C for further use. From the with algae or cyanobacteria) species from preliminary work done so far and the analysis hitherto unsurveyed areas with novel of the results obtained, the following compounds, biochemical and molecular observations can be drawn: there are some attributes is even more crucial and requires common flora present in the rhizosphere of the highest priority today. The symbiotic species studied; a few are found specific to association of lichens enables them to produce certain rhizosphere and there might be a few a great number of organic compounds strains specific to this ecosystem. Inter-site and commonly known as lichen substances, which intra-site variability was also observed. It needs are responsible for the successful colonisation to be seen if this is also correlated in the and survival of these organisms in extreme molecular approach, which will be undertaken environments with adverse light, heat, shortly. It was also observed that with an pathogens and herbivores. Globally only 700 addition of 1% NaCl to the medium there was compounds have been isolated from a small an increase in colony forming units. The salinity number of lichens out of 13,500 lichen species levels seem to vary between 16.9 – 21.4 E.C. described so far and some of the compounds mS/cm and a variation in the total organic have been reported to possess anti-cancer and content was also observed. It is still too early anti-HIV properties. Hence there is an upsurge to establish a definite correlation between these in the research of the secondary chemistry of parameters and the diversity. many of the tropical lichens for novel compounds with therapeutic potential. Low cost biofertiliser units as an enterprise option: A new initiative of setting up low cost The large-scale quantitative ecological data biofertiliser units as an entrepreneurial activity collection and characterisation of lichen

ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ diversity from the Siruvani Hills in the Western Lichen culture Ghats facilitated the screening of some of the The mass production of lichen substances chemically rich lichens for their secondary using lichen cultures is still a challenge due to compounds and their potential as anti-microbial the poor understanding of culture requirements agents. The anti-microbial activity was including environmental conditions for lichen measured in the form of a zone of clearance in species. Hence standardisation of protocols the disc-diffusion assay. Five fractions of lichen for the mass multiplication of the isolated compounds from Roccella montagnei were fungal, photosynthetic partners and whole screened against twelve different pathogens. thallus of R. montagnei, Parmotrema sp. Porina The concentration levels of each of the mastoidea and Leptogium sp. were undertaken. fractions along with the positive and negative The photobiont Trentepohlia (Trentepohliaceae, controls were tested and it was demonstrated Chetophorales) from R. montagnei and that each of these extracts has significant anti- Trebouxia (Chlorophyceae, Chlorococcales) microbial activity. The HPLC profile of anti- from Parmotrema praesorediosum, Nostoc of microbial potential Fraction-1 of the Methanol Leptogium denticulatum were successfully extract from R. montagnei indicates the brought under culture conditions. Whole thallus presence of 2 major and 1 minor compound, culture of Roccella montagnei and Parmotrema and these have been crystallised. Further praesorediosum were also standardised and chemical characterisation of the compounds is cultured in the laboratory. being done, using spectral studies and X-ray Diffraction Crystallography. Lichen diversity and distribution pattern in the Madukkarai region of the Western Ghats Fraction of Parmotrema paraesorediosum and their correlation with the disturbance regime Extraction of secondary compounds from Parmoterma praesorediosum with organic Lichens with their intimate eco-physiological solvents with different polarity, from hexane to links with the atmosphere, are among the first water, facilitated the isolation of six different to exhibit the ill effects, if any, of air pollution – extracts. These extracts were subjected to anti- a character that accords them a special value microbial assays using twelve different in air pollution level assessments. In India, there pathogens. The Dichloromethane (DCM) is still a dearth of data to assess the status of Fraction 1 instantly formed crystals indicating lichen diversity of unique ecosystems as well a very high level of purity. Further chemical as the sensitivity or tolerance level of lichen characterisation of this fraction, using H-NMR, species or lichen communities to various C-NMR and Mass Spectrum, indicated that the pollutants. This is true even in the case of compound is a depside known as “Atranorin” ( diversity-rich forest lands close to pollution

C19H18O8). sources. Hence, as an immediate priority, a

BIODIVERSITY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ study was initiated to assess the impact of cement dust on lichen diversity and distribution Sub Programme Area 204 in the Madukkarai – Walayar region (part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve), through ecological Bioresources Conservation and sampling protocols for large scale quantitative Bioprospecting of Endangered, data with reference to macro habitat conditions Medicinal and Mangrove Species (Habitat and climate characteristics), micro habitat variables, lichen diversity and This programme has established methodologies distribution pattern, and data on pollution for large-scale plantation of bioenergy crops sources and distribution. Currently, the major through women SHGs of micro, vegetative and vegetation type “Discontinuous thickets to low seed propagated plants. A number of leads have scattered shrubs”, close to the pollution source, been obtained from compounds isolated from are under survey and the following trends were Excoecaria agalloacha. observed: 204.1 Bioprospecting studies A total of 39 species has been recorded so far – species area curve suggests the need Helicoverpa armigera larvae collected from the for further sampling in the forest sites. cowpea fields were reared to three generations. A large number of lichens have been found Moths were mated in captivity inside earthen st to be locally distributed and rare in the pots for oviposition. Disease free 1 instar survey area. laboratory generation larvae were chosen for the experiment and some of them were Lichen Bacidia sp. prefers only cement maintained for further studies. Extraction of the infested Pounthazhi trees. phytochemicals from the dried leaf powder (4.5 77% of lichens are crustose, 15% are foliose kg) of E. agalloacha was done to obtain crude and the remaining 8% are gelatinous. extracts for the bioassay.

Photobiont Trentepohlia (moist & shade Bio efficacy of crude hexane, ethyl acetate, loving) occurs in 26% of the species; methanol and water were tested against third Trebouxia (dry and light loving) in 69% and instar larvae. The larvae were observed for in the remaining 5% cyanobacterial lichens juvenomimetic effects. Crude hexane extract (20 colonise sheltered unpolluted areas. gm) was subjected to column chromatography This study also indicated a lower total and (SiO2, 100-200 mesh) with hexane and ethyl mean species richness in polluted sites acetate as mobile phase to obtain 10 fractions. compared to unpolluted adjoining similar Anti-feedant activity was calculated for the crude forest sites. extract and fractions using leaf area meter. Bioactive fractions were further fractionated by

chromatography (SiO2, 60-120 mesh) and purified

ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ in Preparatory HPLC-Luna 15U Silica (2) for aqueous extract and was further analysed by hexane fractions and Luna 15U C (18) reverse FT-IR, Mass spectrum and C13 NMR. The phase for aqueous extract. compound exhibited larvicidal activity of 2nd instar larvae by 70%. HPLC purification of The extraction procedure was scaled up with column fraction-1 of hexane extract yielded an 10 kg of leaf material to meet the requirements amorphous compound that was inseparable for the field trials. Aqueous extract was from the pigments. Further analysis by NMR, subjected to specific isolation procedure Mass spectrum and COSY revealed the employed for glycosides. presence of carboxyl and amine groups. Field trial Large scale extraction for multi-location field Several formulations were done to check the trials in chick pea, cowpea, lady’s finger and uniformity and stability of the crude hexane cotton and characterisation of the anti-pest extract. Emulsions made with IPA and THF were principles are under way. found to be most stable. A restricted field trial 204.2 Bioenergy and Biofuel was performed to test the efficacy of crude hexane-IPA and aqueous extract formulations Crops in lady’s finger crop. Field bioenergy plantation and nursery Crude hexane and aqueous extracts of dried management leaves of E.agalloacha from Pichavaram During November and December 2003, mangroves, Tamil Nadu, exhibited larvicidal mangrove plantation was undertaken in th activity (98.5%) against 4 instar larvae of Kelavelzhi, Karaikal region. About 25,000 Helicoverpa armigera. 1% aqueous extract saplings of Avicennia marina, 4,000 of Ceriops reduced the moth emergence to 0%, while 10% decandra and 4,000 micropropagated and 2,000 reduced hatchability of the eggs to 0% when vegetative propagated plants of Excoecaria compared with the positive control (93.3%). 5% agalloacha were taken up for planting, covering hexane extract reduced pupation to 0%. There a total area of 3 ha at Kelavelzhi (October to was no significant change in the weight of the January). Four species, viz. E.agalloacha, A. pupae in the above treatments. marina, C.decandra and R.mucronata were However 2% dry leaf powder exhibited reduced chosen and planted as 1.5 to 2 feet saplings pupation (63.4%) and moth emergence (3.3%) with 2 x 2 m spacing with regular tidal with a drastic reduction in the pupae weight inundation. (168.5 mg) compared to the positive control Both field and bioenergy nurseries are being (399.66 mg). TLC analysis indicated the maintained by women SHG members. This year presence of terpenoids. An unknown compound 70,000 plants are being maintained at the of 99% purity was obtained from the modified bioenergy nursery, including micro, vegetative

BIODIVERSITY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ and seed propagated plants, for bioenergy Stevia rebaudiana plantation to be taken up in the coming year. There is increasing interest among farmers in Fresh water availability is very scarce for the cultivation of Stevia as a plant substitute nursery management due to the failure of for sugar. Micropropagation protocols have been monsoon and lack of Cauvery water inflow standardized for large scale cultivation in during 2003. Hence the SHGs are maintaining agricultural lands. Various parameters like the nursery using bore well water. agronomic characters, yield and ecological Jatropha curcas germplasam collection and adaptability are being studied before evaluation undertaking large-scale cultivation. Some indicators like the yield need to be analysed, The selection of land was done with women based on results of large-scale cultivation in SHG members and seed material was collected fields at specific locations. from various agro climatic conditions, based on agronomic and yield performance 204.3 Isolation of CAM form characters. Micropropagation studies were of PEPC from Sesuvium initiated for mass propagation and a training portulacastrum programme was conducted for the SHG members on Jatropha nursery management and CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism) plants plantation trials in community land. whose enzyme levels vary temporally have additional photosynthetic pathway. These types Salicornia brachiata seed collection and of plants, which are found widely in stressful cultivation environments, have evolved to efficiently fix

Land selection was done with women SHG CO2 using the enzyme PEPC at night when members and seed materials were collected stomata are open. Sesuvium portulacastrum from wild clones. Seeds were separated from (CAM plant) is a mangrove associate which plants and stored for cultivation in salt affected grows under a wide range of stresses. Since coastal areas. water use efficiency is related to effective

fixation of CO2, which in turn is related to NaCl Genetic fidelity studies of propagated plants and/or drought tolerance, understanding of the Plants were selected for genetic fidelity studies enzymes involved in additional photosynthetic from wild mother clones, tissue culture plants, pathways like CAM would help in developing vegetative propagated plants and field- stress-tolerant crop plants that harbour such transferred plants. Total genomic DNA was pathways. extracted from all selected and propagated Full-length gene for Phosphoenolpyruvate plants for genetic fidelity in Excoecaria carboxylase (PEPC) was obtained using RT- agalloacha. PCR methodology by designing degenerate

ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ primers for CAM form of PEPC. The resultant of PEPC. cDNA library screening for the gene PCR fragment was cloned into E. coli and the with flanking regions is being carried out to sequence was read. Database search for the characterise the gene. sequence showed high homology to CAM form

68 Programme Area 300

Ecotechnology

MSSRF and SBI are jointly facilitating a credit linked biovillage programme in Kodathur village, Pondicherry. An agriculture training centre has been set up at Manikollai village, Chidambaram by the farmers’ association. The SRI method of cultivation has been mainstreamed in the extension programme of the State Agriculture Department, Pondicherry. The annual turnover of Kulumai – federation of SHGs in Kannivadi was Rs148.7 lakhs. 19,752 trainee days were organized by them benefiting 661 individuals. The ICT-enabled functional literacy model developed by VKCs in Kannivadi has been accepted as viable and cost-effective by the State Resource Centres working on non- formal education. A SHG of landless women agricultural labourers in Kannivadi region was given training and facilitated to take up production of Pseudomonas flourscens, a biopesticide, as an enterprise activity.

301 JRD Tata Ecotechnology Centre ------70

302 Sustainable Management of Natural Resources for Food Security ------89

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policy advocacy with the Government, NGOs, Sub Programme Area 301 private sector, banks and international development agencies. The JRD Tata JRD Tata Ecotechnology Centre Ecotechnology Centre has been continuing its The Centre strives to operationalise sustainable activities in the same locations, as shown in agriculture and rural development by promoting Table 3.1. job-led economic growth, based on a pro-poor, The following are the highlights of the Centre’s pro-women and pro-nature orientation to activities during the year: technology development and dissemination. On the basis of the Biovillage paradigm, which The grassroot institutions in the field centres encompasses of sustainable ecoenterprises, have enhanced their development the Centre is focusing on blending natural perspectives and capacity to facilitate resource management and livelihood security. decentralised sustainable development at the local level; so the role of MSSRF has Participatory research and development, changed from that of active project capacity building and grassroot institution implementer to facilitator. building are the strategies adopted by the Centre to strengthen the process of sustainable The total annual transaction of the 400 SHGs development. Through its operations in different in the various field centres is around Rs 40 agro-climatic systems in TN, Pondicherry and million, including their cumulative savings, Orissa, the Centre is evolving models of credit from bank and government biovillages for sustainable development and organisations and business turnover.

Table 3.1: Regions and focal themes of JRD Tata Ecotechnology Centre

Region Area Focus

Coastal Chidambaram, TN Water use efficiency, soil conservation, Pondicherry alternate cropping and livelihood Kendrapara, Orissa pattern and disaster management

Hill Thonimalai near Kannivadi, Agro-biodiversity and food security, organic TN farming, linking conservation and development through ICT

Semi-arid Kannivadi, TN Value addition to time and labour of rural poor, increasing agricultural productivity, modern ICT-based extension

For all the above Chennai Coordination, land-lab linkages, laboratory studies

ECOTECHNOLOGY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

The biological management of Hydrilla SRI method in the extension programmes verticillata, a notorious aquatic weed, using of the State Agricultural Department, the grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) Pondicherry. In Kannivadi in the state of was successfully replicated in the infested Tamil Nadu also, the method has been pond of Annamalai University, successfully tested and demonstrated to the Chidambaram. farmers.

More than seventy farmers in the Cauvery The Reddiyarchatram Seed Growers tail end region have replicated the Integrated Association (RSGA), a local farmers’ Intensive Farming System (IIFS) models association, has successfully completed with the support of the local farmers’ nearly 2,500 trainee days. Modern ICT has association. A comprehensive directory that been effectively used to reach farmers in provides the details of individual farmers has the Kannivadi region. The association has been prepared for this region. prepared several theme-based training Group farming has been adopted by 108 materials in the form of print, CD and audio farmers to optimise the available water cassettes to facilitate active learning. resources through the lift irrigation method, Information from the decentralised medium covering 440 acres of gross cropped area range weather forecasting system has been at Manikollai village in Chidambaram. helping the farming community to take A training centre has been set up at important decisions related to crop planning Manikollai village, Chidambaram, by the and agronomic practices. farmers’ association for demonstration and Oddanchatram vegetable merchants have training on various issues like effective water entered the export market. Products are management, alternate cropping systems, being exported to Southeast Asian and Gulf IPM, farm - pond approach etc., which are countries. The traders are working on a specific to the region. market-based cropping plan with RSGA for Commercial banks such as the State Bank buyback arrangements to meet the export of India and Indian Bank have adopted the requirements. The merchants association of MSSRF’s ‘biovillage model’ for effective rural Oddanchatram vegetable market and RSGA credit management and initiated a project are jointly managing the website www. at Kodathur in Pondicherry with the support Oddanchatrammarket.com. of MSSRF and Biocouncil, Pondicherry, with The ICT-enabled functional literacy model an initial allocation of Rs 25 lakhs. developed by the VKCs in Kannivadi region The successful demonstrations of System has been accepted as viable and cost- of Rice Intensification (SRI) method in the effective by State Resource Centres last two years resulted in mainstreaming the working on non-formal education.

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The Pulayans of Thonimalai received treatment, the biomass load was reduced to community certificates, which will help them zero in the experimental pond, whereas in the to prove their legal identity and social status. control pond the biomass load increased from 2 2 Women SHGs with semi-literate members 4.8 kg/m to 5.13 kg/m . The parameters like have started new ecoenterprises such as water temperature, water pH, dissolved oxygen, production of biofungicides like Trichoderma soil pH and soil organic carbon were monitored viride and Pseudomonas fluorescens with weekly in the control and experimental ponds. market tie-ups with private companies. There was not much difference in water and soil quality between the control and 301.1 Coastal Region experimental ponds, except for the dissolved oxygen content and organic carbon load. In the 301.1.1 Chidambaram control pond, the organic carbon load increased The Centre has been continuing its activities from 0.74% to 1.2%, whereas in the in evolving suitable models for sustainable experimental pond it ranged from 1.02% to development in the coastal region while focusing 1.6%. Higher dissolved oxygen content was on issues such as efficient water and soil observed in the experimental pond. management, diversification of the cropping Integrated Intensive Farming System: Since pattern and creation of multiple income 1997, the Centre has been demonstrating and generation avenues for livelihoods. studying the viability of the Integrated Intensive Aquaculture: As part of the aquaculture Farming System (IIFS) blended with Precision activities, the biological management of Hydrilla Farming techniques at Keelamanakudi village, verticillata by grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon Cuddalore District, TN. This has now been idella) was carried out in a pond at Annamalai replicated by farmers in the region, and University, Chidambaram. Hydrilla is a major grassroot institutions such as the Sethiyathope aquatic weed, posing a perennial problem by Anaicut Farmers’ Welfare Association deteriorating the quality of water. Two infested (SAFWA) have taken the lead in further ponds were selected, one for treatment (with strengthening the development activities in the grass carp) and another for control (without region, based on the approaches adopted by grass carp); the ground area of the selected MSSRF. A Directory that gives details of nearly ponds was 23,000 m2 each. Grass carp with an 70 farmers who have adopted IIFS principles average weight of 243.41 g were stocked in in their farms has been prepared. One of the the experimental pond on 1st January 2003, at clusters of SAFWA at the tail-end region, Water the rate of 400 individuals/ha, the biomass Users’ Association at Manikollai, had density of Hydrilla (kg/m2) at the experimental approached MSSRF for help in identifying and control ponds was 3.0 and 4.8 respectively. suitable precision farming techniques which Six months after the commencement of the could be adopted in their region. Group

ECOTECHNOLOGY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

meetings, PRA exercises and baseline studies with reduced dependency on canal irrigation and were conducted with the help of SAFWA. Based rains. Another advantage of this project is that on the findings it was suggested that water for the farmers will be able to go in for second and irrigation could be lifted from Paravanaru River1 third season cultivation, a practice which has for assured irrigation. It was also decided that been discontinued for more than three decades. pulses, maize, cotton and other crops requiring The farmers participating in this scheme have less water could be cultivated in the second evolved rules and regulations for efficient and third season. The project intends to bring utilisation and sharing of water through a about effective changes in the cropping pattern, participatory process. The project has already based on the availability of water. established the infrastructure in the field and the first paddy crop has been harvested. It may As part of the facilitating process, the farmers be noted that the lift-irrigation scheme has and landless labourers have been mobilised enabled the farmers in harvesting paddy from into SHGs and federated as Manikollai Small their fields in spite of the lack of canal water Farmers Lift-Irrigation Federation (MSFLF), irrigation and rainfall during the critical phase which is the local apex body for the of growth. implementation of the project at Manikollai Village. Federating the SHGs provides the For implementation of this lift-irrigation project, necessary institutional structure for accessing a strong network has been developed between bank loans and government schemes and the farmers and various organisations/ monitoring and strengthening the multiple institutions, like DHAN Foundation, Madurai, livelihood opportunities for landless agricultural Public Works Department and Agriculture labourers. At present, 108 farmers, belonging Department. Annamalai University is also to 6 SHGs, have been involved in the project helping the project in determining the quantity covering about 178 ha of gross cropped area. of water required for the cultivation of each crop The total project cost is estimated at Rs.13.58 in different seasons through its Civil Works lakhs of which Rs 11.52 lakhs was availed of Department. Data is also being collected from as loan from Canara Bank. The remaining the farmers who are participating in this project amount was met by the SHGs and an interest- and other farmers who are dependent on canals free loan of Rs 1 lakh was given from the and rain. The group’s approach to accessing Community Banking Programme of MSSRF. and sharing of water for irrigation has reduced the infrastructure cost, thereby benefiting small This project ensures that the farmers will be and marginal farmers. The project is providing able to cultivate paddy in the proper season inputs for managing the lift-irrigation system so 1 Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited (NLC) drains the seepage that it can be used efficiently. water from its mines into this river, hence there is an assured water supply from this river throughout the year. It is estimated Two new practices were introduced in paddy that the water can be used for irrigating 500 acres of paddy even in the dry season. cultivation in this region during the year, namely

ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ effective micro-organism (EM) for improving the 301.1.2 Pondicherry soil condition and Trichogramma japonica for Biocentre: The activities at the Biocentre control of paddy stem borer. While the results focused on strengthening the partnership of EM trials conducted on a one-acre plot were between the village communities, Biocouncil, inconclusive, the feedback from the farmers commercial banks and government institutions. on Trichogramma application has been The Biocentre at Pillayarkuppam continued to encouraging, since there has been a reduction focus on training and capacity building in the number of dead hearts after the release programmes in mushroom cultivation, spawn of the parasitoids. The Trichogramma trials were production, fodder production, raising seedlings conducted on a 15-acre plot. The possibility of production of Trichogramma japanicum for horticulture crops, vermicompost, integrated parasitoids by SHGs as a local enterprise is aquaculture, Trichogramma parasitoid being explored. production, enterprise development, institutional development and conflict A new initiative taken up by the MSFLF is management. In the demonstration farm, about the establishment of a Training Centre at 5,000 Crossandra seedlings were produced to Manikollai village. During the year, 207 trainee help 20 SHG members to start floriculture. days were completed on topics related to Quality fodder slips were supplied to the local water management, environmental impact farmers to the tune of 20 acres. assessment, soil sampling and fish farming, and 432 trainee days on SHG-related activities Kodathur biovillage: One of the major initiatives required for institutional development. The of the year is the Kodathur biovillage Centre is being developed to train farmers in programme. MSSRF and State Bank of India precision farming techniques and sustainable are jointly facilitating a credit-linked biovillage agricultural practices and provide need-based programme with the support of men and women information. It will provide space for carrying SHGs of Kodathur village. The programme out field trials and setting up micro enterprises, covers around 730 households with a as well as the necessary market linkages for population of 2,885 in all the five settlements the farmers. The proposed functioning of the of Kodathur village (two Scheduled caste Training Centre would be similar to an settlements and three multi-caste Agriculture Extension Centre-cum- settlements). The available natural resources Agribusiness Centre. It is also proposed to and the gender differential needs and concerns establish a school for farmers to provide need- were identified through a series of Participatory based courses on water management, IIFS, Rural Appraisals. A benchmark survey was Integrated Crop Management, post harvest also carried out. MSSRF helped to develop a techniques and seed production, thereby perspective plan in which threshold levels of enabling horizontal transfer of knowledge operations were defined. Dairy management among the farmers. was preferred by most of the SHGs. Dairying

ECOTECHNOLOGY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ is not seen as an isolated activity, but 200 trainee days were devoted to capacity integrated with other activities such as biogas, building on the SRI method of paddy cultivation. vermicompost and fodder cultivation. The The farmers from Auroville involved in organic Hatsun Agro Products Limited has been paddy cultivation also participated in the identified to provide market linkage and training programme. The officers of the veterinary services. Hence, a tripartite Pondicherry Agriculture Department and Krishi agreement has been made among State Bank Vigyan Kendra (KVK) witnessed the trials. of India, Hatsun Agro Products and the SHGs. Further, as an extension activity, the Government of Pondicherry replicated the SRI Other group-based ecoenterprises which have for demonstration purposes. This resulted in been identified are the production and marketing about 20 farmers adopting SRI methods in field of Trichogramma parasitoid and Pseudomonas plots of 10-25 cents. An exposure visit was florescens, a biofungicide. The initiative taken arranged for the farmers to help them by women SHGs was appreciated by the understand the techniques of SRI. As a result, District Industrial Centre (DIC) which provided the Pondicherry Farmers Discussion Club a subsidy to the tune of 25 percent of the unit arranged for training at the Biocentre in SRI for cost. Similarly, Indian Bank has extended about 100 leading farmers. financial support to the SHGs at Thirukanchi to start group-based enterprises like dairying The Biocouncil has formed its own cultural group and acquiring a tractor. with SHG members. The group staged the play Thullal on the occasion of the International System Rice Intensification (SRI): Women’s Day at Pondicherry and during the Experiments on SRI continued during Samba Annual Review (2003-2004) at MSSRF in (Sep 2002- Feb 2003), Navarai (Feb- May Chennai. MSSRF has been helping the 2003) and Swarnavari (May-Aug 2003) Government of Pondicherry to develop seasons. The Navarai and Swarnavari seasons perspectives and design and implement showed severe scorching as the tender development programmes in keeping with the seedlings (8-14 days old) transplanted with Millennium Development Goals declared by the more spacing and minimal stand of water (1-2 United Nations. cm height, wettings and drying method) were not able to withstand high temperatures. After The Biocouncil has been consciously involved four trials, it has been decided that for in strengthening its activities. It has been Pondicherry region, the SRI best suits the decided that in future, importance would be samba season (Aug-Feb) and not Navarai or given to training in institutional management Swarnavari seasons. and capacity building for Biocouncil members. The responsibilities of Biocentre management The biovillage farmers from Kannivadi and will be gradually transferred from MSSRF to Chidambaram visited the Biocentre and nearly the Biocouncil.

