M. S. SWAMINATHAN RESEARCH FOUNDATION 2007-2008 Eighteenth Annual Report Centre for Research on Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development, Chennai

M. S. SWAMINATHAN RESEARCH FOUNDATION 2007-2008 EIGHteenth annual report Centre for Research on Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development, Chennai

Address: M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation III Cross Road Institutional Area Taramani Chennai 600 113, India 1. Mr. Veerendra Kumar, MP, at the exhibition on the occasion of the tenth anniversary celebration of the 1 Community Agrobiodiversity Centre at Kalpetta

2. Mushroom training programme for tribal community 2 members in progress

3 3. Training Centre for tribal men and women at CAbC Kalpetta, built with generous contribution from the Front Cover Japanese Government

1. Women farmers identifying soil types at a training 1 2 programme on sustainable agriculture in Wardha 6 3 2. Fish harvested from an Integrated Mangrove-Fishery Farm 4a

5 4b 3. Sanitary Napkin Unit established at Puducherry by women SHG members Back Cover 4 (a) Natural and (b) cultured thallus of Dirinaria applanata after 73 days.

5. View of energy efficient stove construction by trained woman mason

6. Fisher Friend Mobile Application - Checking wave height and fish availability on the mobile phone while at sea Eighteenth Annual Report 2007-2008

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

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

Printed at : AMM Screens Citation : Eighteenth Annual Report: 2007-2008 M S Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai 600 113 Contents

Chairman’s Introduction ...... 004 Programme Area 100 Coastal Systems Research ...... 017 Programme Area 200 Biodiversity ...... 039 Programme Area 300 Biotechnology...... 060 Programme Area 400 Ecotechnology ...... 086 Programme Area 500 Food Security...... 120 Programme Area 600 Information, Education and Communication ...... 142 Programme Area 700 Special Projects...... 167 Publications ...... 174 About the Foundation ...... 194 The Foundation Staff ...... 201 List of Donors ...... 214 Sources of Project Support ...... 216 List of Acronyms ...... 219

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Chairman’s Introduction

MSSRF at 20

The seed of the idea to set up an autonomous, While I was President of the World Conservation non-profit and public good research institution Union (IUCN) from 1984 to 1990, I had was sown in my mind in 1970 by Prof C V observed that scientific work on integrated Raman when he stayed with us for a couple of coastal zone management was poor and as a days at the Indian Agricultural Research consequence, precious mangrove wetlands were Institute, New Delhi, where I was then the getting degraded. I considered this particularly Director. Before leaving, Prof Raman told me unfortunate in the context of a potential rise in that when I retired I should set up an sea level as a consequence of global warming and climate change. I therefore felt that MSSRF autonomous, non-governmental research should be located in a coastal area, where research institution, which would provide young on Coastal Systems could be initiated on the lines researchers a home for creative and socially of Farming System Research (FSR). In 1989, the relevant work. An opportunity for converting Government of Karnataka, then headed by the this idea into reality came when I received the late Shri Ramkrishna Hegde, kindly offered me first World Food Prize in Washington in 1987. 5 ha of land and other facilities in the campus of The first task I undertook on my return from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Los Banos in the Philippines, where I headed Bangalore, to establish MSSRF. At the same time, the International Rice Research Institute for six the Government of Tamil Nadu headed by years, was to develop a Trust Deed to establish Dr M Karunanidhi also offered land and other a research institution devoted to imparting a pro- facilities in the Taramani Institutional Area of nature, pro-poor, pro-woman and pro- Chennai. I decided to accept the kind invitation sustainable livelihood orientation to technology of Chief Minister Dr M Karunanidhi and development and dissemination. The late establish MSSRF at Chennai, due to its location Dr Manibhai Desai, founder of the Bharatiya on the coast. Further, Tamil Nadu has over 1,000 Agro-industries Foundation (BAIF), which he km of shoreline. established at the instance of Mahatma Gandhi, The scientific work of MSSRF began in June kindly helped to prepare the deed. On his 1989, using facilities kindly provided by the suggestion, the Trust was named M S Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai. A Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), lecture I delivered at an international conference and was registered on 17 May 1988 at New Delhi, convened by the Government of Japan in Tokyo with Prof V L Chopra, Prof V K Ramachandran in September 1989 on the topic ‘Anticipatory and myself as the founder trustees. The year 2008 and Participatory Research to meet the Challenge marks the 20th anniversary of the founding of of Sea Level Rise’, led the Government of Japan MSSRF and hence, I would like to record a few to provide funds to MSSRF through the facts about its growth. International Tropical Timber Organisation

CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

(ITTO) to initiate a mangrove conservation chosen for this pre-eminent international prize strategy in the Asia-Pacific Region. This support in the area of environment protection. helped to organise a survey of the status of mangrove wetlands in this region in 1991, and Another significant event in early 1990 was the an International Training Programme in 1992 on organisation of the Second International mangrove ecosystem conservation and Keystone Dialogue on Plant Genetic Resources. sustainable management. At this programme The Chennai Consensus arrived at on this occasion by the participants drawn from attended by twenty candidates from twelve government, private, academic, and countries, the participants prepared a Charter for intergovernmental sectors, paved the way for Mangroves for their respective countries. MSSRF resolving issues relating to access and benefit also assisted in the establishment of an sharing, leading to the finalisation of the Global International Society for Mangrove Ecosystem Biodiversity Convention adopted at the Earth (ISME) with me as Founder-President and with Summit at Rio de Janeiro in 1992. its headquarters at Okinawa, Japan. A Mangrove Ecosystem Information Service (MEIS) was also At the national level, MSSRF prepared in 1996 started and a comprehensive international the first draft of an integrated Act to accord database on mangrove wetlands was compiled. concurrent recognition to the rights of both breeders and farmers. Thus was born the Plant The Department of Biotechnology, Government Variety Protection and Farmers’ Rights Act of of India, also extended support from 1990 2001. Similarly MSSRF contributed an early draft onwards for establishing a Mangrove Genetic of the Biodiversity Act, which provided Resource Centre at Pichavaram, Tamil Nadu, and Panchayats pride of place in the conservation and for initiating research on identification of the sustainable and equitable use of biodiversity and genes conferring tolerance to sea water in proposed the establishment of local level mangrove species, with a view to transferring Biodiversity Heritage Sites, such as Sacred them through recombinant DNA technology to Groves. Currently, MSSRF is assisting in the rice and other crops of importance to coastal development of a National Biotechnology agriculturists. Thus began the twin strategy of Regulatory Bill, which will enable the safe and MSSRF in relation to mangrove wetlands, responsible use of biotechnology, based on a namely conservation and sustainable and transparent and credible process of risk-benefit equitable use, as well as their use as donors of assessment. genes for salinity tolerance. At the same time, research was started on the integrated Over the years, MSSRF has been invited by both management of the coastal zone involving Tamil Nadu and other State Governments and attention to capture and culture fisheries as well the Government of India to prepare strategies as coastal forestry and agro-forestry. MSSRF soon for achieving specific goals such as Nutrition gained an international reputation as the “centre Secure Tamil Nadu, mitigating agrarian distress of origin” of new findings in the area of in the Kuttanad and Idukki districts of Kerala, sustainable mangrove wetland conservation and and a rice revolution strategy for Assam. While regeneration and stable coastal agriculture, and presenting the State Budget for 1996, the Chief received the Blue Planet Prize in Tokyo in 1996, Minister Dr M Karunanidhi, made the following becoming the only institution in Asia to be statement:

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“õJŸÁ‚° «ê£Pì «õ‡´‹ - Þƒ° Forty-two scholars have so far taken their Ph.D õ£¿‹ ñQî¼‚ ªè™ô£‹ degree from Madras and Osmania Universities on the basis of the research done at MSSRF, and ðJŸPŠ ðôè™M î‰¶ - Þ‰îŠ fifteen more students are currently in various ð£¬ó àò˜ˆFì «õ‡´‹” stages of their Ph.D thesis work. Offering - ñè£èM ð£óFò£˜ opportunities for professional growth for scientists has been another goal of MSSRF. As a Feed the people result, many of the former MSSRF staff were Who are hungry selected for senior international positions as well as important scientific positions in government Educate the people and non-government institutions. Several To uplift the World .... scientists have received important awards and - Subramania Bharatiyar recognition. For example, Dr Ajay Parida was the recipient of Prof Umakant Sinha Memorial To fulfill this dream of Mahakavi Bharatiyar, this Award by the Indian Science Congress Government will launch a new “Hunger Free Association, B M Birla Science Prize for Biology Area Programme” with an aim to eradicate of the B M Birla Science Foundation, Hyderabad, poverty-induced hunger. A number of schemes are National Biosciences Award, and has been an already under implementation to alleviate poverty Elected Fellow of the National Academy of and to cater to the nutrition requirements of Agricultural Science, New Delhi and National different groups of the population. Gaps in this Academy of Sciences, Allahabad. Dr Sudha Nair coverage will be identified which can then be was awarded the Prof B D Tilak Lecture Award specifically targeted under the Hunger Free Area by Prof B D Tilak Scientific Research and Programme. Provision has been made in the Budget Education Trust, Pune and Drs Lakshmi and for preparing a detailed strategy to implement this Sudha Nair received the National Women programme in association with Dr M S Bioscientist Award of the Department of Swaminathan”. Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, New Delhi. From the beginning, professional and financial integrity and accountability to donors have MSSRF’s efforts in education and human remained the bottom line of MSSRF’s work resource development have not only been in the culture. This has been established by the area of post-graduate education, but also in the presentation of Annual Reports on 7th August field of children’s education, from the earliest of each year (starting in 1990), getting accounts years onwards. audited on time, prompt reporting on FCRA The project ACCESS (Action for Child Care and returns and 35 (I) (ii) submissions under the Education Services and Strategies) which ran Income Tax Act, and sending audited utilisation throughout the nineties, focused on the under- certificates to all donors, regularly. sixes, a much neglected and vulnerable group in In addition to strategic, anticipatory and development in the country as a whole. One of participatory research, MSSRF has laid stress on the major achievements of this project was setting human resource development from its inception. up and nurturing of FORCES, a network of

CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ institutions concerned with the care and Among other major initiatives for children, development of the young child. When the mention may be made of the Touch and Smell project closed in 2001, the significant outcomes Garden for visually impaired children, Genome were summed up as follows in a post-project Clubs for introducing school children to the review: significance of scientific advances in the area of biodiversity and biotechnology and the Every “Forces (Forum for Creche and Child Care Child A Scientist programme for imparting Services) at both the national and state levels scientific literacy and awareness among children. (Tamil Nadu) now leading in the advocacy These programmes have stimulated the and policy lobbying fields in Early Child development of large national programmes such Development (ECD), following a smooth as the DNA Clubs sponsored by the Department transition of leadership of Biotechnology, Government of India in An ECD trainers’ network in Tamil Nadu, schools in several parts of the country. today an effective group of ECD professionals concerned with training and curriculum A similar trajectory can be seen in the case of development women’s issues. In the first few years, work involving or relating to women was largely A National Task Force committed to, and at within the confines of the area labeled Reaching present working on, the development of the Unreached. Soon however, realising that this quality rating tools in ECD for multiple might be a narrow and self-defeating approach, purposes and that such negative profiling of women may An extensive and catalogued collection of not advance their cause, it was decided to move resources and training materials in ECD in to the broader perspective of gender, especially print, audio, and video (now digitalised), and in relation to development. A decision was taken to set up a resource centre in Gender and A group of mature and motivated young professionals well-placed in several Development, to mainstream gender concerns developmental fields”. within the Foundation. This stimulated research on gender issues in various fields in which the Taking only the first four outcomes, it is Foundation was working, as well as helping to satisfying to note that the network has continued introduce concerns about gender equity across to develop and strengthen these activities, though the board, and has led to a number of publications MSSRF is no longer the leader, with continued and training materials, in print and video, over nurture and support from MSSRF, though now the years. The Ford Foundation established in in a different capacity. This approach is a 2002 a chair on Women and Food Security to conscious policy in keeping with the title given promote studies on the role of women in to the review, As the Salt in the Sea, an conservation, cultivation, consumption and indication that the concerns and attitudes commerce. underlying the work should in future permeate the entire work pattern and culture, without Most outstanding among the achievements have necessarily being identifiable as a separate been the research and development efforts on identity. That this has happened, at least to some gender issues in relation to biodiversity. Starting extent, is the best indicator of success. from the publication of the book, Gender Issues

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CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

commercialisation in a symbiotic manner. get recognition and reward from the Gene The improved Kalajeera strain developed and Biodiversity Funds. Also, training through participatory breeding with tribal programmes are held for Panchayati Raj families has been named Kalinga Kalajeera. leaders. Similar work is in progress in Kolli Hills in In the area of Biotechnology, MSSRF’s policy Tamil Nadu with reference to millets is to bring about appropriate combinations belonging to the genera Panicum, Paspalum, of mendelian, molecular and participatory Setaria, Eleucine and other under-utilised breeding. The areas chosen for attention over millets and pulses. Participatory breeding is 18 years ago, namely tolerance to salinity the pathway adopted by MSSRF to improve and drought, have become most relevant the productivity and profitability of in the emerging era of global climate underutilised crops. MSSRF’s work on change, sea-level rise and reduced underutilised or “orphan” crops, has led to a precipitation. The scientifically innovative wider understanding of the need to diversify and socially relevant work carried out by the the grain components of our food security Biotechnology team had led to MSSRF being system and to introduce such nutritious crops designated as a Centre of Excellence by the in the Public Distribution System (PDS) and Department of Biotechnology. In 1990, school noon meal programmes. MSSRF initiated anticipatory and strategic The movement for saving biodiversity to save research for developing genetic material for lives and livelihoods will gain momentum resistance/ tolerance to abiotic stresses like only if local communities see this as a salinity and drought in important food plants. sustainable method of ending the prevailing The aim of this research is the development dichotomy between the prosperity of nature of novel genetic combinations for use in and the poverty of the people. For this participatory breeding programmes with purpose, MSSRF has initiated a Biovalley farming families. Thus, MSSRF functions as Programme in Orissa -biodiversity-rich a pre-breeding centre and works together with watersheds where appropriate linkages among farm families in the development of strains bio-resources, biotechnology and business possessing resistance to salinity/ drought. (micro-enterprises supported by micro-credit) Avicennia marina and Porteresia coarctata can be achieved. This programme will be were chosen as donors for tolerance to coastal essentially managed by tribal women and men salinity, and Prosopis juliflora was used for and will be serviced by the Biju Patnaik identifying genes for drought resistance. So Medicinal Plants Garden and Research Centre far about 50 full-length genes and many partial at Jeypore. sequences have been isolated for abiotic stress tolerance. In order to assist farm and rural women and men to get benefits from the provisions of The Review Committee on Genetic the Plant Variety and Farmers’ Rights and Manipulation, Government of India, Biodiversity Acts, a Community Gene Bank approved limited field trials of three and herbarium have been established at transgenic rice lines during 2004–05 and 2005– MSSRF, Chennai. This is a unique facility for 06. Large-scale sequencing and functional helping farmers and primary conservers to genomic approach have also been adopted in

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Prosopis juliflora. Thus, a new chapter in Tinospora cordifolia, Tylophora indica. The breeding strains of rice, mustard and pulses group has also developed vegetative and has been opened up, thanks to transgenic micropropagation protocols for a number of technology. This is the first time in the world mangrove species, and successfully transferred that a mangrove species has been used as a donor them into mangrove forest areas in Tamil of salinity tolerance, and a species widely Nadu and Puducherry, with the active regarded as a tenacious weed, i.e, Prosopis participation of SHGs and forest officials, juliflora, has been mobilised for providing genes with appropriate training. The isolation, for drought tolerance. The Outlook magazine purification and characterisation of bioactive (18 July 2005) listed this piece of research molecules from the mangrove ecosystem, carried out by a young team of scientists of against Helicoverpa armigera and an array of MSSRF among the ten most important pieces bacterial human pathogens have resulted in a of scientific work carried out in India during number of biopesticide formulations 1995-2005, which can change our lives for the possessing anti-pest and anti-microbial better. principles. Other programmes like bio-prospecting, bio- The lichen group at MSSRF has made remediation and micro-propagation are also excellent progress during the last few years, making good progress. In addition, the working on diverse aspects of lichens viz: production and demonstration of high quality lichen diversity and ecology, bioprospecting planting material of Jatropha curcas is paving for secondary compounds, lichen culture and the way for launching science-based bio-fuel molecular studies on lichens. Several lichen programmes. Conservation of eighty rare, species have been identified, which can serve endangered and threatened (RET) plants has as bioindicators to monitor environmental been undertaken in a holistic manner from pollution. Site-specific protocols to quantify collection to propagation and to data on lichen diversity and its distribution, rehabilitation in natural habitats, and training ecosystem characteristics and pollution have the local people and scientists in the been developed. Culture protocols for fungal, methodology. Reproducible in vitro algal and whole thallus culture for twenty- propagation protocols have been developed two lichen species have been established to for a number of RET species (viz. Casearia produce the bioactive secondary compounds rubescens, Ceropegia bulbosa, Ceropegia jaini, in-vitro. Currently, three novel bioactive Crotalaria longipes, Frerea indica, kaempferia compounds which show potentiality against galanga, Myxopyrum serratulum, Piper barberi, cancer and tuberculosis have been isolated and Rauvolfia micrantha, Rauvolfia tetraphylla, characterised. Databases on lichen species Syzygium travancorium and Uraria picta). In with appropriate images have been developed vitro protocols have also been developed for to spread awareness among scholars and valuable and economically important species scientists. MSSRF maintains a lichen reference like Aegle marmelos, Bacopa monnieri, collection with more than 3,000 specimens. Curculigo orchioides, Eupatorium triplinerve, Gymnema sylvestre, Hemidesmus indicus, Under the annual inter-disciplinary dialogue Jatropha curcas, Sauropus androgynus, series of MSSRF, organised under the generic

CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

title, “New Technologies – Reaching the are also functioning as micro-finance Unreached”, the first one in 1990 related to institutions. The Community Learning biotechnology. This led to the organisation Centre (CLC) approach of the Centre is of Biovillages, initially in Puducherry and recognised as a best practice by UNESCO in later in Tamil Nadu, Orissa and other places. promoting functional literacy - currently 17 Biovillages aim to generate opportunities for are under operation and in four of the villages skilled employment both in the on-farm and 100% functional literacy level is nearing off-farm sectors of the rural economy, based achievement. A community managed B-class on local bio-resources. At the same time, they weather station is a successful model – being strive to conserve and enhance the natural replicated in three more sites. IMD (Indian resources endowment of the village. The Meteorological Department) has recognised Biovillage model of sustainable rural this model and wants to link it with VKC development is based on “ecotechnologies” (Village Knowledge Centres) for resulting from appropriate blends of dissemination. Annual business transactions traditional ecological prudence and frontier of 567 SHGs across the sites covering 8,505 science. Hence, it has attracted international households stand at about Rs. 13.47 crore attention and the concept is spreading in through bank credit and business. Twelve neighbouring countries. SHG women members have been elected as Panchayat leaders. In order to intensify research on ecotechnologies, the JRD Tata The Microbiology group at the centre has Ecotechnology Centre was set up in 1996 established a niche in the research and with support from the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust. development of biological software; new The building of this Centre was inaugurated enterprise options have been demystified in in 1998 by the late Shri K R Narayanan, the the area of biological software production and then President of India. The work of this value addition to the existing ones have helped centre was evaluated by Drs Manjul Bajaj and in better market access. Over the years the S C Rajshekar in 2008. The team concluded work carried out has paid significant attention that “the Centre’s work has led to the to land-lab-land continuum and this is also mobilisation and creation of many vibrant, one of the lead groups working on a articulate and well-run self-help groups and polyphasic approach to understand the role community based organisations. Given that the of microbes and in harnessing them for Centre staff comes mostly from a technical sustainable agricultural practices in the area background and that most project sites are of INM and IPM. Seven novel micro- modestly staffed with a team of 3-5 members, organisms have been proposed and many this is considered a very significant and more are in the pipeline. During 2006-07, commendable achievement”. these units produced more than 28,600 kg of biological software (T. viridae, Pseudomonas It will be appropriate to highlight a few of the fluorescens, Azospirillum, Phosphobacter and contributions of this centre. VAM). In addition, these units have also More than 10 grassroot institutions have been produced Tricho cards. The production nurtured over the last decade and two of them process of Beauveria bassiana and

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008

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Paeciloymyces lilacinus has been standardised resource persons and grassroot institutions and will be now tested for production by the facilitate horizontal transfer of knowledge units. during training programmes. Following the tsunami of December 26, 2004, The Centre has now shifted from the small- the Centre steered agronomic rehabilitation project-mode approach to large-multi-site strategies through participatory field umbrella projects like the bio-industrial demonstrations by promoting soil watersheds project and the climate reclamation processes, introduced water management initiatives. The strategy in the management techniques, livestock integrated bio-industrial watershed approach is to farming systems (IFS), promoted community augment the local agro-eco-systems, adding seed bank concept to conserve the local land value to the available resources and enhance races, and identified alternative options for livelihoods through suitable technological improving the livelihood of the fisher men / interventions, selecting micro-watershed as women. MoUs have been facilitated with the unit for action research and development several business and management schools to and with a human-centric approach. The main develop assured and remunerative market focus areas include Integrated Natural linkages. The partners include banks, Resources Management, especially soil and corporates and international networks like water management; crop diversification and Eco-agriculture Network and the productivity enhancement; post-harvest value Commonwealth of Learning. addition and market linkages and promoting bio-industries and input services in five sites. The JRD Tata Ecotechnology Centre is also Two of the sites are being implemented in setting up thematically focused institutional partnership with the Punjab Agricultural facilities in specific locations like the ‘Fish For University, Ludhiana and the Jawaharlal All Research and Training Centre’ at Nehru Krishi Viswa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur. Poompuhar, one of the tsunami affected sites. This project also involves partnership with This Centre will function as a training and the Ohio State University, USA. demonstration centre for fisher men / women (marine inland, mechanised, artisan, non- The “Vulnerability Assessment & Enhancing traditional fishermen; fish vendors, fishing Adaptive Capacity to Climate Change in labourers, fisher women) on a learning-by- Semi-arid regions of India” (V&A) project doing model to help in strengthening and focuses on securing the livelihoods of rural diversifying the existing livelihoods and poor and vulnerable communities by identifying alternative livelihoods for the promoting appropriate adaptation measures resource poor and add value to the chain from and coping strategies related to agriculture, capture / culture to consumption. A water, livestock and rural energy. The project Mentoring and Capacity Building Centre for is being implemented in Udaipur district of SHGs has been established at Pillayarkuppam Rajasthan and Mehbubnagar district of village in Puducherry. On an average, 28,000 Andhra Pradesh. The project has helped to trainee days are spent in a year on capacity enhance people’s adaptive capacities to building. Many of the trained women SHG manage the adverse effects of climate change members and farmers have evolved into local through strategic capacity building

CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

programmes, technical advice and been updated and will be published soon. All improvement of existing best practices with these Atlases have been prepared with community’ participation. The V&A project financial and technical support from the has also helped to take stock of the different World Food Programme. In 2000, MSSRF training modules used by the extension launched the Mission 2007: Towards a services to update knowledge in existing Hunger Free India in order to achieve delivery systems and incorporate information substantial progress by 2007 in eliminating about climate science and best adaptation chronic, hidden and transient hunger. practices. The V&A project is being Commending this programme, Shri Atal implemented in association with non- Bihari Vajpayee, the then Prime Minister of governmental and State Government India, stated: the sacred mission of a “Hunger agencies, with financial support from the Free India” needs the cooperative efforts of the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation. Central and State Governments, local self- The results obtained under this project will government bodies, non-governmental provide useful inputs in the implementation organisations, international agencies, and - of the Missions on Water, Sustainable above all, our citizens. We can indeed banish Agriculture and Energy Use Efficiency hunger from our country in a short time. Let us envisaged under the National Action Plan for resolve today to make this mission substantially Climate Change. The work on climate change successful by 2007, which will mark the sixtieth related issues is being strengthened under a anniversary of our independence. collaborative project coordinated by the MSSRF has promoted Community Food University of Edinburgh, UK. Security Systems involving the revitalisation The report on Measures of Impact of Science of earlier food traditions, which included a and Technology on Agriculture and Rural wide range of cereals, millets, legumes and Development in India, that was brought out tubers and the establishment of Community in 2007 with support from the office of the Food Banks. As regards micronutrient Principal Scientific Advisor to the malnutrition, emphasis has been placed on Government of India, highlighted the introducing horticultural remedies to significant achievements under public good nutritional maladies. research in the country. The follow-up study MSSRF is the coordinating centre for a on designing technology delivery systems for project supported by the International Fund mitigating agrarian distress areas is expected for Agriculture Development (IFAD) for to develop an action plan for an effective saving genetic resources of underutilised technology delivery mechanism at the crops. This project has led to promoting a grassroot level. movement for saving dying crops and dying In the area of Food Security, the major wisdom. Also, the establishment of feed and contribution is the preparation of Food fodder banks has been promoted in areas like Insecurity Atlases of Rural and Urban India Ladakh, where precious animals like the and an Atlas on the Sustainability of Food Pashmina goat face starvation during the Security. The Rural Food Insecurity Atlas has severe winter months.

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In the agrarian distress “hot-spot” regions of Academy drawn from all parts of the country Vidarbha in Maharashtra, steps have been as well as from Afghanistan, Philippines, taken to empower women farmers to take to Nepal, Kenya, Nigeria and Sri Lanka. low-risk agriculture. This programme titled Addressing the first Convocation of the Mahila Kisan Shashaktikaran Pariyojana is NVA, the former President of India, Dr A P helping to bring a new life of hope and cheer J Abdul Kalam mentioned in 2004 that the to women farmers in general, and widows of “Academy is a Celebration of Rural India’s Core those who have taken their lives, in particular. Competence”. NVA fosters the integrated Continuing the education of children is application of the Internet, cable TV, another priority in areas affected either by community radio and the cell phone. The last natural calamities or economic disasters. mile and the last person connectivity is Bridging the urban-rural digital divide is an achieved through the Internet – cell phone important goal of the Information, Education synergy. and Communication (IEC) Programme. The In 2004, MSSRF launched Mission 2007: Every Annual inter-disciplinary Dialogue in 1992 Village a Knowledge Centre, in order to take was on Information Technology. At this the power and benefits of ICT to every village Dialogue, the concept of Village Knowledge in the country. A National Alliance consisting Centres (VKC) was developed to achieve of several hundred partners was formed for knowledge and skill empowerment in rural this purpose. In 2007, on the occasion of the areas, using the tools of the new information 60th anniversary of India’s Independence, the and communication technologies like the partners of Mission 2007 decided to continue Internet. The setting up of VKCs started in the programme in the form of Grameen Gyan 1998 in villages in Puducherry. Connectivity, Abhiyan (GGA), with the Secretariat located content creation, capacity building, care and in NVA. GGA has encouraged a wide variety management of the VKC and linking of ICT models, such as the community based knowledge with application received public good model of MSSRF, government- concurrent attention. To make a difference initiated models like Akshaya, e-Seva, ISRO’s in the lives of rural women and men, the content must be location-specific, dynamic VRC, Bhoomi, and Common Service Centres and demand-driven. Also, the community (CSC), as well entrepreneur-led models like should have a sense of ownership of the VKC Drishtee, n-Logue, Rural BPOs and Tarahat to ensure its sustainability. Encouraged by the and corporate sector models like ITC’s e- success of VKCs and the introduction by the chaupal, and mobile based models like Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) IFFCO’s mobile services, QUALCOMM’s of Village Resource Centres (VRCs) with Fisher Friend Mobile Application, m-Krishi satellite connectivity, the Jamsetji Tata etc. The NVA serves as an umbrella National Virtual Academy for Rural organisation for this rich variety of initiatives, Prosperity (NVA) was launched in 2003. The all designed to bridge the digital and gender Fellows of the Academy are rural women and divides and thereby ensure inclusiveness in men who have mastered ICT applications. access to ICT. Some of the Fellows of NVA There are now over 1,000 Fellows of the participated in and delivered lectures at the

CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

World Summits on Information Society held From a small beginning in 1988, MSSRF has in Geneva and Tunis. grown over the past 20 years into an effective inter-disciplinary organisation concentrating in A Jamsetji Tata Training School (JTS) is being areas where there are gaps in ongoing research, set up to provide opportunities for a lifelong education and extension. Special attention has upgrading of the professional skills of NVA been given to technology delivery systems Fellows. At the same time JTS will offer resulting in institutional innovations like placement services for large national biovillages, village knowledge centres and programmes like Government of India’s community food and water security systems CSCs and ITCs e-chaupals. The contributions through local level gene, seed, grain and water of MSSRF in the field of ICT for rural banks. The infrastructure developed at Chennai prosperity have received recognition both serves as the hub of a network of research centres from leading scientific journals like Nature located at Kalpetta, Wayanad, Kerala; Jeypore, (UK) and Scientific American (USA), and from Koraput, Orissa; Puducherry and Poompuhar, other sources like the Stockholm Challenge Tamil Nadu, all having their own buildings and Award and the Motorola Gold Award. field facilities. As and when funds become Another important institutional device for available, research and training facilities for an linking science and society through the mass Integrated Coastal Zone Management Centre will media was the establishment of the The Hindu be created at Chidambaram on land already Media Resource Centre (HMRC) in 1998. This purchased by MSSRF. centre has sponsored numerous dialogues and The work carried out so far and that described in lectures on topics of public and political this Report would not have been possible without concern like genetically modified organisms, the financial support and technical suggestions of climate change, water saving and sharing and the following: ecotechnology. The HMRC also helps to train young media personnel in various Central and State Government Departments aspects of science communication. and Institutions The MSSRF Library is rich in books and National, bilateral and multilateral donors publications relating to environment Individual donors both in India and abroad protection and sustainable development. The and groups of donors like the Friends of library has a CD-Rom section, which is MSSRF in Tokyo, and the Friends of extensively used by scholars from all over the Swaminathan, Australia (FOSA) country. A large number of eminent scientists who have The work carried out by the organisation has generously given their time to serve on various resulted in several publications in the form advisory and steering committees of papers in peer reviewed international Above all, rural and tribal women and men journals with high impact factor, books, whose infectious enthusiasm for the adoption monographs, publications and presentations of socially and environmentally relevant at both international and national technologies has provided the necessary conferences, workshops and consultations. stimulus and motivation for symbiotic

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scientist – farmer partnerships at all the Dr Ajay Parida. The editing was done by Dr locations where MSSRF scientists are Nandhini Iyengar, while the printing was done working. by AMM Prints, Chennai. Our thanks are due to all of them for their efforts to ensure that the Good scientists, and not just good looking contents and the presentation meet with high buildings, alone can help to build a great scientific standards of quality and user-friendliness. institution. MSSRF has been fortunate in this respect from its very beginning, as the scientists, In 1989, MSSRF started its research activities with scholars, administrative and accounting personnel three staff members, one of whom and field staff have shown a combination of Dr N Parasuraman, still remains a committed and professional excellence and social commitment. dynamic member of the MSSRF family. Today We owe a deep debt of gratitude to them for the staff strength has grown to 330 (185 scientific making MSSRF what it is today – a leading staff, 10 advisors, 135 technical, administrative, research organisation in the world in the area of accounting and supporting staff). Looking ahead, science for inclusive rural happiness. it is important that MSSRF maintains its pioneering character and continues to develop and Thanks are also due to the Executive Directors disseminate innovative methods of technological of MSSRF – Prof P C Kesavan (1999-2003), empowerment of rural families, like biovillages, Dr M Velayutham (2003-2007) and Shri Achyut biovalleys, village knowledge centres, pulses M Gokhale (October 2007 onwards) for their villages and community food and water security dedicated stewardship of the organisation. Above systems. all, we are indebted to the Trustees of MSSRF, who have given generously their valuable time A pre-requisite for maintaining and enhancing its and rich experience and expertise for setting goals pioneering character is the ability to attract and and standards and providing policy oversight to retain creative scientists, filled with a desire to the work of the organisation. Recently, Dr K take our country to an era of bio-happiness Kanungo, a distinguished and devoted past resulting from the conversion of our rich Trustee passed away. He was a pillar of strength bioresources into sustainable rural livelihood to MSSRF in its formative years and was widely opportunities. This will call for a substantial admired and respected both by staff and students endowment fund, the interest from which can for his wit and wisdom. Our sincere condolence assure job security to scientists having the capacity goes to Smt Meera Kanungo and their son, Dr and urge to become transformational agents. I Shivraj Kanungo and other members of the therefore wish to conclude this brief synoptic family. We also lost a few years ago Dr K N survey of the highlights of the journey from a Shyamsundaram Nair, who not only served as a Registrar’s table in Ajmere Gate, New Delhi in Trustee for 10 years, but also spearheaded the May 1988 to the present day with a sincere thanks Biovillage programme in the early nineties. to all past and potential donors.

The responsibility for compiling this report was M S Swaminathan borne by Dr Sudha Nair, Ms R V Bhavani and 28 July 2008

16 Programme Area 100

Coastal Systems Research

Establishment of community-based mangrove and non-mangrove bio-shield was achieved in 115 ha and people from 18 fishing villages participated in the process. Multilocation trials of identified Jatropha accessions have been undertaken under the National Network Programme. Remote Sensing and GIS techniques were used for project planning and monitoring in resource mapping, bioshield, watershed and landuse.

101 Mangrove and non-mangrove coastal bioshield ------18

102 Integrated Mangrove-Fishery Farming System (Seawater Farming System) ------29

103 Nuclear and Biotechnological Tools for Coastal Systems Research ------30

104 Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System ------35

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from the District Collector, Cuddalore, and Sub Programme Area 101 coconut and casuarina plantations were raised with the help of the fishing community. A Village Mangrove and non-mangrove Welfare Society (VWS) was organised in each coastal bioshield village to carry out the activities. The structure of these societies is given in Figure 1.1. Establishing mangrove and non-mangrove vegetation along the coastline with the The General Body (GB) of the VWS met participation of the community and other regularly on the first two days of every month stakeholders is a part of community and during these meetings, the members of preparedness for the management of natural the VWS made presentations on income and disasters in coastal areas. In 2006, the coastal expenditure, work completed during the bioshield programme was initiated in 11 previous months and issues that needed to be villages and in the following year, two major addressed. The GB facilitated the solving of projects with the objectives of establishing major problems and also examined and community-based mangrove and non- approved the future plan of activities. mangrove bioshields were started in Cuddalore, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram and General Body Tuticorin districts in Tamil Nadu (TN) and East Entire village – meets Godavari and Krishna districts in Andhra during the monthly Pradesh (AP). meeting of the Separate traditional Panchayat – 101.1 Ecological Rehabilitation of the meeting with No space for women women - views Coastal Areas of Pichavaram: and Establishing Community-based Mangrove aspirations of women are and other Coastal Vegetation as Bioshield taken to the General Body Executive Committee This project is being implemented in the Office Bearers and Pichavaram region of Cuddalore district in members three fishing hamlets namely, Muzhukkuthurai, Elected/selected by the traditional Panchayat MGR Thittu and Mudasalodai. Three islands, Women dominated ranging from 3 to 32 ha are present in the backwater canals of these hamlets, and their Representative of MSSRF sandy beaches were found to be suitable for establishing the bioshields. As the land is Fig.1.1 Organisational Structure of the owned by the Revenue Department of the Village Welfare Society formed in project Government of TN, permission was sought hamlets in Pichavaram region

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It was observed that participation of women monitored by group comprising members of was comparatively low in GB meetings. This the VWS and the project team. was mainly because of the discouragement by Strengthening the mangrove plantation, which the traditional panchayat leaders, who strongly was taken up by the community in Mudasalodai believe that women have no role to play in before the project started, was completed decision making at the community level. On during the year. The community had raised a the other hand, the level of participation of mangrove plantation of Rhizophora and women in EC meetings was high both in terms Avicennia parallel to the shoreline just opposite of quantity and quality where they expressed to the village, as a bioshield. During the their views strongly and actively participated tsunami, a large number of mechanized boats in decision making and planning. It is planned and debris were carried into this community to organise workshops to sensitise traditional plantation by the waves, causing heavy leaders, women and youth on gender issues damage. Nearly 50 % of the plants and the as well as on community participation to bamboo fence erected around the plantation gradually bring gender equity in decision were uprooted or affected. The activities that making at the community level were taken up to rehabilitate this tsunami- Mangrove bioshield: During 2006-2007, affected community mangrove plantation a mangrove bioshield was raised in 30 ha, included replacement of dead trees with new comprising 25 ha in MGR Thittu and 5 ha in well grown saplings, digging of canals in the Mudasalodai. A total of 1,33,000 propagules plantation to provide more tidal flushing to the (seedlings) were planted in these areas, area and raising the bamboo fence around the consisting of 1,28,000 Avicennia marina plantation to prevent grazing by animals. seedlings and 5,000 Rhizophora species. This Sand dune restoration and stabilisation: All year, the VWS’s were actively involved in the along the beach, small sand dunes of various plantation and management of the seedlings, heights, stretching 2,300 m in length and and the survival rate is 67 % for Avicennia separating the village and the sea, were marina and 80 % for Rhizophora. As a gap present before the tsunami. During the filling exercise 15,000 Avicennia marina tsunami, the dunes located at a distance of seedlings were planted in December 2007. 1,000 m were destroyed and these dunes were This year the mangrove bioshield was restored last year following traditional methods. extended to another 15 ha in MGR Thittu and Similarly, sand dunes that were partially Mudasoladai. In these 15 ha, 90,000 degraded were also restored by heaping sand propagules including 31,000 Rhizophora and manually. This year, stabilisation of these 59,000 Avicennia marina were planted in restored dunes was taken up. As vegetation December 2007 and January 2008. The is the key factor in sand dune stability, a performance of the plantation is being thorough study of the existing pattern of

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ vegetation in the dune complex was completed dune, which was about 2.5 m and 8 m and based on the observations, Ipomea respectively when it was formed in 2006, has pescaprae and Spinifex sp were planted in the changed considerably now due to ecological rehabilitated sand dunes. process. Now the height of the dune is only about 1.8 m but the breadth has increased to Multispecies non-mangrove bioshield: During about 12 m. The dune was stabilised by the year, 800 saplings of Calophyllum planting sand binders such as Ipomea inophyllum (Pinnai), Pongamia glabra (Punnai) pescaprae and Spinifex. A local NGO planted and Cocus nucifera (Coconut) were planted in palm trees on the top of the sand dunes, which 1.5 ha as a non-mangrove bioshield as they are also growing well. In this multispecies non- are capable of growing in sandy soil and mangrove bioshield 450 saplings of Pongamia, tolerate salinity. The VWS appointed two 300 saplings of coconut and 100 saplings of families to take care of watering and protecting neem were planted. Unlike the neem, the other this non-mangrove bioshield. Good ground two species are surviving well; all the dead water is available in the sand dune, which is neem plants have been replaced with being utilised for watering the plants. A similar Pongamia. In addition, other species such as bioshield was established in a vacant plot Thespesia and casuarina have also been located between MGR Thittu hamlet and the planted. Table 1.1 shows the survival and adjoining backwater canal. growth performance of plantations in various non-mangrove bioshields. In Madavamedu village, located about 6 km south of Pichavaram, a model non-mangrove Livelihood support: Last year, it was reported bioshield is being developed. This model that in all the project villages, a four-wheeler comprises small sand dunes on the seaward was provided to fish-vending women to reduce side followed by multispecies non-mangrove their drudgery in transporting fish to the vegetation on the landward side. For markets, as well as to improve their income by uninterrupted coastal ecological process, a gap transporting good quality fish in time. The of about 50 m is left between the sea and the vehicles were managed by a team of women sand dune. The height and breadth of the sand selected by the fish vendors. Monitoring and

Table 1.1 Survival and growth performance of tree species planted in non-mangrove bioshields in the Pichavaram region

Bioshield site Pongamia Calophyllum Coconut Survival % Height - cm Survival % Height - cm Survival % Height - cm MGR Thittu / Beach 68 92 80 98 95 148 MGR Thittu / Village 88 198 85 82 98 120 Madavamedu / Beach 82 198 - - 97 181

COASTAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ analysis of the performance of the vehicles the net profitability from these activities; identify during the year indicated that in all the project potential alternative income generating villages, considerable profit was earned in the activities that could be taken up by the first six months by operating the vehicle. community on a sustainable and environment- Subsequently, the profit margin gradually friendly basis and determine methods to link declined because of reduced landings in MGR mangrove and non-mangrove bioshields with Thittu and Muzhukkuthurai, as fishers the livelihood security of the community and preferred landings in Mudasalodai fishing institutionalise this linkage. harbour to reduce transportation costs. As a The methodology followed in the study involved result, the number of women involved in fish a SWOT analysis of the various assets in the vending in MGR Thittu and Mudasalodai also villages that could be better used by the decreased, which led to loss in the operation villagers themselves for generating income and of the vehicles. To earn a profit, the vehicles of increasing net profitability; role play among the MGR Thittu and Muzhukkuthurai were used villagers as to why an income generating for long distance transport, and both the activity should or should not be taken up and vehicles were involved in accidents, affecting preliminary cost-benefit analysis of each of the their operation. The current status is that in identified activities. MGR Thittu the vehicle is being used for local trips within and around the village and no profit The main findings of this study revealed that is being made in this operation. Hence, the open sea fishing and deep sea fishing are the major income generating activities, which are VWS is taking steps to lease the vehicle to monopolised by men; small-scale fishing is private transport companies on a monthly rent. carried out in the backwater canals both by In Muzhukkuthurai, the vehicle has already men and women; and fish auctioneering, fish been leased to a private fish marketing agency vending and dry fish manufacturing and selling for a monthly rent of Rs 4,500. It is expected are the income generating activities taken up that this arrangement would earn a profit of exclusively by women. The study also indicated about Rs 30,000 per year which will be shared that to increase the net profitability from existing with the women SHGs. fishing and fish related business activities, Analysis of livelihood option: A short study was three approaches and methodologies could be commissioned to assess the livelihood adopted. They include exploration of new situation in MGR Thittu and Muzhukkuthurai market areas and appointment of new agents villages. The objectives of this study were to to fetch remunerative prices, modernisation of make a thorough analysis of the livelihood fishing practices without damaging stock, and strategies followed in the two villages; identify use of wireless communication, to increase the various interventions and methodologies that income; use of bio-diesel, preventive would strengthen the existing business maintenance of boats and nets, use of buoys activities and livelihood strategies and increase and LED devices to prevent damage to nets

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ by boats, improved fish preservation fishing and other business activities. This techniques etc., to reduce expenses; training programme was conducted by an insurance, daily savings, investments in other external consultant and 26 persons non-fish related business activities, bank participated. A one-day training programme accounts with ATM facilities for easier cash including an exposure visit to Integrated withdrawals, improved communication facilities Mangrove Fishery Farming System (IMFFS) through mobile phones, broadband internet was conducted for the leaders, members, connections for VKCs to obtain and analyse women and youth of the Muzhukkuthurai and market related information etc., to cover risks. MGR Thittu villages. In this farming system, In addition to the above, the study also revealed fish, prawn and crab culture is integrated with new business opportunities that village youth mangrove plantation. Some of the youth in and entrepreneurs could take up on an MGR Thittu are now interested in starting their individual or collective basis for sustainable own IMFF farms. An exposure visit to livelihood. These include preventive Kuthambakkam model village was also maintenance and repair of emergency lamps, conducted for the President and ward batteries, FRP boats, outboard engines and members of Killai Panchayat to which the accessories; establishment of processed project hamlets are attached. The Trust for prawn and fish processing units for powder, Village Self Governance operating with its base dehydrated meal and pickles; fish meal unit in Kuthambakkam, provided the necessary for poultry and fish feed; spawner (female) inputs to motivate the Panchayat leaders to trading unit; establishment of community take steps for self-governance. This Trust organised trading units (on the lines of the one expressed its willingness to provide training on established at Annankovil by SIFFS), eco- tourism; joy manual boat ride in the back the role of the Panchayat in disaster waters; installing a chain of eateries along the preparedness and mitigation, which will be beach; water sports in the backwaters and the organised in the coming year. open sea; establishment of a fish chilling unit, Exposure visits to mangrove and non- ice plant, and a unit for mud crab fattening in mangrove bioshields developed at MGR Thittu the backwaters. and the IMFFS were conducted for members All these new employment opportunities were of Pondicherry Multipurpose Social Service identified by the community with the help of an Society, Puducherry, and for three batches of external facilitator and during the coming year second year B.Sc (Agriculture) students of follow up action will be taken. Annamalai University. Three one-day Training: A one-day training programme was orientation programmes on community organised to orient fishers, leaders and participation in bioshield development and members of women SHGs and youth on what management were conducted for M.Sc (Social should be done to increase income from the Work) students of Annamalai University.

