Tenth Annual Report 1999 - 2000

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Front Cover

I. Tissue cultured Excoecaria agallocha growing in Chidambaram temple complex 2. Sculpture oj Excoecaria agallocha- the temple tree of Chidambaram 3. Avicennia marina, most widely distributed mangrove species: source material for stress induced genes 4. Oil seed mustard transformed with salinity tolerance genes from Avicennia marina

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Back Cover

I. GoniotJialamus waynadadensis - an endangered species endemic to southern Western Ghats 2. Reclamation of degraded land in rain shadow region, Kudankulam, with neem and tamarind 3. Improved groundnut varieties of BARe being demonstrated in Kudankulam region 4. Varieties of Njavara rice valued for its medicinal properties, collected from Kerala 5. Using traditional media to promote conservation of mangroves (Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh) Tenth Annual Report 1999 - 2000

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

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

Third Cross Road, Institutional Area, Tararnani, Chennai 600 113 India. Telephone +91 (44) 2351229 +91 (44) 2351698

Fax +91 (44) 2351319

E-mail [email protected]; [email protected]

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Citation : Tenth Annual Report: 1999-2000 M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation Table of Contents

Chairman's Introduction II ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 2

Programme Area 100

Coastal Systems Research it •••••••.•••• 12

Programme Area 200 Biodiversity and Biotechnology ...... •...... 41

Programme Area 300 Ecotechnology and Sustainable Agriculture 83

Programme Area 400 Reaching the Unreached 122

~ Programme Area 500 Education, Communication, Training and Capacity Building 137

Programme Area' 600 Special Projects 156

List of Publications ...... •...... 163

About the Foundation 175

The Foundation Staff " 180

List of Donors : : 189

Sources of Project Support 191

Annexure: Programme Priorities (2000 • 2005) ...... •...... •...... i

J Annual Report 1999-2000

Chairman's Introduction

This is the tenth Annual Report of the Founda- A Global Environment Facility (GEF) now exists tion. A brief history describing the birth and as a major multilateral funding mechanism to growth of MSSRF is being published separately. stimulate and support biodiversity conservation In essence, the basic scientific mandate of efforts. At the national level, a Protection of MSSRF is to impart a pro-nature, pro-poor and Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Bill and a pro-women orientation to a job-led economic Biological Diversity Bill are currently being con- growth strategy in rural areas. The first major sidered by the Parliament oflndia. The draft In- activity of MSSRF, soon after its establishment dian Bill on Plant Variety Protection is the first at Chennai in 1989, was the organisation of an in the world which recognises and rewards both International Dialogue on Plant Genetic Re- the contributions of tribal and rural families to sources (PGR) in collaboration with the Key- conservation, (i.e. falmers' rights) and of breed- stone Centre of the United States of America. ers to the commercialisation ofPGR (i.e. breed- This Dialogue, held from 29 January to 2 Feb- ers'rights). ruary 1990, resulted in several important rec- MSSRF, having started its work with this major ommendations such as the adoption of a global initiative, has subsequently continued its ef- Convention on Biological Diversity, the estan- forti'; in developing the necessary legal and lishment of a new financial facility for strength- public policy framework essential for promot- ening genetic resources conservation and the ing concurrent attention to the conservation re<;ognition of the rights of farmers and rural and sustainable and equitable use of communities, particularly of women, who have biodiversity. In January 1994, an interdisci- greatly contributed to the creation, conserva- plinary Dialogue was held to prepare a draft tion, exchange and knowledge of genetic di- Plant Variety Protection and Farmers' Rights versity and species utilisation. The Keystone- Act. The Madras Draft Act, as it was then MSSRF Dialogue also recommended that known, served as the starting point of the ef- germ plasm collections should be carried out forts of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Gov- under an acceptable ethical code which should ernment of India to get an integrated Bill 011 include procedures such as the explicit ad- breeders' and farmers' rights prepared for the vanced clearance by the concerned country consideration of Parliament. In 1996, MSSRF, and agreement on sharing of benefits. in collaboration with FAO, organised another Ten years later, it is a matter for satisfaction that Dialogue to provide inputs for the preparation this very first activity of MSSRF helped in a of a Global Plan of Action for the Conservation small way to generate the consensus needed of PGR, which was subsequently adopted at for several significant international develop- Leipzig in Germany in September 1996. A de- ments. Thus, a legally binding Convention tailed strategy for the conservation of on Biological Diversity (CBD) was adopted at agrobiodiversity was prepared for GEF. Cur- the UN Conference on Environment and Devel- rently MSSRF is engaged in compiling the best opment held at Rio de Janeiro in June 1992. practices adopted in different parts of the world

2 for operationalising at the field level the con- The MSSRF programme in the field of CSR cept of equity in benefit sharing for the use of later led to a large research and development GEF/UNDP/GOI. programme supported by the India-Canada En- vironment Facility for conserving the mangrove While working at the level of policy making, wetlands of the States of Tamil Nadu, Andhra MSSRF was deeply conscious of the need.to Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal. This work with the primary conservers of genetic programme was initiated in June 1997 and its resources, namely tribal and rural women and progress was reviewed this year by an External men. Soon after moving into a rented building Review Team. Among the major observations in Kotturpuram, Chennai, in April 1990, and recommendations of the External Review- MSSRF began its work on Coastal Systems Re- ers are: search (CSR), designed to foster simultaneously the ecological security of coastal areas and the "The project has succeeded in creating sliffi- livelihood security of coastal communities. Pri- dent awarenessabout conservation of mangroves ority attention was given to Coastal Mangrove in programme villages. Since mangrove Wetlands and to the unique marine ecosystem dependant communities are either landless of the Gulf of MannaI' area of Tamil Nadu. labourers or small and marginal farmers or MSSRF's mangrove work resulted in an inter- fishermen, the sustainability of the programme n~tional project designed to identify and con- is bound to receive greater support if poverty serve the mangrove genetic resources of the reduction is provided much n;ore thrust in the Asia-Pacific and West Mrican Regions. This remaining period of the project". work, supported by the International Tropical The Review Team has also recommended that Timber Organisation (lITO) with funds pro- the project should work proactively in the area vided by the Governments of Japan, United of policy advocacy to assist State Govenl1nents Kingdom and Australia, led to a widespread in getting guidelines for Joint Mangrove realisation of the importance and urgency of Management (JMM) put in place at an early mangrove genetic resources conservation. It also date. The team has further stressed the need generated greater national and international at- for building the capacity of the local Forest tention to the need for saving mangroves to Department personnel in JMM. The Team has save the ecological and human security of recommended the extension of the project for a coastal areas. further period of two years in Tamil Nadu,

Baimuru ll1 Papua New Guinea and Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal and for three Bhitarakanika in the State of Orissa, India, years in the case of Orissa, since, in spite of were identified as the two richest areas in the the impressive progress made so far, additional Asia-Pacific Region with reference to mangrove time will be needed to consolidate the gains genetic diversity. MSSRF also helped to estab- already made and to ensure the sustainability lish a Global Mangrove Ecosystem Information of the participatory management system being Service as well as an International Society for developed. The Review Team has paid a par- Mangrove Ecosystems (ISME), of which the ticular tribute to the efforts made to integrate Chairman of MSSRF was elected Founder- attention to the role and needs of women within President. the project framework. Action is being taken to

j Annual Report 1999-2000

implement the recommendations of the Re- are the DHAN Foundation, Madurai, Bharatiya view Team. Agro-Industries Foundation (BAIF), Pune and the Society for the Promotion of Wasteland ).'he ultimate objective of this Project is to de- -<'velop and. institutionalise participatory man- Development (SPWD), New Delhi. MSSRF will serve as the co-ordinating centre of the Network agement systems resulting in symbiotic part- which will foster market-driven micro nerships between Forest Departments and man- enterprises supported by micro credit and strive grove forest-dependant communities. The ma- to achieve the twin goals of poverty eradication jor aim is the generation oflivelihood and eco- and natural resources conservation and logical stakes in conservi\tion. The severe cy- enhancement. The strength of the Community clonic storm which affected coastal Orissa in Banking System flows from its low transaction October '99 provided avenues for converting cost, user-controlled system and linkages with this calamity into an opportunity for intensifi- appropriate support services. We are indebted cation of efforts to strengthen both ecological to Dr Geeta Mehta of Tokyo for establishing a and human security in the cyclone-ravaged ar- "Friends of MSSRF" Organisation in Japan for eas. The local families saw the beneficial im- mobilising support for this Community- pact of mangrove forests in mitigating the ad- Banking-led poverty elimination movement. verse impact of coastal cyclones. There is now widespread interest in rehabilitating the de- The UNDP-supported Biovillage Project comes graded mangrove areas and extending man- to an end in December 2000. A review of the grove plantations to additional areas. project was made at a workshop held. at Confidence in the work of the ~'oung scientists Pondicherry in November '99. Inaugurating the of MSSRF working in the Coastal Mangrove workshop, the Lt. Governor of Pondicherry, Her Wetlands areas of Orissa was clear from the Excellency Dr Rajani Rai, suggested that the additional responsibility entrusted to MSSRF Biovillage model of environment protection and by CIDA-ICEF, the RD Tata Trust and the st~ff poverty eradication be extended to all the vil- of Mis Pricewaterhouse Coopers and Lovelock lages numbering over 250, of the Union Terri- and Lewes Services Pvt. Ltd. All these agenciesl tory by August 15, 2007, which marks the staff associations have provided funds to 60th anniversary of India's Independence. Steps MSSRF both to rehabilitate cyclone-damaged have already been initiated in collaboration ecosystems and to improve on-farm and non- with the Pondicherry Administration to realise farm employment opportunities through the this objective. It is hoped that the Pondicherry Biovillage model of sustainable livelihoods. initiative will stimulate all State Governments Since the tasks ahead in linking ecological to plan and implement an Agenda 2007 and livelihood security in a mutually reinforcing programme, encompassing the urgent tasks of manner are huge and complex, a National nature conservation and enhancement, poverty Network on Biovillages and Community eradication, population stabilisation, gender Banking was launched in February 2000 by equity and human resource development. In the Hon. Shri Digvijay Singh, Chief Minister of order to assist the spread of the Biovillage Madhya Pradesh, at a workshop held at MSSRF, movement, MSSRF is organising a "Biovillage Chennai. The initial partners in the Network Corps" of rural women and men, who have

4 Chairman's Introduction

~ proved to be the prime movers and doers m been standardised involving bacteria and li- Pondycherry Biovillages during the last 5 years. chens. Several of them are semi-literate but possess The January 1990 Keystone-MSSRF Dialogue enormous technical skill and iinovative spirit. on Plant Genetic Resources urged all coun- The work initiated in 1990 in Mangrove Wet- tries to recognise and enhance the on-going lands had three major aims - first, to conserve efforts of women in both the conservation of mangrove ecosystems and genetic resources; PGR and -selection of varieties suited to spe- second, to restore degraded mangrove cific agro-ecological and socio-cultural needs. forests and third, to transfer the salinity toler- MSSRF's mandate also stipulates a pro-nature, ance properties of mangrove species to non- pro-poor and pro-women orientation to tech./ mangrove species like rice, mustard and other nology development and dissemination,' The crops through molecular mapping and breed- draft legislation prepared by MSSRF/ for the / ' mg. protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' For achieving the third objective, a Molecular Rights as well as Biodiversity1'ncludes specific provisions for integrating the gender di- Genetics Laboratory was established in 1993 , h fi ' 1 f h D f mension in such Acts. Also, the programmes of WIt mancla support rom t e epartment 0 'hn1 G fI d' Th MSSRF in the field of biodiversity conserva- BIOtec 0 ogy, ovemment 0 n Ia. e young -----,--- " ,', k" h' 1 b h ~- lIon and enhancement Involve speCIfic atten- sCIentIsts wor Ing In t IS a oratory ave .d 1 f r' h tion to the role of women in this vital area of standd ar Ise protoco s or transwmng t e ge- ., 1' l' human endeavour. netIc systems regu atmg sea water to erance m mangrove species to annual crops like tobacco In collaboration with the FAa Regional Office and mustard. Transformation work is cUITe~tly in Bangkok, two major consultations have been in progress in rice. The programme started held, one in 1997 and another in 1999, for seven years ago to undertake anticipatory steps examining and understanding gender roles in to meet the challenge of a potential rise in sea the conservation and improvement of level caused by global warming, has thus bioresources. Case studies were undertaken in' yielded important results. Functional genomics six biodiversity rich locations in India. Studies research is being initiated in order to take full were also undertaken in Sri Lanka and Maldives advantage of the availability of a "working with support from FAa. During.2000-2001, it draft" of the rice genome. Here again the emis planned to undertake similar studies in In- phasis will be on salinity tolerance. MSSRF is donesiain collaboration with "Kehati", an In- probably the first institution in the world to donesian Biodiversity Foundation. Globally, initiate a systematic anticipatory research MSSRF is regarded as a pioneer in the field of programme using recombinant DNA technol- research relating to gender and biodiversity ogy to prepare for facing the enhanced coastal management. salinity problems that may arise from a possible rise in sea level during this century. To Another significant activity during the year un- facilitate community involvement in the moni- der report relates to an analysis of the role of toring of the health of ecosystems rich in women in sustaining and strengthening house- biodiversity, simple biomonitoring tools have hold food and nutrition security. A workshop

5 Annual Report 1999-2000

was held in February 2000, with support from The Panchayati Raj-led Hunger-Free Area the World Food Programme (WFP) to consider Programme made further progress in Dindigul this issue. An important outcome of this Work- district of Tamil Nadu. Implemented through shop was the development of a gender sensi- the Gandhigram Rural University and the

Community Food and Water Security System (Operated by rural women and men self-help groups)

Field Gene Bank Village Seed Bank Village Water Bank Area Grain Bank

tive methodology which can facilitate commu- Kovilur Panchayat, this pilot project indicates nity involvement and action in all links in the the scope for the rapid elimination of both conservation, cultivation and consumption com- under-nutrition and hidden hunger caused by ponents of a sustainable and effective food and micro nutrient deficiencies in the diet. Spe- water security system, as shown above. cial attention is being paid to eliminating ma- Rain water harvesting, conservation and sus- ternal and foetal undernutrition, since this is tainable use, so as to create a Village Water the primary cause for the birth of children Bank, will be particularly important, since the with low birth weight (LBW). LBW children burden of fetching water falls on women and are handicapped at birth in achieving their since food security depends greatly on the avail- full genetic potential for mental and physical ability of water both for agriculture and do- development. The UN Commission on Nutri- mestic consumption. The Field Gene Bank in- tion in its report, in the preparation of which volving in situ on-farm conservation of agro- MSSRF played an important role, has stressed biodiversity will also minimise risks to crops the urgent need for attention to the nutrition arising from biotic and abiotic stresses. It is of pregnant women belonging to the economi- proposed to launch such a community-owned cally and socially underprivileged sections of and managed Food and Water Security System the human family, since denying opportuni- during the year 2000 in the Kalahandi and ties for mental development even at birth rep- Koraput districts of Orissa, with support from resents the cruelest form of inequity (Ending the interest of a generous endowment grant Malnutrition by 2020: an Agenda for change made by the Ford Foundation. Work is cur- in the Millennium; Report of the UN Com- rently in progress, with support from the World mission on the Nutrition Challenges of the Food Programme, to prepare a Food Insecurity 21st Century, February 2000). Map/Atlas of India as well as to develop indi- Three major workshops highlighted links cators for measuring vulnerability to chronic between gender and biodiversity, agricultural hunger at the level of each individual in Orissa. education, and food security. A collaborative

L Chairman's Introduction programme is being developed with Kerala The MSSRF strategy for agricultural Agricultural University to strengthen the gender renaIssance comprises the following three dimension in undergraduate curricula. The components: gender dimension is being slowly internalised • Consolidating and deepening the gains al- in all the activities of the Foundation through ready achieved in irrigated areas the processes of training, sharing, capacity building and audit. In connection with the • Extending the gains to rainfed, dry-farm- child-related issues, research has focused on ing and hill areas as well as to the development and validation of tools, firstly to Andaman and Lakshadweep group of is- measure the quality of care and education being lands. offered in child care centres dealing with young • Making new gains in the areas of farming children and secondly to measure the costs systems diversification, value-addition to and benefits of such services. Capacity building primary produce and conferring the power continued and involvement of Panchayat leaders of scale both in production and post-har- in child care services was taken up as an action- vest technologies to resource-poor and research. A strong demand from Government small-scale farm and fisher families. Departments (Social Welfare and Rural Development) for resource and training Based on a request from the Planning Com- materials related to the young child peaked mission, Government of India and with finan- this year with the reproduction and distribution cial support from UNDp' MSSRF had submit- by UNICEF of some of these materials to ted in 1996 proposals for organising Small 15,000 communities. Farmers Agri-business Consortia (SFAC) in twelve States of the country. During 1999, a Nearly two-thirds of the population of National Association for Agri-business Devel~ India depend for the security of their livelihoods opment was launched as a Registered Society, on both on-farm and rural non-farm activities. in collaboration with the Central Food Techno- These cover the areas of crop husbandry, logical Research Institute (CFTRI) , Mysore. horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries, agro- With guidance from Prof Joseph H Hulse of forestry and agro-processing. It is clear Canada, who serves as a Distinguished Visit- therefore that agricultural strategies should be ing Professor at MSSRF, and with financial sup- designed not only to produce more food but port from the Food Linh Programme of the also to generate more income and opportunities International Development Research Centre of for skilled employment. A detailed strategy as Canada (IDRC) and the Hindustan Lever Ltd, well as a Vision Paper in this area were prepared systematic efforts have been initiated to link at the request of the Ministry of Agriculture of rural producers and urban consumers in a mu- the Government of India (Department of tually beneficial manner. The initial efforts cen- Agriculture and Co-operation). The Vision tre round minor millets and pineapple from Paper and the operational strategy were Kolli Hills in Tamil Nadu, and mushrooms in discussed and finalised at a meeting of State Pondicherry. The minor millet programme has Agriculture Commissioners held at New Delhi the further advantage of stimulating the on January 28 and 29, 2000. revitalisation of the earlier traditions of tribal

7 Annual Report 1999-2000

and rural families to conserve and utilise a District of Tamil Nadu. The aim of this centre wide range of grains belonging to genera such is to develop and disseminate practices which as Paspalum, Panicum and Setaria. This helps can result in the most efficient and economic to widen the food security basket. Many of use of inputs like land, water, energy and nu- these underutilised plants are rich in iron, cal- trients. What to apply, when to apply, how much cium, vitamins and other micronutrients and to apply, where to apply and similar field-level hence can make an important contribution to issues are being addressed at this NABARD fighting hidden hunger caused by micronutri- Resource Centre with reference to inputs like ent deficiencies. TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative water, nutrients and pesticides. The Centre has Marketing Development Federation of India) the benefit of collaboration with the Arava and various food industries have come forward R&D Centre in Israel. CoHaboration is also to purchase both minor millets and organically being developed with the Ohio State Univer- grown pineapples. sity in USA, with financial support from the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, for developing management The work of the JRD Tata Ecotechnology Cen- practices to help improve the productivity, prof- tre on integrated intensive farming systems is itability, stability and sustainability of red soils making excellent progress and this programme (alfisols), vertisols, alluvial soils characterised has helped to integrate principles of ecology, by rising or receding water table, and coastal gender equity and employment generation with sandy soils. A workshop was held in June 2000, those of economics in small scale agriculture to finalise the experimental design and and aquaculture. Household ornamental fish- programme priorities. This' programme will be eries gave very poor dalit families in a collaborative one involving the Punjab Agri- Keelamanakudi an additional income of cult.ural University, Ludhiana, the Jawaharlal Rs. 500-1,000 per month. Nehru Krishi Viswa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, and The work of the JRD Tata Centre in the area of the Ohio State University, USA. MSSRF will establishing Pulses and Seed Villages and household biopesticide production units serve as the Co-ordinating Centre. Thus, reached a stage during 1999 when farm men MSSRF's mandate to promote sustainable ag- and women took over the responsibility for man- riculture and rural development is being ad- aging these enterprises through their own As- dressed from several different directions. sociations. In the Pondicherry Biovillages also, Besides the areas of conservation of mangrove the work will be continued from January 2001 genetic resources and operationalisation of the by a local Biovillage Society. The long-term benefit-sharing provisions of the Convention sustainability of the initiatives of the JRD Tata on Biological Diversity, an area of field re- Ecotechnology Centre has thus been ensured. search undertaken by MSSRF scientists which The work of the CAPART Technical Resource has attracted global attention is the use of mod- Centre was completed this year. A resource em information and communication technol- Centre for Precision Farming for Poverty Alle- ogy for the elimination of rural poverty. This viation was established with financial support programme was initiated in 1998 with finan- from NABARD at Kannivadi in the Dindigul cial support from the IDRC of Canada. The

8 Chairman's Introduction

Rural Knowledge Centres functioning in eight income through the cultivation of superior villages in Pondicherry are controlled, driven strains of pulses and oilseeds and by taking to and managed by the users. The transaction horticulture, agro-forestry and aquaculture. costs are low but the technology is the most Steps are being taken to foster similar linkages advanced. between space science and rural societies. This is in keeping with MSSRF's goal of bringing An integrated wired and wireless system and the best in modern science and technology to arrangements for uninterrupted power supply the rural poor and working with them in par- through a solar photovoltaic system help to ticipatory research programmes to achieve suit- introduce to rural women and men living in able blends of traditional knowledge and fron- poverty the power and value of two advanced tier science. technologies-information and solar. The uniqueness of the MSSRF system has attracted Information and Communication Technology for global attention and there have been detailed Poverty Alleviation will be the thcme for the reports of these women-managed Knowledge January 2001 inter-disciplinary dialogue. It was Centres in the New York Times and the Inter- at the Dialogue on Information Technology held national Herald Tribune. With the help of the in January 1992, under the series "New Tech- "Friends of MSSRF" in Tokyo and IDRC, it is nologies: Reaching the Unreached", that the proposed to expand this system and to inte- concept of Information Villages and Rural grate it with the Biovillage and Hunger-Free Knowledge Centres, where generic information Area Programmes. It is also planned to link is converted into location specific ones, was the computer and the Internet-aided developed. To quote D.r Bruce Alberts, Presi- knowledge system with a community radio dent of the US National Academy of Sciences, network, so that relevant information can ,be "The MSSRF Information Village programme spread speedily in the right language and at increases the status and influence of women the right time and place. by making them the primary local knowledge providers. Drawing on this concept, I envision In the linkages being developed between sci- a global electronic network that connects science and the segments of society whose basic entists to people at all levels - farmers' human needs are unfulfilled, a significant step organisations and village women. The network was taken by the Department of Atomic En- will allow them to easily access the scientific ergy in establishing at MSSRF a Homi Bhabha and technical knowledge that they need to solve Chair for Nuclear Sciences and local problems and enhance the quality of their Rural Society. Several important results lives, as well as to communicate their own including the identification of improved insights and needs back to scientists" (from varieties of pulses and oilseeds from among Science and the World's Future, Presidential the radiation induced mutants produced by sci- Address of Dr Bruce Alberts at the US Na- entists of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre tional Academy of Science, delivered on April at Trombay, have been obtained under this 26,1999). programme. New opportunities have been opened up for rural families living in the vicin- The Media Resource Centre set up at MSSRF ity of Atomic Power Plants for improving their by The Hindu group has developed into

9 Annual Report 1999-2000

another poweIful mechanism for both interac- demic accomplishments into entrepreneurial tion with media and for mobilising the printed excellence. A Women's Eco-Aquaculture Park and electronic media to spread the messages is also being developed at Karaikal, with sup- and methods of ecotechnology and sustainable port from the Department of Biotechnology, to food and livelihood security. Besides Millen- enable fisher and landless labour women to nium Lectures and media training courses, sev- take to prawn farming. MSSRF is also assist- eral interactive media workshops on themes ing in the realisation of the vision of the Hon. like "Genetic Modification" and "The Chal- Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu that Tamil Nadu lenge of the Impending Water Crisis" were should harness biotechnology to convert its rich organised. In August this year, The Hindu bioresources into economic wealth. Media Resource Centre will host a National Media Workshop on Media and the Gene Revo- The work described so far would not have been lution with a focus on the human and nce possible without sustained financial and genomes and genetically modified foods. management support. It has been the endeavour of the management of MSSRF to build a Corpus In keeping with the MSSRF philosophy that Fund, the interest from which will help to the work of the Foundation should be maintain the research and training characterised by inclusiveness and not exclu- infrastructure, on the one hand, and meet the siveness, MSSRF scientists are currently work- salaries of core professionals, on the other. ing with the Government of Tamil Nadu Substantial progress was made during 1999- (through TmCO) and the Department of Bio- 2000 in building the Corpus, thanks to a technology, Government of India, in establish- generous grant from the Ford Foundation. We ing a Womens' Biotechnology Park at are deeply indebted to Ms. Susan Berresford, Kdambakkam, near Chennai. Women entre- President, and the Trustees of the Ford preneurs will take to a career of self-employ- Foundation for this timely assitance. We are ment at this Park by undertaking enterprises particularly indebted to the Hon. Chief Minister based on marketing opportunities in the areas and Government of Assam for a generous of food, agricultural, medical and environmen- contribution to the Corpus Fund. Many others, tal biotechnology. This Park has opened up whose names are listed in this report, also made opportunities for married women who, after tak- contributions. The RD Tata Trust has made an ing University degrees, have not been able to endowment grant which will help the JRD Tata take to a professional career for personal and Ecotechnology Centre to undertake programmes family reasons. Girl students are invariably top- designed to strengthen in a sustainable manner pers in school and University examinations. the economic and environmental security of Social compulsions often do not help them to families living in the cyclone ravaged villages realise in later life the full expression of their in coastal Orissa. As mentioned earlier, MSSRF intellectual brilliance. As a part of its pro- was chosen by several agencies to a3sist in the woman research and training stratp-g)', MSSRF ecological and economic rehabilitation of these is endeavouring in a small way to ensure that cyclone-affected areas. Our sincere thanks go promising women professionals are provided to all our donors, national and international, with opportunities to convert their early aca- institutional and individual, and to government

10 Chairman's Introduction

and non-governmental organisations. We C'll1 Authority and accountability are linked at only assure them that we shall try our best to every level. prove worthy of their trust. During 1999, the Trustees of MSSRF took a The scientists of MSSRF also reviewed during major step in strengthening the administrative this year the programme priorities for the period and management sustainability of the 2000-2005. The priorities identified together institution. Mter an extensive global search, with a note on guiding principles and goals are Prof P C Kesavan, Homi Bhabha Chair in given as an Annexure at the end of this Report. Nuclear Sciences and Rural Society, was appointed as the Executive Director of MSSRF. Finally, sustained institutional dynamism needs He joined this position in August '99. for its sustenance creative and dedicated Prof Kesavan brings to this position rich individuals. MSSRF has been fortunate in this experience in the areas of strategic research, respect. The Foundation has over 200 post-graduate education and research outstanding young women and men scholars administration. He has his roots in agricultural and scientists. In addition, it has several science having taken his Ph D degree reputed and senior scientists working as from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Distinguished Fellows. The administrative, New Delhi, over 30, years ago. Thus, steps financial and supporting staff are equally have been taken to ensure both the management competent and dedicated. Because of the and financial sustainability of MSSRF. emphasis given to human resource The Trustees of MSSRF have given their time, development, several young scientists who vast experience and knowledge generously for joined MSSRF seven to eight years ago have the work of MSSRF. Various departments of the now become nationally and internationally Central and State Governments have assisted recognised leaders in their respective fields. in numerous ways. UN Agencies particularly Personnel and management policies are UNDp' GEF, FAa, WFp' UNICEF and UNIFEM, designed to foster innovation, dedication and have been very supportive both technically and commitment to serving the economically and financially. Our particular gratitude goes to the socially underprivileged sections of society. Hon. Chief Minister, other Ministers and officers During the last ten years, over ten staff members of the Government of Tamil Nadu for their have taken their Ph D degrees working at the generous encouragement and support. Foundation. The emphasis is on inter- disciplinary team work designed to solve field Dr Nandhini Iyengar edited this report, while problems within a specific time frame. The Drs V Balaji and Sudha Nair coordinated its management culture is a collegiate one with preparation. Particular thanks go to Mr N Ram all staff members and scholars having a sense and the staff of Frontline for designing and of participation in management decisions. printing the cover.

11 Programme Area 100

r.. Coastal Systems Research

he. critical importance of Coastal Mangrove Forests to human .. and ecological security became evident in the areas of Orissa Taffected by a severe cyclone in October 1999. Steps were initiated for the ecological and economic rehabilitation of the affected a'reas. Progress was achieved in developing Participatory Mangrove Management Systems. New opportunities for improving the livelihood security of coastal communities were opened up in areas adjoining Atomic Power Plants and in the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve region of Tamil Nadu.

101 Coastal Wetlands: Mangrove Conservation and Management 13

102 Nuclear and Biotechnological Tools for Coastal Systems Research 32

103 Promoting Alternative Options for Livelihood Security in the Gulf of Mannar Region 39 Coastal Systems Research

to discuss the issues related to mangrove con- Sub Programme Area 101 servation and management as well as other developmental issues of the village and take Coastal Wetlands : Mangrove collective decisions. Accordingly, annual micro plans are prepared and implemented jointly Conservation and Management by the partners. The CBOs are known vari- ously as Village Development and Mangrove The project is a people-centred, process-ori- Councils in Tamil Nadu, Eco-Development ented and science-based development project, Committee (EDC) or Forest Protection Com- supported by the India-Canada Environment mittee in Andhra Pradesh, Mangrove Protec- Facility. It is being implemented in the States tion Committee in Orissa and Forest Protec- of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and tion Committee in West Bengal. West Bengal. The purpose of the project is to build capacity in local communities, voluntary Details of the major components of the project, organisations, grassroot level democratic insti- the strategy developed to mobil ise the tutions, the Forest Department (FD), MSSRF community, organise them into a CBO and and government agencies to restore, manage develop partnership with the FD, and other and conserve mangrove wetlands through par- agencies have been given earlier, and this ticipatory analysis and action. The important report describes the activities undertaken output expected from the project is a model in the demonstration villages with reference to for Joint Mangrove Management, which can be adopted and replicated by the FD, which • mangrove conservation and management manages the mangrove wetlands in a state. • poverty alleviation There are 42 targeted demonstration villages • land based alternatives and for Joint Mangrove Management in the four states and the project is currently being imple- • gender issues mented in 24 villages. In Orissa the target was Details on training, the study of hydrology of initially five villages but after the super cy- the mangrove wetlands of Pichavaram, clone (October 1999) 10 more villages have Godavari and Krishna sites and efforts to been included. develop Geographical Information System In each of the villages where the project is applications are included. being impremented, a community-based organisation (CBO) has been promoted with 101.1 Tamil Nadu one adult male and female member of willing families who constitute the General Body. This Mangrove conservation and management General Body elects an executive committee with due representation to marginalised groups, Each demonstration village has a Mangrove women, local NGOs, FD and MSSRF. These Management Unit, consisting of degraded and CBOs are the ultimate decision making bodies healthy mangrove forests. Activities in these in the project villages and they meet regularly management units are related to restoration of

13 Annual Report 1999-2000

degraded area, maintenance of canals studies of its distribution pattern and also be- constructed for restoration, establishment and cause it can withstand high soil salinity. monitoring of plantations and protection of The following are the important initiatives taken healthy mangrove forest. Table 1.1 gives details by the community regarding restoration and of area under restoration and protection by the protection: community based organisations and activities carried out during the reporting period. • In MGR Nagar, the people themselves

Table 1.1 : Area of mangroves restored and under protection in Tamil Nadu sites

Demo Area No. of Survival Area under Joint activities village under seedlings rate protection during restortion planted (%) (ha) the current year (ha)

MGR Nagar 19 2,00,000 82 62 Replacing casualties, desilting of ,canals, monitoring and protection Vadakku 32 3,00,000 74 54 Canal construction Pichavaram and pi anti ng in restoration area Veerankoil 100 525 Canal construction completed; planting to be done in Dec. 2000

Both in the MGR Nagar and Vadakku have purchased a boat to monitor Pichavaram management units, the canal plantation in the restoration area method developed and demonstrated by as well as to protect their management MSSRF was followed in restoration whereas unit against grazing. Two members of the in Veerankoil of Muthupet, a traditional community, from different families, patroll method called "canal fishing" which inte- the entire management unit daily. grates mangrove and fisheries development • In Vadakku Pichavaram village, the was adopted. This method could not be fol- people themselves have appointed a lowed in Pichavaram since it is applicable village watchman to protect their manage- only to a large stretch of degraded area ment unit and deposited Rs. 60,000, whereas in Pichavaram degraded areas are saved from restoration work, in a present in small patches. In the restoration scheduled bank, the interest from which area A vicennia marina was planted, based on is used to pay the village watchman.

14 Coastal Systems Research

Poverty alleviation which the savings are utilised is monitored in In each demonstration village the specific causes all the demonstration villages. Table 1.2 gives for poverty were analysed jointly during Partici- the purposes for which savings of the 13 SHGs patory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and action taken are utilised in Vadakku Pichavaram. For other through micro planning. Some ofthe major villages it is being analysed. causes were lack of a resource base to meet ex- The Table also indicates that in Vadakku penditure relating to consumption and produc- Pichavaram alone about 142 families (total num- tion, perpetual indebtedness to moneylenders ber of families 181) were benefited by taking and lack of employment opportunities during loans from the SHGs and avoided taking a loan the lean season of fishing and agriculture. from the moneylenders. However, most of the

Table 1.2 : Purpose of loans disbursed by the SHGs in Vadakku Pichavaram

Group Purpose Agricultural Self. Repaying Education Social Medical operation . ~m~loyment loan function expenses

Women SHG Number 29 41414 14 19 Amount disbursed 59,000 5,500 33,000 10,000 25,500 26,000

Men SHG Number 21 3 7 647 Amount disbursed 30,000 5,000 10,000 9,000 7,000 10,000

Self-Help Croups: Organising Self-Help Groups money was utilised for consumption purposes (SHGs) in the villages and linking them to bank- and only a small amount of money was utilised ing institutions aswell asto various government for self employment. During discussions with the development programmes was adopted as a villagers it was revealed that the first priority strategy to alleviate pov~rty. The money saved of the villagers was to avoid taking loans from the and loans obtained from the banks and govern- mon- eylenders and the second was repaying the ment agencies by the SHGs were utilised to start loan. Once this task was completed more savings on- and off- farm employment generation activi- will be utilised for self-employment purposes. ties as well as to meet consumption related expenditure. This helped to avoid taking loans from Micro enterprises: Introduction of micro en- moneylenders. Currently 24 SHGs are function- terprises is another strategy for poverty alle- ing in the three demonstration villages and the viation in the demonstration villages. Table total savings of these groups is about 1.3 gives details of the micro enterprises Rs. 4,71,000. Out of 24 SHGs, 13 are women started with the help of various agencies and SHGs whereas 11 are men SHGs and their total MSSRF during the current year in 3 of the membership is about 338. The purpose for demonstration villages.

15 Annual Report 1999-2000

Table 1.3: Micro enterprises started during the current year in the demonstration villages in Tamil Nadu

Micro enterprise No. of Ownership Fundingsource families

Vadakku Pichavaram Dairy farming- cross 18 Women membersof SHG Indian Bank bred cows Palmcandy production 12 Palmcandy production Indian Bankand society-jointownership DRDA*

MGR Nagar Coir rope making 2 Women membersof SHG Central Bankof India Smallprovision shop Women membersof SHG Central Bankof India VeerankoiJ Coconutthatch making 8 Familiesheadedby women MSSRF Dry fish marketing Familiesheadedby women MSSRF Freshfish marketing Familiesheadedby women MSSRF Rice,flower, vegetable 4 Familiesheadedby women MSSRF andfood stall

"District Rural Development Agency

Thus about 47 poor families are being ben- 25,000 per year as additional income from each efited by the micro enterprises, most of which canal apart from their income from sea fishing. have local markets. Since the micro enterprises Since this method facilitates free flow of tidal were started recently, activities to sustain them water in and out of the mangroves it also helps need to be taken up in the coming year. the establishment and growth of mangrove plants. Already 80 such canals exist and cur- Creating additional resources in the mangrove rently 20 new canals were constructed jointly wetland for income generation: In the Muthupet by the community, FD and MSSRF to restore mangrove wetland, fishers follow a traditional 100 ha of degraded mangroves. Each canal is method of fishing called canal fishing. In this allotted to a fishing family, which does not method long canals are dug across the man- have a canal, and thus, for 20 families a new grove wetland from the sea and fish and prawn source of income from mangrove wetland has juveniles coming into these canals and adja- been created. The Forest Department has ap- cent pits and puddles during the high tide are preciated this method since it provides an op- trapped using a pen that allows only water to portunity for benefit sharing with the participat- pass through. The trapped fish and prawn are ing community and is planning to adopt the harvested periodically for about 5 months. By car" I fishing method in future Joint Mangrove this method, fishers get about Rs. 20,000 to Malldgement programmes.

16 Coastal Systems Research

Other services to alleviate poverty In decision making: Before project intervention, men monopolised community level de- • In Vadakku Pichavaram village three farm- cision making. After the formation of the Vil- ers' irrigation societies formed last year lage Development and Mangrove Council, are functioning well resulting in a 30% with 50% representation of women in the increase in groundnut yield during the General Body and 33% in the Executive Com- current year. mittee, women have started participating in the decision making process along with men. • An abandoned irrigation canal renovafed Now men and women jointly take decisions last year is providing irrigation to about on issues that are related to community de- 60 acres of land. During the current year velopment and mangrove conservation. Re- strengthening the bund of this canal was garding the participation of women in the undertaken. decision making process, there was hesitation • Kitchen garden was introduced success- among the women in the beginning and there fully among 20 families in MGR Nagar. was subtle opposition from men. Training in leadership and membership skills was given Gender issues to both women and men of this village. Women were persuaded persistently to take In all the demonstration villages, gender segregated data was collected using PRA and group an active part in the decision making process while sensitising the men. discussion as tools. The main concerns identified are: In planning, implementation and monitoring: • lack of social empowerment for women An attitudinal change is conspicuous in the at community level decision making project villages. Previously these activities were conducted wholly by men but now women • limited economic empowerment are being accommodated. In the project villages men and women jointly prepare the mi- • drudgery both in the domestic chores and cro plan along with the FD and MSSRF and livelihood activities and these activities are executed jointly by them. Some examples are given below: • specific needs of women such as separate bathing facility in community pond, • Both men and women participated in toilet facility etc. identifying the mangrove management During the current year a number of activities unit and they together prepared the de- were undertaken to address these issues. sign for restoration activities. While men took the responsibility of digging canals Women empowerment in social domain: women took the responsibility of plant- Traditionally women have been excluded. ing. Monitoring of restoration plantation from active participation in social issues, was done jointly in two villages. Earlier but with recent interventions this attitude women were involved only as labourers is changing. planting seedlings.

17 Annual Report 1999-2000

• During the prQcurement of crossbred Similarly, ownership of most of the micro en- cows by 18 families in Vadakku terprises started in the villages was given to Pichavaram village, both men and women women members of the SHGs. In some of the visited the dairy farms located near their micro enterprises full ownership was given to villages and jointly selected the cows and women, as desired by them, whereas in others decided the price. These cows are now such as palm candy production, ownership is looked after by both men and women - held jointly by men and women. In MGR Nagar previously men used to buy the cattle women are now given the ownership title of and women used to take care of them. land given by the government to construct houses, while ownership of the boats bought • In Veerankoil, both men and women iden- through the support of banks is shared by male tified providing toilet facility for women and female partners. as the primary concern of the village and Reducing drudgery of women and addressing accordingly a micro plan was prepared theirspecific needs: The following are the im- and implemented. portant steps taken to reduce the drudgery of • In MGR Nagar, three men and women women: have been given training in traditional In- • A separate bathing facility was constructed dian medicine (Siddha) by experts from for women in the community pond in Santhimalai Trust and women were given Veerankoil, the cost of which was shared special training to deal with problems by both MSSRFand the villagers equally. which are particular to them. Previously traditional medical practitioners used to • In Veerankoil 25 toilets were constructed for 25 families, which have the highest be only men. number of young women. The cost was • In MGR Nagar, a primary school was shared by MSSRF, the villagers and the opened by the project. A committee in Panchayat. which both men and women are given • In Veerankoil, women have to walk about equal representation manages it. The 5 km everyday to collect fuelwood for school is run according to decisions taken domestic use. Now access to prosopis, by the committee. growing near the village, but owned by Women empowerment in the economic do- Salt Corporation, Govt. of India, will be main: In all the 3 villages, it was found that a given to the village on lease due to the financial resource base for women was com- initiative of the project. pletely lacking and there were very limited • In Veerankoil, about 15 destitute women ownership rights to household property. In or- and widows earned their livelihood by der to create a resource base for women, sepa- illegally collecting and selling firewood rate self~help groups were formed for them. from mangrove wetlands for which they Out of 24 SHGs formed in the demonstration had to walk about 15 km daily in the villages, 13 belong to women. All these SHGs marshy land. Apart from physical drudg- are linked to service banks. ery they (l1c;0 faced mental agony because

18 Coastal Systems Research

they were treated harshly whenever they social and economic domains, which are nor- were caught. Alternative employment gen- mally monopolised by men. In order to evalu- eration activities for these women were ate the activities and results it is planned to identified jointly and financial support was conduct a gender sensitive-participatory evalu- provided by MSSRFto start them. These ation in the coming year. women are no longer involved in illegal fuel wood collection from mangroves. 101.2 Andhra Pradesh In MGR Nagar, women are involved in • In Andhra Pradesh, work is progressing in five hand fishing for which they have to stay demonstration villages, three in the Godavari in brackish water for a long period of area and two in the Krishna area. In all the dem- time. In order to reduce their drudgery onstration villages a Joint Mangrove Manage- some of the women were provided with ment process, similar to that in Tamil Nadu, is a boat and net for fishing, wf),.ich they being followed. In three villages MSSRFformed now use with their male partners. But community-based organisations (CBOs), which most of the women are still undergoing are legally recognised by the Forest Department suffering and one of the ways to reduce whereas in two other villages CBOs had already their drudgery is providing alternate in- been formed by the Forest Department in which come generation activities. Due to lim- representation was given to MSSRF in the Ex- ited skills no other income generation ac- ecutive Committee. Such a legal recognition by tivity could be started. However, a woman the Forest Department is necessary to sustain recently has learned skills in making spe- the community-based organisations. cial coir and started a small unit.

Thus, a visible change is taking place in the Mangrove conservation and management demonstration villages, particularly in the atti- Activities undertaken in the mangrove man- tude of both men and women, and because of agement unit of the demonstration villages are this women are given space in many of the given in Table 1.4

Table 1.4 : Activities in the mangrove management unit of demonstration villages in Andhra Pradesh Demonstration Restoration No. of seedlings Survival Area under Joint activities village area (ha) planted rate (%) protection ** during the (ha) current year

Matlapalem 4.2 7,000 90 502 Planting, protection Bhairavalanka 4 5,000 80 700 Protection Dheenadayalpuram 4 1,00,000 90 2049 Planting, protection Corangi-Dindu 23* Nil 750 Protection Nakshatranagar 400 Protection * In this area the Forest Department has constructed canals and planted Avicennia marina; under the project, these canals were reoriented for proper tidal flushing; * * revised figure.

19 Annual Report 1999.2000

Mangrove nursery: Seedlings for planting in the National Women's Development Board. the restoration site are not available in large The number of groups formed by the project quantities during the monsoon season and and their savings are given in Table 1.5. hence, both in Godavari and Krishna areas, mangrove nurseries have been established Micro enterprises: Four women belonging to jointly with the community and the Forest De- Dindu village and one to Matlapalem were partment. In the Godavari mangrove nursery, trained in coir rope making and rattings ma- a total number of 22,000 seedlings of nine chines were installed at their houses. MSSRF different species were raised and used for plan- provided a loan of Rs. 2,750 for the motorised tation. In the Krishna area, a mangrove nursery ratt and the Coir Board provided Rs. 7,250 as with 40,000 seedlings of Avicennia marina has subsidy. The enterprise was started recently been established, out of which 25,000 seed- and the impact is yet to be analysed. Prawn lings were planted in the joint restoration area, and fish pickle making was identified as a suit- 10,000 given to the Wildlife Division and 5,000 able micro enterprise for women and 70 to Social Forestry Division of the Forest De- women from both Nakshatranagar and partment. Dheenadayalpuram were trained by experts Table 1.5 : Details of $HGs organised in Godavari and Krishna areas

Name of the village No. of SHGs Total Amount members saved (Rs.) Godavari

Matlapalem 5 60 10,000 Dindu 2 40 5,000 Corangi 2 30 5,000 Bhairavalanka 13 1,560 Krishna

Dheenadayalpuram 6 90 15,000 Nakshatranagar 12 40 75,000

Total 28 273 1,11,560

Poverty alleviation from Bapatla Home Science College and 15 women have started selling the products. Self-help groups were organised as a strategy for poverty alleviation and linked to District Land-based alternatives Rural Development Agency (DRDA) and NGOs like Visaka Jilla Nava Nirmana Samiti (VJNNS). In both the Godavari and Krishna areas, local Both these institutions have promised to pro- communities use mangroves extensively for fire- vide financial support to women SHGs through wood, house construction, fencing and fishing

20 l Coastal Systems Research poles. In order to reduce this pressure, land- Gender issues based alternatives are being undertaken. Most In the community based institutions of all the of the wastelands near villages are being villages in the Godavari area, 50% 'representa- utilised with the approval of the concerned tion of women has been ensured in the execu- agencies for community plantation. A total tive and general bodies of the committees while number of 43,000 seedlings donated by the in the Krishna region 33% representation has Social Forestry Division of the Forest Depart- been ensured. With reference to the specific ment have been planted. needs of women the following activities were carried out during the year: In the Godavari region, casuarina, bamboo, subabul and eucalyptus for fuel wood and • In the Godavari area 100 smokeless timber were planted in homestead areas. chullahs were provided in three villages Fruit yielding saplings like guava, mango to reduce fuel consumption and smoke, and citrus were distributed to the villagers thus providing better health conditions. along with seeds of vegetables like drum- All these chullahs were given by the For- stick, ladies finger, ridge gourd, bottle gourd est Department. However, each was sold and green leaf. for Rs. 25 and the money was deposited in the account of community-based Community Plantation in Godavari: In organisations as part of a common fund. Bhairavalanka, casuarina plantation was • A water tank of 1500 litre capacity was raised in 40 acres of land given to the provided to the village of Bhairavalanka community-based institution (EDC) by the to store drinking water as well as to re- Forest Department. The villagers maintain the duce the drudgery of women who have plantation. In Dindu 0.5 acre of community to cross the river every day to bring po- plantation was raised with casuarina and eu- table water. calyptus. Casualties were replaced in 1.1 acre and saplings were planted at • The same village project facilitated one Matlapalem. Anganwadi teacher to provide nutritive food for children and health care for preg- Community Plantation in Krishna: In nant women. Dheenadayalpuram, a plantation of casuarina • A Continuing Education Centre was es- and bamboo was raised in one acre of tablished in Matlapalem to encourage lit- community land. The villagers provided eracy among women. The women con- free labour and fenced the land with tributed Rs. 10,000 for establishing the prosopis for protection. The village committee centre. agreed to contribute 50% of the cost of irrigation and an equal contribution was provided In the demonstration villages of Krishna, 54 by MSSRF. Neem cake and gypsum gas connections were facilitated under the were added while planting the seedlings Deepam scheme. The project also helped a to introduce eco-friendly agronomy woman to get an artificial Jaipur leg through practices. the Jaipur limb Camp at Chilakaluripet.

21 ~---

Annual Report 1999-2000

101.3 Orissa with the mangrove species available in the country and elsewhere. Accordingly, fOUJsites The project is being implemented in five dem- were assessed jointly and one site in onstration villages (four in the Mahanadi delta Kansaridiha forest block in the Mahanadi delta and one in the Devi mouth mangrove site). In was selected. A nursery with 14 species is be- each of the villages, the village level ing maintained for plantation in the MGRCC. organisation, namely the Mangrove Forest Pro- tection Committee, had been formed earlier. Preparation of Mangrove herbarium: Her- The current year marks the implementation of barium specimens of 18 mangrove and asso- activities in the villages as per micro plans ciated species have been prepared in the sun- developed in each demonstration village. The dry method. Herbarium specimens for another process is similar to the joint Mangrove Man- 30 species are under preparation. Field staff agement process followed in Tamil Nadu and of the Forest Department have also been Andhra Pradesh. trained on herbarium preparation methodology. Mangrove conservation and management Poverty alleviation Restoration and protection: Eachof the project demonstration villages has a well-defined Causes of poverty of the vi lIagers have been mangrove management unit. Activities under- identified as irregularity of income from the taken in these units are given in Table 1.6. existing income sources (agriculture and

Table 1.6: Activities in the mangrove management unit of the demonstration villages in Orissa sites

Demonstration Restoration No. of seedlings Survival rate Area under Joint activities Village area (ha) planted (%) protection (ha) during the year Kandarapatia 5.5 31,300 70 80 Plantation, protection, creek digging Kharinasi 5 22,000 90 65 Plantation, protection Sanatubi 2.5 20,500 90 12 Plantation, protection Kajalapatia 95 Area demarcation Bandar 130 Area demarcation

Mangrove Genetic Resource Conservation fishing), lack of income alternatives, Centre (MGRCC) : The Forest Department of permanent indebtedness to moneylenders and Orissa has requested the project to establish a no possibility of availing of help from formal genetic resources centre in the Mahanadi area sources of credit like banks etc.

22 Coastal Systems Research

Promotion of Self-Help Croups: SHGs have The Cuttack Gramya Bank, which provides been promoted in the villages to facilitate loans, has inspected the functioning and savings by the rural families. Help from the account of several of the SHGs and has found financial institutions has been arranged to the operations satisfactory. Proposals already provide them with capital for initiating submitted by four SHGs to the bank are being alternative income generating enterprises processed. as well as for increasing the income of Micro enterprises: Several micro enterprises the existing scurces. A total of 24 SHGs have been started in the demonstration villages. has been promoted in all the five The feasibility of the enterprises has been as- demonstration villages, out of which 21 are sessed after discussion with the villagers, rel- women SHGs and 3 are men SHGs. The evant Government Departments and the Forest SHGs have been provided with the necessary Department staff. External resource personsfrom training in book keeping and management Government Departments and NGOs (Interna- with the help of the local bank officials. tional Development Enterprises) have also car- The savings are used for providing loans ried out exercises to identify feasible enterprises to the members for consumption as well along with the staff of the project before promot- as productive purposes. Repayment of ing them. Suitable training has been imparted to loans taken from moneylenders is also the entrepreneurs with the help of Government allowed in a few cases. Total savings of all Departments, local NGOs and project staff. the SHGs till May 2000 is Rs. 93,092 Table 1.8 provides the details of different micro (Table 1.7). enterprises in the demonstration villages.

Table 1.7 : Details of SHGs in the project demonstration villages in Orissa

Village Total No. of SHGs Total number Savings Operations Men Women of members (Rs.)