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301.1.3 Kendrapara, Orissa programme, produced about 54 qtls/ha. Demonstrations on vegetable crops were taken The project concentrated its activities in up in two villages. The crops cultivated were Manitiri, Niyamatpur and Padagayaspur villages bitter gourd, ridge gourd, lady’s finger, spinach, of Rajagarh Grama Panchayat (GP) in tomato and green leaves in Narendrapur unit Mahakalapara Block. Activities were initiated and banana, lady’s finger, tomato, chilli and in 3 new villages viz. Balia, Narendrapur and cowpea in Padagayaspur unit. One SHG in Nembera of Kuhudi GP in Marsaghai Block of Padagayaspur planted the tomato variety BT- Kendrapara district. The focal points of the 10 in 15 cents of land with seeds the group had activities were the organisation of grassroot retained from their demonstration crop last year. institutions and their linkage with credit They harvested about 8 qtls (135 qtls/ha). institutions, introduction to and training in About 1 kilogram of annual moringa seeds was alternate agricultural activities, micro enterprise distributed among the SHG members in the development, training and capacity building, three new villages under the nutrition initiatives to address food and water security, programme. disaster management and networking. Off-farm activities: Agro-based activities such Organising SHGs and their linkage with financial as pisciculture, backyard poultry and backyard institutions for availing of credit to initiate micro mushroom culture were the three important enterprises has gained momentum. Twenty- micro enterprises taken up at the community three SHGs were organised in 6 villages with a level. Pisciculture has been identified as the total enrolment of 337 members of whom 289 most potential enterprise for the region. Non- (85%) were women, with a financial transaction agro based activities like trolley rickshaw of Rs 4.89 lakhs. A sum of Rs 2.34 lakhs was pulling, dealership in fertilisers, turmeric powder, sanctioned to 2 SHGs under the Swarna Jayanti rice, domestic consumables, paper packets and Swarojgar Yojana (SJSY) scheme. snacks are being tried at the group level in On-farm interventions: Demonstrations on different villages. organic practices in rice and sunflower Resource personnel from government cultivation on rice fallows were taken up. The departments, universities, banks and NGOs outputs were striking and encouraging. The yield and experienced farmers, imparted training on of rice following organic practice was about 42.0 topics relating to field crops, vegetable and fruit qtls./ha which is quite comparable with the result crops, preservation techniques, IPM, INM, of the recommended practice (44.0 qtls/ha) and dairy, pisciculture, mushroom culture, grain about 40% higher than that (30.0 qtls/ha) at storage, SHG linkage and managerial capacity, local practice. The yield of sunflower, a new record maintenance and accounting, suitable introduction on rice fallow, was 17 qtls./ha. The micro enterprises etc., with demonstrations. rice variety Co-43 brought from TN and grown Under the food and water security programme, in 14 cents of land under the seed multiplication

ECOTECHNOLOGY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ about 27 qtls of paddy was given as loan to 37 season and it would be difficult to carry out households in Khardasahi from the community controlled demonstration of precision farming grain bank. Also an old silted village pond in techniques, the project has started focusing Manitri which usually becomes dry soon after on improving the cultivation practices of the the monsoon ceases, was renovated and now post-monsoon crops in order to create the water is available for the domestic use of necessary impact. Training has been given in villagers throughout the year. banana cultivation, vermicompost and organic composting, mushroom production and The cyclone-shelter cum vocational training pisciculture. These trainings are SHG-based and centre (Mallikapur) and multipurpose building are being carried out to enable the interlinking (Gayaspur) in Orissa are always kept ready to of these activities following the IIFS concepts. mitigate the ravages of natural calamities at Meanwhile, the project is also facilitating the any time. The building at Gayaspur is also SHGs in taking up the community ponds on extensively used for activities like training and lease from the village Panchayat. This will demonstrations, meetings of the community, enable the SHGs to store water that would be Government organisations and NGOs, village required for post-monsoon cultivation. During recreational activities etc. throughout the year. this period 237 trainee days were completed. The project staff and the women SHGs of Manitri, Padagayaspur and Neeyamitapur took Networking and linkages with various an active part in flood relief activities and Government Departments and banks have distributed food and clothes to the affected been established and information about the families in Mahakalapara Block. various Government s chemes is being collected. As part of the post-harvest value The project has initiated activities in addition for paddy, the project is jointly working Mahakalapara Block of Kendrapara District for with Paddy Processing Research Centre preparation of the baseline survey and PRA (PPRC), Thanjavur, in improving the existing exercises to determine the resource base and techniques of paddy parboiling. PPRC has plan for future activities. developed low-cost prototypes that ensure The problems associated with this region are uniform hardening (gelatinisation) of the paddy water logging and floods during the rainy in the parboiling process. This system will be season. In general, the cropping pattern field-tested and if accepted by the community, consists of paddy being cultivated mostly under necessary support for establishing parboiling rainfed conditions and a few farmers cultivating as an SHG enterprise will be initiated. green gram as a second crop. 301.2 Hill Region The project has initiated training and 301.2.1 Thonimalai demonstration at the project site. As flooding is common in this area during the monsoon Thonimalai is located in the western slopes of

ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ the Kodaikanal hills in Dindigul district, behind exercises were conducted to learn about the Kannivadi in Reddiyarchatram block. The area production methods, especially soil receives an annual average rainfall of nearly management and pest management in the 1,100 mm from both the southwest and plantations. Around 85 small and marginal northeast monsoons. The soil texture varies farmers in the region have been brought from red sandy to clay and humus soil together to form a formal group to ensure scale depending upon the adjacent vegetation, parent advantage in the market. An Internal Control material and topography. The soil pH varies from System (ICS) or regular monitoring mechanism 4-6.5. Millet-based subsistence cropping which consists of documents on farmers’ system has given way to commercial plantation contracts, farm entrance form and risk system during the recent past and by default it assessment status for each field unit. was is under organic condition. The region consists initiated, with technical inputs from IMO of 90 households; nearly 37% of the farmers (Institute for Marketecology), Bangalore, an have less than one ha of land; 40% of them international organic certifying agency. have 1–2 ha and about 23% of them hold more Discussions were held to overcome the than 2 ha of land. Multi-tiered plantation is the constraints through agronomic management main livelihood, supplemented by backyard and a training plan was prepared. Apart from goat and horse rearing. these, the post-harvest management practices in coffee had to be improved to get cleaner The school constructed last year at the initiative products. The farmers have registered society of the villagers is functioning smoothly and in and availed of assistance from the Coffee Board the second year, the total strength of the school to set up a community-based post-harvest has almost doubled. The VKC has been focusing processing unit. The community provided the on meeting the information needs and imparting land for the same and the Coffee Board functional literacy to nearly 50 participants. The provided the necessary technical, financial and video conferencing facility has been used for instrumental support to establish the facility. information sharing as well as training The availability of such infrastructural facility programmes. But the full potential of the facility for post-harvest processing within the could not be used regularly due to frequent production zone will help the farmers to maintain technical problems. the organic nature and quality of the coffee Organic farming: Efforts were continued to bean. identify markets and start the marketing Strengthening traditional skill through Apiculture: process. Discussions were initiated with three In the forest area, the Pulayans have been export agencies and based on their request, traditionally involved in honey collection for the initial appraisal and quality tests were carried market as well as for subsistence. Due to the out on coffee and lemon. A farm survey was decline in forest resources, they are finding it completed and a report prepared. Similarly PRA difficult to spot honey combs and engage in

ECOTECHNOLOGY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ honey collection. Hence, it was decided to start involved in agriculture with 55.56 percent of the apiculture as an income generation activity. total area under agriculture and 29,568 Subsequently the tribal men were mobilized as households directly depending on it. More than a SHG. The members developed the proposal fifty percent of the farm households are small and submitted it to Tamil Nadu Adidravidar and marginal, while 17.80 and 11.40 percent of Development Corporation (THADCO) for the households belong to medium and large financial assistance. THADCO approved the landholders. The cropping pattern includes proposal and released an amount of Rs 1.57 vegetables, cotton, sugarcane, pulses, maize, lakhs as a grant for training and establishing chickpea, lowland paddy and millets. the production units. The members were trained Agricultural labour is the main livelihood source in the different techniques of apiculture, for the non-landholding families. resource inventory and planning, extraction Grassroot institutions as development methods and quality control by the Keystone agencies Foundation, Kothagiri, Nilgris, a premier institute in apiculture. Reddiarchatram Seed Growers Association (RSGA): The activities of RSGA include Community certificate: At the Pulayan colony linkages with various seed and marketing in Thonimalai village, 15 families have received companies to get quality seeds and other community, nativity and income certificates for inputs, fixing prices, regulating payments, the first time. This will help them to get their organising training programmes, mobilising legal identity and prove their social status. It capital and negotiating with universities and will also pave the way for them to receive the other institutions for breeder and foundation special provisions meant for SCs and STs. seeds and field demonstrations. The 301.3 Semi-Arid Region Association has been focusing on networking and forging appropriate linkages with various 301.3.1 Kannivadi marketing, financial, technical and Kannivadi region is located in Reddiarchatram developmental agencies. Through these block of Dindigul district in TN. The total processes the Association is developing the population of the block is 87,788 with a sex skill to negotiate and enhance its bargaining ratio of 1: 0.98 male to female population. The power. literacy rate among the male population is nearly Gradually, the Association has developed its 52 percent, whereas among the women it is own perspective on poverty alleviation and only 40 percent. About 12 percent of the sustainable development. It organised need- households are Below Poverty Line and almost based training and capacity building 20 percent of the total households belong to programmes for farmers as well as agricultural socially disadvantaged sections of the labourers, and 2,250 trainee days were community. The majority of the population is

ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ completed. The multimedia database on crops region indicate that SRI can increase the grain generated last year, was further updated by yield by more than 30% with considerable adding plantation crops like coffee, pepper and reduction in the quantum of water. It was lemon that are grown in the nearby hills. Also decided to carry out demonstration trials in two new training materials in print form as well as different regions of Kannivadi. Due to poor CD form, on weed management, soil monsoon only two farmers could be identified management, water management, SRI, to carry out the demonstration. The necessary biofertilisers, nutrient management and climate technical details were given to the farmers and and weather forecasting were developed and the trial was carried out through close monitoring circulated among the farmers. Two audio and guidance, using the paddy variety called cassettes were produced on the best case ADT 38. Farmers from the Vannampatti village studies from the farmers in the region, covering as well as rice growing farmers in other regions current issues pertaining to sustainable were taken to the field during the different agriculture. The association regularly arranges phases of crop growth. Finally farmers programmes on All India Radio, Madurai. evaluated the SRI paddy in comparison with conventional cultivation. The results are given Demonstrations were part of the capacity in Table 3.2. The Table shows that in both the building process of RSGA. Two demonstrations fields the SRI method was found superior to were organised on SRI and IPM practices in the conventional cultivation method. An cotton. increased yield of more than 35- 50 percent In the Kannivadi region paddy is cultivated using was noticed, along with decrease in seed rate both well and tank irrigation and water is the as well as field duration. The nursery critical input in the irrigated farming system. management, as well as related cost, was also The experiences from different parts of the very low compared to the farmers’ practice. This

Table 3.2: Comparison of SRI and conventional method of paddy cultivation

Parameters SRI Farmer I SRI Farmer II Conventional practice

Total number of tillers 28 45 18 Total number of productive tillers 24 38 13 Number of grains per plant 230 275 220 Yield /(Kg/ha) 7500 9750 4056 Labour requirements· Planting 40 25 Weeding 30 25 Harvesting 20 20 Seed rate (kg/ha) 5 6 30

ECOTECHNOLOGY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ system has gained momentum among the A local fortnightly Seithisolai, which covers a farmers and nearly 45 farmers have shown wide range of topics of local interest, is being interest in trying out this new method in their published. It covers aspects like farming own fields in the coming season. The agricultural practices, weather forecast, tips for pest and extension officials and farmers from neighboring disease management, employment states visited the fields and appreciated the opportunities etc. The VKCs, farmers’ method and efforts. associations and Kulumai conduct need assessment periodically for the content. It is Pest management has been a critical factor in distributed to the people in the region through cotton cultivation. The price rise in the market the members of SHGs and farmers’ motivated several farmers to take up cotton associations. A content analysis made for the cultivation. But the need for heavy application past eleven months reveals that SHGs, micro of pesticides raised the cost of production and enterprises and rural ecopreneurship need to consequently reduced the profitability in cotton be given more importance. cultivation as well as caused irreversible damage to the environment. To tide over this, The Association manages a market website an IPM approach in cotton has been which provides information on Oddanchatram demonstrated, following the combination of vegetable market trends in terms of quality, cultural, biological and other non-chemical stock, price and traders on a daily basis. The methods. It enhanced awareness and objective is to expand the trade in the helped to develop a positive approach among Oddanchatram vegetable market and attract the farmers on the use of IPM strategies. buyers from national and international markets, thereby enabling the rural community to get The access to information was further better prices for their products. So far, it has strengthened by initiating a local community attracted business worth Rs 70 lakhs. The cable audio-video programme at T Pudupatty, recorded daily data on various vegetables is in collaboration with the local cable operator. It being analysed and will be used in market-based was decided to start with a one-hour programme crop planning for the region. per day on the cable network. The Association has been developing the contents for the With the objective of expanding the market telecast. The local VKC helps to identify the network at the international level, workshops needs of the villagers for that week by were organised at Chennai and Dindigul for organising need assessment regularly. In the merchants of Oddanchatram with the support process it was learnt that the telecast interval of RSGA members. Experts from EXIM bank can be increased from daily to once in three and professionals from export agencies days due to the difficulty in developing content explained the steps in accessing the export as well as the nature of the needs of the market. Now, traders are marketing their community. products in South-East Asian and Gulf

ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ countries. Subsequent to the meetings, the steps taken to install a simple non-recording commission agents formed a group to intensify rain gauge. Also climatological analysis and the export business. They have also agreed to variability studies were carried out using rainfall extend financial support to host a website and data for the last 20 years and based on that, it was decided to establish a knowledge centre simple computer-based training material was in the market itself to hasten the process. prepared and used in the training programmes.

RSGA has been effectively managing the B- The Association shared their experiences and type observatory established at Kannivadi. The trained farmers from Kendrapara district of details of locale specific forecast for the next Orissa in training and decentralised and four days are communicated to the villagers distance learning methods, developing print and through VKCs and bulletin boards regularly, in computer based crop specific and theme based addition to the local cable network. The training materials for horizontal transfer of Association has generated a training module knowledge and networking with other farmers’ in print form which is being shared with other associations in the region. farmers’ associations in the district, KVKs, private plantations, sugarcane mills and Kulumai – Federation of SHGs: Kulumai is extension officials. Consequently many of them strengthening its capacity to act as a community are seeking forecast information from RSGA bank apart from acting as a forum for social for planning and decision-making. A small user’s mobilization for collective action, capacity survey was organised to find out the extent of building and social and economic awareness and relevance of the forecast to the empowerment. It consists of 111 SHGs, with a different sections of the community. The results strength of 1,512 members. Nearly 62 percent revealed that 96% of the informants are aware of them belong to women’s groups, 30 percent of the forecast information and 57% mentioned belong to men’s groups and nine percent are that their source is the bulletin board. Regarding from mixed groups. The annual turnover of the its usefulness, 25% have rated this as highly federation is Rs 148.7 lakh. During the last year useful, 68% useful to some extent and 4.9% 19,752 trainee days were organized, benefiting have responded negatively. The response on 661 individuals. The focus was on SHG reliability also differs; 4% regarded the forecast management, ICT, health and nutrition, to be well correlated, 81% as correlated to some grassroot institution building, ecoenterprises, extent and 16% as not correlated at all. Based functional literacy, export marketing, organic on the feedback, necessary steps have been farming etc. The intragroup transactions were taken to create awareness on the availability mainly for the purposes of agriculture, children’s of the information in remote villages. In order education, medical expenses, house to find the correlation between the predicted construction and remodeling, purchase of versus observed over the spatial scale, three livestock, village festivals and other sites were identified in three directions and ceremonies. The federation is expanding and

ECOTECHNOLOGY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ strengthening its network with the help of local Computer-based functional literacy: After the commercial banks, DRDA and NGOs. These evaluation of the project by external evaluators, organisations help in the grading of SHGs by a new set of participants was identified and the DRDA and forwarding applications to the given training in reading and writing. It is bank to avail of loans. In this context, an area acknowledged that the programme is cost of concern is the suitability of the SHG template effective, unlike conventional government- to mobilise the poorest among the poor rural sponsored non-formal education programmes. families. Within the last two years almost thirty National level agencies working on non-formal SHGs have become defunct due to their literacy have accepted the model and a proposal inability to make the regular repayments and has been submitted to strengthen the model adhere to other norms. for wider replication.

Community informatics: The hub of the VKCs, Replication of Variable Rate Technology: In order located at Kannivadi, continued to function as to disseminate the Variable rate Application an active centre for information access and Technology (VAT) under the pulse village computer-based training in sustainable programme at Sriramapuram, Dindigul District, agriculture. The dynamic information database, studies were carried out in the use of Remote which covers various aspects, was updated Sensing (RS) technique in determining periodically in all the four centres. The centre correlations between soil properties (macro provides information on commodity-based nutrients, organic carbon and pH) and spectral market trends, government schemes, values derived from satellite imageries. The soil educational opportunities, simple remedies samples collected in November 2003 were based on locally available medicinal plants, compared with the RS data of May 2000. The agriculture, pest management and input details. results have shown that there is significant On an average nearly 390 members visited the correlation for available phosphorus and the centre for various purposes in a month. Nearly pattern of soil nutrients was closely related to 77% of the total visitors (4,671) approached the spectral index. This experiment will be the centres to seek information. The knowledge repeated with simultaneous remote sensing and centres were actively involved in training the field data in the coming year, to fine tune the farmers on quality literacy, especially Codex decision support system being developed for Alimentarius and Sanitary and Phyto Sanitary farmers, in collaboration with Space Application (SPS) measures of WTO, and food and Centre (ISRO), Ahmedabad. nutritional security. Computer based training Food and nutritional security: The results of the materials have been prepared and used in the initial baseline study conducted during the training programmes. Many of the students in previous year were analised to elucidate the the villages used the centres to learn the basic exact nutritional status of the people at computer skills. Samiarpatty and Thonimalai, Kannivadi region,

ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Dindigul. A long-term analysis was planned to developmental workers. In order to expand and obtain a deeper perspective of their nutritional sustain the market network, the unit has status. Data regarding age, sex, physical advertised in a web page, with the support of activity for the day and the intake pattern was Trade India Infocom network. This resulted in collected from selected households in each getting new market linkages. The group has village every day and was subjected to analysis. been formally registered and acquired the PAN The analysis was done using a database card as well as export-import license to export created in Visual Basic 6. Daily results were their products. The group repaid the loan amount tabulated and subjected to analysis on a weekly of Rs 25,000 to Canara Bank, Kannivadi as and monthly basis. The results showed that per the repayment schedule. The unit has been there was a wide deviation between the iron facing constraints such as water scarcity during consumption and recommended allowance, summer months but has a consistent market leading to chronic iron deficiency; the demand. consumption patterns of other nutrients were better, though they were not up to the Trichogramma biopesticide production: Three recommended levels. different SHGs have been involved in the production of trichogramma biopesticide. The In order to address the core problems and to first two groups viz., Poomani and Kavikuyil reduce nutritional deficiency, training SHGs are acting as resource persons to other programmes were chosen as the preliminary SHGs in the district and state. The third group, step. Training programmes on basic nutrition, Chinnammal SHG has recently started a health and hygiene, contamination, maternal production unit. Land has been purchased and and foetal nutrition, and some other registered in the name of the SHG. The three demonstrative training programmes were groups have been collectively involved in conducted. After each programme, feedback marketing. The Kavikuil and Chinnammal group was collected from the villagers and used for received a loan with subsidy from DRDA, improving subsequent programmes. Dindigul, to expand their unit. They produced nearly 2200cc of pesticide and marketed it to Paper and board from banana waste: The sugar companies and local farmers. Each Jansirani women’s SHG has been involved in group generated nearly 800 labour days and identifying new market linkages and expanding the production has covered around 450 acres. their capacity to meet market needs. Need- The major constraints in production are pest based training programmes were organised to and disease management. The incidence of enhance their skill in paper production and Tribolium and a fungal disease are major reducing wastages. The group members challenges to the production. The rate of participated in district, state and national level production per tray was also very low (6.78 exhibitions and shared their experiences with bank officials, NGOs, farmers’ associations and cc/tray) as compared to its potential (average

ECOTECHNOLOGY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

25 cc/tray), and resulted in low income. The a biopesticide, which protects plants from major reasons for the reduction in production harmful fungi, bacteria and nematode. It is and pest and disease management strategies useful against fungal and bacterial leaf spot, were discussed and necessary remedial root rot of paddy, vegetables, pepper, measures are being taken to overcome the groundnut, grain legumes, banana, betel vine problems. and cotton. It helps plant growth through the production of growth hormones, multiplies Trichoderma viride: The production unit at quickly in the soil and prevents the growth of S Pudur has refined and stabilised its harmful microbial species. The faculty of the production technology. During the initial period, Department of Plant Pathology, TNAU, the production rate was very low (on an average Coimbatore, trained the group on production 100 kgs/month), but gradually the group methods as well as quality control techniques. developed skills in the various processes of The group prepared the business proposal and production. Due to the painstaking and submitted it to the bank under THADCO meticulous efforts of the group, the production assistance scheme. The bank sanctioned the cost, as well as the rate of production, has loan and the group established a production improved considerably. They were able to unit with a capacity of around one ton per reduce the cost by nearly 40% over a period month. The group has entered into a market of six months. The unit generated 600 labour agreement with a private agro-input dealer, days and produced 2.2 tonnes last year. The based at Trichy. It is planned in such a way group had entered into a marketing agreement that the unit can generate 1,200 labour days with a biofertiliser dealer to sell their produce with an additional income of Rs 800 per but due to poor monsoon and continuous member per month. drought all over the state, the company could not lift the product as per the agreement. It Integrated scientific dairy: Fifteen SHGs came was able to market only 50% of the product. together to take up the business. The group From this the group members have learnt that organised a study on the availability of there is a need to identify multiple market resources to support the additional livestock sources to sustain their production. The group population. Initial discussions were carried out members are actively involved in exploring with Hatsun Agro Products for market linkage additional market linkages. as well as technical support for scientific dairy management. New initiatives Low cost production of biofertiliser: Developing Decentralised production of Pseudomonas a model of decentralised low-cost biofertiliser flourscens: A SHG with landless agricultural production unit at the village level would help women labourers was identified by Kulumai to to harness the benefits and promote the use of initiate the production of Pseudomonas. It is biological software in promoting sustainable

ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ agriculture. The problems faced in using these 301.4 National Network of inputs are timely availability, the quality of the Biovillages and Community biofertiliser and the effectiveness of the strains Banking being used. To address these issues it was planned to evolve a low-cost production unit The programme aspires to become the epicentre for azosprillum and phosphobacteria, which can of a SHG revolution, focusing on initiating be taken up as an ecoenterprise by women market driven enterprises supported by SHGs at the village level. A preliminary appropriate credit. The aim is to ensure that discussion was held with the RSGA and the SHGs become economically sustainable Kulumai and the concept was presented to and develop self-replicating models. Through them. The general feedback from the group was its network, the programme has extended the obtained on the appropriateness of such an concept of Biovillage to other states such as initiative in this area. The farmers were asked Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and to assess the availability of the products and Rajasthan. prevailing usage pattern. Further discussions The Programme continues to facilitate the with Kulumai will be held in identifying the network of grassroots institutions like SHG probable SHG, which will take up this activity. Federations and Farmers’ Associations with RSGA has agreed to promote awareness in banks, government departments, educational using biological inputs and help in identifying institutions and universities, to enable them to farmers to carry out the field trials at the understand the potential of sustainable natural appropriate time.