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101.2 Strengthening Resilience of the in TN, cultural programmes, orientation Tsunami Affected Communities meetings and exposure visits were used as the tools to mobilise and organise the community. This project, aims to reduce the vulnerability In Vembar, the cultural team of PAD conducted of the rural poor in coastal areas and is being programmes, while in Manamelkudi, the SPRIT implemented in India and Sri Lanka. In India it team conducted cultural shows. In these is being implemented in four sites namely, programmes, songs, skits, dances and mono- Vembar and Manamelkudi in TN and Kakinada plays were used effectively to create and Sarlagundi in AP. A total number of 13 awareness among the community about the hamlets are covered under the project, four in aim and purpose of the project and its Manamelkudi site and three each in the other components. In the cultural shows, processes three sites. Unlike other projects of MSSRF, that would be followed in planning and this project is being implemented in three sites implementing the project were also outlined. through grassroot NGOs. At the Vembar site In the Manamelkudi site, cultural programmes in Tuticorin district in TN, the NGO People’s were followed by orientation meetings, Action for Development (PAD), which has been conducted for the traditional leaders, women working in the Gulf of Mannar region for a long and youth of the project hamlets and leaders time, is associated with project implementation, and members of Panchayat Raj Institution whereas at the Manamelkudi site in (PRI) separately. Pudukkottai district, the Society for Participatory Research and Integrated Training Exposure visits were also organised as a part (SPRIT) is implementing the project. In the of the strategy to mobilise and organise the case of AP, Praja Pragathi Seva Sangham community and facilitate people to gain first- (PPSS) is the partner at the Krishna site, while hand knowledge from already established at the Kakinada site in East Godavari district models of bioshield, VRC, VKC and livelihood MSSRF is directly implementing the project. programmes, and facilitate interaction between The important components of this project are representatives of the project hamlets with the community mobilisation and organisation, community that established successful models. mangrove and non-mangrove bioshield, VKC, In these exposure visits traditional leaders, and livelihood and community based disaster women group leaders and members, young risk reduction. The results achieved in these women and men and representatives of PRI components, except VKC, are given below, from the project hamlets were given exposure while the results achieved in VKC are to the Joint Mangrove Management (JMM) presented under Programme Area 600. programme and bioshield programme implemented in Pichavaram area and VRC and Community mobilisation and organisation VKC in Puducherry and Thangachimadam. Cultural programmes, orientation and Interactive presentations, field visits and exposure visits: In the seven project hamlets interaction with the community were the tools

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ used for the exposure visits. Processes relating Committee in Vembar site. However, the to PRA, formation of hamlet level institutions, organisational structure of the VLI is more or identification of bioshield management units, less similar in all the hamlets. It consists of a and preparation of hamlet level plans were GB, which is the supreme body of the institution shared with the participants. In the bioshield and takes all the decisions. In project hamlets component, types of bioshields, and the role in TN, one adult man and woman from the of mangrove and non-mangrove vegetation families living in that hamlet have been enrolled and sand dunes in reducing the impact of as members of the VLI, whereas in AP one disasters were explained with empirical and adult man and woman from willing families are field based evidence. Details of techniques included as members. In all the project hamlets relating to the establishment of mangrove and the GB of the VLI elected an EC which is the non-mangrove bioshields and methods to link planning and implementing body. In the EC of them with livelihood were provided and shown various VLIs women have been given 30 to in the field. In the VRC and VKC component, 60 % representation and representatives from processes relating to the establishment of VRC PRI and MSSRF and partner NGOs are also and VKC, need assessment, content creation included. The GB of the VLI meets regularly and technical aspects relating to information once a month in some villages, whereas in other and knowledge dissemination were explained villages a meeting is conducted once in three to the participants. In these exposure visits, 107 months. The EC of all the VLIs meets once a women and 61 men participated. A similar month. All the VLIs have a savings bank account process was followed in the case of the Krishna in the nearby nationalised bank, which is being and Kakinada sites in AP. Representatives from used for the transaction of project funds. the community, women’s groups, youth and Participatory Rural Appraisal: PRA was PRI were taken to the hamlets where JMM extensively used to understand the socio- programmes were being implemented in the economic condition of the community living in Godavari and Krishna mangroves. These the project hamlets, interdependency between exposure visits played a crucial role in natural resources and user communities and motivating both the community and PRI major concerns of the people relating to their members to participate actively in the project. socio-economic development, resource Village level institutions: In all the project management, information flow, disaster hamlets a Village Level Institution (VLI) was management, etc. It was also used as a tool formed to prepare, implement and monitor to develop rapport among stakeholders. The project activities in a participatory manner. It is PRA documents the village history, social called Village Development and Management infrastructure, livelihood analysis, gender, VLI, Council (VDMC) in the project hamlets of bioshield mapping, information and knowledge, Manamelkudi, Krishna and Kakinada sites, problems and intervention measures and whereas it is called Village Development micro-planning.

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The major concerns identified in the project of PRI and bioshield could be a part of the hamlets through PRA varied from over- preparedness exercise. All these motivated the exploitation of fish stock in the sea, lack of PRI to provide land for mangrove bioshield employment opportunity in the villages, quantity development. In this regard a resolution was and quality of drinking water and lack of passed in the Gramsabha, indicating that PRI financial support to reclaim prawn farms into is willing to raise mangrove plantations in the agricultural lands, to degraded mangrove unsurveyed mud flats jointly with MSSRF and ecosystem, lack of transport facility and lack partner NGOs to protect the people from of proper houses. In some of the hamlets, lack cyclones and other natural calamities. Since of credit facility and dependency on the resolution passed in the Gramsabha moneylenders were cited as major issues. In meeting is legally valid, the decision was taken some other villages, the lack of a source of as permission to raise a mangrove bioshield information on potential fishing zones, and the in the unsurveyed land. climate and prices for different kinds of fish Establishment of a bioshield was initiated in markets were identified as the major concerns. about 20 ha in Kattumavadi village and in about These concerns formed the basis for the 30 ha in Keezhavaipar village. In these areas, preparation of village level developmental plans. the canal method, which was developed and Bioshield tested during earlier JMM programmes, was followed to raise the mangrove plantation. A Mangrove bioshield: In TN, the establishment total of 2,25,000 propagules of Avicennia of a mangrove bioshield was initiated during marina and 85,000 propagules of Rhizophora the year in Kattumavadi village at Manamelkudi were planted in the mangrove bioshield sites site and Keezhavaipar village at Vembar site. during the year. The performance of these Both the mangrove bioshields are being plantations in terms of survival, growth etc., is developed in unsurveyed mud flats and hence being monitored by a committee consisting of are not under the control of government members from VDMC, MSSRF and partner departments. In taking up these lands for NGOs. The survival rate of Avicennia marina raising mangrove plantations, the PRI, in which was around 75 % whereas in the case of the project hamlet is a part, played a key role. Rhizophora it was around 90 %. In the Representatives of these PRI were oriented Kattumavadi region a number of problems to the project and taken for an exposure visit relating to the management of the bioshield to Pichavaram, which made them gain in depth were noticed, including deposition of seaweed understanding of the role of mangroves in in the bioshield site, grazing by goats, and crab fishery development and in mitigating the fishing in the bioshield area; all of them affected impact of natural disasters such as cyclone and the establishment of seedlings. The VDMC of tsunami. They were also informed that disaster Kattumavadi played a key role in solving these preparedness had now become the mandate issues. The members of VDMC voluntarily

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ removed the seaweeds and appointed a Krishna site, PPSS, obtained necessary watcher to prevent grazing by goats. They also permission from the District Collector, Krishna interacted with the leaders of nearby villages district, to raise mangroves in about 100 ha in to restrict grazing as well as crab fishing in the these areas. The mangrove bioshield is being plantation area. In Keezhavaipar also, the developed in 60 ha and the other 40 ha will be VDMC appointed a watchman to take care of covered in the coming year. As in the case of the plantation. TN, the canal method was followed in raising the mangrove bioshield and the survival rate In AP, the establishment of the mangrove of the plantation was good. The VDMC of bioshield was initiated in about 60 ha with the Sorlagondi was actively involved in the participation of the people of Sorlagondi village. management of the bioshield. An extensive mangrove forest is located between the village and the sea. A part of this Non-mangrove bioshield: In TN, no non- forest has been declared Reserve Forest and mangrove bioshield was established in the is protected by the Forest Department (FD). project sites during the year. In AP, the Another part of the mangrove forest that is establishment of a multispecies non-mangrove located very close to the village is still under bioshield was initiated in the project villages of the control of the Revenue Department. Mulapeta, Danavaipeta and Narsipeta at the Mangrove forests in areas owned by the Kakinada site in about 10 ha of community- Revenue Department were cleared and owned land. In accordance with the wishes of developed into prawn farms during the late the community, casuarina was the main 1980s, without permission from the concerned species planted; other species such as agencies. Many of these aquaculture ponds palmyrah (Borassus flabellifer), coconut were totally washed away during the cyclone (Cocas nucifera), soap nut (Sapindus in 1994. Even though many of these farms emarginatus) and cashew (Anacardium were rehabilitated later, prawn farmers suffered occidentale) were also planted. The EC of the losses consecutively for four years due to viral VDMC of these villages played an active role diseases. The Aquaculture Authority of India in land preparation and planting, and appointing also made registration of farms mandatory, but a community watcher in each of the three these farmers could not comply because their villages to protect, water and replace affected farms had been developed illegally by plants. occupying revenue land. Later, on the basis Livelihood of the Supreme Court Order, these farmers were evicted. The mangrove bioshield is now Target groups: The poor families, including being established in the areas that were families headed by women, in the project degraded due to the establishment of such villages are the target group of livelihood illegal prawn farms. The partner NGO at the programmes. In all the project villages, these

COASTAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ groups were identified through livelihood of the fishing villages, as this would help the analysis and wealth ranking exercises of PRA. fishers to store the catch and transport it to The villagers themselves developed criteria to markets in good condition. This will fetch better classify families into poor, medium rich and rich prices, which in turn will increase the income families. Table 1.2 shows the criteria used by from fishing. In the second category, potential the community to classify families in livelihood opportunities are being Ponnagaram village in Manamelkudi site. demonstrated in a participatory mode so that Following this method, a total number of 600 viable demonstrations can be replicated by the families have been identified as target groups fishing families. In the third category, training and funds will be leveraged from various is being provided to youth to increase their skills schemes of the Government to address the in different vocations. This would create an issues of these poor families; for some of the interest to start their own business or increase livelihood programmes, which have already their employment opportunities. The livelihood been started, project funds are being utilised. activities that have been identified and Livelihood interventions: In TN, partner NGOs implemented in Rojmanagar village in Vembar identified three different groups of activities site are listed in Table 1.3. namely, direct interventions, demonstrations, At the Krishna site in AP, reclamation of prawn and training to impart vocational skills to farms into agriculture lands, eco-friendly strengthen the livelihood of the community. aquaculture, cattle rearing and IMFFS have These activities were identified on the basis of been identified as major livelihood interventions social mapping, livelihood analysis, wealth and many of them are being implemented. In ranking, occupational diagram and discussions the project villages in Kakinada, generating a with the identified groups. Under direct revolving fund to strengthen the existing interventions, activities to enhance or livelihood activities and to start new enterprises strengthen the current livelihood are being has been identified as the major livelihood taken up. For example, providing ice boxes has intervention. been identified as a direct intervention in many

Table 1.2 Criteria used by the community to classify families in Ponnagaram village, TN

Rich Medium Poor Own concrete house Own concrete house/ Tiled house Living in colony house/ own thatched house Have a government job Own FRP boat Own coconut groves Own Vallam / Vathai with or Wage labourers Merchants without engine Net menders Jewellery shop owners Working abroad Destitute women Own car or van

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Table 1.3 Interventions identified to strengthen the livelihood of the target groups in Rojmanagar village in Vembar site, TN

Direct Interventions Demonstrations Training Financial Initiative for Substantial Preparation of health mix Boat engine mechanic Human Resource Regeneration powder Status: Completed (FISHERR) Programme – releasing Status: Completed from the clutches of money lenders Status: Initiated

Strengthening of community - based Hygienic fish handling Scuba diving gear workshop (post harvest) Status: Planned Status: Initiated Status: Completed

Community - based rice business GPS handling Status: Initiated Status: to be conducted

Revolving fund for fish vendors Crab and lobster fattening Status: Initiated Status: dropped because not feasible

Providing ice boxes to improve storage of fish catch Status: postponed because of the demand for large boxes for which more funds are needed

Community based Disaster Risk Reduction APDC is planned in the form of theoretical Community-based Disaster Risk Reduction orientation and hands on training to middle (CDRR) is one of the components of the level managers and field coordinators of project. However, due to lack of experience MSSRF and partner NGOs. and expertise both within MSSRF and in Joint Activities between MSSRF and project partner NGOs only very limited progress was partners in Sri Lanka made. On the basis of discussions with the partner NGOs, government agencies and The project on strengthening the resilience of funding organisation, it was decided to utilise tsunami-affected communities is a regional the services of Asian Disaster Preparedness project covering India and Sri Lanka. In Centre (APDC), Bangkok, to build the capacity Sri Lanka, it is being implemented jointly by of MSSRF and its partner NGOs in preparing two international NGOs, Sarvodaya and and implementing community-based disaster Practical Action. While designing the project, risk management plans. Assistance from it was envisaged that exchange visits would

COASTAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ be organised between the Indian and Sri pertaining to bioshield management being Lankan partners to learn from each other’s carried out in each village was studied in detail. experience. During the year, the following On the basis of local experience and existing activities were completed. biophysical conditions and social situations, including participation of the stakeholders, Visit to early warning site by MSSRF and its suggestions were made to improve the boundary partners: In July 2007, project staff structure and management of different kinds from MSSRF, grassroots NGO partners, of bioshields. It was also suggested that in SPRIT, PAD and PPSS went on an exposure some of the sites, mangrove-fishery farming visit to the Village Iinforamtion Centre system, which integrates livelihood with established by Sarvodaya and Disaster Early mangrove plantation, could be taken up to Warning System established by LIREN ASIA create an interest among the people in at Barhamanawatta village in Galle district. mangrove bioshield development and Workshop on Disaster Management: All the management. A presentation on the results of project partners in India and Sri Lanka, the visit was made to Sarvodaya, Practical including grassroots NGOs, jointly attended a Action, IDRC and CIDA-Sri Lanka immediately workshop on Disaster Management, held in after the field visit. Colombo in July 2007, organised by Sarvodaya and IDRC. At the workshop, presentations were made by experts on the role of ICT in Sub Programme Area 102 Disaster Risk Management, ICT and Early Warning Systems, Livelihood Based Disaster Integrated Mangrove-Fishery Management and the District-level Disaster Management Plan in Sri Lanka. MSSRF made Farming System (Seawater a presentation on the Role of Remote Sensing Farming System) and GIS in Disaster Preparedness. On the basis of the above presentations and field A seawater farming system that integrates experiences, discussions were held in detail cultivation of mangrove plants and halophytes on the role of the project in Disaster and culture of fish, prawn and crabs is being Management. demonstrated in partnership with a progressive prawn farmer and the local community near Visit relating to bioshield programmes: MSSRF Pichavaram. The main aim of this programme was requested by IDRC and Sarvodaya and is to demonstrate the possibility of integrating Practical Action to provide inputs to the income generating opportunity with mangrove bioshield programmes of Sri Lanka. The bioshield development. This system, formerly experts from MSSRF visited all nine project known as Seawater Farming System, is villages located in Hambantota, Matara and currently designated as IMFFS and is eco- Galle districts in Sri Lanka. The work friendly. The main components of IMFFS are

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ mangrove plantation, halophyte cultivation and Fish culture: Culture of the commercially fish culture. important fish Lates calcarifer (sea bass) was attempted in the farm and in September 2007, Mangrove plantation: In the outer and inner 2,500 fingerlings, each about 2.5 cm long, were bunds of the farm, 1,723 Rhizophora and 327 purchased from the Rajiv Gandhi Research Avicennia marina saplings were planted last Foundation, Thoduvai, as availability of year. The condition of the plantation was fingerlings in the wild is limited. They were kept monitored and steps were taken to make it a in large bags made of fine nylon net (happa) in healthy plantation. The increase in height and the farm water itself for acclimatisation, but other growth parameters are comparable to survival of the fingerlings at the end of three Rhizophora and Avicennia plantations in any months was only about 9 %. This was due to healthy mangrove ecosystem, indicating that the small size of the fingerlings, which could mangrove plants can be grown in such semi- enclosed environmental conditions, fed by tidal not adapt themselves to the environmental water. conditions existing in the farm. In the next attempt, 500 fingerlings of 8 cm length were Last year, the leaves of Rhizophora sp., were purchased in December 2007 and again affected by a species of sap-sucking scale acclimatised in the farm itself. At the end of insect of the Coccidae family, which was January 2008 nearly 85 % of the fingerlings controlled with neem spray. This year, there survived and reached a length of 13 cm. They was no incidence of pest attack and this could were released into the farm in February 2008 be due to the fact that this pest attacks only and the survival and growth performance of young seedlings and not well-established the released fingerlings are being monitored. seedlings. Halophyte plantation: A succulent halophyte namely, Sesuvium portulucastrum, which has Sub Programme Area 103 commercial potential as a component of salads, was planted on the top and sides of Nuclear and Biotechnological the outer and inner bunds of the farm. Stem cuttings of about 15 cm in length were planted Tools for Coastal Systems at an interval of 1 m. The fresh weight of the Research plantation, measured at monthly intervals, showed that values increased from 542 g/m2 The project, supported by the Department of in September 2007, reached a peak value of Atomic Energy (DAE), has been in operation 1,132 g/m2 in January 2008 and started in the coastal regions of TN. Two sites are declining after that. This indicates that the located in the vicinity of the nuclear power growth of this plant reaches its peak only during plants in Kalpakkam and Kudankulam. Low the northeast monsoon season when the external input and integrated intensive farming salinity of the soil is less. practice models were the focus at Kalpakkam,

COASTAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ in addition to several microenterprises related and crop damage were observed in some fields to agricultural production and productivity due to heavy rain prior to harvest. improvement. Multiplication of improved The performance of the mutant variety green varieties of various pulses has been replicated gram (TARM 1) has been well appreciated by and popularised in the farmers’ fields in the the farmers. With intercropping in horticulture region. The major activity of the project is plots, this year the cultivation was undertaken concentrated in Kudankulam region, while the by 22 farmers in the region showing an average laboratory-based activities with relation to yield ranging from 200 to 500 kg/ha. developing salinity tolerant varieties have been undertaken at Chennai. Crop diversification Community participation with regard to eco- Performance evaluation and yield testing of development and horti-agriculture has been the hybrid maize under scheduled irrigated focus of the programme for the last six years. condition was carried out in farmers’ fields The activities that started at Kudankulam (80-95 days) and found suitable under <500 village have now spread to Errukundurai, mm rainfall. The following parameters were Vijyapathy, Kuthankuzhy and Uvary Panchayat maintained: seed material - 15 kg/ha, seed under Radhapuram taluk. The project began treatments given to avoid shoot borer disease extending its technology to every village and leaf spot disease, and adequate spacing; through replication of the models developed germination was 100 %. The whole process in partnership with the local institution and was demonstrated and explained to other villagers. On-site field-based training farmers from neighbouring villages. Five programmes designed especially for farmers farmers have volunteered to adopt it in their covered under the ATMA programme of the fields in the coming season. Govt. of TN and SHG members of different taluks in Tirunelveli are being carried out. Fodder Bank 103.1 Activities at Kudankulam Veli masal (Hedge lucerne) fodder crop was introduced in the fodder bank for seed BARC seed multiplication multiplication. Sufficient seeds have been This year, groundnut seeds (TAG 24) collected for distribution to farmers this year. developed by BARC, were distributed to 10 Bio-diesel crop (Jatropha) farmers. Six farmers harvested groundnut with an average yield of about 700 kg/ha, with oil Multilocation clonal trials of a few selected high content ranging from 49 to 54.4 %. Crop yielding, high seed oil content Jatropha curcas duration was observed to be between 100 and are being carried out in Kudankulam to produce 105 days. Yield data was found quite quality genetic material as part of testing in satisfactory and comparable with the best yield various selected regions in the country. obtained under rainfed conditions. Yield loss Experimental blocks were prepared to test

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ vegetatively propagated saplings from selected MSSRF conducted on-site demonstrations of superior accessions of Jatropha. pest and disease control procedures in various crops such as brinjal, tomato, mango, moringa, Four random block designs were carried out guava and coconut on a priority basis in (R1 to R4) for multilocation trials with 987 plants farmers’ fields, based on the inputs received being planted at 3 m x 3 m distance. The plants from the farmers and the need analysis are growing well and have attained an average exercise undertaken for the purpose. height of 1.5 feet. Community Development Each replication has 10 small blocks and each small block has 25 saplings from single The ongoing project has been organising superior accessions. 248 plants were planted SHGs in the project villages of Kudankulam, in R block and 987 plants were planted Idinthakarai, Kuthankuli, Uvari, Radhapuram (R1,R4) in all the four blocks; data from each and Chettikulam Panchayat. Activities are block is collected and maintained for national focused on forming SHGs among the local multilocation trials. Data entry work sheets farmers, fisherwomen, landless labourers, and have been prepared to record all the SC/ST women. Ten new SHGs have been information, including the performance of the formed this year, taking the total strength to 80 trial, using statistical packages like SAS, SPSS SHGs. These SHGs have their own savings and STATISTICA. to the extent of Rs 1 crore and with the loan received from the local banks for various With all these interventions and consultations on various crops, agriculture practices and soil activities the savings is around and water management practises, MSSRF has Rs 2 crores. been able to persuade more than 100 Capacity building additional farmers to adopt various crops and Members of newly formed SHGs were cultivation models in their fields. The outreach provided training on the maintenance of of various crop-based interventions during the year is given in Table 1. 4 accounts, bank linkage, leadership and entrepreneurship development. Skill development training was given to 140 SHG Table 1.4 Area under cultivation of various crops during 2007-2008 members, including 120 women and 20 men, on social development and record Pulses 8 ha maintenance. Oilseeds 10 ha Gooseberry 15 ha MSSRF has also been involved in capitalising Mango 10 ha from the provisions of capacity building of the Fodder crops/Azolla 40 farmers community from various DRDA schemes in Jatropha Trial plots Tirunelveli district.