Kandarapatia 3 45 31,612 Intra loaning, loan proposal submitted to bank

Kharinasi 0 3 53 5,040 Intra loaning

Kajalapatia 0 11 236 37,200 Intra loaning Sanatubi 32 16,240 Intra loaning

Bandar 0 355 3,000 Savings started recently

23 Annual Report 1999-2000

Table 1.8 : Micro enterprises promoted during the current year in the demonstration villages in Orissa

Micro enterprises No. of households Funding Technical Support

KB paddle pump for 18 BDO*, MSSRF IDE# irrigation

Low lift hand pump for 6 BDO*, MSSRF District Agriculture Officer irrigation and pond desiiting

Poultry 131 MSSRF, villagers Central Poultry Breeding Farm, Bhubaneswar Nursery raising of 26 MSSRF, villagers Social Forestry Division multipurpose tree species

Apiculture 10 MSSRF, villagers KVK, Kendarapara Sweet potato farming 20 CTCRI** CTCRI, Bhubaneswar Kitchen gardening 20 Villagers KVK, MSSRF Fresh water fish farming 31 MSSRF, villagers

* Block Development Officer # International Development Enterprises •• Central Tuber Crop ResearchInstitute

Rural families in Kandarapatia and Kharinasi reasons of non-availability of alternatives and have been oriented regarding facilities/ schemes poor economic status. Alternatives have been available in the Block Development Office for promoted in the demonstration villages for fuel, the vi lIagers. About 15 famiIies have appl ied building materials, fencing materials and agri- for availing of the facilities related to old age cultural implements. pension, widow pension and pregnancy allow- ance. Plantations of multipurpose tree (MPT) species in the villages: Plantations of MPT species have Land - based alternatives been taken up in all the demonstration villages in the available common lands and also Local communities in the project areas are de- in household lands. Seedlings for the planta- pendent on the mangrove forest resources for tions have either been raised in the village or meeting their needs for fuel, building materi- have been procured from private nurseries. The als, fencing materials, agricultural implements, cost incurred in purchasing the seedlings has fodder for livestock, weaving materials etc. The been shared by the villagers and MSSRF. The resource overuse and consequential damage villagers manage the plantations by formulat- to the mangrove forest areas have been estab- ing rules and sharing responsibilities for care lished through PRA in these villages. Depen- and watering. The species planted are casua- dence of the local communities on the man- rina, eucalyptus, acacia, bamboo, teak, sissoo, grove forests is found to be mainly due to the coconut, arecanut, subabul, etc. (Table 1.9). ~

24 l Coastal Systems Research

Table 1.9: Plantation of MPT species in the demonstration villages in Orissa

Village Total no. of seedlings planted Common land Homestead land

Kandarapatia 7,690 1,213 Kharinasi 150 835 Kajalapatia 2,133 578 Sanatubi 2,101 268 Bandar 302 498

Promotion of improved portable chullah: In • lack of income earning opportunities for order to provide alternatives to the fuelwood women collected from the mangrove forest areas, im- • more time and energy spent in fuel col- proved portable chullahs developed by the lection due to the degradation of man- Orissa Renewable Energy Development Author- groves ity (OREDA) have been demonstrated in a few households in all the demonstration villages. In order to bring about gender equity, the im- The units are priced at Rs. 260 of which the portance and necessity of women's participa- user pays Rs. 50, and the project contributes tion was stressed and the villagers were con- the balance. After assessing the efficiency of vinced. Now women constitute 50% of the the chullah the villagers opted for the units. A total membership of the village level Mangrove total of 580 chullahs have been provided to Forest Protection Committee and 35-50 % of cover all the households of the demonstration the Executive Committee. Some of the impor- villages. tant achievements related to gender aspects are as follows: Gender concerns • Women are able to participate actively The concerns related to gender roles in the from the micro plan preparation to the demonstration villages were identified during monitoring stage in four demonstration the PRA exercises. Some of the important find- villages. A feeling of 'being wanted' has ings were: been created in the villages and this is • no role for women in decision making at encouraging the women to participate. the community level • Responsibilities are fixed (for implemen- • drudgery of household chores tation of the agreed micro plans) irrespec- tive of sex. • lack of recognition of the work done by women (as many of them are not quanti- • In activities related to mangrove restora- fiable in economic terms, like childcare tion, plantation and aftercare of the com- or household work) mon land plantations, management of fi-

25 Annual Report 1999-2000

nance etc., women have been able to will benefit from them are selected, irre- contribute significantly and this has spective of their sex. helped in changing the traditional attitude of men as well as women regarding • Income earning opportunities like poul- fixed roles. try, fresh water fish farming, kitchen gardening, raising MPT nurseries etc. have • The women and men SHGs formed in been promoted in the villages, helping the villages have helped the households the household economy as well as re- to avail of loans at a very low interest ducing drudgery of women. The enter- rate and thus avoid being exploited by prises are managed entirely by women or the moneylenders. Apart from financial jointly as a family venture. help, women have also organised themselves for taking decisions pertaining to • Several women who have a flair for com- SHG management. munication, have been encouraged to take lead roles in project activities and seeing. • Suitable training programmes/orientation/ these role models, more and more women exposure visits have been conducted for are participating in the activities and are the villagers and only the persons who able to contribute effectively.

Super cyclone in Orissa: impact in the demo villages and measures taken o High wind with a speed of 250 to 300 km/hr and torrential rain ravaged the coastal districts, including the project sites, on 29 and 30 October 1999. o In the project villages about 17 human lives and 2,295 livestock were lost, and standing paddy crops in about 885 acres of land was flooded with tidal water; about 490 families have become homeless; 44,000 economically useful trees in the homestead lands were uprooted or damaged. o As a short-term relief measure, food and food grains, utensils, clothes, blankets, medicine and tarpaulin sheets were provided to all the families in the five project villages and six other villages by MSSRF. o As a long-term measure, community ponds, drinking water wells and tube wells are being renovated and saline banks, which stop tidal water flooding into agriculture lands and villages are being strengthened. In one of the villages low cost toilets are being installed .. o Agriculture development activities such as using power tiller for ploughing are being introduced since all the draught animals have died in the cyclone. o A book-bank for primary education has been started in the demo villages since the students lost all their books in the cyclone. o In all ,he villages multipurpose community centres are being constructed.

26 Coastal Systems Research

101.4 West Bengal Mangrove conservation and management Four different activities namely, i) joint It was decided in the initial stagesof the project mangrove afforestation, ii) field trials of implementation that interventions in Sunder- alternative regeneration techniques and bans of West Bengal will be taken up in the spacing, iii) developing new techniques in later stagesof the project since the West Bengal raising mangrove nursery and iv) reintroduction Forest Department had already introduced of threatened mangrove species were carried Partici patory Management Systems in the out towards mangrove conservation and mangroves of the Sunderbans. Preliminary management. reconnaissance studies were done in the Sunderbans and after discussions, the FD gave Mangrove afforestation with community proposals for project interventions with participation: An area of 25 ha of vested-land emphasis on strengthening the ongoing Joint was planted with about 3,00,000 mangrove Forest Management OFM)activities. The Project seedlings during the year and the survival rate is implemented in 15 villages in 4 forest ranges is 92%. The Forest Protection Committees of of the 24 Parganas (South) Forest Division. In the participating villages manage these 11 villages, Forest Protection Committees (FPC) plantations. The cost of plantation was mostly under JFM had been registered as per provisions borne by the project, while the community of an earlier Forestry Project. In other villages, protects and maintains it. The usufructs will be Beneficiary Committees with a structure similar shared on a 75:25 basis by the beneficiaries to that of FPCs have been formed to play the and Panchayats. role of FPCs. Field trials of alternative regeneration The Forest Department has agreed that techniques and spacing: Apart from the mangrove plantations other than experiments usual methods of afforestation, it is necessary will be raised only in non-forest vested lands to find alternative modes of regeneration (mostly accretions along riverbanks or through stem cutting and other methods embankments) under the control of the Zilla supported by biotechnology. This operation was Parishad. The 24 Parganas Zilla Parishad has started during the year in about 6 ha. agreed for the FPCs/Beneficiary Committees to In addition to this, field trials to find the take up mangrove plantations in these non- optimum spacing between the seedlings forest lands. The benefit arising out of these of different mangrove species was undertaken plantations, particularly usufructs and timber for four locally endangered species namely, will be shared in a ratio of 75% (community Heritiera minor, Nipa sp., Carapa obovata, members): 25% (Panchayatl. As per the above Carapa molucensis and other common species agreement, micro plans, which had been like Sonneratia apetala and Avicennia sp. prepared earlier by FD and villagers formed Experiments with four different spacing under JFM, have been revised jointly by the categories, 1m x 1m, 1.5 m x .1.5m, 2m x 2m community, MSSRF and FD and activities of and 2.5 m x 2.5 m are being undertaken in the project are being taken up on the basis of 9 ha and growth performance is being the revised micro plans. assessed.

27 Annual Report 1999-2000

Developing new techniques in raising man- Land based alternatives and mtry point grove nursery: The objective of this experi- activities ment is to find ways to increase productivity and growth in nurseries through the use of Entry point livelihood support activities: The biofertilisers and other modern nursery tech- following are the entry point activities under- niques. The following are the steps involved: taken in the project villages. All these activities are related to the main concern of the • Use of biofertiliser: Three nursery beds people as per provisions of the micro plan. were taken up, one of which was control and the other two beds were applied with • Construction of five new freshwater ponds 5 grams and 10 grams of biofertiliser per for irrigation, drinking water and other use plant respectively. The growth data was • Construction of new irrigation canals, collected once in 3 months. from 370 to 750m in length in four • Use of bigger polythene tubes: Experi- villages ments are being conducted to find out • Construction of tube wells for drinking whether seedlings grown in bigger water, being utilised by about 150 families polythene tubes (9 inches in length) show better growth performance than seedlings Farm forestry, horticultural development: Un- grown in polyphone tubes (4 inches in der farm forestry seedlings that can cover about length). 100 ha of land with timber, fuel wood and fodder trees have been raised. They will be • Use of hycopots : Hycopots rested on a maintained and supplied after the onset of the stand are used for this experiment. In this monsoon. In addition, 4,000 seedlings of the method, roots of the seedlings are air best quality fruit tree grafts are being main- pruned thereby avoiding coiling and twist- tained in the nursery along with 3,000 seeding of roots. This experiment was con- lings of bamboo. These will be planted in ducted in an area of 5 ha with about homestead land of the participating villagers. 12,500 seedlings but the results were found unsatisfactory. 101.5 Training and Human Resource Reintroduction of threatened mangroves : Ir Development about 9 ha, 1,000 seedlings of each of the four endangered species, Heritiera minor, Nipa The project conducted a number of important fruticans, Carapa obovata, Carapa molucensis training and exposure visits to enhance the ca- and other common species like Sonneratia pacity of the community, personnel of the For- apetala and Avicennia sp. are being raised with est Department and project staff. the objective of enhancing the natural stock of Training to project staff these species. In the areas where these species are planted, small channels are dug for daily Training was given to project staff of Andhra tidal flushing. So far, the average survival rate Pradesh and Orissa on micro credit and com- is about 62%. munity banking (Table 1.10).

28 ,

Coastal Systems Research

Table 1.10 : Training programmes conducted for the project staff

Theme Resource Agency Target Group Duration No. of participants

Reorientation, Monitoring Options and Co-ordinators & Evaluation Solutions & all staff of Andhra Pradesh 4 days 18

Documentatlun ASK * All Project Staff 4 days 20 and Reporting Exposure visit to VJNNS Staff of 1 day 5 Micro credit Andhra Pradesh Group Formation ASK Staff of Orissa 3 days 10 Micro credit ASK Staff of Orissa 3 days 10

* Association for Stimulating Know-how

Training to the community trained in palm candy making. At a trial run, they produced high-quality palm The people belonging to the demonstration vil- candy. DRDA and Indian Bank have given lages have been trained in various aspects,most loans to the trainees to start their own of which were identified by them, with the units. help of NGOs and in-house trainers (Table 1.11). The following are the important training Awareness/sensitisation programmes on provided to the community: mangroves: A series of street theatre programmes was conducted in different • Micro credit: The President, Secretaryand strategic locations of the project sites with the the willing members of SHG from the help of the group 'Natya Chetana' from demonstration villages of Pichavaram and Bhubaneswar. The theatre aimed at provoking Muthupet were taken on an exposure visit thought among different sections of the to Panchapatty in Tamil Nadu, where the local community towards the causes micro credit programme is implemented by of mangrove degradation and its an NGO namely, LEAD. The trainees were consequences. The plays were based on given exposure in conducting group intensive field surveys undertaken by the meetings, taking decisions and in group regarding relevance of the issues, bookkeeping. This exposure visit increased local customs and language, apart from the confidence of the local communities in social and cultural aspects. The locals SHGsand micro credit and improved their accepted the play and many of them efficiency. have contacted the project staff to • Micro enterprises: One male and one participate in mangrove restoration and female member from 10 families were conservation.

29 Annual Report 1999.2000

Table 1.11 : Training programmes conducted for the community

Theme Resource Target Group Duration No. of Agency participants IPM on ground nut MSSRF Vadakku 1 day 25 Pichavaram - selected farmers Seed treatment MSSRF Vadakku Pichavaram 1 day 40 techniques on ground unit - seleded farmers Leadership and Membership Trust for MGR Nagar 2 days 40 skills Hope CSO members Study visit to Micro credit LEAD SHG members areas Tamil Nadu 2 days 40 Leadership and Membership GORD' SHG members 1 day 45 skills Godavari Restoration and MSSRF Community of 1 day 35 redevelopment Godavari area Disease and pest control KVK Community of 1 day 25 for crop and livestock Kendrapara area

'Gandhian Organisation for Rural Development

Training to the Forest Department personnel activities, imparted to the staff of the Andhra Only limited training was organised for the Pradesh Forest Department. Similarly, Forest staff of the Forest Department (Table 1.12). officers and important members of the One important training programme was the use panchayat institutions from West Bengal jointly of remote sensing data and GIS in planning visited the Pichavaram mangroves and and monitoring mangrove conservation. demonstration villages for exposure.

Table 1.12 : Training conducted for Forest Department staff

Theme Resource Target Group Duration No. of Agency participants Orientation to the Project MSSRF Orissa FD Staff 1 day 15 Orientation to the Project MSSRF Orissa FD Staff 1 day 15 Exposure visit to MSSRF Members from Zilla 2 days 11 mangrove restoration and Parishads, Panchayats village socio-economic activities & ForestDepartment in Tamil Nadu mangroves GIS and Remote Sensing Tools Anna FD Field staff of 2 days 6 University Andhra Pradesh Restoration and redevelopment MSSRF FD field staff 1 day 5 of Pichavaram area

30 Coastal Systems Research

101.6 Geomorphological, Hydrological Andhra Pradesh and Sedimentological Studies In Krishna mangroves, studies were conducted on tidal variations near the restoration areas of Geomorphological, hydrological and sedimen- Dheenadayalapuram and Nakshatranagar. Sa- tological studies playa significant role in de- linity and temperature variation in the three veloping long-term management plans for man- distributaries of the Krishna are being studied grove wetlands. These aspects are being stud- seasonally. Current data on the volume of wa- ied in the mangrove sites of Tamil Nadu and ter flowing in different sections of the estuary Andhra Pradesh. is being collected twice a year at seven stations along with the measurements of cross Tamil Nadu sections. The first phase of the measurement was completed. In the Pichavaram mangrove wetlands the fol- In Godavari mangroves, tidal data and water lowing physical processes affect the health of quality data on salinity and temperature in the the mangroves: mangrove estuary were collected in the restoration sites of Bhairav~lanka, Matlapalem and • closure of the estuarine mouth of the Ramannapalem. Water quality, data was col- Uppanar river lected seas~mally. The tidal data was used for • reduction in fresh water inflow designing canals for the restoration areas. In addition, salinity and temperature maps of the The problem of the closure of the estuarine Kakinada Bay were prepared during different mouth was modelled using wave refraction seasons. The fresh water discharge data from study. The sites favourable for deposition of the barrage of Dowaleswaram was collected sediments seasonally in the segment of the for a period of 40 years. This data is being coast between Coleroon inlet and Yellar River analysed to study the reduction in fresh water were identified. In addition, tidal data was flow into the Godavari mangrove wetland. collected close to the restoration areas. In order to examine the possibilities of keeping the mouth of the Uppanar open, tidal data and 101.7 Remote Sensing Applications and current data are being collected at four Geographic Information System stations along with measurements of changes in inlet geometry, by a consultant. The preparation of an atlas for the mangrove Discharge data on the Coleroon River wetlands of Tamil Nadu is in the final phase. was collected from State Public Works The atlas contains 30 maps each for Pichavar(,lm Department for the period 1934 to 1999 and Muthupet mangroves and they are divided and the data is being analysed. The analysis into 4 groups namely: i) Location and general shows that there was significant reduction in information inclusive of the location. of the the amount of freshwater discharged from 1930 mangroves and remote sensing imagery, ii) En- to 1994 into the Coleroon river, from where vironment and resources inclusive of geomor- fresh water reaches Pichavaram mangrove phology, changes in coastal configuration, hy- wetlands. drological related maps, oceanographic and

31 Annual Report 1999-2000

wetland maps, iii) Resource utilisation pattern communities. It has been designed to evolve a which includes user villages with infrastruc- practical methodology for arresting natural re- ture/ hamlets with population and occupation, sources degradation and alleviating rural pov- livestock population, income range, .types of erty in the coastal regions. The objective is to fish catch, cropping patterns, dependency on develop crop varieties with greater tolerance mangrove wetlands-grazing areas,firewood col- to salinity and enhance soil fertility and crop lection and fishing practices and iv) Manage- productivity while emphasising the reclama- ment issues and options with details on mouth tion of saline soil in coastal areas. It also in- c1osure, freshwater resources and grazing and tends to use radiotracer technology for moni- firewood collection. The Forest Department of toring water quality parameters in the coastal Tamil Nadu provided its inputs in the prepara- aquifer. In addition, the project lays emphasis tion of the maps. on popularisation of the improved pulse crop varieties through capacity building and extension activities in the coastal region. Accord- Sub Programme Area 102 ingly/ the primary focus of the programme is to: • address the problems of the coastal rural Nuclear and Biotechnological communities of Kalpakkam, Chidambaram Tools for Coastal SystemsResearch and Kudankulam. • introduce nuclear and biotechnological This research programme, designed primarily tools for the sustainable development of to integrate conservation and development in agriculture, fisheries and animal hus- the rural farm communities of the coastal ar- bandry in these regions eas in Southern India, was initiated in 1998 as • study the molecular biology of abiotic a partnership between the Department of stress (mangroves, nitrogen fixers-Photo Atomic Energy (DAE) and M. S. Swaminathan autotrophs and Heterotrophs) and intro- Research Foundation. It is a joint endeavor of duce the knowledge for stressmanagement the Biosciences and Radio-isotope Groups of at the farm level in these coastal regions the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC, evolve grassroot level institutions and Mumbai) and MSSRF and aims at evolving • strengthen them through capacity build- models of sustainable development in the ing and knowledge empowerment and fa- coastal regions. This programme was further cilitate these institutions to playa major strengthened with the institution of DAE-Homi role in spreading the sustainable devel- Bhabha Chair on Nuclear Sciences and Rural opment process to the various parts of Society at the Foundation. Prof. P. C. Kesavan the coastal regions is the first appointee to this Chair. • strengthen the human resources in vari- Combining frontier sciences and biotechnol- ousagencies of the Department of Atomic ogy with the traditional wisdom of the rural Energy in the development process with communities, the programme seeks to the help of the models in Kalpakkam, strengthen the livelihood security of the rural Chidambaram and Kudankulam.

32 Coastal Systems Research

Isolation of stress indiJced genes Metallothioneins gene: Metallothioneins (MTs) are low-molecular-weight, cystein (Cys) rich Substantial progress has been made in under- proteins, identified in 'lnimals, fungi, standing the molecular mechanisms of salt tol- cyanobacteria and plants. The main function erance in mangrove species Porteresia of the MT in\lolves metal homeostasis and coarctata, a species growing in the mangrove detoxification of heavy metals. The MT genes locations that have been selected for the present coding for metaHothionein-like proteins not study. This plant grows in high saline condi- only play a role in metal detoxification, but tions and can tolerate high salinity levels. The are .also involved in stress responses. Through long-term goal of this component is to isolate large-scale sequencing of randomly selected salt tolerant genes from thrs species and pro- c10ries of the P. coarctata eDNA library, a vide pre-breeding material to grassroot level eDNA clone homologous to the MT gene was breeders for developing locality specific crop isolated. Based on its homology to MT genes, species of jmportance to the coastal ecosys- the isolated clone was named as ParMT, i.e., tem. an MT gene from P. coarctata. The sequence Porteresia caarctata plants were collected from data of this gene has been deposited in the Pichavaram mangrove forest and grown in a Gene Bank Nucleotide sequence database un- nutrient medium for seven days. The plants der Accession No. AF257465. were then treated with 1M NaCi solution for he isolated gene is 581 bp in length, with a 48 hours. Total RNA from the leaf tissues of single largest open reading frame (ORF) of 192 salt treated plants were isolated following a bp. The deduced amino acid. sequence con- protocol developed by us. The mRNA for sists of 64 residues and an approximate mo- making complementary DNA (eDNA) was lecular mass of 6.5 kDa, and consists of 10 purified from the total RNA using oligo-dT Cys residues. Northern analysis showed the cellulose column. Using reverse transcriptase presence of a single transcript of about 0.6 kb enzymes the double stranded eDNA was made corresponding to the size of isolated eDNA. and ligated with pSPORT 1 vector. The ligated Hybridization of the RNA from leaves and root eDNA was transformed into E. coli (DH5a) to indicated expression of this gene in both leaves enrich the library. About 1,00,000 colonies and roots. However, the level of expression in obtained from the eDNA library from the roots was about three times more than that this species are being used for further in the leaves. Studies indicate that the isolated investigations. ~~ gene from P. caarctata belongs to class I MT and encodes a novel type of MT-related pro- Preliminary screening of this library has been tein. This gene is quite distinct from type 1-4 initiated using heterologous probes specific for MT-like proteins reported from other organ- salt tolerance as well as through random se- isms. The mRNA level of PorMT gene was quencing of the ESTs (Expressed Sequence more abundant in roots than in leaves. The Tags). A number of potential eDNA clones Southern blot analysis suggested the presence which have practical bearing on abiotic stress of a single copy of type 5 MT in P. coaretata were isolated. Details of two isolated genes genome. The uniqueness of this gene, it is are given below.

33 Annual Report 1999-2000

hoped, could reveal more about the structure, microbial osmotic adaptation will help us in organisation and regulation of plant harnessing these microbial species in amelio- metallothioneins and studies are being under- ration studies. taken in this direction. Isolation and screening of beneficial organisms Histone H3 gene: A cDNA clone (PCD 6) with tolerance to salinity have been undertaken. which encodes Porteresia coarctata histone H3 Salttolerant wild rice, Porteresia coarctata, from protein homologous to various animals and the Pichavaram mangrove forest in Tamil Nadu, plants was isolated from a plasmid pSPORT 1 was analysed for possible associative and en- cDNA library constructed using poly (A) mRNA dophytic diazotrophs. Salt tolerant Azospiriffum from-leaf tissues. The cDNA insert includes a sp. was isolated from different parts of the 5' non coding sequence of 70 nucleotides and plants. All the isolates were able to grow and an open reading frame of 408 nucleotides. The fix nitrogen without any quantitative decrease deduced amino acid sequences from the PCD upto a salinity level of 250mM NaCl and were 6 show 100 % identity with the amino acid found comparable to control. One of the iso- sequences and 86%, 85%, 84%, 83%, and lates (PSA2)showed enhanced nitrogenase ac- 82% identity with Lycopersicon escu/entum, tivity and growth in the presence of 250mM Cossypium hirsutum, Nicotiana tabacum, NaCI thereby proving to be a potential candi- Oryza sativa, Lolium temu/entum and date for amelioration of such salt affected soils. Medicago sativa nucleotide sequences of To understand the osmoadaptation mecha- histone H3, respectively. nisms, protein profiles of two halotolerant Pseudomonas species e.g. P. alca/igenes and P. pseudoalca/igenes Soil biological criteria and bioremediation were analysed. Proteins with the size range of 25-210 kDa were found Salinity is responsible for major crop losses, to be induced under conditions of increased particularly in semi-arid and irrigated agricul- salinity, heat and osmotic stresses,all three of ture. High salinity in soil results from naturally which are prominent in the coastal systems. high salt levels or from local salt accumulation Four of these proteins (25,45,85 and 11OkDa), due to irrigation or the application of chemical which are common to all stresses have been fertiliser. Most crop plants exhibit considerable purified and will be sequenced. hypersensitivity to saline environments due to Culture of Anabaena toru/osa, a salt tolerant intracellular accumulation of Na + that is toxic strain, is being tested along with AL31 (from to the cellular metabolism and osmotic com- BARC) and demonstrated in the southern ponent of salinity stresscausing water loss and coastal region for efficiency in fixing nitrogen inhibiting growth. Breeding plants that are re- and sequestering NaCI. The study was con- sistant to stress is therefore a thrust area of ducted at two sites, Mettupalayam (a site with contemporary research. An alternate approach canal irrigation) and Poondiyankuppam (with to practising crop cultivation in saline environ- well irrigation). Both the sites were chosen for ments is the amelioration of soil salinity in their higher EC vall" which were conducive agricultural habitats, using biological ap- for the growth of Anabaena toru/osa (A.t). The proaches. A better understanding of the role of study plot of 21 cents was divided into 1-cent

34 Coastal Systems Research experimental plots and the Random Box possibility of diverse activities related to agri- Design (RBD) was used. A.t was released in culture and aquaculture, establishing a forward- two concentrations of 1OOOml/cent and SOOm1/ backward linkage, water use efficiency and or- cent. The release was done both prior and af- ganic agriculture. Integration of cultivation of ter transplantation of rice. Soil profiles were rice, millets, groundnut, blackgram, greengram, analysed both before and during the experi- vegetables, floricultural species and a site for ments. The establishment of released A.t was semi-intensive aquaculture with various other checked against the local one and it was ob- ecotechnology options is the key feature of the served that the population had more then 70% demonstration plot. The soil samples of the of the released variety thereby confirming good plots have been tested for their micro- and establishment. Due to non-availability of wa- macro-nutrients and also for soil microbial ter for irrigation the paddy dried up and the populations (with special reference to benefi- experiment had to be stopped at this stage. cial organisms). The acetylene reduction assay for the nitrogen Construction of all the four water harvesting fixing efficiency performed with the samples structures (used as fish ponds for a period of of both treated and untreated soil showed en- about 5 months in a year) has been completed. hanced nitrogenase activity in the former. There While in two of these ponds polyculture of a seems to be a competition between the local number of fresh water fish was tried, one pond prevalent strain and the one that is being tested. was used for prawn breeding, using the seeds This could be because of a natural selection. obtained from the MSSRF nursery. The other The possibility that the increase in nitrogenase pond was used for local fish varieties. Basic data activity is due to synergistic effect cannot be with respect to the growth rate, fecundity rate, ruled out. Future experiments with respect to feed intake, mortality, hatching rate and water the sequestering will be undertaken. exchange rate have been collected and is being Activities initiated in the experiment-cum- analysed. Along the fish pond, banana plants (both in vivo and in vitro), annual moringa and demonstration plot at Kalpakkam other green leafy vegetables are being grown. One of the major objectives of the ongoing Castor seedshave been sown around the experi- project is to develop demonstration plots along mental field to serve astrap crops for insects and the coastal areas. The first project demonstra- pests. Along each rice field blackgram seeds tion site development activity has been initi- have also been sown as trap crops. ated at Kalpakkam. In collaboration with the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research Activities initiated in the experiment-cum- (IGCAR) authorities, a 10-acre plot has been demonstration plot at Kudankulam developed for experiment cum demonstration in the IGCAR campus. The basic model ap- The ongoing project also intends to develop plied in the development of the demo plot models for sustainable natural resources was that of the Integrated Intensive Farming management and development in Kudankulam, System model developed by MSSRF. The sa- a semi-arid region in coastal south Tamil Nadu, lient feature of this demonstration plot is the with severe water scarcity. It may be noted

35 Annual Report 1999-2000 that in Kudankulam, the National Power Cor- meters width was identified for green belt de- poration of India limited (NPClL) is building a velopment. During the last 5, months about nuclear power reactor. The proposed interven- 7,000 seedlings of neem and tamarind have tions are intended to evolve practical method- been planted in the area. The survival rate is ologies for the effective use of the natural re- more than 85%. In addition, possibilities are source base and ways and means to link it also being explored to include some cash crops with the livelihood security of the fishing and like cashew, guava and others that could be farming communities in the region. linked with the livelihood security of the com- mimities residing near the area. As the first phase of the activity, an experiment-cum-demonstration plot has been estab- Popularisation of pulse crop varieties of lished in Kudankulam with active cooperation BARe from the National Power Corporation of India. The identified area falls under the buffer zone Field trials for the improved pulse crop variet- of the proposed power plant and has a total ies developed by BARC were initiated at area of 12 acres. Activities in this demonstra- Kottam, Paraikulam and Pudukkudi during the tion plot were initiated in October 1999. Soil months of October and November '99. The analysis with respect to the major and micro- trials were conducted primari Iy to test the re- nutrients and beneficial organisms have been sponse of Blackgram (var. TU: 94-2) and carried out. The layout of the experimental plot Greengram (var. TARM) developed by BARC is given in Fig. 1.1. Initial activities included under semi-dry conditions in Tamil Nadu and selection of crop species that have low water to ascertain the critical watering regime for the requirements. A blackgram variety (TU-94-2) above mentioned variety. In addition, it was deve'loped at BARC was the initial crop taken intended to assessthe impact of different sow- for demonstration. Groundnut varieties devel- ing methods and to select suitable conditions oped at BARC (TG24 and TG26) were also of irrigation, sowing and phosphorous applica- grown in the demonstration field in the first tion to enhance the pulse productivity. The phase. In addition cluster beans and green seed material multiplied in these areas is be- amaranth us were also grown in the demon- ing grown in the demonstr.ation plots both in stration plot. Work has been initiated for con- Kalpakkam and Kudankulam and in a few farm- verting about 2 acres of the demonstration field ers' fields at Chidambaram. In addition the per- into water harvesting structures and aquacul- formance of two more improved varieties of ture ponds. More activities will be initiated blackgram (TSR 1) and greengram (TARM 1) during this year starting with capturing the mon- are being studied at Kudankulam and soon rains. Kalpakkam region this year. tiAajor emphasis, however, was placed on de- Hydrodynamics of fresh water-saline water veiQpinga model for green belt development interface in coastal aquifers around the Atomic Power Plant in Kudankulam. A model demonstration plot was identified in In recent years hydrological studies in relation the buffer zone of the proposed plant area. to ground water have become essential to moni- Initially a stretch of 700 meter land with 50 tor pollution and prevent seawater ingress. The

36 Coastal Systems Research

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37 Annual Report 1999-2000

use of radio tracer techniques has been proved In the fi rst phase the area of study extends to be quite useful in monitoring the hydrologi- from Besant Nagar in the North to Kovalam cal status and water quality. A detailed analysis creek in the south and from the coast in the of water quality parameters of the aquifer, un- east to 2 km from the coast in the west derstanding the causesfor salinity of the coastal (12°48':13°00'; 80°12':80°17/). A total of 30 aquifers and monitoring the variation in water piezometers have been constructed to monitor quality and water table fluctuations in the aqui- the water levels and water quality. It is ex- fers are being undertaken in collaboration with pected that upon completion of the studies in the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), the current year, substantial information could Southern Region, Chennai with the technical be obtained with regard to the freshwater - expertise of the Radioisotope group of the BARe. saline water interface, origin of salinity, inter- connectio~ between the aquifers, dating of the Based on the initial discussions involving groundwater, velocity of flow acrossthe bound- BARC, MSSRFand CGWB, the Thiruvanmiyur ary/ effect of porosity of the formations and aquifer that ~xtends to the coastal regions be- source and rate of recharge. In the subsequent yond Kalpakkam, has been identified as the stages it is intended to extend these studies study area for the pilot experiments. This aqui- upto Kalpakkam and monitor the hydrological fer system extends south of Chennai along the status in this aquifer. coastal belt of the Bay of Bengal, in Quater- nary alluvium underlaid with Archaean complex. Owing to the pressure of population and Application of Rare Earth Elements increased urbanisation and industrialisation, In recent years application of rare earth ele- the demand for water supply to Chennai city ments (REE) in agriculture has been gaining and adjoining areas is ever increasing and this popularity. Experiments carried out since aquifer is likely to be indiscriminately ex- 1933 in the Soviet Union, Romania, Bulgaria, ploited by large scale pumping which could China and a few other countries have shown result in sea water intrusion. The present study enormous promise for the supply of essen- therefore involves collection of baseline tial nutrients and have assumed significance hydrochemical (major, minor and trace chemi- as manure substitutes. Several studies have cal species) and isotope data based on geo- shown that REE in the form of chlorides, logical/ hydrogeological and geophysical in- nitrates and oxides are beneficial to the formation. The baseline data (isotope and growth, development and yield of crop hydrochemical) will help in evaluating present plants. / past sea water intrusion. Injected radiotracer method could be used to estimate the intru- Application of REEto Indian agriculture gives sion rate of the sea water - fresh water inter- new hope of increasing productivity. India has face/ hydrodynamics of the system, surface the potential reserve of 4.5 million tonnes of water - ground water interaction etc. Small- monozite of which 60% is rare earth oxides. scale artificial recharge experiments and moni- Till recently REEapplications in advanced coun- toring

38 Coastal Systems Research by ceramic and glass industries while 33% is Sub Programme Area 103 used in metallurgical industries.

As an integrated approach, initial studies on Promoting Alternative Options for the effects of various REE irl'agriculture are livelihood Security in the Gulf of being undertaken in Kudankulam experimental plot and will subsequently be extended to Mannar Region other regions. The Foundation proposed a plan for strength- Capacity building and training ening the management of the Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve, which was ap- The major emphasis of the ongoing project proved by the Global Environment Facility is on the dissemination of the developmen- (GEF) in May 1999. This plan will be imple- tal models among the rural families of the mented by the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Re- coastal area. The project staff have been im- serve Trust, which is promoted by the Govern- parting regular trainLlg to the farmers of the ment of Tamil Nadu as a multi-stakeholder nearby regions in Kudankulam and body. A key component of the project involves Kalpakkam in resource mapping, development development and demonstration of new liveli- planning and other methodologies. In hood options for families residing in the vicin- Kalpakkam, about 160 farmers, in eight ity of the Reserve so that the biological re- batches, were given exposure training in vari- sources can be sustainably managed. The Min- ous activities being undertaken in the dem- istry of Rural Development (MORD) of the Gov- onstration fields. Similarly, in Kudankulam 4 ernment of India, and the United Nations De- batches of 20-25 trainees were trained. In all velopment Program (UNDP) have approved a these training programmes equal participation proposal specifically in relation to generating of both men and women was ensured. viable new options for sustainable livelihood security for implementation during the next A technical consultation on "Integrated Natu- three years. The proposal has two components: ral Resources Management in Coastal Areas" (a) technology demonstration and access and was organised by the Foundation on 26 July (b) provision of micro credit and establishment 1999 to evolve practical methodologies for of community banking with strong links to tech- effective use of the natural resource base and nology utilisation to improve options for sus- ways and means to link it with the liveli- tainable livelihood security. The Foundation is hood security of the fishing and farming com- the lead agency for the livelihood security munities in the Kudankulam region and also project, and has invited the DHAN Founda- to develop a technical consortium for effec- tion, known for its pioneering and extensive tive eco-management in coastal areas (details work in micro credit, to be the partner in imple- in PA 500). menting the project. The plan, approved by the MORD and UNDP in June this year, has been drawn up jointly by the two organisations namely, MSSRFand DHAN Foundation.

39 Annual Report 1999-2000

The project area has been divided into three • Stabilisation and arrest of decline in farm tiers, based on the primary occupation of the incomes in the predominantly agricultural majority of the families living in the hamlets. hamlets through renovation and The primary occupations have been identified upgradation of tanks (71 of them cover- as fishing, salt manufacture and agriculture. A ing about 3,100 hal total of 466 hamlets, comprising approximately • Formation and/or strengthening of 766 63,000 families, are found within the project Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and linking them area. Just over one fourth of the families are to entrepreneurial activities derived entirely dependent on fishing. These, together partially from technology access points with families declared as living below the poverty line, constitute the potential project part- • Promotion of local institutions such as ners, estimated at about 23,000 rural families. clusters (50) federations (5), and SHGs The current project is an effort to complement and creating links between them as also the technology demonstration and dissemina- with the formal financial system of banks tion component of the Gulf of Mannar Trust's programmes. At the end of the project period, it is hoped that about one-third of the rural partners in the This project aims at generating the following project area would have moved above the outcome: poverty line. A national Steering Committee • Establishment and operationalisation of comprising senior representatives of MORD, training and demonstration centres in UNDP, Govt. of Tamil Nadu, MSSRf, DHAN pearl culture, oyster farming, seaweed cul- Foundation and the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere ture, agar production, fish pickle manu- Reserve Trust will guide the project activities. facturing' and use of artificial reefs in the Current consultations reveal the readiness of coastal hamlets. These will act as one- rural families, especially women, to take to stop technology and credit access points viable new livelihood options and this will be for the families living on the shore of the fully reflected in the phased implementation Gulf of Mannar of project activities.

40 1----

Programme Area 200

Biodiversity and Biotechnology

he community agro-biodiversity conservation and management programme made considerable progress in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Orissa. The value of T:commercialisation in stimulating greater interest in the in situ on-farm conservation of minor millets, medicinal rices and other under-utilised crops became evident in Kolli Hills and Wayanad. Further progress was made in the field of molecular breeding involving the transfer of genes conferring resistance to salinity from mangrove tree species to annual crops. Research in the area of biomonitoring gave rise to dependable bioindicators of ecosystem health.

201 Conservation Traditions: Chronicling and Revitalisation 42 202 Pariticpatory Plant Breeding: Path to Secure Livelihood 53 203 Integrated Gene Management 61 204 B R Barwale Chair in Biodiversity 63 205 Conservation arid Utilisation of Biological Diversity: Marketing Study 68 206 Molecular Mapping and Genetic Enhancement 69 207 Monitoring Ecosystem Health Using Microbial Diversity 76 208 Conservation and Bioprospecting of Endangered, Medicinal and Mangrove Plant Species 78 209 Golden Jubilee Biotechnology Park for Women 82

J Annual Report 1999-2000

groups. Around 250 acres of land can be addi- Sub Programme Area 201 tionally cultivated by using these minor millets seeds. Conservation Traditions : Minor millets were grown for demonstration Chronicling and Revitalisation and seed multiplication in one acre of land in Neduvalampatti village of South Kolli Hills, Building upon the insights gained in the previ- Thenoorpatti colony in Gundur Nadu of North ous years, the strategy has been to focus on Kolli Hills and Semmedu Higher Secondary biodiversity conservation and launching of School. F10mthese three acres of rain-fed land NGO networks at the regional and district lev- only around 150 kg of minor millets could be els. harvested. Poor rainfall and pests such as rats and parrots affected the yield adversely. 201.1 Kolli Hills, Tamil Nadu Largely due to the efforts of biodiversity networking, two acres of land was given to the In-situ on-farm conservation MSSRFby the Veterinary College in Namakkal Seed multiplication: Interactions with the tribal for minor millets seed multiplication. Similarly communities in Kolli Hills revealed that seed a plot of land belonging to TAN UVAS in multiplication was hindered by shortage and Kattupakkam was used for seed multiplication. non-availability of seeds at the right time. Ac- Minor millets procurement was carried out with tivities were initiated to revive traditional crops the help of the people in Kolli Hills. Around such as minor millets to strengthen the agro- 13,200 kg of minor millets were procured, biodiversity and revive the traditional farming which could lead to an additional 25 acres of practices. There used to be a practice among land under minor millets cultivation. them of taking one unit of seeds and returning two units after the harvest in the next season. While continuing the documentation of farm- Strengthening of the minor millets seed ex- ing practices, it was learnt that Karu Nel and change system has also been initiated under Karu Vazhai (Black Paddy and Black Banana) the project. For this purpose an irrigated land used to be offered to the Goddess Kongayi was selected for seed multiplication in on-farm Amman and that when the black banana is trials (OFT) in the plain areas of KC Patti. So ripe the smell wafts to a long distance. It is far, from 1.3 acres of land, 870 kg of quality believed that the Goddess came to Kolli Hills traditionallandraces of minor millets have been drawn by the smell of the black banana. Only produced. In another 2.3 acresof land the crops the Poojari families used to cultivate the black are ready for harvest. During the last year paddy. Efforts were made to find out whether around 150 kg of seedswere exchanged in the they are available now in Kolli Hills. The black stalls during the traditional festival seasons. In paddy is available in small quantities with one the coming season around 2,500 kg of minor or two farm families. But the location of the millets seeds would be ready for seed ex- black banana plant could not be traced. The change, with the participation of the self help search continues.

42 Biodiversity and Biotechnology

Black paddy seeds were obtained for a farmer improvement after realising the advantage. Two

from the Poojari family in Neduvalampatti and > self-help groups have come forward to con- seedswere multiplied in the multiplication plot struct bins with doors in their villages. at the foot-hills (KC Patti) and now 346 kg of black paddy have been harvested and are ready Greenhouses: The idea of growing minor mil- for seed exchange. The Sellammal family lets in the off-season in the low-cost mist cham- (farmer) was also encouraged to cultivate the ber for meeting the seed demand did not work black paddy in half an acre by giving inputs well. The two structures put up in Thenoorpatti for the cultivation. colony in Gundur Nadu were blown down by the heavy wind and the yield was poor. Seed exchange: Last season, 150 kg of seed Farming practices: While documenting it was was exchanged in the stalls during the tradi- learnt that leaves like Pena Thalai, Ana Thalai, tional festival seasons and the following les- Devakanni Thalai and Vilari Thalai are used sons were learnt: as green manure. The staff and the local par- • Seed exchange should be prior to Adi 18 ticipants observed that the "kadir navai poochi" Festival (August 3) affects the little millets fields in the Kolli Hills and this in turn affects the production. Gener- • Generally men visit the stall at Val ViI ally, local cultivators spread ash to control Ori Festival (a local festival) them. This time neem oil extract was also sprayed in the demonstration plots. During this • Women may also participate in exchange activity the local cultivators, participants in our programmes if local festival occasions like project activities, pointed out that neem is not Chitthirai Festival are selected widely grown in the area. The participants sug- • Weekly markets and Self-Help Groups gested that green leaves with a bitter taste were may be utilised profitably used to control insects in the soil and help increase the production and taste of the paddy. Community seed storage system: Tradition- These leaves were taken to be tested as ally the people of Kolli Hills store their grains biopesticides in the place of neem oil at the in a storage system 'Thombai' made of mud, laboratory at the MSSRF. wild straw and wood. An attempt was made to construct small ones (5' x 5' x 5') for the pur- Sacred groves: The previous year's survey in- pose of keeping minor millets seeds and other dicated that there are 15 sacred groves in Kolli traditional seeds for seed exchange. A com- Hills (only groves of more than 2 acres are munity seed storage system was constructed in considered) and they are roughly 300-400 years Thenoorpatti colony of Gundur Nadu by using old. In this year's survey, the local participants local wisdom and local resources. The follow- were contacted to learn about the status of the ing point has been noted from creating the groves. Lantana has invaded the sacred groves community seed storage system: women sug- in some areas. Some of the groves are in de- gested that these bins should have doors. graded condition. So conservation efforts are Though the men who constructed them dis- being planned. Four groves have been selected agreed at fi rst, they have now agreed to the in the first round (Table 2.1) out of which two

43 Annual Report.1999-2000 I I will be selected for conservation after g~tting tivities. One acre of land was used for cre- the consensus of the local stakeholders. ~Iso, ating a model traditional fruit garden. 150 to involve young men and women in tHe sa- hill banana (nemaran vazhai) were planted cred grove conser-vati~n and to spread infor- with the help of both labourers and school mation about its importimce, a model haslbeen children as part of the nature dub activity. created in one acre of the school la~d in In between the plants, traditional crops like Semmedu by planting sacred grove sapHngs. red beans, black beans and coriander were Further it is planned to involve the coinmu- cultivated. An acre of land was used for de- nity, especially school children, to prepar~ her- veloping a model minor millets field and barium sheets of sacred grove plants fou~d in sarna; was harvested. Another acre of land the 15 sacred groves in Kolli Hills. I was used for creating a model sacred grove. I

Table 2.1: Sacreh groves selected fI:Jrconservation I Village Panchayat Sacredg~ove Status Plan I Nathukuzhi Gundur Ettukaiamman Koil Relict of past Introducing sacred I vegetation found; grove plants; fencing; conservation needed identifying institution I to manage Oorpuram colony Thinnanur perumanlKoil Reiiet of past Introducing sacred 50lai vegetation found in grove plants; patches; conservation fencing; identifying needed institution to manage Valapur Asakkadu MariamJan Koil Degraded; conservation Introducing sacred needed grove plants; fencing; lantana bush clearance; identifying institution to manage Devanur Arippalapatti Kaliamml~n Koil Degraded; conservation Introducing sacred needed grove plants; fencing; lantana bush clearance; identifying institution to manage

Capacity building Around 50 plants were planted. The income from the model fields and gardens will be 100 students (54 boys 46 girls) in da~ses VI used for the activities of the Nature Club. to XII participated in/ the activities of M S Swami nathan Nature Club in the Higher The creation of M S Swaminathan Nature Club Secondary School, Semmedu, Kolli Hills. The in the tribal school in Kolli Hills and involving government tribal residential school ha~ given them in biodiversity related activities has 3 acres of land for biodiversity proj$ct ac- helped to spread an awareness of biodiversity

44 Biodiversity and Biotechnology among them. Altogether around 75 days were "Green Health" campaign for saving spent on capacity building among 1,500 men, medicinal plants women and students. The tribes were taken to the minor millets on-farm trial plot in KC Patti Under this programme attempts were made to for participatory monitoring and evaluation. In collect known medicinal plants and collate and Vasaloorpatti village quiz competitions on en- analyse the information available on such spe- vironment were conducted even for primary cies. Popularisation of aliI/green health" plants school children. was carried out through an awarenesscampaign. Other activities included training for primary health care medicine preparation and their wider Capacity building on gender concerns distribution (Fig. 2.1). For the green health kit, Gender orientation was given to members of 4 the ten most useful species have been selected Self-Help Groups, both men and women, and after verifying their useswith traditional healers to the staff who are working in the Kolli Hills. (Table 2.2). These species can be cultivated eas- The results of one orientation exercise are given ily like any other horticultural plant. The cam- as an example as well as the inferences. The paign activities were extended to nearby villages results show that the manual pounding of mi- and focused on women's groups, largely house- nor millets is the women's job. During the wives and mothers. The training in the prepara- focus group interview the women expressed tion of a number of simple herbal formulations that drudgery reduction should be attempted helped women to earn some extra income. In ad- by providing machines to dehusk minor mil- dition to the regular awarenesscampaign, Green lets. An NGO was approached for developing Health plant exhibitions were conducted on 12 a prototype model machine that can be oper- occasions for diverse groups of people. Partici- ated manually at the household level. The ma- pating in the district horticultural festival and the chine powders minor millets in addition to re- farmers' festival during the year, the Foundation moving the husk. Efforts are on to develop and won the first prize in both. Fourteen programmes acceptable model. In the mean time, installing' have been conducted on the preparation of a diesel-and-electricity driven machine is herbal formulations such asa balm for headache; being planned. Uraguliga-tablet for stomach complaints of children; Murivenna a soothing oil for minor cuts/ 201.2 Wayanad, Kerala boils and wounds; iron tonic for anaemic children; Sadavari gulam a health tonic for women; The activities on Biodiversity Conservation Karkidaka lehiyam for consumption during the aimed at the collection, analysis and monsoon season to prevent common ailments; categorisation of medicinal plants and endan- an oil for toothache and earache; Brahmi gered plants and documentation and valida- lehiyam for memory enhancing and tion of knowledge associated with such plant Thaleespathram, a powder for curing cough. species continued. The focus was on mobilising people with the help of NGOs, Grama This programme has had an impact as is Panchayat, District Agri-Horticultural Sodety, evidenced by the regular visits of people to women's groups and youth in the district. the Centre even from distant places to learn

45 Annual Report 1999-2000 more about medicinal plants and see rare medicine have started selling their products plants. Many local healers have asked Ithe in a small way. More women groups are Centre to help them in improving and per- now interested in the preparation of fecting their knowledge on medicinal plahts. herbal formulations. People recognise the Cen- Invitations are being received from m~ny tre as an institution that stands for the con- groups to conduct exhibitions. The wori,en servation of medicinal plants and native heri- who received training in the preparatio~ of tage.

Threat Catalogue

Collection I Categorisation Documentation

,.• Ex-situ Medicinal Plant Medicinal Plants Garden I Research Register

Agri. Hort. Preprimary NGOs Women SHGs Society Teachers

Medicinal Plant Conservation Campaign I

Medicine Green Health Preparation Plant Exhibition

Fig. 2.1: Diagram showing the m~thodologyof green health campaign and research

46 Biodiversity and Biotechnology

Table 2.2 : Plants in the green health kit

Name Local Uses Propagation material

Eupatorium triplenerve Used in preparing Uragulika which cures . Tender branches Ayyampana stomach ache and piles Brahmi Used in preparing Brahmi lehiyam and hair oil. Tender branch tips Bacopa monnieri Used as a coolant and to enhance memory Kodangal Used in making Brahmi lehiyam and iron tonic. Rooted stolons Centella asiatica Enhances intelligence and prevents constipation Murikootti Used in making Murivenna. Heals cuts and Branch tips Blepharis colorata wounds Panikoorka Used in making balm for headache. Cures fever Tender branches Coleus zeylanicus Poocha Meesa Helps cure diabetice Stem cuttings Orthosiphon stamineus Sadavari R90ts are used in making Sadavarigulam, Root tubers Asparagus racemosus which is a health drug for women Neela Ummam Applying crushed leaves found to be useful Seeds Datura innoxia against bites of small flies Vathamkolli Used against rheumatic pains Stem cuttings ]usticia gendarussa Vasambu An important plant needed in every household. Rhizome Acarus calamus Chewing dried rhizome improves digestion and memory

Saving endangered species (Vu); Conservation Dependent (Cd); Data De- ficient (Dd) and Low Risk (Lr). A checklist of 750 taxa in 987 accessions were collected from 45 such species is given in Table 2.4. Voucher an area of 100 sq. km. Of these 500 plants specimens mounted for over 2,000 are kept in have been identified at the species level, 170 the herbarium. The aim is to develop a her- at the genus level and 78 at the family level. barium exclusively for the rare and threatened About 90 (12 % of the total) species collected species of this region. Specific information on are endemic to Western Ghats/Peninsular In- 25 rare and threatened species was generated dia, 10 of which are restricted to Kerala (Table and useful tips for conservation of such spe- 2.3). These species were subjected to a thor- cies were developed. A summer school train- ough analysis in order to identify the threat ing programme on various aspects of plant tax- status and categorised into groups as Critically onomy, herbarium preparation and field iden- Endangered (CEn); Endangered (En); Vulnerable tification was conducted for college teachers

47 Annual Report 1999-2000

and students. Many such trained girls and boys ration of the biodiversity registers of their re- are collaborating with the Centre in the prJpa- spective vi Ilages.

Table 2.3: Endenric species collected in Kerala

Name Family Remarks

Acampe conjesta Or~hidaceae Endangered Bulbophyllum aureum Orchidaceae Vulnerable Cucumella si/entvallei CU1urbitaceae Conservation dependent Goniothalamus wynaadensis Annonaceae Endangered Hedyotis wynaadensis Ru8iaceae Critically Endangered Ixora lawsonii Ru~iaceae Rare Ixora sivarajiani Rubiaceae Rare Jerdonia indica Ge~neriaceae Vulnerable Oberonia chandrasekharani Orchidaceae Conservation dependent Osbeckia wynaadensis Melastomataceae Vulnerable

Table 2.4 : List of rare an~ threatened plants collected in Kerala

Name Plate of collection Status

Acampe conjesta Kurkhiarmala Endemic & Very Rare

Acanthophippium bic%r Taliimala Endemic & Very Rare

Aerides cylindricum Chembara Endemic & Rare

Aponogeton appendicu/atus Barlasurasagar Endemic & Rare Ariopsis peltata Manikkunnumala Rare Begonia integrifo/ia Me~nmutti Rare

Bei/schmedia wightii Periya Endemic, S. Western Ghats

Bu/bophyllum fischeri Ku~ichiarmala Endemic & Rare Bu/bophyllum nei/gherrense Th"limala Endemic

Cappris rheedi Marikkunnumala Endemic & Threatened Crota/aria beddomeana Kainatti Endemic

Cyrfometra beddomei Vythiri Endemic & Rare I Dendrobium crepidatum Periya churam Endemic & Very Rare

Dendrobium haemog/ossum Bar1asuramala Endemic & Very Rare I

I 48 Biodiversity and Biotechnology

(Table 2.4 Contd .. .)