Table 3.3: List of Ecoenterprises started in various project areas

Project Area Enterprises Number of units Members involved

Chidambaram Lift irrigation 6 98 Jeypore Agriculture and goat rearing 3 40 Kakinada Fish, milk, rice vending 6 60 Kannivadi Biopesticide & banking 2 23 Karaikal Trading 1 9 Kendrapara Community pond, tricycle, tailoring, 4 50 Kolli Hills Trading, vermicompost, millets 3 35 Kudankulam Trading, communication & poultry 8 76 Nagapattinam Cashew nut & coconut processing 7 74 Pondicherry Eco-transport, bio-fungicide, dairy and biogas 14 144 Wayanad Book binding, goat rearing, dairy 3 41

Total 57 650

ECOTECHNOLOGY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ resource management and to introduce various quinalphos. For example, the pesticide residue livelihood opportunities. in soil with pesticide+Cipadessa baccifera decreased from 0.99 on zero day to non Ecoenterprises were started in many project detectable on the 60th day in the case of areas as shown in Table 3.3 endosulfan, and pesticide+Trichoderma+Melia 301.5 Chennai dubia decreased from 0.21 to non-detectable in the care of endosulfan. It was the same in The Ecotechnology laboratory at Chennai the case of Quinalphos where soil+ concentrates on exploring little-utilised pesticide+Dodonaea proved effective in indigenous plants and is engaged in mass reducing the pesticide residue. multiplication of laboratory host of Bioassay Trichogramma. Basic biochemical characteristics of the pest, H. armigera were Clausena dentate, locally called Aanai thazhai, studied before taking up bioassay. is a well-known multi-purpose plant used by Malayali tribals of Kolli Hills. Research was Pesticide degradation using leaves of carried out to identify the pesticidal characters indigenous plants if any, as well as biochemical and genetic A study on pesticide degradation, using four changes in Helicoverpa armigera treated with plant species namely Clausena dentata, the extract. Different solvents (hexane, Cipadessa baccifera, Melia dubia and Dodonaea petroleum ether, chloroform, acetone and angustifolia was carried out. The powdered water) in extracts of the test plant affected the leaves of these plants (with and without pupation and adult emergence of H. armigera, Trichoderma) were incorporated in soil fortified the most effective being chloroform and hexane with recommended doses of pesticides extracts. In second generation adults, the (acephate, endosulfan and quinalphos). The number of fertile eggs laid and hatchability physical parameters (pH and moisture content) were considerably reduced in petroleum ether and biological parameters (total bacteria, fungi extract. and actinomycetes count) showed an increase, Mass production of Corcyra cephalonica 40 and 60 days after incorporation. The chemical parameter (organic carbon and The Unit was involved in the mass multiplication available nitrogen) though less in the initial of rice moth, C. cephalonica to maintain stage, increased gradually thereafter. The most inoculum source as well as to supply fresh interesting observation of pesticide residues of eggs to SHGs based at Kannivadi and to the acephate, endosulfan and quinalphos in soil Biocentre, Pillayarkuppam. This supplementary samples (0 and 60 days after incorporation) source of host eggs helped the field centres showed non-detectable in the case of acephate to produce Trichogramma. and satisfactory reduction in endosulfan and

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Training sugar, total sugars and other biochemical parameters. In addition to this, the nutrient Training was given to Tamarai SHG based at profile of Panchakavya, a local growth promoter, Kodathur, Pondicherry, to establish and maintain was also analysed. the Trichogramma unit. Awareness on IPM and biocontrol methods coupled with interactive Networking and partnership training sessions, helped them to maintain the building unit. The staff and farmers of Jeypore, Orissa and Wayanad were trained in IPM and biocontrol The Centre has been collaborating with several particularly, Trichogramma. organisations to meet project needs and to address their requirements. It also plays the New initiative at the field level role of facilitator in developing linkages between Paddy stem borer, Scirpophaga incertulas was development agencies and the local grassroot managed through the use of T. japonicum in a institutions. The list includes government participatory mode with the local farmers of departments, NGOs, banks, educational and Manikollai, Chidambaram. The slow spread of research institutes, extension departments, the awareness and periodical demonstration of the corporate sector and grassroot institutions. usage of T. japonicum has opened the doors In collaboration with State Bank of India Rural for further experimentation. Development Institute, Hyderabad, the Centre Soil, water and plant analysis organised two training programme for SBI officials representing 15 different states of India Before sowing a new crop, it is necessary to on Credit Linked Biovillages. Another training screen the nutrients left behind in the soil by programme was conducted for Extension the previous crop. Identification of soil health officials of Agriculture and Horticulture on ICT problems and need-based application in the Enabled extension approaches jointly with form of nutrients would help to minimise the TNAU. In another programme the officials of loss in crop yield. Nearly 492 soil samples from the Public Works Department of TN government various field sites such as Kannivadi, Kolli Hills, were given training on rural development, with Pondicherry, Chidambaram, Villipuram and water as the central theme. The Central Chennai were analysed for major nutrients, Planning Commission has involved the Centre namely N, P, K and organic carbon for the in the preparation of the State Development recommendation of exact nutrients required by Report for the state of Pondicherry, in the succeeding crop. Compost (4 samples) from collaboration with Madras Institute of Chidambaram and Kolli Hills were analysed for Developmental Studies (MIDS) and Institute for total NPK, moisture and organic carbon. Financial Management and Research (IFMR), Vegetables kept in zero energy cool chamber Chennai. The Centre has helped Women’s Indian were analysed for total soluble solids, reducing Association (WIA) and Krishnamurthy

ECOTECHNOLOGY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

International Agricultural Foundation, Chennai, The number of rainy days in the year was only to implement low cost greenhouse for 39. However, the total rainfall during Kharif and vegetable cultivation at the Government Rabi was 632 mm. The effect of mulching along Leprosy Rehabilitation Home located in with land treatment was demonstrated in the Maneripatty village of Thanjavur district. farmers’ fields under such sub-normal rainfall conditions. As against the yield of 63 kg and 168 kg per ha of greengram and redgram Sub Programme Area 302 respectively, obtained under farmers’ practice, the effect of land treatment through ridges and Sustainable Management of Natural furrows and tied ridging along with mulching and Resources for Food Security application of enriched compost, improved the yield to the extent of 180 kg and 526 kg per ha The MSSRF-OSU project on sustainable of greengram and redgram respectively. management of natural resources, funded by To demonstrate better water use efficiency, a Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, is being implemented in gravitational drip system of irrigation was 3 project sites viz., Pudukottai, covering the installed with a syntex tank of 400 ltr capacity red soils; Narasinghpur and Hoshangabad in a farmer’s field with tomato as test crop. districts of Madhya Pradesh, covering the black Every day 800 ltr of water was used for irrigation soils and Nawanshahar and Faridkot districts through drip, totaling 58 times of watering during of Punjab, covering alluvial soils. The project the crop period and a yield of 19.2 tons / ha of operates through the demonstration-and-training tomato was obtained. Saving of about 74% of mode for disseminating improved agricultural water under drip system as compared to the land and water management practices that normal method of irrigation was convincingly enhance food security and environmental demonstrated to the farmers. Another quality. This is the third year of operation of demonstration was laid out at Kannivadi where the project. there was 62% deficit in rainfall last year with the chillies variety Namdhary. 302.1 Pudukottai, Tamil Nadu Women Self Help Group activities Demonstrations The Mangayi Amman SHG at Ariyamuthupatti The programme at Pudukottai is being scaled up the Trichogramma parasite cards with implemented directly by MSSRF at market tie-up with EID Sugar Factory. A SHG Ariyamuthupatti village and at Kannivadi in at Maringipatti was also initiated into the Dindigul district. production of Trichogramma with a loan of At Ariyamuthupatti, due to insufficient rainfall Rs 1.2 lakhs arranged through DRDA. during the Kharif season (267 mm), the main crop of redgram suffered and the yield was low. Benefit under the Wasteland Development

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Project was extended to Maringipatti village in land management and agricultural practices 20 ha area by planting both sapota and mango such as integrated nutrient management and grafts. Moisture conservation measures such integrated pest management. An average of 5 as pitcher irrigation and mulching for the field trials in farmers’ fields, comparing the establishment of saplings are being ridges-and-furrow method of sowing and flat bed demonstrated. system of sowing produced 16.7 and 8.0 qtl/ha of soybean respectively. Training During the year 14 training programmes were In major black soil areas in Madhya Pradesh, organised, involving 347 trainees on different the Haveli system of cultivation is being topics such as vermi-composting, micro practised, whereby the fields are kept enterprises, Goverment assistance, soil testing, impounded with water during Kharif rain and bio-fertiliser use, tricho card production and after draining the excess water, wheat or gram turkey rearing. A soil testing campaign was crop is grown during Rabi. With the collaboration organised in collaboration with the Soil Testing of the Regional Centre of the Central Institute Laboratory, Kudimianmalai and 60 Soil Health of Fisheries Education, the practice of fish culture in the water-logged fields during Kharif Cards were distributed to the respective farmers. was demonstrated. as profitable proposition as 302.2 Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi detailed in Table 3.4 Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur Similarly, the planting of wheat and gram in In the black soil areas of Madhya Pradesh, raised-sunken bed system of cultivation was receiving more than 1000 mm of rainfall, more than planting in flat beds. The system inadequate land and water management consists of an array of raised and sunken beds practices affect crop production to a great of 8 m width with an elevation difference of 30 extent. The field trials conducted in farmers’ cm. fields demonstrated the superiority of improved

Table 3.4: Result of fish-wheat /gram rotations

Treatment Production Cost of cultivation Gross income Net return (q/ha) (Rs.) (Rs./ha) (Rs./ha)

Fish-wheat rotation Fish 11.0 12,576 27,500 14,924 Wheat 24.8 7,092 14,880 7,788 Total 19,668 42,380 22,712 Fish-gram rotation Fish 11.0 12,576 27,500 14,924 Gram 18.5 6,616 21,737 15,121 Total 19,192 49,237 30,045

ECOTECHNOLOGY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Intercropping of soybean with pigeon pea is maize–toria–gobhi/sarson in Nawanshahar being promoted in the predominantly district which demand less water than the rice- monoculture area with soybean as the main wheat cropping system. A district-level survey crop. Four lines of soybean and two lines of showed that in Nawanshahar district the area pigeon pea were sown and demonstrated as a under rice cultivation has decreased by 9.7% more profitable intercropping system in 6 and area under maize has increased by 13.2%. farmers’ fields. The net return from sole crop In Faridkot district the area under cotton has of soybean, sole crop of pigeon pea and increased by 20%. soybean intercropped with pigeon pea was Intercropping trials with gobhi/sarson and peas Rs 12,155, 19,330 and 28,210/ha respectively. in sugarcane showed the possibility of higher income from the total cropping system as Training against the cultivation of sugarcane alone as A total number of 950 trainee days were the main crop. completed during the year, covering various Similarly, intercropping in poplar plantations with aspects of improved agricultural and land and wheat/moong/maize and sugarcane have water management practices. demonstrated the benefit of the agro-forestry 302.3 Punjab Agricultural system in areas predominantly used for University, Ludhiana cultivation of annual crops. A demonstration on inland fish culture in a The major field problems in this region are farmer’s field is being continued at village excessive use of ground water and energy for Nathawala Nawan in district Faridkot. During irrigation in rice-wheat rotation and crop residue the year 26.3 quintals of fish were harvested management. from a pond of one ha area. Alternate cropping systems for rice-wheat were Training at Langroya and Faridkot tried at 4 locations in Nawanshahar and 2 locations in Faridkot district. The demon- A total of 14 training programmes at Langroya strations brought out the possibility of going in KVK Centre, 12 programmes at Faridkot for alternate cropping systems such as Regional Station and 1 training programme on American cotton-wheat or Desi cotton-wheat/ making compost from rice straw at Ludhiana gram in Faridkot district and maize–wheat or were conducted during the year . v

91 Programme Area 400

Reaching the Unreached

UDRC for Gender and Development coordinated an Orientation/Refresher Course on Rural Development in June 2004 to help staff understand MSSRF approaches to rural development. Voicing Silence facilitated in the formation of an all-woman rural theatre group drawn from SHG members in the Pondicherry Biovillage project area and provided them theatre training. The group was helped to develop a musical play ‘Thullal’ (Leaping), to tell their story. The President of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, released the Atlas of the Sustainability of Food Security in New Delhi on February 5 2004. Moving from analysis to action, a series of State level consultations are planned this year under “Mission 2007: Hunger free India”. The Resource Centre for Community Food and Feed Banks initiated work on Fodder Banks in Ladakh.

401 Uttara Devi Resource Centre for Gender and Development ------93

402 Voicing Silence ------98

403 BV Rao Centre for Sustainable Food Security ------102

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different disciplines like agricultural sciences, Sub Programme Area 401 environmental sciences, gender, and social work, including nine faculty members from KAU Uttara Devi Resource Centre for along with Dr Geethakutty and Professor Gender and Development K N S Nair, former Vice Chancellor of KAU. This feedback workshop not only helped to sharpen The Centre continues to function in the the objectives and restructure and refine the partnership mode, with reference to both the content but also led to certain key decisions. external and internal mandates. Importantly, it was decided to opt for a generic 401.1 External Mandate module and not a KAU-specific module, thus giving all Universities the option of adapting the Agricultural curriculum module to their context. Next, it was agreed that it should be a core course at the In partnership with Kerala Agricultural University undergraduate level, with optional segments, (KAU), MSSRF has been working for some time which could also be extended to the to introduce the gender dimension in the postgraduate level if needed. curriculum of Agricultural Universities. As part of that process, a 2-credit 16-unit module on At a meeting of the Academic Council of KAU Gender, Agriculture and Rural Livelihoods was in February 2004, Ms Mina Swaminathan made developed for the undergraduate level. Dr Sara a presentation of the module and KAU has Ahmed, distinguished scholar and formerly on agreed to introduce it as an optional subject at the Faculty of the Institute for Rural Management the undergraduate level. The restructured (IRMA), worked on this assignment in her module is likely to be ready by June 2004. It capacity as Visiting Fellow for 2003-04 at the has been planned to have the first orientation UDRC at MSSRF. for the teaching faculty of KAU in January 2005, by which time the final version of the module An outline of the draft module prepared by will be published. Dr Sara Ahmed was circulated in July 2003 to several gender specialists and experts from The CSGCA, KAU, invited UDRC in April 2004, different disciplines, including the KAU faculty, to help facilitate the Expert Consultation to with the support of Dr Geethakutty, Coordinator, develop a training module and manual for Centre for Studies on Gender Concerns in engendering research and extension (KAU- Agriculture (CSGCA), KAU. As per the plan, a NRCWA project). A presentation was made with one-day workshop was convened by UDRC in critical analyses along the gender dimension September 2003 at MSSRF to consolidate the of the present approaches and programmes of feedback from all sources and enable Dr Sara KVK, taking the Kasargode KVK as an to strengthen, refine and finalise the module. example. A few suggestions were made on how Participants for this workshop were drawn from to enhance the efficiency of the team before

ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ starting the exercise. KAU has also decided personnel of various disciplines including to jointly organise a state-level Gender Resource Economics, Biodiversity, Plant Workshop for KVK faculty in Kerala with the Breeding, Sociology and Anthropology at the technical support of UDRC. Chennai office. A seminar was organised on 20th August, 2003, in which she made a New Linkages: Gandhigram Rural University presentation on Gendered Knowledge in (GRU) and KVKs: A new linkage was Agriculture. A trip to Wayanad was also established with GRU towards engendering arranged, to help her to understand the rich the agricultural curriculum. As a first step, a biodiversity of the Western Ghats and the one-day gender orientation programme for the culture and role of the people in conserving it, th senior Faculty of GRU was organised on 25 through interaction with the communities and July 2004. The Heads of various Departments, discussions with the field team at CAbC. The including Home Science, Extension Education jointly drafted proposal is awaiting approval. and Development Studies, participated. The Vice-Chancellor Dr G Pankajam inaugurated 401.2 Internal Mandate the programme and participated throughout The Centre is receiving demands for with great interest. The need to integrate collaboration from various projects within gender concerns in the curriculum of the MSSRF in keeping with its internal mandate. different courses and sensitize the faculty to There has been steady progress in understand their importance was highlighted. mainstreaming the gender process and various After the deliberations it was apparent that initiatives have emerged. Institutional gender sensitisation was required more at the mechanisms to integrate gender concerns are level of extension services and needs to be being evolved in the form of regular inter-project initiated at the KVK. The ICAR has been meetings, networking among projects and approached for financial support and formal action plans for partnership and training. acceptance, in order to put this in practice and make the process systemic and replicable Orientation for women field staff across the country. At the special session on gender issues at Research partnership the Staff Council Meeting in January 2003, the discussion led to some changes in Dr Martina Padmanabhan, Faculty of personnel policies with regard to recruitment Agriculture and Horticulture and Post-Doctoral and support services for women staff as a Fellow, Humboldt University, was at MSSRF strategy to encourage and sustain th rd from 16 to 23 August 2003, to work out a employment of women. It was also realised joint proposal on Institutional Innovations and that a better understanding of the field Biodiversity Conservation. UDRC organised a situations and gender-specific needs of field series of in-house discussions with the workers was essential to sustain the women

REACHING THE UNREACHED ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ staff. To facilitate a lateral learning process, that would be sensitive to women. Dr Krishna UDRC organised an orientation for the women Srinath, Central Institute of Fisheries field staff on 4th August, 2003, to understand Technology (CIFT), Cochin, chaired the session their perceptions of their roles and and representatives from NGOs working among responsibilities, women’s issues and women- tribal and fishing communities, research specific problems in their areas. institutions, agriculture universities, activists and tribal men and women, took part. They The meeting helped to identify certain common demanded attention to gender concerns such concerns and constraints faced at the work as the role of women in the conservation and place by women field staff and to plan for management of bioresources, the role of tribal exchange visits. Ms K Chitra from Namakkal women and fishing women in biodiversity was sent to Pondicherry Biovillage Project for conservation and sustainable usage, the need a week to study the formation and management for recognition and reward for women - as of SHGs and to understand the role of the gatherers, cultivators, conservers, homestead facilitator. This visit enabled her to understand gardeners, etc. and their needs and constraints. the problem-solving techniques in SHGs and The conclusions and recommendations that gave her a better perception of gender-related emerged from the workshop have been issues. It also helped her to guide SHGs in forwarded to the authorities to evolve gender identifying viable enterprises and gain sensitive development strategies in the knowledge on organic cultivation. In February conservation and management of bioresources. 2004, Ms Meenakshi from Pondicherry spent a (See SPA 506) week at Kolli Hills as a Resource Person to strengthen the SHGs with specific reference Gender orientation to the livelihood patterns of the tribal A Gender Orientation Programme was arranged community. in January 2004 in response to several requests Gender and biodiversity from the Site Coordinator, Namakkal to help the field team in understanding and integrating The Swadeshi Science Movement, Kerala, gender concerns in the projects implemented th organised its 13 Congress in collaboration with at the field site. It included a brain-storming th th the CAbC Centre of MSSRF from 6 to 8 exercise on the goals of the Foundation, to November, 2003, at Kalpetta, Wayanad, on the understand the key concepts like development, theme of Crop Diversity and Tribal discrimination, equality and the relations Empowerment. On this occasion, UDRC helped between caste, class and gender. to organise a session on ‘Gender and Biodiversity’ on 7th November 2003 to Subsequent visits to Namakkal helped to understand the perception of women in the identify the following weak areas: team building, conservation of biodiversity and frame a policy perspective, conceptual clarity and project

ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ mode of functioning. An Inter Project planning edible foods is beeing continued to track the meet for the Namakkal field site was held in available gendered traditional knowledge March 2004 to work out strategies for systems. Feedback to the communities through strengthening the teams and creating synergy a series of meetings is helping to work out at the field centres. The meeting helped to feasible plans for interventions that will be evolve certain institutional mechanisms useful to the communities. (See SPA 201.2) namely, setting up a Technical Advisory Sustainability and gender impact analysis Committee for the Namakkal site, a periodic site-based inter-project collective planning and At the Strategic Review meet last year UDRC review process, integration of capacity building had reiterated the importance of mainstreaming of the community and staff in future projects, gender at different stages in the projects: recruitment of social scientists for field planning, recruitment, implementation and projects, orientation for staff and annual monitoring and evaluation and offered its refresher programmes. (See SPA 201.1) support in this regard. One of the responses was from the ICEF-supported Mangrove Accordingly, the in-house Staff Training Conservation Project which sought assistance Committee has recommended that as many of in conducting a Sustainability and Gender the staff represent science disciplines and have Impact Study of the project. After preliminary to play dual roles both as researchers and visits to project sites and development of study project implementers, it is very important for tools, external consultants were identified to them to be oriented on social and gender carry out the study in TN and AP, Orissa being perspectives and the MSSRF approach to omitted for logistic reasons. The reports, development, for the realisation of project goals. besides suggesting strategies for sustainability An Orientation/Refresher Course on Rural and replication, also give some useful insights. Development was held in June 2004, for the One of these is that the areas covered were field staff to help them understand the vision often miniscule in size, and hence the local and mission of the Foundation, and MSSRF’s communities are not powerful in influencing approaches to rural development. decisions at the community/Panchayat level, Study of wild edible foods indicating the role of scale in replicabiltiy and sustainability. The importance of networking The centre supported CAbC to complete the among grass-roots institutions was also report on the study of wild foods from a gender emphasized. (See SPA 101.2). perspective, and it is now ready for publication. A database on the diversity of wild edible In-house research mushrooms and fish resources has been UDRC has taken the initiative to assemble a developed at CAbC. Documentation of the team of in-house social scientists and field collection and management mechanisms of wild researchers to conduct a participatory study

REACHING THE UNREACHED ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ on the differential impact of the grassroots to take a stand on working for women’s structures established during the course of empowerment. MSSRF work, namely SHGs, farmers’ groups Other joint activities and others, on men and women. Other objectives include training the staff on basic To commemorate the International Year of Rice skills of social research and acquainting them 2004, MSSRF has planned a series of events with gender analytical frameworks. Following including regional and technical workshops in a discussion and orientation programme for Kerala, Orissa and the Northeast and a national Staff Council members during the Annual seminar at Chennai on the broad theme of Review in March 2004, methodologies to be ‘Gender, Rice and Food Security’. UDRC has adopted for the study and the tools for data been involved in preparing the concept paper, collection have been developed. The fieldwork designing the workshop with a gender is to be carried out in six sites, four in TN and perspective, identifying resource persons and one each in Kerala and Orissa during July and participants and documenting the outcomes. August 2004. The first workshop was held in Orissa in March 2004. The technical session that focused on Gender workshop participatory breeding and farmers’ rights Taking into consideration that many women- included discussions on the role of women as centred projects are being implemented in the conservers, breeders and cultivators and their field, it was felt that it would be useful to have rights under the Protection of Plant Varieties a better understanding of the concept of Farmers’ Right Act (2001). (See SPA 506) empowerment of women. A one-day Gender Public seminars Workshop on Empowering Rural Women: Actors, Approaches and Advocacy was Two public seminars were organised by UDRC conducted on 1st September 2003 by Visiting on gender-related issues. The first was a public Fellow Dr Sara Ahmed. The workshop began lecture delivered by Dr Sara Ahmed, Visiting with group exercises on the definition and Fellow on 5th September 2003 on Mainstreaming meaning of the concept of empowerment at Gender Equity in Water Management in India different levels: self, in relation to others (family with focus on the Role of Women in and workplace) and in relation to work Participatory Irrigation Management. (programme, projects and policies). This helped the participants to arrive at a common Another public lecture was jointly organised with understanding / definition of empowerment. the U S Consulate of South India to observe th Later the concept of power was taken up for the International Women’s Week on 6 March discussion from four broad viewpoints: power 2004. Two eminent women speakers Dr Josie over, power to, power with and power within. A Bass, President, ALVA Consortium, The interactive sessions helped the participants Washington DC and Ms C K Gariyali, IAS,

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Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu, setting up their own cultural group (music, Directorate of Social Welfare and Noon Meal dance and theatre). In October 2003, this Programme, spoke on the theme of Women’s proposal was discussed in detail at a meeting Political Empowerment. held with 23 women Biovillage Council members eager to start the cultural group and a plan of action emerged. The women Sub Programme Area 402 expressed a desire to use theatre to “tell their story”: their own achievements through the Voicing Silence Biovillages, along with the difficulties experienced on the way and some of the Voicing Silence is a seasonal, small-scale gender issues and social problems faced by activity, without full-time staff, run mostly with women in their communities. The group would the involvement of resource persons drawn enrol members, set up its own rules and upon for short periods at a time. Recognising function independently; our role was to the strengths and the limitations of these provide theatre training and guidance, while features, this year’s programme was the Biovillages unit would bear the training consciously planned to maximise the expenses and provide space and facilities. advantages. Importantly, it was planned to Accordingly, a five-day workshop was held in focus on working with different communities of December 2003, in two phases of two and three women, putting other objectives aside for a days, including a series of theatre exercises, while. experience sharing and music sessions, at the Women’s struggles for development end of which a short musical play of about 20 minutes duration, titled Thullal (Leaping) was In accordance with the policy of greater internal evolved, encapsulating some of these ideas. networking and synergy, initiated after the The play was then rehearsed and polished for Strategic Planning Review held in March 2003, performance through fortnightly rehearsals in it was decided to work more closely with other January and February 2004 and a couple of programmes / units of MSSRF and explore informal shows, almost like dress rehearsals, common themes through the modality of were held in nearby villages. The show was theatre. “premiered” at the annual gathering held at the A new link was established with the Biocentre to celebrate International Women’s Biovillages in Pondicherry, from which an all- Day in the first week of March 2004, to an woman rural theatre group has emerged. appreciative audience of about 800 women. Members of SHGs in Pondicherry, working Regular performances in surrounding villages with MSSRF support, had heard about our are planned, the success of which will work in theatre and approached us for help in determine the future evolution of the group.