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Nearly Rs one lakh has been provided by the Village Knowledge Centre DRDA, Tirunelveli, for conducting training The VKC is an ongoing activity of MSSRF, programmes for 842 SHG members during the providing computer education to needy children year. MSSRF actively participated in ATMA under the Computer Literacy Campaign. Kisan Mela and displayed information on Trained students motivate their friends and fodder crops in the stall on the topic “Nutritional classmates to join the centre. The VKC had Fodder Crop”. Azolla samples were also 50 girls and boys enrolled for computer classes distributed to farmers. MSSRF conducted on- this year. The VKC recently started TALLY field training for ATMA SHG members of classes for Kudankulam students and two Radhapuram on rainfed agriculture. batches have been completed. It is interesting to note that girls are coming from Alternative livelihood Anjugrammam (neighbouring Kanyakumari The ongoing project has supported sericulture district) to take this course. VKC activities have as a part-time livelihood option for people of expanded at Avudayalpuram, and MSSRF has south TN. After training more than 30 farmers, supported a tailoring centre at Avudayalpuram Uralvaimozhi SHG has harvested the second VKC under Vijyapathy Panchayat. batch of cocoons. Ten students selected from Bishop Roach Hr. Interdistrict exposure visits were organised for Sec. School, Idinthakarai coastal village 15 Kudankulam farmers. They visited KVK participated in a three-day training programme Gandhigram Rural University, Gandhigram and on Ornamental Fish Culture (OFC) in February attended lectures on IPM, organic farming and 2008. CARE at St. Xavier’s College, Tirunelveli, animal husbandry. The group also learnt about organised the training and covered the overall the role of IT in agriculture development from aspects of income generation through OFC. the MSSRF-VRC Centre, Sempatty. They also MSSRF has planned to conduct the same visited the watershed areas of Kadavakurichi, programme at the village level in the coming year. Mallanapatti and Kombaipatti in Bathalagundu 103.2. Activities at IGCAR, Kalpakkam Block, Dindigul and studied the various techniques of watershed development. Rice cultivation under organic farming in the demo plot yielded 3.78 ton/ha. BARC seed Kitchen gardens for nutritional security were multiplication was carried out in demo plots and raised in demo-plots. A few selected seasonal seeds were supplied to other trial locations. hybrid vegetables (tomato, brinjal, lady’s finger) Seed multiplication of laboratory tested were maintained in nurseries. Saplings were transgenic rice varieties has been done. distributed to poor SHG members in Introgression studies are being carried out neighbouring villages under Kudankulam and between transgenic lines with white ponni, Vijaypathy Panchayat. IR64, IR20 and ADT43. These details are

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ reported in PA 300. A training programme on Bioshield plantation in the coastal areas INM and IPM, and off-farm demonstration at and maintenance farmers’ fields for rice and oil seeds, were Three-year old bioshield plantations are being organised. managed by traditional leaders and SHGs at Mangrove restoration at Buckingham Sadraskuppam, Karaikal, Chandrapadi, canal - Bay of Bengal mouth at Kalpakkam Pudukuppam and Pazhayar.

The two-year old mangrove plantation at Economic rehabilitation - micro enterprises Kalpakkam has established itself and the Women SHGs’ bioshield nurseries: Six women Avicennia marina plants are growing well, with SHGs have developed 14 backyard nurseries, good canopy cover, well-formed pneumatophores (breathing roots) and eight individual nurseries and one general initiation of flowering in a few tress. Rhizophora nursery for mangrove and non-mangrove mucronata growth was normal and many plants at Chandrapadi, Keelavanjore, anchor roots have been formed for support, Nethyalvasal and Pudukuppam. The women with extended canopy. Excoecaria agallocha earned Rs 5.5 lakhs from the nursery activities. was observed to be flowering and fruiting and Microenterprise training: Training programmes seed dispersal has set been observed. for ten microenterprises including mud crab 103.3 Sustainable Ecological and fattening, community pond aquaculture, Economic Rehabilitation integrated farm ponds, production of oyster mushroom, vermicompost, fish/prawn pickle, Ecological rehabilitation - bioshield clam fishery and harvest, dry fish marketing, Mangrove nurseries were established at poultry farm and bioshield nursery were Keelavanjore for supply of saplings to the conducted at Sadraskuppam, Pazhayar, mangrove bioshield plantation areas. SHGs Chandrapadi/ Keelavanjore and Pattinamcherry. raised 76,000 mangrove saplings (Avicennia, 1,572 members participated in these training Rhizophora, Bruguiera, Excoecaria) and programmes. Some SHGs have started 67,100 non-mangrove saplings (Casuarina, activities and the impact is under study. Coconut, Subabul, Railroad vine, Calophyllum, Thespesia, Spinifex, Pongamia, Mahua) and Coastal Village Knowledge Centres supplied them to the Forest Department, Four VKCs have been established and NGOs, Panchayat and CBOs. Mangrove and provide need-based information in non-mangrove nurseries have been made Sadraskuppam, Pazhayar, Chandrapadi and available at Chandrapadi, Keelavanjore, Pattinamcherry villages. Nethyalvasal and Pudukuppam.

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mangrove species found in the entire coast of Sub Programme Area 104 TN is Avicennia marina. Other species found are Rhizophora, Excoecaria agallocha and Remote Sensing and Geogra- Acanthus ilicifolius. This study also showed phical Information System that apart from the two major mangrove ecosystems located at Pichavaram and Major projects carried out in the GIS lab under Muthupet, most estuaries and backwater this programme area are Coastal Zone Studies systems along the TN coast have patches of and suitability mapping of mangrove and non- mangroves, which also need to be conserved. mangrove bioshields, which is one of the major Chennai: Small patches of mangroves components of the project on Strengthening comprising Avicennia marina and Suaeda are the resilience of tsunami-affected communities. found along the intertidal margins of the Adyar 104.1 Coastal Systems Research estuary as well as Ennore backwaters of The three components in this project are Chennai coast. Avicennia marina is the mapping and monitoring Marine Protected dominant species. Areas (MPA), mapping mangrove vegetation Cuddalore: Pichavaram is the second zonation of TN coast and assessment of mangrove wetland of TN covering an area of mangrove health using remote sensing and about 858 ha with mangrove species such as GIS data. Under the first component, mapping Avicennia marina, Rhizophora apiculata and of MPAs in TN namely, Pulicat Wild Life R. mucronata dominating the wetland spread Sanctuary, Pichavaram Reserve Forest, in the Vellar - Coleroon estuarine complex. Vedaranyam Wild Life Sanctuary and Rhizophora mangroves stretch along the Ramanathapuram mangroves were completed backwaters and canals and the interior wetland and IRS L4 (Indian Remote sensing Satellite is covered extensively by A. marina. Associated Linear Imaging Self scanning System) data mangrove species such as Suaeda maritima were used for mapping. Changes in the coastal and S. monoica are also found. resources of MPA between 1,970 (base maps prepared using Survey of India toposheets) and Puducherry and Karaikkal: In Puducherry, the recent remote sensing data will be mapped mangroves are distributed along the during the coming year to suggest the Ariyankuppam and Chunnambu rivers. Apart modification required in MPA boundary. from Avicennia marina other species found in The second component involves mapping of these mangroves are Rhizophora and mangrove vegetation zones along the entire Bruguiera cylindrica. Associated species of coast of TN, except Muthupet and Gulf of Suaeda are also found. In Karaikkal, small Mannar mangroves. This work was completed patches of Avicennia marina and Rhizophora during the year and IRS L3 data was used for are found in the Arasalar river mouth. Avicennia mapping. The study revealed that the major marina and a few species of Ceriops decandra

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ are found along the mouth of the Vettar river Ramanathapuram (Devipattinam): Avicennia near Vanjiyur. The extent of mangroves in these marina is dominantly distributed along the two districts is about 50 ha. rivers of Kottakarai and Uppar and in the mud flats of Devipattinam. Mangroves are also found Nagapattinam: In north Nagapattinam, along the small creeks near the coast. The total mangroves are found along the Uppanar and area of mangroves in Ramnathapuram district Coleroon rivers. In south Nagapattinam, is 250 ha. patches of mangroves are found along the coast of Vedaranyam canal and Vellar river Kanniyakumari (Manakkudi): The River (near Velankanni) and the mud flat areas of Pazhayar confluences with the Arabian Sea Talainayar. Avicennia marina is the dominant near Manakkudi village, forming the Manakkudi species in these areas but other species such estuary with small islands. One of the islands has artificially regenerated mangroves. as Bruguiera cylindrica and Acanthus ilicifolius Rhizophora is the dominant species in this and associated mangroves such as Suaeda area. It covers less than 1 ha. and Salicornia are also found. The total area of mangroves in this district is 136 ha. The third component of the project, a Remote Sensing and GIS-based model that can be Tuticorin (Punnakayal): The mangroves in used to assess the health of mangrove Punnakayal are predominantly Avicennia wetlands with remote sensing data and GIS, species. Suaeda and Salicorina are other was prepared for Pichavaram mangrove associated mangroves commonly found here. wetlands. The following indicators were used The district has about 398 ha of mangroves, to develop this model: mangrove forest density, which are in a highly degraded state. canopy cover, floral diversity, natural regeneration, fresh water flow, hindrance to Pudukottai: Dense Avicennia marina and fresh water flow, anthropogenic pressure such associated mangrove of Suaeda are distributed as formation of bunds across the river, creeks, in the mud flat areas of Kattumavadi and along grazing, drainage density, aquaculture farms, the Vellar river mouth. The total area of pollution from settlements/ industries and mangroves in this district is 90 ha. sedimentation. The draft model has been Thanjavur: In Thanjavur, dense Avicennia accepted by the sponsoring agency (Space marina is distributed along the Ambullar river, Application Centre, Ahmedabad) and circulated and small patches of mangroves are found to experts for comments. During the coming year this will be finalised for replication to along the Tedakkiar, Kattar and Agniar river assess the health of other mangrove forests. mouths. Nearly 163 ha of mangroves are found in the district apart from the Muthupet Suitability mapping for mangrove and non- mangroves (2,130 ha), which are spread mangrove coastal bioshield: Suitability between Thanjavur and Thiruvarur districts. mapping for bioshield has been carried out for

COASTAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ the Pudukottai district of TN and Krishna district 104.2 Ecotechnology of AP. Remote sensing and GIS tools were used in Basemap of the coastal Manamelkudi and the Bio-industrial watershed project. Ennai and Aranthangi blocks of Pudukottai district in TN Thalinji Panchayats of Pudukottai district, state and Nagaylanka mandal of Krishna Karasanur village of Villupuram district of TN district, AP were prepared. Remote sensing and Tolla village of Koraput district of Orissa data of IRS P6 LISS 4 was purchased for the are the study areas. Maps were prepared with study area and geographically corrected to cadastral boundary, contours and drainge. match with the base maps prepared from Landuse and landcover maps were also Survey of India toposheet and administrative prepared using remote sensing data of Ennai boundary maps. Preliminary maps of landuse/ and Tolla for the year 2007. Updation of land cover and geomorphology were prepared cadastral boundary using Farm Measurement for the coastal area of Manamelkudi block. Book was carried out for one of the study Ground truth data was collected to finalise the villages, Karasanur village of Villupuram landuse and land cover map and district, by integrating information collected geomorphology map of Manamelkudi block. from participating farmers. The database Landuse/ land cover map of Nagaylanka developed is being used in planning and mandal was prepared and finalised with ground prioritising the watershsed development truth information collected from the field. activities in the study area. Landuse/land cover map, geomorphology In Fish for All programme, land use/land cover map, and topography of the coast were used map of Keelaiyur revenue village has been to derive land suitability for the mangrove and prepared. Houshold data of Poompuhar, non-mangrove bioshield. The coastal zone up Keelaiyur and Neithavasal hamlets of Keelaiyur to 1 m elevation from mean sea level was revenue village has been entered in GIS with marked from the coastline for the selection of location of houses in all three hamlets. This suitable sites. The area suitable for mangroves will help in identifying the different sectors in was identified using the criteria developed from the village and to plan the project activities the geomorphology map and from landuse accordingly. map and as per these criteria newly formed mudflats, waterlogged areas and wastelands 104.3 Information, Education and have been identified suitable for bioshield Communication development. Land suitability map for mangrove and non-mangrove bioshield of Participatory GIS is being applied to develop Manamelkudi block will be further improved by Household Information System and Farm incorporating the perception of the local Information System in Thatchampathu, one of community. the VKC villages in Wayanad district in Kerala.

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The following steps were followed in this using GPS. The difference in social and Participatory GIS. resource mapping through regular PRA Regular PRA exercises were carried out with exercise and the maps produced using spatial tools such as transect walk, time and trend methods by GIS and GPS and the importance analysis, social mapping, wealth ranking, of scale and direction in developmental plans resource mapping and Venn diagram. were explained to the people. Locations of important places were collected using GPS along with details during transect Overlaying of social mapping outcomes such walk. Unique identity numbers were assigned as community, income and social status helped for each house in the village. The same in identifying target groups for project identification is used in social mapping, wealth intervention. The database developed is being ranking exercises in collecting household used in further planning and monitoring of the details and in locating the respective houses VKC activities.

38 Programme Area 200

BIODIVERSITY

Community Agrobiodiversity Centre, Wayanad, completed ten years of operation, contributing significantly towards conservation, livelihood and education. Kalajeera Growers Association brought 163 ha under Kalajeera cultivation during the year. An association of tribal health practitioners of the Bhumia tribe was formed to document the traditional knowledge associated with the medicinal plants used by them.

201 Community Agrobiodiversity Centre, Wayanad ------40

202 Biju Patnaik Medicinal Plants Garden and Research Centre, Jeypore ------45

203 Community Conservation Efforts in Kolli hills------54

204 Community Gene Bank ------58

205 Capacity Building of Panchayat and Community Leaders ------59

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Programme Area 200 Sub Programme Area 201 Biodiversity Community Agrobiodiversity Centre, Wayanad Commendable progress was made during the year in community biodiversity conservation Community Agrobiodiversity Centre (CAbC) and development activities, which helped in marked its tenth year. The Strategy Review Report was prepared, which took stock of the achieving the overall programme goal of “bio- work done so far, assessing its impact in the happiness”. areas of conservation, livelihood and education The activities towards this goal were continued and what needs to be done further to maximise under five thematic areas: Community Agro- efforts for overall impact. Based on this biodiversity Centres; Biodiversity Conservation, Strategy Review and the recommendations of the National Discussion on “Revitalising Utilisation and Enhancement; Enlarging the Agrobiodiversity for Alleviating Poverty and food basket (focusing on underutilised crops); Hunger’, held to observe one decade in the Integration of Biodiversity Conservation, service of conservation of agrobiodiversity in Biovillage, Community Food and Water Wayanad district, a set of 18 goals was Security System (Gene-Seed-Grain-Water identified after an intensive exercise. Banks) and VKCs; and Capacity building of The activities during the year are reported Panchayat Leaders on Farmers’ Rights and under three thematic areas. Biodiversity Acts. 201.1 Conservation of vanishing diversity The activities in the Jeypore tract of Orissa Conservation of Native Rice Varieties: were under a PAN MSSRF mode in which the Supported by the National Medicinal Plants four theme areas of Biodiversity Conservation, Board (NMPB), this project concentrates on Enhancement and Utilisation, Food and the medicinal property, validation and market Nutritional Security, Biovillage and VKC were expansion of Navara and other speciality rice strongly linked together. varieties including Chennellu, Gandhakasala and Mullanchanna, which are endemic to The Kolli Hills interventions continue to focus Kerala. As Navara exists in 4 different types, on Conservation, Cultivation, Consumption and and no key is available to distinguish them, the Commercialisation of millets. The focus at Centre is engaged in research and CAbC at Wayanad has been on Conservation, collaboration to overcome the situation. Livelihood Promotion and Education and Currently 30 farmers are cultivating speciality Training. rice in 7.50 ha for which 150 kg of seeds of

BIODIVERSITY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ four rice varieties were supplied. But despite profile and clinical property, a protocol for the high demand, the price of Navara rice validating Navara rice through clinical trials has remains low, notwithstanding the cost of been prepared in collaboration with Central production coupled with the low yield. Agencies Research Institute (Ayurveda) Cheruthuruthi. like Kandamkulathy Pharmacy, Thrissur and Conservation of Rare Endangered and Kalady Rice Millers’ Cluster Development Threatened (RET) plant species: Detailed Society, Kalady have been approached to ensure a steady market. A ten-member morphological analyses to confirm the farmers’ group at Nadavayal has been identification of the targeted 80 RET species empowered to apply for assistance from NMPB have been completed, of which voucher under the contractual farming system. specimens of 49 species have been deposited at CAbC herbarium. As a conservation At the Puthoorvayal trial plot, morphological measure, 13,558 seedlings of these species characterisation of Navara continued during were raised through both seeds and vegetative both seasons of the year, following IRRI’s rice means. As part of the ex situ collections, a zone descriptor. During the Nanja season (August/ for climbing plants with 168 species and a zone September – December/January), a trial on the for trees with 42 species that are endemic to amount of basal fertiliser FYM applied per the Western Ghats have been set up at the hactare showed a substantial increase in yield Conservation Garden of the Centre. of both black awnless and yellow awnless Recognising the role of traditional beliefs in Navara type when the amount of FYM was promoting conservation measures, the Centre increased to 4,000 kg/ha from the usual has also facilitated the establishment of a 2,500 - 3,000 kg/ha. Soil analysis of the trial zodiac garden in the premises of CAbC. plot which included parameters like pH, Further environmental education and NPK, total bacteria, fungi, Azospirillum, awareness campaigns were conducted during Pseudomonas, Trichoderma, Actinomycetes the year for ensuring a concerted action and phosphobacteria was completed with the help of the Indian Institute of Spices Research, towards RET conservation. A one-day seminar Kozhikode. on ‘Taxonomy vis-à-vis Conservation’ was held to commemorate the 300th birth anniversary of A phytochemical profiling of the selected Carl Linnaeus, the ‘Father of Taxonomy’ on landraces of rice including Navara, initiated with World Environment Day 2007. help from the biotech team, has shown some profile variation in the black variety of Navara. Ex-situ collection and conservation of wild A Thermal Retention Test was also conducted and traditional species/varieties of tuber to observe whether higher thermal retention crops and legumes at CAbC: A germplasm property is unique to Navara. Realizing the plot of tuber crops and legumes was need for agreement between the chemical established at the Centre with 14 species of

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ wild Dioscorea, 14 varieties of cultivated In collaboration with the Tribal Department, the Dioscorea from 4 species and five different Centre has been implementing a legumes. comprehensive tribal cluster development programme at Kuttimoola tribal cluster in Begur Conservation to complement food security Forest Range under North Wayanad Forest and livelihood: The study on ‘Family food habits and nutritional status of mothers and Division in Manathavady Gram Panchayat. A children’ below three years in selected Paniya Tribal Cluster Development Society has been and Kattunaikka tribal colonies of Wayanad’ formed and registered for effective and was wrapped up and the findings were shared transparent utilisation of the funds sanctioned at separate meetings with the different by the Tribal Department. For efficient stakeholders viz. mothers, officials of the monitoring of the programme implementation, Integrated Child Development Services project funds have been credited in the (ICDS), Panchayat leaders and Tribal Society’s account. Department officials (See SPA 501.4). A Committee consisting of 9 members from On the issue of malnutrition at Ponkuzhy the tribal cluster along with an advisory Katunaikka colony, a discussion was held on committee consisting of 2 members from Gram the possibilities of disbursing the ICDS Panchayat, the Panchayat President and Ward allotment of the food material to the colony. As member, 2 members from the Tribal a result of follow-ups, the ward member has Department, 1 from the Forest Department, 1 formed a Welfare Committee to address such from CAbC and 1 from a Nationalised Bank, issues and the ICDS has opened an has been formed to monitor the expenditure anganwadi centre at the colony. and programme implementation. 125 kitchen gardens of Paniya, Kattunaikka Considering the high demand for quality and Kurichiya tribal colonies have been seedlings of coffee, pepper, coconut, arecanut, supplied with 1,125 kg of Dioscorea alata, and medicinal plants in the district, a group 400 kg Colocasia esculenta, 250 kg of consisting of 13 members with 7 women and Amorphophallus companulatus, leafy greens, 6 men was formed to initiate a model livelihood 7 varieties of plantain and 3 varieties of sweet potato. A detailed survey was conducted on improvement programme. After undergoing a home garden diversity, quantity of harvest and training on basic nursery techniques, they consumption pattern to gauge the impact of established a 2,000 sq. ft. nursery structure efforts. A tuber crop cultivation programme with a capacity to raise 25,000 seedlings at a involving 29 tribal families consisting of 15 time. The group has received orders from the Paniyas (9 men and 6 women) at Judgikkunnu Social Forestry Division and Tribal Department and 14 Kattunaikkas at Muthanga (6 men and for seedlings of local varieties of pepper, 8 women) was initiated for income generation. cashews and forest species.