Dendrobium nutantiflorum Kurichiarmala Endemic & Threatened Derris brevipes Kurichiarmala Endemic & Rare Derris brevipes var. coriaceae Chooralmala Endemic & Rare Dipterocarpus bourdilloni Vythiri Endemic & Rare Gluta travancorica beddome Periya Churam Endemic & Very Rare Goniothalamus wynaadensis Vythiri, Periya Endemic & Rare Hedyotis sisaparensis Kurichiarmala Endemic & Very Rare Hedyotis wynaadensis Cham bra Peak Endemic & Very Rare Humboldtia brunonis Vythiri, Periya Endemic & Rare Impatiens gardneriana Manikkunnumala Endemic & Threatened Ixora e/ongata Banasuramala Endemic & Rare Ixora lawsonii Kurichiarmala Endemic & Rare Ixora sivarajiani Kurichiarmala Endemic & Rare ]erdonia indica Periya-Chanthanathode Monotypic & Endemic Genus-Rare Luisia macrantha Banasuramala Endemic & Rare Medinilla beddomei Vythiri Endemic & Rare Mique/ia dentata Vythiri-Wyanad Ghat Rare Myristica malabarica Periya Endemic to S. Western Ghats Orophea erythrocarpum Vythiri Churam Rare Osbeckia wynaadensis BanasuralT'ala Endemic & Rare Phaeanthus ma/abaricus Vythiri Endemic & Very Rare Quisqualis malabarica Vythiri Endemic & Rare Salacia beddomei Kottathara Endemic & Threatened Sonerila rotundifolia Manikkunnumala Endemic Soneri/a versicolor var. axillaris Thalimala Endemic & Rare Sonerila wallichi Cham bra Peak Endemic ~wertia beddomei Cham bra Peak Rare Syzygium stocksii Vythiri Endemic & Rare Trichosanthus nervifoiia Vythri Rare-medicinal Tylophora macrantha Cham bra peak Rare & Threatened Zeuxine gracilis Kurichiarmala Endemic & Rare

49 Annual Report 1999-2000

Biodiversity for income generati.on: rUSho panchayats and a total of 800 people have room cultivation by women farmers been trained in mushroom production during . . the year. Linking the producers and consumers Funded by the Department of Biotechnology, of mushroom in an effectivemanner played a the project "Mushroom cultivation fat tHe eco- key role' in the. success of the project. The nomic benefit of SC and ST fami/iies in Centre -has created a steady local market. for Wayanand" has been completed. T,hecultiva- mushroom. Different areas of the district were tors formed a society called Mushroo1 Soci- surveyed to 'collect samples. During the year ety of Wayanad (MSW) with 80 membfrs, in- about 45 specimens of various macro-fungi cluding all the mushroom growers frqm the were collected, of which 10 have been identi- weaker sections of society. They were fble to fied at the family' level, 10 at the genus level produce an average of 10 kg of mushro.(j)mper and 25 at the species level. A booklet explain- day. The Society has been linked wilth the ing the various features of mushrooms (diver- hearby Gramin Bank and marketing agencies. sity of both edible and medicinal mushrooms I The spawn production unit, established under from Wayanad, cultivation, post harvest tech- l this project, has so far produced mor~ than nology, preparation of value-added products 2,000 bags of the best variety of spawn avail- of Oyster mushroom and nutritive and medici- able in the district at present. The Society is nal value) has been prepared. working to provide credit and support sbrvices in income generation for poor womeh. The Collection of traditional rice varieties vision of the project is to promote ecOnomic independence for women in the weakFr sec- The intra-specific variability in rice (Oryza tions through a set of packages of mushroom sativa) was enormous in Kerala until the re- cultivation and preparation of val ue I added cent past. The peasants of this State had products. CAbC has collaborated wit* local adopted various eco-friendly farming tech- NGOs, the regional agricultural statiqn and niques to protect these varieties. A number of women's groups for developing a trainihg cur- these varieties have been collected during this riculum to impart skills and knowle~ge in study. At present there is a collection of 61 mushroom cultivation, spawn producti6n and varieties in 98 accessions from Thrissur, the preparation of value added products. Malappuram, Calicut, Kannur and Kasaragode districts. Kerala has lost nearly 50% of its paddy A survey using the questionnaire methlod has fields within a span of 40 years. In 1975-76 been completed among the consumers of mush- the area under rice accounted for 30% of the room in the district to assessthe consutnption grosscropped area; it declined to 24% in 1985- pattern among different classes of peo~le. Ar- 86 and to just 15% in 1995-96. The paddy ticles on the medicinal and nutritive vklue of fields are being recklessly used for the cultiva- mushrooms have been published in leading tion of other crops, which are economically local magazines that deal with medickl care more attractive and less labour absorbing. In and irtdigenous medicine systems.This ~as had Kerala there were not less than 300 traditional an impact on the general public. Training has varieties of rice being cultivated before the ad- been given in 16 different villages in tht target vent of the green revolution. The people of

50 Biodiversity and Biotechnology this State have carefully chosen many varieties proaching the Centre to get the seeds of this of the kind that take care of both their food variety. The current market price for this is Rs needs as well as health requirements. 22, which is three times higher than that of the ordinary variety. The price sometimes goes up Selection of a medicinally known rice variety to Rs 40. One of the important results of this attempt was locating different strains of this Generally, scientists and farmers hardly ever ex- variety. A separate study has been conducted change their ideas and experiences in crop im- to collect different strains from v2rious places provement with each other. But now the partici- of Kerala and has resulted in the possession of patory approach is being practised in breeding 37 accessions. An effort has been made to un- and selection. The selection process in the rice derstand the different strains of this variety at variety Njavara is being continued. An experi- the biochemical level, and has resulted in mental farm was maintained during the year for prioritising the varieties based on their amino one season in one acre of land. Regular visits add composition. were made to farmers' fields. Care was taken to Njavara is normally not subjected to chemical see that all agricultural operations were jointly fertilisers and pesticides, as it is qelieved that done by the farmer and CAbC field staff. The then it will lose its medicinal qualities. The regularvisits to farmers' fields helped in exchang- cultivation of Njavara therefore brought back ing knowledge and experience effectively. The the use of several traditional agricultural prac- initial selection of the seedswill be done in all tices like ploughing with bullocks, manuring these fields (the crop is now in the field). The with green leaves and cow dung, using herbal farmers will be invited to the Centre's farm to pesticides and so on in the PPB sites. This make the selection. The Njavara variety could be encouraged other farmers in the PPB sites to cultivated successfully in one season only. The join in this movement. problem was the scarcity of summer showers, which are very essential for this seasonal crop, causing farmers to lose interest in cultivating it Networking and capacity building this season. Four more grassroot level organisations have joined the NGO network formed in the dis- The farmers in all the Participatory'Plant Breed- trict. Many of the partners participated in the ing (PPB)sites were motivated in favour of rice activities of the Centre by organising aware- cultivation as the paddy fields are being con- ness,orientation and training programmes. They verted into banana plantations. The encourage- are co-ordinating with the Centre in fprming ment from scientists to continue rice cultiva- women's groups in Meppady through the mi- tion convinced them about the importance of cro credit system. These groups were given rice cultivation. training in mushroom cultivation, primary Farmersare willing to cultivate Njavara in more health care, medicine preparation, and soap acreage, if they are assured of better procure- making. During the year 20 self-help groups ment price. The Centre has taken efforts to have been formed, each with 10-15 women. link the farmers with the market. Many local Several youths were trained in the identifica- doctors and manufacturers of medicine are ap- tion of scientific plants.

51 Annual Report 1999-2000

A newsletter named "Vayal" (paddy field) has 2000 and the Field Exercise. The objectives been started to keep the network informed were to design a process of documentation of about the activities and conservation issues. the prevailing indigenous knowledge system I and rare medicinal plants and to develop a 201.3 Jeypore Tract (undivided KQraput methodology for conservation, preservation and maintenance of rare and endangered me- district), Orissa I dicinal plants of this area with the help of The biodiversity area of south Orissa, !n par- THP. ticular, the Jeypore Tract comprising undivided There were 104 participants, including 43 Koraput, a major portion of undivided danjam THPs, 19 Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA), district, Kalahandi district and Kandharrial dis- elderly villagers, knowledgeable individuals trict, is experiencing severe habitat dest~uction of nearby villages and members of NGO Co- due to many developmental interventiors and ordination Council. There were 11 NGOs a few natural causes. Hence, many spefies of from 7 blocks of three districts viz., Koraput, environmental and economic importan,ce are Nabarangpur and Malkangiri who actively being depleted in this area. This regior is of contributed to this process. The six different great importance from the point of view of tribes who attended the programme were: biological diversity. This is known as thJ "area Gadaba, Paroja, Bhumia, Kandha, Rana and of primary origin of Asian cultivated rice". The Bhatra. number of rice varieties in Jeypore Tract was more than 1,800. Paradoxically; this The participants formed 10 groups (9 THP biodiversity rich area has beel experiencing groups and 1 non-THP group) and discussed utter poverty and malnutrition. Primanl con- PRA documentation about plants used for cur- servers such as poor tribals and natives 'of this ing diseases by different group members, and region are in a state of utter neglect. It; strate- demonstrated and shared thei r knowledge gies and interventions are adopted tol make about medicinal plants through PRA. a substantial rise in the yield of indi?enous crop varieties, there will be a definite anp posi- Teachers' networking: teachers' training tive change in food security at the gr~ssroot programme at Jeypore, Orissa level. I As part of the strategy for capacity building Revitalisation of in-situ on-farm corlserva- and networking, a workshop was conducted tion for teachers from M E Schools of Jeypore from 7 to 9 March 2000, with the following activi- Initiatives were taken to establish COrrilnunity ties (co-sponsored by WWF-India, Chennai) Medicinal Plant Gardens (CMPG) in three vil- viz., introducing and popularising environmen- lages, as a participatory approach to c+serve tal education, taking stock of the environmen- and grow the medicinal plants commonllY used tal status of undivided Koraput district, prepa- by the tribals. An initiative of far rerChing ration of educational materials, field trips to co~sequence under this project, is the Tradi- nearby forests and making learning enjoyable tional Healthcare Practitioners (THP) Meet for children, and interaction with local resource

52 Biodiversity and Biotechnology persons and MSSRF staff on a future plan of Sub Programme Area 202 activities on biodiversity conservation.

This workshop strongly advocated conserva- Participatory Plant Breeding : tion measures to arrest the hunting of flying Path to Secure livelihood squirrels in the region. It was found that certain communities from Malkangiri and In tune with the objectives set earlier, Partici- Boipariguda block usually hunt this innocent patory Plant Breeding (PPB) activities for the animal on a large scale. In addition, during the kharif (rainy) season of 1999 concentrated on festive period many tribes engage in a spree of participatory evaluation and selection of local mass hunting. The forest department has there- varieties. The two hypotheses sought to be dem- fore initiated necessary steps. onstrated were:

Capacity building • Formal technology can fine-tune farmer practice of crop cultivation The activities under the capacity building • Improvement in various traits including component are training and regular orienta- grain and stover yield from formal prac- tion to opinion leaders, farmers, NGO lead- tices can be observed in farmers' fields ers, teachers, students and women on by farmers themselves biodiversity conservation, enhancement and equitable use and sensitising them on seed To test these hypotheses, experiments were de- insecurity and depletion of rice varieties signed with crop varieties selected on a par- through exhibitions and separate programmes ticipatory mode out of those tested last year in for different groups. farmers' fields. Farmer and formal practices of ' rice cultivation were the main treatments in The ongoing efforts resulted in the formation these experiments. of the Gram Panchayat level Biodiversity Man- agement Committee (BMC) in Mohuli and Participatory evaluation of the experimental re- Dangarchhinchi Panchayats and in providing sults would be the base to select varieties for orientation for seed improvement to members optimal performance, to be tested in a number of four Community Seed Banks (CSB) in four of large plot demonstrations during kharif 2000. ' villages. 202.1 Jeypore Networking 5 villages and 9 sites, comprising three up- A Co-ordination Cell for 30 NGOs address- land, medium land and low land conditions ing biodiversity-related issues is at the forma- respectively (Table 2.5), were selected by the tive stage. With the help of NGOs, exhibi- farmers in a PRA conducted in May '99. The tions were organised on seeds, plants of great experimental plots were assigned by farmers medicinal value, ethnobotanical information in each village. The experimental field layout and different rice varieties. suiting the topography of the site was mutu-

53 .

Annual Report 1999-2000

ally agreed upon for planting selected varieties iii). Number of panicles, iv). Panicle length (em), of rice. Plot sizes and the length of experimen- v). Number of filled and total grains per panicle tal rows (restricted to north-south direction) Jar- and vi). Grain and stover yield per plant. ied. Such variable sizes were inevitable in farmers' fields but the variation was not too high:to Grain filling index (= number of filled I vitiate the results: Formal intervention used a grains/total number of grains) and Harvest randomised block design with 3 replicatiohs. index [= grain yield/(grain + stover)yield] were Farmer practices used area equal to the formal computed. Thus a total of nine traits were ones but each variety was assigned a plot thrlce used for drawing inferences. Multivariate as big as a formal plot of a replication rto methods of assessing the performance across conform to the 3 replications under formal pr~c- traits were employed and varieties were or- tices). The layout of farmer plots was dered separately on the basis of overall per- unreplicated since farmers were yet to becor:ne formance across traits and grain yield conversant with field designs and their layout. per se.

I Table 2.5: The distribution of PPBfarmers' plots for kharif 1999 experiments

Upland Medium Land Low Land District Block Village I Dist Village Dist Village Dist Koraput Jeypore Barangput 12 Patraput 17 Patraput 17 Pujariput 21 Boipariguda Tolla I 22 Tolla 22 Mohuli 20 Mohuli 20 Mohuli 20 Village - Name of village; Dist - Distance in km from MSSRF, Jeypore

Both formal and farmer treatments were mJn- Salient results aged by the respective farmers with the c(>l- .Iaboration of research personnel. Formal pl6ts Out of the 26 local varieties tested by farmers were prepared, sown, supervised and harvestfd in their fields during 1998, only nine were under the direction of researchpersonnel. There retained for re-testing in 1999. The decision was no monitoring of farmer plots and farmers was the result of a participatory discussion of planted and harvested the material followihg the 1998 results in a PRA held during May '99 their traditional practices. I before the planting season. Though inferences were drawn from the performance of these 9 The following yield and its component traits . I varieties across two seasons, they held good, were recorded by the research personntl in general, for the remaining 22 varieties tested utilising farmers' help where possible: i). Plant in the three growing conditions of upland, me- height (em), ii). Number of effective tillelrs dium land, and lowland (Table 2.6).

54 Biodiversity and Biotechnology

Table 2.6 : Local varieties tested in PPB experiment during kharif 1999 in the }eypore Tract land type Varieties land type Varieties Upland Mora Medium land Sapuri Pandakagu ra * Veliyan (from Kerala) Paradhan* Parijat Matidhan* Low land Maehehakanta * Osagathiali Bayagunda* Pathara Kalaehudi@* Medium land Gathia Gadakuta* Mer Barapanka* limbaehudi Kalajira Bodikaburi * Veliyan Haladiehudi lalata

*: selected from 1998 experiments; @: farmers corrected the identity of a variety tested as Umriachudi in 1998, as Kalachudi on experimental verification in 1999

The following formal practices were extended rate approx. 60-80 kg/hal. Line sowing to farmers' fields: with proper spacing (20 em) between rows and (10 em) between plants within • Some farmers used to apply FYM during a row was the modification advocated. sowing. The application of FYM at least a Saving in seedswas found to an extent of month in advance and incorporating it 80% through this practice. into the soil by light ploughing was advocated. • The rows were set in North-South direction so that the plants in a row could • Farmers were raising nurseries in uneven intercept maximum sunlight. patches of land and broadcasting seeds in a haphazard manner. Raising nurseries Farmers could observe, in their own sites, the in fairly level lands, under appropriate crop growth both under formal and their own moisture levels, adopting line sowing was practices. They realised that seedlings in the for- suggested. mal nursery had a robust growth and their up- rooting was comparatively easier (due to row • Selection of seeds by soaking them in water and planting only those which sink planting) than in the farmer nursery. There was was an intervention which resulted in a a significant saving in the quantity of seeds re- uniform stand and contrasted with the quired to plant one hectare of a crop (15 to 20 gappy and uneven stand in farmers' fields. kg under formal compared to 3 to 4 times more used in farmer practices). Weeds were relatively • Farmers were practising broadcasting of low in formal plots; possibly dense sowing in seeds or thick sowing of seedlings (seed farmer plots encouraged high weed growth un-

55 Annual Report 1999-2000

der competition. Formal plots had lol inci- mance across these 5 traits and on grain yield dence of diseasesand several were free of them. alone. Only bacterial leaf blight controlled by a spray of Plantomycin (3g/1water) and caseworh, con- The rankings varied widely (Table 2.8). For ex- trolled by a,spray of Metacid 50 (2 ml/I!water) ample, the variety Matidhan in upland was found were observed on a low scale around 15 days in the 2nd group based on all traits; but it was after sowing/transplanting. relegated to the 4th group based on yield alone. Such discrepancies result when grouping is To encourage a healthy crop growth in trans- made solely on a single trait, like grain yield. In I planted plots, the water management sc~hedule fact, grain yield is the final outcome of the mani- was optimised (Table 2.7). This sched~le en- festation of component traits across the crop

abled high saving of precious water in [! formal growth duration. Environmental modifications, plots, leading to a better benefit: cost. . particularly rainfall pattern in Orissa, and biotic

I Table 2.7: Water management schedule in transplanted plots from PPB experiment in }eypore Tract

Stage Formal Method Farmer Method Ploughing of land Water as needed Standing water Puddling 2 to Scm SW >Scm SW Transplanting A thin film of water >Scm SW Af,,,r transplanting to seedling 2 to Scm SW > 10cm SW establ ishment Seedling establishment to tillering Alternate wetting and drying

wetting = 2 to Scm SW > 10cm SW Tillering to dough stage Scm SW > 10cm SW

SW: Standing Water

Based on the level of significant variation for and abiotic stresseswould significantly affect fi- the 9 traits, five, namely, plant height, grain nal yield. Therefore the potential of individual filling index, grain yield, stover yield ~nd har- component traits of the varieties would not re- vest index, were found to be important ill evalu- ceive due weightage. An overall assessment ating the genetic potential of varieties. ~he va- across yield and its component traits would re- rieties-0 in uplan~and 8 each in medipm and main free from those deficiencies and provide a low lands-were then' ranked on overall perfor- logically justified ranking. l

56 Biodiversity and Biotechnology

Table 2.8 : Differences in ranking of varietal performance based on multiple traits and on yield alone in PPB experiment in }eypore Tract

Up Land Medium Land Low Land

All traits OV YD All traits OV YD All traits OV YD

1. Paradhan 1,173 1 1. Sapuri 3,515 1 1. Barapanka 3,438 3 2. Matidhan 939 4 2. Limbaehudi 2,915 3 2. Kalajira 2,459 6 3. Pandakagura 1,027 3 3. Haladiehudi 2,964 23.lalata 3,130 1

4. Osagathiali 1,133 2 4. Veliyan 2,901 6 4. Bayagunda 3,679 4 Pathara 898 6 5. Bodikaburi 2,455 4 5. Veliyan 2,856 2 5. - 6. Mora 1,046 5 6. Mer 2,847 7 6. Kalaehudi 2,562 5 7. Gathia 2,334 5 7. Maehehakanta 1,671 8 - 8. Parijat 1,913 8 8. Gadakuta 1,523 7 ov- overall traits; YD- grain yield kgs/ha

Table 2.9 : Comparative benefits of formal over farmer practices in PPB experiment in }eypore Tract (kharif 1999) land type Variety Yield Av. Y~d (kg/ha) FO/FA DF DM RP (kg/ha) 199 1998 FO FA * lowland Maehehakanta 2,189 1,671 1,418 0 1.2 106 132 26 Bayagunda 1,755 3,679 2,321 2 1.6 130 161 31 Gadakuta 1,352 1,524 961 2 1.6 106 132 26 Barapanka 1,643 3,438 2,533 2 1.4 132 162 30 Kalaehudi 1,309 2,562 2,007 2 1.3 108 144 36 Medium land Bodikaburi 1,261 2,838 1,736 2 1.6 96 131 35 Upland# Pandakagura 393 1,188 1,178 0 1.01 65 115 50 Paradhan 562 1,028 622 1.7 63 103 40 Matidhan 839 1,199 1,133 0 1.06 74 112 38

FO - Formal; FA - Farmer; DF - Days to 50% flower; DM - Days to mature; RP - Reproductive Phase (days); *-No. of locations out of three in which significant differences were observed between formal and farmer plots; #-Data on farmer plots from only one location, Tolla; Medium land: Late transplanting; Upland: Low germination, disease incidence

57 Annual Reporl 1999.2000 I

An analysis of comparative benefits of formal land which is characterised by direct practices (Table 2.9) brought to focus a n~m- seeding and pure rainfed conditions. It bel' of important findings: : would be interesting to understand the underlying causes and apply remedial • The yield variation in tribal tracts in Ithe measures to increase the reproductive two years 1998 and 1999 reflected ithe phase duration critical impact of climate fluctuations (day I temperature, amount and distributio~ of • Veliyan, a variety introduced from rainfall) on rice crop yield I Kerala, was found to perform exceed- ingly well (Table 2.10) for fodder yield. .' The above observation was confirmed by It also gave good grain yield, though it the yield of Machchakanta for example, was found to be of long duration which dropped substantially in 1999 f~om (approx. 180 days). This variety serves its top position in 1998 (Table 2.9) . as a good example of the role of ex- I • Compared both to the yield level in 1998 tended adaptation for a trait not per- and those under farmer practices, Ithe ceived at the native habitat of the vari- yields under formal practice were corlsis- ety. In essence, this example opens up tently superior ranging from 6 to ~O% a new paradigm of participatory varietal (Table 2.9). Delayed transplanting and selection, namely, disruptive ecological aged seedlings (45 days) were the rea- selection, described earlier (AR, sons for relatively low yields in upland 1998-99). plots. Reliable and consistent result~ in lowland confirmed the beneficial role of The results would be discussed in detail with farmers before setting up large scale partici- formal practices I patory demonstration of the role of an opti- • The reproductive period available to 10- mal variety combined with associated formal cal varieties was as low as 26 dhs, practices in tribal sites of Jeypore Tract of though it was relatively higher for i up- Orissa.

Table 2.10: Performance of Veliyan, a popular variety from Kerala at jeypore in PPB experiment ~kharif 1999)

Land type Location Grain yield (kglha) Harvest Index Medium Land Talia 1,906 NA Mahuli 4,300 39 Patraput 2,497 NA Law Land Mahuli 2,874 33 Patraput 2,979 NA Pujariput 2,714 NA

NA- Not available

58 Biodiversity and Biotechnology

202.2 Kolli Hills tion varieties (SOV) and 4 of long duration (LOV). Only 5 farmers came forward to do this In this site, in addition to the two hypothesis varietal evaluation, one of whom tested both set earlier for the Jeypore Tract, a third hypoth- SOV and LOV. But the experimental plot sizes esis was also sought to be tested, namely, long were relatively small (10-15 sq.m). Formal prac- non"cultivation of little millets would contrib- tices were adopted in plots laid in a RBO with ute to the depletion of their genetic diversity .. 3 replications while plots under farmer prac- Cultivation of millets, in general, and little mil- tices were unreplicated. Multivariate evalua- lets, samai, in particular at Kolli Hills has been tion across 5 component traits - plant height, on the wane due to commercial exploitation number of nodes, panicle length, grain yield of tapioca at the cost of millets. When attempts and harvest index - was utilised to draw infer- were made to restore samai cultivation, there ences. was a lurking fear, based on preliminary evi- dence, that genetic diversity among the The site did not receive timely rain; hence landraceswas eroded on account of long non- sowing was delayed by more than a month. cultivation. In our experiment aimed at seed Plot yields were beset with unexplainable varia- multiplication reported earlier (AR 1998-99), tion. So the inferences were based on data it was found that the fear was unfounded and from random samples of five competitive plants that there were four distinctly divergent groups in each plot. (Table 2.11). This year, therefore, genetic di- It was found that there was significant varia- versity was again evaluated from the data on tion among the landraces for all the compo- varietal experiments at Kolli Hills. nent traits. This would indirectly suggest that

Table 2.11 : Clustering of landraces of little millets based on genetic divergence

1998 (Kattupakkam) 1999 (Kolli Hills) Group No. Landraces Group No. Landraces Malliasamai Ma/liasamai Birsa GundJi 1 II Thirikulasamai II Thirikulasamai Perunsamai Sadansamai III Kattavettisamai III Kattavettisamai Vellaperunsamai Perunsamai . Vellaperunsamai IV Sadansamai IV Kottapattisamai Kottapattisamai

The seven landraces experimented with and they should be genetically divergent. Evalua- reported earlier (AR 1998-99) were evaluated tion of inter-Iandrace genetic diversity, using a under formal and farmer practices, as in Jeypore multivariate measure of genetic divergence Tract. Of the 7 landraces, 3 were short dura- based on the 5 component traits, has brought

59 Annual Report 1999-2000 to light four distinctly divergent groups (Tlble Since the crop season was non-normal and 2.12). It was interesting to observe simil~rity rainfall was scanty and not properly distrib- in the cluster composition in the 2 years, 1998 uted, the results need repeat verification. Yet, and 1999, despite highly differing locations in it was evident that, in small millets cultiva- which the landraces. were grown. j In tion, there is considerable scope to improve Kattupakkam near (hennal, the crop was raised productivity by introducing scientific cultiva- in an off-season, November - April, under life- tion practices at no extra cost. saving irrigation. In Ko/li Hills, the crop !

Table 2.12 : Formal-Farmer method of cultivation of little millets evaluated in kharif 199!J I Formal Farmer

Seed From plants selec1edin the last season From saved seed Spacing 25 cm between rows I 10 cm between plants Thick broadcasting Weeding Twice I Weeding, thinning and harrowing by cross ploughing Organic fertiliser FYM to supply 20' kg N Whatever available Planting direction North - South Non-specific

N,eem (3% azadiractin) spray against ear-head bug i1nboth formal and farmer plots

60 Biodiversity and Biotechnology

Tallie 2.13 : Grain yield in formal and farmer plots of little millets

Grain yield / plant (g) Farmer Varieties FO FA S FO/FA 2 SDV 132 22 * 1.45 2 29 9 * 3.22 3 35 19 * 1.85 4 37 19 * 1.95 5 1 24 16 * 1.50 212-969 229 15 * 1.93 330 14 * 2.14 4 29 10 * 2.90 6 LOV 153 47 1.13 25042 1.19 3 53 51 1.04 280 - 596 45645 1.24

FO - Formal; FA - Farmer; 5 - Sig. @ 5% level

Thavalakkannan, VelumbaJa and KuttiveJiyan Sub Programme Area 203 were obtained from the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), Regional Integrated Gene Management Station, Trichur. They were given to the field site office at Wayanad for distribution to the farm families and testing in the field. Community gene bank Feed back from the field, is yet to be re- Integrated Gene Management is a comprehen- ceived. sive in-situ and ex-situ approach involving farm families, integrating various strategies such as Field multiplication activities under community gene bank (ex-situ conservation, medium-term storage), commu- One hundred traditional paddy varieties col- nity seed bank (ex-situ conservation at the field), :'3cted in Orissa and stored in the Gene Bank participatory conservation (in-situ conservation), were taken for multiplication at Cuttack. Ex- and establishment of community medicinal cept a few all the others were affected by the plant garden. recent super-cyclone in Orissa. This natural disaster caused a major setback in multiplying Revival of lost crops of Wayanad gene bank 'accessions in Orissa in 1999. An- other set of Gene Bank accessions of paddy To revive the lost crops of Wayanad, tradi- collected from jeypore, has been taken for mul- tional paddy varieties such as Mannuveliyan, tiplication.

J 61 Annual Report 1999-2000

42 accessions stored in 1998 were taken for Wild collection multiplication at Kattupakkam field ce~tre, of The Foundation has taken up a four-year which 31 responded well. But the qua~tity af- project, the "National Agricultural Technology ter multiplication varied from 5 to 50 gm. The Project on Plant Biodiversity", operating result of the trial has also been ~ent to through NBPGR, New Delhi as a Co"operat- Prof S Dana of West Bengal, who con~ributed ing Centre. This involves extensive field col- the wild Vigna collection to this bank in 1998. lection of wild crop species in the states of He collected these wild varieties from ~adhya Kerala (Wayanad), Orissa Ueypore Tract) and Pradesh, West Bengal, Rajasthan, (IJ ujarat, Tamil Nadu. Exploration trips focused on me- Orissa, Kerala and Bihar. A request ~as also dicinal plants, minor fruits, dye-yielding veg- been made to him to send us somel of the etables, Sesamum sp., Brassica sp., and tradi- accessions, which did not germinate. Vfgna ac- tional crops. Since February 2000, exploration cessions are yet to be stored after mJltiplica- programmes covering areas such as tion. Perambalur, Chidambaram, Pondicherry, Traditional paddy vanetles such as[ vadan Thiruvannamalai, Pudukkottai, Erode and samba, samba, kullangar, seethapakkam, Villupuram in Tamil Nadu and Sultanbathery, kicchadi samba, mottai kar, poovkn kar, Mannanthavadi, and Vythiri at Wayanad were kappakar, madumulungi, pitchan1akarai, undertaken. A total of 130 wild species has vazhaipoo samba kar, chingleput strumani, been collected from Wayan ad and Tamil kalarpalai, thuyamalli, jeeraga sambal banga- Nadu. They have been deposited with lore kar and chinna samba have beJn taken NBPGR. Networking with NGOs like MRV for multiplication at Kattupakkam. THis tradi- Global Foundation, Perambalur, Tamil Nadu tional paddy collection was contributJd to the in exploration is an added strength to this Community Gene Bank in 1997 by ~n NGO programme. As of now holdings at the Gene called Save Eastern Ghats Organisatidn based Bank have been substantially increased to at Chengam in Tamil Nadu. 850.

Processing Community herbarium

Systematic processing of the traditional paddy Classification of the collection in the herbarium collection from Wayanad and Jeypore has been at the Gene Bank is underway. This year 20 done. voucher specimens belonging to the families, viz., Apocynaceae, Eleocarpaceae, Lythraceae, Rearrangement of packets and checking of all Euphorbiaceae, Tiliaceae and Myrtaceae were the packets at the Gene Bank have b~en done added to the Community Herbarium. this year. A separate format has beJn developed to issue receipts and aCknowllldgement Participatory conservation at the time of collection. A revised G ne Bank brochure in English and Malayalam . as been This year a collection of 72 traditional paddy printed for circulation among the fartners and cultivars, comprising 13 upland, 24 medium NGOs. land and 35 lowland cultivars, has been made

62 Biodiversity and Biotechnology under the Participatory Conservation villages will make these cultivars readily avail- programme. After harvest, a minimum of 100 able to farmers and help to conserve existing gm in each accession has been given to the genetic diversity. Poor farmers need not dec Community Gene Bank. Optimal utilisation of pend on small and margi nal farmers for seed land and seed for maximum yield has been material. Crop species such as paddy, millets, clearly spelf out and the duration of certain pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, greens and cashew cultivars has been determined. Tribal farmers are being stored as well as hybrid varieties. in the villages such as Daleiput and Pujariput The traditional mode of storage such as bam- and the village committee selected the land. boo baskets, gunny bags, small cloth bag and Under this programme farmers are trained in so on are being used. Multiplication of the methods of line sowing, line transplantation, cultivars stored in this seed bank was carried weeding and so on. They also learn that the out. A separate format has been developed to quantity of seed taken for sowing should be document information pertaining to storage. optimal with a good return of harvest. Sharing Steps have been initiated to store all this mate- of knowledge was enabled through this rial with the Community Gene Bank at programme. Chennai.

Community medicinal plants garden Sub Programme Area 204 Community medicinal plants gardens were es, tablished at four villages namely, Tolla, Mohuli, Barangput and Patraput, for documentation, B R Barwale Chair in revitalisation and distribution of plants to the Biodiversity community. The villagers were co,operative as they realised that medicinal plants would be The Centre has many projects concentrating on available in the forest adjacent to the village. rural development in Tamil Nadu and In Barangput and Patraput villages Participa' neighbuoring states.One such programme is de- tory Rural Appraisal was conducted to enquire veloping the Agrobiodiversity Conservation about the availability of space for the estab- Corps (ACC). Its primary objective is to identify lishment of the garden. Collected medicinal local youth/volunteers and train them in the vari- plants and a few medicinal plants from the ous aspects of agrobiodiversity conservation. Foundation's Greenhouse are now housed there. Documentation of traditional knowledge 204.1 Strengthening the Knowledge Base is also underway. and Role of Communities: Agrobiodiver- Community seed bank sity Conservation Activities

Meetings with the sarpanch, central village Agrobiodiversity includes diversity in tradi- committee and panchayat were organised to tional agriculture and conservation practices, interact with the villagers at different levels. seed collection and preservation, crop variet- Generally tribal farmers showed collective in- ies and land races, and the knowledge of terest. Preservation of local land races at the rural people.

63 Annual Report 1999-2000

Activities were planned under four com onents • Kolli Hills (Namakkal, Tamil viz., Research, Training-Capacity Bu1ilding, Nadu) Communication and Dissemination an~ Insti- • Wayanad (Kerala) tutional support. During the reporting period Jagatjori (Kendrapada dist, the following activities were pursued: • Orissa) Research: The knowledge base was expanded • Lakshadweep (Union Territory of by engaging ACC volunteers in the collection Islands India) of traditional seeds in their respective ~egions. Herbarium collection and preparation were In each site 10 volunteers (local youths) have done and inventories of plants and knimals been identified and trained in the various aspects prepared. Besidesthis, resourcemapping, moni- of conservation of agrobiodiversity since May toring and appraisal of programmes wete done '96. Thesevolunteers are paid a monthly stipend by participatory methods. j of Rs500 during the training period. In future it is proposed that vol unteersdeposit part of the sti- Training and capacity building: Ongoi Ilgtrain- pend amount in a bank and a fund be created ing programmes were continued and fresh train- I which could be operated by the members of the ing material prepared, based on local needs Corps, asa Community Biodiversity Fund. and requirements. The effectiveness 9.f training was enhanced by actively involvring the The programme concentrates on building indi- volunteers in the preparation of charts and post- vidual and group capacities in the areas of ers, taking them on exposure visits a~d mak- identification, characterisation and conservation ing them participate in, workshops and capac- of agrobiodiversity amongst the local youth. ity building sessions. J These youth are also expected to spread the messagethrough a variety of activities includ- Institutional building : Facilities for .training ing one-to-one interaction and group meetings. were upgraded and strengthened. Sup ort was The ultimate purpose is that the local variabil- provided for the creation of an ACC filind and ity in crops and livestock in agrobiodiversity- the ACC groups were integrated with riew vol- I rich areas is conserved for sustainable devel- unteers through structured programmej' opment. The programme aims to empower the local youth in the area of sustainable agricul- Conservation and dissemination: DisCussions ture through capacity building. were organised in the surrounding villages by ACC volunteers. The different groups 1ere net- worked thro.ugh meetings and other ~ctivities Dharmapuri like folk plays, songs, display of signboards Kesarkulli Dam is surrounded by dry forest and banners in the villages. Activitiesl such as dominated by thorns (Acacia) and low statured involvement in nurseries were promot~d. deciduous trees. A traditional form of dry land This project is operated in 5 sites viz., agriculture is generally practised in the surrounding villages. The use of commercially • Karikattanur (Dharmapuri Tamil available pesticides is rare. In this locality, Nadu) I Karikutanoor village was chosen to identify and

64 Biodiversity and Biotechnology train young people in the conservation of As a sequel to this a Society was formed for agrobiodiversity of traditional crops and crop- taking up issues relevant to sustainable agri- ping practices, which while being adequately cultural development and social welfare. The productive are eco-friendly. During the years overall mission of the Society is to conserve 1997-2000 we had 3 batches of volunteers from agrobiodiversity and the main objectives are: different adjacent villages who covered 8 vil- • involve the educated youth in agricultural lages during their dissemination programme. activities, which improve their livelihood The volunteers have produced significant results through this programme in the past 4 • create an awareness of the usefulness of years. The second and third batches of volun- agrobiodiversity in the village teers especially have brought about many • identify naturalised and native crop vari- changes in perceptions and attitudes and cre- eties and medicinal plants and create an ated an awareness in the nearby villages. They awareness amongst "the local people of saved their monthly stipend amount and cre- the usefulness of agrobiodiversity ated a fund by opening an account. On 15 November 1999 these volunteers registered a • integrate sustainable agriculture and de- society called (Velanmai uiruna padukapu velopment programmes, environmental sangam) Agrobiodiversity Conservation Soci- programmes, health, childcare, adult edu- ety. With their two years' savings amounting cation and literacy missions to Rs. 7,500 they have bought a small plot of • promote training for women in fruit pro- 20 ft. x 35 ft. The rest of the amount was.spent cessing, nursery raising, livestock raising, for construction of the Awareness Centre. This silk and mushroom production and Centre was inaugurated on 15 April 2000 by biopesticides the village Gounder. • fight for issues such as child labour, drug During the inaugural function the villagers were addiction, AIDS etc. invited, and a display of posters, charts, seeds, medicinal plants, PBR registers etc., was Kol/i Hills organised by the ACC group. Cultural programmes reflecting the importance of the The ACC of Kolli Hills has also structured and conservation of agrobiodiversity were arranged organised a Community Agrobiodiversity Fund. by school children and ACC volunteers. After During the dissemination process, 11 villages the establishment of the Centre there has been were covered and traditional seed varieties col- an enormous change in the local people and lected. In August '99, during the Aadi festival, most of them are aware of the local biodiversity a stall was arranged in Kolli Hills for describ- and its importance in sustainable livelihood. ing the concept of sustainable management and Many villagers who had participated in this natural resources to the local people. There programme have come forward and promised was an enormous response and more than to donate the traditional varieties of seeds to 2,500 people visited this stall. Many queries the centre for reference. This Centre has a large were raised by the local people about ACC seed collection. activities. ACC volunteers interacted with the

65 Annual Report 1999-2000 people and explained the concept and i por- grove plantation, raised by the Foundation dur- tance of biodiversity. ing the NORAD project, was able to withstand this super cyclone. The credit goes to the ACC A two-day workshop on launching a N tional volunteers for protecting it from local villagers Association for Agribusiness Developme I twas and cattle. organised by the Foundation on 10 ard 11 September 1999. ACC volunteers particripated Lakshadweep and acted as resource persons during t~e second summer course on "Principlfs of MSSRF staff visited the Lakshadweep Islands Biodiversity and Sustainable Managerrent", of Minicoy and Kavaratti and with the support which was organised by the B R Barwal€!Chair of the Department of Science and Technology I of the Foundation. They were taken to ITrichy and Environment identified and trained 20 for training on running a Co-operative S~ciety. youth. Training has been imparted on identifying and monitoring plant resources on the is- ]agatjori (Orissa) 1 lands and the health of the coral reefs in selected islands. The Agrobiodiversity Conserva- The ACC volunteers are showing an en rmous tion Corps concentrated primarily on the fish- interest in spreading the concept in th~ area. ery resources of the islands and developed With the help of the local people, schobl chil- guidelines for monitoring and sustainably man- dren, teachers and senior citizens, arltivities aging these vital components of biodiversity. like monitoring and inventorying the ;coastal ecosystem and the surrounding mangrol.'esare The ACC programme was closed in being undertaken. 23 villages in~three Lakshadweep due to various reasons. Problems panchayats have been covered. The vol nteers of transport and communication and the have prepared herbariums of medicina plants amount of time spent on obtaining permit to and collected landraces of cultivablel seeds, visit the island from the UT Administration of- both traditional and hybrid. Data docuhJented fice at Cochin were enormous. Another is the by the volunteers on crops, plants, bi~ds and migration of the trained young men for work- animals includes 59 varieties of paddy) 52 va- ing outside the islands especially as seamen. rieties of weeds, 23 varieties of grass and 32 The third problem is that of culture, which is varieties of mangroves. orthodox, making it generally difficult to involve women in the project. On 29 October '99, a super-cyclone hit the Jagatjori field site, and caused severe estruc- Kalpetta (Wayanad) tion. All the herbarium sheets, seeds, egisters and photographs were washed away.1A con- The ACC has helped in building up a strong solidated report has been prepared by the field network of NGOs in the district by involving staff and the ACC volunteers, about th~ir expe- 10 committed grassroot level groups working riences, views, problems and loss of ~roperty, for the goal of a sustainable future. At the animals, crops, cultivation and praw fields. panchayat level, they assistedthe team to form Most of the vegetation was also wash d away. Biodiversity Management Committees (BMC) But it was interesting to note that the man- in all the three sites. This body comprises the

66 Biodiversity and Biotechnology panchayat president, panchayat members, re- tion for preparing the Peoples' Biodiversity tired teachers, local leaders and MSSRF repre- Register (PBR) by core group members. sentatives. Their activities are constructive: The new members prepared the Biodiversity Register for Gundathu Solai • They are working among the people to and resou rce map of Oyangu Iipatti. spread the message of conservation and Women's knowledge and perception of the importance and value of biodiversity. biodiversity was recorded A library named Vayal (field) has been set up by the vol unteers of Kottathara with • It was felt by the group that the the help of the Centre to extend informa- institutionalisation process should be ini- tion on environment and culture. tiated for protecting the existing PBR, instead of preparing a new PBR (where, • They have helped women to form land who, how) care groups in the three village panchayats. They have been asked to • The group suggested that PBR can be kept identify and collect the seeds/propagules in the existing Panchayat office room or of the most important, but threatened in a new building on 'patta land' or crops for commercial cultivation. Two 'poromboke land' or 'temple land' (but such groups (10 women in each group) not in the temple premises) and respon- are successfully cultivating various le- sible persons can be selected from the gumes, spices, yams, Musa cultivars and trained Core Group members to be in a variety of paddy. Similar groups are be- charge ing formed in Meppady village. There are • The key issue raised was getting mon- now 10 such teams each consisting of etary and legal support for protection and 10-15 members. updating of PBR • They have identified farmers who still follow traditional agriculture in this district Preparation of Biodiversity Register and rewarded two such farmers with the (Kalpetta, Wayanad) help of an NGO (Organic Farmers & Cul- Scientists and farmers collaborated as part- tivators Organisation) at a function. ners in the preparation of location specific biodiversity inventories. It has resulted in the 204.2 Forum for Sustainable Management compilation of PBR of two panchayats- of Biodiversity Kottathara and Meppady. To encourage the local youth, training has been given in in- People's Biodiversity Register (Kolli Hills) ventorying biodiversity of habitations and thereby spreading the message of conserva- The Forum undertook the following activities: tion and sustainable development. They have • The Trained Core Group members se- been given a small sum as incentive on a lected 52 new members from 7 new vil- monthly basis to keep up the enthusiasm. lages (24 men and 28 women) The approach of PBR was the study of bio- • The new members were given orienta- logical diversity in two broad categories, as

67 Annual Report 1999-2000 forest landscapes and habitations. The sJvey Tie-up with TRIFfD in forest areas has been done directl by their scientists with the help of forest offi- A market tie-up was established with TRIFED, cials and tribal communities. Habitation sur- which works exclusively for tribal marketing veys are useful to understand the biodiv rsity development with groups of people rather than known to and used by the people. P ople with each individual cultivator. Ten SHGs have have done this with guidance from the sben- been formed and both men and women are tists of the Centre. Several posters, handouts members in the SHGs. In all the groups the on traditional paddy varieties, meditinal leaders, namely, the animator and representa- plants, mushrooms, and a training manu~1 on tive are a man and a woman. This is a deliber- I PBR have been prepared. PBR of Kottathara ate attempt to give leadership to women also. and Meppady village panchayat have peen The 10 SHGs have sold around 12.8 tons (Table completed. The work is progressing in the 2.14) of minor millets during this season to the other two sites. The results of the studt are TRIFED without middlemen. For the first time being shared with others. NGOs and fa~mers the underutilised species at Kolli Hills has en- have been alerted on the potential dan!fr of tered the market. present day agricultural practices in the dis- The women leaders of the self-help groups also trict. I participated in signing the MoU with TRIFED and negotiated the procurement price. Due to Sub Programme Area 205 1 the efforts of the groups and MSSRF, TRIFED for the first time included other minor millets Conservation and Utilisation f like finger millets, Italian millets, kodo millets Biological Diversity: Marketirlg and common millets whereas previously it pro- Study cured only Little millets from the tribes. The initiative will help in the conservation and utilisation of minor millets. Formation of Self-Help Groups (SHGs and market tie-ups A plan was prepared to create a demand for minor millets by involving the local cultivators So far the people of Kolli Hills have used mi- and interested tribes. Both men and women nor millets only for their food securit\ and participated in a Focus Group Interview. Dur- home consumption. Thus minor millets have ing the discussion, a list of traditional food never been considered for market pur~oses. items and. recipes were given by the partici- Now a steady demand for minor millbts is pants. It was decided to popularise those items planned under the sub-component 9f the even among the people of the plains, during project viz., marketing. If market tie-uijs are Aadi 18 festival when people from the plains established and a steady demand is cr~ated, come in thousands to Arappaleswarar Temple. minor millets cultivation can go up. So J mar- ' All the group members came forward to pre- ket tie-up with the Tribal Federation fo~ Mar- pare the items. Around one lakh people vis- keting Development Corporation (TRIFEci)was ited the temple and 5,000 visited the stall. Apart established. from the food items, dehusked grains and flour

68 Biodiversity and Biotechnology of little millets and Italian millets were also is tied up with the minor millets cultivators, sold. The local participants did not come to discussions are underway to link the TRIFED the stall as expected due to the festival work and the Bread Company. and distance. The second day Aadi 19 was used to sell not only minor millets food items Sub Programme Area 206 but also minor millets seeds under the seed exchange system and biofertiliser. Molecular Mapping and Further it was planned to create a demand for Genetic Enhancement minor millets by using them in the preparation of breads. A private limited company and Mod- High population pressure, low agricultural pro- ern Bread Company were contacted. They suc- ductivity/ depleting natural resources and in- ceeded in preparing bread with the addition of creasing abiotic stress conditions in the region little millets flour. Modern food items and are affecting the basic life support system in traditional food items prepared from minor mil- the coastal ecosyst~m. The rich biological di- lets were also sold at the Aadi 18 festival. The versity of the regions, conserved both natu- Bread Company wants to procure little millets rally and as a result of the long cultivation flour. The planning and arrangement for mar- practices over the years, could be utilised prof- ket tie-up needsfurther study. Since the TRIFED itably for enhancing its stability, sustainability,

Table 2.14 : Panchayat-wise sale of minor millets (in kg) to TRIFED through SHCs in Kolli Hills

Panchayat Little Italian Kodo Common Finger Total No. of (Nadu) millets millets millets millets millets (kg) farmers

Chithoor 60 120 180 2

Bail 764 10 774 9 Thiruppuli 749 749 13 Gundur 1/464 1,464 11 Ariyur 986 986 4 Devanur 925 422 15 77 1,206 2,645 37 Selur 745 982 45 625 2,397 33 Valappur 161 204 365 7 Vazhavanthi 103 31 7 141 '5 Alathur 3/005 121 3,126 50

Total 8/962 1/565 60 77 2/163 12/827 171

Little millet- Samai (Panicum sumatrense), Italian millet- Thinai (Setaria ita/ica), Kodo millet- Varagau (Paspa/um crobicu/atum), Common millet- Pani varagu (Panicum miliaceum), Finger millet- Ragi (E/eusine coracana)

69 Annual Report 1999.2000 I

productivity and profitability. The mOletular specific levels, species relationship and phylo- mapping and genetic enhancement programme, genetic trends in a number of mangrove spe- therefore, concentrates on addressing thelWin cies, in addition to standardising protocols for problems of depleting natural resource an de- molecular analysis in this group of plant spe- cr,easi.ngagricultu~al p~oductivi:y, through .od- cies. These studies, among others, have pro- em biotechnological interventions. The 0, jec- vided sufficient insight into the genetic tive is to consolidate genotypes capabl~ of characterisation and identification of 28 man- adapting to the problems of rise in sea IJvels grove species and species relationship and un- and also develop practical breeding mat~rial derlying evolutionary differentiation in 22 man- that could offer tolerance/resistance to co~stal grove genera, using various marker systems. salinity. Essential1ythe"major .emphasis of the They have also helped in identifying priority programme is to: I areas and species for conservation and consolidation of mangrove genotypes. • . analyse genetic diversity and species relationship among the Indian mangtove Intra-specific diversity analysis in the man- species and othe'r economically imtor- grove species Aegiceros corniculatum and tantcrop~pecies/using molecular in rker Lumnitzera racemosa were carried out using technology as a prelude to genetic on- Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) servation, and I and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers for elucidating the level isolate and characterise stress tol~rant • of intra-specific genetic diversity. A total of genes, particularly salinity, to develop salt 122 and 132 RAPDs were observed on am- tolerant cro~ varieties for (oastal agri-eco- ' plification with 20 random primers in sy~tems. Aegiceros and Lumnitzera, respectively. Of these 29 were polymorphic in the former 296.1 Molecular Mar~er Assisted Gen ticl and 24 were polymorphic in the latter. A Indexing of Coastal Agrobi.OdiversitY~ total of 40 and 48 RFLPs were recorded in Aegiceros and Lumnitzera respectively, with .. GenetiC. diversity and :Sped~s relations ips 12 probe/enzyme combinations. It wds among Indian mangrove species: For manyrea- I observed that the overall variability was veiy ..sons,'both physical and' te<;hnical, investiga- low in these two species with a diver~ity ti~ns pertaini ng.to the .genetic characterisa~ion, of 21.6% in Aegiceros and 16.1%' in . composition and diversity in the taxa occ!py- Lumnitzera. The low population size of these ing the coastal estuarine ecosystem have not species encountered in the Pichavaram forest . been undertaken earlier. Molecular ma ker ecosystem makes them priority species for based analysis has been carried out for gerletic conservation. indexing of the most predominant mang10ve vegetation occupying the coastal regions al'ong Genetic diversity and species relationships the Indian coastline. Substantial progress I has among Cajanus and allied genera,: Pigeonpea been made in studies related to the analysis of (Cajanus cajan) is one of the most important the nature and extent of genetic diversit~ at legumes cultivated in the dry seasons along intra- and inter population and intra- and i~ter- the coastal ecosystems. limited information is

70 Biodiversity and Biotechnology available with respect to the genetic identity, Twenty eight species belonging to five genera genotypic variability and relationships among of the sub tribe Cajaninae, Ounbaria, Flemingia, the Cajanus and allied genera. Detailed stud- Paracalyx, Cajanus and Rhynehosia, were ies have therefore been initiated in this group analysed for variation in the four chloroplast of species to develop marker systems for spe- gene regions, rbcL, trn5-psbC, trnL-UAA and cies identification, diversity measurement and 165. Inter-specific analysis was carried out in phylogenetic and evolutionary trends. Genomic fifteen species of the genus Cajanus and ten DNA from eight species of Cajanus and six species of the genus Rhynchosia. The gene accessions and varieties of Cajanus cajan were regions were ampl ified with specific primers digested with 10 restriction enzymes and and subsequently digested with 15 restriction probed with full length ribosomal gene (pTA7l) enzymes. It was observed that the rbcL and from wheat and rONA intergenic spacer re- 165 regions of the chloroplast are conserved gion (IG5) flanked by 255 and 185 rONA gene among the analysed genera and had no spe- of Vicia (aba. Among the 10 restriction en- cific or generic differences. The trn5-psbC re- zymes used, feoR V showed single smallest gion revealed genus-specific profiles only in fragments in all the species. The length of the the Pst I digests. The trnL-UAA gene region rONA repeat units in Cajanus flanked by feoR restricted with feoR I revealed differences only V sites was between 10.9 kb and 11.9 kb. in the profile of Ounbaria while the species Among the eight species, three rONA repeat belonging to Cajanus and Rhynchosia showed unit length classes were identified. RFLPsbe- a similar profile. Paraealyx and Flemingia tween the species were readily detected in all lacked sites for this enzyme. Ten species be- the enzyme-probe combinations. 'However, longing to genus Rhynehosia did not show any RFLPscould not be detected between the ac- inter-specific differences within the four gene cessions and varieties of C. eajan. The inter- regions. In Cajanus except for the Pst I digests specific RFLPswere used to construct a den- of trn5-psbC gene region, the PCR-RFLPpro- drogram for analysing the genome relationships. file for other digests and gene regions was simi- The dendrogram revealed a close relationship lar. The present study points to the limited between the cultivated species C. eajan and divergence of the cpDNA regions among the the wild species, C. scarabaeoides. Our data genera belonging to the sub-tribe Cajaninae did not support the view that C. cajan could thereby suggesting a congeneric evolution of have evolved from a hybridisation between the taxa. C. searabaeoides and C. lineatus. The Austra- lian species C. scarabaeoides and C. retieulatus 206.2 Genetic Enhancement were closely related to the Indian species C. eajan and C. platyearpus, respectively. There- The major emphasis of the ongoing programme fore, the ,observation that Australian species of is to develop characterised pre-breeding ge- Cajanus are less closely related to the Indian netic material capable of offering resistance/ species could not be favoured. Among the spe- tolerance to coastal stress for grassroot level cies studied C. goensis and C. lineatus were breeders for developing location specific crop distantly related to the cultivated species and varieties. The emphasis, therefore, has been other wild relatives. on developing genetic material containing

71 Annual Report 1999-2000

novel genes for resistance to abiotic stress,par- AATATA is located at position 683-688 in the ticularly salinity. noncoding region. It has been reported that an exact AATAAA signal for polyadenylation could Isolation of stress induced genes: The first ap- be found in only about 1/3 of plant genes, and proach involves exposing target mangrove spe- 4-5 of 6 base matches for this sequence could cies to varying degrees of abiotic stress and be found in an additional 50% of plant gene identifying and characterising stress induced 3' region. The length _of the noncoding se- proteins. The second approach involves devel- quences and the position and sequence of oping gene libraries enriched with stress in- polyadenylation signal present in Am 57 may duced genes and screening for potential genes be of interest from the evolutionary point of conferring stress tolerance. It also involves view. The deduced protein of Am 57 showed characterisation, evaluation and controlled ex- 57 % identical and 76 positive amino acids pression of the promising genes. The results with the 405 ribosomal protein 57 of African obtained so far include identification of a clawed frog (Xenopus laevisl, rat (Rattus rattus, 22kDa salt-stressinduced protein from the man- R. narvegicus), mouse (Mus musculus) and hu- grove species Avicennia marina. Three eDNA man. The initiation codon of the ORF starting libraries have been constructed from the salt at 66 bp aligns with the initiation codon of the treated A.marina. By screening with heterolo- 405 ribosomal protein 57 from the above men- gous probes from other organisms or through tioned species and covers the complete cod- RT-PCRprobes, a few potential stress tolerant ing sequence (encoding 190 amino acids) with genes were isolated from the eDNA libraries only four amino acids as a gap starting at posi- and fully sequenced. Details of three such tion 402. The size of the mRNA which en- genes isolated from the library are given be- codes Am 57 is about 900 bp as revealed by , low: Northern blot analysis. 50uthern blot analysis \ revealed that it is a single copy gene. 405 ribosomal protein 57 gene (Accession No. Aj091589): A eDNA clone from the library that Betaine Aldehyde Dehydrogenase gene (Ac- had strong homology with 405 ribosomal pro- cession No. AF 170094): 5equence analyses tein 57 gene was identified and was named as of the clone isolated from the eDNA library Am 57. Complete sequencing of Am 57 re- showed strong homology with Betaine alde- vealed that it is of 836 bp length. It includes 5' hyde dehydrogenase gene. The eDNA had a noncoding sequence of 65 bp, an open read- longest open reading frame (ORF) of 1,488 ening frame (ORF) of 570 bp which encodes 190 coding a protein of 496 amino acids. The ORF amino acids and a 3' noncoding sequence of began at 16 bp and terminated at 1,503 bp. 183 bp followed by a poly (Al tail. The ORF is The ORF was terminated by one of the non- terminated by stop codon UGA at position 636- sensecodons, UGA present at 1,503-1,505 bp. 638 while the 405 ribosomal protein 57 genes Typical polyadenylation signal, AATAAA was' from animals and humans are being terminated present at 1,547-1,552 bp. A 17 bp long poly by the most frequently used stop codon UAA., (A+l tail was present at 1,700-1,717 bp. The Though the typical plant polyadenylation sig- eDNA included 15 bp in the 3' noncoding nal AATAAA is not found, a putative signal region and 211 bp (excluding the termination

72 Biodiversityand Biotechnology codon) in the 5' noncoding region. The dean authentic clone of either 3- duced protein encoded by the cDNA includes hydroxyisobutyryl-CoA hydrolase or 2-enoyl- 496 amino acid residues. The amino acid se- CoA hydratase and therefore completely sequence present at position 5-11 residues, quenc~d from both directions. QLFIDGE is a typical putative transit peptide AMC 4012 was 1,536 bp long with a longest found in most plant BADH proteins. A open reading frame (ORF) of 1,032 bp from decapeptide, VTLELGGKSPwhich is conserJed 23 bp to 1,054 bp position. This ORF was not only among the BADH but among all the terminated by UAA at 1,055-1,057 bp position reported aldehyde dehydrogenases was present and the clone included a poly (A +) tail of 47 at 253-262 residues. The deduced amino acid bp starting at 1,489 bp position. This ORF en- sequence of the cDNA showed a significant codes a protein with 344 amino acid residues. level of homology with all the plant BADH The deduced protein of this ORF showed 65% protein sequences deposited in the EMBL da- identical and 79% positive aminoacids with tabase. The highest homology was found with the 2-enoyl-CoA hydratase of apricot, Prunus BADH protein of Amaranthus armeniaea (Ae. No. U93271). While U93271 hypoehondriaeus. The deduced amino acid se- was a truncated clone without the initiation quence of A. marina BADH showed more ho- codon ATG at the 5' end coding for a partial mology with the BADH of dieots like A. hypoehondriaeus, S. o/eraeea, B. vulgaris and polypeptide of only 281 amino acids, the present clone AMC 4012 (Ace. No. AF190450) A. hortensis than with that of monocots like from A. marina had the initiation codon and O. sativa, H. vulgare and S. bieolor. encoded a protein of 344 amino acids. This Enoyl-CoA hydratase: A number of clones with clone also has around 60 % positive amino inserts above 800 base pairs were randomly acid with the full length cDNA clones encod- selected from the cDNA library and were sub- ing the 2-enoyl-CaA hydratase like proteins jected to single-pass automated sequencing from A. thaliana and C. elegans. Therefore it from the 5' ends for the purpose of generat- is concluded that AMC 4012 is a full length ing expressed sequence tags (ESTs).One such cDNA clone that encodes for 2-enoyl-CoA EST,AMC 4012 showed significant homology hydratase in Avieennia marina. As the source with putative 3-hydroxyisobutyryl-CoA hydro- of this clone was the leaf tissues of this spe- lase from Arabidopsis thaliana, 2-enoyl-CoA cies, it could be presumed that this enoyl-CoA hydratase from Prunus armeniaea and 2-enoyl- hydratase could be a part of the beta-oxidation CoA hydratase like proteins from system of the peroxisomes. This is the first re- A. thaliana and Caenorhabditis elegans. This port of full length 2-enoyl-CoA hydratase gene clone with 1.5 kb insert was expected to be from a tree species.