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Performances audiences. The idea had hence been dropped, but it now seems that it had only been dormant, Interest in plays developed earlier with / for and the women themselves revived it at a traditional women performing artistes meeting held in early December. It was decided continues, as indicated by Tables 4.1 and 4.2. that to begin with, they would function as a There is still a modest demand for this kind of seasonal company, without withdrawing from theatre in urban areas, but special efforts need their parent companies, and performing only to be made to create an awareness about the when they were all free from their regular specialised art form. The women meanwhile, commitments at the same time. This would are returning to their roots and to their own provide them the experience to manage their audiences. own company and establish their existence in Another step forward in the journey the performing circuit, though it might not bring in much income, since performances would An interesting and unexpected development mostly be in the off-season. It was agreed to was the revival of the plan for the traditional polish up one popular full-length play, with the women performing artistes, with whom we have help of a musician skilled in the genre, and been working for the past four years, to set up perform it under their own banner. It was agreed their own autonomous theatre company. This that 10-15 performances would be given during had indeed been our own dream too, but at the the coming year, mostly towards the end of the end of the third year, it had seemed unlikely, year. This would help them to decide whether since the women themselves expressed doubts they could go in for a permanent company by and reservations and did not have either the next year. confidence or the financial backup to undertake such a risky venture. Among other reasons, a After five days of workshops with the musician major one was the lack of a repertoire of the in January 2004 and equipped with the full-length (all-night) plays required by rural appropriate costumes, the arangetram or formal

Table – 4.1: Performances of Manimekalai

Date Place Sponsoring Occasion Audience Organisation (s)

20.12.2003 Museum Theatre, Ulaga Tamizh.com, Naveena Nadaga Literary & Egmore Shriram Group of Companies, Vizha theatre group, Chennai Chennai general public

13.02.2004 Chellammal Chellammal College Women’s College, Women’s College, Cultural Students Guindy, Chennai Guindy, Chennai Programme

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Table – 4. 2: Performances of Pani-t-thee

Date Place Sponsoring Organisation Occasion Audience

07.01.2004 Dr.G.R.Damodaran Dr.G.R.Damodaran Communication Fest Students College of Science, College of Science, Coimbatore Coimbatore

05.03.2004 Bio-centre, MSSRF, Bio-centre, MSSRF, Women’s Day Members of Pondicherry Pondicherry Celebration Women SHGs launch was held on 6th February, in a village aravanis, our role being recognised as about 100 km from Chennai. The women have facilitators. It was also realised that this would since been preoccupied with regular seasonal take some time and that both sides would make activities, which may continue at high pressure efforts and take up the project when ready. till June, and will begin performances of this play only after that. The group reestablished contact in early March 2004 and plans were made to help them Transcending gender develop and perform a play on their concerns which could be used for advocacy on the An exploratory visit was made in August 2003 human rights issues of a deeply marginalised to the headquarters of a new organisation segment of society. At the end of an intensive formed to protect the rights of aravanis five-day workshop held in the last week of April (eunuchs), at their invitation. Some members with a group of nine aravanis, a 45-minute play of the group had heard about our work in theatre titled Manasin Azhaippu (The Call of the Heart) and wondered whether we could help them to was developed, based on the experiences, develop a theatre piece for performance at the struggles and aspirations of the group, and annual Koothandavar temple festival held in performed on the last day to a small audience Koovagam every year in the month of March, of friendly critics. In the ensuing interaction, an important occasion for aravanis. The visit the actors and the audience spoke about the was made to get to know each other better and powerful cathartic impact of the play, the ‘shock’ clear doubts and apprehensions. Frank of awareness that they had experienced, and recognition and open discussion of the grounds the need to spread this awareness through for mutual suspicion and distrust helped to build theatre. Support was spontaneously offered, good rapport. Possibilities in the field of theatre, and follow-up activities for an advocacy terms and conditions for working together on a campaign are now being planned. project, and needs and conditions for funding were discussed. It was agreed that both parties Research should raise funds to contribute to the expenses so that the end result could be “owned” by the After a gap of several years Voicing Silence

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BV Rao Centre for Sustainable The percentage decadal growth rate of the Food Security population varies widely between the States. However, density of population has 403.1 Food Security Research increased over a decade to exert pressure on natural resources. The total fertility rate One of the main activities of the B V Rao Centre in some States like Kerala, TN and Goa is was the preparation of the Atlas of the below the replacement level, whereas in Sustainability of Food Security, undertaken Meghalaya and Bihar it is above 4 jointly by MSSRF and the UN World Food percentage points. Programme (WFP). Three Atlases have been The percentage of grazing land has come brought out, using chosen indicators to map down over the years, though decline in forest the relative standing of the States with regard area is not apparent. The change in net sown to food insecurity. The book on the area is surprisingly negative in the past five sustainability of food security is the third and years in some States like Karnataka and the last in the series. It was released and TN, perhaps because prime agricultural land presented to the President of India, Dr A P J has been shifting to non-agricultural uses. Abdul Kalam on 5th February, 2004, at Vigyan Cropping intensity and irrigation intensity Bhavan, New Delhi. have been increasing. Cropping pattern has Atlas of the Sustainability of Food Security diversified to include non-food crops. Land degradation has been fairly high in Gujarat Sustainability of food security has two aspects. and Nagaland. In some of the northeastern First, the country has to become food secure States, wasteland is as high as 50 percent now, from the point of view of food availability, of the total geographical area. food access and food absorption. Next, there should be a comfortable position in terms of The ratio of rainfall to half of the potential the natural resource endowments that will help evapo-transpiration shows that, in States food production and livelihoods of rural people such as Orissa, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, in future and contribute to clean water and air. two crops may be grown with the available

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rainwater. However better utilisation of present level of livelihood access is very rainwater for crop growth requires moisture good yet the natural resource endowments conservation techniques. This aspect needs required for future sustainability are below further research. Smaller rivers show more par. Maharashtra, Bihar and Orissa suffer utilisation levels, close to 100 percent. on both counts: low livelihood security at Watersheds of river basins have degraded present and low sustainability in the future. considerably, leading to a decline in the There is an urgent need to diversify water flow. livelihoods to non-crop and non-agricultural enterprises as in Gujarat, Kerala and Groundwater exploitation has increased in Karnataka. the past decade, reaching the danger levels of over-exploitation in States like Punjab, There is a large scope for improvement in Haryana and TN. There is an urgent need agricultural yields, given the variations to control this situation. across States in natural resource endowments and adoption of technology. Though forest cover appears to have Market forces influence the use of natural increased marginally in recent years, fruit resources. In India, though input and output crops and plantations have encroached on prices are instrumental in determining total forestland. It is important to conserve prime agricultural production, there are a number forests. of other non-price factors that play an The increase in air and water pollution from important role. chemicals and greenhouse gases has been Strategies of sustainable livelihoods will causing a decline in agricultural production have to be chalked out for each State to in recent years. Climate change is projected achieve the path of sustainable food to have adverse effects, particularly in production and sustainable livelihood developing countries, and, in the case of security. Poverty alleviation, by using the India, the impact is expected to be severe existing natural resource potential, is the key in the coastal areas. Fluctuations in rainfall issue for Madhya Pradesh. Similarly, the may increase, causing floods and droughts requirements of Orissa, and to some extent more often than before. These will have Bihar, are in increasing land productivity, negative effects on agricultural production. diversification of agriculture, improving There are variations in food access and infrastructure and basic amenities, and livelihood access across the States. In providing market linkages. Removing some, poverty levels are very high but there pressure on land and water and conserving are sufficient natural resources to sustain natural resources for sustainable water livelihoods in the future, as in Madhya supply are essential in TN and restoration Pradesh. There are other States (such as of forests and protection of natural resources Punjab, Haryana and Kerala) where the in AP, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.

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Recommendations If the recommendations made in all the three Atlases are implemented in an integrated It is proposed that a Food Security Compact manner, food for all and forever will become a be developed and implemented in every State/ reality, not just a desirable objective.” — Prof Union Territory, to enable the governments to MS Swaminathan in the Preface to the book. formulate and introduce integrated programmes of natural resources conservation and Research on sustainability of farming enhancement, augmentation of food production, systems generation of sustainable livelihood/ A macro-perspective research study of the employment opportunities, provision of clean sustainability of food security for all the States drinking water, environmental hygiene, primary in India was initiated in 2002, and resulted in health care and primary education. Such a the publication of the Atlas of Sustainability Compact should take action on the ten points mentioned below: of Food Security in India in 2004, as detailed above. Several indicators were developed as Population stabilization, Encouragement of a part of the study to address the relevant child-friendly village/town movement, Land issues pertaining to the sustainability of food resources conservation and enhancement, security in all the States. The need was Establishment of a water security system, strongly felt to undertake the study at the level Management of forests, Preservation of of the farming system and fill the research biodiversity, Atmosphere and climate gaps identified. The project on sustainable management, Administration of common farming systems is an effort in this direction. property resources, Sustainable intensification and diversification of farming systems and New Delhi, has agreed to fund this research value-addition and Formation of a State Coalition project on Sustainable Farming Systems, for Sustainable Food Security. leading to a PhD degree. The duration of the project will be three years (2004 – 2007). “The State Coalition for Sustainable Food Security, recommended in this Atlas, can The research work on Sustainability of Farming review concurrently issues relating to the Systems is based on the broad framework that environmental, social and economic farming systems are sustainable if they are sustainability of the freedom from hunger diverse, productive, stable and profitable. movement. A systems approach is needed Conservation and enhancement of the natural at both the planning and implementation resource base is central to sustainability. The levels. Above all, the programmes must be research proposes to offer strategies for people-centred and driven, so that transaction sustainable intensification and diversification costs can be kept low and success assured. with adequate crop-animal integration and value Think, plan and act locally, and support at the addition. The primary survey covers some State and national levels, should be the motto. selected villages in TN.

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State-level report and consultation on international agencies, and, above all, our Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) citizens. While the Atlas series is an important tool for policy makers and researchers alike, it A report on the Food Insecurity situation in is imperative that this work is translated into the state of J & K has been brought out. It has direct action so that India may achieve food two sections — one on J & K regions and the security for all the citizens by 2007, which will other on Ladakh region. The report was prepared mark the sixtieth anniversary of our following a visit to the State in May 2003 for Independence. Though every State has its collection of information and field experience. particular problems, it also has unique assets A State-level Consultation was held on 30th that can be harnessed to achieve the goal of September 2003 in Srinagar where the reports sustainable food security for all. were presented along with an action plan to make J & K food secure by 2007. The To bring the issues of food security to the fore honourable Chief Minister of J & K, Mufti and to initiate action by the respective State Mohammad Sayeed, the honourable Governor Governments, MSSRF in collaboration with of Jammu and Kashmir, Shri S K Sinha, and WFP has decided to hold State-level the chairman of the Ladakh Hill Council, were consultations in various parts of the country. present at the Consultation. In addition, the Detailed State-level reports on food security, State Minister of Agriculture and the Vice along with the appropriate policy Chancellors of the Agricultural Universities of recommendations, will be prepared for each Kashmir and Jammu attended the meeting State and will be presented at these along with various other State officials and consultations. dignitaries. The consultations will be held between August State-level consultations for hunger-free 2004 and June 2005 for all the States of the India, 2007 Union of India. A total of six consultations are being planned, by clubbing neighbouring states The analyses of the different aspects of food together at each consultation. security studied in the three Atlases will assist policy makers at the Central, State and local Asia-Pacific hunger hotspots levels, to prepare specific action plans to The UN Task Force on Hunger commissioned achieve the goal of making India hunger free MSSRF to prepare two papers on Hunger by 2007. The Prime Minister set this goal when Hotspots in the Asia-Pacific Region. Prof he released the first Atlas in April 2001. M S Swaminathan of MSSRF and Prof Pedro The sacred mission of a ‘Hunger Free India’ Sanchez of Earth Institute, Columbia needs the cooperative efforts of the Central and University, are the Chairpersons of the Hunger State Governments, local self-government Task Force. These papers would become a part bodies, non-governmental organisations, of the Task Force Report to the UN. The first

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ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ paper identifies the hunger hot spots in the participation, unemployment levels and wage Asia-Pacific Region along with the reasons for earnings are well documented in urban as well the prevalence of hunger in some of the as rural areas. Deteriorating female-male ratio, countries in this region. The second paper differential infant mortality rates and adverse discusses the principal needs and challenges juvenile sex ratio are seen at the average level that Asian countries, outside India, are facing in almost all the states in rural and urban areas. to reduce the number of hungry people with Some states are worse off than others. Social special reference to China. The objective is to taboos and lack of access to timely health care examine how China was successful in reducing could be the major reasons for adverse juvenile the number of hungry people. China will be used sex ratio, though we lack macro data to support as a case study to identify the most important household level discrimination in health care. strategies of reducing hunger that could be Women play an important role in agricultural replicated in Asia. The study also examines production and its sustainability. The extent of what political, economic and social changes time and effort that women spend on un- had to take place for these strategies to work, recognised and unpaid work like fetching water, be effective and have a positive impact. collection of fuel/firewood and collection of Ford Foundation Chair on Women and fodder illustrates the fact that their involvement Sustainable Food Security and contribution is much more than what the work participation statistics show. The current A consolidated research study on Gender statistics, despite being underestimates, show Dimensions of Food Insecurity is under that agriculture is slowly getting feminised. preparation. The in-depth study of gender There were more women workers in agriculture dimensions of food security in rural and urban in 2001 than a decade ago. However, even in areas and sustainability of food security, agriculture, women are pushed to marginal undertaken in the past four years, form the lands and marginal work as casual labour. basis of the present work. In all the three aspects of food security, consisting of food UDRC, jointly with Ford Foundation Chair for availability, food access and livelihood access Women and Food Security, is in the process of and food absorption, women are more vulnerable organizing a National Seminar in Chennai from than men. The study highlights the problems 2nd to 4th September, 2004. (See 401.2)The faced by poor women in rural and urban areas. focus will be on gender concerns and food Food shortages and natural calamities affect security issues in rice-based livelihoods in India. availability. Their adverse impact is more on The main aim of the project is to highlight the women than men. Discrimination in livelihood problems of women in rice-farming systems. A access is quite common in villages and towns. paper on Critical aspects of women’s role in Discrimination in school enrollments, rice farming systems is being prepared for the achievements in education, labour force seminar by the Ford Foundation Chair.

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403.2 Resource Centre for World Vision staff, underwent training in millet Community Food and Feed seed production and value addition technologies Banks at TNAU. TNAU is going to set up on-farm demonstrations on farmers’ fields to the extent The field activities of the Centre at Namakkal of 30 acres during the current season, bearing – Kolli Hills (Food and Feed Banks) and Jeypore an input cost of Rs.1000 per acre. A programme (Food Banks), Orissa, have been reported under on foodgrain storage and preservation was 201.1 and 201.3 respectively. In addition, CFBs conducted for the CFB members by the Save have been set up in five villages in Boipariguda Grain Campaign of the Government of India block of Koraput in Orissa through Sewa O’ from 20th to 29th April, 2004. At the end of the Mamata, a local NGO, and in three villages in programme, the participating members received Malkangiri district through Nababharat, another certificates and metal bins of 300 kg capacity. NGO, with both of whom we have a MoU. The cost of the bins, Rs 1,100, was subsidised MSSRF staff monitor the work periodically and to the tune of Rs.650 and the balance was met conduct training programmes in these villages. by members’ contribution (Rs 150) and World Vision (Rs 300). The Centre initiated two CFBs in Melvazhapady and Talvellar villages in Kalrayan tribal block of The Centre has entered into a Letter of Villupuram district. The banks were formally Agreement with the NGO, Agragamee in Orissa inaugurated in December 2003. Work here has to initiate Panchayat level CFB. Following a been initiated in collaboration with the Kalrayan preliminary survey visit to Ladakh in May 2003, Hills Area Development Programme of World a MoU has been entered into with an NGO, Vision India. The CFBs are managed by women CENSFOOD, to implement Community Fodder SHGs. The members were taken on an Banks in two villages. The members of exposure trip to the CFB in Kolli Hills and given CENSFOOD visited Chennai and our Site office training in operating and managing a CFB. The at Jeypore for orientation and training on initial corpus of food grain was provided under initiation, operation and management of Fodder the project, with voluntary contributions from Banks, in March 2004. the members and this has been disbursed as The Centre engaged the services of a fresh loan. World Vision has undertaken the law graduate on contractual basis to document responsibility for the construction of the CFB the history and recent developments in India storehouses. PRA has been conducted in the on the Right to Food. The paper was discussed two villages and a tripartite meeting, of the State at an in-house seminar in September 2003 and administration, World Vision and MSSRF, is to included as a background paper for the National be held soon to determine and activate possible Food Security Summit held in New Delhi in linkages with Government programmes. February 2004. Twelve members, along with three MSSRF and

107 Programme Area 500

Education, Communication, Training and Capacity Building

The MSSRF-TATA National Virtual Academy for Food Security and Rural Prosperity forged a National Alliance of 41 organizations to work for Mission 2007: Every Village a Knowledge Centre. A major initiative of THMRC was the tie-up with AIR for the 52-week programme ‘Mannin Manam’ aimed at taking science to the masses. The National launch of Fish for All movement in Kolkata in Dec 2003 and the National Food Security Summit in New Delhi in Feb 2004 were among the major workshops organised during the year. The Every Child a Scientist Programme decided to conduct theme-based short-term training programmes to reach more children. The first on biodiversity conservation was conducted in Feb 2004. A vacation-training programme was organised for school children on Bioresources and Biotechnology as part of the year of Scientific Awareness

501 National Virtual Academy for Food Security and Rural Prosperity ------109

502 The Hindu Media Resource Centre for Sustainable Development ------113

503 Design and Development of Databases and Provision of CD-ROM Services ------115

504 Every Child a Scientist Programme ------115

505 Library and Information Services ------118

506 Workshops, Conferences and Training Programmes ------119

EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

aims at reaching frontier technology to resource Sub Programme Area 501 -poor rural women and men and enabling them National Virtual Academy for Food to become masters of their own destiny. It will help to create large numbers of knowledge Security and Rural Prosperity managers in our villages, most of whom will be women. MSSRF has been working since 1998 in twelve The NVA emphasises the critical role of ICTs villages in Pondicherry,where Informatics has in achieving the UN Millennium Development set up Rural Knowledge Centres (RKC) with the Goals in the areas of hunger and poverty generous support of International Development elimination as well as in gender equity and Research Centre of Canada (IDRC) and health security. The aim is to build a family of Canadian International Development Agency Fellows of the Virtual Academy, with the help (CIDA), Canada. These knowledge centres are of a large number of partners in different parts connected through a hybrid wired and wireless of India, who will be the torchbearers of network and provide information on agriculture, Knowledge for a Hunger and Poverty-Free India health, employment, weather, education, Movement and to achieve a substantial government entitlements, micro enterprises reduction in hunger and poverty by 15th August, training, etc. Although a variety of technologies 2007, the 60th anniversary of India’s were used, the focus is on the people, their independence. context and their needs. From the experience with RKC the new initiative of “Virtual Academy National Virtual Academy Fellows for Food Security and Rural Prosperity”, which aims to bring together experts and grassroots In August 2003, six outstanding rural women level people in two-way communication has and men working in our RKCs were elected emerged. Fellows of the NVA for Food Security and Rural Prosperity by a committee headed by Prof National Virtual Academy for Food Security M Anandhakrishnan, a former UN official and and Rural Prosperity Vice-Chancellor. The Fellows are: Ms E Ambiga, a 27-year-old social worker from On August 23, 2003 the MSSRF-TATA National Kalitheerthalkuppam in Pondicherry; Mr Virtual Academy for Food Security and Rural H Bagadoor, a 33-year-old progressive farmer Prosperity (NVA) was launched. The Academy from Sriramapuram in Kannivadi; Mr K David, enables farmers’ organisations and village a 37-year-old physically challenged person from women to easily access the scientific and the fishermen community of Thangatchimadam technical knowledge that they need to solve in Ramanathapuram; Ms B Kasthuri, a 36-year- local problems and enhance the quality of their old social activist from Embalam in Pondicherry; lives, as well as to communicate their own Ms N Sridevi, a 21-year-old innovative teacher insights and needs back to scientists. The NVA

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ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ from Samiarpatti in Dindigul district specialising works closely with KVK, Pondicherry, in sharing in adult and functional literacy using computer the contents. The KVK brings out a monthly technology, and Ms D Usharani, a 34-year-old newsletter called Vellan Parvai and the KVK from Embalam in Pondicherry, an expert in has given permission to the community organising health camps and having good newspaper to use its contents. computer skills. The Ariyankuppam coconut farmers’ association Ms D Usharani was invited by Global regularly shares content related to coconut Knowledge Partnership (GKP) and OneWorld cultivation, intercropping and farmers’ success International to take part in the ICT4D events stories. that took place as an adjunct to the World Self Help Group Accounting Software Summit on Information Society, Geneva in December 2003. Ms D Usharani spoke at the NVA has developed accounting software for launch of the Open Knowledge Network (OKN) SHGs to report to both the DRDA and banks. and gave away two GKP Awards to winners at The computers in the knowledge centres are a function. She played an active role in the used to maintain the accounts and transactions One World stall and was interviewed by many of the SHGs. The software helps the DRDA and media persons. banks to anlayse their monthly and annual reports and plans. The software was released Namma Ooru Seithi (News of our village) – on 18th April, 2004. After one month it was found Community Newsletter that several SHGs were not maintaining Namma Ooru Seithi, a community newspaper, accounts properly. Now they are scrutinizing was started on 18th February, 2002. The their accounts and several SHGs have newspaper is published twice a month and is requested that their accounts be maintained in distributed free. It carries information that people the system. can use in their daily life. Open Knowledge Network This year the community newspaper network In November 2003, the OKN was launched in was extended to 35 villages, based on the collaboration with OneWorld International, UK. demand. The pages have been increased from OKN is a human network which collects, shares 4 to 6. Several new columns ( such as readers’ and disseminates local knowledge about health, views, NGOs section, cartoons, etc.) have local culture and practices, education, been introduced Project staff and volunteers agriculture, government schemes, jobs and use telephones and RKCs to clear readers’ markets. Two other hubs are located in East doubts. The government departments and AIR and West Africa. Through this network, access have included Namma Ooru Seithi in their list points from India and Africa share their local of media channels for dissemination of news news through World Space Satellite and Internet. along with regular newspapers. The newspaper

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The local news is produced in Tamil and Swahili prescribe glasses with simple field equipment. and the Meta tags are in English. The Tuberculosis Research Centre (TRC) In 2003, OneWorld carried out OKN pilot provides training for village knowledge workers projects in East and West Africa. The next step on identifying TB patients. Two experts have is to bring all the pilots together and build an been nominated for this purpose and all the inter-continental network for exchanging education materials provided. These will also relevant knowledge among southern partners. be disseminated through NVA. From April 2004, information from OKN is being Potential Fishing Zone Electronic Board included in the community newspaper and from May 2004, it is also being relayed through AIR. The Indian National Centre for Ocean So far more than 3500 items have been Information Services (INCOIS) has provided a uploaded. Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) electronic bulletin board. It was set up at the Veerampattinam Integrated Health System knowledge centre in January 2004. The board One of the Millennium Development Goals is displays information on potential zones of fish “Control of HIV/AIDS, Malaria, TB, Leprosy aggregation including latitude, longitude, depth, and preventable blindness”. There was a direction and distance from the landing centres partnership with Aravind Eye Hospital, and light houses. Pondicherry, to initiate the movement of Watershed Technology and Management preventing blindness in villages. Village level Institute (WTMI), Pune awareness meetings were organized with the help of paramedical staff. At these meetings, NVA and WTMI have signed an MoU for the the different eye diseases, their prevention and effective dissemination of knowledge relating treatments were explained through to watershed development and management diagrammatic presentation. The hospital through Water Shed A-Z software. In April 2004, provided training to the village knowledge WTMI provided the training for MSSRF staff in workers to identify common eye defects after Water Shed A-Z software. which they conducted a survey in the villages and sent the electronic records in the Training in animal husbandry prescribed format to Aravind Eye Hospital A training programme was arranged for cattle along with digital photographs. NVA has signed owners in partnership with Rajiv Gandhi College an MoU with Aravind Eye Hospital for sharing of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (RGCVAS) education materials, providing training for for 10 villages between July and October 2003. village volunteers to conduct periodical More than 300 cattle owners took part in the examination of diabetic patients to detect eye training programme, and found the training very problems and examine school children and useful. RGCVAS has developed touch screen

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ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ animation modules on maintaining cattle and meteorological web sites. With the help of Azim protecting them from disease. Now the modules Premji Foundation, NVA has initiated the are available with NVA. Computer Assisted Learning centres for rural children. In April 2004, MSSRF and Azim Regional hubs and data providers Premji Foundation provided training for 200 Initially NVA will cover three districts, namely school teachers in operating scientific Pudukkottai, Thanjavur and Dindigul. In educational CDs. Pudukkottai and Dindigul the major partner is Internet Radio & Cable Radio Gandhigram Rural Institute (GRI), a Deemed University. With the help of the Department of The radio has played a major role in the rural Political Science and Development community in the last 50 years. However in the Administration of GRI, NVA has started the last 10 years, cable TV has become very basic village survey in 20 villages. Gandhigram popular even in rural areas. A survey in rural University and MSSRF organised a one-day Pondicherry (1998) showed that the reach of local needs assessment meeting at electronic media, especially television, is Pudukkottai on 14 February, 2004. Panchayat reasonably high, despite the prevalence of leaders, SHG members, agricultural officers, poverty in the villages surveyed. Until recently project officers, youth club members and block the Government of India had not given development officers took part. Some of the permission for starting a community radio panchayats are willing to provide space and service. electricity and allot paid staff from the To overcome these problems and cover a larger panchayat to look after the knowledge centre. audience, the Internet Radio was started in In Thanjavur, the major partners are Tamil January 2004 with technical support team Nadu Rice Research Institute and Soil and One World South Asia. Internet Radio is a way Water Management Institute. NVA has also of receiving streamed radio programmes partnered with TNAU, PPRC, AIR, Central through the PC and Internet connection. It Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, provides interviews with experts, experiences Chennai Base of Fishery Survey of India, of rural successes, information on rural Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and products, farming techniques, etc. Communication Technology and several experts, regarding technical advice and Cable Radio is already functioning in Boodikote, content. In the past four months, India Karnataka, implemented by VOICES, with Meteorological Department has been regularly financial support team UNESCO. The technical sending All India Agromet Advisory Bulletins. group of VOICES trained two MSSRF staff and TNAU has kindly provided the Rainman Climate two village volunteers. In April 2004, cable radio Management software which provides the crop was demonstrated in Pondicherry. advice index and a link with all important

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Sixteen lectures have been organised till now. Sub Programme Area 502 In August 2003, there was a special Millennium Lecture by His Excellency Mr Ranil The Hindu Media Resource Centre Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister of the for Sustainable Development Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. The Prime Minister proposed forming a single Free access to emerging knowledge and open integrated market in the South India-Sri Lanka discussions on various sensitive scientific sub-region, to benefit the economies of both issues lead to right public policy and informed nations, as Sri Lanka and India working as an public opinion. With this vision MSSRF created integrated marketplace could offer strong The Hindu Media Resource Centre (THMRC) opportunities for potential investors. in 1998 with generous financial support from In March 2004, Shri M Russi Lala, Former The Hindu group of publications. Millennium Director of Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, delivered a lectures, media workshops, public fora and special Millennium Lecture on The Role of documentary films are the various strategies Purpose in Life. It was a thought-provoking talk, adopted as shown in Table 5.1 useful to the audience largely comprising Millennium lectures MSSRF staff from all the sites.