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201.2 Livelihood development etc., were collected and supplied to farmers on demand. The Women’s Bioresource Complex supported by DBT and the Livelihood Improvement To create employment opportunities, 72 Programme of the Marginalised Men and members were identified as partners to take Women with a focus on Scheduled Tribes up activities like vermicompost, Trichoderma, through Natural Resources Management and Trichogramma, mushroom cultivation and eco- Intensified Microenterprise Activities supported market outlet. 2,906 vermicompost pits were by DST, are the two projects under this theme. harvested by the group and sold for Rs 9,000 while Trichoderma was sold for Rs 4,500 by Women’s Bioresource Complex: New the group. SHGs were formed along with reorienting the old SHGs towards the goal of the project. To sell the organic produce and bio-inputs Training focused on the economics of procured from farmers and SHGs, an eco-shop medicinal plant cultivation, selection of named ‘Greens’ has been started in Kalpetta. appropriate species, plants in demand in the The market outlet has been registered under industry, current trends regarding medicinal the Partnership Act. To ensure a continuous plants in Ayurvedic pharmacies and preparation supply of organic produce, a network of organic of simple herbal remedies. farmers has been formed. The eco shop has been able to do business worth Rs 15,000 a One lakh seedlings of 15 medicinal plant month with the organic farmers nearby. To species have been raised at CAbC and two strengthen and reinforce organic farming decentralised nurseries for distribution to SHGs practices, farmers were sensitised to for cultivation. undertake organic vegetable cultivation and Livelihood Improvement Programme of the assured of buy back through market outlets. Marginalised Men and Women with focus 201.3 Biodiversity Education and Training on Scheduled Tribes through Natural Resources Management and Intensified Village Knowledge Centre and Village Microenterprise Activities: Various means Resource Centre - Training and capacity such as seminars, exhibitions, books, booklets, building activities were drawn up, based on the and brochures were adopted for creating need assessment survey and PRA reports. awareness and disseminating information on Sixteen training and awareness generation a wide range of topics like vermicomposting, programmes were conducted at the VKC and trichoderma production, pepper cultivation and VRC. They include organic farming, Azolla organic farming, biopesticides, nitrogen fixing cultivation, vermi-composting, cultivation of plants and mushroom cultivation. Apart from tuber crops, application of organic inputs, the training, bio inputs like Pseudomonas, nursery raising, bee keeping, modified Verticilium, Beuveria, Metarhizium, Hirsutella methods of rice cultivation, vegetable

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ gardening, dairy farming, health and hygiene, food and dietary knowledge, crop specific Chikungunya, water borne diseases and information, biodiversity conservation, etc. alcoholism. A total of 446 people attended the Networking and linkages: The Centre programme, of whom 233 were women and established linkages with various Government 213 men, with 70 % of the participants and non-Government institutions for solving belonging to scheduled tribes. people’s problems, identified through PRA A Microsoft Unlimited Potential Programme exercises. An entitlement passbook is under (MUPP) was initiated to give basic computer preparation with the support of institutions/ education to the rural youth and students. 34 departments. men and 41 women enrolled for the Every Child A Scientist: ECAS intervention programme. 50 % of the trainees belonged to was carried out at 10 MGLP SSA schools scheduled tribes. among the 60 Multi Grade Learning Visits were organised for Panchayati Raj Programme (MGLP) Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan members to understand how VKCs facilitate (SSA) Schools in Wayanad, ten schools from rural development by providing locale-specific three blocks (Sultan Battery, Manathavady, and demand-driven information and capacity- Vythiri) were selected for initial intervention building training programmes and establishing after a baseline survey on the community, linkages with strategic partners. Similarly availability of garden space and number of boys training programmes for Knowledge Workers and girls. and youth on the general management of VKC activities were also conducted. ECAS programmes were initiated at four tribal hamlets (Kuttimoola, Vazhakandy, A detailed PRA was conducted to identify the Thachampath, and Puthoorvayal) covering 207 needs and problems of two villages under the tribal children. VKC and a micro plan has been developed. Training programmes were conducted with the Thrust was also given to develop the content help of both external and internal resource for the VKC, based on need assessment. persons for SSA school teachers and tribal Fourteen modules were produced in the form volunteers of SSA-ECAS Centres on the of audios, videos, interactive CDs, posters and methodology of informal education and topics leaflets. As part of strengthening the service such as medicinal plants, butterflies and their potential of the VRC/VKC, the team collected host plants, birds, various aspects of generic content on 250 relevant topics. The biodiversity and environment, Information and VRC has brought out 12 issues of the Communication Technology and child Community Newspaper (CNP) in Wayanad. psychology. The CNP publishes information about Government schemes and entitlements, local A Biodiversity Conservation Corps (BCC) has employment news, agriculture information, been formed with a strength of 14 tribal and

BIODIVERSITY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ rural children. Training has been imparted on An exhibition on the agrobiodiversity of various aspects of biodiversity, environment, Wayanad was organised, showcasing 35 traditions and culture and value based species of edible tubers, 100 species of edible education. BCC serves as a resource pool for leafy greens, 10 local varieties of rice, 5 species of crabs, 30 species of mushrooms, 30 forest the field level knowledge centres. products and traditional agricultural In-house training was provided to five selected implements. More than 2,000 students from tribal volunteers to empower them to serve as 20 schools, including 10 tribal schools, visited teachers/facilitators on the ECAS curriculum. the exhibition. They conduct classes on biodiversity, plant This programme is also being implemented in basics, confidence-building, personality Chennai and has been reported under development and crafts using paper, coconut SPA 604. shell, grass etc., at SSA schools. Sub Programme Area 202 Focusing on new frontiers in science, the programme Swadeshi Science Movement was Biju Patnaik Medicinal Plants initiated for high school and higher secondary Garden and Research Centre, students. Well-known scientists from different institutions interacted with 70 students drawn Jeypore (BPMPGRC) from 26 schools. The objective of the A Research and Development Centre has been programme was to familiarise the students with set up in Jeypore for undertaking intensive and new technologies such as nanotechnology, integrated study of medicinal and aromatic biotechnology, genetic engineering, plant species of the region, thereby contributing photochemistry, space technology, etc. to an era of bio-happiness for the tribal communities of the region, with the overall A butterfly garden has been established at objective of helping the communities CAbC campus, where more than 400 host overcome the prevailing dichotomy of the plants belonging to 151 species, which serve poverty of the people and the prosperity of as a source of nectar and larval food, have nature. A PAN MSSRF initiative on integrated been planted. The garden is maintained at high management of natural resources is also being humidity to ensure the survival of butterflies. implemented here. The campus attracts 73 types of butterflies belonging to five families. Nature camps for 202.1 PAN MSSRF Initiative: Integrated Management of Biodiversity Resources parents and members of the BCC were conducted and a range of topics, including star The major objective of this initiative is to watching, trekking and butterfly watching, was concurrently conserve and utilise the rich agro- touched upon. biodiversity in three agro-biodiversity hotspots:

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ the Jeypore tract in Orissa, known to be a Table 2.1 Area under Kalajeera during kharif 2007 secondary centre of origin of rice; Wayanad in the Western Ghats of Kerala, a global Block No. of No. of No. of Area biodiversity hotspot and Kolli Hills in TN, a site farmers villages G.Ps (ha) known for cultivation of a range of millets. The Jeypore 31 9 3 23.00 project comprises four thematic areas: Boipariguda 169 30 6 74.50 Biodiversity Conservation, Utilisation and Kundura 133 35 8 66.00 Enhancement (BCUE), Food Security (FS), Biovillage (BIOV) and Village Knowledge Total 333 74 17 163.50 Centre (VKC). The VKC component is dealt located in 17 Gram Panchayats of Kundura, with under SPA 601. Jeypore is the major site Boipariguda and Jeypore blocks grew where all the four areas are being addressed. Kalajeera as planned (Table 2.1). This 202.1.1 Biodiversity Conservation, expansion has been facilitated by the Utilisation and Enhancement Department of Agriculture, Government of Orissa and the Society. Large scale production and marketing of A notable event was the visit of the Minister of Kalajeera: The major activities during the Agriculture, Government of Orissa, to MSSRF reporting period were the preparation of an Centre and his assurance to the members of action plan with officials of the Department of the KKJRGCS of all possible help in cultivating Agriculture and Kalinga Kalajeera Rice local landraces of Kalajeera. Growers’ Cooperative Society (KKJRGCS) for area expansion, distribution of seeds to Site specific trials of Kalajeera: Site specific farmers through the Society, training for trial to assess the performance of Kalajeera Government officials on land races and was conducted in 5 different districts package of practices for raising landrace (Rayagada, Malkangiri, Kalahandi, Kalajeera, strengthening the Society and Nabarangpur and Bolangir) of Orissa is on. marketing through NAFED. Performance of Kalajeera F7 populations: Seeds from selected plants of F generation To expand the area under Kalajeera by 6 (SMP) and F bulks (BLK) were laid out involving more farmers, a comprehensive plan 6 separately. Two farmers selected from the two of action was presented to the Department of villages of Pujariput and Nuaguda laid BLK and Agriculture and KKJRGCS. More than 62 SMP trials. The SMP was laid in Randomised quintals of seeds were distributed to farmers Block Design (RBD) and BLK in large plots. as loan through the Society. In addition, farmers raised Kalajeera using their own seeds Kalajeera – Kalanamak hybridisation: To collected in kharif 2006. This year a total of combine the good attributes of Kalanamak with 333 farming HHs spread across 74 villages Kalajeera, a crossing programme was carried

BIODIVERSITY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ out. Two of the 37 accessions, 3129SN and by MSSRF, as well as strengthen the 3128SN were selected as female parents and participatory institution of Field Gene Banks. Kalajeera was used as the male. Crosses were made in pots at BPMPGRC and the putative The PCS layout was so designed that cultivation was around the border of the major crop. A total hybrid seeds were collected. F1 will be raised in kharif 2008. of 52 LRs of paddy were cultivated by 31 farm families with seed supplied through the village Trial of finger millet landraces: Cultivation seed banks. Some of the LRs were popular. of finger millet is an old practice of tribal farmers Agronomic characters were collected from 10 in Koraput region. A number of landraces of plants in the field and the seeds harvested are varying duration were cultivated earlier. Four preserved in the village seed bank. finger millet LRs (Bada Mandia, Sana Mandia, Jahna Mandia, Banushaganthi Mandia) and Conservation and exploration of rice LRs one Government released variety Bhairavi and documentation of agronomic were laid out in farmers’ fields in RBD and the characters: A trial was conducted at MSSRF crop was raised using modified practices of campus in which 70 LRs were transplanted in cultivation. In one village the crop was rows. Agronomic data was collected as per the transplanted while in two villages, it was sown IPGRI format. Photographs were taken and by direct seeding. The results showed that two herbarium of each LRs prepared. Twelve new LRs were early maturing and two late maturing. LRs of paddy were identified.

Trial of mixed farming: Trials were Village Seed Banks (VSB): A new VSB undertaken to assess yield performance of register incorporating new features was prepared and provided to villages to ensure crops under mixed farming using appropriate proper record maintenance. The records will technology and to understand the cultural now contain information on seeds of varieties / importance of mixed farming. The trial was LRs. The VSB extension at Boliguda was conducted under traditional and modified completed and inaugurated at Gunthaguda in methods using seed ratios of mixed crops used November 2007. by the farmers. The crops used were upland paddy, niger, little millet, sorghum, blackgram, 202.1.2 Biovillage Programme pigeon pea and finger millet. Grassroot level institutional development Participatory Plant Breeding – led- through the formation of SHGs, training, Conservation programme: The aim of the demonstration and exposure visits were programme was to raise awareness and organised at three villages (Nuaguda, Boliguda encourage farmers to conserve the existing and Gunthaguda). Of the 185 HHs in the three LRs and also undertake trials of some villages, 136 participated in this programme to unexplored LRs for which seeds were provided enhance their income through different on-farm

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ and off-farm enterprises such as off-season Rs 8,000 to Rs 12,000, has been paid into the vegetable cultivation, mushroom production group fund managed by the SHGs for group (oyster and straw), vermicompost, value member development. addition to tamarind, leaf plate stitching, Mushroom production as a group activity pisciculture, green gram cultivation, inter continued during the period. Oyster (Pleurotus cropping of arbi (common yam) and elephant sp.) and straw (Volvariella sp.) mushroom yam in cashew orchards and groundnut cultivation provide an opportunity for value cultivation. Both individual and group activities addition to paddy straw and mushroom waste have been promoted at the project site. is used for vermicompost production. Training Currently, the 10 SHGs have 112 women and was organised in the project villages. Four 7 men members. SHGs involving 49 women established 65 Off-season vegetable cultivation as rainy straw mushroom beds and produced a total of season crop was taken up for commercial 112 kg. The additional income per household production by 52 HHs individually at all the from mushroom sale ranges from Rs 200 to three villages, covering an area of 13 ha of Rs 500. Eight SHGs involving 114 women backyard uplands. Quality seeds of leafy established 371 oyster mushroom beds and vegetables, brinjal, tomato, bean, radish and produced a total of 345 kg. The additional perennial crops like papaya and drumstick income per household from mushroom sale were provided to the families for initial start up. ranges from Rs 500 to Rs 1,200. Additional income to each individual farmer is Vermicompost units were earlier set up as estimated at Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,500 over a period an individual activity by 10 HHs at Nuaguda, of three months. A total of 90 HHs have taken with the support of Spices Board. The up commercial cultivation in winter in upland individuals producing vermicompost use 75 % and low land locations where water is available, of the produce from the pits in their backyard on a 0.1 ha of land individually. Quality seeds garden and agricultural field, and sell the were provided. The average income from remaining at Rs 4 per kg to farmers from winter vegetables ranges from Rs 2,000 to neighbouring villages. During the reporting Rs 5,000. Maize cultivation, introduced last period, the activity has been strengthened and year, is now very popular among the farm upscaled with the construction of 45 additional families. vermicompost units on a cost-sharing basis, Group vegetable farming was initiated as a making them partners in the process. Fund group activity in 1 acre of land by 7 SHGs in from Spices Board is being mobilised for the three demonstration villages (Nuaguda - 2 construction of 25 units at Boliguda and SHGs, Boliguda-2 SHGs and Gunthaguda-3 Gunthaguda. Twenty other units are being SHGs). Several vegetables were cultivated. constructed with contributions from the The income from this garden, amounting to community in the form of material and labour.

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These units are being managed by a group of Pisciculture as a group activity has been 24 women and the production is on a undertaken by two SHGs involving 24 women commercial scale. A two-time harvest of at Nuaguda village. Two ponds with a total area vermicompost by the SHGs yielded 8-10 tons. of 0.2 ha were taken-up on lease by the group This activity has generated an additional from 2 HHs in the village. MSSRF provided income of Rs 8,000. 2,100 fingerlings and feeding materials to the group. The expenditure for the entire enterprise Value addition of tamarind has been taken up with Mahila Swasahayaka Sangha, a 10 is around Rs 5,000 and income till date from year old SHG at Nuaguda. This trial involves the above enterprise has amounted to 18 women of the group. The group had Rs 4,000. procured 1,200 kg of tamarind during the Inter cropping of arbi (Elephant foot yam - season by paying Rs 7,200 @ Rs 600 per Amorphophallus sp) and yam (Dioscorea quintal, de-seeded and stored it in cold storage alata) was initiated as a group activity in at Jeypore for 11 months. The de-seeded 0.1 ha of land each by 2 SHGs (24 members) tamarind which totalled 570 kg was stored at in two demonstration villages (Nuaguda and the cost of Rs 740. The processed materials Gunthaguda) to demonstrate improved were sold at Rs 9,120 @ Rs 1,600 per quintal techniques and inter cropping of new crops in thus yielding a net benefit of Rs 1,180. This time the market price of de-seeded tamarind cashew orchards. Around 6 quintals of seed was lower than expected and resulted in lower materials have been harvested for use during net income. the next season as there is a high demand for seed materials in all the villages. Leaf plate stitching at Boliguda is carried out by a group of 8 women who were specially Groundnut cultivation was earlier initiated selected on the criteria that included physical through SHGs and now it is popular as an handicap, elderly, with no other occupational individual activity. 53 HHs in Boliguda village avenue and involvement in this activity for a cultivated groundnut in an area of long period. Each of them is able to produce 20 ha in rabi 2007. The farm families earned about 80 to100 leaf plates everyday during the additional income ranging between Rs 20,000 4 hours they spend on this activity. The leaf and Rs 30,000 per ha. Around 22 ha of land is plates are sold at the local market for Rs 25 under cultivation by 58 farm families at per 100 plates. Based on the proposal put forth Boliguda village in rabi 2008. by the group, two stitching machines were provided, as well as training, for increasing Folk Award 2008: Smt. Chandrama Mashia, production, improving quality, minimising time a SHG member who is actively involved in the and reducing drudgery. The efficiency of project activity since its inception received the production has gone up by 150-200 % and Folk Award 2008 instituted by Sri. Srikhetra drudgery has been reduced. Suchana, Puri.

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202.1.3 Food Security nutritious vegetables throughout the year, especially those rich in iron and vitamin A. Grain banks: A Community Gene-Seed-Grain bank (CGB) consisting of two rooms for storing 174 HHs of three villages (Gunthaguda, seeds and grain was established at Nuaguda and Boliguda) were given seeds of Gunthaguda. Members of the local community papaya, drumstick, chilly, brinjal, tomato, contributed to the construction in the form of radish, beans, onion, bittergourd, pumpkin and materials and unskilled labour. The existing amaranthus and seedlings of guava, lime and grain banks in Boliguda and Nuaguda were banana, with orientation for proper cultivation. strengthened. The storehouses of the two Performance data of the kitchen garden in villages were also renovated with contributions Nuaguda village has been collected and the from the member HHs. data analysed. A survey on the availability of space, water and human resources, for each Training on various dimensions of management was conducted for strengthening participating household was completed. A the capacities of the management committee kitchen garden card which helps in members of all the grain banks. understanding the utilisation of kitchen garden produce has been prepared and field tested. Training on CGB record maintenance: Lack of proper record keeping is a common concern Diet survey analysis and activities based associated with all CGBs. To address this, a on diet survey: A diet survey of HHs with one-day training programme on record keeping infants in the 0-2 age group and adolescent for the management committee members and girls was conducted in the three villages. The record keepers of grain and seed banks from findings have been shared with ICDS different villages was organised. Thirty-seven functionaries and with the villagers. (See SPA participants (29 male, 8 female) along with 501.4) three residential volunteers of MSSRF, from Promotion of Greengram and Horsegram 15 villages of the two districts of Koraput and cultivation: The diet survey supported the Kalahandi, participated in the programme. need of cultivating pulses like greengram and Orientation on keeping records of CGB horsegram to cater to the nutritional needs of transactions was provided to the participants the community. Seeds were made available and a new CGB transaction register through the Community Seed Bank and introduced. biofertilisers (Phosphobacter and Rhizobium Kitchen Garden: Kitchen gardens have been culture) have been provided to the HHs. In all, promoted in all the three villages to generate 32 HHs in three villages cultivated horsegram awareness of the importance of vegetables in in 13 ha and 46 HHs cultivated greengram i n the daily diet and to help HHs grow good quality 15 ha of land.