73 Annual Report 1999-2000

Table 2.15: cDNA clones showing homology to the reported gene sequences analysed through the random sequencing of ESTs

Clone No. Size (kb) Homologus to Organism

Amc4 1.2 AAO gene for ascorbate oxidase Cucurbita maxima Amc5 1.6 Vacuolar H +-pumping ATPase A. thaliana Amc6 1.0 Sulphate aldehyde transferase Rhizobium sp Amc7 1.9 PEPcarboxykinase Z. mays Amc8 1.2 mRNA for ARG 10 B. napus Amc 11 1.1 rad15 gene yeast Amc 12 0.8 Beta-lactoglobulin gene Z. mays Amc 15 1.6 P480 reaction centre large chain Chlorobium Amc 17 1.0 G-protein coupled receptor A. thaliana Amc 18 1.2 Acryflavin resistant protein (acrB) Borrelia Amc 19 1.5 DNA binding protein Giradia tigrina Amc 20 1.8 Caffeic acid-O- methyl transferase Populus Amc 22 1.8 Homeobox-protein HOXC-9 Fugu rubripes Amc 31 1.2 G-protein coupled receptor Arabidosis Amc 37 1.0 Acryflavin resistance protein Borrelia Amc 40 1.7 P5C reductase Arabidopsis Amc 44 1.1 Serine/protease inhibitor Populus Amc 45 1.5 Alcohol dehydrogenase Arabidopsis

Sequencing of Expressed Sequence Tags: Development of transformation system: In or- Apart from stress related genes, a number of der to study the expression of genes isolated randomly selected ESTs were partially from the mangrove species in the genomic sequenced at 5' ends. About 45 expressed background of other plant species and to ob- sequence tags (ESTs) were sequenced (8965 tain information about the usefulness of these bp in total). Through sequence analysis of genes in conferring stress tolerance, an experi- these ESTs and homology search, 18 clones mental transformation system was standardised were found to have homology with reported in tobacco. For this purpose, a binary vector functional genes from other organisms. The carrying the BADH gene cloned from the man- details oT these clones are given in Table grove species, A. marina was constructed. The 2.15. The remaining 27 clones were unique A. marina BADH was subcloned in BamH ones. I-EeaR I site of pBK-CMV (Stratagene). From

74 Biodiversity and Biotechnology this, a Xba I fragment was subcloned into the Six transconjugants were selected and total same site of pGA643, a binary vector. The DNA was isolated. The transconjugants nature correct orientation of insert was confirmed by of the colony was confirmed by Southern Southern hybridisation and the construct was hybridisation using A. marina BADH as probe. named pPGA643. This vector has Tetr as bac- One of the transconjugant LBA4404(pPGA643) terial selection marker. It has the right and left was used for tobacco transformation (Fig. 2.2). border sequence of Agrobacterium tumefaicens Tobacco (Wisconsin 38) leaf discs were incu- T-DNA within which Kanr as plant selection bated for 48h on MS shooting medium with- marker, CaMY 35S promoter followed by mul- out any antibiotics. LBA4404(pPGA643) cul- tiple cloning site and polyadenylation signal ture grown to 1 OD600 was used to infect the, are present. E coli with pPGA643, preincubated leaf discs and co-cultivated in the Agrobacterium strain LBA4404 with virulence same medium for 48h. The co-cultivated discs helper plasmid, pRK2013 with conjugation were transferred to MS shooting medium with helper plasmid were grown on agar plates of 250 jig/ml Cefatoxime and 100 jig/ml Kana- appropriate media. A single colony from each mycin. The Kanamycin resistant shoot buds was used for triparental mating on YEP agar were subcultured and then transferred for root- plate. The cells after mating were serially di- ing in MS medium. This vector carried BADH luted and plated on AB minimal medium with gene under 35S CaMY constitutive promoter. 10 jig/ml Rifampicin and 5 jig/ml Tertacyclin. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of to-

Sail Smal EcoRI A/~NI

Fig. 2.2: Gene construct used for tobacco transformation

75 Annual Report 1999.2000

bacco leaf discs was carried out to raise their ecological and economic significance, ef- transgenic plants. These transformed plants forts to characterise microbial diversity to ex- were shown to have the BADH gene integrated ploit their potential for improvement of coastal into the tobacco genome. Assay for BADH re- biodiversity have been few. During the last vealed overexpression of this BADH gene in few years our approach has been to monitor the transgenic plants, which indicated that the selected farm sites situated close to the coast- integration is stable and the gene is structur- line which undergo the normal stress of this ally and functionally intact. region namely salinity, drought and excess pesticide usage due to varied farming practices. After initial sampling and monitoring, the em- Sub Programme Area 207 phasis in the last couple of years has been on analysing the diversity of these organisms us- Monitoring EcosystemHealth ing a polyphasic approach and assessing their Using Microbial Diversity performance under stressfor better plant growth management.

Significant headway has been made in assess- To facilitate a more extensive use of biological ing the natural populations of beneficial or- nitrogen fixers, reliable information on their ganisms with salinity tolerancewhile analysing effective application must be made available. the microbial diversity along the coastline of Work has been carried out to assessthe diver- Tamil Nadu. Extensive progress on indexing sity of the organisms occurring in this region and documenting with reference to the eco- along with their efficiency. Molecular marker logical preferences of lichen diversity of assisted genetic diversity assessment study was Siruvani Hills in Western Ghats has been made also initiated with reference to these benefi- in the development of monitoring tools. This cial organisms. RAPD and DNA restriction frag- year an attempt was made to study the urban ment length polymorphism (RFLP) were used lichens. The overall objectives inclusive of the to study the diversity and applied successfully basic research, databases and dissemination on the nodulating strains isolated from ground- by training programmes and developing manu- nut. Work was also initiated on the strains iso- als falls in line with the Agenda 21 of the lated from blackgram and cowpea. A complete Convention on Biological Diversity with refer- analysis of the strains from the groundnut host ence to the much less studied group of organ- reveals that all strains could grow in a wide isms - the microorganisms. range of pH from 4-10 and could tolerate salt upto 3%, especially in isolates from saline soils 207.1 Microbial Diversity in Coastal showing a natural selection. RFLP analysis of Agroecosystems the total isolates from different populations along the coast revealed that they fall into two This part of the programme acts as a comple- clusters, thereby establishing the genotypic dif- mentary activity to the ongoing activity on ge- ferences among them. This was confirmed by netic enhancement for increase in crop pro- PCR-RFLP analysis of the nif-region. Nodula- ductivity in the coastal agri-ecosystem. Despite tion efficiency of isolates from the host

76 Biodiversity and Biotechnology

blackgram and cowpea have been tested, Pre- will not be able to eliminate many of the liminary results reveal that the strains isolated stresses currently limiting crop production un- from blackgram performed better when com- der low-input conditions, we would be able to pared with the ones got from cowpea. Further throw some light on identifying better host- tests are underway before testing it at the field strain combinations as we use a polyphasic level. Analysis of the free-living nitrogen fixer approach in characterising the various groups populations viz., Azospirillum isolated from the of our isolates. different sites along the coastline reveals that the majority of them are moderately 207.2 Lichen Research halotolerant. However, their nitrogen fixing efficiency varied in the presence of salt. As for In a climatically uniform forest region, varia- the phosphate so'lubilisers, although a good tions in the distribution patterns of the lichens number of isolates were recovered, only about caused by the microlevel changes in the 35 isolates showed good activity. Initial broth mesohabitat conditions (viz., light intensity, assay for testing their solubilising capacity us- substrate pH, texture, moisture etc.) can be ing tri-calcium phosphate showed tharthe iso- used to identify ecological continuity/distur- lates tested released 300-400 mg/ml from the bance. This study, carried out over the last few initial 500 mg/ml inorganic phosphate supplied. years, has been concentrating on site-specific Initial screening has also revealed the pres- lichen biomonitoring methodologies for unex- ence of moderately halotolerant strains, which plored sites in Siruvani Hills. To establish and are being tested at the laboratory level using place the results obtained through these stud- pot studies with both sensitive and salt toler- ies on a scientific base, the ecosystem health ant paddy as a test crop. Further studies to is also being quantified through other ecologi- identify the best carrier material and its effect cal methodologies. The combination of both on the shelf life will have to be conducted these data is being used in identifying indica- before it is taken up for large-scale field level tor lichen communities. trials. So far fortyfour transects have been laid down The high variability of the soil environment at different elevations in Siruvani Hills and the and its microbial components have worked as data has been collected. With respect to forest major impediments in successful introduction. quality, the lichen data was analysed to find Many questions in this area remain to be an- the lichen diversity per unit area (diversity), its swered and it seems quite impossible to select composition, their performance in terms of a strain that is adapted to all environments. Cover Value and Colony Number, and the Im- Moreover, using genetic exchange, the highly portant Value Index for each species recorded plastic 'native' populations may arise that are within the transect along with the performance capable of rapidly dominating the field. The of the various lichen growth forms and their identification of these bacterial strains and in photobiont, both separately and in combina- some cases host cultivers that are tolerant to tion. These parameters directly reflect the these stressesopens the way for alternate, lower changing meso-and microhabitat conditions, cost solutions to these problems, Although we which need to be monitored,

77 Annual Report 1999-2000

The methodology has highlighted the change The following trends were observed: increase in lichen diversity and its performance, with a in lichen diversity with increase in tree den- change in tree density, canopy coverage, tree sity, demonstrating the usefulness of thickly height and diameter. Over 70 lichen species vegetated areas within urban zones in main- have been recorded, accounting for nearly 50% taining high lichen diversity; mesohabitat con- of the total lichen diversity in the surveyed ditions (specifically the presence or absence of area. water body and diversity of host species) determine the overall lichen diversity and its dis- Lichens in urban areas tribution within the study area and the lichen community structure is determined by the mi- Changes in the environment may be due to crohabitat conditions (viz., bark moisture and climatic changes, degradation of forest land, light levels). That lichen diversity could be ef- reduction of naturally vegetated areas, land use fectively used to monitor the health of such pattern changes, and increasing levels of air green pockets in urban areas has been clearly

, established by this study. Also, the fact that pollution (particularly 502 heavy metals and radionucleides) and thei r by-products, both lo- the effect of increasing air pollution co.uld be cal and transboundary. Urban areas witness related to the reduction of the reproductive these changes at a faster pace and Chennai potential of a few lichen 'species' occurring as (Madras) is not an exception. These adverse steriIe or with asexual reproductive means is environmental conditions may also lead to lian area of concern as in the long term it could chen species loss from their current localities, threaten this diversity. gross distribution pattern changes, reduction in population size, reduction in reproductive Sub Programme Area 208 potential of individual species etc., along with other organisms solely dependent on them for feeding or roosting. In such a chaotic situa- Conservation and Bioprospecting tion, pockets of thick vegetation within cities of Endangered, Medicinal and act as refuge for a myriad species. Hence, un- Mangrove Plant Species less inventory, monitoring and conservation are given top priority in and around urban areas, The major emphasis of this component is to : with special reference to thickly vegetated areas, it will be too late before we realise our • Screen various plant species from differ- irreversible loss. ent environments and identify those species of potential importance in terms of The lichen diversity and distribution patt-ern antimicrobial, anti pest, nutritional and within Chennai city (at the Indian Institute of other agronom ic characteristics Technology Campus and the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam) was • Subsequent fractionation, purification and surveyed on the lines of our previous experi- identification of bioactive compounds ences. These studies will serve as a base for future monitoring and conservation activities. • Develop micropropagation protocols for

78 Biodiversity and Biotechnology

selected species and enhance the bio-ef- the characteristic pungent odour. Studies have ficacy using tissue culture. been initiated on the antifeedancy and repellence of the leaves of this plant against plant pests like Spodoptera litura and storage 208.1 Identification of Bioactive Com- pests like Tribolium castaneum. pounds Solvent extracts of Lobelia nicotianaefoJia were Antifungal properties of essential oils from used to study the bioefficacy of this plant 'as Syzygium travancoricum an anti pest agent. 10 and 15 % concentrations of the crude extracts of increasing polarity viz., Essential oils form the major constituents of Hexane < Chloroform

79 Annual Report 1999-2000

208.2 Tissue Culture Studies was recorded at the end of every three week Medicinal plants interval upon subsequent subculturing. An experiment is underway to achieve shoot elon- Culture media and culture condition for Lo- gation in the organogenic shoots and somatic belia nicotianaefolia: MS (Murashige and embryo derived plants. Skoog, 1962) basal medium was used for shoot proliferation and adventitious shoot re- Mangroves and their associates generation, whereas one-half and one-fourth MS medium was used for in vitro rooting. All High efficiency indirect organogenesis proto- media were supplemented with 30 gil sucrose, cols were standardised in various varieties 2 gil phytagel (Sigma) and dispensed evenly (IR20, ADT 43, Vitilla) and salinity tolerant into 25 x 150 mm culture tubes and 50 x cultivars (pokkali, pateni) of rice using scutel- 110 mm jam bottles. The pH was adjusted to lar explant of mature seed. These protocols 5.8 prior to autoclaving at 121°C for 20 min. will be useful in developing protoplast fusion The cultures were incubated in 16h light/8h hybrids between intraspecific, interspecific (be- dark photoperiods at 25 :t 2°C under a light tween O. sativa and O. malampuzhensis) and intensity of 30 fJ mol.m-2s-1 provided by a cool intergeneric (between O. sativa and Porteresia white fluorescent lamp with 55% relative hu- coarctata) hybrids. midity. Indirect organogenesis studies were carried out Callus induction and proliferation: Callus in- in Porteresia coarctata using nodal segments, duction was obtained in the first set, when leaf disc and mature seed. Callus was induced 1.5ppm 2,4-D was incorporated into MS me- in N6 and MS media. The best response was dium. The observations were recorded at the obtained in N6 media supplemented with 2, 4 end of three weeks as number of initiated ex- - D (2 ppm) + KN (0.1 ppm). Nodal explants plants showing callus proliferation. from the mist chamber gave better response compared to the explants taken from the in The callus was subcultured in MS medium with vitro grown plants. Callus proliferation was high 0.5ppm 2,4-Dafter one month. Simultaneously when the calli were subcultured in the same 100mg pieces were placed in low concentra- media with l'ppm 2, 4 - D. tions of 0.5 ppm Benzyl Adenline ([fA), 1 ppm BA + 0.1 ppm Napthalene Acetic Acid (NAA), Anther call us was. obtai ned in Porteresia and MS Basal medium for further organogen- coarctata and Oryza sativa (IR 20). Uninucle- esis. Data recorded at the end of three weeks ate anthers responded well in N6 and Potat02 of incubation indicated number of shoots per medium supplemented with 2,4 -D. A combi- call us. nation of carbohydrate sources (glucose + sucrose + maltose) gave better results compared Organogenesis: The fast growing, creamy white to sucrose alone. friable callus showed highest frequency of organogenesis in the MS basal medium and on Shoot tips and young shoots were used for lower concentrations of cytokinins. An aver- micropropagation in the case of Salicomia age multiplication rate of more than 4 shoots brachiata. LS rr~dia supplemented with 0.25

80 Biodiversity and Biotechnology ppm IAA + 0.1 ppm BA +0.1 ppm KN gave bet- Salinity treatments were applied in both mist ter multiple shoots.. and in vitro propagated plants with five different concentrations of NaCI (0, 20, 30, 40 and In case of intsia bijuga axillary bud break was 50 ppt). Leaf tissue was collected at 3 days, 5 obtained in WPM media supplemented with days and 7 days interval. Five replicates were 2.0 ppm BA + 0.5 ppm KN + 1 g AC. Shoot tried for each treatment and duration. elongation was also obtained in the same medium. Experiments are underway for getting The salt induced denatured proteins were ex- an increased number of multiple shoots. Also tracted as per Goday (1998) and protein con- cotyledons and young shoots explants produced centrations were estimated by Bradford (1978) callus in WPM media supplemented with method and protein extracts were subjected to 2 ppm 2,4-0+ 1.5 ppm NAA+0.5 ppm KN single dimensional SOS PAGE. + 1 gil AC. Two induced protein bands (35 kOa and Oil estimation in Sa/icomia brachiata 73 kOa) appeared consistently in mist propagated as well as in vitro propagated plants at Total oil content in Sa/icomia brachiata was 20, 30 and 40 ppt NaCI concentration up to estimated by solvent extraction method using one week. petroleum ether. Seeds were ground to powder and extracted overnight in four volumes of Intsia bijuga petroleum ether. The supernatant was filtered and heated at 40°C to remove ether. Total fat In the case of intsia bijuga, a salt tolerant man- was left out and weighed. There was a yield of grove, total protein profiles at different pH (4.5, 8-10% oil from the seed. However CFTRI is 5.8 and 7.5) and salinity regimes (0, 10, 20, being approached for re-estimation of oil con- 30, 40 and 50 ppt) were studied. Total le~f tent using more refined methods. Experiments proteins were isolated after 7 days of the treai- are also underway to measure the quality pa- ment and were run on the denaturing SOSpoly. rameters viz. saponification value, iodine value acrylamide gels. At pH 4.5, all the major pro- and acid value. teins were intact upto 20 ppt of salinity. At pH 5.8 all the major bands were observed upto 40 ppt and at pH 7.5 plants were able to toler-. 208.3 Studies on Salt-induced Proteins ate salinity only up to 20 ppt. The above data was in agreement with morphological and Porteresia coarctata physiological studies which showed that there was significant drop in photosynthetic rates fol- Six populations of Porteresia coarctata were lowed by leaf curling and senescence above selected for these studies. They were grown in 20 ppt at pH levels of 4.5 and 7.5, and above the mist chamber in fresh water for 3 months. 40 ppt at a pH level of 5.8. The plantlets which emerged from the rhizomes were selected for salt tolerance studies. Simul- These studies indicated that in'sia tolerates taneously in vitro propagated plants were also highest salinity (40 ppt) at pH 5.8. However studied to compare the differences. it was not possible to identify any induced /

81 Annual Report 1999-2000 response to salinity in the present study. Ex- sen through a tender (as the lowest bidder), periments are underway to characterise some and all the architectural detai Is have been fi- of the overexpressed (27 kDa, 22 kDa) and nalized and given to him. Work at the site repressed (78 kDa, 86 kDa, 40 kDa) proteins has begun and the financial closure is ex- by isoelectric focusing followed by reverse pected to be completed shortly. The logo has phase HPLC, amino acid analysis and sequenc- been approved. The Environmental Impact As- ing studies. sessment has been conducted and is pending with the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board Sub Programme Area 209 for approval. The common facilities building will have all modern amenities to support the R&D requirements and the information sec- Golden Jubilee Biotechnology tion will serve as the hub for Business-to- Park for Women Business and Business-to-Consumer facilities. This will be supported initially with the help The first Biotechnology Park for women un- of the Informatics division of the Foundation. der the joint initiative of the Department of The promotional activities have begun. Adver- Biotechnology, Government of India, and the tisements were placed in The Hindu and State Government of Tamil Nadu will be- Dina Thanthi calling for women entrepreneurs come functional later this year. It is being set interested in setting up their business at the up to provide opportunities .for professionally park. The first orientation for the applicants qualified women to take to a career of remu- was held. The initial screening of the appli- nerative self-employment through the cants by the scientific committee will be held organisation of environment-friendly biotech- shortly to select the first batch of women en- nological enterprises. The contractor was cho- trepreneurs.

82 Programme Area 300

Ecotechnology and Sustainable Agriculture

he establishment of a Resource Centre for Precision Farming for Poverty Alleviation with support from NABARO triggered progress T:in the standardisation of techniques which can help to enhance crop productivity without associated ecological harm. Considerable progress was made in spreading the Biovillage concept of human- centred development to several areas in Tamil Nadu and Orissa. Work on low external input sustainable aquaculture and the establishment of an All-women Eco-aquaculture estate in Karaikal progressed wel/. The work of the fRO Tata Ecotechnology Centre has helped to launch an ecotechnology movement based on an optimum blend of traditional wisdom and frontier science.

301 jRD Tata Ecotechnology Centre 84 302 Biovillages 110 303 BV Rao Centre for Sustainable Food Security 118 Annual Report 1999-2000

Sub Programme Area 301 Integrated Intensive Farming Systems, ecoaquaculture, management of community ponds and backyard ornamental fish breeding are some of the options studied for the villages JRD Tata Ecotechnology Centre in Chidamabram. In Kolli Hills, the project has been making attempts to create an economic The JRD Tata Ecotechnology Centre was stake in conservation. Food fortification, mar- established in 1996-97 to develop models for ket linkages and improving the productivity of operationalising sustainable n.:raldevelopment. minor millets are some of the important issues Participatory research, capacity building and addressed by the project. In Kannivadi, the fo- grassroot institution building are its three cus is on human resource development through major dimensions. Till 1998, the Centre was skill empowerment of rural poor. These are focusing on testing specific technologies. In attempts to facilitate the rural community to 1998-99, it adopted an area approach by define its own path of development by inte- introducing the concept of biovillage. The grating natural resource management with live- approach addresses the twin issues of natural lihood security. resource management and livelihood security leading to an integrated management of the In addition to the above, the NABARD resources. Three areas in Tamil Nadu, reflecting Resource Centre for Precision Farming different characteristics (Table 3.1) have been for Poverty Alleviation is developing identified for implementing the biovillage methodologies for precision farming in model. these areas.

Table3.1: Characteristics of the three areas Area Characteristics Focus Chidambaram Coastalregionwith low Water useefficiencyand soil land irrigatedpaddy conservation Kolli Hills Hill region Agrobiodiversityand Food Security Kannivadi Semi-aridregion Value addition to the two assetsof rural poor: time and labour,through skill enhance ment in agricultureand micro enterprises

The JRD Tata Ecotechnology Centre has been Major activities of the year: focusing on studying the relevance of various options in sustainable development. These op- • Market linkage was established between tions attempt to blend integrated natural re- the tribals of Kolli Hills and TRIFED to source management with livelihood security. market minor millets. This linkage is an

84 Ecotechnology and Sustainable Agriculture

impartant step in creating an ecanamic • Effarts to blend traditianal wisdam with stake in conservatian. frantier science taak place in Kalli Hills. Canventianal green leaf manuring with • Reddiyarchatiram Seed Grawers Oadonaea species by the tribals was Assaciatian (RSGA) taak charge af the studied. Labaratary tests shawed that this Seed Village programme at Kannivadi. can help in cantralling the papulatian Poomani Magalir Sangam taak aver the grawth af pests like Helicoverpa management af the rural biapesticide armeigera. productian centre. These events signify the initiatian af grassroat • Little Millets was identified as an impar- institutianalisatian af develapment tant feed far Corcyra in the prod.uctian pragrammes. process of Trichogramma.

• A process af evaluatian was initiated in • It was demanstrated that the productivity all the project areas. Activities at af fish in the village pands cauld be in- Kannivadi were evaluated in termsaf gen- creased. der perspectives. Studies were canducted to. understand the pracess af institutianal The periad af 1999-2000, was a periad af can- changes in Kalli Hills. The sacia-eco- salidatian and indicatians af a self-replicating namic dimensians af agriculture were as- process have been abserved in variaus praject sessedin Chidambaram regian. These per- sites: . spectives helped to.redefine the directians • The intensive training in and demonstra- af the pragrammes. tian af the Integrated Intensive Farming • Self-Help Groups (SHGs)were linked with System, with emphasis an mare arganic micro enterprises and a broad framewark inputs, have helped in reducing the far cammunity banking was evalved. chemical fertiliser and pesticide cansump- tian withaut any majar decline in the pra- • NABARD Resaurce Centre far Precisian- ductivity af paddy in Keelamanakudi vil- Farming far Paverty Alleviatian began its lage near Chidambaram. The impact has pragrammes in all the three areas. Arava attracted the farmers fram the variaus vi 1- R&D af Israel is providing the technical lages af the command area. The increase suppart far the programme. in the praductivity af fish in the village • A braad framewark was initiated far pand demanstrated by a wamen's group launching the activities af the Centre in with the suppart af the Faundatian has Orissa. A madel biavillage is to. be estab- generated interest amang ather wamen lished in selected caastal villages af in the regian and variaus wamen's groups Orissa, praviding a path af rehabilitatian are being farmed to. manage the pands. and sustainable develapment. Similarly many landless wamen labourers have farmed Self-Help Graups (SHGs) to. • Training programmes were canducted to. initiate arnamental fish breeding in the the tune af 10,000 trainee days. backyards of thei r hauses.

85 Annual Report 1999-2000

• The linkage of minor millets cultivators 0.403 tonnes during 2000. The main reason for with Tribal Co-operative Marketing the decline in productivity is the reduction in Development Federation of India Ltd. the growout period from 195 days to 144 days. (TRIFED) for marketing minor millets has The reduction occurred due to the decline in helped in motivating more tribals in the quantum of rainfall and number of rainy growing minor millets and would help in days. The experiences during the last three bringing an additional 300 acres of land years indicate that an optimal level of water for under minor millets cultivation during 180 days is crucial for maintaining the 2000-2001 (Details in SPA 205). productivity. • Grassroot institutions have begun to play An ecoaquaculture model for brackish water a major role in the process of sustainable development at Kannivadi. in the coastal region of Karaikal is also being contemplated. Preliminary studies are being carried out in collaboration with various 301.1 Chidambaram government departments. This model would Models for sustainable development suitable focus on empowering poor women in coastal for coastal regions are being studied in villages villages on various aspects of aquaculture. around Chidambaram. These models are being tested for their economic and social feasibility Sustainable management of village ponds and environmental viability. The village ponds have multi-purpose usage, fcoaquaculture mostly for non-irrigation purposes. The Centre During the last decade aquaculture, in has been attempting to improve the particular coastal aquaculture, has been facing productivity of the fish in these ponds. During opposition on environmental issues. Inland 1998-99, the studies of the Centre showed aquaculture has also been facing criticism in that the productivity of rain-fed tank and canal- terms of water use efficiency and unsustainable fed tank was 210.5 kg per ha and 539.8 kg practices. per hal respectively. In order to demonstrate the scope of improving the productivity of Keeping these issues in view, the Centre has the village ponds, the Centre formed a been studying the principles of environment women's group consisting mostly of landless friendly fresh water ecoaquacultre. In a agricultural labourers and trained them in research-cum-demonstration plot at various aspects of pond management. The . Keelamanakudi near Chidambaram, the project group leased a canal-fed pond from the village has been attempting to develop a production panchayat and managed the pond with proper model for Macrobracheum rosenbergi using stocking and feeding. The productivity during harvested rainwater. The project follows the this year was 1.05 tonnes per ha. The increase principle of Low External Input Sustainable in the productivity has attracted women from Aquaculture (LEISA). the neighbouring villages and the Centre is in The productivity, which was around 1.024 the process of forming Self-Help Groups for tonnes per ha during 1999 dropped down to managing more ponds in the coming year.

86 Ecotechnology and Sustainable Agriculture

Integrated intensive farming system The project has been monitoring the soil characteristics in the farm as well as in the Integrated Intensive Farming System (IIFS) is village. Soil samples are being collected before being implemented to demonstrate an and after harvest every year and various alternative form of agriculture in a region characteristicsof the soil are being studied. Three dominated by mono-cropping and application farms including the model plot are the units of of large doses of chemical fertilisers and observation. In addition, cross-sectional studies pesticides. are also being carried out. During December 1999, samplesfrom 30 randomly selected farms The model of IIFS introduced at were studied. The organic carbon level at the Keelamanakudi, one of the villages of the IIFS farm was 0.75% whereas the average Cauveri delta region, stressesthe inter-linkages organic carbon in the farms with mono-cropping within a farm with less off-farm inputs. Prima- was 0.41 % (SO= 0.1). The project will continue rily, this is to show that conservation of to collect data in the model farm as well as in biodiversity and biological intensification could other farms to assessthe impact of interventions also be profitable. an soil quality. A model plot was established at Keelamankudi during 1996-97. During 1997-98 and 1998- The project has been monitoring 32 randomly 99, the productivity of paddy in the selected farm households with 88.8 acres of demonstration field was around 2.5 tonnes per paddy field for understanding the determinants ha. Between 1997 and 1999, long duration of agriculture. Farm level data is being col- Panni variety was being planted in the plot lected every year during the month of April. whereas the entire village was planting short The survey reveals that the intensive training duration varieties. During 1999-2000, the and demonstration of the project have been model also planted the short duration variety able to create an impact in terms of fertiliser and the productivity was 2.4 tonnes per ha. consumption. The chemical fertiliser consump- The cost-benifit analysis for the entire farm is tion has been on the decline since 1997-98 being worked out. (Table 3.2).

Table 3.2: Chemical fertiliser used for paddy cultivation in the farms at Kee/amanakudi

Year Number of Total area Average Average sample farm under the sample consumption of productivity of households farm households chemical fertiliser paddy in in acres (kg/acre) (kg/acre)

1997-98 32 88.8 175.5 1,554.4 1998-99 32 88.8 155.9 1,522.9

87 Annual Report 1999-2000

The reduction i'n the consumption of the latter part of the 70s has created an ferti Iiser has taken place without a major impact on the cropping pattern, influencing decline in productivity. The Participatory Rural labour absorption, land tenure, production Appraisal (PRA) conducted during relations etc. 1999-2000 has revealed that the The changes in the land use pattern of the consumption of fertilisers has reduced further. Cauveri delta region are reflected in the Similarly, there has been a decline in the changes in Parangipettai Panchayat Union use of chemical pesticides and the (Table 3.3). usage of neem-based biopesticides is increasing. A phenomenal rate of increase in the classi- fications under land under non-agricultural During 1999-2000, the Centre studied the use, miscellaneous tree crops, current fallow various socio-economic dimensions of and other fallow land are noticed. The agriculture in the region. The study was dec Iine in net area sown and total conducted to assess the extrapolation agricultural area indicates the impact of domain for IIFS perspective in the region. changes in the irrigation pattern on land use This region suffers from problems which pattern. are faced by every other region with large- scale irrigation. Sustainable management An assessment of the cropping pattern of soil and water are the two major issues between 1970-71 and 1997-98 (Table 3.4) which need to be addressed. The reduction shows further evidences of the changing in the water flow in canal irrigation since agricultural pattern.

Table 3.3 : Land use classification of the Parangipettai block

Type of Land Area (ha) Area (ha) During 1970-71 * During 1997-98**

Forest, Barren and Uncultivated Land 667 991

Land under Non-Agricultural use 44 2,648

Miscellaneous tree crops & other tree crops and groves o 462

Total Agriculture Area 18,431 16,105

Net Area Sown 18,083 13,996

Current Fallow 348 2,109

Other Fallow land 86 701

Source: * World Agricultural Census, South Areat District ana-Government of Tamil Nadu 1970-71 ** Department of Statistics (g-returns-Parangipettail Government of Tamil Nadu 1997-98

88 • Ecotechnology and Sustainable Agriculture

Table 3.4 : Area under different crops in Parangipettai

Crops Area (ha) during 1970.71 * Area (ha) during 1997-98**

Food grains-Rice 20,987 9,230

Food grains-Maize 98 0

. food grains-Sorghum 223 8

Food grains-Millets 161 2

Food grains-Pulses 356 3,778

Total food Grains 21,825 13,018

Non Food Grains-Orchards & Fruits 205 269

Vegetables 96 19

Ground Nut 731 2,154

Gingelly 151 28

Other non-food crops such as Casuarina 498 1,667

Total Non-Food Grain Crops 1,920 4,251

Gross Cultivated Area 23,746 17,269

Intensity of Cropping 128.2# 102.75 #

Source: . * World Agricultural Census, South Arcot District and Government of Tamil Nadu 1970-71 ** Department of Statistics (g-returns-Parangipettai) Government of Tamil Nadu 1997-98, # in %

Drastic reduction in area under rice (less than Keelamankudi village, which lies in the halt) and increase under crops such as pulses Parangipettai region, has more or less gone (by 9 times) groundnut (by 3 times) and other through such a change. The village lies in the non-food grain crops such as casuarina (by 3 tail end of the Cauveri irrigation system and times) reflect the changes in the irrigation the irrigation from Cauveri is fed through pattern. The area under food grains has come Sethiathope Anaicut - a reservoir controlling down from 21,825 ha to 13,018 ha whereas the surface irrigation in the Cauveri delta region the area v1der non-food grain crops has ofTamil Nadu. increased from 1,921 ha to 4,251 ha. Gross cropped area has declined by nearly 6,476 ha. As may be seen from Table 3.5 the population The cropping intensity has also declined from of Keelamanakudi has been growing at a rate 128.2 to 102.75 %. of 1 to 2 % per annum.

89 o

Annual Report 1999-2000

Table 3.5: Population of Keelamanakudi

1961 1971 1981 1991

Total Population 1,021 1,121 1,322 1,441 Sex Ratio (Number of Females per 1000 male population) 1,034 998 997 957

Source: District Census Hand Book, South Arcot District and Cuddalore District, Government of India

According to village level data available with important point is that the number of women the Village Administrative OffiCer (VAO) there agricultural labourers remains more or less the are 270 households in the village. One striking same and there is only a marginal change in observation when comparing the profile the number of female cultivators. One of workers during 1981 and 1991, as may important question, which remains to be be seen from Table 3.6 is the reduction in answered, is the relationship between the the number of cultivators, increase in the increase in the agricultural labour population number of male agricultural labourers and and decline in the cropping intensity. stagnation in the number of female agricultural The cropping pattern has also changed labourers. substantially during the last three decades. A The increase in the number of male agricultural comparison of land use pattern between the labourers by more, than 100% and decrease in _years 1963-64 and 1994-95 given in Table 3.7, the number of cultivators, substantiate to some shows that the cropping intensity has declined extent the fact that most of the cultivators have considerably. turned into agricultural labourers. Another Table 3.6 : Main workers in Keelamanakudi

Year Main Workers Cultivators Agricultural labourers

Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female Total 120 278 1981 376 132 508 186 8 194 158 120 444 1991 424 146 570 79 12 91 324

Source: District Census hand Book, Tamil Nadu Government of India 1981 and 1991

Table 3.7 : Cropping intensity at Keelamankudi Gross cropped area in acres Cropping intensity (%) Year ----- 1963-64 1,665 179 1994-95 963 98 Source: Records of the Village Accounts Officer (obtained from the Taluka office for 1963-64) 1999

90 Ecotechnology and Sustainable Agriculture

The village and its region are characterised by to direct sowing. The shift to short duration a tremendous amount of change in terms of varieties has resulted in higher consumption of demographic characteristics and agriculture. chemical fertilisers and higher productivity, While the population is more or less increasing particularly during the last five years. on a natural growth rate, the sex ratio has been A higher rate of labour absorption is also seen declining over the last three decades. On the during the last five years (excluding 1996-97) other hand the literates among females are also when floods affected the produce. In spite of increasing. Land-use pattern has changed; area increasing usage of chemical fertilisers, the under agriculture has come down; cropping proportion of material cost to the total cost has intensities have declined; new crops such as not altered much and the farmer attributes pulses have emerged; occupational pattern increasing wages for labour over the last one tends towards agricultural labourers. But the decade as a reason. paradox is that while the role of agriculture is declining in the region, the number of The analysis of the socio-economic data has agricultural labourers is increasing. Since the helped the project to identify the role of a population growth rate is more or less uniform model like IIFS in the region. Reduction in the with natural growth rate, inmigration may not cost of cultivation, higher productivity and be the major reason for the rapid increase in better labour management are some of the the agricultural labour population. Hence there priorities of the farmers. On the other hand, is a possibility that farmers (possibly small and the landless labourers are looking forward to marginal farmers) are becoming landless increasing employment opportunities. In this labourers over the years due to changes in context, IIFS would focus on a job-led and the agricultural systems. Genealogical study productivity-led sustainable agriculture system. using anthropological tools has confirmed this trend. Income generation models: backyard ornamental fish breeding During 1999-2000., an intensive study of the diary of a farmer of Keelamanakudi revealed Job-led growth is an important dimension in interesting features about the adaptation sustainable development. Seasonal unemploy- techniques of the farmers. The farmer who ment and disguised unemployment in the agri- belongs to a higher caste has been meticulously cultural sector are the major issues which need maintaining a field diary for a six-acre plot. to be tackled for improving the quality of life This diary contains information on inputs in in rural areas. The Centre has been attempting terms of quantities and values, employment of to develop models in this direction. One such various types of labour and production details model is backyard ornamental fish breeding. . since 1980-81. The study reflects a shift from This activity has been envisaged to understand the long duration traditional varieties to short the possibilities of enhancing the income po- duration high yielding varieties as one of the tentials of landless women through backyard adaptive mechanisms of the farmer. fish breeding enterprises. The programme in- Transplanting is practised whenever the water cludes breeding of major Indian carps, catfish is available. Otherwise the farmer has resorted and ornamental fishes.

91 Annual Report 1999-2000

During 1999-2000, the participating households taxonomy studies are being carried out for com- were able to generate a minimum of Rs. 500 parison. A similarity between the samples col- per month per household as income from the lected in the two different sites may indicate production and marketing of ornamental fish. the potential of a sacred grove as an in situ Realising the income generating potentials of conservation for relict species. the activity, the other 104 households have formed into three SHGs for raising resources Ecotechnology in Chidambaram: an over- and marketing the product. The members of view SHGs are being given training in various as- During 1999-2000, the project focused on con- pects of fish breeding and marketing. solidating the experiences from these models. Sacred grove as traditional in situ conser- The project also introduced the concepts and vation practices of precision farming. Models for sustainable management of village ponds and ef- Sacred groves stand as a testimony to the tra- ficient use of canal water in agriculture were ditional wisdom of the community. Many rare / initiated during this year. Grassroot level insti- species of plants are still found in them. The tutions in the form of SHGs were strength- species Dimorphocalyx lawianus var glabe/lus, ened. Changes in the agricultural pattern and which is normally found at high altitudes, has occupational pattern are crucial issues and IIFS been found at the sacred grove at Suriampettai needs to take cognizance of such social Ayyanar Koil. dynamics. Linkages with relevant government departments like the Public Works Department, The Indo-Malaysian genus Dimorphocalyx Agriculture Departments and Fisheries consists of 12 species. In the Indian subconti- Department were strengthened. nent 6 species have been described so far. The species of Dimorphocalyx is distributed in Srilanka, South India, Andamans, South East 301.2 Kolli Hills Asia, Indo-China, Malaysia, and New Guinea. Efforts were continued in creating an economic Dimorphocalyx balakrishnanii and stake in conservation and in incorporating mi- Dimorphocalyx dilipianus have been nor millets in the daily diet of the people. distributed in the Andamans. Dimorphocalyx Linking primary conservers with the market and balakrishnanii has been noticed in the enhancing the productivity of little millets coastal forest and the dry regions in Srilanka. through improved cultivation practices have Dimorphocalyx glabellus var glabe- been carried out using a multi-disciplinary per- /Ius has been noticed in the watercourses and spective. The important activities during 1999- the road sides in Srilanka up to 1,1OOmaltitude. 2000 are detailed below. The Centre focused on collecting the samples Productivity studies in little millets (Pani- from wet evergreen forest regions in order to cum sumatrense) compare them with samples collected at Suriampettai. Samples were collected from the Studies on improving the productivity of little Western Ghats near Rajapalayam and chemo- millets are being conducted in Kolli Hills,

92 Ecotechnology and Sustainable Agriculture

Nammakkal and Chennai. The results of the ments, was tried along with farmers' practice trials are being checked in the spatial and tem- of broadcasting as seen in Tables 3.8 and 3.9. poral contexts. The on-farm trials generate the The sowing treatments were broadcasting (Tl) suitable practices to increase productivity al)d at and line sowing with the spacing of 20 xl0 the same time study the managerial problems in (T2), 40 xl0 (T3) and 60 xl0cm (T4). The same practising the technology at the farmers' level. treatments were tried in two varieties i.e., short and long duration landraces of Kolli Hills. The In 1998-99, the impact of various nutrients in local name of the cultivar is sadansamai (short the productivity of little millets was analysed. duration race) and vella perumsamai (long du- The trial was conducted in the foothills of Kolli ration race). Hills. This year the experiment was conducted in the higher altitudes of Kolli Hills. Field ex- Little millets showed poor response to plant periments were carried out at Neduvalampatti, density. The crop was able to compensate the Vazhavanthi Nadu during kharif '99 under yield in reduced densities mainly by producing rainfed conditions. The soil of the experimen- a greater number of tillers per plant. It follows tal site is red sandy loam. The topography of the asymptotic response curve. Based on the the field is flat and pH status is slightly acidic. trial, a spacing of 20 x 10 cm and 40 x 10 cm The experiments were laid under randomised were found to be ideal for achieving higher complete block design with five replications. yield to the percent of 44 and 41.5 in short and long duration landraces respectively over Method of sowing and plant geometry: With broadcasting. In the broadcasting method, i.e., the objective of maintaining optimum popula- in the higher plant densities, due to the lean tion per unit area, the line sowing method, growth of the stem and self-shading efficiency with different plant geometrical/density treat- of the foliage, grain formation is decreased.

Table3.8 : Effect of sowing method and plant population on growth and yield parameters of Sadansamai (short duration landraceJ

Treatments Plant No. of No. of Panicle Grain HI(%) Grain height leaves nodes length yield/plant yield/acre (em) (em) (g) (kg)

Tl 85.60 8.64 6.28 25.60 4.25 10.04 1,063

T2 92.40 8.68 6.36 29.12 8.23 14.56 1,957

T3 108.40 10.10 6.84 33.12 11.92 16.01 1,490

T4 99.88 9.78 6.04 28.35 14.08 15.46 1,173

SED 2.20 0.39 0.38 2.16 0.83

CD (5%) 4.80 0.87 NS 4.70 1.82

NS - Non Significant; SED - Standard Error Deviation; CD - Co-efficient of Deviation

93 Annual Report 1999-2000

It was evident from the analysis, as well as millets under rainfed conditions. The treatments farmers' evaluation, that the line sowing prac- were Control (T1), Presoaking in water for 12 tice is superior to the existing practice of broad- hours before sowing (T2), Presoaking in water casting. But it requires more time and labour for 6 hours before sowing (13) and Presoaking for sowing as the person has to walk a longer in 2% KCI solution (T4). distance to carry out sowing whereas the Alternate sources of nutrients: The objective of conventional practice does not require much this trial was to find the response of little millets time or labour. to different sources of nutrients. The treatments

Table 3.9 : Effect of sowing method and plant population on growth and yield parameters of Vellaperumsamai (long duration landrace)

Treatments Plant No. of No. of Panicle Grain HI(%) Grain height leaves nodes length yield/plant yield/acre (em) (em) (g) (kg)

Tl 106.60 8.62 7.94 31.24 5.18 11.00 1,445 T2 86.52 9.16 6.64 39.18 8.56 11.73 2,140 13 88.60 10.78 6.44 37.16 15.22 15.19 1,903 T4 86.76 10.78 6.26 30.08 17.24 17.84 1,437 SED 4.11 4.17 0.52 1.89 1.50 CD (5%) 8.90 9.09 1.14 4.10 3.32 NS - Non Significant; SED - Standard Error Deviation; CD - Co-efficient of Deviation

Table 3.10 : Effect of seed treatment on growth and yield of Sadansamai (short duration landrace) Treatments Plant No. of No. of Panicle Grain HI(%) Grain height leaves nodes length yield/plant yield/acre (em) (em) (g) (kg) Tl 97.28 8.32 6.90 36.50 6.16 16.94 1,026 T2 96.06 7.60 6.54 36.22 6.60 16.42 1,100 13 95.96 9.06 7.74 36.72 9.30 22.58 1,533 T4 95.82 9.04 6.72 35.88 7.74 18.23 1,290 SED 4.32 0.67 0~52 2.84 0.94 CD (5%) NS 1.46 1.13 NS 2.06 NS - Non Significant; SED - Standard Error Deviation; CD - Co-efficient of Deviation

Seed treatment methods: The objective of the are Control (T1),Azosprillum (T2), Farmyard Ma- experiment was to find the influence of seed nure (FYM) (13), Poultry manure (T4) and Inor- treatment methods in the productivity of little ganic-urea (T5). The same set of treatments was

94 Ecotechnology and Sustainable Agriculture tried in short and long duration landraces(Tables resulting in higher grain yield. But when com- 3.11 and 3.12). The field site is high in avail- pared to short duration racesthe organic sources able phosphorus and low in nitrogen. The treat- of nutrients such as FYM and poultry manure ments focused on supply of nitrogen to the re- have also produced higher grain yield over con- quired amount of 20 kg/ha. trol in long duration races because of the late release of nutrients from organic sources. The The results showed that the efficient source of results confirm those of a study conducted dur- nutrients for both the landraceswas Azosprillum, ing kharif '98 at Namakkal.

Table 3.11 : Influence of alternate sources of nutrients on growth and yield parameters of Sadansamai (short duration landrace)

Treatments Plant No. of No. of Panicle Grain HI(%) Grain height leaves nodes length yield/plant yield/acre (cm) (cm}-- (g) (kg) Tl 85.88 6.52 6.26 29.06 5.26 14.33 1,052 T2 100.86 8.80 7.22 37.88 10.70 27.35 2,040 13 86.04 7.04 5.96 30.30 6.04 15.71 1,208 T4 83.89 6.90 5.46 28.91 6.34 16.28 1,268 T5 90.47 6.80 5.66 31.34 6.38 15.45 1)76 SED 4.27 0.94 0.52 2.42 0.60 (D(5"1o) 9.36 2.05 1.14 5.28 1.31 .NS - Non Significant; SED - Standard Error Deviation; CD - Co-efficient of Deviation

Table 3.12 : Influence of alternate sources of nutrients on growth and yield parameters of Vellaperumsamai (long duration landrace)

Treatments Plant No. of No. of Panicle Grain HI(%) Grain height leaves nodes length yield/plant yield/acre (cm) (cm) (g) (kg)

Tl 91.20 4.00 5.90 31.04 7.22 8.62 1,444

12 110.10 8.14 8.10 44.74 14.38 15.84 2,876

13 98.20 5.34 7.80 29.06 11.62 9.35 2,324

T4 94.60 4.90 6.82 30.42 10.58 7.80 2,116

T5 86.60 5.70 6.58 31.12 10.94 7.74 2,188

SED 3.68 0.66 0.42 1.49 0.97

(D(5"1o) 8.01 1.44 0.91 3.24 2.11

NS - Non Significant; SED - Standard Error Deviation; CD - Co-efficient of Deviation

95 Annual Report 1999-2000

Investigations are underway with regard to the relationship between the power structure and intercropping systems. the native people, developmental changes and their impact, traditional cultivars, landscape, Potentials of food fortification changes in cultivation practices, inter-personal Food processing establishments have shown and family relationships within the clans, interest and commitment to introduce millets migration issues and problems, dilution of based foods and include them in their products. socio-cultural aspects, belief and religious faith, spiritual activities, poverty and economic One of the leading bakeries in Chennai re- aspects. The consolidation process in the form cently produced various bakery products such of a book is proposed and attempts have been as millets bread, honey bars, pizza, naans, rai- initiated for recognising and rewarding the local sin millets rolls and muffins on an experimen- communities for their intellectual contributions. tal basis.These products were tasted and scored for palatability with characteristics such as taste, Strengthening rural livelihoods through texture and appearance for further explorations agro-industries in incorporating and substituting wheat flour MSSRFhas been attempting to strengthen rural with millets flour in various products. livelihoods through agro-industries, with par- A major food company has also experimented ticular reference to fruit processing. Kolli Hills with bread preparation using millets. It was pro- is endowed with a suitable climate for veg- posed to include millets high fibre breads, bis- etable and fruit cultivation. Central Food Tech- cuits and cakes.This proposal is being discussed. nology and Research Institute (CFTRI) is pro- This experiment would determine the suitabil- viding the technical support to the project, to ity of millets fortification in the bakery industry. set up a fruit-processing unit at Kolli Hills. Sev- eral studies were conducted to assessthe qual- Revitalising household food consumption ity and quantity of water required for setting up of the fruit-processing unit. These studies To revitalise the consumption of traditional food showed that the quality of water would not be preparations, the project set up a food stall of suitable for fruit processing, since the water traditional foodstuffs made essentially out of sample reflected substantial amount of fluo- millets and millets flour in the month of ride content. The quality of water has been August '99 at the festival of the Aripaleshwarar further affected by the presence of coliforms in temple i~ Kolli Hills. the open wells.