To provide an in-depth understanding of Global Warming: A Threat to our Shores by Sir sustainable development issues like poverty David Anthony King, Chief Scientific Advisor eradication, food security and the environment, to the Government of UK, also in March 2004, experts and policy makers of international highlighted the serious problems caused by repute present their views on alternative options climate change. He stressed the need for North- for development. South exchange of science and technology to

Table 5.1: Activities during the year 2003-2004

Millennium Lectures: Special Lecture – His Excellency The Prime Minister of Sri lanka, Mr Ranil Wickramasinghe, 23 August, 2003 The Role of Purpose in Life – Sri Russi Lala, 10 March, 2004 Global Warming – A Threat to our Shores - Sir David Anthony King, 19 March, 2004

Media Workshops: Jal Swaraj –Facing the Water Emergency, 16 April, 2003 AIR Workshop – Radio and Sustainable Agriculture, 14 & 15 July, 2003 Strategies for Efficient Water Demand- World Habitat Day, 6 October, 2003 Strategies for Efficient Water Demand- World Habitat Day, 6 October, 2003 Science and Sustainable Efforts to End Hunger – World Science Day, 28 February, 2004

Public Forum: Biotechnology and Shaping the Future of Rice, 12 March, 2004

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ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ address the problem in a collective spirit. Nearly 25 programmes have been broadcast and the second phase will concentrate on Media workshops documenting the feedback. To achieve the best Media workshops offer a great opportunity for impact through the media, programmes intensive interaction between media broadcast by the AIR state network were professionals and scientific experts. This forum converted into audio compact discs for replaying provides a platform not only for detailed before the community. The recapitulation and discussion but also for clearing apprehensions reinforcement, along with personal clarification and doubts. from the site offices, help to take science to the masses. Taking science to the masses being the motto of this media resource centre, a workshop for A Media Workshop on Science and Sustainable AIR was organised. The Honorable Minister for Efforts to End Hunger demanded dynamic Agriculture Thiru R Jeevanandham, information about the market at the right time Government of TN inaugurated the Radio and in addition to inputs on increasing productivity. Sustainable Agriculture workshop. Mr N Ram, The workshop urged the conversion of the Editor In Chief, The Hindu, and Mr B R Kumar, commitment to achieve hunger-free India into Deputy Director General (South Zone) AIR, political action. So far eighteen media Chennai, gave guidelines to take the message workshops have been organised. forward. Scientists from MSSRF suggested Public Fora strategies on covering the entire State. This workshop paved the way for broadcasting a 52- MSSRF takes advantage of the presence of week programme called Mannin Manam in Tamil leading scientists and development thinkers at every Monday, between 7.30 and 8 pm, from the Foundation to organise public fora. Fourteen 15th September, 2003. Public information and public fora meetings have been conducted at not public relation was the guideline in choosing different venues in Chennai. the case studies and success studies for In commemoration of the International Year of broadcast. A special feature of Mannin Manam Rice, a Public Forum on Biotechnology and is giving voice to the normally excluded. The Shaping the Future of Rice was organised in programmes are made as per the requirement March, 2004, to focus attention on the important of the communities. Latest information on role of rice in the diet of over 40% of the human science and technology is given by MSSRF population. While many panelists favoured the scientists to keep the listeners updated. introduction of GM seeds for increasing food THMRC and the AIR recording team visited the production, the dissenters felt that the cost of field sites and interacted with the community the new technology was higher than the benefits. to learn about their needs and interests for Prof. MSSwaminathan stressed the importance making suitable changes in the programme. of efforts to increase rice production to meet

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EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ the food needs of the growing population in the individuals. This year it introduced a Linux- face of the current stagnant and even declining based web server, Internet proxy server and trend. Dr M K Bhan, Secretary, DBT, domain name server. Firewall and Anti virus Government of India, Dr Suman Sahai, server were also installed. This open source President of Gene Campaign, Delhi, and Prof. informatics reduces software cost. Williams James Peacock, Chief, CSIRO, Bioinformatics Centre and CD-ROM Library Canberra, Australia, spoke at the Forum. The Bioinformatics Centre, supported by the The following documentary films were added Department of Biotechnology, Government of to the existing collection: India, serves as a vehicle for access to and Biological Paradise of Andhra Pradesh dissemination of databases. This year the Bioinformatics Centre started work on Scarascia Mugnozza Community Gene developing a web-based research output Bank database for India. This is a bibliographic Vision, Progress and Prospects - A Film attempt to cover all research papers published on JRD Tata Ecotechnology Centre by Indian Scientists in the areas of classical A Way to Prosperity – A Kudankulam and new biology, agriculture, horticulture, Experience veterinary science and medicine.

Thullal The Centre also supports a CD-ROM library which offers CAB Abstracts searches free of cost. This year more than 1,300 researchers from 20 universities, 15 research institutions Sub Programme Area 503 and 52 colleges used the CD-ROM library. Design and Development of Databases and Provision of CD- Sub Programme Area 504 ROM Services Every Child a Scientist Programme The Informatics Division has been working to enhance capacity building and information The Every Child a Scientist Programme was networking by collecting, collating and started in 2001, with tribal children as the target disseminating actionable information through group, at the Community Agro-biodiversity database services at different levels. Most of Centre (CAbC) at Kalpetta, Wayanad. In the databases are in the public domain. The Chennai, economically and socially Informatics Division shares technical resources underprivileged children are the main with universities, research institutions and participants in the programme, which was

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ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ initiated in August 2002. Effort is taken to occasion gave an opportunity to get direct provide opportunities to children to nurture their feedback from teachers about the impact of inherent creative talents. The new information the programme. A total of 96 students were technologies are used extensively, as audio honoured on this occasion. and visual aids help the learner to understand The children of standards 6 and 7 conducted a things better. The Centre is equipped with chart exhibition. 10 students prepared 75 charts seventeen personal computers and multimedia under the theme of Panchabootham, (water, air, learning material to make learning a joyful land, sky and fire). Nearly 300 students from experience, and works closely with school nearby schools visited the exhibition. teachers and non-formal educators in the choice and development of the content of the It was decided to conduct theme-based short- curriculum. term intensive courses to reach more children. The first short-term training programme was The objective is to spread knowledge on conducted in February 2004 with 25 children, biodiversity conservation, sustainable and in various subjects including bio-resource equitable use of our bio-resources, basic health diversity and conservation, in Tamil. MSSRF and hygiene, and environmental issues. scientists gave lectures on biodiversity, agro- Animated experiments, web page, biodiversity and national regulation. There was computerized quiz programmes, games, an exposure visit to Guindy National Park and interaction with experts, animated CDs and field Snake Park. Children did group projects on visits are some methods adopted to facilitate agro-biodiversity in Chennai, a survey of learning. general awareness about local medicinal The programme was initiated in Schools of the plants, dead wood ecosystem, tree diversity X Zone of Chennai Corporation. During the in GNP and inter-dependency of animal and course, children were exposed to several plant life in GNP. important subjects: plant morphology, soil, Workshops for teachers water, energy, forest biodiversity, leaf litter biomass, butterfly diversity, adaptations in birds, The second interactive workshop was wild animals and snakes, pollution, common conducted in January 2003. It was inaugurated diseases, sky watch, traffic rules etc. So far, by Prof Bruce Albert, president, US National about 150 children from Corporation schools Academy of Sciences. The participants and Seva Samajam Illam have participated and included school headmasters and science 24 student projects prepared. teachers, to assess the impact of the programme and to get direct feedback from To commemorate the completion of one year, the teachers. Teachers felt that such Annual Day was celebrated and participation programmes are much needed for the children, certificates were issued to all the students. This to give them an opportunity to widen their

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EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ knowledge base. They also expressed a desire Genome Clubs to attend a training programme during the Genome Clubs have been started in schools annual vacation. and rural areas to create a cadre of young men Touch and Smell Garden and women with a functional knowledge of genetics and legislation pertaining to The Touch and Smell Garden has been biodiversity and rights of farmers on seeds. developed to help visually impaired people to experience the joys of nature and learn by In Orissa, the genetic literacy programme at exploration, through the senses of touch and the grassroot level was started on 17th October smell. The Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil 2003 at Jeypore. The aim of the Genome Club Nadu inaugurated the Touch and Smell Garden was explained and two levels were identified to on 7th August, 2002. form the club and disseminate proper information to the stakeholders. One is at the Children from the three main blind schools in Panchayat level for panchayat leaders and the city visit the garden regularly. They are very other one is at the school level, to educate happy to learn about plants through the senses school children. of ‘touch’ and ‘smell’ and get information through Braille boards in Tamil, the local language, lining Accordingly, a panchayat level workshop on the path of the garden, about various plants genetic literacy was organised from 2nd to 4th species and their economic importance. They November, 2003, at Jeypore. The participants are greatly enthused with general topics like were exposed to kalajeera rice field, millet field, “Importance of Ozone layer”, “Biodiversity”, community gene/seed/grain bank, community “Sacred Groves” etc. that are also covered in rain water harvesting system and vermi these Braille boards. composting.

One block which has plants like lilies, lotus and A two-day workshop was organised for students eichhornia species, gives an opportunity to the at which they learnt about Biodiversity visually impaired to ‘feel’ and ‘learn’ about these Conservation practices and were exposed to plants, which is otherwise not possible. A seed the Patraput forest where they collected album is now being developed for children to information on plant diversity. learn about the different types and shapes of A five-day genome summer camp for school plant seeds and their characteristic features. students was organised from 10th to 14th April, Visually impaired adults from various NGOs 2004. The chief guest Dr Natesh from NBDB, visit the garden from time to time. The visually New Delhi, inaugurated the programme at Atithi challenged cricketers from various countries Bhawan, Koraput. Activities included visits to who participated in the World Cup at Chennai fields, the forest, the museum, essay writing, also visited the garden. stories, songs, making posters on environ-

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ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ mental issues and a rally on environmental included DNA isolation from plants, lichens and awareness. bacteria, secondary metabolite profiling from medicinal plants and lichens and tissue culture Vacation Training Programme for School propagation methods. The course included a 3- Children on Bioresources and day field visit to Pondicherry, Chidambaram and Biotechnology (19th –30th April, 2004) Pichavaram where the participants were The Government of India has declared the year exposed to the concepts of Biovillage, 2004 as the Year of Scientific Awareness with Knowledge Centres, Mangrove Forests and the objective of making people scientifically their importance, Sacred Groves, Integrated literate, and to inculcate in them the habit of Pest Management Systems, Organic Farming putting scientific awareness to practical use in and Eco-friendly micro enterprises. day-to-day life. Health and nutrition, conservation of biodiversity, empowering people through IT and sustainable agricultural practices have been identified as broad issues and areas of concern. Progress in the field of biotechnology has immense implications for the conservation and enhancement of vast Sub Programme Area 505 bioresources. Judicious application of biotechnological tools for sustainable Library and Information Services management and enhancement of bioresources will therefore hold the key for our future. For The Library has a collection from different this, it is essential that a critical scientific and disciplines, relevant to the on-going research technical pool of competent researchers be at the Foundation. It caters to the needs of in- developed in the country. house staff and a great number of external users. It is in this context that a vacation training programme for school children of standard X The collection comprises books, journals, back was organised from 19th to 30th April, 2004, with volumes, reports of other organisations, project the support of the NBDB. Twenty-two students reports of the Foundation, dissertations and from different schools in TN were selected. The CDs. course was designed to expose them to various In order to disseminate accurate and relevant aspects of Bioresource Management through information to the staff, Internet search services interaction with experts, field visits to the are undertaken. Apart from this, the library bioresource hot spot regions as well as hands- provides document delivery service to better on practical training in the field of the needs of the staff and to support their work Biotechnology. Laboratory experiments at the Foundation.

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Cement Foundation, Indian National Centre for Sub Programme Area 506 Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), SBI, WHO, Digital Partners, Azim Premji Foundation Workshops, Conferences and and hardware / software companies. This Training Programmes workshop was supported by IDRC and CIDA.

Workshop on Poultry Feed, Crop The issues discussed included regional Management and Marketing (18 September priorities; information, knowledge and skill 2003) and Expert Meeting on Poultry Feed empowerment of SHGs; the concept of a Crop Area Expansion and Marketing knowledge centre in every village; domestic software development and application; (1 December 2003) Namakkal community radio; technology upgradation in The workshop brought together all the major villages; content creation; women and ICT; players in the poultry industry,viz farmers, participatory knowledge system; sustainability associations, unit owners, veterinary college and replicability, role of Panchayat Raj faculty, government agriculture department, institutions; promoting job-led economic growth; bankers and media - to discuss the issues servicing and maintenance and political involved, the challenges and prospects. A commitment; public action and investment follow-up meeting was organised on 1 priorities. The detailed recommendations were December, 2003, and chaired by Prof brought out as a booklet and sent to several Swaminathan, who proposed the formation of a agencies. consortium of “Poultry for Prosperity”, involving National Workshop on Science and all the major stakeholders. Technology for Sustainable Water Security ICT Policy-Makers Workshop – Rural in India (27-28 October 2003) Chennai Knowledge Centres: Harnessing Local All estimates show that the availability of water Language via Interactive Media (8-9 October for domestic, agricultural, industrial and 2003) Chennai ecosystem maintenance needs is likely to be The aim of this workshop was to sensitise policy the most serious constraint to economic makers to critical issues in the use of ICTs to prosperity and human health in the coming promote human development in rural areas. decades. Hence, there is a need for developing There were more than 60 participants, and introducing a water security system based representing IDRC, Bhoruka Charitable Trust, on science and technology, which will be TN Corporation for Development of Women Ltd., environmentally, economically and socially NABARD, VOICES, ICRISAT, OneWorld, sustainable. Governments of TN and Pondicherry, Central The workshop was organised in collaboration Government departments, ISRO, Ambuja with the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor

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ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ to the Government of India and the should lose no further time in harnessing Confederation of Indian Industry. Dr R leading edge technologies in the areas of water Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Advisor to and energy. They also called for the the Government of India, inaugurated the establishment of Efficient Water Use Parks in workshop, which was attended by scientists, Water Scarce Areas. These Parks, operated by technologists, grass root level institutions and SHGs of women and men, will be designed in local institutions involved in water conservation such a manner that the rain water infiltration and management. capacity of the soil is improved through The participants recommended that a mulching; high value but low water requiring Sustainable Water Security System should pay crops like pulses and oil seeds are cultivated concurrent attention to the following aspects: and the efficiency of water use is enhanced through micro-irrigation, fertigation and Augmenting supplies through rainwater precision farming technologies. harvesting, aquifer enrichment and management, treatment and recycling of all The participants also appreciated the effort of industrial and domestic waste water, sea the Govt. of TN and suggested that all State water farming and where economically, Governments could emulate the TN example ecologically and politically feasible, inter- of mandatory rainwater harvesting and basin transfer of water watershed and wasteland development. There Managing demand to ensure maximum is a need to generate synergy among the economy and efficiency in the use of every academic, public and private sectors in drop of water in every sector of water use developing sustainable water security systems Monitoring and improving the quality of water for the hill, coastal, arid, semi-arid and irrigated in rivers, lakes, wells and aquifers regions of the country. They also emphasized Harnessing new technologies, particularly that Water for all and for ever should be the in the areas of linking energy security with national goal. water security, bioremediation, and breeding crop varieties tolerant to drought and salinity. Workshop on ICT-enabled development: South-South Exchange through Travelling Revitalisation of traditional water harvesting and sharing procedures and improving mini- Workshop (30 October – 6 November, 2003) hydel plants in the Himalayas through Chennai integration with new technologies In tune with the Foundation’s philosophy of Knowledge Management and dissemination sharing knowledge and expertise and learning relating to the conservation and sustainable from the experience of others, an annual and equitable use of water in the different travelling workshop is organised every year. agro-ecological regions of the country. Development activists involved in ICT-enabled The participants further emphasised that India development programmes from Asia, Africa and

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Latin America are invited to participate. This online, understanding the spread of HIV, the year there were 20 participants from 14 science of HIV vaccines, ethics and the role of countries including Bangladesh, Egypt, the community in HIV vaccine trials, the science Vietnam, Kenya, Uganda, Philippines, Bolivia, of microbicides, accessing research literature Western Somalia, Bhutan, Mexico, Malaysia, online, selling the story to the editor, HIV/AIDS Thailand, Sri Lanka and India. journalism in South Asia: highlights and obstacles, strategies and resources for finding UNESCO and SciDevNet Workshop for an HIV/AIDS story, shaping the story and selling Women Communicators on the use of ICTs the story to the editor, story development and for the Reporting of HIV/AIDS Research (5- use of internet resources, coping in the 12 November, 2003) Chennai workplace and how to fight discouragement. The aim of the workshop was to help Knowledge sharing and interactive learning communicators produce timely and accurate among the workshop participants, the villagers, reports, press releases, news stories and and the staff and volunteers of MSSRF were features about HIV/AIDS research that is the basic objectives of the workshop. The appropriate for different readers and audiences. participants visited various project sites in MSSRF provided the technical support. In the Pondicherry and Kannivadi areas to gain midst of the workshop, during 9-11 November, first hand knowledge of the impact of ICT-led the participants attended the 4th International endeavors and interact with the villagers Conference on AIDS-India, Chennai. The through group discussions and multi-media workshop provided training in ICT skills for presentations from volunteers managing the more effective communication about HIV/AIDS knowledge centres. For the most part, the research. This included the use of email and discussions were very informal. Formal the Internet for finding news, stories, presentations by the volunteers and staff background facts, information and resources, focused on processes, lessons and contact details of independent experts, impediments involved in various ICT projects. scientific abstracts and publications, and events calendars. Mr Joe Thomas, moderator The workshop was jointly organised by the of the AIDS-India eForum and AIDS-Timor Informatics group and the JRD Tata eForum and project manager for the National Ecotechnology Centre, with the support of GKP HIV support programme in East Timor, Ms T V and HIVOS. Padma, science journalist, Mr M Somasekhar, On the last day of the workshop the participants head of The Hindu Business Line Bureau, had a video conference with a group in Hyderabad, Ms Julie Clayton, freelance science Kampala, Uganda who were involved in another journalist and consultant to SciDevNet, were South-South exchange workshop held with the the resource persons. The topics discussed support of IICD. A few of the participants at included the basic internet skills, HIV biology

121 the Uganda workshop were participants of the their ideas, technologies and innovations to the South-South Conference held at MSSRF in grassroot level farming community. October 2002 and they were eager to know Keynote speakers who participated included about the progress made since then. The Prof M S Swaminathan, Dr P Pushpangadan, workshop revealed that the essential Dr Suman Sahai, Prof K I Vasu, Dr K K N Kurup components of a good ICT programme are a and Dr M A Kuttappan, (Hon’ble Minister for clear concept and vision, a committed group welfare of backward communities, Govt. of of people, local champions, good social Kerala) and other eminent scientists, activists mobilisation and people who can bring and community workers. international connectivity. There were parallel paper presentation and 13th Swadeshi Science Congress, (6-9 workshop sessions. An exhibition on the November 2003) Kalpetta importance and value of tropical forest MSSRF and the Swadeshi Science Movement biodiversity and field trips were organised. The (SSM) jointly organised the 13th Swadeshi highlights of the Congress were the contest for Science Congress at CAbC of MSSRF, Young Scientists awards, the Sir C V Raman Kalpetta. The focal theme was Crop Diversity Memorial lecture, and Swadeshi Award to Prof and Tribal Empowerment. The Congress K S Manilal for eminent plant taxonomist of provided a forum for people working in the area the country. of Science & Technology, particularly in relation National Consultation on Food Parks, Agri to agriculture, to discuss innovations, skills, Business & Quality Literacy (24 November, knowledge and policies used for improving 2003) Virudhunagar agricultural productivity and awareness of the importance of conservation and sustainable The consultation was convened at the Indian management of biodiversity. The discussion Food Park, Virudhunagar, TN, under the was centred on the themes of Crop Diversity auspices of the Indian Association for and Tribal Empowerment; Gender and Agribusiness Development (IAAD), jointly with Biodiversity; Health Science and Health Foods; CFTRI, Mysore and MSSRF, Chennai. The Poultry Farming for Livelihood Security; and event was sponsored by the Ministry of Food linking Science and People. Processing Industries (MFPI), Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Around 200 participants from research Authority, (APEDA) and Indian Overseas Bank institutes, Universities, NGOs, and the farming (IOB). It was attended by more than 140 officials community attended the Congress and and delegates from Food Parks all over the discussed the latest developments in all country, Government Departments of the disciplines of science. The Congress also acted various southern State Governments, research as a forum for the researchers to disseminate & technology institutions like CFTRI, DFRL, NRCB and MSSRF, commercial banks and Community Food Banks for Food financial institutions and representatives from Security(28th November 2003) Koraput the industry. This one-day workshop was held in Koraput, The consultation was designed to share Orissa. There were about 120 participants from experiences and develop a road map for NGOs in the region working in the area of food achieving nutrition security and rural prosperity security, representatives from MSSRF project through the food processing sector. The role of villages and other villages, the district technology, services and public policies in administration, ATMA, ORMAS, CSWCRTI, stimulating and nurturing a food processing WFP, KPG Bank and academia. About 50 revolution in the country was discussed. The percent of the participants were from the technological, financial, institutional and policy villages of Orissa which frequently face constraints responsible for the gap between problems of food scarcity and even starvation plans and practical achievements in the food during parts of the year. The proceedings were processing sector were also discussed. conducted primarily in Oriya to facilitate greater participation. It was a useful exercise in The Consultation urged all concerned to experience sharing and discussion on the redouble efforts, not only in the production sustainability of CFBs. phase of farming, but also in the post-harvest phase, thereby generating urgently needed Fish For All: National Launch (17-18 opportunities for skilled employment in the on- December 2003) Kolkata farm and non-farm sectors of the rural economy. To harness the potential that exists in the Recommendations were made for appropriate country for the development of fisheries and follow-up action to give a fillip to the Food Parks aquaculture and contribute to the nutritional and movement in the country, so that they can cater economic security of the country, a two-day to the large home market and also compete Fish For All meeting was launched at Kolkata, successfully in global markets. West Bengal. The meeting was attended by The Consultation, held under the Chairmanship more than 200 participants, including Ministers of Prof M S Swaminathan, sincerely hoped that and senior government functionaries from the the Government of India, the various State Centre and the States and Union Territories, Governments and institutions like NABARD, scientists and experts, representatives from the MFPI, NHB, APEDA etc would initiate industry, academic institutions, farmers, appropriate steps to strengthen policies to help members of the fishing community and the agri-business and agro-processing in India. media. Through the Virudhunagar Declaration, it called To achieve the goal of fish for all and forever, for all-out efforts both in the production phase the participants made specific recommen- and post-harvest processing phase, to usher dations for: in an era of Brown Revolution in India.