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Awareness programme on health and members (56 female and 108 male healers). nutrition education: Communication materials These healers were given the responsibility to regarding nutrition and childcare have been monitor the status of the medicinal plants of collected from ICDS and CARE-India and is their respective villages. being used. Awareness programmes on Fourteen different species of commonly used sanitation and environmental hygiene were medicinal plants were supplied to 378 HHs organized. Ninety-two persons belonging to across 14 villages of eight Gram Panchayats different age groups attended the meeting that in three community development blocks of provided orientation on nutrition education, child Koraput district. Out of the 14 plant species, a feeding, sanitation and hygiene. kit with a minimum of five plants was given to 202.2 Medicinal Plants Garden each farm family to be maintained in their backyard garden for daily use. A booklet in Last year’s report highlighted the establishment Oriya on Home Herbal Garden (GHAR of nine Tribal Medicinal Plant Gardens for 9 DESARI) containing information on the use of major tribes of southern Orissa (Bhatra, these 14 medicinal plants was distributed to Bhumia, Bonda, Gadaba, Gond, Kandha, the farm families. Koya, Paroja and Saora). Each garden was planted with medicinal plants used by the Students’ herbal gardens were established in respective tribe. In all, the gardens now have nine schools in three Community Development more than 3,000 medicinal plants representing blocks of Koraput district. 500 seedlings of 183 species. medicinal plants representing 50 species were supplied to these schools. One Community During the year, 189 species of plants were Medicinal Plants Garden (CMPG) was planted in the nine gardens to serve as ex-situ established in Jhalaguda village with 64 conservation of medicinal plants used by the medicinal plants commonly used by them. nine dominant tribes of the region. Continuous awareness programmes were conducted in 14 villages of the three GPs in An association was formed taking into account three blocks of Koraput district on herbal all the traditional healthcare practitioners and prevention of malaria. A demonstration was the traditional birth attendants of the Bhumia given in each village on the preparation of tribe. Altogether 419 (167 female and 252 herbal preventive for malaria. People’s male) healers from four districts participated Biodiversity Registers (PBR) are being in this programme. A database was prepared prepared for two gram panchayats in 2 blocks for all the members with their photographs and of Koraput district. detailed contact address. A Panchayat level traditional healers’ association was established Propagation of Medicinal Plant species: in the Asna Gram panchayat involving 164 About 17,000 seedlings were raised and

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ distributed to schools, home herbal gardens, bund repair work was carried out with the help community medicinal plants garden and of farm families who were dependant on these traditional healthcare practitioners with the help ponds for their livelihood. The bunds were of 2 shade net houses and three U. V. stabilised levelled and the ponds were cleaned of all poly houses. Twenty medicinal plants prioritised foreign materials. The bunds were ploughed by NMPB were cultivated in a plot of 3 m X 8 m and papaya, banana and finger millets were to demonstrate the agro-technological package. cultivated. 28,000 fingerlings of Rohu, Katla A demonstration cum training programme was and Mircalli were reared in these ponds, and conducted to orient farm families on the 1,680 kg. of fish was harvested from these 13 cultivation of the medicinal plant aswagandha. ponds. A total income of Rs 67,200 was Around 4 ha were brought under cultivation by realized from these activities, Rs 5,170 being involving 24 farm families of 6 villages. the benefit per farm families this year. Fourteen 202.3. Livelihood enhancement of the low-cost poly houses were constructed in six tribal poor villages to promote nursery raising in controlled conditions during winter. Eight crops were Vegetable cultivation was carried out in six raised, which in turned covered an area of villages of three gram panchayats of Kundura 79 ha with a success rate of 87 %. Technical block of Koraput district by involving 351 farm guidance was provided to farm families on families, and 7 vegetable crops were cultivated vegetable and spice cultivation. in the winter and summer seasons. A total of A backyard garden was designed and a proper 74 ha was brought under cultivation out of a plan of action was outlined with the help of the total of 489 ha of cultivated area and on an villagers. Eight vegetable crops were cultivated average a profit of Rs 1,351 per household was in 5.4 ha of backyard garden, involving 475 obtained through this activity. Each farm family was provided with seeds of at least three crops HHs. The vegetables were consumed by the of their choice in the off-farm seasons. In families for 10-90 days. This year 8.6 ha of Uduluguda village, an SHG consisting of 17 land was under spices (ginger, green chills and women members from landless families was onion) cultivation, involving 84 farm families in established. The SHG leased out 3.5 ha of 6 villages. land and cultivated 5 different vegetables Through this programme five crops viz: during the year. A profit of Rs 18,757 was papaya, drumstick, lemon, green chilly and obtained from this activity. In addition, 0.5 ha yam were selected as these plants require of backyard land was brought under vegetable minimum care and can easily be maintained cultivation for home consumption. with minimal family labour input. Altogether 248 Renovation of 13 individual farm ponds was farm families were brought under this taken up in 4 villages involving 13 HHs. The campaign. So far 700 seedlings of papaya

BIODIVERSITY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ have been distributed to the farm families to status of plant resources and setting up an be planted in their backyard. This perennial Eastern Ghats Eco-region specific database on plant will meet the daily food requirement of plant resources. Preparation of RET plant list one household for at least 45 days in a calendar and a database on economically important year. Apart from this, 2 gm seeds of chilly were plants is also among the objectives of the provided to 376 farm families in the 6 villages. programme. This in turn would provide significant inputs for the identification and Two VKCs were established in the revenue collection of important plant resources of the villages of Asna and Kundura of Kundura block region for conservation at the Research Centre in Koraput district. A baseline survey was at Jeypore. MSSRF is a partner in this carried out in three villages, and followed by multiinstitutional project being coordinated by micro-planning. A survey was conducted to Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapur, AP. analyse the impact of activities conducted under this programme. and a document was MSSRF has been allocated 444 grids of the prepared. Eastern Ghats covering 7 districts of Orissa. Of these 444 grids, 203 grids have been Spices Board and Horticulture Department covered till date, of which 194 are workable have supported the establishment of 200 units and 9 are non-workable grids. A total of 228 of vermicompost pits by 200 FFs. There is a transects were made to cover the 203 grids. network with the National Horticultural Mission for fruit bearing trees. Government schemes Four hundred and fifty-two plant species from and agricultural loans were also harnessed for these grids were recorded, including 179 trees, implementation. Ten SHGs were established 74 shrubs, 113 herbs, 58 climbers and 28 and farm pond schemes have been initiated others. A total of 108 herbaria consisting of 39 for establishing farm ponds of 12 m X 12 m in trees, 22 shrubs, 23 herbs, 18 climbers and 6 two villages, with an aid of Rs 35,000 per pond. orchids were prepared. Three hundred One motor pump (3 HP) was bought under photographs were taken to prepare fliers for SGSY scheme for the landless women SHG individual plant species. Thirty-one endemic with 50 % subsidy. Seventeen seed kits were species of the region were re-explored and only brought from the Block office for cultivation 4 species so far relocated from the grids of during winter. the region. A database was prepared for 674 plants from secondary information of the flora 202.4. Quantitative Assessment and of Orissa. mapping of Plant Resources of the Eastern Ghats

The activities aim at quantitative assessment of the geographic distribution and population

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basis. Excess seeds were distributed to other Sub Programme Area 203 farmers in the same village. Community Conservation Efforts During kharif 2007, the modified method of cultivation was advocated to farmers. After the in Kolli hills analysis of the data gathered from kharif 2006, 203.1 Biodiversity Conservation, changes were advised in the method of Utilisation and Enhancement morphometric data collection viz., field preparation, record maintenance and harvest Achieving higher productivity and bridging the data collection. gap between supply and demand for little millet Integrated soil health management training: by facilitating market linkages were two of the Training on soil health management was pathways identified for further action. During conducted at the project area for 22 participant kharif 2006, 13 farmers adopted the modified farmers. Information on soil texture, soil colour, method of cultivation. Morphometric characters pH, micro and macro nutrients, and the role of were taken from all the plots and the results soil organisms in nutrient fixing were included. were analysed. Distribution of seeds for relay cropping: Seed distribution during kharif 2007: During The traditional relay crop practised in Kolli Hills, kharif 2006, quality seeds were collected by mixed cultivation of coriander, pulses and farmers who adopted the modified method of greens, has almost disappeared due to cultivation. Reaching a consensus in the increase in tapioca cultivation, affecting local presence of Panchayat leaders, it was decided food security. To address this issue, seeds of to safeguard seeds in the seed bank at green gram and coriander were distributed to Aripalapatti and distribute them during kharif farmers practicing modified method of 2007. cultivation for crop diversification. This has The modified method of cultivation was resulted in increased food security at the extended across 5 Panchayats through training individual level and in some cases the farmer and demonstration. About 46 farmers have has made some additional income. Farmers shown interest in testing the modified method have expressed interest in relay cropping of of cultivation in millets. Landraces of millets diversified crops such as vegetables and such as Vellaperunsamai for Devanur region, pulses. Malliasamai for Selur region and Vellaperunsamai and Kattavettisamai for Mini Pond Construction: Due to erratic Alathur region have been planned, based on seasonal rainfall, farmers could not depend on the needs of the farmers. Farmers who rain water for raising a second crop. But adopted the modified method of cultivation in seepage water from the forests and rock kharif 2006, were given seeds on a priority crevices was utilised by the farmers for a

BIODIVERSITY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ second crop (paddy) in the valleys. In recent distributed to 31 farmers; they have laid years, due to severe drought, farmers were demonstration plots in the four panchayats of unable to do so. The concept of a mini Devanur, Selur, Alathur and Valappur. percolation pond system that could effectively use the seepage was introduced. 11 farmers 203.2 Biovillage constructed such mini ponds in their fields in Awareness Creation and Promotion: Adi 18 Aripalapatti, Aripalapatti colony, Vilaram, festival, 2007: In continuation of the campaign Periyamangalam and Chinnamangalam. for millets, an awareness camp was organised Realising the advantage of such structures for at Kolli Hills during the traditional Adi 18 festival. farming, especially of millets, vegetable and Representatives of the SHGs participated in fruit crops, the farmers are keen to continue the programme by selling value added the practice. products of millet. Millet landrace seeds were displayed in the stall for creating an awareness Seed Bank (Thombai) Construction: The among the farmers and general public. Using commercial cultivation of tapioca has had an traditional folk drama, a play titled adverse impact on the availability of quality Sarachandran Parasakti was performed by the millet seeds even in millet growing areas like Periyakovilur cultural group to deliver Devanur. Seed storage systems such as conservation messages. Orientation to- Thombai and Kuthir have become defunct as wards marketing was also given to SHG traditional exchange of millet seeds between representatives. farmers has gradually ceased with decrease in millet cultivation. To address the shortage, As a part of awareness creation on nutritious community millet seed banks will be millets in Kolli Hills and Namakkal, five constructed at Aripalapatty and Sulavandhi with exhibitions and two training programmes were the revival of the small seed bank at conducted. Aripalapatty. The decision, taken after India Organic Trade Fair 2007: To enlarge consultation with all the stakeholders, will be the scope for millet-based products, MSSRF implemented shortly with nominal support from facilitated farmers’ representatives to the project. A seed bank management participate in Organic Fair- 2007 at New Delhi. committee comprising SHG members, This has led to networking of the millet farming Farmers Club members, elders of the village community, with the farmers in Kolli Hills and Panchayat leader has been formed. learning new developments and advances in Seeds selected in kharif 2006 from 13 farmers the organic sector, spurring their interest in have been stored in the seed bank. Apart from organic certification and marketing. little millet, seeds of paddy, ragi and red and black beans have also been stored. All Improving infrastructure of existing mill at varieties are properly tagged and stored in mud Kuchikiraipatti: The millet dehusking mill at pots. During kharif 2007, millet seeds were Kuchikiraipatti runs on a power generator. To

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ improve efficiency, Nanbargal SHG proposed Table 2.2 Value added millet product to electrify the processing unit. A loan of Overall sales details 2007 - 2008 Rs 60, 000 has been taken by the group from Product Quantity Amount ‘Friends of MSSRF’. Additional financial details in kg in Rs support has been sought from the government. Millet product regular 1,755.00 51,583.00 Plans have been discussed for improving the Readymade mix 365.15 17,556.85 standard of machinery. A new set of packing Ready to eat 57.50 5,870.00 materials has been designed and printed. Efforts are being taken for getting the TIN Total 2,177.65 75,009.85 number for the group from the Sales Tax Office. New packing covers were designed for millet labour. Two millet de-husking mills have products. already been installed in two locations in Kolli Hills and are operated by SHGs. Millet farmers Mobile agro-packing unit: Post harvesting and SHGs at Aripalapatti felt the need for a loss due to pest, insects, and fungus, have dehusking mill in Devanur Nadu, known for been major constraints not only for farmers but intense cultivation of millets. Resolutions were also retailers and consumers. Good packing made by SHGs to get infrastructure support technology could solve most of these problems at the initial stage itself. In this context, to create from DRDA, Namakkal. The District Collector public awareness on good packing technology, assured infrastructure for the mill at Devanur a 3-day traveling demonstration in the district region as per the guidelines of DRDA. The was organized with the support of BOSCH SHGs purchased and registered the land and mobile agro packing unit. donated a portion to the Block Development Officer (BDO). After the completion of this Minor millet marketing: Millet producers and prerequisite, the proposal has been approved processors are encouraged to supply their by DRDA for construction. The SHG has also product to various organic shops at Namakkal, resolved to purchase land to provide access Coimbatore and Erode. Efforts were made to by road. As a follow-up of this initiative, 5 cents tie up with organic shops at Udumalapet, of land has been purchased by Kaliamman Thirupur, Trichy and Salem. Apart from regular Sutrusuhal Padukappor Sangam collectively by samai and thinai rice and flour, value added items were also promoted and supplied to 12 women SHG members and registered. Of shops (Table 2.2). this, 3 cents of land has been donated as dhan settlement to the BDO, Kolli Hills block as part Recently, 10 more supply links have been of administrative procedure. With the support created for millet products, in addition to the of DRDA, under the rural infrastructure eight market institutions already established. scheme, a building has been constructed at a Millet processing mill construction: Millet cost of Rs 3.75 lakhs. Further efforts are on processing involves drudgery and human for the purchase and establishment of mills.

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Revival of Organic Pineapple Export Link: Participatory appraisal was conducted in From 1999-2005, MSSRF had supported the December 2007 to ascertain their income farmers of Kolli Hills to export organically grown saving status (Table 2.3). Some of the SHGs pineapples through the eco-certification were given financial assistance in the form of process with Ion Exchange Enviro-farm Private revolving funds. Limited, a promotional company. The tripartite agreement ended in 2005. Based on the felt Farmer club formation at Kolli Hills need, efforts are being made to revive such a Many of the SHGs facilitated by MSSRF link with a new partner, ITC Ltd, a leading consist of women and the efforts in organic product promoter in India. As a result, conservation and enhancement are facilitated an ITC representative visited Kolli Hills in by them. In this context, involving men in the November 2007 and after a series of various training and capacity building discussions, an agreement has been reached programmes was found necessary. Therefore, with ITC and certification with IMO control. Field four men farmers’ clubs were formed with 67 data and mapping, field inspection, internal members from 4 panchayats. control system and maintenance with the support of ICS personnel is likely to commence Capacity Building: A series of training in the coming months. programmes was organised for members of the Farmers’ Clubs, SHG members, 203.3 Grassroot Institution building in Panchayat Raj representatives, College Kolli Hills Students and NGO members.

Appraisal of Grassroot Institutions in Kolli Training for others: Training programmes Hills arranged for others are given in Table 2.4. Four There are 21 SHGs in Kolli Hills, facilitated by women and 9 men from Kolli Hills were MSSRF. They are, for convenience, grouped selected for the National Virtual Academy into 3 clusters named Chenbagam, Mullai and (NVA) fellowship for the year 2007 for their Roja. The 21 SHGs consist of 15 exclusively contribution to the research and dissemination female, 6 exclusively male and 1 mixed group. efforts of MSSRF.

Table 2.3 Details of SHGs and Current Financial Status of SHGs

Cluster Name Male Female Mixed Total Educated Current total deposit group group group members members (savings + internal < 8th Std interest) in Rs Senbagam 2 5 1 102 30 3,06,569.00 Mullai 2 5 - 105 16 1,71,575.00 * Roja 1 5 - 83 3 1,83,724.00 * * Gross Savings of 4 groups only

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Table 2.4 Training conducted in Kolli Hills from January - June 2007

Training Men Women Trainee days Formal method of cultivation for SHG, Panchayat leaders 74 58 154 Poultry Farming 4 2 14 Percolation Pond Digging 35 22 389 Relay Cropping 3 7 20 Millet Processing and Packing 10 10 20 Millet Marketing 15 14 73 Farmer Club Orientation 109 - 176 SHG Management 64 171 697 NVA Fellow 11 4 45 Total 325 288 1,588

A laboratory study on the germination of the salt Sub Programme Area 204 tolerant varieties of paddy collected earlier from Community Gene Bank the tsunami affected areas in the southern districts was conducted. Different salt The Gene Bank provides a mechanism to concentrations such as 120 ppm, 140 ppm, 160 ensure the sharing of economic benefits with ppm, 180 ppm and 200 ppm were used to test the community which identified and supplied germination. One non salt tolerant variety from the material. Sometimes, the lack of this facility TN was taken as control; other than salt could mean a loss of benefit sharing concentration, normal water was also tested for mechanisms for the community and country seedling germination. of their legitimate economic benefits and The varieties such as kunthali, kallurundai, recognition. kuzhivedichan, soorakuruvai and katchakom- balai were taken for the study. One control, 5 The gene bank has identified 5 and 15 test varieties with 6 treatments in the form of traditional paddy varieties respectively from split plot designs with three replications were. Wayanad, Kerala and Jeypore, Orissa and the Germination count was done on the 15th day process of facilitating farming communities to of seedling growth after root and shoot apply for registration under the provisions of emerged. In addition observations on the the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ length of root and shoot were counted on 20 Rights (PPVFR) Act is under way. This gene seedlings; fresh and dry weight was recorded bank is undertaking a study of the DUS on 30 seedlings count. The detailed analysis characters of these varieties with financial is under way and the experiment will be support from Plant Variety Protection Authority, continued using higher salt concentrations. Govt of India.

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Some of the voucher specimens collected at namely Cuddalore, Namakkal, Pudukottai and the time of characterisation were mounted, Thanjavur, were identified for implementation classified and stored at the Community of the project. The Project Launch Meeting Herbarium. was attended by 30 District, Block and Panchayat level leaders including 9 women, Sub Programme Area 205 and 60 participants who included progressive farmers, representatives of NGOs and other Capacity Building of Panchayat CBOs from the districts, government officials, and Community Leaders and civil society and media. Farmers on the Legislations The first formal district launch of the meeting pertaining to Biological Diversity was chaired by the District Collector of and Farmers’ Rights Cuddalore district at Virudhachalam block. Ninety-one people of whom 25 % were women The project supported by DSIR was initiated attended the meeting where lectures on the in April 2007 with a formal project launch and two legislations, group activities and interactive workshop on 2 June 2007 with the Hon’ble Union Minister of Panchayat Raj, Shri. Mani sessions, led to the selection of the first level Sankar Aiyer as the chief guest. The of trainees. A pre-test questionnaire and a post- Panchayati Raj Secretary, Ms. Meenakshi test questionnaire filled-in by the participants Datta Ghosh was also present (See SPA 606). led to the identification of 45 potential candidates for Training of Trainers to be Representing various agro-climatic and agro- ecological situations, four districts from TN, conducted shortly in chennai.

59 Programme Area 300

BIOTECHNOLOGY

Significant progress was made in identification and characterisation of novel genes, molecules and microorganism for abiotic stress tolerance and disease and pest control. Flower specific and seed specific cDNA libraries for Pandanus and Jatropha were constructed. Culture protocol for 22 lichen species were established.

301 Ecological Restoration and Ecosystem Monitoring ------61

302 Molecular Mapping ------64

303 Genetic Enhancement ------66

304 Bioprospecting ------76

305 Microbial Diversity ------80

BIOTECHNOLOGY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Programme Area 300 Sub Programme Area 301 Biotechnology Ecological Restoration and Ecosystem Monitoring The Biotechnology Programme takes advantage of the recent advances in 301.1 Production and demonstration of Biotechnology and Molecular Genetics. The high quality planting material of Jatropha progress made in this emerging field both curcas and multilocation trials nationally and internationally, has shown From a total of 404 accessions, 234 enormous promise and implications for accessions were screened for high oil content improving agricultural productivity, and and high yield, planted and provided regular ensuring food security and human nutrition. watering, weeding and pruning; data has been The major activities focused on basic research, collected. Selected accessions are being application of biotechnology at the grassroots undertaken and variety registrations are under level and dissemination of biotechnology. progress under the PPVFR Act provisions for both parents and F generations. The work carried out during the last few years, 1 as detailed in previous Annual Reports, has Jatropha curcas accession selection for contributed immensely in developing national network trials reproducible in vitro protocols for rare and MSSRF has been identified by the DBT as one endangered plant species in the Western of the major contributors of Jatropha curcas Ghats and mangroves; documenting diversity accessions. Of the 10 accessions (high oil among the mangroves and other cultivated containing) selected for multi location trials, 5 species using molecular marker systems; accessions are from MSSRF. The following assessing ecosystem health using microbes accessions have been identified for national and lichen species; bioprospecting for novel trials from DBT network partners: MSSRF compounds of medicinal and therapeutic value; (MSSRF-62, MSSRF-51, MSSRF-77, MSSRF- identifying and characterizing novel genetic 10, MSSRF-16), NBRI, Lucknow (NBRI- J-18), combinations from mangrove species and Biotech Park, Lucknow (BTP-K), PDKV, Akola developing transformation systems for select (PDKV, Akola-1, PDKV, Akola-2) and HAP, crop species for generation of location-specific Dehradun (HAP-GUA, HAP-GUB, HAP-GUC). crop varieties offering tolerance/ resistance to abiotic stresses and addressing micronutrient MSSRF has supplied 3,440 vegetatively deficiency. These studies have practical propagated quality saplings from the selected application for farming and rural communities. five accessions to the following DBT-identified

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ network partners for multilocation trials: MSSRF Jatropha genetic garden and supply NBPGR (New Delhi) – 80; TERI-NE (Assam) saplings to identified farmers for establishment – 560; FRI (Dehradun) – 560; Biotech Park of Jatropha seed production gardens. Land (Lucknow) – 560; IGAU (Raipur) – 560; AFRI preparation and sapling development are (Jodhpur) – 560; PDKV (Akola) – 560. MSSRF under progress. has received 580 vegetative propagated Micropropagation of Jatropha curcas saplings from NBRI, Lucknow, Biotech Park, Lucknow, PDKV, Akola, and HAP, Dehradun. Direct and indirect organogenesis protocols have been completely standardised and Two more accessions have been selected from development of protocols for transformation MSSRF for the current year for DBT network using leaf disc are under way. Induced trials. New accession collection and selection chemical mutation In vitro and field level data are being undertaken at MSSRF for extended collection are under way for identifying varieties identification. accessions for drought resistance, yield higher improvement and disease resistance. Establishment of Jatropha seed production orchards and farmers’ training 301.2 Demonstration of efficient energy plantation in coastal regions of A one-day training programme was conducted Puducherry with community participation for farmers in Tirunelveli district for establishment of Jatropha seed production Women SHGs (Kizhavanjur Magalir Sathuppu orchards in different soil and climatic Nila Kaadu Valarppu Kuzhu) are planting conditions. Fourteen farmers (2 women and mangrove saplings at Chunnambar and 12 men) participated and discussions included Thengaithittu, with support from the availability of land, types of soil, water Government of Puducherry in the requirements and agricultural practices. Land implementation of the integrated afforestation was selected from each farmer’s field (0.2 ha) and eco-development project (coastal shelter for seed production. belt development). This year, 10 ha of degraded land were planted with mangroves. Jatropha nursery establishment and SHGs are maintaining the mangrove training plantations and taking new initiatives for their Ten members from women’s SHGs were extension. federated to a women SHG named Vairavi Ecological restoration Kinuru Mahalir Katamanuku Nadrangal Valarpu Kuzhu (VKMKNVK) and are involved in nursery 4,200 vegetative and micropropagated development for supply of saplings to the saplings of Excoecaria agallocha were used farmers for establishment of Jatropha seed in Chandrapadi, Paghayar and Keelavanjore gardens in Tirunelveli district. VKMKNVK will villages for mangrove bioshield plantation and propagate quality planting material from restoration.