Documentation of folksongs Negotiations with TRIFED (Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India To explore the cultural and ecological history Limited) for marl ting pineapple have resulted of Kolli Hills and its relevance to the landscape in TRIFED indicating that they would be inter- about 300 folk songs have been collected from ested in buying the pineapple under 'Organic eight revenue villages (Nadus). They reflect Product Sector'. Discussions are taking place various dimensions of the peoples' social and between MSSRF and TRIFED to develop a cultural background. They also express the framework for marketing.

96 Ecotechnology and Sustainable Agriculture

Ecotechno/ogy in Kolli Hills: an overview poor, viz.,- time and labour. Skill enhancement in agriculture in the form of During 1999-2000 the project was involved in training in hybridisation and quality seed the following activities: production for rural poor and linkage with the markets are the twin aims of the seed • Studies on the grassroot organisation struc- village project. After three years, the project ture were made. The problems in form- has been handed over to a local institution. ing co-operative societies were identified As a result of the dialogue between MSSRF and an alternative structure in the form and the seed-growing farmers of of SHGs has been mooted. Reddiarchatiram, Reddiarchatiram Seed • Negotiations have taken place with offi- Growers Association (RSGA) was formed to cials of the Department of Food, Govern- take up the responsibility of training women ment of India, in identifying the prob- and farmers in seed production and to lems and prospects of establishing fruit- interact with seed companies. The total area processing units in Kolli Hills. covered under seed production during the last one year is 85.5 acres. 14 different seed • Members of the co-operative societies in crops were cultivated. An intensive training the vi IIages near Pondicherry are carry- programme for 50 men and women was ing out mushroom production under the conducted to the tune of 7,000 trainee days. co-operative setup successfully. RSGA is also conducting experiments in its demonstration plots on different cotton 301.3 Kannivadi Biovillage varieties. The Agriculture and the Rural Development departments of the Government 1999-2000 was a period of institutionalisation of Tamil Nadu are actively interacting with of on-going programmes at Kannivadi. During RSGA to develop plans for sustainable this year programmes such as Seed Village and development at Kannivadi. RSGA is emerging Village-level Biopesticide Production were un- as an extension agency run by farmers and dertaken by the local institutions. Training and agricultural labourers to support sustainable production activities were also carried out by agriculture in the region. them. The Foundation played an advisory role. New programmes were initiated. Participatory Seed village project evaluation study research on precision farming, low-cost green house in the backyards of landless women for The project launched an evaluation study to hybrid seed production and mobilisation of consolidate the learning experiences from the SHGs were the main activities undertaken this Seed Village project. The study focused on year. gender perspectives emerging out of the project. An external consultant conducted the Seed village programme and RSGA study using several participatory techniques The Seed Village programme was initiated and the report was submitted with a summary in 1996-97 at Kannivadi with the objective of findings and recommendations. The study of providing value to the only assets of rural found that the project was a unique

97 Annual Report 1999-2000

experiment in increasing skill level, Reddiarchatiram block. The survey showed that employment and income of the poor in increase in input cost and increasing family general and poor women in particular. The labour are some of the major issues which study pointed out that better-off sections have need attention. accrued much less benefits from the project than the poor. While poor households have Mobilisation of rural poor for savings and played a major role in the project, the credit: micro credits and Self-Help Groups poorest among the poor have not been As a part of grassroot institution building, the adequately involved. Women labourers have project introduced group based activities for benefited more than men labourers. The income generation and livelihood strengthen- increase in income has led to improvement ing. The process of mobilisation started during of the household. The study points out that the month of january '99. The total number of with regard to women's empowerment, the groups reached 34 in January 2000. 20 of them project has to make more efforts. Based on are exclusively women's groups, 13 are men's the results of the study, subsequent projects groups, and one group has both men and focused on the poorest and the dalit women women members. Each group has 15 to 20 in the area. members with a total savings of Rs. 2,17,675. 12 groups of six months' standing in Decem- Twenty women belonging to the poorest house- ber '99 were linked with local commercial holds have been identified for training in back- banks to get financial support of Rs. 1,20,000 yard low-cost greenhouse for hybrid seed pro- which would enhance the capacity of the duction of high value crops. Out of the 20 groups for low interest internal crediting. women, 15 belong to dalit groups. Similarly, Ground rules were evolved for the effective another dalit women's group has been trained management of the SHGs. Self-replication of for 30 days by the Centre of Science for Vil- SHGs has started taking pJace and the existing lages, Wardha, in making paper and partition SHGs are involved in mobilising and forming board from banana waste (the block produces new groups. around 7,500 tons of banana waste every year). The women's group has developed a project Orientation workshops were organised at proposal. Government agencies like District Kannivadi for SHG leaders and members on Rural Development Agency (DRDA) and Tamil the concept and scope of self-help groups and Nadu Adi Dravidar Housing and Development micro credit. Government departments, local Co-operation (THADCO) have been ap- service banks, NABARD and faculty from proached for financial support to instal a unit Gandhigram Rural Institute were involved in in the hamlet. these programmes as resource persons and fa- cilitators. An orientation workshop for SHG In addition to the external evaluation, an inter- leaders and representatives, organised in nal evaluation study was also conducted using Chennai, focused on multiple livelihoods, mi- conventional survey methods. The study cov- cro finance ane' Jral entrepreneurship. Offi- ered 100% samples of seed growing farmers cials from the Department of Rural Develop- and seed labourers in Pudupatty hamlet of ment (ORO) and THADCO participated in the

98 Ecotechnology and Sustainable Agriculture workshop. Twenty project proposals were de- through low cost greenhouse in the unused veloped for micro enterprises. area available close to the house to make a profit and add to the family's annual income. Self help groups and micro enterprises Twenty women (among them 15 are dalits) A production centre has been established at belonging to poor families from Pudupatty, Kannivadi to develop a farm level biopesticide Reddiarpatty, Tharmathupatty and Sevenak- model through mass production of rayanpatty have been trained in hybrid seed Trichogramma using Corcyra without using any production. In all the places, Participatory Ru- major instrument. Women members of ral Appraisal (PRA) was conducted to find out Poomani Self-Help Croup came forward to the time available for the women to partici- manage the production unit. They were trained pate in the training programme and later to in production, quality control and marketing install their greenhouses for seed production. of biopesticide. An MoU was signed between A daily routine chart was prepared for men MSSRFand Poomani Self-Help Croup. The pro- and women belonging to resource-poor fami- duction of the first cycle has been completed lies for both the agricultural season and for the and the cards were sold to the farmers culti- lean season. Base line details were collected vating the following crops: sugarcane (55%), from all participants and were used as refer- paddy (13%), vegetables (18%), cotton (9%), ence points to find the impact of the interven- and groundnut (5%). Participatory evaluation tion after evaluation. was carried out, based on the design devel- The first extension experiment of hybrid To- oped by the women's self help group and the mato seed production was over by May Foundation. The evaluation shows that during 2000. The results show an average of 35 kg the first cycle 757.17 cc of Trichogramma cards of tomato fruits from each greenhouse in an were produced from 125 trays, at the rate of area of 15 sq ft, but the seed production 6.06 per tray. The cost involved for produc- was very low due to the very low quantity tion per tray was Rs. 45.38. Income per tray of seed setting in each fruit. The participants was Rs. 75.75 (at the rate of Rs. 12.50 per have taken a decision to choose a variety unit). Net profit per tray was Rs. 30.37. Nearly with higher seed content for the next set of 400 acres of land was covered with experiments. Trichogramma cards between August and December 1999. The report also highlighted Other micro enterprises the need to adopt new strategies in the area of Plans are being prepared to adopt the marketing. A micro plan was prepared for the participatory approach to introduce simple next production cycle. income generation activities such as backyard Low cost greenhouse for hybrid seed ornamental fish breeding, recycling the waste production for biopesticides, mushroom production using banana and other horticultural wastes and The objective of the programme is to train production of biomanure from banana and women of marginal landholding/resource poor cotton waste, to enhance the income of the families in seed production of value crops poor families of the region. PRA was organised

99 / Annual Report 1999-2000

involving the women SHGs of dalit on the principles of resource recycling. Train- communities before preparing the plan of ing programmes are conducted regularly for operations for setting up the micro enterprises. participants in various projects and government Simultaneously market linkages have also been officials. Seminars and conferences at the na- identified for the products. tional and international levels help to strengthen the policies towards ecotechnology. Extension of neem village model Farm level biopesticide production: study The neem village model developed by the of Helicoverpa armigera for NPV produc- Foundation for wasteland development was ex- tion and the efficiency of feed for Corcyra tended to the uncultivated land belonging to the temple of Arulmigu Gopinatharswamy cephalonica Thirukoil, Reddiarchatram, in collaboration Helicoverpa armigera is considered to be the with a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) world's most cosmopolitan and polyphagous called Centre for Sustainable Agriculture and pest possessing high mobility, high fecundity Rural Development Research and Action and facultative diapause. It survives in a wide (CENSAR).Nearly 15 acres have been covered range of habitat. Since 1997, the project has under the project with seedlings and tissue cul- been assessing host specific variations at the ture saplings. Neem seeds were also sown. sub-species level. The morphological param- Benchmark details of soil nature were gath- eters have failed to offer any insight and there- ered before planting. CENSAR is training the fore a detailed biochemical study on the pest farmers and neem seed collectors in efficient was initiated in 1998-99 using cotton, bhendi seed collection practices. and redgram as host plants. In 1999-2000, stud- Kannivadi-overview ies were intensified with a greater number of host plants viz., cotton, bhendi, sunflower, Skill empowerment and micro enterprises are bengalgram, redgram, rose, crossandra, ground- the main themes at Kannivadi. The integration nut and lab-lab. The larvae of lab-lab were of activities such as biopesticide production reared in the laboratory for three generations and neem planting with seed production ac- (LG1-LG3), and the variation in their biochemi- tivities is a step towards establishing linkages cal constituents, enzymatic activity and between integrated natural resource manage- protein profile was studied to understand ment and livelihood security. The initiatives of whether the host-specific variation in the grassroot institutions indicate the social Helicoverpa may influence the efficacy of sustainability of the development interventions. Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus (NPV). Of the different biochemical parameters (total 301.4 Chennai protein, total sugar, reducing sugar and total phenol) and enzymatic activities (acid and al- The Centre conducts many studies in its labo- kaline phosphatase) tested, the variation in to- ratories at Chennai as a support service to its tal protein content (57mg in crossandra and activities in Chidambaram, Kolli Hills and 130 in sunflower) and total phenol (10 mg in Kannivadi. It has a prawn hatchery operating cotton and 110 in sunflower) was found to be

100 Ecotechnology and Sustainable Agriculture high. The study clearly indicated that the pests traction was carried out in a Soxhlet apparatus from different hosts possessed different bio- using a range of solvents (petroleum ether, chlo- chemical characters. roform, hexane, acetone and water). The extracts were concentrated using a rotary evapo- Utilisation of millets as a source for Corcyra rator. Adequate amounts of extracts were taken and dissolved in respective solvents for 10 and Beneficial insects play an important role in In- 20 % concentrations. tegrated Pest Management (IPM). One of the best known egg parasitoid, Trichogramma sp. Treatments were fixed on a day-to-day basis has been used extensively at the farm level to with addition to the normal diet (honey solu- control Helicoverpa armigera. The suitable host tion) at respective concentrations (10 and 20%) for mass multiplication of this parasitoid is rice for 4 days consecutively, using a cotton swab moth (Carcyra cephalanica) that is usually cul- placed on a petridish. A batch of control was tured in the laboratory using pearl millets as maintained without the extract. Triplicates were the base medium. Taking into consideration maintained with 5 pairs of each. Every day the the cost involved and other region-specific fac- egg cloth was collected, and data on the num- tors, experiments were carried out to find a ber of eggs laid (Table 3.13) and hatchability suitable feed media for Carcyra. (Table 3.14) were recorded. The resultant prog- eny from the treatments were reared on semi- Three feed media viz., rice, pearl millets and synthetic diet and the third instar larvae from little millets were tested of which, pearl mil~ each treatment were selected and segregated lets favoured the production of a greater quan- into three batches (normal diet + extract, nor- tity of eggs (284.6cc), compared to little mil- mal diet + solvent, normal diet). The larval lets (209.3cc) and rice (123.2cc). The observa- mortality and pupation were recorded. tions also indicated that little millets could be used as an alternative base medium for Carcyra Different treatments exhibited significant varia- cephalanica. tion in the fecundity status and hatchability. Induction of egg laying with hexane extract Biofertilisers and organic fertilisers (970.6) compared to control (901.6) is highly People of Kolli Hills use Dadanaea angustifalia significant and needs further study. However, (Vilari in Tamil) as green leaf manure and also the water and acetone extracts inhibited the as a biocontrol agent. A study of the biocontrol fecundity of the moth to a great extent. characteristics of D. angustifalia vis-a-vis Though the control and hexane treated moths Helicaverpa armigera was undertaken this year. favoured a greater number of eggs, the hatch- The mass culturing of H. armigera collected ability was 36.4 and 38% respectively. How- from lab-lab plants was carried out i~ the labo- ever 50% hatchability was recorded in acetone ratory using semi-synthetic diet under extract. Further development stages, i.e., pu- controlled conditions (25° :t 1°C with 60- pation and moth emergence depicted in Table 70% RH). Fresh leaves of D.angustifalia col- 3.14 reveal 80.49% pupation with 73% healthy lected from Kolli Hills were shade dried and moth emergence compared to hexane extract ground into a fine powder and sifted. Leaf ex- (43.33%) with only 10% moth emergence.

101 Annual Report 1999-2000

Table 3.13 : Fecundity status of H. armigera

Treatment No. of eggs laid/day after treatment* Total

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

10% honey 0.0 21.6 23.3 70.6 141.6 183.3 100.0 166.6 125.0 68.6 9001.6 (C)

C+l0% 0.0 0.0 25.0 109.0 90.0 61.6 103.3 6.6 0.0 0.0 395.5 water extract

C+ 10% 7.3 77.3 196.6 233.3 166.6 203.3 71.6 12.0 2.3 0.0 970.5 hexane extract

C + 10% 0.0 0.0 12.3 43.6 28.3 18.3 63.3 70.0 0.0 0.0 235.8 acetone extract

'Each value mean 3 replicates of 5 pairs each

Table 3.14 : Effect of D. angustifolia extracts on growth and development of H. armigera

Treatment Pupation% Pupal weight (mg) Healthy moth Malformed / emergence% dead %

Control (N) 80.49 t 0.02 380t 1.00 73.33 t 0.18 6.66tO.23

Water Extract (W) 50.33 to.20 258t 1.00 13.33 to.33 39.99tO.38

WN 53.33 to.07 285 t 1.00 43.33 to.33 9.99tO.33

Hexane Extract (H) 43.33 t 0.64 260tl.50 10.00 t 1.00 33.33 to.18

Hexane + Solvent 43.33 to.13 287 to.OO 23.33 t 0.33 19.99tO.38

HN 66.66tO.04 314t 1.00 56.66 t 0.09 13.32tO.19

Acetone Extract (A) 46.66tO.1O 266 t 1.10 10.00tO.47 36.66tO.19

Acetone + Solvent 73.34 t 0.05 327tl.15 20.00 t 0.28 29.99t 1.18

AN 73.34d::O.05 360 t 1.52 63.33 to.39 9.99tO.27

102 Ecotechnology and Sustainable Agriculture

Low cost greenhouse number of leaves, number of nodes and yield per plant were observed and statistical anlaysis The Centre has been studying the possibilities was carried out (Table 3.15). of using low cost greenhouse techniques for hybrid vegetable/seed production among Significant increase in the yield (2145 gm/plant) the rural landless poor households. was observed in T2 followed by 13 (2054.96 The experiment has been carried out at gm). This may be due to warm and humid Kattupakkam near Chennai. Hut-type casuarina- weather prevailing inside the greenhouse. The pole framed greenhouses of 5m x 3m, facing plant height, number of nodes and yield per east to west, were constructed. The study plant showed significant increase in T2, is being conducted since 1997-98 and followed by 13. during 1999-2000 the data for the third year The results of this experiment have helped in crop was collected. the participation of landless women labourers The study was conducted with randomised in studying the efficiency of low cost block design with three replications. The hybrid greenhouse in producing hybrid seeds in their variety of tomato Vaishali was grown in rows backyard. parallel to the length of the greenhouse. Regular Ecoaquaculture: fresh water prawn hatchery practice of cultivation (organic farming) followed. Chemical fertilisers/pesticides were In 1998-99, a fresh water prawn hatchery was not used. Plant extracts namely neem oil 3% established at the Foundation, with a capacity was used to manage the pest incidence. for 3,00,000 fingerlings of fresh water prawn Parameters viz., crop growth, plant height, (Macrobrachium rosenbergii).

Table 3.15 : Growth and yield of tomato in different types of low eost greenhouses

Treatments Height (em) leaves (no.) Nodes (no.) Yield (gm) I plant

Tl 97.6 299 27 1,348.5

12 105.9 325 28 2,145.0

13 105.9 306 27 2,055.0

T4 108.8 322 27 1,415.4

T5 75.5 221 24 981.0

SED 3.8 27 0.6 131.8

(0(5%) 8.8 NS 1.5 303.9

T1- fully covered by UV plastic sheet (door opened during day), T2-side walls covered by nylon net (25% shade) and roof covered by UV plastic sheet, T3-side wall and rectangular roof covered by nylon net and remaining roof covered by UV plastic sheet, T4-half portion of side wall covered by nylon net and remaining portion covered by UV plastic sheet, T5-open-field (control).

103 Annual Report 1999-2000

The objectives of the freshwater prawn hatch- fresh water prawn (scampi) seeds produced ery are: from the broodstock collected from the different culture conditions were made and the • To demonstrate the appropriate breeding brood stock collected from a semi-intensive techniques for M. with indig- rosenbergii culture system was observed to be most enous inputs appropriate for breeding purposes. • Precisioning of energy and other resource Impact of un-ionised Ammonia in the culture utilisation in fresh water prawn culture media of the post larvae of M. rosenbergii: and introducing biological remedies of The production of fresh water prawn larvae in water treatment and recycling. a recirculatory system is limited primarily by During 1999-2000/ nearly 25/000 fingerlings the oxygen consumption factor and secondarily (PL20) were produced and sold. 90 women by the un-ionised ammonical factor. Ammonia were trained in various aspects of production. originates through excretion of the larvae or as This encompasses various inputs such as a product of microbial decomposition. This broodstock, feed, water and energy (particularly study was an attempt to find the tolerance limit electrical energy), followed by the cost involved of un-ionised ammonia in the culture medium and financial gains. Therefore, pilot studies by varying the pH and temperature. Synthetic have been designed and carried out in the medium using ammonium chloride was used hatchery premises, which in turn would throughout the study. It was observed that the facilitate the formulation of the production post larvae survived at a higher range of un- model. ionised ammonia at neutral pH and at room temperature conditions. Studies on the production efficiency of giant fresh water prawn seeds from broodstock Salinity tolerance levels of the post larvae of collected from different farming systems: fresh water prawn, M. rosenbergii: The Although India has vast fresh water resources, distribution of M. rosenbergii in any particular prawn farming is yet to attract commercial eco-system is determined by the degree of interest, compared to the rapid progress in tolerance to the abiotic parameters such as South EastAsian Countries. M. rosenbergii has salinity, temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen. several desirable traits, such as its abi Iity to Although the adult prawns live in a fresh water grow both in fresh water and low saline waters, habitat, their larval cycle is completed in saline compatibility with major carps, hardy nature, water conditions. Hence this study is designed fast growth, resistance to diseases, high to analyse the tolerance limit of the consumer preference and market value. M. rosenbergii post larvae to different salinity Development of feeds with high conversion ranges in relation to the dissolved oxygen rates, standardisation of effective management content of the culture medium. Abiotic factors practices, development of suitable prophylactic were also recorded throughout the study. The and disease control measures etc., are some of results reveal that the survival of the post larvae the means to achieve high production. of M. rosenbergii is significantly higher in fresh Comparison of the quality and quantity of giant water and low saline waters, at temperatures

104 Ecotechnology and Sustainable Agriculture between 28 and 30l0C and pH level at 8 to of microbes which is now a biofilter. The tank 8.5. The dissolved oxygen level showed a was filled with wastewater and left undisturbed negative impact at higher salinity for 2-3 days. Conditions like pH, temperature, concentrations. • time factor and nutrients were controlled throughout the experiment. Finally, the physical Eff/uent treatment: The efficiency of the effluent and chemical characteristics of treated water treatment plant of the hatchery unit is being were determined. studied by analysing the physical and chemical characteristics of waste water before and after The differences in values of turbidity, hardness treatment. Determination of biological (TH), conductivity (EC), nitrite, ammonia characteristics involves the cultivation of and nitrate.were highly significant (P< 0.01). microorganisms. The sample was inoculated But there were no significant differences in in different growth media. The microbes grown pH and temperature. The experimental in Nutrient agar, were of Gram-positive and study tank was significantly more efficient than Gram-negative baci IIi type. Most probable ETP in reducing the content of nitrite, number (MPN) count confirmed the presence ammonia and BOD and increasing the of co/dorms 12/100ml of the sample. The nitrate content, which are all important organisms in Robertmon's cooked meat factors in the reuJe of aquaculture waste medium were of anaerobic, motile, Gram- water. positive type. The fungi identified were Aspergillus sp..and Rhizopus sp. The efficiency Thus, proper maintenance and conditions like of the Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) was pH, temperature, time period and nutrient compared by setting up an Experiment Study addition may increase the efficiency of Tank (EST)and converting it to a biofilter by an aquaculture bio-filter in converting inoculating and cultivating mixed species of ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and BOD below microorganisms. the toxic level of aquatic animals.

Nutrients (inorganic enrichment media) Chennai-overview were added directly to the EST while maintaining the pH and temperature. The layer The activities at Chennai are aimed at of shell, sand, gravel, pebbles and charcoal finding solutions to technical problems provided a suitable environment for the faced by the field centre while establishing luxurious growth of nitrifying bacteria which production centres and micro enterprises. require a natural environment and substratum The study on H. armigera focuses on for their growth, attachment and slime improving biopesticide production of formation. Trichogramma and Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus (NPV). The experiment on low The addition of 25 litres of filtered water in cost greenhouse is emerging as an the same tank and inoculation of already income-generating tool for rural poor. cultivated microbes showed sufficient growth. The hatchery is involved in research and Thus, the ESTwas enriched with mixed culture training in ecoaquaculture.

105 Annual Report 1999-2000

Table 3.16 : Physico chemical analysis. of effluent water

Parameters Before treatment After treatment ETP • EST pH 8.43 7.90 8.13 TH 311.00 150.00 296.00 EC 12.00 7.30 6.80 BOD 7.20 3.70 2.80

Nitrite* 0.75 0.59 0.02

Ammonia* 8.13 3.46 0.003

Nitrate* 2.13 15.70 17.60

+ Each value mean of triplicate, * ppm The statistical analysis revealed a significant variation between treatments (ETPand EST)at 1% level.

301.5 NABARD Resource Centre for Kannivadi and Minor Millets Village Module Precision Farming for Poverty Alleviation at Kolli Hills.

The term "precision farming" involves several One of the approaches adopted is to determine technologies that optimise the application of the acceptability of collective/group approach inputs to increase the efficiency, minimise towards farming activities, starting with the waste of resou rces and lim it the adverse planning to the marketing stage. It is hoped environmental impact that is associated with that this approach would help to create modern agricultural practices. Precision farming employment opportunities for the poor and as currently practised is highly mechanised, landless labourers, especially women. To technology-driven and applied on large achieve this objective the existing SHGs were landholdings. A process is being evolved at sensitised to the approach and were involved MSSRF with the help of participating farmers, in the project activities. SHGs and NGOs, to blend precision farming Through this project, it is envisaged to achieve with the existing traditional knowledge and a substantial reduction in farm-input cost and make it applicable to the local condition. better returns for the farmers. It will also reduce This programme takes forward the concept of the adverse effects of inorganic fertilisers and precision farming among the farmers who were pesticides. Through participatory involvement previously trained under the CAPART it is hoped that this technique could be adapted/ Technology Resource Centre Programme. Five replicated among the farming communities in major modules have been adopted in this general, and marginal farmers in particular. project: Integrated Intensive Farming System Module at Keelamanakudi, Pulse Village, Seed During the year 1999-2000 the following Village and Information Village Modules at processes have been initiated:

106 Ecotechnology and Sustainable Agriculture

• Selection of farmer trainees for the • Paddy - Blackgram - Fish - Banana - programme (average of 30 trainees per Livestock - Mushroom module, Seed, Pulse and Information) • Mango orchards - Fodder crops - • Collection of baseline data Blackgram - Bee keeping - Livestock • On-farm hands-on training at the • Paddy - Blackgram - Livestock - Coconut demonstration site • Floriculture - Annual Murangai - Fodder • Taking forward the concept to the farmers' crops - Livestock - Bee keeping field through participatory research and development • Banana - Bee keeping - Coconut Mushroom Integrated intensive farming system module, Keelamanakudi • Paddy - Blackgram - Japanese squail - Bee keeping - Mushroom 204 trainee days have been completed during this period. Courses covered during this period Pulse village module, Kannivadi were on biofertliser, Integrated Pest The Pulse Village focuses on precision farming Management and incorporation of Precision activities for production of pulse crops under Farming concepts into Integrated Intensive limited water supply conditions in dry land. Farming System (IIFS). Among the 30 During this period 325 trainee days have been participants, 6 were women. They represented completed. 12 courses, relating to the concept the farming community (18), NGOs (5), of precision farm ing in pulse production, were associations (2) and SHGs (5). The participants conducted. A participatory curriculum was were drawn from 7 villages around the IIFS designed by the participating farmers and the demonstration site at Keelamanakudi. A training Foundation staff. The course structure provided programme on biointensive gardening was an opportunity for the trainee) to participate in conducted for 59 women, and an exposure every aspect of farm operation, from land tour (to Tamil Nadu Oil Seeds Federation at preparation to harvest. Resource persons were Neyveli) and training in goat rearing (Telicherry invited to share their knowledge and give goats) was conducted for 20 women. These practical hands-on experience. The subjects women would playa dominant role in linking covered were: soil sample collection the components of biointensive cultivation and methodology; water conservation; integrated goat rearing in the farmers' fields where the pest management; compost preparation; plant IIFS concept is being practised. Through the nutrient management and recording plant participatory mode, six different combinations growth development. During this period, two were evolved with IIFSconcepts and six farmers crops (blackgram and greengram) were among the trainees were chosen to demonstrate harvested in the demonstration plots. Two them in field conditions. farmers have adopted the techniques of The combinations evolved for development and precision farming (variable rate application trials are: technology) in their fields. The progress made

107

L Annual Report 1999-2000 at the farmers' field is being monitored by the in the enriched banana waste compost MSSRF staff along with the trainees. Enriched (nearly 40% over control) applied plot followed banana compost was used. Fig. 3.1 shows the by rock phosphate with phosphobacteria results of the experiment in the demo plot. treated plot. This could be due to the increased availability of P in the compost bacteria On-farm trials were conducted for blackgram mobilisation in rock phosphate. In turn and greengram to evaluate the Phosphorus (P) the available nutrients helped the plant use efficiency using different sources of to develop a good root system, nodules Phosphorus. The trial was conducted in Oct- and grain formation that resulted in higher Nov '99 in the demonstration plot as well as grain yield. in the farmer's field. The sources of P were super phosphate, rock phosphate and P Handouts relating to the training programme enriched banana waste compost with are being compiled in the form of a booklet. phosphobacteria. The trial was laid out in Completion of the training programme with Randomised Block Design with four redgram cultivation, review of the programme replications and six treatments including control with the first batch of participants and planning (without Pl. The treatments were control (T1), of the next phase are among the activities to super phosphate (T2), rock phosphate be undertaken next year. phosphobacteria (T3), enriched banana waste (T4), 50% of T2 and 50% ofT4 (T5) and 50 % Seed village module, Kannivadi of T4 and 50% of T3 (T6). The Seed Village module aims at developing The results indicated that the highest grain yield methods of precision farming for horticulture and Phosphorous use efficiency were recorded seed production. 317 trainee days have been

800 ~ .c ..:.Ol> 600 -c ~ >= 400 .~c: "- 200 '" 0 T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 Treatments

Fig. 3.1 : Effect of different sources of Phosphorous on pod and grain yield of blackgram

108 Ecotechnology and Sustainable Agriculture completed during this period. 11 courses are very important for farmers. This could covering subjects such as designing plans for be achieved through empowering the cultivating crops, soil mulching, irrigation, villagers with information by starting 'village water management, variable rate appl ication information centres' in the hamlet to facilitate techniques, integrated weed management, box sustainable development. Participatory Rural nursery, fertilisation calcuiation, seedling Appraisal (PRA) was conducted. It focused on transplanting, integrated nutrient management, the aspects of need driven information; integrated pest and disease management, pro- information variation during the different tray nursery and biofertiliser utilisation were seasons of the year, daily activities and conducted. At present tomato and radish are the availability of time to spend on being cultivated for seed production (in the information gathering from the village demo field). Four farmers (who are cultivating knowledge centres' (see also SPA 303). tomato for seed production) are also trying out the concept of precision farming in their Minor millets village module, Kolli Hills own fields. A women's SHG consisting of women farmers and farm workers and At Kolli Hills 26 individuals were selected to MSSRF are involved in the method of drip form the initial core group. 73 trainee days irrigation and fertigation of drip irrigation have been completed. The activities for which system in one acre of agricultural plot for training was imparted are: summer ploughing, seed production. soil and water conservation, seed treatment, farm yard manure preparation, biofertliser, Information village module, Kannivadi biopesticide, spacing methods, sowing The Information Village module is meant to methods, nutrients, inter cropping, harvesting, facilitate information empowerment that would seed selection and storage, and millets help in minimising the transaction cost and based food preparation and processing. post-harvest losses. 36 participants have been The thrust area at Kolli Hills was on selected for undergoing this course. The training developing models for improving the programme covers the overall concept of productivity of the traditional landraces of information and how it helps in decision minor millets. These millets are tolerant to making. In this module, the role of computers various biotic and abiotic stressesand cultivated in information storage, retrieval and with least care. dissemination is being discussed. It is hoped Unlike other areas, where input management that the trainees will assist in gathering information that is relevant, set up needs precision concepts in soil, water, nutrient knowledge/information centres and also and pest management, in millets, evolving take care of their maintenance. '145 trainee the site-specific management/cultural practices is the first step. The potential areas for days have been completed under this module. enhancing productivity were identified by the Supply of information on available credit farmers and experiments were designed for facilities, market price of Various crops, both short duration and long duration landraces especially vegetables and new innovations traditionally grown in Kolli Hills.

109 Annual Report 1999-2000

The productivity aspects of little millets were approach that harmonises the need of studied, based on the participatory adaptive the present with the future generation. The research cum monitoring method. Based on twin problems of natural resource degradation the growth rhythm of the crop, different and rural poverty have been central to experiments were monitored and evaluated by this project which was started in January, 1995. the farmers. The Biovillage model of rural development has been acknowledged as one of the Lysimerer and drip irrigation viable approaches to narrow the gap between the rich and the poor in an ecologically MSSRFis collaborating with Arava R&D, Israel, sustainable way. Various interventions on to promote a precision farming movement natural resource management and livelihood for poverty alleviation in India and to enhancements have been tried in the past and develop a methodology that will make 1999-2000 was the consolidation phase of precisi'on farming suitable to the Indian this project. conditions, especially semi-dry land and A Tripartite meeting was held by MSSRF, low land agriculture. UNDP and the Government of Pondicherry on This will involve identification of the crop water 29 November 1999 to review the progress of and nutrient requirements based on crops and the project and the following recommendations soil, suitable to the needs of Indian small farm were made for the extended period ti II conditions. To find out the exact need of the December 2000: crop, Iysimeters would be a viable tool, • Continuation and selective intensification particularly in irrigation, nutrients and of on-going activities pesticides related studies. In this study Iysimeters will be used to find the water and • Micro credit facility for the Self Help nutrient requirement of vegetable crops for the Groups (SHGs) purpose of seed production. Usually seedcrops • Biocentre and Biovillage Council need more inputs compared to the normal crop. formation The Foundation staff at present are undergoing hands-on experience in running the Iysimeter • Documenting and spreading the message and in designing experimental procedures for of the Biovillage movement the Iysimeter. • Establishing Biovillage and Community Banking Network Sub Programme Area 302 • Development and investment plan for bringing other villages under Biovillage Biovillages programme The Biocentre started at Pillyarkuppam in April Biovillage is a dynamic programme with a 1999 will be the hub around which all the holistic pro-poor, pro-nature and pro-women biovillages revolve and serve as a single

110 Ecotechnology and Sustainable Agriculture window system for activities such as training, various villagers mainly to highlight the demonstration, production and information. It sustainable use of water and soil resources, will be a link between credit institutions and conservation of energy and drudgery reduction. entrepreneur groups and will become fully It has been learnt that there is enough potential functional during the third quarter of this year. for introducing new simple machinery, as also The Biovillage Council, constituted from the taking up non-farm jobs displaced by the labour elected members of 100 SHGs, will be trained force in the villages. The coincidence of in the functioning and management of the Sornavari crop and the monsoon rain creates an Biocentre, enabling the withdrawal of the opportunity to propagate the electrical drying Foundation's role by the end of 2000. Some of technology at a massive level. Household fuel the enterprises will be linked to the energy saving devices are of utmost necessity departments of the Government. About 38 role to rural women confronted with indoor models, identified from various enterprise pollution. There is scope for improvement of groups, could help In the replication of access to information on modern farming biovillages by creating an impact on the technologies at the village level. adjoining villages. The sustainability of the Soil health card: As a continuous monitoring Biocentre and its activities will be managed and management tool for soi I ferti Iity, soi I from the interest money generated through health card'was introduced during the the corpus investment of ten lakh rupees, inauguration of the Biocentre on April '99. Soil being equal contributions of UNDP and health card ensures economy through required the Government of Pondicherry. A fertiliser inputs while maintaining the optimal development plan to bring the other 266 yield. Soil samples were collected and soil test- villages under the biovillage model is being based fertiliser application was carried out in prepared by MSSRF jointly with the the biovillages on paddy (48 trials), sugarcane Government of Pondicherry. (13 trials), cotton (5 trials), groundnut (4 trials) and tapioca (3 trials). Nitrification inhibitor viz., 302.1 On-farm Research and neem cake andU-coat @ 200 g/kg and 50 mil Demonstration kg respectively were mixed with ureato reduce the fertiliser losses mainly to paddy and Integrated. resource management sugarcane. To break monocropping of paddy, which causes 'increased incidence of pestv Sustainable management of natural resources depletion of ground water and soil nutrients', such as soil, water and energy have been green manure was introduced in the cropping demonstrated under this sub-programme. pattern to enhance soil fertility and productivity Demonstration of farm equipments: and arrest ground water depletion in Sorapet and Thondamanatham villages (10 trials). Crop Demonstrations on various aspects of and Resource Management Network agricultural engineering were he;ld for farmers (CREMNET) trials were conducted in in the villages. Agri-equipments such as drum collaboration with IRRI, Philippines to evaluate seeders, rise husk stoves, treadle pump and nitrogen management practices in paddy (20 groundnut strippers were demonstrated to

111 Annual Report 1999-2000

trials) in the biovillages. Chlorophyll meter Evaluation of Polythene Mulch Groundnut and Leaf Color Chart are effective in timing against 2 sowing systems (Flat bed and ridges nitrogen application to paddy. Due to lack and furrow) and three varieties (Pollachi red, of facilities for soil testing in the Union ALR 2 and ALR 3) and Quantitative Evaluation Territory of Pondicherry, it has been decided of Fertility in Tropical Soils (QUEFTS)by taking to establish a Soil Testing Laboratory at the up 15 trials in five villages were initiated during Biocentre. the Navarai 2000 season. .

Integrated crop management: In the Integrated A survey of 100 farmers was conducted to crop management trials of paddy, the following evaluate the potential of hybrid rice in the packages and practices Iike appl ication of biovillages. The farmers' expectations of a good biofertilisers • Azospirillum and Phospho- hybrid included a minimal yield advantage of bacterium in the nursery and main field were 20 per cent, good cooking quality, seed carried out. Installation of bird perches @ 251 availability at a reduced rate and an ecofriendly ha, Neem oil 3% and Malathion 500 ml/ha package of practices. The suggested target were practised to manage leaf folder and ear group was small and marginal farmers for head bug and soil test based fertiliser hybrid rice cultivation and women's groups recommendation was practised. In the Sornavari for seed production. A poster on the above season the short duration high yielding variety subject was presented at the International Rice was grown. The yield increase was 15 per cent Research Conference at International Rice and the maximum yield recorded was 5.6 tonsl Research Institute, Philippines. ha. During Samba season the long duration To meet the demand for quality paddy seeds variety white ponni was grown and the of the wet lowland cluster, a paddy seed maximum yield recorded was 4.9 tons/ha. processing group of 12 women members was Genetic interventions: In an attempt to increase organised at Poraiyur village which will be . the productivity of crops in the biovillage area, tC!kingup the activity as a source of livelihood . confirmatory yield testing trials of new varieties were taken up'.. Twenty"five trials to test the Integrated pest management (JPM) yield of 3 paddy and 2 grou,ridmit ,varieties Polythene mulch groundnut (PMG): About 4 , were cohducted 9uring the Sornavari '(May - PMC;trials were c.onducted in Sorapetvi,llage. August) and Samba (Septer:Jiber~Janua(y) Trial.s for setting up of pheromone traps , ,seasons of last year. AOT 43 for Sornavari, 5podoptera and Helicoverpa and need based CO 47 for Samba and ALR2 groundnut variety . neem. oi I .appl icati6n were' carried out.. Castor . for.Thai ppttam (December - MarCh) having was raised CISa trap crop along .the bundsfor a 15 percent yield advantage, were monitoring the'Sp'odop~erapopulation. A lower recommen,ded to farmers, of the project incidence of Spodoptera and aphid population area. To ,meet the demand for quality was noticed. . . paddy seeds, seed production in an area of 20 acres was monitored and the seeds IPM block approach in Paddy: The block were sold locally. approach was practised in Sorapet village with

112 Ecotechnology and Sustainable Agriculture

15 farmers. A Farmers' Field School (FFS)was aimed at demonstrating the use of biofertilisers conducted at regular weekly intervals to and organic farm products in combination with inculcate the principle of IPM and INM. In the synthetic ferti Iisers. As a part.of the Department IPM block, farmers have reduced the pesticide of Biotechno.logy programme on tntegr~ted cost to 25 per cent and maximum yield Nutrient Management a project entitled Field recorded was 4.8 tons/ha. Lnterestingly, after Level Methodology for F.eeding the Rice Plant the FFS, both the botanical and chemical Without Associated Ecologica./ Harm is pesticide sprays have increased. In the non- underway in the bioviJ.lage project <:irea.This IPM block area farmers applied more than four study also analyses the constraints faced by rounds of pesticides. This increased the cost of farmers in adopting such technofogies, in cultivation and the net income was low addition to creating awareness among farmers .. compared to the block area. on the use of biofertilisers .

Farmer's field school (FFS) INM trials focus on the long-term benefits of locally available proven biofertilisers. Testing During the Sornavari '99 season FFS was cum demonstration trials were initiated in two conducted in Kizhsathamangalam village and cropping systems viz. Rice-Rice-Rice and Rice- during Samba '99 season in Sorapet village. Rice-Pulse with four treatments reducing the The important topics discussed in the FFSwere: percentage of synthetic ferti Iisers and identification of pest defender role in the paddy substituting with biofertilisers, in 7 villages. ecosystem, demonstration of biofertilisers, Experimental trials in Latin Square Design were demonstration of neem oil, installation of bird conducted at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) perches for control of grass hoppers, integrated serving the purpose of institutional linkage. weed management, fertiliser and soil Trials were carried out in Samba '99 season in management practises. which biometric and yield observations were recorded. Yield values show that T4 (25% Biopesticide production reduction in N + Azospirillum + 25% During a Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) reduction in P + Phosphobacterium + conducted in the biovillages the potentials of Recommended dose of K through chemical biopesticide usage in the villages w.as also fertilisers) performed better (with smaverage explored. As an outCome of this study, neem increase of 392 kglac than the farmers practice) seed kernel extn:lct wi.ll be. established in the than other treatments; Fo.ur Field Schools were Biocentre to cater to the needs df the farmers. conducted, to. propagate the benefiCial results' Since. sugarcane and paddy occupy more of biofertilisers with resp~ct to improving'soil'- than 60 per cent of the land in the Pondicherry health and reducing the fertiliser ,cost: region, Trichogramma production will also 'Regarding raising rice-fallow blackgram in the' be taken up. month of Februaryicrop loss'was'suffered due to rairi and seepage of irrigation water from Integiatednutrient management (lNM) surrounding paddy fields:' Farmers identified This is focused on the indiscriminate use of certain ,issues like lack of awareness, non- synthetic fertiliser inputs by the farmers and is availability of quality products and labour

113 Annual Report 1999-2000 problem as constraints in large-scale adoption fodder harvested is being used by the farmers. of bioferti Iisers. In Ramanathapuram village, a self-help group consisting of 10 farmers has been formed for Biofertiliser production commercial fodder production in an area of 3 During the PRAexercisesconducted in selected acres. villages, an assessment of the availability of biofertilisers to the farmers and their usagewas Coat rearing This project involves the made. The findings indicate that farmers get upgradation of local goats by introducing biofertilisers from PASIC even at subsidised purebred Tellicherry male goats for weight rates and also in required quantity. No shortage gain of offspring. In addition to covering all has been experienced by the farmer regarding the 18 biovillages, this programme has spread the availability of biofertilisers. It is also inferred to 4 non-biovillages of the neighbouring that no agency is selling Azalia and BGA in Tamil Nadu state. Pondicherry (In KVK, Azalia multiplication is done on a small scale mainly for their own Poultry: The project has created livelihood use). Hence it has been decided to go for mass opportunities for 39 resource poor women multiplication of Azalia and BGA in the of five villages through the introduction of Biocentre. As a preliminary step,Azalia pinnata the backyard poultry scheme as an income var. pinnata is being multiplied in cement tanks generating activity. The breed Giriraja was in the Biocentre: A few farmers were also identified as a suitable breed for the selected for Azalia multiplication in their fields. Pondicherry climate and was distributed to the participants. 302.2 Livelihood Projects: Micro Enterprises for Additional Income Aquaculture: In the past year, 2 new ponds Generation (Vambupet and Poraiyur villages) were taken on lease for five years and renovated with Animal husbandry programmes assistance from DRDA. Two women's groups Dairy - Fodder: The dairy project has (out of which one is a dalit group) comprising covered 55 participants in 5 villages. The 15 members have been organised to take up participants are linked with banks for community aquaculture in these ponds. The financial assistance and with milk co- new groups were trained in technical and operatives for marketing of milk. An social aspects of community aquaculture by awareness campaign was conducted in the existing role models at Kizhur village. collaboration with PONLAIT. The programme was replicated in 48 non- There was a 40 per cent yield reduction in biovi lIages. Kizhur pond due to heavy Tilapia contamination as a result of improper control About 20 individual fodder plots were raised over the inlet and outlet of the pond, which in 4 villages. A commercial fodder plot of 4000 was taken care of in the new ponds. sq.m was established in Poraiyur village. The Ornamental fish rearing in cement tubs was

114 Ecotechnology and Sustainable Agriculture established for demonstration at the Biocentre proposed to initiate the production in the for the management of which a women's group coming season after linking the group to the (7 members) has been organised. farmers' shandy established recently in Pondicherry. Flower nursery (low cost mist Flower and vegetable production chamber) was established in Kizhur village for the production of crossandra cuttings. About twenty flower gardens have been established. On critical appraisal of flower (jasmine and crossandra) trials of different unit 302.3 Social Mobilisation size conducted in different biovillages in the last few years, the unit consisting of 150 plants Savings and credit are an integral part 9f group and 500 plants of jasmine and crossandra action for rural development. During the year, respectively was found to be economically 22 women's groups (15 credit and savings, 7 viable and technically feasible, generating a activity based) were organised in 9 project and net income of Rs.5,000-6,500 and employment 3 non-project villages. of 125-130 mandays for jasmine and Rs.5,000- To enhance holistic development of the village, 5,500 and 160-180 mandays for crossandra. A Village Development Councils have been Self-help group for flower production was formed in three villages and linked to organised in Ramanathapuram village. It is NABARD. Through linkages with government proposed to initiate the activity in the coming agencies (DRDA, FFDA, WDC) and financial planting season. institutions 25 toilets have been constructed in Four vegetable trials have been conducted. 3 vi lIages as a part of the envi ron mental From the critical analysis of the vegetable trials sanitation programme. Financial support of 3.5 conducted in the past, it is revealed that among lakhs has been mobilised for the 5 women's the different vegetables bhendi, brinjal and groups from 4 villages through government chillies which have the cost benefit ratio of linkages for taking up income generating 3.5, 3.75 and 2.5 respectively are suitable programmes. considering the soil and climatic suitability and Training has been imparted to 400 women from market demand in the area. The trial 27 villages on aspects such as book keeping, conducted to find the effect of vermicompost entrepreneurship and various livelihood on bhendi indicated that there is no significant enterprises. 120 group leaders from 80 groups difference in yield except consumers' were given orientation on Biovillage Council preference by virtue of its good taste. About formation. A workshop on Biovillages for one hundred nutritional gardens (kitchen women's group leaders was also conducted in gardens) have been established in the which representatives from 80 SHGs of biovillages through the Government of Pondicherry and Tamil Nadu participated. Pondicherry. Most of the biovillage SHGs are of mixed type Vegetable minikit programme (consisting of members both below and above A Self-help group for vegetable production was the poverty line). Government subsidy organised in Ramanathapuram village. It is programmes are however allocated only for

115 Annual Report 1999-2000

members who are below the poverty line in Demonstrations the group. This has created conflicts among group members and in some cases The Biocentre will be the focal point of disintegration of the group itself. technology generation, testing and demonstration of new crop varieties and hybrids and micro enterprises. The technologies 302.4 Support Services that are introduced by the Biocentre are ecofriendly, economically viable, socially The Biocentre is the hub of the BioviJlage acceptable and employment generating. movement and since it will be managed by the stakeholders themselves through the Fodder demonstrations: A demonstration fodder Bioviilage Council, Biovillage Families will plQt of size- 600 m2 (15 cents) has been develop a sense of ownership of the Biocentre, established with 13 different varieties of grass thereby creating a social and economic stake and leguminous fodder to create an awareness in its sustainability and effective functioning. about the importance of fodder in milk Activities production and to train the farmers in fodder cultivation. The varieties planted in the plot The following activities have been introduced are Co 1, Co 2, Co 3, Cumbu napier hybrid through the Biocentre: grass, guinea grass (Co 1 Hawmill), para grass, hamil grass, sunnhemp, cowpea (Co 5), • Animal health centre desmanthes, sorghum (Co 27), mulberry, • Group mushroom production sesbania and glyricidia. • Vermicompost Vermicompost trials: Vermicompost production • Fodder is done with 6 locally available wastes in the • Horticulture villages namely leaf debris, vegetable waste, • Biofertilisers pressmud, sugarcane trash, paddy straw and - coirpith. These vermicompost pits will serve --. Farm machinery the purposes of demonstration and training of • Technical training in animal health care rural people who wish to start the enterprise for village youth and members of the milk as a livelihood opportunity. co-operatives • Biopesticide plant Azolla demonstration pits: The azalia species viz., Azalia pinnata, A. microphylla, • Soil testing laboratory A. phillicu/oides and Azalia hybrid are grown • CREMNH trials for demonstration cum sale to farmers. • Integrated aquaculture Integrated Aquaculture pond: The aquaculture • Formation of Biovillage Council demonstration pond has 10 cents (400sq.m) • Formation of Village Development area and has been integrated with duck rearing. Council The fish feed on the droppings and the ducks • Formation of Self-Help Groups for micro roost and lay eggs on a thatched shed credit and community banking constructed near the pond.

116 Ecotedmology and Su~inable Agriculture

Mushroom demonstration centre: The Animal Health care Centre: This centre renders mushroom demonstration unit has about 150 the following services to the villages around mushroom beds which are hung in 3tier fluri" the Biocentre: insemination serVices and system. The production unit for spawn is being treatment, training on animal health care and developed. inseminati.on for rural educated ~memployed youth and personnel of milk societies ~nd Horticultural Demonstrations: The orientation training for women dairy groups. It demonstration plot for flowers has an area of 5 is self-sustainable through the charges collected cents where jasmine (muUai C02 and malligai) from the owners. and crossandra (Delhi variety) are groWn. The spacing for jasmine is 1.5xl.5m and crossandra Spawn Production and Biocontrol Agems: It is 75x75 ems. is .proposed to establish a spawn laboratory to provide spawn culture to the The nutritional (kitchen) garden has 8 plots for mushroom producers in the biovillages and seasonal vegetables and one plot for perennial a biopesticide laboratory to provide vegetables ina total area of 5 cents. biopestiddes like Trichogramma, etc., at the Biocentre. In the mist chamber (flower nursery) crossandra cuttings are prepared and kept for rooting. In addition jasmine cuttings are in the process of The Biovillage Council hardening. A Biovillage Council is currently being formed In the vegetable nursery raised beds are from the SHGs, which will provide guidance prepared and sown with vegetables (tomato, to the Biovillage Project. It will identify the brinjal, chillies) for nutritional garden as well needs and generate new innovative ideas and as for sale to the farmers of Ramanathapuram develop appropriate services and delivery sys- Village. tems, including training. The main focus of the council will be on the resource poor. All the Training women's groups, Village Development Coun- dis and farmers' groups in the biovillages will Training on various micro enterprises, micro collectively form the Biovillage Council. At the credit and crop management for the villagers Village level, the Village Development Coun- are being imparted. On demand, NGOs and cil will be the nodal structure for dealing with institutions are also being trained in micro village level problems. credit and community banking and micro The Biovillage Council will act as a bridge enterprises. between the rural poor, the Government and Centralised services the other Institutions. Several meetings have been conducted with the SHGs of the Various service facilities such as animal health concerned vi IIages and members for the care centre, biocontrol agents and mushroom Biovillage Council have been identified and spawn production have been provided. elected.

117 Annual Report 1999-2000

The Pondicherry Government has proposed to • Designing and implementing projects for bring all the villages numbering over 250 under Jural prosperity, especially those that the Biovillage Programme. A development plan provide multiple livelihood opportunities is being prepared for this jointly_ by MSSRFand with focus on rural women. the Government. • Development of Hunger-Free Area

Sub Programme Area 303 • Implementation of nutrition based programmes, especially elimination of hidden hunger B V Rao Centre for Sustainable Food Security • Research on pol icy imperatives concerning them.