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Public policy and action, Implementation of Force participated in the session. Dr Jeffrey programmes for sustainable management of Sachs of Columbia University and chair of the marine resources,Strengthening institutional UN Millennium Development Goals delivered mechanisms and capacity building, and Public the Coromandel Lecture. The Summit Statement awareness & partnerships to promote fish for urged all political parties to include a firm all forever. commitment to ending poverty-induced nutritional deprivation in all parts of the country National Food Security Summit (NFS) (4-5 by 15 August 2007, in their manifestos for the February 2004) New Delhi forthcoming national elections. The NFS was organised jointly by MSSRF and Study Tour of UN Millennium Hunger Task WFP on the three aspects of food security viz, Force (9-12 February 2004) Chennai availability of food, access to food and absorption of food. Three parallel sessions were The UN Millennium Hunger Task Force of which organized on these three themes on 4th Prof Swaminathan is the co-chair held its annual February, 2004 at the National Academy of meeting in Chennai under the aegis of MSSRF. Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi. The Minister A field trip to MSSRF biovillage and information for Agriculture, Mr Rajnath Singh, inaugurated village projects in Pondicherry was arranged on the workshop and a large number of 10th February, 2004. A meeting was organised academicians, government personnel, public on Pondicherry and the Millennium and media representatives participated. Development Goals that was graced by His Excellency Shri N N Jha, the Governor of The themes of the workshop were as follows: Pondicherry. No time to relax on food production — the Conservation of Rice Biodiversity (1-2 March, need for an evergreen revolution in irrigated 2004) Jeypore and rain fed agriculture This was the first of the regional workshops New deal for self-employed — pathways of organized by MSSRF to commemorate the economic access to food International Year of Rice, under the broad theme Lifecycle approach to nutrition security at of “Rice, Gender and Food Security”. It was the individual level – from know-how to do- organised in collaboration with the district how. administration of Koraput. The meet reiterated The President of India, H E Dr. A PJ Abdul the importance of conservation and Kalam gave the valedictory address at the enhancement of traditional varieties of rice concluding session held at Vigyan Bhavan on germplasm and threw light on the need for 5th February, 2004. The Atlas of Sustainability commercialisation and gender concerns in rice of Food Security was released on the occasion. farming systems. The participants were from Members of the UN Millennium Hunger Task diverse backgrounds, 76 from different NGOs

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EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ in the State, 32 from the District Agricultural through positive approaches is important for Department, 20 from research institutions, 12 sustainable human security. rice millers and 303 farmers of whom 228 were Youth camps, workshops, meetings and women. The workshop served to bring together interactive seminars may be among the scientists, researchers, government officials means employed to reach across to youth and farm men and women on the same platform groups as part of awareness generation and and brought home the need for inter-cultural and motivation on social responsibility and inter-disciplinary dialogues. bridging the divide between urban and rural MSSRF-World Youth Bank Regional youth. The media (both print and electronic) Conference on Adequate Food for All (9-11 can be used effectively for greater outreach March, 2004) Chennai in this effort. Grounding in core human values should also be emphasised to equip The workshop brought together 80 participants youth to deal effectively with the dilemma from 7 different countries, including India. It was of finding an optimum balance between organised with support from the UN Interagency traditional and modern value systems. Group on Rural Development, Food Security National / Regional Fora should be organised and Nutrition, Soka Gakkai International, Japan, periodically to identify and elaborate the role International Food Policy Research Institute, of youth in society for achieving food security USA and Science City, Chennai. for all and to share knowledge and The participants worked out a five-point action experiences at the national, regional and plan: international levels.

A National Youth Bank (NYB) should be Opportunities should be created for youth established in each country with support to learn and bring knowledge to the field for from the Government, business, industry, better and effective technology transfer, society and media, with the objective of institutional innovation, policy implemen- achieving employment, food, drinking water tation, and monitoring and evaluation. and health security for all. National colloquium on Molecular Breeding Mainstreaming of youth and involving them and Shaping the Future of Rice (12-13 March in productive activities in the primary, 2004) Chennai secondary and tertiary sectors relating to MSSRF organised the National Colloquium food and agriculture and natural resource along with FAO of the UN, DBT , Goverment of management, should become a national India, XV Genetic Congress Trust and the policy. Poverty and food insecurity are two Mahyco Research Foundation, to discuss the of the root causes for violence and crime in potential impact of molecular breeding in society and initiating action to address them enhancing the productivity, quality, profitability

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Table 5.2: Training programmes conducted by the JRD Tata Ecotechnology Centre

Details Trainee Days Men Women Total

Accounts & Book keeping 956 2,759 3,715 Ecoentrepreneurship and micro enterprise 778 2,463 3,241 PRA, micro planning, gender and PAME 70 21 91 Precision farming and ecoacqaculture/ Awareness training on IPM, INM and Biovillage programme 1,157 1,693 2,850 SHGs, Federations and micro financing 1,091 3,057 4,148 Training for field officers and Government officials 87 36 123 Training for University staff and research scholars 26 26 52 Training organised by grassroot organisations in collaboration with MSSRF 6,534 3,652 10,186 Village knowledge centre management/ Conflict resolution and skill management training 134 720 854

Total 10,833 14,427 25,260

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Table 5.3: Training and networking activities at Kolli Hills, Wayanad, Jeypore and Chennai under the project Biodiversity Conservation, Integrated Natural Resources Management and Poverty Reduction

Particulars Male Female Trainee days

Millet Growing Area meeting at 5 villages (Kolli Hills) 62 125 187 Exposure visit to Chennai, MSSRF-Kannivadi site, AFPRO Field Unit at Jalna, Farm Technology Exhibition, TNAU, Huston Chilling Unit, dairy farm, vermicompost units, mushroom, azolla and vanilla cultivation areas, and land and water management 265 220 64 Orientation on agricultural biotechnology, crop diversification, medicinal plants and pollution (Wayanad) 240 190 37 Training on vermicompost, fodder production, herbal plants nursery, coirpith composting and organic farming 425 356 73 Training on mushroom cultivation and product diversification, azolla and vanilla cultivation (Wayanad) 311 225 50 Panchayat Raj Meeting at Kolli Hills 25 10 29 BDO Meeting to give orientation on Government Schemes, Village meetings, PGUS meetings 3,707 2,672 141 Folk song training for Aadi 18 Festival (Kolli Hills) 8 7 Biopesticide training 11 20 22 Training on improved method of minor millet cultivation, millet packaging and marketing 9 43 58 Millet seed production training (Kolli Hills) 6 6 12 Training on organic millet cultivation (Kolli Hills) 28 42 Orientation-cum-awareness on nutritious millets to urban housewives (Jeypore) 16 90 7 Capacity building and training on ledger and account maintenance 15 242 269 Nature Club Training (Kolli Hills) 60 40 200 Orientation to Genomic Club members, Higher Secondary School (Namakkal) 86 86 6 Participatory Varietal Selection of millets (Kolli Hills & Jeypore) 67 102 46 Farmers Club training (Kolli Hills) 43 86 Computer literacy training (Kolli Hills) 17 10 20 Seed driller operation training (Kolli Hills) 20 20 Maize seed treatment, improved cultivation, intercropping with tapioca, post harvest technology, maize sheller operation and grading, market tie-up and linkage to banks (Kolli Hills) 237 75 352 Learning visit to poultry industry, vaccination training for backyard poultry and market linkage of poultry farm owners with banks and agricultural experts (Kolli Hills) 80 140 170 Orientation on Importance of poultry feed grains and maintenance of poultry 10 50 20 Training on quality seed production and purification (Jeypore) 204 216 28 Improved method of paddy cultivation (Jeypore) 84 37 22

128 Programme Area 600

Special Projects

The Foundation was commissioned to prepare a paper on Ethics of Economic Development by UNESCO. The office of the Scientific Advisor to the Government of India has entrusted a study on impact of S&T on agriculture and rural development. Rice Bio parks are planned in major rice growing regions of the country. MSSRF proposes to set up one in the Women’s Biotech Park in TN.

601 Ethics of Economic/Development ------130

602 Measures of Impact of Science and Technology in India ------130

603 Rice Bio Park ------131

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on the impact of science and technology on Sub Programme Area 601 agriculture and rural development. This study is being initiated in the context of UNDP’s Ethics of Economic Development Human Development Report 2001, ranking India in the 63rd position out of the 72 countries MSSRF had been commissioned by the studied, with reference to Technology Regional Unit for Social and Human Sciences Achievement. in Asia Pacific (RUSHSAP) UNESCO, Bangkok, to prepare a paper on Ethics of This study will take into consideration all the Economic Development in the Asia Pacific components of agriculture such as crop Region. This is part of an exercise to develop husbandry, animal husbandry, fisheries and a policy framework for ethics of S&T for the forestry, as well as non-farm employment and Asia Pacific region. The MSSRF paper, a income generating avenues opened up by collaborative effort with inputs from several science and technology. In addition, sectors staff members, was presented and discussed of development vital for human health and at a three-day meeting in Bangkok in well-being, education, nutrition, water, November 2004. The other papers sanitation, communication, energy, health care commissioned are on Bioethics, Ethics of and ecosystem management will also be taken Nanotechnology and Ethics of ICT. The paper into consideration for measuring the impact was revised, based on the comments of science and technology on rural received, and will be published by UNESCO development. The study will provide a State- as a working paper. wise analysis of technological achievement across these major sectors and cover a time span of over three decades, from 1965-66 to Sub Programme Area 602 2000-2001.

Measures of Impact of Science and Work on this study began in March 2004. The Technology in India: Agriculture first meeting of the Project Review and Monitoring Committee was held on 27th March and Rural Development 2004, followed by a methodology workshop on 18th and19th June, 2004. By October 2004, the The office of Dr R Chidambaram, Principal draft 18th and 19th reports relating to crops, Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, fisheries and water will be presented to the has initiated studies on the development of members of the Project Review and Monitoring indicators to measure the impact of science Committee. and technology on human well-being and different sectors of the economy. The first study in this series, in collaboration with MSSRF, is

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phase with the support of MSSRF and CFTRI Sub Programme Area 603 with financial support from the Ministry of Food Processing and the DBT, Government of India, Rice Bio Park and land from the TN State Government.

In the International Year of Rice MSSRF Towards this end, a Project Design Workshop proposes to set up a Rice Bio Park for Women sponsored by the Rural Technology Action at the Golden Jubilee Bio-Park for Women Group (RuTAG), was held on 20th March, 2004 Society, TN, to help women entrepreneurs to at MSSRF. It was decided that such Rice Bio set up enterprises based on value addition to Parks should be set up in the major rice growing different parts of the rice crop – grain, bran, regions of the country. While the Rice Bio Park straw etc., and tap the market for the same. in Chennai will be exclusively for women The Rural-Urban Park will function with strong entrepreneurs, the ones in other areas will be linkages with rural areas. The proposed Park open to both men and women. It was also will also showcase the traditional aspects of decided that the Business Plans would be “rice” in the lives of people as part of this rich prepared for individual commercially viable cultural diversity. This Park will form an integral projects. RuTAG has provided financial support part of the Food and Nutrition Park being for the same and the Business Plan is under proposed at the Biotech Park as its second preparation.

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Publications Monograph no.17. M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai. 102pp.

Books/Monographs/Manuals Selvam, V., V. M. Karunagaran, K. K. Ravichandran, K. G. Mani and G. Evanjalin Bala Ravi, S. 2004. Manual on Farmers’ Rights. Jessie Beula. 2004. Joint Mangrove Manual no.12. M. S. Swaminathan Research Management in Tamil Nadu: Process, Foundation, Chennai. 80pp. Experiences and Prospects. Part 3 – Village Mangrove Councils. Manual no.10. MSSRF, M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation – Chennai. 56pp. Tata Virtual Academy for Food Security and Rural Prosperity. 2003. Towards a Knowledge Selvam, V., V. M. Karunagaran, K. K. Revolution in Rural India: Concept and Ravichandran, K. G. Mani and G.Evanjalin Operational Plan. Proceedings no.50. MSSRF, Jessie Beula. 2004. Joint Mangrove Chennai. 88pp. Management in Tamil Nadu: Process, Experiences and Prospects. Part 4 – Mangrove M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation. 2003. Management Units. Manual no.11. MSSRF, Rural Knowledge Centres: Harnessing Local Chennai. 60pp. Knowledge via Interactive Media. Proceedings no.51. MSSRF, Chennai. 55pp. Swaminathan, Mina and L. S. Saraswathi. 2003. As the Salt in the Sea: The Story of Project M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation. 2003. ACCESS. Monograph no.16. M. S. Fish for All: National Launch. Proceedings no.52. Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai. MSSRF, Chennai. 144pp. 204pp. M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation. 2004. Swaminathan, MS 2004. Technological Change Mission 2007: Every Village a Knowledge in Food Production: Implications for Vulnerable Centre – A Road Map. Proceedings no.53. Secions. CPRC - IIPA Working Paper No. 20. MSSRF, Chennai. 27pp. Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Narayanan, M. K. Ratheesh, P. M. Swapna and Delhi. 64pp. N. Anil Kumar. 2004. Gender Dimensions of Swaminathan, M. S., Pedro Medrano and R. V. Wild Food Management in Wayanad, Kerala. Bhavani. (eds.) 2004. Towards A Hunger-Free Research Report no.12. MSSRF, Wayanad, World: The Ethical Dimensions. EastWest Kerala. 111pp. Books (Madras), Chennai. 142pp. Ravishankar, T., M. Navamuniyammal, L. Gnanapazham, Satyashree Nayak, Gopal Articles in Journals/Books Chandra Mohapatra and V. Selvam. 2004. Atlas of Mangrove Wetlands of India: Part 3 – Orissa. Ajith Anand, C. Srinivasa Rao, P. Eganathan,

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N. Anil Kumar and M. S. Swaminathan. 2004. Balasubramanian, K., P. Thamizoli and S. Bose. Saving an Endemic and Endangered Taxon: 2003. Computers, Rural Community and Syzugium Travancoricum Gamble (Myrtacae): Heutagogy: Sociology of Promethean Literacy. A Case Study Focusing on its Genetic Diversity Journal of State Resource Centre for Adult and Reintroduction. Physiology and Molecular Education. 4(4): 5-11. Biology of Plants. (in press). Das, P., S. K. Das, A. Mishra, H. P. S. Arya, K. Arivudai Nambi, V. 2004. Benefit Sharing: TBGRI M. Bujarbarua, R. P. Singh, L. R. Verma, G. Model: A Case Study. Best Practices: Medicinal Subba Reddy, M. Geetha Rani, H. S. Gupta, Z. Plants: Breaking Barriers… Changing Lives. D. Kavia, D. P. Ray. (comp.) 2003. Inventory of (ed) Leena Chakrabarti. Oxfam GB in India, Indigenous Technical Knowledge in Agriculture: New Delhi. 22-29. Mission Mode Project on Collection, Documentation and Validation of Indigenous Arunachalam, V. and S. Bala Ravi. 2003. Technical Knowledge. Document 2. (Supplement Conceived Conclusions in Favour of GM 1). DIPA, Indian Council of Agricultural Cotton? – A Riposte to a paper in Science. Research, New Delhi. 226pp. Current Science. 85(8): 1117-1119. Dugdale, Anni, Amelia Ancog, Sudha Nair, Arunachalam, V. 2004. Promotion of Bt Cotton Peggy Fairbairn Dunlop and Wati Hermawati. in India. Current Science. 86(11): 1470. (cont.) 2003. Gender, Science and Technology: Bala Ravi, S. 2003. Biodiversity, Framers’ An Asia & Pacific Gender Mainstreaming Rights, Biotechnology and Patents. Farmers’ Training Manual. UNESCO, Jakarta. 111pp. Rights to Livelihood in the Hindu-Kush Eganathan, P. 2004. Mangrove Conservation Himalayas. (eds.) R. Adhikari and K. Adhikari. and Technology Transfer to Coastal South Asian Watch on Trade, Economics and Communities. 19th Session of Global Environment, Kathmandu. 11-25. Biodiversity Forum: Technology Transfer and Bala Ravi, S. 2003. Indian Legislation on Plant Capacity Building with Equity. Kuala Lumpur, Variety Protection and its Impact on Sugarcane Malaysia. February 6-8. Cultivation. Proceedings of the International Ganesan, M. 2003. Comparative Evaluation of Seminar on Sugarcane Genome and Genetic Low Cost Greenhouse and its Effect on the Yield Transformation. (ed) Y. S. Nerkar. Vasantdada and Quality of Two Varieties of Tomato Sugar Institute, Pune. 91-100. (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) Indian Bala Ravi, S. 2003. Indian Sui Generis Agriculturist. 6(3&4): 161-168. Legislation on Plant Variety Protection: Is it Ganesan, M., K. Balasubramanian and R. V. Effective and Will it Promote Private Investment Bhavani. 2003. Studies on the Application of in Plant Breeding. Reinvigorated IPR. 2: 45-67. Different Levels of Water on Zero Energy Cool

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Chamber with Reference to the Shelf Life of Biotechnology. 13: 39-42. Brinjal. Journal of the Indian Institute of Science. Loganathan, P. and Sudha Nair. 2004. (in press). Swaminathania salitolerans gen. nov., sp. nov., Geetha Rani, M. 2004. Role of Indigenous a Salt-Tolerant Nitrogen-Fixing and Phosphate- Technical Knowledge in Controlling Pest and Solubilizing Bacterium from Wild Rice Disease. Abstracts of the National Symposium (Porteresia coarctata Tateoka). International on Green Pesticides for Insect Pest Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Management. Entomology Research Institute, Microbiology. 54:1199-1204. Loyola College, Chennai. 19-20. Parasuraman, N. 2004. M. S. Swaminathan – Hariharan, G. N., R. S. Satyan and P. Balaji. 45 Doctorate Awards. Vivasaya Ulagam. 5(6): 2004. Harnessing the Unharnessed: 49-50. Prospecting for the Future with the Potential Parida, A. 2003. Agricultural Challenges and of Uncommon Natural Resources. Advanced Biotechnology Options. Advanced BioTech. 2(9): 23-27. Biotechnology. 2(5): 17-20. Latha, R., C. S. Rao, H. M. S. R. Subramanian, Ravishankar, T. 2003. Ethnotaxonomy to P. Eganathan and M. S. Swaminathan. 2004. Classical Taxonomy Need Recognition and Approaches to Breeding for Salinity Tolerance: Linkages for Biodiversity Conservation: An A Case Study on Porteresia coarctata Tateoka. overview from Indian Context. Report of the Annals of Applied Biology. 144(2): 177-184. South Asia Regional Session of Global Latha, R., G. H. Salekdeh Hosseini, J. Bennett Biodiversity Forum: Abstract. (eds.) Emilie and M. S. Swaminathan. 2004. Molecular Warner and P. Balakrishna. IUCN Regional Cloning and Expression of Stress-Responsive Biodiversity Programme Asia, Sri Lanka, eIF1 Gene in Porteresia coarctata Tateoka. Colombo. 55. Functional Plant Biology. (in press). Ravishankar, T., R. Ramasubramanian, D. Latha, R., L. Rubia, J. Bennett and M. S. Sridhar, N. Sreenivasa Rao, M. Jeelani, M. Swaminathan. 2004. Allele Mining for Stress Maqbool and N. Sheriff. 2003. Sustainable Tolerance Genes in Oryza Species and Management of Mangrove Wildlife Sanctuaries related Germplasm. Molecular Biotechnology. – Needs Policy Commitment of an Integrated 27:101-108 Multi-stakeholder Approach. Report of the South Asia Regional Session of Global Latha, R., T. S. Suryanarayanan and M. S. Biodiversity Forum: Abstract. (eds.) Emilie Swaminathan. 2004. Genetic Diversity in Warner and P. Balakrishna. IUCN Regional Acremonium Endophytes Isolated from Warm- Biodiversity Programme Asia, Sri Lanka, Season Grasses as Revealed by RAPD Colombo. 18-19. Markers. Indian Journal of Biochemistry and

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Ravishankar, T., R. Ramasubramanian and N. Sheriff, F. R., V. Arivudai Nambi, S. Mohamed Sreenivasa Rao. 2003. Intersectoral Linkages Ghouse and S. Subramaniyan. (eds.) 2004. for Conservation and Management of Forest Advances in Land Care Movement: Proceedings Resources: A Case Study on Mangroves of of the National Conference on Land Movement India. Proceedings of the Asia Regional for Food, Water and Livelihood Security. Soil Workshop on Mainstreaming Biodiversity and Conservation Society of India, Tamil Nadu Climate Change. (eds.) Bhujanga Rao Dharmaji, Chapter, Chennai. 518pp. P. Balakrishna and Helen Baulch. IUCN Sivaprakash, K. R., S. R. Prashanth, B. P. Regional Biodiversity Programme Asia, Sri Mohanty and Ajay Parida. 2004. Genetic Lanka, Colombo. 84-89. Diversity of Black Gram (Vigna mungo) Rengalakshmi, R. 2004. Linking Traditional and Landraces as Evaluated by Amplified Fragment Scientific Knowledge Systems on Climate Length Polymorphism Markers. Current Prediction and Utilization. Proceedings of the Science. 86(10): 1411-1416. Conference on Bridging Scales and Subashini, H. D., S. Anand alias Venkataseshan Epistomologies: Linking Knowledge with Global and S. Malarvannan. 2003. Trichogramma Science in Multi-Scale Assessments: Abstract. Biopesticides: A Viable Microenterprise – Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, Progress and Perspectives. Proceedings of the Alexandria. 85. International Seminar on Downsizing Saravanan, D. and V. Arivudai Nambi. 2004. Technology for Rural Development. (eds.) S. Aranya – Auroville: A Success Story on Khuntia, A. Parida and Vibhuti N. Misra. Allied, Transformation of Degraded into Eco-Friendly New Delhi. 239-243. Productive Lands. Advances in Land Care Subashini, H. D., S. Malarvannan and Renjith Movement: Proceedings of the National R. Pillai. 2004. Dodonaea angustifolia – A Conference on Land Care Movement for Food, Potential Biopesticide against Helicoverpa water and Livelihood Security. (eds.) F. R. armigera. Current Science. 86(1): 26-28. Sheriff, V. Arivudai Nambi, S. Mohamed Ghouse and S. Subramaniyan. Soil Conservation Swaminathan, M. S. 2003. Biodiversity: An Society of India, Tamil Nadu Chapter, Chennai. Effective Safety Net Against Environmental 444-453. Pollution. Environmental Pollution. 126(3): 287- 291. Selvam, V., K. K. Ravichandran, L. Gnanappazham and M. Navamuniyammal. Swaminathan, M. S. 2003. Enhancing our 2003. Assessment of Community-Based Agricultural Competitiveness. Current Science. Restoration of Pichavaram Mangrove Wetland 85(7): 886-895. Using Remote Sensing Data. Current Science. 85(6): 794-798. Swaminathan, M. S. 2003. From a Green to an

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Ever-Green Revolution. Proceedings of the in Agriculture. Business Mandate. 32(10): 3-5. National Seminar on Environmental Swaminathan, M. S. 2004. Indian Agriculture: Biotechnology. Justice Basheer Ahmed Sayeed Today and Tomorrow. Manorama Yearbook 2004. College for Women, Chennai. 1-8. (ed) K. M. Mathew. Malayala Manorama, Swaminathan, M. S. 2003. From Famine to Self- Kottayam. 523-535. Sufficiency in 20th Century India. The Twentieth Swaminathan, M. S. 2004. Innovations in Century – A History. (ed) Nanditha Krishna. The Managing Monsoons and Water Resources. C. P. Ramaswami Iyer Foundation, Chennai. 9- Financing Agriculture. 36(1): 16-25. 28. Swaminathan, M. S. 2004. Rice for Sustainable Swaminathan, M. S. 2003. Nutrition Security Food and Nutrition Security. Rice India. 14(1): and Natural Resources Scarcity in Asia. 43-50. Quarterly Journal of International Agriculture. 42(3): 241-260. Swaminathan, M. S. 2004. Science and Technology for Sustainable Food Security. Swaminathan, M. S. 2003. Reaching the Resource Conservation and Food Security. Vol. Unreached: Technology as on Ally in Skill and 1. (ed) Tapeshwar Singh. Concept, New Delhi. Knowledge Empowerment of the Poor. Transition 243-265. to Sustainability in the 21st Century: The Contribution of Science and Technology. The Swaminathan, M. S. 2004. With Room to Grow. National Academies Press, Washington, D.C. The Week. 22(25): 30-32. 38-44. Thamizoli, P. and the MSSRF Team. 2004. Swaminathan, M. S. 2003. Sustainable Food Mainstreaming Gender Concerns in Mangrove and Water Security. Ankuram – Environment Conservation and Management: Pichavaram Quarterly. 1(1): 23-33. Coast, Tamil Nadu. Livelihood and Gender: Equity in Community Resource Management. Swaminathan, M. S. 2003. Sustainable Food (ed) Sumi Krishna. Sage, New Delhi. 92-108. Security in Africa: Lessons from India’s Green Revolution. South African Journal of Velayutham, M and D K Pal 2003. Indian Soil International Affairs. 10(1): 11-26. Classification System. Soil Science Encyclopdia (in press) Swaminathan, M. S. 2003. Towards A Knowledge Revolution in Rural India. Media Velayutham, M. and S. P. Palaniappan. 2003. Mind – III Occasional Papers. (ed) K. M. Crop Diversification for Sustainable Agriculture. Shrivstava. Indian Institute of Mass Agricultural Situation in India. LV: 251-254. Communication, Orissa. 8-10. Vepa, Swarna Sadasivam. 2004. Land Care and Swaminathan, M. S. 2004. Beyond Tomorrow Water Care for Food Security. Advances in Land

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Care Movement: Proceedings of the National Indian Agriculture. National Academy of Conference on Land Care Movement for Food, Agricultural Research Management, Water and Livelihood Security. (eds.) F. R. Hyderabad. July 18-22. Sheriff, V. Arivudai Nambi, S. Mohamed Ghouse Bala Ravi, S. 2004. Implications of Introduction and S. Subramaniyan. Soil Conservation of IPR in Indian Agriculture. National Seminar Society of India, Tamil Nadu Chapter, Chennai. on Agriculture. Indian Institute of Soil Science 21-36. and National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Papers Presented in Confe- Bhopal. February 14-15. rences/Symposia Bala Ravi, S. 2004. Farmers’ Rights in Relation Arunachalam, V. 2003. Molecular Perceptions to Plant Biotechnology and Intellectual Property of QT and QTL. National Seminar on Advances Rights on Plant Varieties. International in Plant Breeding: Impact of DNA Revolution. Conference on Farmers’ Rights on Seeds. University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad. SAWTEE and ICIMOD, Kathmandu. March 24- October 30-31. 25.