BIOTECHNOLOGY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

301.3 Saving endangered plant species PIXE analysis on lichen samples from the study sites (polluted and unpolluted) were irradiated Two RET species were selected for in vitro using 1.7 MV Tandem accelerator with Proton micropropagation and good response was beam of 2000 KeV and the ion induced X-rays observed in Syzygium chavaran with callus were detected by Si(Li) semiconductor induction from leaf disc; it was sub cultured detector. The morphological analysis and for rapid callus multiplication. Callus and localization of elements of these lichen embryogenesis was observed in Kunstleria samples were also carried out using SEM-EDX keralensis. Protocols for both RET species are microanalysis as supporting evidence. PIXE being developed. spectral elemental output revealed the 301.4 Lichen diversity and distribution presence of elements such as As, Ba, Br, Ca, pattern in the Madukkarai region of the Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Zn, Cl, Ti, Cr and Pd with the Western Ghats and correlation with the incidence of increased calcium levels of up to disturbance regime 99.75 % (percentage by weight) 25.8 ppm in the lichen Bacidia beckhausii Körber collected The ecological studies on the impact of cement from the polluted areas and a 9.8 ppm calcium dust on lichen diversity and distribution in concentration in unpolluted areas. Samples of Madukkarai-Walayar region, Western Ghats, Physcia tribacoides Nyl. exhibited 16.8 ppm of was completed with a total of 81 lichen species calcium concentration in polluted sites and reported from 59 macroplots (59,000 m2 area) 13.1 ppm in unpolluted areas. IAEA 336 lichen established within the Walayar valley Reserve reference material was used for error Forest region in Kerala and TN. The calibration. This study confirms the prevalence relationship between the environmental of calcium rich dust (even though invisible as variables including pollution and lichen diversity captured by lichens) in the polluted sites. The were inter-linked using Non-metric study also proved that Bacidia beckhausii Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) as it is an Körber is able to accumulate and tolerate effective ordination method and assesses the higher levels of calcium in its thalli whereas relationship in community ecological data sets, Dirinaria consimilis, Heterodermia dissecta, which have non-normal distribution. The NMDS Heterodermia speciosa, Parmotrema ordination represented 85 % of variation in the planatilobata, Parmotrema tinctorum, Physcia data set, with 74 % loaded on axis 1 and 7 % tribacoides, Pyxine cocoes accumulated lesser on axis 2 and the remaining in axis 3, indicating levels of pollution (as observed through PIXE) that factors such as pollution load, proximity and still showed thallus degradation (as to the factory and number of trees in a particular observed through SEM, colony number and site are the major gradients in delimiting the cover value). Hence these lichens can be used lichen diversity of the Madukkarai-Walayar to indicate cement dust pollution at levels which region. are not perceivable through ocular surveys and

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ other conventional pollution detection sex specific fragment. The female DNA did not methodologies such as air sampling. show any hybridization signal/band in either EcoRI or Hind III digested genomic DNA. The DNA from male plant however revealed an Sub Proghramme Area 302 approximately 6 kb fragment for Hind III and a 23 kb fragment for EcoR I. This confirmed that Molecular Mapping the 1,263 bp segment of DNA was conspicuous only in the males and absent in the genome of 302.1 Construction of a flower-specific the female plants. cDNA library in dioecious Pandanus fascicularis L. (Pandanaceae) In an effort to identify flowering as well as putative sex-specific genes, a cDNA library was Pandanus fascicularis (Kewra) (syn. constructed by isolating good quality, high P. odorattisimus) also referred to as screw pine concentration total RNA from a fresh flower because of the leaf scars on its trunk, is using a modified LiCl method followed by 1st distributed mainly in sub-tropical and tropical and 2nd strand cDNA synthesis, proteinase K regions with significant presence in mangrove treatment, Sfi digestion, size fractionation, swamps. It is a dioecious plant having ligation and transformation using the cDNA unisexual male and female flowers arising from library construction kit. When the separate individuals. While the female flowers transformation mixture was plated on LB agar are pineapple-like without any fragrance, the medium containing chloremphenicol as male flowers are highly fragrant and are antibiotic, approximately 75,000 – 80,000 exclusively used to isolate an economically clones were obtained, which proved that the important perfumed oil (Kewra oil). Lack of library was well represented. Colony PCR was morphological descriptors makes performed to check the size of the inserts and distinguishing of the male and female plants plasmids isolated from individual clones (with virtually impossible until they reach sexual insert size greater than 750 bp) were maturity, which takes 6-7 years. sequenced by an automated sequencer. A total As reported last year, using DNA markers like of 979 flower-specific ESTs were thus obtained. RAPD and unanchored ISSRs, we had CAP3 analysis performed on the above data reported a sex specific SCAR marker. Further set grouped them into 82 contigs (549 ESTs) analysis with 30 different accessions of and 430 singlets. Approximately 512 unigenes P. fascicularis, showed consistent amplification were identified. Important genes like Dehydrin, in all male plants but not in the female metallothionein, LEA, GST, Serine protease genotypes. Southern hybridization was inhibitor, ATPases, chaperons, transcription performed on genomic DNA isolated from male factors, Zinc finger proteins, cellular transport and female plants, digested separately with proteins, ribosomal proteins, proteins involved EcoR I and Hind III and probed with 32P-labeled in carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism,

BIOTECHNOLOGY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ proteolysis etc. have been isolated from the areas in five districts of South Orissa viz. library. In addition to these, several putative Koraput, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur sex-specific genes like pollen specific protein, and Kalahandi, which are part of the Eastern Arabinogalactan, MADS-box transcription Ghats. Nuclear DNA was isolated from 50 factor, LIM transcription factor, profilin, etc., plants using a modified CTAB isolation were also isolated. Thus snapshots of the protocol. Assessment of the isolated DNA genes involved in the flowering of this samples was carried out using molecular economically viable plant were identified from markers. Random primer marker systems like this study. Expression studies (Northern) and RAPD, SSR and ISSRs were used for marker Southern hybridizations are currently being analysis and from the data analysed, 30 % performed to identify putative sex-specific polymorphism was observed among the genes in this plant. samples, which can be attributed to the 302.2 Molecular profiling of Cajanus difference in seed coat color observed in the species samples. Phylogenetic analysis of the marker analysis data was done and the dendrogram Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh) provided a preliminary picture of the genetic belongs to the sub-tribe Cajaninae of the relatedness or variation among the samples. agriculturally most important tribe Phaseoleae Bulk segregant analysis of the seed samples under sub-family Papilionoideae of the family is also being carried out based on the seed Leguminosae. Among the many edible coat color of the samples. As a result, 18 members of tribe Phaseoleae (Phaseolus, different types of seeds were observed, based Vigna, Cajanus, Lablab etc.), Cajanus cajan is on their coat color. This will provide a picture the only domesticated species under of the intra and inter level genetic relatedness Cajaninae. There are 32 species of the genus or variation among the collected samples. Cajanus, of which 18 species are distributed Phenotypic characters of the samples planted in India, which has been established as the are being documented which will later be useful centre of origin of Cajanus. Very little in tagging characters to the polymorphism documentation has been done on the landraces being cultivated in the Eastern Ghats observed. AFLP analysis of the DNA isolated region of India, especially in the tribal regions, from all the samples are being carried out, where this legume is being grown by tribal which will add to the assessment of genetic communities. A study has therefore been diversity among the landraces of Cajanus initiated to collect and examine the nature and species. extent of diversity among the traditional Another batch of DNA isolation from the landraces of Cajanus species in this region. samples with more markers is underway to 177 seed samples of the local land races of obtain a comprehensive picture of the genetic Cajanus species were collected from tribal diversity among the landraces grown in these

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ tribal regions. Analysis of Cajanus samples (Foreground selection). The transgene positive from other parts of the Eastern Ghats, viz. TN plants (50 %) were tagged and a single plant (Kolli Hills) and AP (Vishakapatnam and with a high recovery of respective recurrent adjoining areas) will give an idea of the genetic parent was identified and selfed. The BC5F2 diversity of Cajanus species in the entire seeds were obtained and 30 such plants were Eastern Ghats, and the possible origin and raised in February 2008 and are being distribution of the landraces. analysed for the foreground selection of the transgenes.

Sub Programme Area 303 303.2 Biofortification Transformation of Ferritin gene into local Genetic Enhancement indica rice cultiver 303.1 Introgression of transgenes Transformation events of ferritin gene in rice Am SOD and Ferritin into local varieties were in Basmati and was reported earlier. of Indica rice Transformation of binary vector pFer1 (which contains the ferritin gene cloned at the BamH1 From the population of 200 fourth generation and Kpn1 site under the control of endosperm back cross (BC4F1) plants in each variety specific promoter GluB-1) into indica rice (ADT43, White Ponni, IR 20 and IR 64), the cultivar (IR20, ADT 45) using the positive plants (50 %), which possess the Agrobacterium mediated transformation transgene, were identified initially by PCR method has been initiated. analysis and tagged. These positive plants were screened for recovery of the respective AmFer ORF was amplified from Amfer plasmid parental character phenotypically, especially with GFP-ferritin forward primer which contains floral characters such as days to 50 % flowering a KpnI site and GFP-Fer Reverse primer which and floret size, and a single plant with the contains a Hind III site thus avoiding the stop highest recovery of parental characters was codon and introducing Kpn I site at 5’ end and identified for each variety. The presence of the Hind III site at 3’ end. GFP ORF was amplified transgene in the selected plants was confirmed using GFP forward and GFP Reverse and through southern blot experiment in the case cloned in pBSSK in BamHI and HindIII sites of Ferritin and through isozyme in the case of and the resulting plasmid was named pBSSK- AmSOD. This plant in each variety was GFP. AmFer cloned in T/A vector was then selected as the female parent, backcross five digested with KpnI and HindIII and cloned into was done and BC5F1 seeds were obtained. pBSSK-GFP. The resulting plasmid contains The BC5F1 seeds were raised during October GFP ORF fused at the C terminal end of Amfer 2007 and planted and screened for the ORF. The cloning of Amfer-GFP fused product presence of transgene through PCR with KpnI and SacI site into pCAMBIA1301

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(digested with KpnI and SacI) under double with 1mM IPTG for three hours. The cell pellets strength 35S promoter for tobacco were resuspended in a binding buffer, transformation is in progress. sonicated and the supernatant used for Ni-NTA chromatography. The purified protein was Iron regulated metal transporters are membrane dialyzed and used for phosphorylation assays proteins involved in iron uptake from the soil with Casein kinase II (CKII). The purified through root cells. To increase the iron content dehydrin protein was phosphorylated by CKII, in rice grain, another approach is aimed at as evidenced by an upward shift during SDS- overexpression of IRT along with Amferritin in a PAGE. This phosphorylation was detectable gene pyramiding approach in transgenic rice. using anti-phosphoserine antibodies and was Based on high sequence similarity between reversed by Shrimp Alkaline Phosphatase Porteresia coarcata and Oryza sativa, a partial (SAP) treatment. However, precise genomic clone of PcIRT was isolated using identification of the amino acid residues primers designed with rice IRT sequence undergoing phosphorylation needs further information. To isolate the full length gene and analysis. its promoter, various genome walking approach was followed which resulted in completion of 3’ The AmDHN1a cDNA (cloned in pSPORT) was end of the gene and additional 248 bp sequence digested with Pst I / Hind III and cloned in information at 5’ end. pBSSK II (pBS-AmDHN1a). This construct was digested with Bam HI and cloned in the binary 303.3 Characterisation of Dehydrin gene vector pCAMBIA1300 (pCAM-AmDHN1a). from Avicennia marina This construct was mobilized in Agrobacterium LBA4404 and used for transforming rice (Oryza As reported last year, AmDHN1a, a cDNA sativa cv Pusa Basmati). After three rounds of coding for a dehydrin, was isolated from the A. selection on hygromycin (50 Mg/ml) five marina library through sequencing. The open independent regenerated lines (shoots) were reading frame of AmDHN1a was PCR obtained. These were transferred to rooting amplified using PC57 REV1 and PC57 FWD2 medium with hygromycin and regenerated primers and cloned in a T/A vector. After plantlets were obtained. The plantlets were confirming the integrity of the reading frame, hardened in Yoshida medium for two weeks this clone was digested with KpnI/ XhoI and and then transferred to the field for seed cloned into the same sites in pET32a (pET32a- multiplication. PCR analysis of the five lines AmDHN1a). This construct was transformed confirmed the presence of the AmDHN1a into the expression host E. coli BL21(DE3). gene. Copy number, and further analyses are Cultures of E. coli cells carrying pET32a- under way. AmDHN1a and vector controls were grown at 37oC in LB medium containing 100Mg/ml Isolation of the AmDHN1a promoter has been reported previously. The promoter fragment ampicillin to an O.D. of A600 = 0.5 and induced

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ was re-amplified from A. marina genomic DNA infection. Genomic DNA was isolated from using primers with introduced restriction DC1, DC2 and untransformed control and enzyme (Pst I and Sal I) sites. This fragment digested with Sac I (linearises the T-DNA) to was cloned in T/A vector, digested with Pst I determine the copy number of integration of and Sal I and cloned in the binary vector Am-APX and Am-MDAR in the rice genome. pCAMBIA 1391z with GUS as the reporter Total RNA was isolated from DC1, DC2 and gene. The construct was mobilized into untransformed control plants. Two separate Agrobacterium LBA4404 and will be used for blots were made to hybridize with the two transformation into tobacco for further separate UTR probes viz Am-APX and Am- analyses. MDAR. The results revealed that in DC1, both Am-APX and Am-MDAR were expressed To monitor the expression levels of the whereas in DC2 only Am- MDAR was promoter, dehydrin promoter was isolated expressed and no signal was detected for Am- by TAIL-PCR method followed by cloning in APX. Total protein was isolated from DC1 and T/A vector. The promoter sequence was sub untransformed control plants and separated on cloned in pCAMBIA 1391Z. In this construct 12 % SDS-PAGE and transferred to Nitro the dehydrin promoter drives the expression cellulose membrane (Hybond C Extra). Am- of the GUS reporter gene. This construct was APX polyclonal antibody was used at 1:500 then mobilized into Agrobacterium tumefaciens dilution and secondary antibody was used at a strain LBA 4404 by freeze thaw method. Future dilution of 1:2000. The results revealed that in work will concentrate on transformation into DC1 27 kDa protein specific for Am-APX was tobacco and performance of the promoter expressed highly and that protein was absent under abiotic stress. in untransformed control plants. 303.4 Co-expression of Active Oxygen Twenty-four seeds (T0 generation) were sown Species (AOS) scavenging genes in rice from the DC1 lines. DNA was isolated from all and evaluation for increased salinity the lines and PCR analysis revealed that tolerance among the 24 lines, 18 lines were positive for both APX and MDAR. The results revealed that Using Agrobacterium mediated transformation the segregation of DC in T generation was in of pCAM Am-APX + Am-MDAR in rice, two 1 1 3:1 Mendelian ratio. lines regenerated under hygromycin selection. PCR analysis for Am-APX and Am-MDAR The Am-APX promoter (1.6 kb) was cloned in revealed that line DC1 was positive for both binary vector pCAM1391Z at EcoRI and genes, the 1.1 kb and 1.9 kb fragment specific Hind III site and the construct was mobilized to Am-APX and Am-MDAR respectively but in into Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain DC2 only MDAR was amplified, not APX. This LBA4404 and was used to transform Nicotiana might be due to partial removal of T-DNA during tabacum cv. Petit Havana by the leaf disc

BIOTECHNOLOGY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ method. Preliminary selection of transformed targeting signal in the C terminus. For MDAR, plants was done using GUS staining. Out of GFP was fused at the C terminus as the MDAR twelve plants regenerated with Am-APX has the chloroplast targeting peptide in the promoter construct, five transformed plants N terminus and confocal imaging revealed that were GUS positive. Genomic DNA was isolated AmAPX is targeted at peroxisomes whereas from the five GUS positive lines and was Am-MDAR targets chloroplast. digested with Eco RI to determine the copy number of integration of Am-APX promoter in 303.5 Tissue Specific Expression of the the tobacco genome. Full-length promoter was PR244 Promoter and transformation of used as probe. The results revealed that three PR244 into Rice lines are single copy events whereas two lines PR244, a salt inducible gene from the have 2 copies. mangrove A. marina, is homologous to rci2a Genomic clone of Am-pAPX1 is 3,942 bp in and rci2b from Arabidopsis. The isolation of length (Accession No. EU025130), 2,799 bp the 51 upstream region of PR244 and its cloning longer than the Am-pAPX1 cDNA. Alignment in pCAMBIA 1391Z have been reported of Am-pAPX1 (cDNA) with its genomic clone previously. This construct was transformed into revealed the presence of eight introns. The size Arabidopsis thaliana (Columbia Ecotype) via of the introns varied from 83-740 bp while the the Agrobacterium mediated vaccum size of the exon varied from 41-16 bp. The Infiltration/Floral Dip method. Seeds were genomic clone of Am-MDAR is 6,058 bp in harvested and plated on 2 % MS with varying length, which is 4663 bp longer than the Am- concentrations of hygromycin 5-20 mg/ml MDAR cDNA. Alignment of Am-MDAR (cDNA) (selectable marker). A hygromycin con- with its genomic clone revealed the presence centration of 15 mg/ml was found to be optimal of fourteen introns. The size of the introns for selection of the transformants. The selected varied between 82 and 711 bp while the size seeds were subsequently transferred to pots of the exon varied between 41 and 514 bp. containing a 1:3 ratio of vermiculite and biopeat. Genomic DNA (15 mg) was digested with Seedlings are currently growing and further restriction enzymes namely EcoRI, XbaI and analysis will be initiated when the plants are EcoRV for APX and hybridized with APX probe fully-grown. and for MDAR it was digested with BamHI, The PR244 promoter was transcriptionally EcoRI, and HindIII and hybridized with MDAR fused with the PR244-GFP fusion and cloned probe. The results revealed that there are two in the binary vector pCAMBIA 1300. This copies of APX gene and five copies of MDAR construct was transformed into tobacco via gene or its isoform in the A. marina genome. Agrobacterium mediated transformation by the Fusion of GFP with Am-APX in N terminus leaf disc method. After three rounds of region was selected as it has a peroxisomal selection on hygromycin (25 mg/ml), the

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ regenerated shoots were allowed to root in 2 % representation of AmNAC1 was studied in the MS (with hygromycin). Tissue specific cDNA library, prepared using salt-stressed A. expression of the PR244-GFP construct is marina, as the sequence characteristics were being studied. more similar to biotic stress related NAC proteins reported in other plants. AmNAC1 For transformation of c-myc tagged PR244 into transcript expression patterns were analyzed rice, Indica variety Pusa Basmati was used. from plants that were grown in tolerable (250 12-day old scutellum-derived embryogenic calli mM) and stressful (500 mM) concentrations [raised on MS medium containing 2,4 D of NaCl using RNA-blot experiments. Total (2 mg/ml)] were co-cultivated with RNA was prepared from two different Agrobacterium carrying the plasmid pMYC- treatments at various time points. Results of PR244. Regeneration of putative transgenic Northern analysis using RNA prepared from rice is under way. 500 mM NaCl treated plants showed that 303.6 Characterisation of MYB and NAC AmNAC1 transcript expression was up transcription factors from salt tolerant regulated in treated plants from 6 hours to 48 mangrove plant A. marina hours after stress and was not detected after 12 and 24 hours of recovery from salt Expression of AmMYB1 cDNA in E coli was treatment. However, AmNAC1 transcript was done to study the expression level of AmMYB1 significantly up regulated only after 48 hours protein. The open reading frame of AmMYB of 250 mM NaCl treatment. Interestingly, was amplified from the cDNA library of stressed AmNAC1 transcript level was highest after 10 A. marina library. The amplified product was days in spite of the plants recovering from initial cloned in the E coli expression vector (pET32a, stress symptoms morphologically, suggesting Novagen) under the control of IPTG inducible a positive role for the same in maintaining T7 lac promoter and transformed into E coli normal growth of the plant for longer durations BL21 (DE3) cells. Adding 1mM IPTG to E. coli in the presence of NaCl. culture induced protein expression of AmMYB1. The cells were harvested at different Whether AmNAC1 is inducible by ABA, was time points after IPTG induction. There was a also investigated as many water stress clear induction of MYB protein visible at 1, 2.5 inducible genes are up regulated by the hours after IPTG induction. Purification of exogenous addition of ABA and the level of AmMYB1 protein was done using nickel- endogenous ABA also increases under salt nitrilotriacetic acid (Ni-NTA) affinity column. stress condition. As reported in Arabidopsis Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA) is thaliana for RD26, a NAC protein, AmNAC1 under way to study the DNA binding property transcript expression was up regulated by ABA of that protein. treatment. Transcript level for AmNAC1 was To understand the contribution of NaCl in high after 12 hrs of treatment and the transcript abiotic stress tolerance in plants, the expression pattern was similar to 500 mM NaCl