The Centre has undertaken various activities Towards the fulfillment of these objectives and in collaboration with other organisations, to action plans, the Fellowship provides technical achieve the objective of sustainable food help, support and backup services to all 'f securl,Y. programmes, projects and activities of the Hunger Project. 303.1 Ramakrishna Bajaj Fellowship and the Tamil Nadu Council for Sustainable The Tamil NaduCouncii for Sustainable Livelihoods Livelihood met on 17July '99 and discussed the following subjeCts: In 1998 the Bajaj family instituted at MSSRFa Distinguished Fellowship known as the • Hunger Free Area Programme - in "Ramakrishna Bajaj. Fellowship for Industry Vedasandur by Gandhigram Rural Community Partnership for Sustainable End of Institute, Deemed University Hunger" in memory ofShri Ramakrishna~ Bajaj, a disciple of Mahatma Gandhi, committed to • Project to eliminate or make a dent on the end of hunger, and a member of the the incidence of silent hunger Global Board of the Hunger Project. The (micronutrient deficiency) objective of the programme is "to promote • Children for happiness - Reduction in symbiotic partnerships between the private nutrition related low birth weight and public sector industry and resource poor, tribal and rural families, in the areas of • Gender issues like declining sex ratio, increased food production and improved female infanticide and feoticide economic access to food". • Getting sex-wise data by suitably Realisi ng that all programmes that address modifying the schedules for 2001 poverty, hunger, food and nutritional activity population census. should be implemented in an integrated manner, the fellowship has been primarily The Vice Chancellor of Gandhigram Rural focusing on: Institute apprised the Council on the progress

118 Ecotechnology and Sustainable Agriculture made under the Hunger-Free Area Programme. environment; orientation to youth and The Vice Chancellor also said that hel plans to women on various income generation cover all the panchayats of Vedasandur Block. programmes; establishment of rural He also observed that the panchayat presidents libraries; AIDS awareness programme; and the gram sabhas have accepted Hunger- awareness programme on agriculture and Free Area Programme as their own project and allied activities and distribution of -participated in all the activities in collaboration booklets containing various government with the Gandhigram Rural Institute. The schemes. Council reviewed the progress made under the Elimination of protein calorie Pilot Project on Silent Hunger funded by FAO. • malnutrition: N utririon education was The Council also recommenced a need to study imparted fn all the 24 hamlets. 35 gender issues like declining sex ratios, female programmes covering 450 women were infanticide and feoticide and recommended conducted. getting sex-wise data for the year 2001 population census. The Foundation agreed to • Elimination of micronutrient deficiency take steps to study the issue critically. induced hunger : Four school gardens have been established with the support 303.2 Hunger Free Area Programme of the faculty of agriculture, KVK and the (HFAP) local people. These gardens supply vegetables to the noon meal centres in Operationalising of the Seven Point Action Plan the schools. Intake of vegetables by the for the Hunger Free Area Programme in children in the centres has helped in Vedasandur Block by Gandhigram Rural 'improving the health status of the University, started last year, was continued. children. A quick study on the status of The overall aim of the project is to improve the children in HFAP villages (3 villages) the nutritional status of the ultra poor revealed that the percentage of children population with special focus on elimination suffering from vitamin 'B' deficiency has and prevention of micronutrient deficiency. The come down to 6.67 from the previous strategies include: level of 20%. Similarly iron deficiency, which was 17.78% earlier, has come • Identification of the poor: Identification down to 4.67%. of rural poor using participatory methods has been completed in 12 hamlets. PRA Seedswere distributed to 250 households based baseline survey is available for all to raise kitchen gardens. The personnel the 24 hamlets in Kovilur Panchayat. of KVK and Faculty of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry extended technical • Information empowerment: The activities consultation. organised under the programme include orientation on the schemes of the .. Improvement of biological absorption and government, banks and NGOs; awareness retention of food: Protected water supply. "- programmes on health, sanitation and is ensured in almost all the project

119 Annual Report 1999-2000 «

villages. Smokeless chullahs have • Special attention to women and children: been installed in two villages. One Women and children are given prime village, namely Poosaripatti, has been place in the activities. The majority of declar.ed a 'smoke free' village. Medical the participants in the training check-ups have been completed in all programme are women. The children get the 10 primary schools and a health attention through the school health card is maintained for each child. programme. Awareness programmes on environmental sanitation were organis€d at periodic Other activities intervals. • Three batches of women from the project • Strengthen the rural livelihood villages were taken to 20 differer11 types opportunities through SHCs: Twenty-five of income generation projects at self-help groups have been organised. Gandhigram Trust. Thirteen of them are women's groups. The total value of the transactions • All the 10 schools in the Kovilur of these groups works out to Rs. 2.25 Panchayat were provided with a water lakhs. The members of these groups drum for storing drinking water through have been given intensive training the Rotary Club. in different income generation • One school in the project village was programmes. Important among them are: I provided with furniture worth RS.10,000 o Training in tailoring and wire-bag through the Rotary Club. making for 120 women • One school was provided with a o Training in sericulture, horticulture synthetic water tank, the cost of which is and mushroom cultivation RS.5,000

o Training in pottery • Oil seeds were distributed free of cost to 55 farmers. o Training in cultivation of oil seedsand herbal plants • Animal health camps were conducted at periodic intervals. o Training in nursery raising and kitchen gardening 303.3 Pilot Project for Elimination Many of the men and women members of the of Micronutrient Malnutrition in Tamil group are gainfully employed. Community Nadu nurseries have been established in 5 villages. A study of the feasibility of desilting and The overall aim of the project is a practical, reclamation of a chain of 13 ponds has been community-based contribution to the policy of completed. A proposal has been submitted for the Government of Tamil Nadu to improve the reclamation of the tanks. nutritional status of the ultra poor population,

120 Ecotechnology and Sustainable Agriculture with special focus on the elimination and survey. The fieldwork was entrusted to the prevention of micronutrient malnutrition. This Gandhigram Rural University. The fieldwork pilot project will cover 15 of the panchayats in consisted of developing two different types of the Pennagaram Block of Dhar~apuri District. schedules, one on background information, The Government of India's approval of the FAO income expenditure pattern, General Health funded project was received in late January Status, immunisation, health and sanitation, 2000. The Government of Tamil Nadu household food consumption etc., and the undertook the preliminary work connected with second schedule on particulars of family the project. The National Project Co-ordinator members, clinical examination and blood test took charge in February 2000. As a TRC for this reports of the population in the selected project the Foundation had developed the households.The work was in progress during the framework for the conduct of the baseline year under report.

121 Programme Area 400

Reaching the Unreached

ignificant progress was made in efforts to engender the under graduate curriculum of Agricultural Universities and to main- Sstream gender considerations in biodiversity management. Also, a gender-sensitive Community Food and Water Security system was developed. A study was made on the relationship between the various components of Early Childhood Education programmes run by government and non-government agencies and the learning competencies of four-year old children. The role of Panchayat leaders in improving the quality of child care services was highlighted, thus paving the way for decentralisation of child care services at the grassroot level. Skills development in street theatre made further progress.

401 Project ACCESS 123

402 Uttara Devi Resource Centre in Gender and Development 130

403 Voicing 5ilence , 135 Reaching the Unreached

by infants were also recorded. The first draft of Sub Programme Area 401 the report was critiqued by the Advisory Committee (for the research study) in December '99. Based on the suggestions of Project ACCESS the Committee, further consultations have been held with a nutritionist and statistician to fi nal ise the plan of analysis. The report is Research, capacity building and compilation expected to be ready by August 2000. of information on selected issues concerning the gi rI child were the areas of focus under the project Operation Resource Support, sponsored Impact of EeE on children by the Bernard Van Leer Foundation. The second study analysed the relationship between the various components of Early 401.1 Research Childhood Education (ECE) programmes run Of the three research studies, one was com- by the Government, NGOs and private nursery pleted and two are nearing completion, details schools in Tamil Nadu and the learning of which are summarised in Table 4.1. competencies of four-year-old children. Two

Table 4.1 : Research Activities from June 1999 to May 2000

. Theme Activity Outcome

Child care practices of Preliminary presentation of First draft of report mothers and the growth and results to Advisory Committee development of infants in urban slums Impact of ECEenvironment Report completed and presented Research report on children's learning competencies for critique. Final report being preRared Analysis of costs and benefits of Workshop on methodology. Workshop Report ECCD programmes Study ongoing Study of costs of ICDS undertaken

The first study concentrated on analysing the tools, one for assessment of centres and results of a survey of 350 infant-mother dyads another to assess children's competencies, in thirteen slums of Chennai. Child care prac- were developed. The former, known as the tices of mothers with regard to breastfeeding, Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale supplementary feeding, management of ill- (ECERS)developed by Harms and Clifford was nesses etc. were elicited with the help of a modified suitably for the Tamil Nadu situation. prevalidated questionnaire. Anthropometrical The tool, now named TECERS (Tamil Nadu measurements included the height and weight Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale) of infants. Developmental milestones achieved has been validated by experts, as well as

123

___ J Annual Report 1999-2000 through the study, and will be published later. institutions attended this workshop. Inputs were Other tools were used to elicit information also received from national and international from teachers and parents. Two teams of experts in the field. Sessions on child-related trained investigators, for rural and urban areas indicators, women, family, community respectively, were involved in data collection and other stakeholder-related indicators, from August to October in Chennai and monetising costs and benefits and an Dindigul. A five-day review meeting was open forum on implications for policy convened in January 2000 to discuss the deliberated on the various qualitative and preliminary findings and test quantitative, direct, indirect and hidden costs the data with in-depth statistical analysis. and benefits of ECCD programmes. Experts from National Institute of Public One of the main outcomes of this Cooperation and Child Development brainstorming was the decision to undertake (NIPCCD), Oxford University, U.K. and the development of a framework for cost Gandhigram Rural University attended analysis of EceD programme using Integrated this meeting and enriched the analysis process. Child Development Services (ICDS) as a model The report entitled "Quality Matters!" was in Tamil Nadu. As a first step, permission prepared in April and a first meeting was obtained from the Government of Tamil for critiquing and dissemination of results was Nadu to make the cost data available. Data held on 28 April. The study found a significant collection and analysis are ongoing and the positive relationship between the quality of report is expected to be ready by August ECE centres and children's learning 2000. competencies.

Costs and benefits of fCCD 401.2 Capacity Building

The study on developing a costing framework The major activities, as presented in Table 4.2 for Early Childhood Care and "Development have ~eentraining and skills development. (ECCD) programmes "started with the As a result it has been possible to develop preparation of a discussion paper. Resource training courses, theatre productions and materials available within and outside videos. the country were compiled as references. A brainstorming on "Developing indicators "Training methodology for analysing costs and benefits of Early Childhood Care and Development Since January '98, a small group of ECE pro- programmes" served as a platform to fine-tune fessionals have been meeting twice a year to many of the concepts and methodologies develop training programmes. With their sup- to be adopted for developing a costing port, the in-service summer refresher courses framework. Around 25 delegates representing for teachers started in 1997 by the TN-FORCES the Government, national and international network have gradually evolved into extended donor agencies, NGOs and academic in-service training courses.

124 Reaching the Unreached

Table4.2 : Activities in capacity building

Activities Target group Content Period Outcome Trainingmethodology ECEtrainers Review,problem September1999 Summercourseand in ECE solvingandfuture and February2000 a full yearschedule planning planned.New methodologiesof working identified Skillsdevelopment NGOs Theatreskillsto June1999 A themesong,three in communication addressthe issue playsand video of female documentationof infanticide the workshop

At the first meeting, the group reviewed the tions even before launching the course. Three achievements and drawbacks of the 1999 institutions will participate in the extended in- courses and worked on a SWOT exercise. It service course this summer, while a fourth is was found that the main problems were lack planning to work on another innovative ap- of follow-up action and implementation in proach, namely, 'tutoring' or 'mentoring' indi- schools. The need to gain skills in supervision vidual schools on a one-to-one basis. and handling external factors was discu'ssed. During the meeting, the participants devised Skills development in street theatre supervisory strategies with the help of video A week-long skill development workshop was simulations and role play. They also had the organised in Chennai in July '99 for NGOs opportunity to study, tryout and refine the addressing the issue of female infanticide in Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale, Salem and Dharmapuri districts of Tamil Nadu which can be used as a tool for advocacy, as an exercise in capacity building, Analysing training, supervision, research, evaluation and and documenting the experiences of 70 NGOs accreditation. who participated in a similar exercise earlier, it was observed' that only changes in attitudes The secol'1dmeeting, which also started with a and perceptions about the girlchild would review, led to further insights about the need bring about a permanent change in the situa- for simultaneous efforts at the two levels of tionofwomen. Therefore ACCESStook up the institutions and advocacy. The need to deal taskdf helping the NGOs to move towards with the problems of individual trainees arid this goal by strengthening their capabilities. make a breakthmugh in successful ECE training was' stre~sed. A series of strategiesat. both Street theatre.beinga communication strategy levels was planned. At the same time, it was used by NGOs in dealing with the practice of d~cided that the.comiflg year's extended course female infanticide, the objective of the work- wouJd' be developed asa package containing shop was to concentrate on various elements of some of these elements, and used to convince theatre. Music, movement and voice training the managements of the participating institu- were explored as different means of communi-

125 Annual Report 1999-2000

cating powerfully with the audience and evolv- March '99 in which the importance of the pe- ing newer ways of touching the audience in such riod of early childhood was stressed. A review a way asto stimulate their participation. of available services helped to identify the la- cunae. Participants drew up an action plan for The two distinct features of the workshop were improving services. the process and the product. The former enabled participants to develop ideas by drawing Over the next few months, after a couple of upon their own knowledge and experiences monitoring visits to gain feedback on activities and to gain skills in technical areas such as carried out by the leaders, it was found that .body and voice culture, folk music, movement while leaders could improve infr<;lstructureto in space, the link between emotions and move- some extent by activities such as whitewash- ments and transformation of the issues into ing, installation of electrical connections and visuals. As regards the product, the workshop providing water supply, mats etc., very little helped the participants to compose a song col- was done to improve the quality of services lectively. They also made three short thematic and obtain community participation, as it in- presentations in three groups, working on three volved recurring expenditure for which there different approaches. The presentations were was no direct allotment to the Panchayats. The made before an invited audience who critiqued leaders could not perceive their role in im- the performances for both content and skill. proving the government-run centres in the ab- The participants plan to put this experience to sence of specific di rectives or funding from use in their organisational work. The proceed- the government. ings of the workshop were video documented A second workshop was held in December '99 and distributed to the participating organisations to discuss these observations and to provide who might be able to use them as a training orientation with respect to their powers in im- device in improving communication skills. proving child care services, methods of mobi- lizing financial resources and raising child care 401.3 Action Research - People's Partici- issuesin Gram Sabhameetings. A link between pation in Child Care Services the leaders and the District Project Nutrition Officer (DPNO) was also established to help The role of Panchayat leaders in improving the them to work together to attract community quality of child care services is of great signifi- participation. cance in moving towards decentralisation of child care services at the grassroot level. In It was found that even with all the inputs re- this context an action research was undertake!) ceived, the leaders were unable to mobilise jointly by MSSRFand Gandhigram Trust to ori- .funds or to liase with the DPNO to initiate ent, motivate and support Panchayat leaders welfare projects. Further, the issue of child care in improving the quality of child care services was not raised in any of the Gram Sabha meet- in Athoor Block. The processesare summarised ings. It was very clear' at this stage that advo- in Fig. 4.1. cacy for decentralisation of child care services A preliminary workshop was held for Panchayat through Panchayat leaders may not be a realis- leaders and women ward members in tic goal unless there are specific instructions

126 Reaching the Unreached

Policy-level Advocacy

A C T I o No Qualitative Change N

N Further Inputs E E D S

Orientation t Grassroots Action Fig. 4.1 : Intervention with panchayat leaders and outcome or GOs from the Government, making the in- photo competition was planned and announced volvement of the leaders mandatory and pro- in Dinamani, a popular Tamil daily. Entries viding funds clearly earmarked for the purpose. were solicited on three themes, namely, the role of family members in child care, sponta- The final strategy arrived at by the end of this neousactivities of young children and the ex- exercise was to motivate people's groups such pression of diverse socio-cultural-economic set- as women's self-help groups and youth clubs tings in child care. One hundred and forty nine to raisethe issue of improving delivery of child (149) photos were received from thirty-six par- care services at the Gram Sabha meetings. ticipants from allover Tamil Nadu. Twenty five photos were short-listed, and a team of 401.4 Information Base on Young three judges comprising a senior photographer, Children 'a media representative and an ECCD expert selected the five best photographs on the Developing a photo archive on children be- basis of rel.evance to the theme and degree low three years of age and compilation of in- of excellence. The selected entries were pub- formation on the issue of the girl child were lished .in Dinamani Kathir, a popular Tamil undertaken. As a first step in this direction a weekly.

127 Annual Report 1999-2000

An information base on gender-desegregated 401.5 Other Activities / Events / Partici- data for 0-3 year old children is being devel- pation oped on the following issues: Details about participation in other activities • Sex ratio at birth, and at different age are presented in Table 4.3 levels Collaboration with TN - FORCES • Infant Mortality Rates by gender at different ages As a member of the Tamil Nadu Forum for Creche and Child Care Services (TN-FORCES) • Health and nutritional status of children network it was possible to playa major role in by gender the development of an alternative ECEcurricu- • Gender socialisation lum, described as "activity-based developmen- tally appropriate and child centred", through a Information on district-wise sex ratio at birth, group processled by IAPE(Indian Association for as also the health and nutritional status has Preschool Education) last year. The Tamil ver- already been collected. Abstracting and in- sion, formally releasedin January 2000, was sub- dexing of available material within ACCESS mitted to the Government ofTamii Nadu asa re- has also been co'mpleted. The abstract gives source for developing preschool curriculum in details about the title, author, format in which Government, voluntary and private institutions. the information is available, length and issues The English version was released at the Regional addressed in the material, along with Conference of the IAPE in April 2000, targeting key words, for easy electronic retrieval. an all-India audience. An effective tool for advo- A similar exercise is in progress for Tamil cacy has thus been provided in two languages, materials. which the TN-FORCES network is now ex-

Table 4.3 : Participation in other events

Events Partner Activity / Theme ,- Time frame

Faculty Development M.S. University of Baroda, Resource support to staff September 1999 Seminar Dept. of Human members on the theme Development and Family "Theory, research, practice: Studies (HDFS) the feedback loop"

Regional Seminar UNICEF Paper on Innovations in November 1999 ECCD

Policy Committee National Forum for Creche Development of model May 2000 Meeting and Child Care Services legislation on Maternity (FORCES) Entitlements, Child Care Fund and Early Childhood Education

128 Reaching the Unreached pected to disseminate actively in the private and This brief record of activities in sharing voluntary sectors,as part of its campaign for regu- and collaboration points to the rich storehouse lation of ECEin all sectorsto strengthen the rights of experiences and materials now available of the young child. at ACCESS, and its growing role as a resource centre on issues related to the young Action strategies child. Based on the study of the 'Situation of child Demand for resource materials care workers in Tamil Nadu, an advocacy workshop was held in April '99, following which a There continues to be a regular demand from Task Force consisting of network members of various sectors for products and resource ma- the TN-FORCES, trade unions, donors and terials developed by ACCESS. In addition, this NGOs was constituted. An action plan was year the following materials (Table 4.4) were developed by a group of 10 institutional mem- reproduced by UNICEF and supplied to the bers of TN-FORCES in July '99, on the follow- Director of Social Welfare at their request for ing issues: use by the Tamil Naciu Integrated Nutrition • Creche fund - sources of funding, struc- Project (TINP). ture and criteria for funding In June 2000, UNICEF communicated the re- • Alternative scheme for creches and non- quest of the Director of Rural Development institutional alternatives for child care for 15,000 copies of the Tamil booklet Rights of the mother and child in Tamil Nadu - an • Wages and working conditions of child overview for distribution to Panchayat leaders. care workers UNICEF will be responsible for reprinting and • Consultation for child care workers supplying the booklet.

Table 4.4 : Materials supplied by ACCESS

Materials No. of copies

Aadippaadi (Tamil Manual) 12,200

Empowering women to breastfeed (Tamil manual) 2,000

First three years (Tamil Manual) 1,500

Can the girl child survive? (brochure) 1,500

Thayum seyam (audio cassette) 450

Messages that move (video cassette) 150

129 Annual Report .1999-2000

The purpose was to explore the linkages be- Sub Programme .~rea 402 tween household food security and biodiversity, mediated through gender roles, in a few se- Uttara Devi Resource Centre in lected countr.ies in the region. The rationale is Gender.and Development that small holding farmer households in this region are the trustees of agro-biodiversity, and the knowledge and strategies adopted to In its third year, the Resource Centre contin- achieve sustainable gains in household food lied to develop along the two linked. lines of security .and conservation of biodiversity are Core. Activities and Internalisation, according gender-d ifferentiated. to its mandate. The activities are described in two separate sections. The objectives of the technical consultation were: 402.1 Core Activities • to share case studies and country papers Three major policy workshops (Table 4;5) were for identification. of a common framework conducted this year. and inter-disciplinary approach. Table 4.5 : Workshops

Date Theme Target .group Oul(:ome

November 1999 Gender Dimensions in FAO, Govts. and specialists Programmes, policies Biodiversity and Food from nine countries of South and strategies to Security: Poli~y& and South EastAsia integrate gender Programme Strategies concerns in biodiversity for Asia management December 1999 Engendering Undergraduate Agricultural Universities and Steps to gender- Agricultural Curriculum . ICAR Institutes sensitise the faculty and engender field work component February 2000 Targeting. Women: UN World Food Gender strategy for Implications for Food Programme, State Govts. WFP and gender- Security and NGOs sensitive development models

Biodiversity management • to examine the central concerns and innovative approaches for integration of gender A Regional Technical Consultation on Gender dimensions in bio diversity management Dimensions in Biodiversity Management and Food Security: Policy and Programme Strate- • to identify the policy and programme gaps gies for Asia was held from 2 - 5 November which act as barriers to the integration of 1999 jointly with the FAO Regional Office for women's concerns in biodiversity man- Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok. agement

130 Reaching the Unreached

• to identify strategies and recommenda- • mapping gender dimensions of tions for national policymakers, biodiversity management through a sur- programme specialists and reseaichers vey of published literature and suggest future courses of action • recasting of passport data maintained by • to evolve recommendations for FAa pro- Gene Banks to bring out gender roles gramm ing in the area of gender and biodiversity management Agricultural curriculum Lastyear, the first steps were taken to promote The nine countries from the Asia-Pacific re- the integration of gender concerns in the cur- gion, which participated in the meeting, are riculum of Agriculture (and related disciplines) Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, at the undergraduate level. This year, the next Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. step forward was taken at a two-day Brain- Experts, nominees from scientific research in- storming Workshop on Engendering the Agri- stitutions and donor agencieswere also present. cultural Curriculum on 16 and 17 Recommendations were made at the global and December '99 in collaboration with the Indian national levels. Global action was to be taken Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and up by the FAa, at the WTO-TRIPS, the World supported by the Royal Netherlands Embassy, Intellectual Property Rights Organization New Delhi and UNIFEM, New Delhi. Senior o(WIPO),Conference of Parties to CBD (COP) teaching Faculty from different Agricultural for setting of an Asian Ne.twork on Gender, Universities of India and resource persons, in- Biodiversity and Food Security and compila- cluding gender specialists, social scientists and tion of country-specific case studies. pedagogues took part, including Dr. Lisa Price, Associate Professor, Gender Studies in Agri- At the national level, the following recommen- culture, Wageningen Agricultural University, dations were made: The Netherlands. Dr. R.S. Paroda, Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Re~ • development of national Gender Codes search (lCAR) and Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) gender-sensitive legislation relating to • inaugurated the workshop. Plant Variety Protection and Farmers' Rights and National Biodiversity Act The purpose of the workshop was to develop a methodology for introducing gender into the • adequate representation to women pro- existing undergraduate curriculum, both in fessionals in Government Departments of terms of content (the WHAT) and strategies for Forestry and Environment teaching these topics (the HOW). As far as content goes, some of the topics suggested gendered data in the national Census • were: gender concepts, gender roles in • gender-sensitive Participatory Forest Man- agricu Itu re, agrarian structu re, trends in agement and Community Biodiversity development, alternative development Registers paradigms, contemporary problems and varying

131 Annual Report 1999-2000

needs of different social segments such as opment practitioners, academics, senior gov- agricultural labour, now heavily feminised. As ernment officials, social activists and donor for process, alternative pedagogic strategies of agencies, was spread over six technical ses- various kinds, more emphasis on fieldwork, sions dealing with the three important compo- gender sensitisation, use of activity-based nents of food security, food availability, access learner-oriented methods and computer-aided and absorption. After intensive discussion on instruction were suggested. Feedback from key issues, recommendations were made relat- present and former students of Agriculture was ing to: presented informally as a skit and formally in a paper. • policy Some important recommendations of the work- • programme inputs shop were: • capacity building and • recognition of the need for a fundamen- • approach to interventions tal course on gender The workshop emphasised that though India • orientation of teachers to the process of does not require food aid in the conventional .engendering sense of the term, steps have to be taken to • a national-level Faculty Development improve economic access to food. Hence the Seminar for all Agricultural Universities strategy paper focused on models of development, which address the need. Two of • development of a national-level Resource them, the Hunger Free Area Programme and Group in Gender and Agri:ulture, and a the Biovillage model have already been tested data-base of Resource Persons at MSSRF. Other strategic options included • recognition of Rural Agricultural Work improvement of grain storage mechanisms at Experience (RAWE) as the most effective the village level, development of grain and method of gender sensitisation of students gene banks at the community level and use of micro-credit to provide external economic A Resource Guide comprising the workshop support for micro-enterprises. Studies on report and suggested resource materials is now nutrition programmes and the Public available and is being widely distributed. Distribution System were cited, and the paper stressed the need for training at all levels as a Food security key component in ensuring g,nder-sensitive rA workshop was organised jointly with United implementation of programmes. \ . \Nations World Food Programme (WFP) from 10 to 12 February 2000 entitled Targeting Research studies Women - Implications for Food Security with the objective of identifying priority areas for Last year, it was decided to initiate a formulation of relevant gender-based strategies programme of inviting Visiting Fellows to the for the World Food Programme for the period Resource Centre every year to work in an area 2003-2005. The workshop, attended by devel- of their choice, related to the mandate of the

132 Reaching the Unreached

Centre. This would provide an opportunity to 402.2 Interna'lisation of Gender collaborate with distinguished scholars in Dimensions various disciplines and at the same time enrich the Foundation's research base. It was decided This parallel activity of the Resource Centre to restrict the choice of themes to one of the received as much attention as the Core following: Gender and Biodiversity, Gender Activities. The process of internalisation, which and Agriculture, Gender and Livelihoods / is already in action, was reviewed and Environment. strengthened.

The first Visiting Fe"llow under this scheme is Gender advisory committee Dr. Shubh Kumar-Range, a distinguished scholar specialising in the areas of nutrition, In October '99, the Gender Advisory Commit- economics and gender, and with a long recor.d tee was set up to advise the Executive Director as a researcher, development consultant and and management on gender issues. The Com- gender analyst. Intrigued by some of the mittee, of which the Hon. Director of findings and insights arising out of MSSRF's GENDEAVOUR is the Chair, functions in the several interventions in the Kolli Hills region consultative mode and has no administrative of Tamil Nadu, Dr. Shubh Kumar-Range has responsibi Iities. taken up a research study entitled Development At its first meeting, the Committee prepared a and Change in Local Institutions and Gender note on two aspects of policy - internalisation Roles: A case study of Kolli Hills, the purpose of the gender dimension in all projects and of which is to study the process of change in gender-sensitive personnel policies. Regarding local institutions (formal and informal) as they the former, it recommended that internalisation interface with policies, programmes and should be implemented at four stages in every organisations. Changes in institutions related project: to gendered participation in economic processes and transactions involved with • proposal writing, planning and budgeting resource use and human capital formation form the focus of the study. A comparison • recruitment, exposure, orientation, train- of alternative approaches for promoting the ing and sensitisation of staff status and effective role of women in • implementation ~nd monitoring, and development is expected to help in the design of MSSRF's community~based • impact assessment, evaluation and audit interventions. As for the latter issue, as a personnel policy The field work for the study, which is being alre-ady.exists at the Foundation, it was felt undertaken in collaboration with the JRD Tata that more thought need be given and sugges- Ecotechnology Centre, was carried out during tions offered to make the personnel policy and February-;\pril 2000. The draft report is ready work culture norms more gender-sensitive. The by June 2000 and the final report will be sub- recommendations of the Gender Advisory Com- mitted by August 2000. mittee are being institutionalised.

133 Annual. Report 1999-2000

Gender concerns forum gendered analysis and interpretation of data, resolution of conflicts arising from implement- A need was felt for a regular Forum for sharing ing gender concerns and enhancement of quali- of concerns, queries) information and tative research skills. The next one, the last in experiences relating to gender in all the present series, which is to be held towards programmes/and for expressing needs for train- the end of the year, will concentrate on im- ing, resources and information. With thisob- pact evaluation and gender audit. jective, a Gender Concerns Forum has been set up. The first meeting was held on 21 April, In July 1999 a workshop was held for the staff during the Annual Review. The basis for dis- of 6iovillages to review the progress made in cussion of gender concerns was a set of five setting up the Biovillage Society and provide questions which participants discussed in practice in the skills needed to work with, project-based groups. Several suggestions and women's groups in the preparatory phase. Later plans emerged, including a unique two-day gathering of SHGs (Self Help Groups) was held in Pondicherry in December • the need for separate brai nstorm ing 1999. It brought together SHGs formed by the on topics like thegendered nature of in- Biovillages project with others launched by digenous knowledge, Human Resource other NGOs from all over Tamil Nadu. The Development (HRD) and problems asso- first day gave the visiting groups an opportu- ciated with Women's Biotechnology Park nity to get acquainted with some of the bio- • specific plans for training camps or resource-basedactivities of the local SHGs, and 'retreats' for different group~ where gen- to share experiences. In the course of the struc- der and related issuescould be taken up. tured group discussion on the second day, the womeilwere able to compare and contrast their Capacity building experiences and learn from each other. They found that the Biovillages SHGs were stronger Several training programmes were held to as- with regard to the development of economic sist capacity building as part of the internal ising enterprises handled collectively, while many process. of the others were stronger on thrift and credit. This discovery by exploration, reported in the Staff training: A series of workshops on gen- final session, was a mutually enriching pro- der aspects of fieldwork have been held for cessand provided new ideas and renewed mo~ the staff from all the three field sites of the tivation for all. project CONESUB (Conservation, Enhance- ment, Sustainable and Equitable Use of Natu- Training capacity: To strengthen in-house train- ra/ Resources)since September 1998. The third ing capacity as well as to utilise existing ca- in the series was held in January 2000 at pacity, a plan is being developed for staff train- Jeypore in Orissa. In keeping with the themes ing and orientation for the year. Towards this of orientation to gender concepts in the first end, resource materials like case studies, in- workshop and field skills in gendered data col- ventory of resource persons and documenta- lection in the second, this one focused on tion already undertaken by the staff, are being

134 Reaching the Unreached collated and field level training 'camps' or 're- working with professional women stage artists treats' for two groups have already been in popular traditional theatre forms of Tamil planned. The Gender Concerns Forum, which Nadu. A group of eleven women who had is expected to be held two or three times a year, earlier taken part in an all-woman play in the is itself part of the process of capacity build- koothu style, directed by P Rajagopal under ing.It is expected that this internal capacity will the auspices of the Kattai Koothu Kalai also be drawn upon to assist GENDEAVOUR Val/archi Munnetra Sangam were, along with in the external demand for training and some others, identified as the focus for sensitisation, which is already evident. KU LAVAl '97, which brought them together to share, document and exchange views on their Social and gender audit performing styles and professional work as well as on their lives as women. The relationship Following up last year's efforts in developing a with Voicing Silence which began then, cul- tool for gender and social audit through par- minated in this year's innovative play, in a ticipatory techniques, the JRD Tata style fusing contemporary gender and artistic Ecotechnology Centre invited the same resource concerns with traditional forms, by drawing person to conduct an external audit of the Seed on both the performers' professional skilis as Village project in Kannivadi. This project is artists and their perceptions as women. currently moving from its initial three-year phase to a withdrawal phase, where the local Play within a play partners will be playing a predominant role with MSSRF playing only a supportive role. The play was developed in a collective pro- This is also the first project to go through such cess which began with a 2-day workshop in a formal gender audit. The report was shared which a group of twelve women from at one of the weekly,seminars and is available Chengalpattu and adjacent districts, who work in print. It is expected to provide a useful model in the genre known colloquially as Novels par- for other projects, several of which are plan- ticipated. They spoke about their problems as ning to take up gender and social audit in the women artists, the inextricable linking of their coming year. personal and stage lives, the representation of women on the stage, the evolution of their art form in the last three decades, and the now ' Sub Programme Area 403 almost-forgotten rich tradition of which they are oral repositories.

Dr K A Gunasekaran, Professor, School of Voicing Silence Drama, Pondicherry University, himself a folk- lorist, musician and dramaturge, was invited to This year, the major activity of Voicing Silence develop and produce a play based on this ma- was a project combining two of its basic aims, terial, interweaving it with one of the classic namely, to help give voice to different com- plays of Sankaradas Swamigal, Pavazhakkodi munities of women, and to produce a play on (based on a Mahabharata tale). The outcome a gender theme. These two aims coalesced in was a script that works at two levels, moving

135 Annual Report 1999-2000

from a realistic portrayal of the behind-the- the busy season in March, but more are scenes life of the performers, seen from a con- planned for the next winter season. temporary gender perspective, to the actual The play which received very favourable no- text, lyrics and tunes of the original musical tices in both the Tamil and English press, was play. The off-stage story with its rough and appreciated by both small-town and metropol i- ready colloquial usage and sharp comedy pro- tan audiences and invitations to perform are vides a contrast and an ironic commentary on still coming in. The performance has been fully the patriarchal values and social structure which documented on video and there are plans to dominate the lives of both the Mahabharata publish the text to make it available to a wider characters and the actors of today. Reversing community of performers. Most importantly for the tradition of penn vesham (female imper- Voicing Silence, the project has been able to sonation) the all-woman group plays both male raise the self-esteem, self-confidence, profes- and female characters, with several quick cos- sional reputation and off-season earnings of tra- tume changes, on a two-level stage. The play ditional women performing artists. constantly shifts between two worlds, fusing Documentation lives, dreams, performances and values; while the performers, skilled in music, acting, com- The video documentation of last year's play, edy, farce and melodrama, are able to subvert Avvai, and the workshop, KULAVAI '99 were the dominant ideology, stubbornly living out edited and made into appropriately shaped vid- their lives and the 'tradition' through tongue- eos of 40 minutes and 59 minutes respectively. in-cheek acting and sharp satire. A complete 90 - minute video documentation of Pavazhakkodi as an innovative drama has Since the performance season for the various also been made. With this, Voicing Silence theatrical/repertory companies to which the now has a collection of seven videos docu- twelve women belong runs from mid-January menting various aspects of work in to October, the period for which they were gender, theatre and development. These are available as a group for rehearsal and perfor- regularly in demand and used by students, mance was very brief. Only four performances activists and others. A brochure cataloguing (Table 4.6) could be held before the start of them is available at the Foundation.

Table 4.6: Performances of Pavazhakkodi

Event Place Sponsor Date India Festival Pondicherry Department of Art and 27 December 1999 * Culture, Government of Pondicherry Arangetram (Debut) Chennai Voicing Silence 8 january 2000 Tamil Theatre Festival Thanjavur Department of Drama, 7 February 2000 Tamil University South Indian Theatre Kanchipuram Tamil Nadu Kattaikkuttu Kalai 7 March 2000 Festival 2000 Valarchi Munnetra Sangam * Cancelled at the last minute due to the death of the late President Dr S D Sharma

136 Programme Area 500

Education, Communication, Training and Capacity Building

he digital revolution initiated in Pondicherry villages through a computer and Internet aided and community controlled and T:driven Knowledge Centre programme began to attract national and international attention. This programme has shown the power of new information and communication technologies in accelerating the pace of progress in reaching the unreached and including the excluded in terms of information, knowledge and skill empowerment. Several seminars, workshops and training programmes were organised during this year. The Hindu Media Resource Centre is developing into a powerful forum for interaction between scientists and media professionals.

501 Workshops and Conferences 138 502 Training Programmes 145 503 Knowledge System for Sustainable Food Security 147 504 The Hindu Media Resource Centre for Ecotechnology and Sustainable Development 151 505 Design and Development of Databases and Provision of CD-ROM Services 153 506 The Literature Analysis Group 154 507 Library and Information Services 155 Annual Report 1999-2000

technical consultation was inaugurated by Sub Programme Area 501 Dr R Chidambaram, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy, Govt. of India. Shri R M Lala, Workshops and Conferences Director, Sir Dorabji Tata Trust presided over the inaugural session. Dr Y S R Prasad, \ During this year, a number of workshops and Chairman and Managing Director, NPClL also conferences at the international and national participated in the consultation. levels were held on themes that are directly Various technical presentations made by the relevant to the activities of MSSRF. Over the experts representing soil survey, land use plan- years; the diversity of partners in organising ning, social forestry, living aquatic resources, workshops has been on the increase, while GIS and remote sensjng applications and sub- the quality of discussions and output has been sequent discussions described the enormous maintained at a high level. Workshops/Confer- pressure on the natural resources supporting ences of national or international scope and the livelihood security of the coastal popula- participation are presented in Table 5.1. The tion. It was clearly felt that technical and tech- recommendations of many of these are reported nological interventions are necessary in ad- in various Sub-Programme Areas, while some dressing the problems associated with natural are reported here. resources ~anagement, crop productivity and r Technical Consultation on Integrated livelihood security in these regions. Participa- Watural Resources Management in Coastal tory management and conservation of natural resources are key fadors in realising the sus- Areas (26 July 1999) tainable development of these regions. A technical consultation on "Integrated Natural Harmonisation of indigenous knowledge, lo- Resources Management in Coastal Areas" was cal skill, utilisation of local resources and em- organised by the Foundation in collaboration powerment of the local community are essen- with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India tial factors in achieving a holistic development (NPCIL) on 26 July '99 at the MSSRF,Chennai. of the coastal region. Addressing the issue of The purpose of the meeting was to evolve common property resources is also vital for practical methodologies for effective use of the planning and implementation of developmen- natural resource base and ways and means to tal interventions. The presentations made dur- link them with the livelihood security of the ing the discussions also described the techni- fishing and farming communities in the cal capability of various research institutions Kudankulam region. It was also intended to in addressing and mitigating the problems in the develop a technical consortium for effective coastal region. However, it was also realised eco-management in coastal areas in general, that not enough has been done to transfer and in Kudankulam in particular. Forty-two the technical know-how to implementable do- participants with a wide range of expertise in how. Also, we need to translate our data rich natural resource management and community status to action rich implementation participation attended the meeting. The programmes.

138 EducaHon, Communication, Training and Capacity Building

Table 5.1 : Conferences / workshops held during 1999 - 2000

Title Associates/Sponsors Dates Details in

Technical Consultation on DAE 26 july 1999 SPA 501 Integrated Natural Resources Management in Coastal Areas . Launch of the National Association CFTRI, Mysore 10-11 Sep 1999 SPA 301 for Agribusiness Development ClDA (Delhi office) Cost Benefits of Early Childhood 30 Sep-l Oct 1999 SPA 401 Development in Tamil Nadu Gender Dimensions in Biodiversity FAO 2-5 Nov 1999 SPA 402 Management Consultation on Priority Issues World Food Programme 16-19 Nov 1999 SPA 303 National Workshop on Biovillages UNDP 29 Nov-l Dec 1999 SPA 302 Travelling Workshop on Kyoto University 11-18 Dec 1999 SPA 501 Ecotechnology in Tropical Monsoon Asia Engendering the Agric. Curriculum ICAR 16-17 Dec 1999 SPA 402 Knowledge Technologies for the Kyoto University, SCOPE 19-20 Dec 1999 SPA 501 Small Farmer in Asia & Commonwealth of Learning Targetting Women: Implications for World Food Programme 10-12 Feb 2000 SPA 402 Food Security Dialogue 2000: Biovillages and Union Min. of Rural 17- 18 Feb 2000 SPA 501 Community Banking Development; UNDP Workshop on DNA-markers Genetics Congress Trust 18 Feb 2000 SPA 501 DNA Technology & Management Centre for Cellular and 20-21 Feb 2000 SPA 501 of Biodiversity Molecular Biology Environmental Mutagenesis - Environmental 1- 3 Mar 2000 SPA 501 Challenges in the New Millennium Mutagenesis Society of India Project Design Workshop on Sir Dorabji Tata Trust; 22 -24 june 2000 SPA 501 Integrated Natural Resources Ohio State University Management for Food Security & Environment Quality Project Design Workshop on Benefit UNDP/Global 28-30 june 2000 SPA 501 Sharing under Provisions of the Environment Facility Convention on Biological Diversity

139 Annual Report 1999-2000

Discussions with specific reference to the participatory planning and management of Kudankulam and adjoining areas indicated the community and natural resources. Specific severity of natural factors and their impact on importance should be given to demonstration the ecosystem. The landscape has the appear- programmes integrating various ecotechnology ance of a desolate plain with low relief fea- options through a biovillage approach. The tures and sparse vegetation. The slope is gentle demonstration programme should include and towards the east from the Western Ghats. growing mutant cultures of groundnut and In Kudankulam and adjoining regions, the ob- pulses, especially short duration types. servations are as follows: Available options for bioremediation of saline soil should also be undertaken in the • low rain fall and poor soil conditions are demonstration models. the major constraints for crop production

• though the average rainfall is around It was also pointed out that relevant expertise 750mm, it is very erratic and unpredict- is available at various levels to implement the able, leading to frequent crop failures action plan. One of the highlights of the technical consultation was that the participants sug- • texture, depth, calciferousness and salin- gested the formation of a National Consortium ity/alkalinity are the major soil factors af- for Integrated Natural Resources Management fecting the productivity of the soil in the Coastal Areas. The collaboration in such a consortium is envisaged to be based on • salinity/alkalinity is moderate to seve~e both cost free and cost sharing basis. Provid- in most parts of the low lying areas ing technical expertise through consultations • land suitability assessment showed the and demonstrations would be given prime im- major constraints encountered for selected portance. crops grown in the taluk National Workshop on Biovillages • most of the area is only marginally suit- (29 Nov-1 Dec 1999) able for field crops National Workshop on Biovillages : a human An action plan for integrated natural resource centered pathway to sustainable agriculture and management for the Kudankulam region was rural development, was organised from 29 No- evolved on the following lines: vember- 1 December '99 at Pondicherry. The UNDP, Government of India and Government • Documentation of resources status and of Pondicherry supported it. changes in course of time Her Excellency It. Governor of Pondicherry • Augmentation of physical resources in- in her inaugural address commended the work ventory : soil, water, agriculture, socio- being done in the Biovillage programme and economic conditions .added that the Foundation can be a source of . guidance to a number of NGOs and The approach in developing and implementing government departments. She called upon the suchan action plan should be based on NGOs to actively participate in the

140 Education, Communication, Training and Capacity Building governmental programmes that target the poor. 0ravelling Workshop on Ecotechnology in Delivering the Keynote address Dr. lIropical Monsoon Asia: a Comparative Swaminathan called upqn the NGOs to join Study of Mekong Delta (Vietnam) and the hands in the alleviation of rural poverty Kaveri Delta (India)(11-18 December 1999) instead of working in isolation. He proposed the conversion of over 250 villages into , The MSSRF has used on-site workshops of Biovillages by 2007 (the 60th year of multidisciplinary groups of experts to conduct Independence). The Government of comparative assessmentsof the state of natural Pondicherry could develop this plan in resources. (Such workshops were organised in collaboration with the Foundation. assessing the status of mangrove forests in Dr R Padmanabhan, the Development Southeast Asia in 1992-93 and were found to Commissioner of Pondicherry, detailed the be quite effective). The Centre for Southeast achievements of the project and caHed for a Asian Studies, Kyoto University, the Mekong more synergistic action of various organisations Delta Institute, University of the Can Tho and in the alleviation of poverty. Mr B the MSSRF came together to orgainse a Radhakrishnan, Programme Officer, UNDP traveHing workshop to compare the potential and Ms. Rekha Kochar, Programme Officer, for introduction of ecotechnologies in the FAO also participated. . Mekong and Kaveri delta regions. The programme was led by Prof Yoshihiro Kaida of The workshop was attended by a number Kyoto University, and had as members Prof of NGOs, Government depts. of Pondicherry, Koji Tanaka (Kyoto, Japan), Prof Vo Tong Xuan research institutes, universities and financial (Can Tho, Vietnam) Prof Jitt (Chiangmai, institutions. The outcome of the workshop Thailand) and Prof Salim (BAU, Bangladesh) was: with Dr K Balasubraman ian servi ng as convenor of the Indian segment. The team • The initiation of a National network on spent 6 working days in and around BioviHages and Community banking Kilamanagudi viHage where the work on IIFS is taking place (SPA 301). There were visits to • Constitution of a team of experts to work farmers' plots, irrigation works and to research in coHaboration with the Government of institutes in the Kaveri delta region. There were Pondicherry in developing an integrated also extensive consultations with the farmers and holistic plan on the concept of the in the area who have low"input methods in. bioviHage project, to be replicated in all. farming. The MSSRF group prepared and the viHages of the Union Territory of presented four working documents to this Pondicherry by the year 2007 workshop covering different aspects of rural • Developing and refining a Toolkit on development in the area. The ..key BioviHages. recommendation of the group related to building up plot level soil taxonomy maps that The workshop concluded with a field visit to combine traditional understanding with nutrient the Biovillages and Information villages of the analysis data. The continuity in tradition was Foundation. appreciated as a strong point.

141 Annual Report 1999-2000

K.'1owledge Technologies for the Small Prof M S Swaminathan. The recommendations Farmer. in South and Southeast Asia and proceedings will be published in electronic (19-20 December 1999) form. Asa resLiltthe Asian Ecotechnology Net- workhasbeenredefine~ in its scope, and will The combination of developments, such as function under the overall .guidance of globalisation of trade, the World Trade Agree-. Prof Swamlnatnan and Prof. Kaida. ment and the unanticipated rate of the spread of information technology, present a confusing Dialogue on Biovillages and Community picture for the survival of the small and mar- Banking (17-18 February 2000) ginal farm families in South Asia.: The MSSRF has always stressedthe need to take advantage The biovillages project has been promoting a ofthese developments as opportunities to build paradigm of development that is pro-poor,. p.ro-. a sustainable basis for agriculture. There is a nature and pro-woman. The orientation of this .. need to interpret and build contemporary paradigm and its approach to technological knowledge practices for rural poverty allevia- choices hasattracted wide notice. The changing tion, as knowledge of every kind counts as phase of this project, with the biocentre capital. On this understanding, the MSSRF becoming a hub in an overall'sense, has been brought together a group of experts from described in detail in S~A 302. One major India, Bangla,desh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, outcome of a pre-terminal workshop (Nov. 99) Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, Canada and France, of the biovillage project in its current phase of with expertise spanning agronomy and irriga- UNDP support related to strengthening the link tion to distance education. This meeting coin- between the micro credit and community cided with the end of the travelling workshop banking paradigm and the biovillages (referred to above), and had the participation programme. The deliberations on the Gulf of of the Scientific Committee On Problems of Mannar project (SPA 103) gave rise to a the Environment (SCOPE), and the Common- programme that seeks to use the biovillage wealth Of Learning (COL). methodology in the conservation and management of a biosphere reserve (BR) with The workshop started with a set of overviews strong linkages to micro credit and community and case studies on the potential for the diffu- banking approaches. sion of knowledge-intensive ecotechnologies in Asia and the capacity of the IARCs under The Annual Dialogue 2000,. therefore, focused CGIAR to install or deliver requisite on the broad topic of biovillages and knowledge systems was discussed. The role of community banking, with an orientation distance learning in such a process was towards integrating these approaches for the considered in detail. Prof Y Kaida (Japan), sustainable management of BRs. A new Prof K Tanaka (Japan), Prof Vo Tong Xuan paradigm of participatory management of BRs (Vietnam), Prof Francesco di Castri (France), is expected to emerge, much as the paradigm Dr V P Fichelet (SCOPE/ICUS), Cjnd of joint forest management emerged in the Prof Raj Dhanarajan (Commonwealth of seventies by integrating social concerns and Learning) conducted the sessions along with improved forest management practices.

142 Education, Communication, Training and Capacity Building

Mr Ajit Banarjee, in whose forest division JFM National Consultation on Application of was introduced for the first time in this country, DNA Markers for Crop Improvement: . delivered the inaugural addressat the Dialogue. Issues & Perspectives (18 February 2000). Hon. Mr Digvijay Singh, Chief Minister of Advances in the field of Molecular Biology and Madhya Pradesh,participated in the Dialogue as Biotechnology, over the last two decades, have a distinguished policy maker in whose Stateare provided new insights into the structure of the located the largest number of BRsin the country. The other distinguished participants included Dr genome. The new science of "Genomics" pro- Guy Sorman (Adviser to the President of France), vides direct information on the sequence, func- Prof Peter Raven (President-Elect, American tion, activity, position and grouping of genes on the chromosomes. The new developments Association for Advancement of Science), and Dr D P Rao (Director, National Remote Sensing in the field of molecular biology have given rise to systematic, high-throughput, whole-ge- Agency). Senior representatives from the DHAN nome sequencing and associated activities, Foundation, and BAIF, known for their excel- such as development of molecular markers for lence in generating micro credit paradigms, par- detecting the presence of genes or groups of ticipated in the Dialogue. genes directly by genetic linkage. The genomes A National Network on Community Banking of economically important plant species are and Biovillages has been launched, with the being mapped through international collabora- MSSRFserving as the co-ordinating agency for tive efforts. Such information will help to im- the network. (The guiding principles for the prove the speed and accuracy of breeding new MSSRF Community Banking programme are varieties of plants with improved performance given in the box). traits. It will also support the production of

Guidelines for community banking

o Organise Self-Help Group (SHG), based on either a. single enterprise (e.g. mushroom, aquaculture, vermiculture, seed production, etc.,) or a basket of enterprises based on both on-farm and non-farm activities. o The single enterprise or enterprise-mix must be based on market demand and economic, ecological and social sustainability. o Based on the enterprise chosen, the group may consist of either only women or a combination of women and men. o The groups will consist essentially of women and men belonging to ultra-poor families (based on Gandhiji's antyodayaprinciple) but may also include, depending on the nature of the enterprise, marginal and small farm families. Social inclusiveness, rather than social exclusion, will be the motto for the asset building and community development activities.

o Credit limits will be set by each SHG based on the needs of the enterprise.

o Interest rates and recovery schedules will be fixed by members of the SHG. o The SHG will maintain proper accounts and monitor recovery.

143 Annual Report 1999-2000

transgenic plants with improved performance strategy for application of DNA markers, sam- characteristics not attainable by current breed- pling methods, DNA technology, statistical ing technology. tools and ethica~concerns.. It is urgent to discuss the issues involved and take appropriate measures, particularly because Silv~r Jubilee Conference on Environmen- biology is witnessing a rapidly expanding revo- tal Mutagenesis: Challenges for the Next lution. It was in this context that a National Millennium (1-3 March 2000) Consultation on "Application of DNA Markers The Environmental Mutagenesis Society of In- for Crop Improvement: Issues and Perspec- dia (EMSI) founded in 1975 has been in the tives" was organised at the M S Swaminathan forefront for the last 25 years in deliberating Research Foundation in collaboration with XV on issues related to environmental mutagen- Genetics Congress Trust. This consultation was esis and carcinogenesis. On the completion of inaugurated by Prof Peter Raven, Director, Mis- 25 years of its operation, EMSI chose "Envi- souri Botanical Gardens, 5t. Louis, USA and ronmental Mutagenesis: Challenges for the was attended by a number of leading experts Next Millennium" as the theme for the SHver in the field of DNA technology and crop im- Jubilee Conference and this was organised at provement. The consultation addressed major the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation, issuessuch as: Chennai from 1-3 March 2000. The confer- • Defining a variety in the context of mat- ence deliberated on topics ranging from fun- ing systems, genetic structure of variet- damental mechanisms at cellular and molecu- ies/ hybrids/ populations; emerging con- lar levels to socio-economic and ethical impli- cepts of essentially derived varieties cations and consequences. • Requirements for valid application 126 participants attended the conference. There of DNA technology for varietal were 53 oral. presentations and 56 poster pre- identification sentations. The conference was inaugurated by Prof P Rama Rao, Vice-Chancellor, • DNA chips and their application in University of Hyderabad and Chairman, Atomic variety characterisation, scanning the Energy Regulatory Board. The invited functional components of the genome; speakers included A T Natarajan, Leiden; gene expression-based variety S Knasmuller, Vienna; T Nomura, Japan; identification A van Zeeland, Leiden; G Bronzotti, Italy. • Relevance of developing appropriate statistical concepts and softwares for their Project Design Workshop on Integrated elucidation and application National Resource Management for Food • Implications of emerging DNA technolo- Security and Enhancement of Environment gies in the context of intellectual prop- Quality (22-24 June 2000) erty protection and biosafety issues This workshop was organised jointly with the As an outcome of the meeting, a broad con- Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the Ohio State sensus was evolved in relation to defining a University. Workshop participants numbering

144 Education, Communication, Training and Capacity Building

20, included leading experts from India and USA important occasions. On 8 March 2000, a in agronomy, soil science, remote sensing,water meeting was organised on the occasion of the management and ecotechnology. The purpose International Women's Day where the issuesof was to arrive at a collaborative, multi engendering agricultural curriculum, and women institutional project that would generate a set of and food securitywere discussed.The discussions natural resource management practices in were based on the outcome of two workshops dryland farming, both to enhance farm held earlier on these themes (SPA402). productivity and environment quality. The A function to celebrate Earth Day experts from the Ohio State University were led (22 April 2000) was organised, at which the by Prof Bobby Moser, Vice President of the Hon. Mr T R Baalu, Union Minister for University. The Indian experts included Dr D P Environment and Forests,was the Chief Guest. Rao, Director of National Remote Sensing The Hon. Minister dedicated a Sacred Tree Agency and from DHAN Foundation, working Park in the campus of the Foundation, which on community-based approaches to renovation has been designed by Mr M A Parthasarathy, of traditional sources of irrigation. Outlines of a Chairman of the Wilderness Trust. project have been identified. The National Technology Day celebration was organised on 11 May 2000. Biotechnology was Project Design Workshop on Benefit Shar- the theme of the meeting, and fostering ing under Provisions of the Convention on biotechnology-based enterprises was discussed, Biological Diversity (28-30 June 2000) in the context of the Golden Jubilee Biotech- nology Park for Women (SPA209). Participants The Foundation has been active in promoting included both professional scientists and efforts to gain legal sanction for the concept of farmers' rights in relation to utilisation of plant women entrepreneurs. genetic resources. The concept is gaining ground, and. major enactments, such as the Sub Programme Area 502 Bill in India (see Chairman's Introduction) are in the offing. There is a need to identify methods and standard procedures by which Training Programmes such legal sanction can be converted into incentives to the farmer-conservers. This workshop was an effort to formulate a project Over the last 10 years, the MSSRF training that will identify such procedures from ongoing programmes have been tightly integrated with local level practices all over the world. The the research and development programmes, re- workshop had participants from Latin America flecting the emphasis given to capacity build- and Asia, UNDP and the CGIAR. It was ing and human resource development as components of participatory research. The nature supported by the Global Environment Facility. and type of training varies: farmer-farmer; ex- * ** pert-farmer; expert-expert; expert-pol icymaker. As part of the conferencing and seminar These span the entire spectrum of programme activities, meetings were organised to celebrate areas.In Table 5.2, a digest of such programmes

145 Annual Report 1999-2000

is provided. An example of both the diversity the Foundation, while research students have and intensity of training is provided from the been at Cornell University and the International programmes of the J R 0 Tata Ecotechnology Rice Research Institute for carrying out Centre (Table 5.3; also in SPA 301) advanced research on a collaborative basis. The MSSRFhas been granted recognition by the A number of young scholars were encouraged University of Madras and Anna University as a to participate in national and international con- post-graduate centre for conducting research ferences to promote their professional growth. leading to Ph 0 degree. As of June 2000, six- Young researchersfrom the University of South- teen scholars are working full time towards ern California, Cornell University and the their Ph 0 degrees, mainly in the programmes Princeton University have been accepted as related to biodiversity, biotechnology and visiting scholars. The World Food Prize interns ecotechnology. Exchangeof scholars took place are regularly placed in the Foundation for short between the University of Bologna, Italy and periods of upto 12 weeks.