Arunachalam, V. 2003. Genetic Variation and Bhavani, R. V., M. Velayutham, S. Bala Ravi, its Analysis: The Perceived and the Achieved. Sudha Nair, S. Vepa and K. Balasubramanian. International Training Programme on Molecular 2003. Ethics of Economic Development. Markers for Crop Improvement. Kirkhouse Meeting on Ethics of Science and Technology Trust, John Innes Centre, Norwich and in the Asia Pacific Region. RUSHSAP, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore. UNESCO, Bangkok. November 5-7. November 6-22. Boopathy, P., K. Chitra, L. R. Gopinath and R. Arunachalam, V. 2004. Farmer-Friendly V. Bhavani. 2003. Approaches for Rural Food Technologies Enhancing Economic and Security: Case Study from Kolli Hills, Tamil Livelihood Options in Orissa, India. 19th Session Nadu. XIII Swadeshi Science Congress. M. S. of Global Biodiversity Forum: Technology Swaminathan Research Foundation, Kalpetta, Transfer and Capacity Building with Equity. Kerala. November 6-8. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. February 6-8. Eganathan, P. 2004. Mangrove Conservation Arunachalam, V. 2004. The Modern Triangle of and Technology Transfer to Coastal th Plant Breeding. National Symposium on 50 Communities. 19 Session of Global Years of DNA: A Celebration and a Showcase. Biodiversity Forum: Technology Transfer and Osmania University, Hyderabad. March 29-31. Capacity Building with Equity. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. February 6-8. Bala Ravi, S. 2003. WTO and its Impact to Indian Agriculture. Workshop on WTO and Gnanappazham, L. 2003. Application of Remote Sensing on Coastal Wetland Management.

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UNESCO Training Programme. Centre for Kesavan, P. C., Ajay Parida and M. S. Geoscience and Engineering, Anna University, Swaminathan. 2003. Technology in a Seed: Chennai. December 1. Relevance of Salinity Tolerance Genes in Coastal Agriculture of India. CORDIA- Gnanappazham, L. and M. Navamuniyammal. EuropaBio Convention. Vienna, Austria. 2003. Monitoring Mangrove Vegetation in December 2-4. Andhra Pradesh and Orissa through Remote Sensing Data. ISRS Symposium ISPRS WG King, E. D. Israel Oliver, D. Sengottuvel, L. R. VII/3 Workshop and Annual Convention. Gopinath and V. Arivudai Nambi. 2003. Thiruvananthapuram. December 9-12. Commercialization for Conservation: Agro- Biodiversity Conservation Strategies for Small Gnanappazham, L. 2004. Application of Remote Millets: A Case from Kolli Hills, Tamil Nadu. XIII Sensing on Mangrove Ecosystem. UNESCO Swadeshi Science Congress. M. S. Training Programme. Centre for Geoscience and Swaminathan Research Foundation, Kalpetta, Engineering, Anna University, Chennai. June Kerala. November 6-8. 18. King, E. D. Israel Oliver, P. Boopathy, D. Gopinath, L. R., K. Chitra and P. Boopathy. 2003. Sengottuvel, L. R. Gopinath and M. Community Feed Grain Banks for Poultry Vijayaraghavan. 2004. Creating an Economic Development for Strengthening Livelihood and Stake for Community Organic Farming: Case Nutritional Security. XIII Swadeshi Science Study from Kolli Hills, Tamil Nadu. International Congress. M. S. Swaminathan Research Conference on Organic Food. ICAR, Shillong. Foundation, Kalpetta, Kerala. November 6-8. February 16. Gopinath, L. R., D. Sengottuvel and E. D. Israel Kumar, N. Ramesh, P. Loganathan and Sudha Oliver King. 2004. Creating an Economic Stake Nair. 2003. Prospecting Plant Growth Promoting in Conservation. Expert Workshop on Marketing Rhizobacteria in Selected Mangroves and Strategies and Capacity Strengthening to Mangrove Associated Plants from Pichavaram. Realize the Economic Potential of Underutilized 6th International Workshop on Plant Growth Plant Species. University of Macerata, Italy. Promoting Rhizobacteria. Indian Institute of February 28. Spices Research, Calicut. October 5-10. Kesavan, P. C. and M. S. Swaminathan. 2003. Loganathan, P. and Sudha Nair. 2003. Novel Salt Ethical, Social, Environmental and Economic Tolerant, Dual Property Plant Growth Promoting Issues in Animal Agriculture. FAO/IAEA Bacterium Isolated from Mangrove Associated International Symposium on Applications of Salt Marsh Plant (Porteresia coarctata). 6th Gene-Based Technologies for Improving Animal International Workshop on Plant Growth Production and Health in Developing Countries. Promoting Rhizobacteria. Indian Institute of IAEA, Vienna, Austria. October 9. Spices Research, Calicut. October 5-10.

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Pakkialatchumy, P. and Meera Devi. 2003. ICT GMO-Threat or Hope? Pontifical Council for and Rural Women. International Conference on Justice and Peace, Vatican, Rome. November Women in the Digital Era: Opportunities and 10-12. Challenges, Digital Technology and Women’s Parida, A. 2003. Biodiversity Characterization: Empowerment. Annamalai University, User Response. National Seminar on Chidambaram. December 10-12. Biodiversity Characterization at Landscape Palled, Vishwanath. 2003. Marketing and Level. Department of Biotechnology and Promotion of Microenterprises through SHGs. Department of Space, New Delhi. December Commonwealth of Youth. Chennai. July 19. 31.

Parasuraman, N. 2003. Involvement of Grass- Parida, A. 2004. Biotechnology and Root Institutions to Link Water, Energy and Food Bioprospecting: Why and How? National Security Towards Human Development in Tamil Seminar - Herbal Focus. Srimad Andavan Arts Nadu, India – A Model. 53rd Pugwash and Science College, Trichy. January 10-11. Conference. Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. July Parida, A. 2004. Biotechnology for Public Good. 17-21. BCIL Workshop on Biotechnology and Parasuraman, N. 2003. New Deal for Self-Help Biosafety. Biotech Consortium of India Limited, Employed for Youth Development. Conference Coimbatore. January 12. on Youth Development and Self-Help Promotion: Parida, A. 2004. Genetic Enhancement of Experiences of SAARC Countries. Dhaka, Coastal Ecosystem. Indo-German Workshop on Bangladesh. October 20-23. Biotechnology. New Delhi. April 4-7. Parasuraman, N. 2003. The 21st Century Star of Parida, A. 2004. Biotechnology and Food Hope: Agricultural Scientist – M. S. Swaminathan. Security in Asia: Priorities and Challenges. Annual Conference of Academy of Public Affairs Second Asian Conference on Biotechnology for on Tamil Nadu in the New Millennium: Challenges Asian Development. RIS, New Delhi. April 7-8. and Responses. University of Madras, Chennai. November 28-29. Parida, A. 2004. Agricultural Biotechnology: Impact on Crop Diversity. DIVERSITAS Parida, A. 2003. Sugarcane Biotechnology: Workshop on Greening Agriculture: Biodiversity Strategies for Developing Salinity Tolerant Conservation during Agricultural Transitions Cultivars. International Seminar on Sugarcane towards Sustainability. Alexandria, Egypt. May Genomics and Genetic Transformation. 10-12. Vasantdada Sugar Institute, Manjari, Pune. August 29. Rajamohan, K. G. 2003. Women Cyber Center. Seminar on Small Business Big Opportunities: Parida, A. 2003. GMOs and Food in Developed Profitable Ideas for Entrepreneurs. Industrial and Developing Countries. Study Seminar:

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ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ and Technical Consultancy Organization of Tamil Ravishankar, T. 2003. Traditional Knowledge and Nadu Limited, Chennai. June 6-7. Conservation Practices of Indigenous Communities for Sustainable Livelihoods in Rajamohan, K. G. 2003. ICT for Employment Southern India. XII World Forestry Congress. Opportunities: Special Reference to Information Quebec City, Canada. September 21-28. Villages in Pondicherry. Workshop of the International Labor Organization. ILO, New Ravishankar, T. 2003. Harnessing Biodiversity Delhi. August 23. and Cultural Diversity for Sustainable Livelihoods in Developing Countries. Invited Ravishankar, T. 2003. Ethnotaxonomy to Lecture at the McGill Geographic Speakers Classical Taxonomy Need Recognition and Series 2003-2004. School of Geography, McGill Linkages for Biodiversity Conservation: An University, Montreal, Canada. October 3. Overview from Indian Context. Global Biodiversity Forum for South Asia, 3rd Regional Ravishankar, T. and R. Ramasubramanian. Session. Dhaka, Bangladesh. June 15-18. 2004. Multi-stakeholder Approach in the Restoration, Conservation and Management Ravishankar, T., R. Ramasubramanian, D. of Mangrove Wetlands and Poverty Sridhar, N. Sreenivasa Rao, M. Jeelani, M. Reduction in Andhra Pradesh, India. National Maqbool and N. Sheriff. 2003. Sustainable Workshop on Conservation, Restoration and Management of Mangrove Sanctuaries for Sustainable Management of Mangrove Sustainable Development. Global Biodiversity Forests of India. Institute of Wood Science Forum for South Asia, 3rd Regional Session. and Technology, Visakapatnam, Andhra Dhaka, Bangladesh. June 15-18. Pradesh. February 18-22. Ravishankar, T. 2003. What is Biodiversity Rengalakshmi, R. 2003. Biodiversity Act and Worth to Developing Countries? International Plant Variety Protection and Farmers’ Right Act Workshop on Forests for Poverty Reduction: and its Relevance to Tribal Agriculture. Seminar Opportunities with CDM, Biodiversity and other on Five Year Plans and Welfare Schemes: Environmental Services. APAFRI and Seoul Socio-Economic Conditions of Tribals of Tamil National University, Republic of Korea, Seoul. Nadu. Department of Anthropology, University August 27-29. of Madras, Hoggenekal. November 30- Ravishankar, T. 2003. Community Based December 2. Reforestation and Management of Mangrove Rengalakshmi, R., B. Selvamukilan, P. Forests and Poverty Reduction: East Coast of Thamizoli, K. Balasubramanian and S. Bose. India. Asia Pacific Regional Workshop on Forests 2004. Decentralized Production of Trichoderma for Poverty Reduction: Can Community Forestry viride: A Viable Ecoenterprise. National Make Money? Chinese Academy of Forestry, Seminar on Rural Biotechnology for APAFRI, Beijing, China. September 1-2. Sustainable Development. Gandhigram Rural

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University, Gandhigram. February 18-20. and Sustainability. Ottawa, Canada. May 21.

Rengalakshmi, R. 2004. Linking Traditional and Senthilkumaran, S. 2004. Using ICTs for Scientific Knowledge Systems on Climate Reaching the Unrached. Conference on Health Prediction and Utilization. Conference on and Development: Challenges for the 21st Bridging Scales and Epistomologies: Linking Century. Barcelona, Spain. June 9-10. Knowledge with Global Science in Multi-Scale Subbiah, Vijay R. 2003. Information and Assessments. Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Communication Technology (ICT) for Rural Alexandrina, Egypt. March 17-20. Development. Workshop on Information and Satyan, R. S., C. Srinivasa Rao and Ajay Communication Technology for Poor. DHAN Parida. 2004. Antipest Property of Excoecaria Foundation, Madurai. December 22. agallocha against Helicoverpa armigera. Swaminathan, M. S., P. Loganathan and Sudha IUPAC International Conference on Nair. 2003. Potential Role of Plant Promoting Biodiversity and Natural Products: Chemistry Bacteria in Coastal Sustainable Agriculture. 6th and Medical Applications (ICOB-4 & ISCNP- International Workshop on Plant Growth 24). Council of Industrial and Scientific Promoting Rhizobacteria. Indian Institute of Research and University of Delhi, New Delhi. Spices Research, Calicut. October 5-10. January 26-31. Thamizoli, P. 2003. Folk Narratives from the Satyan, R. S. 2004. Biotechnology: Discoveries, Palni Hills: The Pulayans Left Behind the Dead Avenues and the Property Rights. Invited Talk. Cattle, Driven to the Mountain’s Edge, Shown Sri Sankara Vidyashramam Matriculation Higher the Dry Waterhole. Seminar on Livelihood Secondary School, Chennai. July 3. Strategies among Forest-Related Tribal Groups Senthilkumaran, S. 2003. The Information Village of South India: Contextual Analysis of Local Project, Union Pondicherry, South India. World Livelihood Strategies. Department of Social Congress on Engineering and Digital Divide, Anthropology, Stockholm University and Centre World Summit on the Information Society. Tunis, for Research on Environment, Development, Tunesia. October 14-16. Innovations, Technology and Trade, Mysore. October 17-19. Senthilkumaran, S. 2003. Using ICTs in Development: Information Village Research Thamizoli, P. 2003. Agriculture, Land and Project, Pondicherry. World Summi on the Settlement in Tribal Areas. Seminar on Five Year Information Society. Geneva, Switzerland. Plans and Welfare Schemes: Socio-Economic Dece,ber 8-13. Conditions of Tribals of Tamil Nadu. Department of Anthropology, University of Madras, Senthilkumaran, S. 2004. National Virtual Hoggenekal. November 30-December 2. Academy: MSSRF Experience. Conference on Connected for Development - Information Kiosks

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Participation in Training Tindivanam. January 20-22.

Programmes/Workshops Arivudai Nambi, V. 2004. Workshop on Arivudai Nambi, V. 2003. CBO Consultation on Wastelands and Women. Tamil Nadu Livelihoods and Markets Based on Traditional Corporation for Development of Women Ltd., Crops. Covenant Centre for Development Chennai. February 5. (CCD), Madurai, Sevaiyoor. August 1-2. Arivudai Nambi, V. 2004. International Arivudai Nambi, V. 2003. National Consultation Conference on Medicinal Herbs and Herbal on Medicinal Plants: Identifying Priorities for Products: Livelihoods and Trade Options. Oxfam India. Oxfam GB, New Delhi. September 19. GB, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. March 26- 27. Arivudai Nambi, V. 2003. Workshop on Water. Madras Institute of Development Studies, Bhavani, R. V. 2003. Workshop on Developing Chennai. October 8. LIBERA (Livelihood Improvement through Innovative Interventions using Biomass Energy Arivudai Nambi, V. 2003. South Asia Conference in Rural Areas) Framework for Biomass based on Technologies for Poverty Reduction. Micro-Energy Systems. Gram Vikas, Orissa. Intermediate Technology Development Group, August 19-20. British Council, New Delhi. October 10-11. Boopathy, P. 2004. Trainers’ Training Programme Arivudai Nambi, V. 2003. Workshop on on Composting Technologies. Krishi Vigyan Moderation / Facilitation Skills. CALPI (New Kendra, Gandhigram Rural Institute, Delhi), Hyderabad. October 27-31. Gandhigram. March 29-April 2.

Arivudai Nambi, V. 2003. XIII Swadeshi Science Bose, S. 2003. Training Programme on Hill Congress. M. S. Swaminathan Research Banana and Acid Lime Cultivation. Horticultural Foundation, Kalpetta, Kerala. November 6-8. Research Station, Thadiyankudisai. July 31.

Arivudai Nambi, V. 2003. Regional Consultation Bose, S. 2003. Training Programme on Onion on Medicinal Plants. Oxfam GB (New Delhi) Cultivation Methods. National Horticulture and Covenant Centre for Development Development Foundation, Oddanchatram. (Madurai), Asha Nivas, Chennai. December 6. October 17.

Arivudai Nambi, V. 2004. Ecological Awareness Bose, S. 2004. Workshop on Road Show on Campaign on the Trail of the Sirupanan: Water Surface – North India. Dhan Foundation, Conservation of Coastal Landscapes and Madurai. February 6-19. Culture. Department of Environment, Government of Tamil Nadu and Save the Gobu, J. 2004. Workshop on IT Management Eastern Ghats Organisation, Marakkanam, for Rural Development. National Information Center for Rural Development, Hyderabad.

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January 19-24. Palled, Vishwanath. 2004. Conference on Microfinance. French Institute of Pondicherry, Gupta, Ravi Kumar. 2003. International Pondicherry. January 7-8. Symposium on Transition in Agriculture for Enhancing Water Productivity. Agriculture Parasuraman, N. 2003. International Student / College and Research Institute, TNAU, Young Pugwash (ISYP) Conference on Killikulam. September 23-25. Advancing Human Security. Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. July 15-17. Gupta, Ravi Kumar. 2004. International Seminar on Modern Concept of Development and its Parasuraman, N. 2003. World Youth Peace Impact on Environment. S. T. Hindu College and Summit. International Association for Human OISCA-International (Japan), Nagarcoil. Values, Bangalore. December 7-9. January 27. Parida, A. 2004. XV Genetic Congress Trust Murugesan, S. 2004. Conference on Post Symposium on New Frontiers of Genetics and Harvest Technologies for Rural Development. Biotechnology. Genetic Congress Trust, New Gandhigram Rural University, Gandhigram. Delhi. January 21-23. February 12-14. Parida, A. 2004. FAO Capacity Building Nagaraja, C. 2003. Training Programme on Hill Workshop on Use and Regulation of GMOs. Banana and Acid Lime Cultivation. Horticultural Ministry of Agriculture, Cherating, Malaysia. Research Station, Thadiyankudisai. July 31. March 1-11.

Nagaraja, C. 2003. Training Programme on Onion Rajamohan, K. G. 2003. World Summit on the Cultivation Methods. National Horticulture Information Society. Geneva, Switzerland. Development Foundation, Oddanchatram. December 10-12. October 17. Ravishankar, T. 2004. National Committee Nagaraja, C. 2004. Conference on Sustainable Meeting on Preparation of Long Term Policy and Agriculture (Tamil Nadu Agricon 2004). Periyar Action Plan for Conservation of Wetlands. Maniyammai Engineering College, Thanjavur. Ministry of Environment and Forests, February 7. Government of India, New Delhi. January 28.

Nagaraja, C. 2004. Training Programme on Bee Ravishankar, T. 2004. Seminar on Sir Arthur Keeping and Honey Processing. Keystone Cottons’ Vision on River Water Management for Foundation, Kotagiri. March 30-April 1. Food Security. P. R. Government College, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. May 15. Palled, Vishwanath. 2003. Rural Net Conference. Confederation of Indian Industry, Seenivasan, R. 2003. Workshop on Farmers’ Mysore. November 8-9. Day Programme. Tamil Nadu Agriculture University, Coimbatore. May 31.

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Seenivasan, R. 2003. Training Programme on Subbiah, Vijay R. 2003. Interactive Workshop Remote Sensing Application Tools in Precision on Adaptable Models for Food and Agri- Farming. SAC, ISRO, Ahmedabad. September Business Growth. Confederation of Indian 15-20. Industry, Chennai. September 26.

Seenivasan, R. 2003. Training Programme on Awards/Honours Onion Cultivation Methods. National Horticulture Development Foundation, Arivudai Nambi, V. 2003. Member, Tamil Nadu Oddanchatram. October 17. Medicinal Plants Board, Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Tamil Seenivasan, R. 2004. Conference on Post Nadu. Harvest Technologies for Rural Development. Gandhigram Rural University, Gandhigram. Arivudai Nambi, V. 2004. Member, Text Book February 12-14. Committee for Environmental education. Universitu of Madras, Chennai. Selvamukilan, B. 2003. Training Programme on Hill Banana and Acid Lime Cultivation. Geetha Rani, M. 2004. Capacity Building IFAR Horticultural Research Station, Fellowship Grant to Work on Characterization Thadiyankudisai. July 31. of Genetic Diversity of Finger Millet – Eleusine coracana. IPGRI, Italy. Selvamukilan, B. 2003. Training Programme on Coffee Culture. Coffee Board, Thandikudi, Nair, Sudha. 2003. Member, Board of Directors, Dindigul. September 1-9. LEAD India.

Selvamukilan, B. 2003. Training Programme on Parida, A. 2004. Overseas Biotechnology Mass Production of Pseudomonas Associateship to Work at International Rice Fluorescens. Tamil Nadu Agriculture University, Research Institute, Manila, Philippines. Coimbatore. November 3-7. Government of India, New Delhi.

Selvamukilan, B. 2004. Conference on Parida, A. 2004. Editorial Board, Journal of Sustainable Agriculture (Tamil Nadu Agricon Tropical Agriculture. Kerala Agriculture 2004). Periyar Maniyammai Engineering University. College, Thanjavur. February 7. Ravishankar, T. 2004. Member, International Subbiah, Vijay R. 2003. Workshop on Market Society of Tropical Agriculture. Kerala Access and Fair Trade is possible for Producer Agriculture University. Groups from Marginalised Communities. Indo- Swaminathan, M. S. 2003. BioSpectrum American Centre for International Studies, Lifetime Achievement Award. Cyber Media Osmania University Campus, Hyderabad. (India) Limited, New Delhi. August 21-23.

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ABOUT THE FOUNDATION ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

About the Foundation

M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) was registered in 1988 as a non-profit Trust, recognized by the Government of India, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, and by the Director General of Income Tax Exemptions, for the purpose of exemption of contributions from Income Tax under Section 80G and section 35 (1) (ii) of Income Tax Act, 1961, read with Rule 6 of Income Tax Rules, 1962. The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, has recognised the Foundation for receiving funds from sources abroad under the provisions of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 1976.