Table 5.2: Major training programmes during 1999-2000

Programme Area Topic of Training Site/Location Participants Details in

Coastal Wetlands Micro credit Project sites in Rural families SPA 101 3 states

GIS Andhra Forest Staff SPA 101

Biodiversity Conservation methods for 3 sites NGOs SPA 201 local area

PPB 2 sites Rural families SPA 202

Agro-biodiversity 3 sites Rural youth SPA 204

Ecotechnology Precision Farming 1 site Bank officials SPA 301 Rural families

Biopesticide Prodn. 1 site Rural families SPA 301

Aquaculture 1 site Rural families SPA 301 Biovillages Biopesticide Prodn; Hybrid Biocentre, Rural families SPA 302 seeds prodn; Aquaculture Pondicherry

Micro credit; Element of Biocemtre, Rural families SPA 302 health diagnosis for cattle Pondicherry

ACCESS Impact of Early Childhood 1 site Field Investigators SPA 401 Learning Centres on Childhood Learning Outcomes

146 Education, Communication, Training and Capacity Building

Table 5.3 : Training programmes in the J RD Tata fcotechno/ogy Centre (1999-2000)

Training Trainee Days Quality Seed Production Management and Wasteland Development 7,050 Integrated Intensive Farming System and Ecoaquaculture 650 Minor Millet Produqion and Marketing 850 Biopesticide Production 280 Self-Help Groups and Micro enterprises 126 Micro enterprise 300 Precision Farming 1,184 Training to the field officers of government departments 86 Intensive Training of B.5e. Forestry Students from North Eastern Institute for 300 Science and Technology

Total 10/826

be launched in the Gulf of Mannar region (see Sub Programme Area 503 SPA 103) as part of the programme to promote alternative sources for livelihood security in Knowledge System for the area. Sustainable Food Security Programme in Pondicherry region

This programme emerged from the series of Vi lIage knowledge centres (earl ier termed discussions and dialogue (notably the "information shops") have been set up in five Dialogue on Information Technology - 1992 places other than Villianur where it was first and the World Science Academies Summit introduced. The locations are Kizhur (21 km on Food Security - 1996) that focused on the west of Pondicherry), Embalam (19 km need to use emerging communication southwest), Veerampattinam (13 km south), technologies in advancing sustainable Poornamkuppam (17 km south) and '{ood security. A project was initiated in Pillayarkuppam Biocenter (9km north; see SPA Pondicherry about 2 years ago, which 302). An MoU has been signed with the village showed that value addition to generic communities and is renewed every year. information is indeed a critical step in the use Violation of MoU led to closure of two village of contemporary networks for rural centres other than the ones listed above. development. Based on this experience, Gender sensitivity is built into all the the programme in Pondicherry has been operations. The gender composition of consolidated, and is in the process of being volunteers is as follows: Kizhur - 1M:1 F; expanded. In addition, a project has been Embalam - 4F; Veerampattinam - 2F:1M; launched in the Dindigul region (Tamil Nadu), Poornamkuppam 2M: 1F; Pillayarkuppam -2F. while plans to launch a similar project in Orissa The rural volunteers were given training in PC are in an advanced stage. This project will also operations, as summarised in Table 5.4

147 Annual Report 1999-2000 ,,------

Table 5.4: Training of volunteers

Average t.ime for gaining familiarity with basic operations (Win 95) 2 weeks

Time taken to transact data on wireless 3 sittings

Time taken to gain preliminary knowledge of HTML week

Word 97 2 days

PowerPoint 97 week

Use of Win 95 keyboard for Tamil Fonts 10 days

Content creation by value addition remains the Like last year, results and mark sheets of high key step. An example of this is the use of school and higher secondary school examina- wave height predictions obtained from the web tions were made available through the Web to in Veerampattinam, a coastal village in which 1,219 students in June 2000. 98% of the families are involved in fishing. This information on wave heights in the next An analysis of users' registers maintained 24 hOUTS,is downloaded from the web from a in the village centres reveal that the US Navy site and converted to suit the lati- proportion of women users is 16%. The tude and longitude of the village. This is used proportion of users who are below the poverty by the fishers in conjunction with their indig- Hne is 1.6% on the average (the average enousmethods of assessmentto decide whether proportion of rural families living below the to go in to the sea or not. Thermal mapping of poverty line is about 21 %) (Table 5.5). fish aggregation near shore (25 km) produced Justover 20% of the use is for voice telephony, by the National Remote S-ensing Agency, indicating that voice is still an important Hyderabad, has also been provided to this ham- medium for transactions in rural areas let whenever available. (Table 5.6).

Table 5.5 : Analysis Qf users' registers in 3 village knowledge cen.tres*

Total Numb~r of Users 10,656

Women 2,073

Dalits 188

AssetlessFamilies 2,581

11literates 309

Persons below 14 yrs of age 2,682

One-time users 2,985 * Period: Jan 1999 - March 2000

148 Education, Communication, Training andCapadty Building

Table 5.6 : Analysis of users' registers / patterns (%)*

Voice 17.80 Personal 2.95 Programme related Data 13.60 Agriculture and Fisheries 20.15 Education 2.58 Employment and Training 9.57 Health 32.72' Govt. Sector / Entitlements

* Period: Jan 1999 - March 2000-

Each village knowledge centre was strength- and one on local religious festivals. In one ened by the addition of 2 or more PCs. These village centre list of voters in the local milk PCs were provided by the Friends of MSSRFin producers co-operative has been compiled and Japan. Two of the pes are used mainly for made public for the first time (against training by the school students in the village. considerable opposition by the executives of They are also used by teachers to provide ad- the co-operative). Youth in these villages have ditional information on school subjects using come forward to gather news and information CD-ROMs such as. the Encyclopaedia in the locality and have been given training in Brittannica. those aspects by professional reporters of the premier local daily. Through them a system Continuous feedback is maintained through for exchanging local information on availability weekly meetings of project staff and the village of materials and labour has come into centre operators, and monthly meetings of all existence. A link between the village centres operators and the project staff. This is the key and the local credit and savings groups has to the identification of unmet information also been established whereby groups maintain needs. Over a one year period, it has been member profiles and financial data in noticed that a significant amount of content the centres. has been created at the village centres. Such content is highly specific to the locality and Impact evaluation appears to fulfil some immediate need. Examples are the development of a detailed With the help of IDRC, Canada, which is the document on sugarcane cultivation, a guide funding agency, an evaluation was conducted book on application of biofertilisers in rice in November'99. The team of evaluators were cultivation, a how-to style document on herbal Dr Bo Goransson of IDRC, Prof Roger Harris remedies for minor disorders among children (University of Malaysia at Sarawak), Dr Merlita

149 Annual Report 1999-2000

Opena (Department of 5&T, Government of knowledge centres project in this area. A sur- the Philippines) and Ms. Narengeral Dander vey of communication infrastructure in this area (from a private internet service provider in covering 108 hamlets was carried out during Mongolia). Besides being experts in the Feb-Apr 2000. From this survey, the following application of ICTs for sustainable results emerged: development, the team members were also involved in operating similar projects with • In this area with about 2,20,000 popula- IDRC support. The team conducted detailed tion, there are only 38 public telephones consultations with the field staff, village centre • There are 533 private telephones in the operators and the village community over a area, which are concentrated in 3 villages period of several days. The evaluation report (380 of these telephones in a population discusses the difficulty in arriving at purely of just over 10,000) quantitative measures of impact and stresses the need to accept "stories" as outcome. This • There are about 3,890 TV sets in homes report concludes that the project should be in this area viewed as "best practice" among such efforts Participatory rural appraisal conducted during in the world, and recommends wider March / April 2000 revealed the keenness of dissemination of the results. Following this, the members of rural families to gain some kind of structure and results of this project have been access to information and communication in- presented and discussed in a number of frastructure. Assessmentsof information needs international conferences. It emerges that show that men are interested in knowing more content-creation through a combination of the about new cultivation techniques while women bottom-up process of demand assessment,and tend to emphasise healthcare, and opportuni- the top-down approach of value-addition is the ties for higher education and training. Com- key to success. mon needs relate to market prices for horticultural produce and entitlements from the gov- The project will be extended to more villages ernment. Assessment of information needs of in phases.Providing links to micro credit, micro the assetlessrural families is under way. enterprises and facilitating local level and intra- rural commerce will be the prime objectives Based on topography, road links and commu- of the project in the next phase. It is significant nication facilities, the small town of that the Government of Pondicherry has come Oddanchatti ram has been chosen as the loca- forward to support such an extension. tion of the project hub. This small town was also the choice of the local families as it Project in Dindigul region emerged from PRA exercises. Oddanchattiram has facility to access the Internet with local The Ecotechnology projects of MssRF have number dial-up. The signals were found stable been active in this area, centering around although the data transfer rates are low. It was Kannivadi village (SPA 301). Through frequent found that dial-up access to the Internet could informal interactions with the rural families, it not be established from the hamlets where tele- has been found appropriate to launch the rural phones are available. The reason is possibly

150 Education, Communication, Training and Capacity Building

due to the relief line units employed by the Strong and H.E. Dr. Jacques Diouf. This year, Department of Telecom SeNices (DoTS). It is Millennium Lectures were delivered by Prof. clear that the technology choice here will have Harlan Cleveland (USA), Dr. Norman Myers to be a hybrid of wired and wireless access. (UK) and Dr. Joseph Hulse (Canada). Solar-mains hybrid will be essential here as a Prof Harlan Cleveland, currently the President source of power, because the hamlets experi- of the World Academy of Art and Science, is ence power disruption running to 170 min. known for his contributions towards creating per day on an average. new technology systems for sustainable development. He spoke on the theme of Sub Programme Area 504 "Informatisation of Development" (28 Sep 99), stressing that sharing of information results in The Hindu Media Resource its increase rather than depletion. New oppor- Centre for Ecotechnology and tunities for socio-economic advancement of large numbers of the poor are opening up Sustainable Development through "brain work", just as access to land, minerals and energy did in the past. This programme, established with the support Dr Norman Myers is known for his outstand- of an endowment made by group The Hindu ing theoretical contributions in elaborating the of publications, has completed two years of nexus between conseNation and development. activities. The programme is premised on the Based in Oxford, UK, where he works as an understanding that the media is a critical chan- independent consultant, Dr. Myers has made nel in shaping policies for promoting sustain- authoritative. analyses of global envi ronmental able development, which is becoming increas- issues, and is a prolific writer, in the popular ingly knowledge-intensive. All the activities as well as academic sense. In his lecture "The are designed to build the capacity of media New Millennium: the Ecology and Economy practitioners in absorbing knowledge inputs of Hope" (16 Dec '99), Dr Myers pointed to derived from frontier developments in sci- the rapidly widening global inequality between ence and technology, so that they can make the rich and poor: the top 20% of the global meaningful interpretation of such inputs for population owns 86% of the world's wealth, the public as well as the policy makers. The controls 82% of the global markets, 68% of activities this year included organisation of foreign investment and 74% of telephone lines. the Millennium Lectures, Public Fora and Me- The emergence of ecotechno-Iogies, such as dia Workshops. improvements in energy-use efficiency, c1osed- Millennium lectures loop systems of manufacture and zero-emission industrial production processes, offer un- The Millennium Lectures are delivered by in- precedented opportunities to reduce wasteful dividuals of great eminence known for their emission and correct such inequality. Dr. lasting contributions to the conseNation of natu- Myers, who is well known for coining the term ral resources and food security. The first two "peNerse subsidies" forthe various policy mea- Millennium Lectures were by Hon. Mr. Maurice sures that cause damage to the environment as

151 Annual Report 1999-2000 well as to economies, emphasised the need Chandigarh; Dr 0 P Rao, Director of the for rolling them back as a measure of hope. National Remote Sensing Agency, Hyderabad. Mr N Ram, Editor, The Frontline served as Dr. Hulse, eminent nutritionist and food scien- the moderator. tist based in Ottawa, Canada, is known for his advocacy of food processing at the primary The public forum discussed the possibilities of level of production as a value-adding measure. community banking based on social moVement. He is the author of widely used books on To strengthen the case, the Chief Minister of underutilised crop species and their nutrition Madhya Pradesh presented the successful case value, and has held important positions in the of his state's community banking- based on the FAa and the IDRC, and in the corporate sec- successof watershed management scheme. The tor. In his lecture on "Urban Food Security: a public forum provided a case study, articulated challenge with many opportunities" (21 Feb international perspectives, proposed a new 2000), Dr. Hulse pointed to the expansion of paradigm of development and debated the ex- urban populations and the diversification in isting framework. urban food habits, which throw a serious challenge to accepted notions of food security. Media workshops When carefully planned and administered, the diverse demands of urban communities for pro- The approach here is to provide a background cessed and preserved foods can provide op- for media practitioners to find stories in rela- portunities for stable employment for the rural tion to ecotechnology before they break and poor, especially women. He outlined the pro- to report them meaningfully when they do. In cess by which rural agro-industries which re- this context, the following media workshops duce loss between the farm gate and urban were organised. markets can be established. Consultations on Gender (During the Techni- Public fora cal Consultation on Gender Dimensions in Taking advantage of the presence of eminent Biodiversity Management and Food Security experts or policy makers in conferences (November 5, '99)): Moderated by Ms Nirmala organised by the Foundation, public fora are Lakshman,Editor, The Sunday Hindu, the work- organised. These fora are designed as panel shop discussed linkages among such aspects discussions for the public and the media. as agrobiodiversity, forestcplant diversity and This year the Public Forum was on "Fighting food security, and the gender roles associated the Famine of Rural Livelihoods" (18 Feb with managing biodiversity. The intellectual 2000). The panelists were the Hon. Mr. property rights of tribal and rural women and Digvijay Singh, Chief Minister of Madhya men in relation to biodiversity were also cov- Pradesh; Dr. Guy Sorman, Foreign Policy Ad- ered. While the technical details were elabo- visor to the President of France; Dr. Peter rated and exchanged by experts and media Raven, President-elect of the American Asso- persons, there was a debate on how media ciation for the Advancement of Science; Dr. should cover issues relating to gender and Madhu Sarin, well known social scientist from biodiversity management issues.

152 Education, Communication, Training and Capacity Building

The Internet as a source of information on sus- Sub Programme Area 5.05 tainable development (March 75, 2000): The role of Internet in the media is increasing. A new source called on-line journalism has Design and Development of emerged as a practice. On-line journalism of- . Databases and Provision of fers sources to contact experts and databases and saves time for journalists who are fo~ced CD~ROM Services to meet deadlines. The Informatics Centre, which is one of the The workshop was informal and interactive. sub-distributedbioinformatics centres supported The entire workshop had less than 45 minutes by the Department of Biotechnology, Govern- of formal podium talk. Ms. Nora Paul, Library ment of India, continued its work on databases Director of Poynter Institute of Media Studies, on mangroves and on agrobiodiversity and (USA), The New Zealand Journalists Training farmers' rights. The Informatics Centre is also Organisation and The United States Informa- responsible for the maintenance of the cam- tion Services, Chennai, contributed materials pus-wide network and its connection to the for this workshop. The fresh user of the Web, Internet. who was "information poor", suddenly be- comes "information overloaded" once s/he is Database on mangroves connected to the net. This workshop also addressed the ways to cope with such an over- The Mangrove Ecosystems Information Service load. (MEJS), in operation since 1994, has two components, namely the directory of experts Media on Water (May 20, 2000): Based on and bibliography, which are merged now along the earlier workshop on the water issue at with GLOMIS (Global Mangrove Data and the city level, the Centre conducted another Information Service), which is a project of the workshop on water conservation and man- International Society for Mangrove Ecosystems agement at the city, state and national lev- (ISME). The Informatics Centre is now the els. The workshop threw new light on the designated center for GLOMIS for the Asia- water crisis i.e., conservation management, Pacific and Northern Indian Ocean Regions, and discussed other successful models of con- and covers data for over 40 countries. During servation. The workshop enabled the media this year, data on 492 experts has been to access authentic data to cover issues re- compiled and 2,416 bibliographic entries lating to water security, in order .toinflu- prepared for the period 1990 - '99, covering ence civic action. Mr N Ram, Editor of the this region. Frontline, moderated the workshop, while Mr K Venu, Executive Editor of the Business Farmers' rights information service Line, Mr Suriyanarayana Singh, Chief Engi- neer of the Metrowater and Mr P V No major additions were made to this data- Sahadevan, Director, Institute of Water Stud- base and it continues to be available on the ies were among the panelists. Web at www.mssrf.org.sg/webfris

153 Annual Report 1999-2000

CD-ROM Services language proceedings of the series of Millennium debates organised by the The collection of CD-ROMs now provloes Volkswagen Foundation. access to about 3.8 million records in the areas of pure and life sciences and Analysis of mathematics research in India has agricultural sciences. The collection includes been extended to cover eleven years, viz. the CAB-CD (agriculture), Biochemistry and 1988-1998. The study is nearing completion Biophysics Citation Index and AGRIS (FAa) and the report would be finalised before updated to March 2000. During the last September 2000. In this study, we have looked year, 1,707 scholars from 17 institutions at international collaboration as reflected in from Tamil Nadu made use of the CD-ROM papers written. jointly by Indian and foreign services. mathematicians. Apart from the citation index databases of 151/ Mathsci is the only Through a recent evaluation, a recommendation other English language secondary has been made that the Informatics Centre service providing addresses of all authors of should (a) construct a pilot virtual library papers. for biosciences and (b) develop a software resource center for providing IPR As a precursor to a study of new biology guidance in bioinformatics applications. research in India, funded by the Department The centre will continue to provide assistance of Biotechnology, we have looked at new in training programmes for NGOs, media biology research in Israel, using three years practitioners and policy makers involved in (1992/ 1995 and 1998) of Biochemistry and (BBCI) as the source biosafety issues and in conservation of Biophysics Citation Index biological diversity. of data. The study covered distribution of papers by journal, journal country, journal impact factor, institution, institution type, etc., as Sub Programme Area 506 well as the extents of domestic and international collaboration. The results were published in Journal of Information Science. The literature Analysis Group A study on new biology research in India and The analysis of the implications of new a few other countries has been initiated, information and communication technologies using multiple databases as sources of data. both for the scientific and scholarly community As a precursor to this larger study, we are in the developing countries and for the rural looking at mapping fisheries research in India, poor has been extended. Our views were using Aquatic Science and Fisheries presented at a debate on information Abstracts, CAB Abstracts, BIOSIS, Science technology in the new millennium organised Citation Index (SCI), BBC! and Biotechnology by the Volkswagen Foundation, Hanover, and Citation Index (BTCI) as sources of raw subsequently published in Journal of data. As different databases follow different Information Science as well as in the German ways of presenting bibliographic data, one

154 Education, Communication, Training and Capacity Building

has to first standardise the structure. Also, as the same paper might have been indexed Sub Programme Area 507 in more than one secondary service, one has to eliminate duplicates. This takes considerable time and effort. Library and Information Services Another study looks at international collaboration in 11 Asian countries, viz. India, The print library now has a base collection of China, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, approximately 10,000 books and 125 Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and professional journals. The library automation South Korea using SCI 1998 as the source of package called Mathuram, fully indigenously data. The results of this study are ready for developed, has been upgraded and ported to submission to a journal. MS-SQL Server and can be accessed online on the intranet. The library also provides digests With a view to studying highly cited of information downloaded from the Internet, Indian researchers, we have looked at more and provides an alert service tailored to suit than 140 papers written by physicist-materials individual researchers in the MSSRF. scientist Dr T Venkatesan of the University The CD-ROM collections have been updated. of Maryland, during the seven years 1987-1993. The CAB-CD collection of agricultural science These papers have been cited more than CDs now stands updated till the end of 1999/ 5,700 times up to 1999. The results were along with Biological and Biochemical Citation submitted by a trainee as a Masters' degree Index. This collection is used extensively by student project to the Birla Institute of researchers worki ng on Iiterature analysis Technology, Ranchi. (SPA 506).

On an invitation from the editor of British The library provides assistance to research Medical Journal (BMJ), our views on assessing students working in the areas of pure and evaluating clinical information obtained and applied life sciences, agricultural sciences from the Internet and on the status of and environment policy issues. During tele-medicine and new information the last year, about 1/800 students from technologies on healthcare in developing 13 universities were provided information countries have been given. support.

155 Programme Area 600

Special Projects

The following are some of the major consultancies undertaken I during the year: • Vision and Action paper for the Union Ministry of Agriculture, Agenda 2007 programme for the Union Territory of Pondicherry, designed to convert all the villages of the Union Territory into Biovillages by August 2007, which marks the 60th anniversary of India's independence

• Food Insecurity Map/Atlas of India for the World Food Programme, which is designed to facilitate action to end chromic hunger in the worst affected areas, will be released on October 16, 2000, designated as "World Food Day". This year's theme for the World Food Day is "A Hunger free Millennium".

601 Preparation of nperspective Plan and Vision 20201/ and nStrategic Action Plan for DevelopmentH for the Ministry of Agriculture, Govenment of India 157

602 WFP-MSSRFProject on Food Insecurity Map of India 159 I Special Projects

tion plan outlines the detailed steps that should Sub Programme Area 601 be taken to achieve these objectives.

Growth: The buzzwords for the new mil- Preparation of "Perspective Plan • lennium will be sustainable Jevelopment and Vision 2020" and "Strategic -not mere food security but also nutrient Action Plan for Development" for security and avoidance of profligacy in the Ministry of Agiculture, Govern- farm practices to avoid ecological imbal- ance. Through a proper mix of genomics ment of India and molecular breeding, information technology and ecotechnology, it will be pos- The Ministry of Agriculture, Government of In- sible to promote the agricultural produc- dia, had commissioned the Foundation to de- tion system that is rooted in the principle velop a Vision 2020 document to outline the of Integrated Natural Resource Manage- programmes and strategies that should be un- ment. Specific steps would include spread dertaken by the Department of Agriculture with and updating of technology together with the cooperation of the Government of India. a blending of traditional wisdom and The Study was conducted in two phases. adoption of a systems approach using optimisation models and creation of in- A perspective plan was developed with the stitutions for increased interface between primary purpose of ensuring food and nutri- the farmer and the market place. tional security. The Document has been developed on the basis of four important na- • Extension: Broad based extension will be tional considerations: Food Security, Employ- the key element in the new millennium. A ment, Growth Stability and Sustainability. cultural extension worker using informa- Based on realistic estimates of demand and tion technology will play an increasingly changes in consumption patterns, economic important role in production and natural empowerment and other socio-economic and resource management. This will include socio-cultural factors, it was estimated that steps to expand the universe of extension with accelerated growth rates, promoted by workers and ensure an era of gender aware- advances in technology, the country would nessand gender equity with increasing par- be able to meet its food requirements in the ticipation of women in extension. coming decades, ensuring a marginal surplus of production over consumption. This opti- The following initiatives and approaches mistic plan will, however, require continued would govern an integrated Action Plan growth, dedication and commitment to pro- in Extension: vide overall food and nutritional security and o Extension services should be respon- policy support. sive to the changing agricultural sce- nario The Strategic action plan highlights o Public extension services should be The subsequent document on the strategic ac- restructured to address weaknesses

157 Annual Report 1999-2000

o The universe of extension workers for sustainable agriculture and hence posi- should be enlarged taking into active action to reduce imbalances will have count the increasing role of the non to be taken. There will have to be area governmental sector specific studies to concentrate on location/soil specific advantages with particu- o Financial sustainability of extension lar emphasis on rain-fed arid and semi- services should be ensured arid technology. A special fund alloca- tion for improving infrastructure will be o Participation of women in extension services should be increased necessary. Land use policy: An institutional mecha- o Extensive use of mass media for com- • nism should be introduced to periodically munication and dissemination should review the land use plan and take into be planned account ecological and habitat changes, o A "Knowledge System" based on the which reflect the changirg development peoples' needs should be developed paradigm. At the same time socio-political and socio-economic parameters that • Democratic decentralisation : Self- influence land use at the micro level mobilisation by the people will be the should not be ignored. The following rec- key principle for agricultural advance to ommendations have been made: link the ecological security of an area with o livelihood security in a symbiotic man- Create institutional capacity to de- ner. Hence responsibility will have to be velop land use plans delegated to the concerned local bodies, o Monitor progress of the policy imple- with a clear demarcation of their legal, mentation in a time format consultative, discretionary, contractual o Develop institutional mechanism for and supervisory functions. The real early approval of plans within na- strength of the local bodies lies in their tional/regional overview financial independence and hence provision should be made for the devolution o Create a mechanism for revision of of funds. Integrating the watershed devel- land use plan opment programme with the village de- Co- velopment plan will be an effective • Clobalisation and commercialisation: ordination of necessary activities and cre- method to ensure peoples' participation ation of new institutions to provide finan- as also sustainable and equitable use of cial and other support for end-to-end tech- water. These will have to be achieved through Action Plans spelling out the de- nologies to ensure global competitiveness have to be planned to ensure export pro- lineation of the decision-making process motion without compromising the basic at each level. premise of self-reliance. This will cover • Reduction of regional imbalances: Equity market interface not only for agricultural will have to be the guiding consideration primary produce but also products of re-

158 Special Projects

lated fields like horticulture,' sericulture Organisations and international aid agencies and floriculture. to launch hunger free area programmes. The action was initiated through a contract signed • Food quality and safety: Institutions .between the two organisations on 26 Decem- should be developed to ensure phyto-sani- ber '99. October 2000 is the agreed time of tary conditions, proper grading and completion. standardisation and adherence to Codex Alimentarius Standards. Credible and pub- Food Insecurity Map of India aims at describing lic regulating agencies are necessary for food insecurity in all its dimensions and the maintenance of quality standards for identifying the hot spots of hunger-the most both international and domestic markets. vulnerable states, the most vulnerable groups and the most vulnerable situations. The analysis The systems ap- • Management system: of food insecurity situations and the maps of proach will be the guiding consideration food insecurity are expected to serve as in evolving a management structure dur- advocacy tools for policy changes and ing the new millennium. This will call programme interventions. The focus of the for continuous review of the system to study is not on just producing a map of India provide flexible management decision with different colours showing the mechanisms to provide price and non- concentration of hungry people, but to analyse price incentives for utilising information the food insecurity situation, and spell out the technology. The system will have to be policies and programmes needed to make India pluralistic in design to bring into force hunger-free. the diverse interests of producers and consumers. In particular an effective mechanism for biosafety, bioethics and Defining food insecurity biosurveillance will be needed in the next Food insecurity is defined as the "present or millennium, as advances in genetic tech- potential inability to consume and absorb ad- nology will tend to be more precise and equate balanced diet, complete, in all its nutri- revolutionary as compared to traditional ents, essential for a healthy and productive ex- methods and approaches. istence, either temporarily or for long periods of time." A temporary situation is referred to Sub Programme Area 602 as transitory food insecurity and a long-term situation is referred to as chronic food insecurity. We have adopted a comprehensive defi- WFP-MSSRF Project on Food nition, covering several dimensions of food in- .Insecurity Map of India security. Each dimension of food security ne- cessitatesa different approach, a different policy World Food Program (WFP) approached the and a different programme. All dimensions of Foundation to prepare a Food Insecurity Map food insecurity can be captured in the three of India, to identify priority areas needing at- essential aspects of food: food availability, food tentionfrom Government, Non-Governmental access and food absorption.

159 Annual Report 1999-2000

Food availability depends primarily upon food over time. They may be at the community level production, growth in production, fluctuations or household level. Some of these can ,be in production and sustainability of production. captured and quantified. Others practised by the Food consists of all food items needed for a household may not have a record, but will be healthy living from plant and animal sources. reflected in their food security. Loans from the Availability further depends upon marketing of landlords, self help groups, low interest rates . food, storage of food, imports and exports of in lean seasons, entitlements such as food, movements of food and existing infra- free housing, free food, vegetables, milk etc., structure, physical and institutional. Availabil- on a regular basis by the employer are ity is further affected by natural disasters such positive coping mechanisms of the community. as floods, droughts, cyclones and earthquakes. Some of the coping mechanisms, such as Man made problems such as wars and politi- indebtedness and sale of assets, may have cal, social and communal upheavals may also an adverse impact on long-term livelihood affect availability at times. and food insecurity.

Food accessdepends upon accessto livelihood. Outside agencies such as the Government, lo- Education, skills and opportunities and food cal authorities, international organisations and prices determine the household's earning ca- non-governmental organisations help the popu- pacity and its ability to purchase adequate bal- lation to overcome food insecurity. Providing anced diet for all the members. Further, social food grains at subsidised prices, providing and gender related factors might prevent an micro credit for self-employment, credit for con- individual's access to a balanced diet. sumption in times of crop failure, providing employment in off-peak seasons, care feeding Levels of food consumption depend mainly programmes, supplementary school feeding, upon food availability and food access. Food anganwadi feeding etc., come under this cat- consumption also depends upon habits, pref- egory. When the safety nets are successfully erences, perceptions and the knowledge of ba- cast, food insecurity will be minimal. Further, sic nutrition. Intake of calories, proteins, fats the effectiveness of the safety nets depends and other basic nutrients are guided by the upon the need, the suitability of the above considerations. Food absorption means programme, the awareness and participation being able to assimilate the food consumed of the community and the competence of the for a healthy life. Food absorption in turn de- executor. pends upon the state of health as also, pollution, sanitation and hygiene of the surround- ings. These in turn depend upon health infra- Food insecurity indicators structure available in a locality. An appropriate indicator of food insecurity is one which provides the measure of magnitude Dealing with it and intensity of inadequacy and deprivation Safety nets and 'coping mechanisms' help to experienced by an individual, community or a overcome food insecurity. A food insecure geographical area. Indicators are of various population develops certain coping mechanisms types.

160 Special Projects

Some are sensor indicators, which sense the toring Bureau Survey), have been used exten- intensity of the problem. They are the causes sively in this study. of the problem. The level of production, levels of income, drought prone location, lack of Th is study is the fi rst stage. It aims at knowledge of nutrition, lack of health facili- indicating the road map to achieve the ties, lack of basic infrastructure, etc., come un- ultimate goal, in terms of policies and der this category. programmes. The district and village level studies constitute the second stage. The third Some are response indicators, which are a con- stage is to design specific programmes to at- sequence of a problem. They are of two types: tack those problems. a) Indicators that show the adverse impact of food insecurity: low level of food consump- Methodology tion, migration of labour to other regions in times of drought, etc., come under this cat- The method adopted is to group the various egory; b) Indicators that reflect coping mecha- irdicators into indices, reflecting a different di- nisms : they may be in terms of government mension of food insecurity. Various indices, -interventions by way of public distribution sys- such as food production index, food consump- tem, employment generation programmes, tion index, environmental sustainability index, supplementary feeding programmes etc. Cop- livelihood index, adult and child nutrition in. ing mechanism can also include indebtedness, dex, health infrastructure index, safety nets in- sale of assets, use of seed as food etc. dex etc., have been computed to study the intensity of food insecurity experienced by the Some others are outcome indicators, which are people in various States. The indicators aild also exposure indicators such as chronic en- indices and their inter-relationships are being ergy deficiency, malnourishment, underweight, carefully analysed to get the full picture of the stunting, wasting, disease, low life expectancy, intensity of food insecurity. Explanations of high infant, child and maternal mortality, mi- inconsistencies and paradoxes from the point cronutrient deficiencies, incapacitation etc. of view of food availability, access and ab- Data requirements to study all the aspects in sorption are provided as and when necessary. full are enormous. The data also may not be The safety nets available, problems left unat- available or reliable. Depending on the reli- tended and intensity of adverse impact are also ability and availability, a choice of the data studied. The groups which are most food in- that best describes the food insecurity situa- secure are identified. Existing policy lapses and tion must be made. Secondary data has been ineffective approaches to the problems are utilised for this purpose. The same reference analysed and the magnitude of the effort is year is not possible for all jndicators, but all assessed. the indicators used refer to the decade ending in 2000. National sample survey data, '91 cen- Analysis and findings sus data and data from the three nutritional surveys, (National Health Surveys, District Nu- The final Report will have all the findings ar- tritional Profiles and National Nutrition Moni- ranged and analysed in a systematic manner.

161 ,

Annual Report 1999-2000

The following indices have been computed for levels of crop land degradation as well as en- the 16 states for which we have data: food . vironmental degradation. The problem of production index, environmental sustainability deficient calorie consumption, particularly in index, disaster index, food consumption index, the lower income groups, appears to be much livelihood access index, adult nutrition index, larger than the problem of poverty. The prob- child nutrition index, rural health infrastruc- lems of micro nutrient deficiency and growth ture index, gender disparity index, and safety disorders encompass even the non-poor. Rural net index, Both parametric and non-parametric health infrastructure is directly correlated to measuresare used for analysis. The initial find- child health. Livelihood access is not very ing shows that states involved in higher levels sound for many stateswith a high percentage of per capita food production also have high of population dependent on casual labour.

162 Publications Reports Arunachalam, S. 1999. INDEV - An Evaluation. Books/Monographs/Manuals Submitted to The British Council. New Delhi. Alagarswami, K. (ed). 1999. Sustainable Liveli- /.. hoods and Environment Management of Dhanapal, D. 1999. Gender Matters Award ~ Coastal Ecosystems. Proceedings nO.34. Report on Gender and Information and MSSRF, Chennai. 36pp. Communication Technologies: Learning M. S. Swaminathan ResearchFoundation. 1999. from Information Village Research Project Sri Lankan Women and Men as Bioresource - Pondicherry Region, India. Submitted to Managers. FAa, Bangkok and MSSRF, International Development Research Cen- Chennai. 90pp. tre. Ottawa, Canada.

M. S. Swaminathan ResearchFoundation. 2000. Raman, K. V. 1999. Agricultural and Rural Taking Stock: Developing Indicators for Development Policies in India: Possible Analysing Costs and Benefits of Early Areas of japanese Assistance. Submitted Childhood Care and Development to Japan International Co-operation Agency Programmes. Proceedings nO.35. MSSRF, UICA). New Delhi. Chennai. 56pp. Raman, K. V. 1999. Sustainable Development M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation. 2000. of Agriculture in Tamilnadu. Submitted to Engendering Undergraduate Agricultural the Tamil Nadu State Planning Commis- Education: A Resource Guide. Proceedings sion, Government of Tamil Nadu. Chennai. nO.36. MSSRF, Chennai. 77pp. M. S. Swaminathan ResearchFoundation. 2000. Raman, K. V. 2000. Agriculture in the Service Sustaining the BJovillage Programme: The of the Nation: Perspective Plan and Vision Prime Movers and Doers. Monograph nO.8. 2020. Submitted to the Ministry of Agri- MSSRF, Chennai. 74pp. culture, Government of India. New Delhi.

/ Narayan, L. R. A. 1999. Remote Sensing and Raman, K. V. 2000. Agriculture in the Service v v- its Applications. Universities Press, of the Nation: Strategic Action Plan for Hyderabad. 215pp. Development. Submitted to the Ministry Rajaraman, S., R. Balachander and L. R. A. of Agriculture, Government of India. New Narayan. 2000. Law of Land Survey and Delhi. Settlement in Tamilnadu. C. Sitaraman, Swaminathan, M. S. (Member of the Commis- Chennai. 145pp. sion). 2000. Ending Malnutrition by 2020: Swaminathan, M. S. 1999. A Century of Hope: An Agenda for Change in the Millennium. Towards an Era of Harmony with Nature Final Report to the ACC/SCN by the Com- and Freedom from Hunger. EastWest mission on the Nutrition Challenges of the Books, Chennai. 154pp. 21st Century.

163 Annual Report 1999-2000

Articles in Journals/Books Collaboration in New Biology Research in Israel. Journal of Information Science. Ajith Anand, C. S. Raoand P. Balakrishna. 1999. 26(1): 39-49. In vitro Propagation of Syzygium travancoricum Gamble - an Endangered Arunachalam, V. 1999. Conservation, Genetic Tree Species. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Erosion and Early Warning System : Culture. 56: 59-63. Key Issues. Proceedings of the Technical Meeting on the Methodology of the Arunachalam, S. 1999. Africa in the Global and FAa World Information and Early Warn- so-called Developing World Perspectives. ing System on Plant Genetic Resources. Now & in the Next Millennium 1990s- (eds)j. Serwinski and I. Faberova. Research 3000 CEo (eds) P. Habomugisha, D. R. Institute of Crop Production, Prague. Asafa, I. Njinya-Mujinya, S.j. Asafa and S. 45-47. Maithufi. Ra-Global Communications and jARP, Uppsala. 9-12. Arunachalam, V. 2000. Paradigms of Participa- tory Enhancement of Rice Productivity: Arunachalam, S. 1999. Information and Knowl- Suggestions Based on a Case Study in In- edge in the Age of Electronic Communica- dia. Current Science. (in press). tion: A Deveioping Country Perspective. Journal of Information Science. 25(6): 465- Eganathan, P., C. S. Rao and Ajith Anand. 1999. 476. Vegetative Propagation of Three Mangrove Tree Species by Cuttings and Air Layering. Arunachalam, S. 1999. Informatics in Clinical Mangroves and Salt Marshes. 6: 1-6. Practice in Developing Countries: Still Early Days. British Medical Journal. 319(7220): Geetha Rani, M. 2000. Community Gene Banks 1297. Sustain Food Security and Farmers' Rights. Biotechnology and Development Monitor. Arunachalam, S. 1999. Mapping Life Sciences 41: 19-22. Research in India: A Profile Based on BIOSIS 1992 - 1994. Current Science. Kamat,j. P., K. K. Boloor, T. P. A. Devasagayam, 76(9): 1191-1203. B. jayashree and P. C. Kesavan. 2000. Differential Modification by Caffeine of Arunachalam, S. 1999. Science Summit. Cur- Oxygen-dependent and Independent Effects rent Science. 77(7): 849-851. of r-Irradiation on Rat Liver Mitochondria. Arunachalam, S. 2000. Silicon Subcontinent. International Journal of Radiation Biology. New Scientist. 165(2221): 46-47. (in press).

Arunachalam, S. 2000. Economical with the Lakshmi, M., M. Parani, Nivedita Ram and' A. Truth. New Scientist. 165(2229): 49. Parida. 2000. Molecular Phylogeny of Mangrove VI. Intraspecific Genetic Varia- Arunachalam, S. and M. jinandra Doss. 2000. tion in Mangrove Species Excoecaria Science in a Small Country at a Time of agallocha L. Euphorbiaceae. Genome. Globalisation: Domestic and International 43: 110-115.

164 Publications

Lakshmi, M., P. Senthilkumar, M. Parani, M. Associated Species. Theor. Appl. Genet. N. Jithesh and A. Parida. 2000. PCR-RFLP 100: 454-460. Analysis of Chloroplast Gene Region in Rajkumar, K. and M. V. Ravikumar. 1999. Role Cajanus Leguminosae and Allied Genera. of the "Friends of the Snakes Society" in Euphytica. (in press). the Conservation of Snakes.Cobra. 38: 18- Mohan, M. S. S. and G. N. Hariharan. 1999. 20. Lichen Distribution Pattern in Pichavaram: Rangan, L., S. Constantino, G. S. Khush, M. S. A Preliminary Study to Indicate Forest Swaminathan and J. Bennett. 1999. The Disturbance in the Mangroves of South Feasibility of PCR-basedAllele Mining for India. Biology of Lichens. (eds) K. G. Stress Tolerance Genes in Rice and Mukerji, B. P. Chamola, D. K. Upreti and Related Germplasm. Rice Genetics News- R. K. Upadhyay. Aravali Books Interna- letter. 16: 43-48. tional, New Delhi. 283-296. Ravikumar, M. V. 1999. Reptiles of Kesarkulli Nageswaran, M. 1999. Hi-tech Tomato Culti- Dam. Cobra. 38: 6-11. vation : The Israel Way. Indian Horticul- ture. April - June. 16. Ravikumar, M. V. and R. J. R. Daniels. 1999. Checklist of Amphibians and Reptiles of Nair, Sudha. 2000. Global Partnerships Towards Kolli Hills. Cobra. 38: 21-22. Creation of Knowledge Societies - A Way Forward. Current Science. 76(12) : 1413- Shaleesha,A. 1999. An Appropriate Illustrative 1414 Module for the Treatment of Contaminated Drinking Water Situated around the Tan- Parani, M., M. Lakshmi, P. Senthilkumar and nery Industrial Areas. Proceedings of the A. Parida. 1999. Molecular Cloning and New Millennium Conference on Retrospect Nucleotide Sequence of 2-enoyl-CoA of Indian Research on Environmental Pol- Hydratase from Mangrove Species lution: Focus 21st Century. Environment Avicennia marina. (Accession No. Monitoring Training & Research Centre, AF190450 - PGR99-173). Plant Physiol. New Delhi. 66. 121:1057. Shaleesha, A. and V. A. Stanley. 1999. Exten- Parani, M., M. Lakshmi, P. Senthilkumar and J sion Ed.ucation in Aquaculture. Journal of .. t./ . A. Parida. 2000. Ribosomal DNA Varia- Educational Research & Extension. 36(3): tion and Phylogenetic Relationship among 11-22. Cajanus cajan L. Millsp. and its Wild Rela" tives. Current Science. 78(10): 1235-1238. Shanmugavelan, Murali. 2000. IT in Develop- ing Nations. Intermedia. 28(1): 29-32. Parani, M., M. Lakshmi, B. Ziegenhagen, M. Fladung, P. Senthilkumar and A. Parida. Shanmugavelan,Murali and S. Senthil Kumaran. 2000. Molecular Phylogeny of Mangroves 1999. Information shops: Taking IT to Rural VII. PCR-RFLPof trnS-psbC and rbcL Gene Communities. Voices for Change. 3(3): Regions in 24 Mangrove and Mangrove- 28-29.

165 Annual Report 1999-2000

Sharma, S. D., S. R. Dhua and P. K. Agrawal. Swaminathan, M. S. 1999. Ecological Security- 1999.' Sp~cies of Genus Oryza and their A Prerequisite for Food and Livelihood Interrelationships. Rice Breeding and Ge- Security. Environment 2000 and Beyond. netics: Research Priorities and Challenges. (ed) Ahmad K. Hegazy. International Cen- (ed) Jata S. Nanda. Oxford & IBH, New tre for Envi ronment and Development, Delhi. 313-347. Cairo. 203-222.

Sharma, S. D., Smita Tripathy and Jyostnamayee Swaminathan, M. S. 1999. Research for Sus- Biswal. 1999. Origin of O. sativa and its tainable Agricultural Development in South Ecotypes. Rice Breeding and Genetics: Re- Asia: Opportunities and Challenges. In- search Priorities and Challenges. (ed) Jata creasing Rice Production in Bangladesh: S. Nanda .. Oxford & IBH, New Delhi. Challenges and Strategies. (eds) Sadiqul I. 349-,369" Bhuiyan and A N. M. Rezaul Karim. Inter- . . national Rice Research Institute, Manila . Stal'ley, V. A., A Shaleesha and K. S. Pillai. 13-29. 1999.Plasma Fluoride levels among the 11umanPopulation exposed to Environmen- Swaminathan, M. S. 1999. Fostering New Sym- al Fluoride. }. Ecobiol. 11(2): 121-12'4. biotic Social Contract for a Hunger-Free India. Biodiversity, Taxonomy and Ecology. Stanley, V. A, A Shaleesha and K. S. Pillai. (eds) R. K. Tandon and Prithipalsingh. 1999. Urinary Fluoride and Dental Lesions Scientific Publishers, Jodhpur. 219-240. among the Population exposed to Environ- mental Fluoride. }. Environ. BioI. 20(4): Swaminathan, M. S. 1999. Knowledge Century. 339-342. Towards Knowledge Century: Collection of Selected Foundation and Special Lec- Swaminathan, M. S. 1999. Population, Envi- tures. (eds) C. V. Venugopal and H. V. ronment and Food Security. Environmen- Nagesh. Prasaranga, Karnatak University, tal Awareness. 22(1). 15-24. Dharwad. 138-144.

Swaminathan, M. S. 1999. Genetically Modi- Swaminathan, M. S. 1999. Genetic Engineer- fied Organisms in Agriculture: A Risk-aver- ing and Food Security: Ecological and Live- sion Package. Current Science. 76(4) : lihood Issues. Agricultural Biotechnology 468-470. and the Poor: Proceedings of an Interna- tional Conference on Biotechnology. (eds) Swaminathan, M. S. 1999. Science Response G. J. Persley and M. M. Lantin. CGIAR, to Basic Human Needs. Keynote Address Washington D. C. 37-42. delivered at the World Conference on Science, Budapest. Current Science. 77(3) Swaminathan, M. S. 1999. Toward a Food : 341-353. Secure World. Food Security - New Solu- tions for the Twenty-first Century: Proceed- Swaminathan, M. S, 1999. Climate and Sus- ings from the Symposium Honoring the tainable Food Security. Pesticide World. Tenth Anniversary of the World Food Prize. Jan-Feb. 27-31. Iowa State University Press,Iowa. 107-128.

166 Publications

Swaminathan, M. S. 1999. Challenges and Op- Swami nathan, M. S. 2000. Launching a Move- portunities of the New Millennium : ment for SustainableNatural ResourcesMan- Mobilising Technology for Social and agement. Wastelands News 15(3),9-16. Gender Equity. CMS Communication Swaminathan, M. S. 2000. An Evergreen Revo- Colloquium 4. Centre for Media Studies, lution. Biologist. 47(2) : 85-89. New Delhi. 21.

Swami nathan, M. S. 1999. Management for Presentation in Conferences/Symposia Greater Synergy. Management Perspec- Arunachalam, S. 1999. Information and Knowl- tives : Essayson Managerial Priorities and edge in the Age of Computerization: A Management Education. Macmillan India Developing Country Perspective. Limited, Delhi. 335-345. Volkswagen Foundation Millennium Dec Swaminathan, M.S 1999. The Impact of Crop bate. Hanover. May 7. Production on Future Food Supply. Food Artmachalam, S. 1999. Mapping Science in and Water: A Question in Survival. Fo- India. Wellcome Trust. London. May 14. rum Engelberg and vdf Hochschulverlag AG an der ETH Zurich. 65-76. Arunachalam, S. 1999. Reachingthe Unreached: Providing Information Access in Rural In- Swaminathan, M. S. 1999. Increasing Rice Pro- dia. School of Information Management, duction in Bangladesh Research for Sus- University of Brighton. Brighton. May 17. tainable Agricultural Development in South Asia: Opportunities and Challenges. (ed. Arunachalam, S. 1999. Science and by Sadiqul I, Bhuiyan and A N M Rezaul Scientometrics in the Developing World. Karim) International ~ice Research Insti- Seventh International Conference on tute, Philippines. 13-29. Scientometrics and Informetrics. Colima, Mexico. July 5-8. Swaminathan, M. S. 1999. Silent Valley Na- Arunachalam, S. 1999. Making a difference: tional Park - a Biological Paradise. Silent An Experiment in using Knowledge Valley - Whispers of Reason. (eds) T M for Sustainable Development in Rural Manoharan, S D Biju, T S Nayar and P S India. National Academy of Sciences Easa. Kerala Forest Department. 1-9. Washington D. C. July 13. Swaminathan, M. S. 1999. Rice - in a Varitable Arunachalam, S. 1999. What can the Literature Climate. Rice in 2000 A. D. (Eds.) Y P of Science tell us about Science? ICRISAT, Abrol and Sulochana Gadgil. APC Publi- Hyderabad. November 16. cations Pvt. Limited, New Delhi. 217-238. Arunachalam, S. 1999. Information Technology: Swaminathan, M. S. 2000. Government-Indus- How can we make it an ally in the Equity try-Civi I Society: Partnerships in Integrated Movement? Conference on Using Technol- Gene Management. Ambio. 29(2):115-121. ogy for the Enhancement of Learning in Swaminathan, M. S. 2000. Science in Response Agriculture in the Caribbean. Barbados. to Basic Human Needs. Science 287 : 425. November 22-29.

167 Annual Report 1999-2000

Arunachalam, S. 2000. Changing Face of Balaji, V. 2000. Plenary presenter of the rec- Science Communication. IASLIC ommendations of the Working Group on Conference. Karnatak University, Dharwad. ICTs for Rural Development. First COAIM January 3. Conference. Food and Agriculture Organisation, Rome. June 8-9. Arunachalam, S. 2000. Biotechnology and Informatics in Healthcare Today and To- Balaji, V. 2000. ICTs for Poverty Alleviation. morrow. 39th Annual Conference of Na- Geneva 2000: Copenhagen Social Summit tional Academy of Medical Sciences, + 5 (Special Session of the UN General Southern Region. Chennai. March 26. Assembly). Geneva. June 26-30.

Arunachalam, V. 1999. Participatory Plant Im- Balasubramanian, K. 1999. Social Conditions provement: An Experience with Tribal for SustainableAgriculture: Inferences from Farmers in India. International Symposium casestudies in South India. 2nd Asia-Pacific on Participatory Plant Breeding in Asia: Conference on Sustainable Agriculture. An Exchange of Experiences. Pokhra, Phitsanulok, Thailand. October 18-20. Nepal. May 1-5. Balasubramanian, R., J. Krishnarajan and S. Arunachalam, V. 1999. Biodiversity-Friendly Ramesh. 2000. Optimising Irrigation re- Pro-Poor Paths to Agrarian Prosperity. First quirement for Direct Seeded Rice. Interna- Regional Session of the Global Biodiversity tional Rice Research Conference on Rice Forum for South and Southeast Asia. IUCN, Research for Food Security and Poverty Al- Sri Lanka. October 24-26. leviation. International Rice ResearchInsti- tute, Manila, Philippines. March 31 -April 3. Balaji, V. 1999. The Information Villages Ex- periment in Pondicherry. Workshop on Balasubramanian,R., S. Ramesh, D. Manimaran, Te/ecentre Evaluation. International Devel- S. Anbumani, B. Vijayalakshmi, D. opment Research Center, Val Morin, Tiroutchelvame and R. S. S. Hopper. 1999. Canada. September 28-30. Evaluation of Nitrogen Management Prac- tices for Irrigated Transplanted Rice. Crop Balaji, V. 2000. Information Technology: Reach- Resource Management Network ing the Unreached. GSSD Conference. (CREMNET) Workshop. Soil and Water Massachusettes Institute of Technology, Management ResearchInstitute, Thanjavur. Boston, USA. January 17-18. August 24-27. Balaji, V. 2000. Statusof Information and Com- Geetha Rani, M. and A. Parida. 1999. Biovillage munication Technologies in the South. Approach in Management of Natural Re- Annual Meeting of the Danish Society of sources and Community Development. Engineers. Copenhagen. March 28. Regional Symposium on Biovillage Ap- Balaji, V. 2000. President's Invitee to the Open proach for Natural Resource Management Executive Council Meeting of the Scien- and Rural Development in Rainfed Areas. tific Committee on Problems of the Envi- FARMNet Asia Forum, FAO, Bangkok, ronment. Beijing. April 12-16. Thailand. December 7-8.

168 Publications

Geetha Rani, M. 2000. Technologies and Extracts of Jatropha gossypifolia. National Strategies for Ex-situ Conservation: Com- Seminar on the Research and Development munity Gene Banks in Participatory Con- in Aromatic Plants: Current Trends in Bi- servation in India. International Conference ology, Uses, Production and Marketing of on Science and Technology for Managing Essential Oils. CIMAP, Lucknow. July 30- Plant Genetic Diversity in the 21st Cen- 31. tury. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. June 11-16. Manimaran, D. 2000. IPM Block Approach in Jayashree, B., T. P. A. Devasagayam and P. C. Biovillages. International Rice Research Kesavan.2000. Linear, no Threshold Model Conference on Rice Research for Food Considered from the Point of Differential Security and Poverty Alleviation. Interna- Gene Expression. 25th Annual Meeting of tional Rice Research Institute, Manila, the Environmental Mutagenesis Society of Philippines. March 31 - April 3. India. MSSRF, Chennai. March 1-3. Nagaraja, c., S. Sekar, A. Shaleesha and S. Rajakani. 2000. Impact of Un-Ionised John Joseph, S. 1999. Forest and Water Supply. Ammonia in the Culture Media of the Welt Forum Wald on Forests and Atmo- Post-Larvae of Macrobrachium sphere-Water-Soil. Alfred Toepfer Rosenbergii. National Workshop on Akademie Fur Naturschutz, Soltau, Ger- Aquaculture of Freshwater Prawns. Cen- many. July 2-5. tral institute of Fisheries Education and John Joseph, S. 1999. Forest Biodiversity: A College of Fishery Science, Nellore. Feb- Treasure of Ecological and Human Com- ruary 8-9. munities (Concept and Practice of Current Nair, Sudha. 1999. Biotechnology in Develop- Use). Welt Forum Wald on Forests and ing Countries: Strategies Needed for Society. Alfred Toepfer Akademie Fur Optimising the Biotechnology Revolution. Naturschutz, Soltau, Germany. November International Conference on Biotechnology 26-28. in the Global Economy. Centre for Inter- Kesavan, P. C. 2000. Beyond Environmental national Development, Harvard University. Mutagenesis: Biodiversity Conservation and September 2-3. Sustainable Development. 25th Annual Nair, Sudha. 2000. Science and Society: The Conference of Environmental Mutagen Pathway for Sustainable Equitable Devel- Society of India. MSSRF, Chennai. opment. 87th Indian Science Congress.. March 1-3. Pune. January 3-7. Lakshmi, M. 2000. Contribution of Genetic Nair, Sudha. 2000. Monitoring Impacts and Engineering to Sustainable Agriculture. Building Capacities. Rockefeller Founda- Transdisciplinary Conference TDC 2000. tion Water Poverty Meeting. Antigua. Feb- Basel, Switzerland. February 29. ruary 14-17.

Madhumathi, S., M. S. S. Mohan and R. Radha. Nair, Sudha, P. Loganathan, Sunita Rangarajan 1999. Antifungal Properties of Crude Fruit and Lilly M. Saleena. 2000. Polyphasic

169 Annua~ Report 1999-2000

Approach to Assess Soil Biological Diver- Marketing of Essential Oils. CIMAP, sity. Indo-Swiss Workshop on Molecular Lucknow. July 30-31. Probes and Microbial Ecology. liT, Rajagopalan, S. 1999. Food and Nutrition Se- Chennai. March 3 curity Challenges in the Next Millennium. Parida, A. 1999. Genetic Engineering: A Holis- Vasanthidevi Endowment Lecture. Ethiraj tic Vision on Socio-Economic Impact. GMO College, Chennai. July 23. Asia. Singapore. September 17-20. Rajagopalan, S. 2000. Health and Nutrition Parida, A. 1999. Molecular Methods for Moni- Challenges in the Next Decades. Millen- toring and Evaluation of Biodiversity. Ex- nium Conference on Population, Devel- pert Group of the CBD on Biodiversity opment and Environment Nexus. New Monitoring. Montreal, Canada. September Del hi. February 14-16. 26-27. Rajakani, S. 2000. Salinity Tolerance Levels of Parida, A. ~999. Safety Assessments and Regu- the Post-Larvae of Freshwater Prawn lation of Genetically Modified Food. ILSI- Macrobrachium rosenbergii. National India Conference on BiotechnologY.' for Workshop on Aquaculture of Freshwater Sustained Productivity in Agriculture. Prawn. Central Institute of Fisheries Edu- Hyderabad. November 1-2. cation and College of Fisheries Science, Parida, A. 1999. Issues and Perspectives of Nellore. February 8-9. Genetic Engineering in Asia-Pacific Region. Raman, K. V. 2000. Sustainable Food and International Conference on Genetic Engi- Agricultural Production Including Land Use neering and its Relevance Developing to and Sustainable Development. Millennium Countries. Basel, Switzerland. November Conference on Population, Development 29 - December 2. and Environment Nexus. New Delhi. Feb- Parida, A. 2000. Integrated Gene Management ruary 14-16. in Mangroves. Indian Science Congress. Rangarajan, Sunita and Sudha Nair. 2000, Pune. January 3-7. Multiple StressTolerant Pseudomonas sp. Parida, A. 2000. Anticipatory Research for from Agricultural Soils. National Sympo- Addressing Problems of Climate Change sium on "Microbes in Bioremediation for in the Coastal Regions. Expert Group EC0-friendly Environment in the New Meeting on Climate Change. British Coun- Millenium". Centre for Advanced Studies cil, New Delhi. April 26-27. in Botany, University of Madras, Chennai. Jan 6-7 Radha, R., M. S. S. Mohan, and Ajith Anand. 1999. Antifungal Properties of Crude Leaf Ravishankar, T. 1999. Status of Mangrove Eco- I Extracts of Syzygium travancorium. Na- system in Andhra Pradesh: Godavari and ..Jet tional Seminar on the Research and De- Krishna Wetlands. Workshop on Impact velopment in Aromatic Plants: Current of the Degradation of Bioresources on Trends in Biology, Uses, Production and the Livelihoods of the Poor Coastal

170 Publications

Fisherfolk. Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. Shaleesha, A and V. A Stanley. 2000. Prawn December 11. Farmer's Perception of the-.-Economics of Different Farming Systems. National Work- Ravishankar, T. 2000. Mangrove Conservation shop on Aquaculture of Freshwater Prawns. and Management through Community Central Institute of Fisheries Education and ! Participation-Andhra Pradesh.Workshop on College of Fishery Science, Nellore. Feb- JVt Land Use Land Cover Changes Modelling ruary 8-9. in Coastal Areas. Institute of Ocean Man- agement, Anna University, Chennai. April Shaleesha, A, V. A. Stanley, S. Rajakani and C. 17-20. Nagaraja. 2000. Studies on the different types of feed used for the Larval Rearing Shaleesha, A 1999. Conflicts in Shrimp Farm- of Macrobrachium rosenbergii. National ing and Mitigation Measures for Eco- Workshop on Aquaculture of Freshwater friendly Aquaculture in Tamilnadu. Na- Prawns. Central Institute of Fisheries Edu- tional Seminar on Sustainable Coastal cation and College of Fishery Science, Resource Management. University of Nellore. February 5-9. Madras, Chennai. December 14-15. Shanmugavelan, Murali. New Information and Shaleesha, A 2000. Gender and Labour Issues Communication Technology and Economic in Aquaculture - A Case Study. National Empowerment of the Marginalised Group. Conference on Fisheries Economics, New Communication Technologies and the Extension and Management. Central Rights of the Poor. Madhyam Communi- institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai. cations, Bangalore. October 29-30 January 5-6. Swaminathan, Mina. 1999. Translating Research Shaleesha, A and V. A Stanley. 2000. Man- into Policy: A Case Study from Tamilnadu. agement aspects on the Environmental Workshop on Theory, Research and Impact of Shrimp Culture. National Con- Practices: The Feedback Loop. UGClDSA, ference on Fisheries Economics, Extension Department of Human Development and and Management. Central Institute of Family Studies, Baroda. September 16-17. Fisheries Education, Mumbai. January 5-6. Swaminathan, Mina. 1999. Formulation of Strat- egies and Action Plan for Preventing the Shaleesha, A., V. A Stanley, C. Nagaraja and Declining Sex Ratio. A State Level Consul- S. Rajakani. 2000. Studies on the tation on Formulating Strategies and Ac- Production Efficiency of Giant Freshwater tion Plan for Preventing the Declining Sex Prawn Seeds from Broodstock Collected Ratio. Society for Integrated Rural Devel- from Different Farming Systems. National opment, Chennai. September 28. Workshop on Aquaculture of Freshwater Prawns. Central Institute of Fisheries Swaminathan, Mina. 1999. Innovations in Early Education and College of Fishery Science, Childhood Care and Development in the Nellore. February 8-9. Non-Governmental Sector in Tamil Nadu.

171 Annual Report 1999-2000

Sub-Regional Seminar on Innovations in Jeelani, M. M. 1999. Workshop on Impact of Early Childhood and Development. the Degradation of Bio-Resources on the UNICEF, Chennai. November 24-26. Livelihoods of the Poor Coastal Fisher Folk. Integrated Coastal Management, Kakinada, Vijayalakshmi, B. 2000. Hybrid Rice: Biovillage Andhra Pradesh. December 11. Experiences. International Rice Research Conference on Rice Research Jeelani, M. M. 1999. Swarnandhra Pradesh for Food Security and Poverty Alleviation. Meeting on Preparation of State Level International Rice Research Institute, Forestry Action Plan. Andhra Pradesh For- Manila, Philippines. March 31 - April 3. est Department, Hyderabad. December 12.

Jeelani, M. M. 2000. Workshop on Medicinal Participation in Training Programmes/ Plants Survey in East Godavari. Andhra Workshops Pradesh Forest Department, Rajahmundry. February 7. Arunachalam, S. 1999. Workshop on Scientific Communication and Publishing in the In- Kesavan, P. C. 1999. Roundtable on Intellec- formation Age. INASP-British Council, tual Property and Traditional Knowledge. Oxford. May 10-12. World Intellectual Property Organisation, Geneva. November 1-2. Geetha Rani, M. 1999. First Consultation-cum- Kesavan, P. C. 1999. Seminar on Biotechnol- Orientation Workshop on National Agri- cultural Technology Project on Plant ogy and its Impact on Human Health. World Health Organisation, Geneva. No- Biodiversity. National Bureau of Plant vember 29-30. Genetic Resources, New Delhi. August 24-25. Kesavan, P. C. 2000. Workshop on Participa- tion in Access and Traditional Knowledge Geetha Rani, M. 1999. Training Programme Policy Formulation. International Institute for Zonal Co-operators under National for Environment and Development, Lon- Agricultural Technology Project on Plant don. March 23-24. Biodiversity. National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, Thrissur. November Loganathan, P. 1999. Visiting Fellow in the 5-6. University of Bologna under Indo-Italian Scientific Co-operation. Italy. November 15 Geetha Rani, M. 2000. International Workshop - December 15. on NGO Activities to Accompany the Glo- bal Forum on Agricultural Research. Madhan, M. 1999. Workshop on Internet for Dresden, Germany. May 16-23. Information Resource Management in Li- braries. Indian Institute of Science, Banga- Geetha Rani, M. 2000. National Agricultural lore. November 22-26. Technology Project on Plant Biodiversity- Zonal Technical Co-ordination Committee Mohan, M. S. S. 2000. Training for Trainers Meeting. Thrissur. June 9. Course on Food Quality and Safety Based

172 Publications

on Good Manufacturing Practices and Ramakrishna, D. 2000. DST-Sponsored Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point Workshop on Fluvial Geomorphology Principles. FAG of the United Nations and with special reference to Flood Plains. Export Inspection Council, Chennai. Janu- Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur. .v{. ary 31- February 11. April 3-7.

Mohan, M. S. S. 2000. High Level Seminar on Rangarajan,Sunita, 1999. Training on Contami- International Requirements for Food Qual- nated Site Assessment and Remediation. ity and Safety, Associated Challenges and Confederation of Indian Industry, Chennai. Optimisation of Indian Food Exports in a Sep 21-22 Competitive Global Market. Export Inspec- tion Council, Government of India and Rao, C. S. 1999. Visiting Fellow in the Univer- FAa, Bangalore. May 30-31. sity of Bologna under Indo-Italian Scien- tific Co-operation. Italy. November Nair, Sudha. 1999. Mid-Term Workshop on 15 - December 15. Gender Equity through Science and Tech- nology - Regional Co-operation in North- Ravishankar,T. 2000. Workshop on Biodiversity east Asia. UNDP, Mongolia. October 6-8. Conservation in Andhra Pradesh. Andhra Pradesh Forest Department, Hyderabad. Nair, Sudha. 2000. Global Knowledge Confer- February 4-5. ence. Kuala Lumpur. March 7-10. Ravishankar, T. and M. M. Jeelani. 2000. Nair, Sudha. 2000. Science Partnership Com- Workshop on National Environment mittee, Mid-term meeting of CGIAR. Awareness Programme for Youth. Nehru Dresden, Germany. May 21-26. Youth Centre, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. Parani, M. 1999. Visiting Fellow in the Univer- February 29. sity of Bologna under Indo-Italian Scien- Ravishankar,T. 2000. International Symposium tific Co-operation. Italy. December 15 - on Participatory Plant Breeding and Par- January 15. ticipatory Plant Genetic Resources En- Parani, M. 2000. UNESCO Biotechnology Ac- hancement: An Exchange of Experiences tion Council Fellowship. International Rice from South and South East Asia. CGIAR, Research Institute, Los Banos, Philippines. Pokhra, Nepal. May 1-5. April 1 - June 15. Senthilkumaran, S. 1999. International Institute Patel, Shilpa. 2000. Training for Trainers Course of Communications Annual Conference on Food Quality and Safety based on Good Kuala Lumpur. September 4-9. Manufacturing Practices and Hazard Analy- sis and Critical Control Point Principles. Shaleesha,A. 1999. First National Conference FAO of the United Nations and Export on Aquatic Biotoxins. Industrial Toxicol- Inspection Council. Chennai. January ogy & ResearchCentre, Lucknow. Novem- 31 - February 11. ber 25-26.

173 Annual Report 1999-2000

Swaminathan, Mina. 1999. State Level Work- Swaminathan, M. S. 2000. Asutosh Mookerjee shop for Ensuring the Survival and Protec- Memorial Award. Indian Science Congress tion of Girl Child in Tamil Nadu. Alterna- Association. tive for India Development, Chennai. November 29-30. Swaminathan, M. S. 2000. Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Medal. Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute. Awards/Honou rs Swaminathan, M. S. 2000. Planet and Humanity Balaji, V. 2000. Member, Editorial Committee Medal. International Geographical Union. for the Global Action Plan of Global Knowledge Partnerships. Global Knowl- edge for Development (GK2) Conference, Videos Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. M. S. Swaminathan ResearchFoundation. Avvai Narayan, L. R. A. 2000. Schwidefsky Medal for I - Video Documentation of a Play. 1999. t/ ' Achievements in the Evolution of Spatial 40 mins. (Tamil). Information Sciences. International Society for Photogrammetry and Rer.1oteSensing. M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation. KULA VAl '99 - Video Documentation of Parida, A. 2000. Prof. Umakant Sinha Memo- the Workshop. 1999. 59 mins. (Multiple rial Award in the field of Biochemistry and Languages with English Subtitles). Molecular Biology. Indian Science Con- gress Association. M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation. Raman, K. V. 2000. Prof. Sushil Kumar Pavazhakkodi - Family Conflict. 1999. 40 Mukherjee Commemoration Award for mins. (Tamil). Soil Science Researchand Sustainable Ag- M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation. Pen riculture. Indian Science Congress Asso- . Kuzhandaiyin Vazhum Urimai - Survival ciation. of the Girl Child. 1999. 90 mins. Shanmugavelan, Murali. 2000. Member, Com- (Tamil). mittee on Education and Environment & Communication (CEO. The World Conser- M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation. vation Union (IUCN), Geneva. PenungalOor Pillaigalai - Role of Panchayats in Child Care Services. 2000. Swaminathan, M. S. 1999. The Volvo 19 mins. (Tamil). Environment Prize. M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation. Swaminathan, M. S. 1999. UNESCO Gandhi Reaching the Unreached: Village Knowl- Gold Medal for Outstanding Work in Ex- edge Centres in Pondicherry for Sustain- tending the Benefits of Biotechnology. able Food Security. 2000. 7.21 mins. (En- UNESCO. glish)

174 About the Foundation

M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF)was registered in 1988 as a non-profit Trust, recognised 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. Swami nathan Ms. Anuradha J. Desai Chairman Chairperson Sri Venkateshwara Croup Prof. V. L. Chopra Pune B P Pal National Professor of Agriculture, Indian Agricultural Research Institute Dr. V. K. Ramachandran New Delhi Professor Indian Statistical Institute Dr. K. Kanungo Calcutta Chancellor Central Agricultural University Dr. Soumya Swaminathan Bhubhaneshwar Deputy Director Tuberculosis Research Centre, Chennai Mr. R. M. Lala Director Dr. Usha Barwale-Zehr Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, Mumbai Joint Director (Research) Ms. Mina Swaminathan Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Co. Ltd Educationist, Chennai Jalna

Secretary to the Board of Trustees Prof. P. C. Kesavan Executive Director, MSSRF

175 Annual Report 1999-2000

Centre for Research on Sustainable Agri- Prof. Kunthala Jayaraman cultural and Rural Development Former Dean of Technology (CRSARD) Anna University, Chennai Registered in 7990 as a Society under the Dr. T. N. Ananthakrishnan Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 7975 Former Director Entomology Research Institute Governing Body Loyola College, Chennai

Prof. M. S. Swami nathan, President Auditors 77, Rathna Nagar, Chennai Mis. Brahmayya & Company, Chennai Dr. S. Rajagopalan, Secretary Distinguished Fellow MSSRF, Chennai Project Advisory/Management Commit- tees Ms. Malavika Vinod Kumar, Treasurer Technical Director, Sundar Chemicals (P) Ltd, Management Committee for the Project Chennai Coastal Wetlands: Mangrove Conservation and Management Prof. S. Kannaiyan Vice-Chancellor Prof. M. S. Swaminathan Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Chairman, MSSRF Coimbatore Secretary, Ministry of Environment & Forests, Mr. S. S. Rajasekhar Government of India "River View", Kotturpuram, Chennai Principal Secretary, Environment, Forests, Sci- Dr. K. Alagarswami ence & Technology, Government of Andhra Former Director Pradesh Central Institute for Brackish Water Secretary, Forests & Environment, Government Aqua~ulture of Tamil Nadu Chennai Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Forests Mr. A. M. Mahmood Hussain, IFS (Retd.) Government of Orissa Forestry Expert Chennai Secretary, Forests & Environment Government of West Bengal Dr. R. Prabaharan Vice-Chancellor Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu Veterinary & Animal Sciences University Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Chennai Andhra Pradesh

176 About the Foundation

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests-Wildlife, Mr. Jnani Orissa Communicator, Chennai Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, West Dr. K. Shanmugavelayutham Bengal Convenor, TN-FORCES, Chennai Dr. A. G. Untawale Director of Social Welfare Deputy Director & Advisor, National Institute Directorate of Social Welfare & Noon Meals of Oceanography, Goa Programme, Government of Tamil Nadu, Mr. Steven Rayfield Chennai First Secretary, Canadian High Commission, Institutional Biosafety and Bioethics Com- New Delhi mittee Mr. Bernard Boudreau Prof. M. S. Swaminathan Project Director, ICEF, New Delhi MSSRF (Chairman) Dr. Jaya Chatterjee Dr. Jeffery A. McNeely Senior Project Officer, ICEF, New Delhi Chief Scientist, IUCN Dr. R. Rajamani, lAS (Retd.) Or. S. L. Govindwar Member, Social Audit Panel, Hyderabad Director, DBT Dr. P. Mohanty - Hejmadi Former Vice Chancellor Prof. P. C. Kesavan Sambalpur University DAE-Homi Bhabha Chair & Executive Direc- tor, MSSRF Mr. G. Gopal, lAS Director, Environment Protection Training & Dr. Sudha Nair ,!?.esearchInstitute, Hyderabad Principal Scientist, MSSRF Thiru. K. V. Palani Durai Dr. Ajay Parida Member, Tamil Nadu State Planning Commis- Principal Scientist, MSSRF (Member-Secretary) sion, Chennai Project Management Committee for DBT Thiru. S. Sankaramurthy, IFS (Re.td.) Programme Support for Bioprospecting, Ge- Project Director, MSSRF (Member Secretary) netic Enhancement and Biomonitoring Technical Advisory Committee for Project Prof. Bharat B. Chattoo Operation Resource Support M. S. University, Baroda (Chairman) Dr. L. S. Saraswati Prof. K. Veluthambi Educational Consultant Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai Chennai Dr. G. Suresh Ms. E. V. Shanta SPIC Science Foundation, Chennai Freelance Consultant, Chennai Dr. Renu Swarup Ms. Isabelle Austin PSO, Department of Biotechnology, Govern- State Representative, UNICEF, Chennai ment of India

177 Annual Report 1999-2000

Prof. P. C. Kesavan Dr. K Balasubramanian DAE-Homi Bhabha Chair & Executive Direc- Director, JRD Tata Ecotechnology Centre, tor, MSSRF MSSRF Dr. Sudha Nair Dr. Sudha Nair Principal Scientist, MSSRF Principal Scientist, MSSRF Dr. Ajay Parida Dr. Ajay Parida Principal Scientist, MSSRF (Member-Secretary) Principal Scientist, MSSRF (Convenor)

Programme Management Committee for Steering Committee for the Project on Department of Atomic Energy Supported Conservation, Enhancement, and Equitable Project on Nuclear and Biotechnological and Sustainable use of Biodiversity Tools in Coastal Systems Research Prof. M. S. Swaminathan Prof. M. S. Swaminathan MSSRF (Chairman) MSSRF (Chairman) Prof. P. C. Kesavan Prof. V. l. Chopra Executive Director, MSSRF B.P. Pal National Professor, IARI, New Delhi Dr. Werner Hunziker Dr. Placid Rodriguez SOC New Delhi Director, IGCAR, Kalpakkam Dr. N. R. Jagannath Dr. (Mrs.) A. M. Samuel SOC, Bangalore Director, Biomedical Group, BARC, Dr. Vijaya Ramprasad Mumbai Green Foundation, Bangalore Ms. Sudha Bhave, lAS Dr. C. Shiva Prasad Joint Secretary (R & D), AFPRO, Hyderabad Department of Atomic Energy, Mumbai Executive Committee for DBT-supported Dr. R. K. Mitra Distributed Bio-informatics Sub-centre Head, NA & BTD, BARC Mumbai Prof. P. C. Kesavan Dr: S. M. Rao Executive Director Head, Radioisotope Division, MSSRF BARC, Mumbai Prof. S. Krishnaswamy Dr. S. K. Apte Madurai Kamaraj University Cell Biology Division, BARC, Mumbai Dr. T. Madhan Mohan Prof. P. C. Kesavan Director, DBT DAE-Homi Bhabha Chair & Executive Dr. V. Balaji Director, MSSRF Director, Informatics Centre, MSSRF

178 About the. Foundation

Programme Advisory Committee for • Min. of Agriculture Biovillages Project Pondy Covt. Representatives from

Dr. R. Padmanabhan, lAS • Development Dept.s Development Commissioner of Pondicherry (Chair) Inter Covt. Agency Representatives from Union Covt. Representatives from • UNDP • Planning Commission • FAO • Min. of Rural Development Representative from NABARD

• Min. of Env. & Forests Dr. M. S. S. Mohan • Min. of Finance National Project Co-ordinator (Convenor)

179 Annual Report 1999-2000

Foundation Staff

Prof. M. S. Swami nathan Mr. R. Baskar Chairman and Accounts Assistant UNESCO-Cousteau Chair in Ecotechnology Ms. R. Jayashree Prof. P. C. Kesavan Accounts Assistant Executive Director and DAE Homi Bhabha Chair Mr. N. Sundaram Accounts Assistant

Administrative & Support Services Mr. M. Rajakumaran Administrative Assistant Dr.A. K. Bandyopadhyay Direccor - Research Coordination & Community Ms. G. Padmavathy Linkages Receptionist cum Telephone operator

Mr. G. Sethuraman Programme Area 100 . Coastal Systems Chief Manager Research Mr. C. K. Ramachandran* Coastal Wetlands Project Director - Finance & Donor Relations Mr. S. Sankaramurthy Ms. Sudha Umapathy Project Director Manager - Personnel & Administration Dr. L. R. A. Narayan Mr. R. Venkataramanan Distinguished Fellow Manager - Budget & Accounts Ms. Sumi Krishna Mr. N. Parasuraman Gender Consultant Manager - Estate Mr. K. Johnson Ms. V. Sridevi Project Officer Executive Secretary Mr. R. Ramesh Babu* Ms. D. Rukmani Training Co-ordinator Assistant Manager - Purchase Ms. M. Navamuniyammal Mr. S. Karthigeyan Project Associate, Remote Sensing Assistant Manager - Accounts Mr. S. Krishnakumar Ms. R. Malathy Research Assistant Senior Secretary

Ms. T. Vijayasulochana Ms. S. Geetha Project Assistant Senior Administrative Assistant

• Left During the year

180 The Foundation Staff

Mr. G. Suresh Kumar Dr. R. Ramasubramanian Technical Assistant Site Manager

Ms. Seyda Habi Banu Begum Mr. Maqbool Mohhidin Jeelani Administative Assistant Agronomist

Mr. S. Radhakrishnan Dr. Mohammed Maqbool . Office Assistant Agronomist Mr. D. Ramakrishna Tamil Nadu Hydrologist Dr. V. Selvam Mr. Billamanikya Rao* State Project Co-ordinator Social worker

Dr. V. M. Karunakaran Mr. Nune Srinivasa Rao Site Manager Social worker

Mr. K. K. Ravichandran Mr. P. Chandrasekhar Site Manager Technical Assistant Mr. K. G. Mani Mr. N. Veerabadra Rao Agronomist Computer operator cum Accounts Assistant Ms. G. Jeyalakshmi Mr. B. Murali Krishna Research Associate Driver

Mr. J. Raju Mr. Venkateswara Rao Research Fellow Driver Ms. Evangelin Jessie Beaula Social Worker Orissa

Mr. R. Gunalan Mr. Prafulla Kumar Mishra Social Worker State Project Co-ordinator Mr. Arabinda Sahoo Mr. T. E. Krishnan Agriculture Specialist Driver Mr. Subodh Ranjan Das* Andhra Pradesh Agriculture Specialist Dr. T. Ravishankar Mr. Siba Shankar Mohapatra * State Project Co-ordinator Agronomist Dr. Dorai Sridhar Mr. Gopal Chandra Mohapatra Site Manager Mangrove Biologist

• Left During the year

181 Annual Report 1999-2000

Mr. Narendra Kumar Behera Mr. R.•Kalaimani Mangrove Biologist Field Assistant

Mr Bisuddha Nanda Mishra Mr. P. Muthukumar Social Scientist Electrician

Mr. Sathyashree Nayak DAf - Homi 8habha Chair Social Scientist Dr. Jayashree Balaji Mr. Rabi Narayan Nayak Senior Research Fellow Social worker Ms. C. Rama Devi Mr. Srinibas Panda Secretary Social worker Programme Area 200: Biodiversity and Biotech. Mr. Susanta Kumar Nayak nology Social worker Molecular Mapping and Genetic Enhancement Ms. Yoshaswini Sahoo Manager.1ent - Assistant Dr. Ajay Kumar Parida Principal Scientist Mr. Rabindra Kumar Mallick Driver Dr. S. Rajalakshmi Research Associate Nuclear and Biotechnological Tools for Coastal Systems Research Mr. P. Senthilkumar* Research Associate Dr. M. lakshmi Mr. M. N. Jitesh Research Associate Junior Research Fellow Dr. M. Parani Mr. R. Prashanth Research Associate Junior Research Fellow Dr. Ravi Kumar Gupta Mr. K. Rajesh Research Associate Junior Research Fellow Mr. P. V. David Mr. M. Kadirvelu Project Associate Technical Assistant Mr. M. Nageswaran Project Associate Biomonitoring

Ms. Lilly M. Saleena Dr. Sudha Nair Junior Research Fellow Principal Scientist

• Left During the year

182 The Foundation Staff

Dr. G. N. Hariharan Community Biodiversity Programme and Techni- Senior Scientist cal Resource Centre

Mr. P. Loganathan Dr. S. John Joseph Distinguished Fellow Senior Research Fellow Dr. V. Arunachalam Ms. Suniita Rangarajan Distinguished Fellow Senior Research Fellow Ms. M. Geetha Rani Mr. P. Balaji Gene Bank Manager junior Research Fellow Community Agrobiodiversity Centre, Mr. K. Ravikannan Kalpetta, Kerala Technical Assistant Or. N. Anilkumar Site Co-ordinator Bioprospecting, Biopartnership and Micropropagation Mr. G. Girigan Community Organiser Dr. C. Srinivasa Rao Research Associate Mr. V. Balakrishnan junior Research Fellow Mr. P. Eganathan Mr. Rajesh Jacob Senior Research Fellow junior Research Fellow

Ms. Sandhya Mohan * Ms. Pratiba Joy junior Research Fellow junior Research Fellow Mr. M. K. Rateesh Narayanan Mr. H. M. Sankararamasubramanian junior Research Fellow junior Research Fellow Mr. T. Manojkumar Ms. R. Radha Technical Assistant CSIR junior Research Fellow Ms. Elsy Mathew Technical Assistant Mr. M. M. Saravanan TechnicaJ Assistant Mr. K. F. Thomas Farm Manager Mr. P. Shunmugam Technica/ Assistant Agrobiodiversity Programme, Orissa

Mr. E. Thiruvengadam Dr. S. D. Sharma Electrician Distinguished Fellow

• Left During the year

183 Annual Report 1999-2000

Mr. Dibakar Sahoo Programme Area 300 : fcotechnology and Sus- Co-ordinator tainable Agriculture

Mr. Bibhu Prasad Mohanty JRD Tata Ecotechnlogy Centre Site Co-ordinator Dr. K. Balasubramanian Mr. Debasis Pati Director Agriculture Specialist Dr. K. Alagarswami "Ar. Trilochan Ray Distinguished Fellow Community Organiser Dr. M. Kaliyamurthy Mr. Amarendranath Dey Senior Scientist @ Forestry Expert Mr. Sanjay Shukla Mr. Saujanendra Swain Consultant Project Associate Dr. H. D. Subashini Mr. Susanta Sekhar Chaudhury Project Co-ordinator Project Associate Dr. P. Thamizholi Mr. Sukanta Kumar Sarangi * Project Co-ordinator Research Fellow Dr. Vijay R. Subbiah Mr. Tusar.Ranjan Nayak Project Co-ordinator Sodal wqrker Mr. M. Ganesan Mr. Kailash Chandra Agarwal Project Associate Office Assistant Mr. S. Malarvannan BR 8arwate Chair in Biodiversity Project Associa.te Prof. R. J. Ranjit Daniels* Ms. R. Rengalakshmi BR Barwa/e Chair Project Associate Dr. Ouseph Alphonse* Ms. A. Shaleesha Senior Fellow Project Associate Ms. G. knuradha Ms. Shilpa Patel Project Associate Project Associate Mr. Jyothi Ranjan Mohanty Mr. S. Arivukarasu* Research Assistant Project Assistant - Systems Mr. M. V. Ravikumar Mr. S. Balasubramemian Research Assistant Project Assistant

• Left During the year ill on deputation from Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ClFA), Bhubhaneshwilr

184 The Foundation Staff

Mr. C. Nagaraja Kolli Hills TechniG!1 Assistant Dr. D. Dhanapal Mr. S. Rajakani Site Coordinator Technical Assistant Mr. G. Alagukannan Mr. S. Sekar Project Associate Technical Assistant Mr. E. D. Israel Oliver King. Ms. D. Rojarani Project Associate Accounts Assistant Mr. M. S. Kuberaraj * Mr. S. Karthik Project Associate Lab Assistant Bioviltages Programme, Pondicherry Mr. S. Mohan Office Assistant Dr.M. S. S. Mohan Mr. S. Gopalakrishnan National Project Coordinator Driver Dr. K. V. Raman Advisor Chidambaram Dr. R. S. Shantha Kumar Hopper Mr. A. Gopalakrishnan Consultant Project Associate Dr. A. R. Thiagarajane Mr. E. SeJvaganapathy Consultant Field Assistant Mr. K. G. Rajmohan Administrative Co-ordinator Kannivad'i Ms. Pushpalatha Sivasubramanian* Mr. S. Murugesan Biocentre Manager Project Associate Mr. P. Balachander* Mr. A. Vedamoorthy Project Associate Project Associate Ms. A. P. Jeyabharathy* Mr. J. S. Balaji Project Assistant Project Associate Mr. Murugakani Mr. R. Balasubramanian Project Assistant Project Associate Mr. B. Selvamukilan Mr. D. Manimaran Project A!isistant Project Associate Mr. C. Thilagar* Mr. A. Nirmal Rajkumar Project Assistant Project Associate

• Left During the year

185 Annual Report 1999-2000

Mr. R. Parthasarathy* Mr. M. Babu Project Associate Driver

Mr. S. Ramesh Biovillages Programme. Orissa Project Associate Ms. K. Anuradha Mr. D. Rosario Social worker Project Associate Ms. Gitishree Nayak Ms. j. Sasikala Social Worker Project Associate Mr. S. Soundararadjane* Dr B V Rao Centre for Sustainable Food Secu- Project Associate rity Mr. K. Vengadessan Dr. S. Rajagopalan Project Associate Distinguished Fellow Ms. B. Vijayalakshmi Dr. Swarna Sadashiva Vepa Project Associate Ramakrishna Bajaj Fellow Mr. S. Anand Dr. Saroja Raman Field Assistant Project Leader Mr. A. Govindarasu Ms. jayshree Vencatesan* Field Assistant Project Co-ordinator Mr. R. jeeva Mr. S. Saravanan* Field Assistant Junior Research Fellow Mr. P. Kumaran Mr. M. K. Satishkumar Field Assistant Secretary Mr. T. Kumaran Ms. K. Sheela Field Assistant Secretary Ms. G. Meenakshi Mr. K. Sundervadivelu Field Assistant Secretary Mr. S. Saravanane Mr. C. Sivaraj Field Assistant Electrical Supervisor Mr. K. Srinivasan Mr. S. Sridharan Field Assistant Senior Research Assistant Mr. V. Tirumal Ms. Nethra Palanisamy* Field Assistant Project Trainee

• Left During the year

186 The Foundation Staff

Prof. joseph H. Hulse Ms. Meera Sundararajan Distinguished Professor Consultant Ms. Sunita Rabindranathan* Programme Area 400 : Reaching the Unreached Project Associate

Ms. Mina Swaminathan Ms. j. Latha Hon. Director Programme Assistant Project ACCESS & Uttara Devi Resource Centre for Gender and Development Dr. Shubh Kumar-Range Visiting Fellow

Project ACCESS Programme Area 500 : Education, Ms. Rama Narayanan Communication, Training and Capacity Build. Fellow & Project Incharge ing

Ms. M. Eihuvaneswari Informatics Centre, library Services and "The Project Associate Hindu" Media Resource Centre

Ms. A. Christina Dr. V. Balaji Project Associate Director Ms. jayanthi Rani Christiana Prof. Subbiah Arunachalam Project Associate Distinguished Fellow

Ms. B. Lakshmi Priya* Mr. S. Senthilkumaran Project Associate Systems Manager Ms. V. Vijaya Mr. Murali Shanmugavelavan Project Associate Project Associate

Ms. S. Chithra* Ms. Annie jenifer* Secretary Senior Programmer

Ms. V. Gayathri* Mr. R. Chendil Kumar Secretary Senior Programmer

Mr. U.lmran Mr. S. Gilbert Samson Secretary Senior Programmer

Uttara Devi Resource Centre for Gender and Mr. C. V. Parthasarathy Senior Programmer Develol)ment Dr. Hemal Kanvinde Ms. K. Umarani Consultant Research Assistant

• Left During the year

187 Annual Report 1999-2000

Mr. S. Gonasekaran Rural Knowledge Centres Programme, Project Assistant Pondicherry Mr. R. Rajasekarapandy Mr. K. Rameswaran Project Associate Project Assistant Ms. M. Vijayapoorni Mr. S. Selvam Programmer Project Assistant Ms. P. Pakkialatchumy Technical Assistant Ms. Sylvia Snehalatha Manager - Library Services Visiting Scholars Ms. Aysha Chowdhry Ms. Abita Vasa nth World Food Prize Intern Project Associate- Communication Mr. Curtis 0' Loughlio Mr. M. Mcidhan World Food Prize Intern Assistant Librarian Mr. 5.1. Rino BITS, Ranchi Mr. M. Kuppusamy Library Assistant - CDROM Ms. Sherin Rehman MGUniversity, Kottayam Mr. B. Sivakumar Dr. R. D. Iyer Electrical Assistant Distinguished Visiting Fellow

188 list of Donors 1"999-2000

Institutional Donors

Citadel Fine Pharmaceuticals, Chennai C.M. Pens International Ltd., Chennai

Diana World Travel Pvt. Ltd., Chennai Sundar Chemicals Pvt. Ltd., Chennai

Anand Associates, Chennai Real Image Ltd., Chennai

Classic Interior Designers & Decorators, Vayu Yatra Travels Pvt. Ltd., Chennai Chennai PricewaterhouseCoopers Ltd., New Delhi Anopchand Shah Charitable Trust, Calcutta Pricewaterhouse, New Delhi H.K. Firodia Memorial Foundation, Pune Lovelock & Lewes, New Delhi American Spring & Pressing Works Ltd., Mumbai Lovelock & Lewes Services Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi

Rotary Club of Madras East,Chennai New Metro Construction Pvt. Ltd., Chennai

ASI Labortechnik, Mumbai R.V. Info Services Pvt. Ltd., Chennai

Population Foundation of India, New Delhi Christy Friedgram Industry, Tiruchengode*

Individual Donors

Prof. M.s. Swami.nathan, Chennai Ms. S. Sharada, Chennai

Employees of Real Image Ltd., Chennai Mr. T. Parthasarathy, Chennai

Employees of C.M. Pens IntI. Ltd., Chennai Staff of MSSRF,Chennai

Dr. K.V. Raman, Chennai Dr. Murali M. Rao, New Delhi

Employees of MSSRFat Pondicherry Mr. Bhagawan M. Maniar, Mumbai

Dr. A.R. Thiagarajane, Pondicherry Dr. P.V. Shenoi, Bangalore

Dr. S. Rajagopalan, Chennai Mr. H.M. Sankararamasubramaniam, Chennai

*Donation in Kind

189 Annual Report 1999-2000

Donation From Foreign Individuals

--+tQn. Dr. Maurice F. Strong, Canada Mr. Lennart Grebelius, Sweden

Dr. Massimo Ricottilli, Italy Ms. Mary Mentz, Australia

Endowment Grants

. The Ford Foundation, New York S. Boothalingam Literary Trust, Chennai

Poultry Development and Promotion Council, Department of Agriculture, Govt. of Pune Assam R.D. Tata Trust, Mumbai

Donors of Seed Money for Micro C;redit Banks At Village Level (Community Banking)

Arun and Rita Duggal Nirmal and Shiri Pall Jain

Ashok and Rama Sayal Paul and Afifah Yamasaki Atul and Hema Parekh Rajashekhar and Akhtar Begum Chintapally Barbara and Mark Rosasco Rajiv and Shabnam Monga Capt. and Swati Khanna Ed and Ann Papantonio Ravi and Sunanda Agarwal

Emiko Kothari Sanjeev and Promoj Thomas Friends of joanne Radetsky Subba and Kavitha Dukk~pati james D. Hughes Thomas and Peggy Brennan Kako and Nobuo Nohtomi Tilak and Kiran Sikri Krishen Mehta Seshadri and Mythili Rangarajan Vijay Harsha Raval

190 Sources of Project Support

Programme Area 100 : Coastal Systems Research

National Interna fional

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

Programme Area 200 : Biodiversity and Biotechnology

National International

Depal1ment of Biotechnology Swiss Agency for Development and Government of India, New Delhi Cooperation (SOC)

Ministry of Environment & Forests The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Government of India, New Delhi The Netherlands

Department of Agriculture The Summit Foundation Government of Tamilnadu USA

Directorate of Horticulture Government of Mizoram

Programme Area 300 : Ecotechnology and Sustainable Agriculture

National International

Department of Biotechnology The Hunger Project - India Government of India, New Delhi

Council for Advancement of People's Action United Nations Development Programme and Rural Techilology, New Delhi (UNDP), New Delhi

Hindustan Lever Limited International Development Research Centre Mumbai (Food Links), Canada

National Bank of Agriculture and Rural The Global Hunger Project Development, Mumbai

191 Annual Report 1999-2000

National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources Volkart Stiftung (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) Winterthur New Delhi

-Gopuri Charitable Trust, New Delhi

Sikkim Charitable Trust, Sikkim

Department of Science & Technology Government of India, New Delhi

Programme Area 400- : Reaching the Unreached

National International

National Commission for Women, The Hunger Project, India New Delhi

Humanistic Institute for Cooperation with Developing Countries (HIVOS), Bangalore

Bernard van Leer Foundation, The Netherlands

Programme Area 500 : Education, Training and Communication

National International

Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, Mumbai United Nations Development Programme R.D. Tata Trust, Mumbai Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Rome Council for Advancement of People's Action International Development Research and Rural Technology, New Delhi Centre (IDRCl, Canada Royal Netherlands Embassy, New. Delhi National Commission for Women Bri:ish Council Division, Chennai New Delhi Dutch Trust Fund, do World Bank, USA Department of Biotechnology United Nations Development Fund for Women Government of India, New Delhi New Delhi

192 -j

Sources of Project Support

Department of Science and Technology Scientific Committee on Problems of the Government of India, New Delhi Environment, France

Indian Council for Agricultural Research The World Food Prize Foundation New Delhi USA

Indian Centre for Philanthropy, New Delhi International Society for Mangrove Ecosystems (ISME), Japan

XV Genetics Congress Trust, New Delhi World Food Programme New Delhi

Ministry of Rural Development Volkart Stiftung Government of India, New Delhi Winterthur

Programme Area 600 :Special Projects

National International

Ministry of Agriculture, UNDP-Global Environment Facility Government of India, New Delhi World Food Programme

193 Annexure

M S Swami nathan Research Foundation

Programme Priorities, Principles and Outputs 2000.2005

Introduction the Programme areas have acquired greater depth, though in some cases there has also been The fifth Annual Report of MSSRF contained a widening of the programmes in terms of geo- information on the programme priorities for graphical coverage and range of problems 1995-2000. We started planning programme pri- handled. MSSRF programmes cover grass root orities in 1989, in guest faculty rooms of the level interactions and activities on the one hand, Indian Institute of Technology and the Anna Uni- and policy makers', National and International, versity. In April 1990, we moved into rented on the other. It is hoped that the five year buildings in Kotturpuram and three years later, Programme outlined here will help the scientists, we shifted to our own building in Taramani, scholars and staff of MSSRF to work with single constructed on land kindly made available by minded devotion towards. achieving the goal of the Government of Tamil Nadu. In 1998, the ecologically, socially and economically sustain- infrastructure for training and scholars' residence able livelihood and food security. was strengthened through a building constructed for the JRD Tata Ecotechnology Centre, with funds provided by Tata Trusts. His Excellency MSSRF Mission The President of India, Shri K R Narayanan To foster sustained human well being by inaugurated this building on July 29, 1998, a promoting the conservation and enhance- day which marks the birth anniversary of Bharat ment of natural resources and by mobilising Ratna JRD Tata. frontier technologies and traditional wisdom From the beginning, we have been working on To promote jOb-led economic growth in five major programme areas. The programmes in rural and tribal areas through a pro-na- our Centre are generally not of a short duration, ture, pro-poor and pro-women orientation except for consultancy reports and seminars/dia- to knowledge and skill empowerment logues. Achieving the goals of our work requires both sustained work and sustained support. Programme Priorities: Guiding Principles During 1999-2000, several staff discussions were held to review the work done since January, 1990 Articulate vision in terms of inspiring goals and to develop a road map for the next 5 years Break down goals into time-bound "doable" (2000-2005). This write-up lists the Programme propositions priorities identified and also the principles which guided this exerCise. It will be observed that Select priorities and stick to them throughout the last 10 years, MSSRF has kept to the original five Programmeareas. Over the years, Demystify techniques and technologies l

~ :s :s ac ~;::l "'C o ~ I Major Field Offices I ..• ..c ..c I N MSSRF o o Chennai o

West Bengal 1 1 1 o Kakinada I 0 Bhubaneswar o Gulf of Mannar 110 Pondicherry

o Machili~ 0 Jeypore o Kalpakkam 0 Karaikal

o Kendrapara o Kannivadi

o Simlipal o Kolli Hills o Koodunkulam o Muthupet o Pichavaram

J Programme Priorities

Mobilise a symbiotic alliance of all stake- selected areas like gender, precision farm- holders through strategic partnerships ing, biotechnology, ecorestoration, farmers' .Payattention to scale rights and media liaison, and as the coordi- nating center for national and regional net- Emphasise on self and external monitoring works and link authority and accountability at all levels Promoting the professional growth of MSSRF staff members through opportuni- Ensure relevance to human well being ties for training and rei-training, and through emphasis on a work culture which stresses Unleash the full potential of women creativity and encourages self-targeting of Generate and sustain political commitment achievements and competition with one's and action own past achievements Promote relevant international cooperation, Linking research, advocacy and policy stud- dialogues and linkages ies with workshops and publications in the" selected areas of strength • The Pathways Highlights of Research, Training and Consolidation of programmes and concen- Development Activities tration in areas where MSSRF has established a niche and has gained national and PA 100: Coastal Systems Research international reputation on the basis of the work done during the last 10 years Foster sustainable systems ofparticipatbry management of coastal mangrove wetlands Wellcdefined and quantifiable outputs in re- along"theeast coast of India (the term "man- lation to the MSSRF mandate agement" is used to cover conservation, restoration, sustainable use and equitable shar- Promoting the development and spread of ing of benefits) ecotoechnologies through a blend of traditional wisdom and frontier technologies, par- Facilitate a multi-stakeholder management ticularly biotechnology and information, com~ of the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve munication, space, nuclear and renewable through a Biosphere Trust and promote par- energy technologies and organising ticipatory management systems for World biovillages and virtual colleges for this pur- Heritage sites and Biosphere Reserves in pose other States.

Promoting ethics andeqLJity in benefit shar- Undertake restoration of degraded man- ing with reference to the conservation and grove ecosystems "andserve as a Resource enhancement of biodiversity Centre in Mangrove Restoration Ecology, with particular reference to areas prone to Serving as a Technical Resource Center in cyclones and natural disasters

iii Annual Report 1999-2000

Strengthen the livelihood and ecological se- revitalisation of the in-situ on farm conser- curity of areas around Nuclear power plants vation traditions of local communities

Undertake anticipatory research to meet the Develop and disseminate biomonitoring potential adverse impact of sea level rise tools to enable students and local commu- and climate change nities to monitor the health of their ecosystems Promote space applications in agriculture based on GIS methodology for use in the Serve as a Centre of Excellence for facilitat- conservation and.sustainable management ing the filed level implementation of the pro- of mangrove wetlands as well as other visions relating to Farmer's Rights and the biodiversity~rich areas prior informed consent and benefit sharing provisions of the Biodversity Act PA 200 : Biodiversity and Biotechnology Organise policy research and policy mak- Promote Community Centered Gene, Seed, ers' seminars on topics relating to Water and Grain Management Systems in biodiversity and biotechnology Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Orissa Organise and assist a NGO Community Foster an integrated crop improvement sys- Biodiversity Conservation Network tem involving pre-breeding using recombinant DNA technology, and participatory Serve as Technical Resource Centre for the breeding with rural families in selected crops Tamil Nadu Women's' Biotechnology Park in order to assist in the development of lo- cale-specific varieties possessing resistance PA300 : Ecote'chno/ogy, Biovilltlge and to abiotic stresses like salinity and drought, Nutrition Security thereby combining genetic efficiency with genetic diversity at the field level Serve as the co-ordinating centre for the UNESCO Asian Ecotechnology Network Undertake research on functional genomics in rice, with a view to breeding varieties Promote the growth of integrated intensive resistant to salinity farming systems, pulses and seed villages and rural self-help groups Identification of beneficial microorganisms with reference to resistance/tolerance to abi- Promote inland and coastal ecoaqua- otic stresses and demonstration of their culture (Le., low external input sustainable value in farmers' fields aquaculture) including the establishment of a Women's Aquaculture estate in Karaikal Undertake Micropropagation of Red Data Book species and bioprospecting based on Foster a Panchayati Raj-led Hunger-Free biopartnerships between commercial com- Area Programme and help to .achieve total panies and rural and tribal families, thereby freedom from hunger in selected areas by enlisting commercialisation as a tool in the August 2007 } iv Organise and service a National Network ing in the eradication of poverty and pro- on Biovillages and Community Banking motion of human wellbeing

Develop the NABARD Resource Centre on Develop The Hindu Media Resource Cen- Precision Farming for poverty eradication tre for Sustainable Development into an im- into a leading research and training centre portant forum for dialogues on policies and in collaboration with the Arava controversial scientific issues R&D Centre in Israel and the Ohio State University, USA Undertake the development and dissemination of national and global databases in areas relevant to the mandate of PA400 : Reaching the Unreached MSSRF Organise studies on Women's multiple roles Serve as a Resource Centre for the knowl- and support for child care and early child- edge and skill empowerment of the women hood education and men members of Panchayats and other Serve as a Resource Centre for gender and local bodies in areas such as the imple- Development, including research, advocacy, mentation of prior informed consent, ben- capacity building, communication and re- efit sharing and Farmers' Rights provisions source materials in the area of gender stud- of the Biodiversity Bill and Protection of ies and women's empowerment Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Bill currently before the Parliament of India. Support internaiisation of gender dimension in all activities and projects of MSSRF, in- Develop communication and dissemination cluding gender sensitisation, training, plan- strategies and materials, especially those ning, audit and evaluation involving mass media and popular communication forms, to build and interface be- Undertake programmes gendered in cultural tween science and society studies and action, and mobilise theatre and folk media as instruments of education and Undertake training and capacity building in- gender equity cluding international training programmes Organise seminar'S, workshops and multi PA 500 : Information, Communicatioh, Train- . disciplinary dialogues involving national and ing, Workshops, Dialogues and Publications international participation

Organise post graduate and non-degree Undertake the preparation of publications, educational programmes training modules and educational resource material (audio, video, electronic and printed Organise a Network of community controlled products) and operated Knowledge Centres and Vir- tual Colleges based on modern information Maintain library and documentation services and communication technologies for assist- (printed and electronic)

v Annual Report 1999.2000

Initiate a programme for Interactive learn- verslty at the Project Level (on be~alf of ing for children In the areas of environment the UNDP/GEF) protection and gene revolution Prepare a Vision and Action paper for the' . Ministry 6f Agriculture, Government of India PA600 : Special Projects Develop a strategy for converting all the Undertake ad hoc Consultancies In areas villages of Pondicherry into Blovillages by where MSSRF has the requisite expertise August 2007 '

During 2000, undertake the preparation of Conclusion a food insecurity Atlas of India, Indicating the "hot spots" with reference to the persis- The above programmes involve a combination of tence of chronic hunger as well as the strategic, applied and field level participatory re- standardisation of Indicators for measuring search. MSSRF does not have an experimental .food security at the level of individualswithin farm of Its own, as a matter of policy, since the a household in selected districts of Orissa research philosophy and methodology are based (both these Consultancies are on behalf of on working with farming families in their own the World Food Programme) fields. Such participatory research helps to enhance confidence in the economic, environmen- Chronicle Good . Practices for tal and social sustainability of the technologies operationalising the Benefit Sharing Provi- under development and testing and hastens dif- sions of the Convention on Biological Di- fusion of relevant research findings.

vi '" ~::s o .Q ra en c "t: .Q .s ~ ;c ::s o ~ en(1) c ra .c CJ (1) .c~ (1) m y y Address: M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation III Cross Road Institutional Area Taramani Chennai.600 113. India.