Board of Trustees

Prof M S Swaminathan Ms Anuradha J Desai Chairman, MSSRF Chairperson Sri Venkateshwara Group, Pune

Dr K Kanungo Dr Soumya Swaminathan Former Chancellor Deputy Director Central Agricultural University Tuberculosis Research Centre Bhubaneshwar Chennai

Mr R M Lala Dr Usha Barwale-Zehr Former Director, Sir Dorabji Tata Trust Joint Director (Research) Mumbai Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Co. Ltd., Jalna

Mr N Ram Dr K N S Nair Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu Former Vice Chancellor, Chennai Kerala Agricultural University, Thiruvananthapuram

Dr T Ramasami Dr Suman Sahai Director Director, Gene Campaign, New Delhi Central Leather Research Institute,Chennai

Secretary to the Board of Trustees Dr M Velayutham Executive Director, MSSRF

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Centre for Research on Sustainable Mr S S Rajasekar Agricultural and Rural Development “River View”Kotturpuram, Chennai (CRSARD) Dr K Alagarswami Registered in 1990 as a Society under the Tamil Former Director Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975 Central Institute for Brackish Water Aquaculture, Chennai Governing Body Mr A M Mahmood Hussain, IFS (Retd.) Prof M S Swaminathan Forestry Expert, Chennai President 11, Rathna Nagar, Chennai Auditors

Dr R Kadirvel Vice-Chancellor M/s N C Rajagopal & Company, Chennai Tamil Nadu Veterinary & Animal Sciences Project / Management Committees University, Chennai Programme Management Committee for Dr S Rajagopalan Department of Atomic Energy Supported Secretary Project on Nuclear and Biotechnological Jeth Nagar, 2nd Cross St Tools in Coastal Systems Research R A Puram, Chennai - 28 Prof M S Swaminathan Ms Malavika Vinod Kumar MSSRF (Chairman) Treasurer Technical Director, Sundar Chemicals (P) Ltd, Members Chennai Ms Sudha Bhave Prof Kunthala Jayaraman IAS, Joint Secretary (R&D), Former Dean of Technology Department of Atomic Energy, Mumbai Anna University, Chennai Mr S K Agarwal Dr T N Ananthakrishnan Director, NPCIL, Kudankulam, Former Director Dr K B Sainis Entomology Research Institute Associate Director, Biosciences Group, BARC Loyola College, Chennai Mumbai Prof C Ramasamy Prof P C Kesavan Vice-Chancellor DAE – Homi Bhabha Chair, MSSRF Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore Dr Ajay Parida Director, MSSRF, Member-Secretary

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ABOUT THE FOUNDATION ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Committee for Biodiversity Conservation, Institutional Bio-safety Committee Integrated Natural Resources Management Prof M S Swaminathan and Poverty Reduction (SDC assisted) MSSRF (Chairman) Prof M S Swaminathan Members MSSRF (Chairman) Dr V P Gupta Members Advisor, Department of Biotechnology Ms Lucy Maarse New Delhi Deputy Coordinator and Delegate SDC/IC, Prof Arun Balakrishnan Swiss Agency for Development and CBT, Anna University, Chennai Cooperation, New Delhi Dr Ajit Yadav Dr N R Jagannath Medical Practioner, Apollo Hospital, Chennai Programme Officer, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, New Delhi Dr M Velayutham Executive Director, MSSRF Dr Vanaja Ramprasad Green Foundation, Bangalore Dr Ajay K Parida Director, MSSRF (Member Secretary) Mr Siva Prasad AFPRO, Hyderabad Project Review and Monitoring Committee (PRMC) for project on Measures of Impact Dr M Velayutham of Science and Technology: Agriculture and Executive Director, MSSRF, Chennai Rural Development, supported by the Office Ms Mina Swaminathan of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Hon. Director, UDRC, MSSRF, Chennai Government of India

Dr N Anil Kumar Members: Principal Scientist Dr V L Chopra, President, National Academy Dr L R Gopinath of Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi Senior Scientist, MSSRF, Namakkal Dr C R Bhatia, Formerly Director, Biotechnology Mr Bibhu Prasad Mohanty Group, BARC, Mumbai Senior Scientist, MSSRF, Jeypore Dr Panjab Singh, Scientific Consultant, Office Dr V Arivudai Nambi of the PSA to the Govt of India, New Delhi Principal Scientist and Coordinator, MSSRF, Dr R P Gupta, Scientist E, Office of the PSA Chennai (Member Secretary) to the Govt of India, New Delhi

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Advisory Board to The HMRC Prof M S Swaminathan Chairman, MSSRF Mr N Ram Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu Dr M Velayutham Executive Director, MSSRF Mr Sashikumar Menon Chairman, Asian College of Journalism Ms Mina Swaminathan Honorary Director, UDRC, MSSRF, Chennai Mr B R Kumar Station Manager, Gyan Vani, Educational Radio Dr K Bhanumathi Channel, IGNOU Coordinator, The Hindu Media Resource Centre, MSSRF Mr H R Krishnamoorthy Director, All India Radio, Chennai

148

FOUNDATION STAFF ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Chairman

Prof. M. S. Swaminathan Chairman and UNESCO Chair in Ecotechnology Foundation Staff

Dr. M. Velayutham Executive Director & National Coordinator Sustainable Management of Natural Resources for Food Security

Finance & Administration Ms.C.Ramadevi* Secretary Mr.G.Srinivasan Chief Manager Ms. Shantha Shree Secretary Mr. N. Parasuraman Manager - Estate Supporting Staff

Mr.Kannan Subramanian Ms. T. Vijayasulochana Manager-Budget & Accounts Administrative Assistant

Ms. C. Madhumathi Mr. M. Rajakumaran Manager - Personnel & Legal Affairs Administrative Assistant

Ms. V. Sridevi* Ms. Sayeda Habi Banu Begum Executive Secretary Administative Assistant

Mr. C. V. Parthasarathy Ms. R. Jayashree Executive Secretary Accounts Assistant

Ms. S. Geetha Mr. N. Sundaram* Secretary Accounts Assistant

Mr. S. Karthikeyan Mr. C. Rukmangathan Assistant Manager - Budget & Accounts Accounts Assistant

Ms. R. Malathy Ms. Bhooma Ramasamy* Senior Secretary Accounts Assistant

* Left during the year

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ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Mr. C. Sivaraj Mr. E. Velu* Electrical Supervisor Plumber

Mr.G.Suresh Kumar Mr. Niyas Technical Assistant Office Attendant

Mr. B. Sivakumar Mr. T. Samuel Electrical Assistant Gardener

Mr. P. Muthukumar Ms.Saroja Ramdoss* Electrician Cleaner

Mr. E. Thiruvengadam Programme Area 100 - Coastal Systems Electrician Research

Ms. G. Padmavathy Coastal Wetlands Project Receptionist cum Telephone operator Dr. V. Selvam Ms.N.Mageshwari Principal Scientist (Associate Director - Office Assistant Tamilnadu) Programme Director-Gulf of Mannar Mr. P. Shanmugam Technical Assistant Ms. L. Gnanapazham Scientist Mr.S.Radhakrishnan* Office Attendant Ms. M. Navamuniyammal Scientist Mr. S. Gopalakrishnan Driver Tamil Nadu

Mr. P. Lakshmanan Mr. K. K. Ravichandran Gardener Senior Scientist

Ms. Soundari Dr. V. M. Karunakaran Cleaner Scientist

Ms. J. Lakshmi Ms. Evanjalin Jessie Beaula Cleaner Scientist

Mr. C. H. Venkateswarlu Cleaner

* Left during the year

150

FOUNDATION STAFF ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Andhra Pradesh Mr.Arup Kumar Patro ** Scientist Dr. T. Ravishankar Principal Scientist ( Associate Director - Nuclear and Biotechnological Tools for Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal) Coastal Systems Research

Dr. R. Ramasubramanian Prof P.C.Kesavan Scientist DAE Homi Bhabha Chair and Distinguished Fellow Mr. Y. Ravichand Scientist Dr. Ravi Kumar Gupta Research Associate Orissa Mr. M. Nageswaran Mr. Bisuddha Nanda Mishra** Scientist Scientist Mr. P. V. David Mr. Sathyashree Nayak** Technical Assistant (Field) Scientist Mr. R. Kalaimani Mr. Rabi Narayan Nayak** Technical Assistant - (Field) Scientist Mr. J. Chelladurai Mr. Srinibas Panda** Technical Assistant (Field) Scientist Mr. R. Sankar Mr. Prakash Dash** Technical Assistant - (Field) Scientist Bioresources Board Mr. Arabinda Sahoo** Technical Assistant (Field) Mr. K. R. Sivaprakash Senior Research Fellow Mr. Gopal Chandra Mohapatra** Technical Assistant ( Field) Promotion of Alternative Livelihoods for the Poor in the Biosphere of Gulf of Mannar Mr. Nirakar Behera** Field Attendant Dr. S. Babu** Scientist Mr. Rabindra Kumar Mallick** Driver Mr. M. Selvakku** Scientist

* Left during the year ** project ended

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ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Ms. S. Velvizhi Ms. Y. Dilhara Begum Scientist Office Assistant

Mr. A. Godwill John** Mr. M. Kannan Scientist Lab Attendant

Mr. Ramanathan** Lichen Ecology and Bioprospecting Office Attendant Dr. G. N. Hariharan Mr. M. Srinivasan** Principal Scientist Driver Mr. P. Balaji Programme Area 200: Biodiversity and Senior Research Fellow Biotechnology Mr. Bharath Prithiviraj Molecular Mapping and Genetic Junior Research Fellow Enhancement Mr. R. Kathiravan Dr. Ajay Kumar Parida Lab Attendant Programme Director - Biotechnology Bioprospecting, Biopartnership and Dr. Gayathri Venkataraman Micropropagation Research Associate Dr. C. Srinivasa Rao* Mr. M. N. Jithesh Senior Scientist Senior Research Fellow Dr. S. Rajalakshmi Mr. Prashanth S.Raghavan Research Associate CSIR Senior Research Fellow Dr. P. Eganathan Ms. Preeti Angela Mehta Research Associate Senior Research Fellow Mr. H. M. Sankararamasubramanian Ms. Suja George Senior Research Fellow CSIR Junior Research Fellow Mr. R. S. Satyan Ms. K. Praseetha Junior Research Fellow CSIR Junior Research Fellow Mr. M. M. Saravanan Mr. K.M. Kadirvelu Technical Assistant Technical Assistant Mr. E. Siva * Left during the year** project ended Lab Attendant

152

FOUNDATION STAFF ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Karaikal Ms. M. Geetha Rani Senior Scientist Mr.S.Rajakani Technical Assistant ( Field) Dr. Uma Ramachandran * Senior Scientist Microbiology Ms. Suchitra Padmanaban* Dr. Sudha Nair Scientist Programme Director - Biodiversity Mr. R. Rajakumar* Dr. P. Loganathan* Scientist Research Associate Mr. D. Munusamy Mr. Diby Paul Research Assistant Research Associate Mr. N. Premkumar* Mr. Barath K Srinivasan Technical Research Assistant Research Associate Mr. K. Sundervadivelu Ms. Sujaritha K S Secretary Project Fellow Tiruvannamalai Mr.N.Ramesh Kumar Junior Research Fellow Mr. P. Murugan* Scientist Mr. K. Ravikannan Technical Assistant CAbC, Kalpetta

Mr.M.Murugavel Mr. V. M. Chandrasekaran* Technical Assistant Scientist

Biodiversity Conservation, Integrated Community Biodiversity Programme Natural Resources Management and Poverty Kolli Hills Eradication Dr. L. R. Gopinath Dr. S. Bala Ravi Senior Scientist Advisor ( Biodiversity) Mr. E. D. Israel Oliver King Dr. V. Arivudai Nambi Scientist Principal Scientist

* Left during the year

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ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Ms. K. Chitra Ms. Elsy Mathew Scientist Administrative Assistant

Mr. R. Baskar Mr. T. Manojkumar Accounts Assistant Office Assistant

Mr. P .Bhoopathy Ms. Saraswathy Neelakantan Technical Assistant ( Field) Cook cum caretaker

Mr. D. Sengottuvel Ms. Saraswathy Technical Assistant ( Field) Cleaner

Mr. P. Thangavel Mr. P.M. Salim Field Assistant Farm Assistant

Community Agrobiodiversity Centre, Community Agrobiodiversity Programme, Kalpetta, Kerala Orissa

Dr. N. Anilkumar Mr. Bibhu Prasad Mohanty Principal Scientist Senior Scientist

Dr.K. Madhusudanan Mr. Susanta Sekhar Chaudhury Scientist Scientist

Mr. M. K. Rateesh Narayanan Mr. Tusar Ranjan Nayak Scientist Scientist

Mr. G. Girigan Mr. Saujanendra Swain Scientist Scientist

Mr. V. P. Sajeev Mr. Trilochana Ray Scientist Technical Assistant

Mr. V.V. Sivan Mr. Prasanth Kumar Parida Scientist Technical Assistant (Field)

Mr. T. Raveendran Mr. Akshay Kumar Panda Technical Assistant (Field) Technical Assistant - (Field)

Mr. P. A. Rasheed Mr. Nihar Ranjan Parida Technical Assistant (Field) Technical Assistant (Field)

Ms. K. N. Shyja Mr. Suresh Kumar Rath Library Assistant Office Assistant

154

FOUNDATION STAFF ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Programme Area 300 : Ecotechnology and Mr. S. Karthik Sustainable Agriculture Lab Assistant

JRD Tata Ecotechnlogy Centre Mr. S. Mohan Office Attendant Dr. K. Balasubramanian# Programme Director - Ecotechnology Chidambaram

Dr. P. Thamizholi Dr.A.Gopalakrishnan Principal Scientist Scientist

Dr. H. D. Subashini Mr. E. Selvaganapathy Senior Scientist Technical Assistant (Field)

Dr. Vijay R. Subbiah Kannivadi Scientist Mr. S. Bose Ms. R. Rengalakshmi Scientist Scientist Mr. S. Murugesan Mr. Vishwanath M. Palled Scientist Scientist Mr. R. Seenivasan Mr. A. Alphonse Chandra Kumar Scientist Community Bank Manager Mr. B. Selvamukilan Mr. S. Malarvannan Scientist Scientist Mr.M.Senthil* Mr. M. Ganesan Scientist Scientist Mr. C. Nagaraja Ms. Ram Kripa Technical Assistant (Field) Scientist Biovillages Programme, Pondicherry Mr. S. Sekar Technical Assistant Mr. D. Rosario Scientist Ms. D. Rojarani Office Assistant Ms. G. Meenakshi Scientist

# on sabbatical for six months * Left during the year

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ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Ms. S. Sudarkodi Programme Area 400 : Reaching the Scientist Unreached

Mr. S. Anand Uttara Devi Resource Centre for Gender and Technical Assistant (Field) Development

Mr. P. Kumaran Ms. Mina Swaminathan Technical Assistant (Field) Hon. Director

Mr. M. Babu Dr. Meera Devi Driver Principal Scientist and Coordinator UDRC

Biovillages - Orissa Ms. J. Latha Murugesan Assistant Manager Mr. Dibakar Sahoo Senior Scientist Ms. K. Sheela Senior Secretary Ms. Gitishree Nayak Technical Assistant (Field) Ford Foundation Chair

Mr. R. Jeeva Dr. Swarna Sadasivan Vepa Technical Assistant (Field) Programme Director - Food Security

Mr. Kailash Chandra Agarwal* Dr. B. V. Rao Centre for Sustainable Food Administrative Assistant Security

Mr.Pradeep Kumar Nayak Ms. R. V. Bhavani Administrative Assistant Principal Scientist

Sustainable Management of Natural Ms. G. Anuradha Resources for Food Security Senior Scientist

Dr. SP. Palaniappan* Ms. Deepa Verma Principal Scientist Scientist

Dr. A. Chandrasekaran Mr. A. Vedamoorthy Principal Scientist Scientist

Mr. K. G. Mani Ms. Ruchita Magnani Scientist Scientist

* Left during the year

156

FOUNDATION STAFF ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Ms. Lavanya Ravikanth A Mr. P. Sivakumar Scientist Scientist

Ms. G. Sagarika* Mr. S.M. Shahabuddin Scientist Scientist

Mr.S.Krishna Kumar* Mr. M. Madhan* Scientist Assistant Librarian

Mr. B. Ananda Kumar Mr. M. Kuppusamy Technical Assistant Library Assistant - CDROM

Mr. A. Sakthivelan Mr. K. Rameswaran Secretary Technical Assistant

Programme Area 500: Education, Ms. D. Arasanayaki Technical Assistant Communication, Training and Capacity Building Every Child a Scientist (Chennai)

Informatics Centre and Library services Dr.G.Jeyalakshmi Scientist Mr. S. Senthilkumaran Associate Director National Virtual Academy

Ms. Sylvia Snehalatha Dr. N. Sriram Manager - Library Services Manager - Content

Ms. Anita Vasanth * Ms. K. Amudha Scientist Scientist

Mr. M. Manikandan Ms. Rosemeena Amirthanayagam Scientist Scientist

Mr. R. Rajamanikkam Ms. K. Chithrameenal Scientist Scientist

Mr. S. I. Rino Mr. S. Shahul Hameed Scientist Scientist

Mr.Sudalai Rajkumar* Mr. Surya Narayanan Scientist Scientist * Left during the year

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Mr. M.T. Murugasan Ms. K. Banumathy Scientist Principal Scientist-Coordinator HMRC

Mr. S. Gurumoorthy Ms. R. Rekha Technical Assistant Programme Associate

Mr. M. Muthukumar Mr. G. Suresh Kumar Technical Assistant Technical Assistant

Information Villages Programme, Programme Area 600: Special Projects Pondicherry Measures of Impact of Science and Mr. K. G. Rajamohan Technology in India: Agriculture and Rural Scientist Development

Mr. R. Rajasekarapandy Dr. R. Rukmani Scientist Principal Scientist

Mr. J. Gobu Dr. Nirmala Devi Scientist Scientist

Ms. P. Pakkialatchumy Mr. V. Senthilkumar Technical Assistant Scientist

Mr. G. Jayakrishnan Distinguished Fellows Technical Assistant Dr. V. Arunachalam “The Hindu” Media Resource Centre Prof. Subbiah Arunachalam

158

LIST OF DONORS ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

List of Donors 2003-2004 Endowment Funds

R D Tata Trust, Mumbai Poultry Development & Promotion Council, Hyderabad

Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, Mumbai Prof M S Swaminathan, Chennai

Shri R B Barwale, Mumbai Ford Foundation, USA

Tata Education Trust, Mumbai

Tata Education Trust, Mumbai Institutional Donors - National

KOLAM, Chennai ICICI Bank Ltd, Chennai

V.V. Vanniaperumal & Sons Coromandel Fertilisers Ltd, Secundarabad

Diana World Travel Pvt. Ltd, Chennai Anand Associates, Chennai

Institutional Donors - International

Kirkhouse Trust, UK Peace Boat, Tokyo

Individual Donors - National Mr. M.S. Ramachandran, Chennai Mr. Bhagwan Maniar, Mumbai

Mrs. Amiya Kesavan, Chennai Prof. P.C. Kesavan, Chennai

Dr. Swarna Sadasivam Vepa, Chennai Ms. R.V. Bhavani, Chennai

Dr. S. Bala Ravi, Chennai Ms. Sharada, Chennai

Mr. C.V. Parthasarathy, Chennai Mr. T. Parthasarathy, Chennai

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Individual Donors - International

Ms. Anna May Feige, USA Dr. Christopher Dowswell, USA

Mr. Lennart Grebelius, Sweden Ms. Abigail Darge-Weeks, USA

Ms. Mary Mentz, Australia

Donation for Micro credit Banks Friends of MSSRF, Tokyo, Japan

Ms. Vicki Corbett Ms.Carol Hankins

Ms. Farida Rahman Mr. Atul Parekh

Masters. Matt & Arjun Mr. Janak Raj

Ms. Dangela King Mr. James D. Hughes

Mr. Alex King

160

SOURCES OF PROJECT SUPPORT ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

SOURCES OF PROJECT SUPPORT Programme Area 100 : Coastal Systems Research

National International

Department of Atomic Energy India-Canada Environment Facility Government of India, Mumbai New Delhi

National Bioresources Department Board Unoted Nations Development Programme Government of India, New Delhi New Delhi Programme Area 200 : Biodiversity and Biotechnology

National International

Department of Biotechnology Swiss Agency for Development and Government of India, New Delhi Cooperation (SDC), New Delhi

National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources Centre for Collaborative Research and (NBPGR) New Delhi Education, USA

International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Rome

International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI), Rome

United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Washington Programme Area 300 : Ecotechnology and Food Security

National International

Department of Biotechnology International Development Research Centre Government of India, New Delhi (IDRC) Canada

Council for Advancement of People’s Volkart Stiftung Action and Rural Technology (CAPART), Winterthur

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ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

New Delhi TATA Social Welfare Trust Food & Agriculture Organisation of the U.N. Mumbai New Delhi

National Bank of Agriculture and Rural The Commonwealth of Learning, Canada Development, (NABARD) Mumbai Friends of MSSRF, Tokyo, Japan Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, Mumbai

Programme Area 400 : Reaching the Unreached

National International

Venkateshwara Hatcheries Ltd, Pune World Food Programme, India Country Office New Delhi

Friends of MSSRF, Tokyo, Japan

Programme Area 500 : Education, Communication, Training and Capacity Building

National International

Department of Space, Govt. of India, International Devlopment Research Centre Bangalore Canada

Department of Science & Technology, Canadian International Development Agency Government of Pondicherry, Pondicherry Canada

Department of Biotechnology (Bioinformatics) Volkart Stiftung Government of India, New Delhi Winterthur

Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, UP International Society for Mangrove Ecosystems, Japan Office of the Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, New Delhi UNIFEM, New Delhi

Poultry Development Promotion Council, World Food Prize Foundation, USA Hyderabad

Mahyco Research Foundation, Mumbai International Start Secretariat, USA

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SOURCES OF PROJECT SUPPORT ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Government of West Bengal Food & Agriculture Organisation of the U.N. Regional office, Bangkok

Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India One World International Inc., United Kingdom

Krishna Sweets, Chennai UN Millennium Hunger Project, Columbia Technology Information, Forecasting and University, USA Assessment Council, New Delhi

Indian Overseas Bank, Virudhunagar Youth Employment Summit Education Development Centre, Newton, USA Marine Products Export Development Authority, Kochi IUCN Nepal

Office of the Science City, Chennai World Fish Center, Penang

National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Science and Development Network, London New Delhi

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Soka Gakkai International, Japan Development, Mumbai

UN Inter Agency Group on Rural XV Genrtic Congress Trust, New Delhi Development and Food Security and Nutrition, New Delhi

CSIR, New Delhi

Programme Area 600 : Special Projects

National International

National Bioresources Development Board United Nations Environment Programme New Delhi Nairobi, Kenya

Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor to the UNDP - Global Environment Facility, Government of India, New Delhi New Delhi

UNESCO, Bangkok

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List of Acronyms AFLP Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism

AIR All India Radio

AP Andhra Pradesh

APEDA Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority

ATMA Agricultural Technology Management Agency

BARC Bhabha Atomic Research Centre

BD Biodiversity

BR Biosphere Reserve

BSNL Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited

CAbC Community Agrobiodiversity Centre cDNA Complementary De-oxy Ribo Nucleic Acid

CFB Community Food Bank

CFGB Community Feed Grain Bank

CFTRI Central Food Technology Research Institute

CIDA Canadian International Development Agency

CIFT Central Institute of Fisheries Technology

CMFRI Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute

CSB Community Seed Bank

CSGCA Centre for Studies on Gender Concerns in Agriculture

CSWCRTI Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute

DAE Department of Atomic Energy

DBT Department of Biotechnology

DFO District Forest Officer

DFRL Defence Food Research Laboratory

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LIST OF ACRONYMS ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

DRDA District Rural Development Agency

EB Executive Body

EC Executive Committee

EST Expressed Sequence Tags

FAO Food and Agriculture Organisation

FD Forest Department

FF Ford Foundation

FRIS Farmers’ Rights Information Database

GB General Body

GEAC Genetic Engineering Approval Committee

GIS Geographical Information Systems

GKP Global Knowledge Partnership

GO Government Organisation

GoM Gulf of Mannar

GoMBR Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve

GRU Gandhigram Rural University

ICAR Indian Council for Agricultural Research

ICDS Integrated Child Development Service

ICEF India Canada Environment Facility

ICRISAT International Crop Research Institute for Semi Arid Tropics

ICT Information and Communication Technology

IDRC International Development Research Centre

IEEF Ion Exchange Enviro Farms Pvt Ltd

IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development

IFPRI International Food Policy Research Institute

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IGCAR Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research

IGNOU Indira Gandhi National Open University

IIFS Integrated Intensive Farming System

IMTECH Institute of Microbial Technology

IOB Indian Overseas Bank

IPA Isopropyl Alcohol

IPGRI International Plant Genetic Resources Institute

IPM Integrated Pest Management

ISRO Indian Space Research Organisation

ITK Indigenous Technical Knowledge

IWST Institute of Wood Science and Technology

IYR International Year of Rice

JMM Joint Mangrove Management

KAU Kerala Agriculture University

KVK Krishi Vigyan Kendra

LEISA Low External Input Sustainable Agriculture

LJSS Luna Jungla Samrakshyana Samiti

LR Land Race

MFPI Ministry of Food Processing Industries

MMU Mangrove Management Unit

MoU Memorandum of Understanding

MSFLF Manikollai Small Farmers Lift Irrigation Federation

NABARD National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development

NASSCOM National Association of Software and Service Companies

NATP National Agriculture Technology Project

166

LIST OF ACRONYMS ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

NBDB National Bioresources Development Board

NBPGR National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources

NEDCAP Non-Conventional Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh

NHB National Horticulture Board

NRCB National Research Centre for Bananas

NRM Natural Resource Management

NSS National Service Scheme

NVA National Virtual Academy for Food Security and Rural Prosperity

OKN Open Knowledge Network

ORMAS Orissa Rural Marketing Society

OSU Ohio State University

PB Plant Biodiversity

PCI Participatory Crop Improvement

PCS Participatory Conservation System

PPB Participatory Plant Breeding

PPRC Paddy Processing Research Centre

PPVFR Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights

PRA Participatory Rural Appraisal

RCGM Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation

RET Rare Endangered and Threatened

RFPC Regional Forest Protection Committee

RGCVAS Rajiv Gandhi College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences

RNA Ribo Nucleic Acid

RS Remote Sensing

RSGA Reddiyarchatram Seed Growers Association

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SBI State Bank of India

SDC Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation

SGC Save Grain Campaign

SHG Self Help Group

SRI System of Rice Intensification

SSHG Sustainable Self Help Group

SSR Simple Sequence Repeats

THADCO Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Development Corporation

THF Tetrahydrofuran

THMRC The Hindu Media Resource Centre

TLC Thin-layer Chromatography

TN Tamil Nadu

TNAU Tamil Nadu Agricultural University

TRAI Telecom Regulatory Authority of India

UDRC Uttara Devi Resource Centre

UL/ML/LL Upland / Medium Land / Low Land

UNDP United Nations Development Programme

UNESCO United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation

VKC Village Knowledge Centre

VLI Village Level Institution

VVV Vikas Volunteer Vahini

WFP World Food Programme

WTO World Trade Organisation

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