BIOTECHNOLOGY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ treatment. Investigations on endogenous ABA 1,301 under the control of 35S promoter. levels at 250 and 500 mM NaCl are currently Nicotiana tabaccum was transformed with the being carried out to understand the recombinant vector using Agrobacterium dependence of AmNAC1 expression on ABA transformation method. Transgenic tobacco signalling. Thus, the results from the present plants with a strong GUS expression were study indicate the involvement of AmNAC1 in screened for GFP florescence using a confocal salt stress tolerance in A. marina and the microscope. The experiment revealed the mediation of early stress response by ABA. localisation of the green fluorescence in the Future studies will concentrate on the DNA chloroplasts. The chloroplastic localisation of binding property of transcription factors using Pj GST1 was confirmed by co-visualising different DNA core sequence elements that chlorophyll autofluorescence. respond to abiotic stress and assessment of Pj GST1 was transformed into Indica rice AmMYB1 transcription factor, using model variety ADT 43 using the biolistic method. PCR plant systems. positive plants were analysed in the T1 and T2 303.7 Characterisation of Pj 507, from generation. The putative transgenic lines Prosopis juliflora for drought tolerance showed better growth under salt and cadmium stress in vitro compared to control un- Pj 507 was selected for further characterisation transformed plants. The performance of whole because six copies of this clone were found in plants under drought stress was analysed by the P. juliflora library indicating a possible role following three cycles of a watering regime of – in stress tolerance. This cDNA was completey ‘one day watering – four days no watering’. The sequenced and analysed in silico. An 820 base putative transgenic lines showed better survival pair putative promoter fragment was isolated under this stress compared to control un- for this gene using TAIL PCR. Pj 507 ORF is transformed plants. being cloned in fusion with GFP for the purpose of cellular localisation of the protein. 303.8 Characterisation of different types Pj 507 cDNA is cloned in pCAMBIA 1301 under of metallothionein and transformation of the control of 35S promoter and would be type II metallothionein from P. juliflora into transformed into tobacco for functional tobacco for heavy metal accumulation characterisation. Pj 507 ORF is being cloned Heavy metal pollution of agricultural soils is one into pET 28a vector to study the over of the most severe ecological problems in the expression of the protein in a bacterial system. world. Toxic levels of metals can occur in some For intracellular localization of Pj GST1 protein, natural soils as a result of mining, smelting, Pj GST1 ORF was fused with GFP ORF at the manufacturing, and agricultural or waste N-terminal with 10 alanine codons as a linker. disposal technologies. Metallothioneins (MTs) The fused product was cloned into pCAMBIA are small cysteine rich proteins that range in

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ size from 4 to 8 kDa and bind various phyto- treatments. PjMT3 transcript increased toxic heavy metals such as copper, cadmium, apparently under all heavy metal stress zinc and nickel. Three types of metallothioneins treatments up to 72 hrs. from Prosopis juliflora have been identified and 51 upstream regions or promoters of PjMT characterised. genes were isolated using TAIL-PCR and the To examine the metal binding ability, ORFs of presence of cis-acting elements analysed the three PjMTs were cloned in translational using PLACE. All three-promoter sequences fusion with GST in pGEX4T1 expression vector showed the presence of TATA, CAAT, GATA and transformed into E. coli cells. E.coli cells boxes, ABRE-like elements, MYC- and MYB expressing the fusion protein or GST were factor binding proteins. In the 51 upstream grown in the presence of non-toxic region of PjMT1, a copper responsive element concentrations of cadmium and zinc (0.3 mM (CuRE) was present. In addition, elements each). Metals bound by fusion proteins or GST involved in ethylene response (ERE), stress were examined by Flame-AAS after (STRE) and organ-specific expression (OSE) purification, using Glutathione Sepharose 4B were also present in one or more of the isolated column. All three GSTMT fusion proteins 51 upstream regions of the PjMTs. showed a higher ability to bind cadmium as PjMT2 was cloned in pCAMBIA in translational compared to zinc. fusion with GFP at the C-terminus and To determine the effect of heavy metals on the transformed into tobacco using Agrobacterium expression of PjMTs, leaves from one month mediated transformation. Confocal microscopy old P. juliflora seedlings exposed to heavy of tobacco plants expressing PjMT2: mGFP 6 metals like cadmium, copper and zinc for 0, fusion protein showed that PjMT2 co-localized 24, 48 and 72 hrs were harvested. About in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Future work will 10 mg of total RNA (per sample) from the focus on the transformation of PjMT2 into leaves was isolated and electrophoresed in a Brassica juncea, a hyperaccumulator plant for 1.3 % formaldehyde-agarose gel, transferred efficient phytoremediation. to nylon membrane (Hybond N+, GE 303.9 Isolation of PcHKT cDNA Biosciences) and the blot probed with 32P- dCTP labeled PjMT1, PjMT2 or PjMT3 Salinity tolerance in many plants is inversely (321UTR). PjMT1 was induced significantly with related to the extent of Na+ accumulation in the shoot, notably in major cereals such as copper, H2O2 and ABA treatments, with no significant up-regulation under cadmium and wheat and rice. In Arabidopsis rice and wheat zinc stress. PjMT2 expression was unchanged there is evidence indicating a central role for with both cadmium and copper stress members of the HKT gene family, (more treatments. However, PjMT2 expression was specifically the HKT 1, 5 subtype) of Na+ and Na+/K+ transporters in controlling Na+ up regulated with ZnSO4, H2O2 and ABA

BIOTECHNOLOGY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ accumulation and, thus, in determining salinity transformation method. Many transformation tolerance. Porteresia coarctata is a salinity events were performed which are in various tolerant wild relative of rice and would therefore stages of selection. be a good source material to analyse for HKT genes. mRNA sequences of rice, Triticum 303.10 Understanding salinity monococcum and Triticum aestivum (HKT 1, 5) tolerance mechanisms in Sesuvium were aligned using CLUSTALW. This portulacastrum L. - a Mangrove alignment was compared with their respective associated halophyte genomic sequences and the putative exon- Salinity tolerance in plants is a very complex intron junctions were identified. Primers were trait, and is the handiwork of evolution in designed based on conserved sequences in halophytes that have ‘learned’ to grow well in Exon 1 and a 575 bp fragment from P. coarctata genomic DNA. To obtain the 3’ sequence the presence of salt or sodium chloride in the information of PcHKT, TAIL PCR methodology soil. Sesuvium portulacastrum (Vangaravasi in was adopted and a 650 bp fragment was Tamil), a mangrove-associated halophyte has amplified from P. coarctata genomic DNA that recently gained the attention of plant biologists was found to contain part of Exon 3 and the 3’ for its adaptability to water-deficit stresses like UTR. Sau3A1 adapter ligated P. coarctata DNA salinity and drought. S. portulacastrum is able was used to obtain the 5’ sequence information to complete its life cycle, that is, from the of PcHKT and a 404 bp fragment was obtained emergence of a plant from the seed to setting that had a 99 bp overlap with the previously seeds, in the presence of high concentrations amplified DNA. Thus the full genomic clone of sodium chloride in the soil. A systems for PcHKT was obtained and was found to be approach towards understanding salinity 3194 bp in length. Based on the sequence tolerance in S. portulacastrum was undertaken, information primers were designed to clone the which included information from experimental PcHKT cDNA. P. coarctata tillers with intact results obtained using physiological, roots were subjected to 0.25 M NaCl for 12 biochemical and molecular studies. and 24 h. Leaves and roots were used for total The systems model was suggestive of a RNA isolation and subsequent mRNA probable link between changes in purification. Full sequence information for photosynthesis and pigmentation as a PcHKT cDNA was assembled in two response to sodium chloride in the medium of overlapping fragments of sizes 0.75 Kb and plant growth. As genes that were uniquely 1.05 Kb. expressed during sodium chloride treatment As reported in the previous year’s report, the of the plants were also highly represented by PcNHX gene has been characterised and those related to photosynthesis, inference cloned, and is being transformed into Indica could be made that light also might have a role rice variety Pusa Basmati using Agrobacterium to play in influencing the response

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ mechanisms. Moreover, it was also observed Creator smart cDNA construction kit, which from our experiments that the possibility of a was subsequently used for synthesizing the ‘photosynthetic shift’ cannot be ruled out. That double stranded cDNA through LD-PCR. is, S. portulacastrum might take a decision of Double stranded cDNA was treated with switching over from a less water-use-efficient proteinase K digestion and the cDNA size photosynthetic pathway called ‘C3’ to that of a fractionated and the fractionated cDNA was better water-use-efficient pathway called ‘CAM’ subsequently cloned into a T/A vector and or its variants, based on the presence or transformed into plasmid pDNR. 1,000 clones absence of salt in the soil. It would be were randomly screened for large-scale EST interesting to carry out additional studies that sequencing. 600 clones have been screened result in solving the missing links in our and the clones showing the presence of gene approach. size above 500 bp were selected for 303.11 Gene mining from lichen species sequencing. The plasmids were sequenced using pDNR_2FWD primer and 400 ESTs The growth of lichens in extreme environments, sequences have been obtained. their vibrant defense mechanism in the form of secondary compounds for biotic and abiotic The expressed genes having good e-value stresses and their ability to live in symbiotic from the NCBI BLAST showed homology to state with algae and cyanobacteria, exhibit the Catechol dioxyge (1,2-HQD; Hydroxyquinol distinctiveness of their genetic make up. 1,2-dioxygenase) which catalyses the ring Hence, screening of lichen genome is cleavage of hydroxyquinol (1,2,4- considered a potential source to provide novel trihydroxybenzene), an intermediate in the genetic material to combat abiotic and biotic degradation of a large variety of aromatic stress in agriculture, human health and compounds including some polychloro- and environment. Hence the lichen gene-mining nitroaromatic pollutants, to form 3-h. From the program aims at germplasm characterisation ESTs sequenced we have genes such as LEA of lichen species Dirinaria applanata, Pyxine domain protein, CRAL/TRIO domain protein, cocoes, Physcia tribacoides and Roccella NRRL 1 TOM complex. montagnei. Prior to germplasm characteri- Internally Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region of sation, axenic fungal and whole thallus cultures the nuclear ribosomal DNA has been of selected species were established. characterised and sequenced to establish the cDNA library has been constructed from the species identity of cultured lichen thalli with the lichen species R. montagnei and large scale natural thalli. ITS rDNA based fungal specific sequencing of ESTs are under way. For the PCR in P. cocoes natural thallus and cultured cDNA library, total RNA has been isolated using thallus has been completed and the sequence Zostera marina L. protocol. Single stranded information will be validated and submitted to cDNA was constructed using the protocol of the NCBI nucleotide Genebank database.

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Lichens are well known for their synthesis of pks1 (Xsepks1), which belongs to nonreducing unique secondary metabolites including clade III, indicating that DNpks belongs to polyketides such as Depsides, Depsidones, nonreducing clade III. The active sites of KS Depsones, Dibenzofurans, and Chromones. and AT domains of DNpks were found to be Polyketides are organic molecules that are well conserved in D. applanata. formed from small carbon precursor acid molecules whose condensation is catalysed by The conditions at which PKS genes have been a cluster of enzymes called Polyketide regulated are not yet clearly understood, but Synthases (PKS). The available information on many biotic and abiotic stresses are known to characterised PKS genes from lichens is very upregulate the production of secondary scarce on cloning, and functional and metabolites. Hence expression studies of PKS expression analysis of genes. The genes from the RNA isolated from culture understanding of the expression patterns of samples grown under different stress these genes will help in providing the correct conditions were studied by analysing mRNA physiological, environmental and nutritional transcript accumulation. In this study, the conditions for scaling up of polyketides in lichen osmotic conditions with sucrose were found cultures. to either down-regulate DNpks or cause no alteration in mRNA levels. Rather than osmotic 750 bp Ketosynthase domain of PKS gene was stress, DNpks was more responsive to UV characterised from natural and culture thallus radiation, showing a constitutive upregulation; of Dirinaria applanata, Roccella montagnei, an equal response of DNpks was also R. belangeriana, Ramalina pollinaria, and observed for neutral pH. Usnea complanata through PCR based methods (primers-LC1 and LC2C). Genome 303.12 Identification of genes that are walking by domain–hopping approach from the uniquely regulated during oil biosynthesis ketosynthase domain towards both the C- in Jatropha curcas seeds terminal as well as the N- terminal end of the pks gene of D. applanata and a 4,863bp of Fossil fuel resources are reaching their finite pks gene (DNpks) has been characterised and limits and a sharp increase in oil prices all over codes for other domains such as the world has resulted in an unprecedented Acyltransferase and upstream of impetus for research on alternative sources of acyltransferase and downstream of fuel, especially from plants. Many plants have ketosynthase domain. The Phylogenetic tree the property of accumulating oil in their seeds. constructed from this gene separated Jatropha curcas is one such oil yielding plant nonreducing and reducing pks. DNpks were that has gained widespread attention in recent claded with other nonreducing pks at a times as a source of biodiesel. In addition to bootstrap value of 99. The analyses also many factors that influence seed oil yield, the intercladed DNpks gene with X. semiviridis regulation of the genes that control the

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ expression of proteins that bring about oil material. Tissue culture methodology accumulation in seeds is a very basic factor development will aid in transferring genes that differentiates a high oil yielding plant from controlling active oil accumulation into J. curcas others. to obtain high and uniform oil yield.

To identify the genes that control active oil accumulation, J. curcas seeds were grouped into four maturation stages as follows: early Sub Programme Area 304 maturation stage, mid maturation stage, late maturation stage and full maturation stage. Bioprospecting Since protein expression is more active when 304.1 Bioprospecting and Culture of the oil accumulation is still progressing, mid Lichen Species and late maturation stage seeds were used for identification of the genes. The experimental This programme aims at screening and design essentially involved ‘subtraction’ of the characterising potential anti-microbial genes that are common to the stages secondary compounds of lichen species mentioned, so that genetic information (symbiotic fungi with algae or cyanobacteria pertaining only to the late stage of oil for nutritional requirements) viz. R. montagnei, biosynthetic pathway would be left as ‘unique’, P. praesorediosum, D. applanata, R. pollinaria, for further analyses. In this regard, a cDNA U. complanata and T. eluteriae. The secondary subtraction library consisting of ‘unique’ compounds of these lichen species were information that relates to genes involved in extracted in organic solvent gradients and seed oil biosynthesis in J. curcas was screened for their antimicrobial properties constructed last year. To identify and against human bacterial and fungal pathogens. characterise the unique information, annotation The chemical characterisation of the of the same was performed through compounds, which exhibited antimicrobial sequencing of a small portion of the ‘expressed’ properties, was carried out in collaboration with genetic information called Expressed the Organic Chemistry Laboratory and Sequence Tag (EST). Information annotation Sophisticated Analytical Instrumentation of about 300 ESTs has been performed till date, Facility (SAIF), Indian Institute of Technology, of which a few show identities to genes that Chennai. Qualitative and quantitative extraction have already been reported to be involved in of lichen secondary metabolites and the regulation of oil biosynthesis in other plants. subsequent antimicrobial screening provided Standardisation of tissue culture the basis for the identification of two novel methodologies for transforming J. curcas compounds from natural thallus R. montagnei plants through gene transfer has been initiated and P. praesorediosum and one compound using emerging cotyledons as starting plant from cultured thallus T. eluteriae.

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The characterisation of lichen compounds in vulgaris, and was crystallised and subjected D. applanata using Thin Layer Chromato- to XRD crystallographic analyses. The crystals graphy (TLC) resulted in the identification of were identified as 6-hydroxy-7-methoxy-2, 3, known compounds such as Atranorin, and 3, 9-tetramethyl-2,3-dihydronaptho [1,2- divaricatic acid and unknown compoun b]furan-4,5-dione. The compound was found (Compound 1: Ash-Gray Rf class 4; Compound to be novel through a blast search against 2: Orange Rf class 5) and High Performance Scifinder Scholar facility and Cambridge Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis Structural Database and the crystal structure of methanol extract of cultured has been submitted to the Cambridge D. applanata showed two unknown Crystallographic Data Centre (CCDC- 677670). compounds. The thin layer chromatogram Crude hexane extract of D. applanata exhibited showed the presence of Evernic acid in antimicrobial activity and was subjected to R. pollinaria; Salazinic acid and Usnic acid in U. complanata and seven unknown further fractionation and subsequent compounds in cultured thallus of T. eluteriae. bioassays. Of the five fractions, two fractions showed anti-microbial activity against five Antibacterial assay human bacterial pathogens. Hence these Antibacterial assays were carried out using fractions were subjected to further purification TLC direct bioautographic overlay assay and and structure elucidation of these fractions is disc diffusion assays against human being carried out. Similarly, crude acetone bacterial pathogens and fungi (K. pneumonia, extracts of R. pollinaria and U. complanata P. vulgaris, S. typhi-A, S. paratyphi–B and were found to be bioactive, and further S. aureus and C. albicans). Atranorin, purification of the active fractions is under way divaricatic acid, Evernic acid, Salazinic acid, in these lichens. Usnic acid and the 1st, 7th and 5th fraction of Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity testing T. eluteriae showed broad spectrum antibacterial activity. As a prerequisite for drug development, the identified potential antimicrobial compounds, Compound characterisation 4-carbomethoxy-5-acetyl resorcinol from The crude acetone extract of cultured thallus R. montagnei and 3- Formyl-2, 4 – dihydroxy- of T. eluteriae showed antimicrobial activity. 5, 6-dimethyl –benzoic acid 3-hydroxy-4- The crude extract showed the presence of methoxycarbonyl-2,5-dimethly-phenyl ester seven unknown compounds. The fifth major from P. praesorediosum were subjected to fraction showed broad-spectrum antibacterial cytotoxic and genotoxic studies on Swiss activity against human bacterial pathogens Albino mice and Wistar rats in collaboration such as E. coli, Vibrio cholera, Salmonella with the Department of Pharmacology and paratyphi A, S. paratyphi B and Proteus Environmental Toxicology and Genetics,

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

PGIBMS, University of Madras. All procedures nilgiriensis, Graphina obtecta, T. eluteriae, were conducted in accordance with the Pseudopyrenula subvelata, Graphis scripta, guidelines of the Committee for the Purpose Graphis inamoena, Glyphis scyphulifera and of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Lecanora sp. were standardised. The whole Animals (CPCSEA), India. thallus lichen cultures of selected species produce secondary compounds similar to the Genotoxic studies on Swiss albino mice natural thallus; additionally, the mycobiont against the bioactive compound 4- cultures also produced a few unknown carbomethoxy-5-acetyl resorcinol from compounds. R. montagnei showed negative results, hence pharmacologists strongly recommend further All the culture species were selected from screening of this compound as a potential drug. different geographical locations that are rich Genotoxic screening of 4-carbomethoxy-5- in secondary compounds. The culture acetyl resorcinol at higher doses against Swiss protocols were standardised for inoculum albino mice exhibited a lower mitotic index, selection, sterilisation process, media and indicating that it can be a potential molecule environmental conditions conducive for the for anticancer therapy. Toxicity testing of 3- successful establishment, growth, thallus formation and secondary compound Formyl-2, 4 – dihydroxy-5,6-dimethyl–benzoic production of all the selected species. Culturing acid 3-hydroxy-4-methoxycarbonyl-2,5- in a bioreactor for further upscaling of the dimethly-phenyl ester from P. praesorediosum secondary metabolites is currently under way. showed no significant genetic or cytogenetic damage. Sekikaic acid, divaricatic acid, caparitic acid, atranorin, evernic acid, norstictic acid and nine Lichen culture unknown compounds have been isolated from Lichen culture for secondary compound Glyphis scyphulifera, Trypethelium eluteriae, production is a vital component of the Graphis scripta, Pseudopyrenula subvelata conservation of lichen species in their habitat and D. applanata so far. One novel compound and sustainable utilisation of these novel from the mycobiont cultures of Trypethelium resources industrially. The protocols for in vitro eluteriae has been structurally characterised. culture for the production of secondary compounds through lichen whole thallus, 304.2 Bioprospecting from E. agallocha fungal and photosynthetic partners for The pesticidal property of 1 % and 3 % crude R. montagnei, P. praesorediosum, hexane formulation of E. agallocha was D. applanata, R. pollinaria and U. complanata demonstrated in field trials (RBD) in lady’s and 21 other lichen species such as finger, cotton, chick pea and pigeon pea in TN Heterodermia diadimata, H. luecomela, and Uttaranchal areas. Further toxicity studies Caloplaca serina, Physcia sp., Pyxine in animal models are under progress.

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304.3 Biochemical and Phytochemical were observed under UV (254 and 366 nm) investigations of Navara and other Rice for compound spots. Hexane extracts of landraces Navara and Veliyan showed the presence of

an ice-blue chromophore (Rf 0.3) that was Navara (Oryza sativa var. Navara), the absent in the other varieties. Hence, the focus medicinal brown rice of Kerala, is traditionally was laid on that particular compound as a used by Ayurvedic healers for curing probable marker. rheumatism, skin diseases and as a bio- rejuvenator. Chemical investigations indicated Large-scale (5 kg) extraction of Navara (black the presence of high amounts of tryptophan awned type or the ‘True’ Navara), using the and proline. The present investigation was same order of solvents yielded crude extracts. aimed at analysing the phytochemical and Column chromatography of the hexane extract biochemical parameters of 13 brown rice using hexane: ethyl acetate (9.8:0.2 to 6:4 landraces, including Navara. Due to the ratios) yielded 5 fractions. Fraction-1, pure oil demand for Navara (black awned type) in the that was subjected to NMR, FT-IR and Mass market, contamination of the authentic rice spectral analysis suggested the presence of grains with a spurious variety was observed. an aromatic ring. Fraction-2, the ice-blue To identify the spurious variety, a two-step marker closely eluted with the fraction-3 and qualitative method was developed for the hence was repeatedly purified in silica (60-120) Navara cultivators, based on a simple TLC columns for spectral analysis. Further analysis performed with 13 landraces. purification is under progress to decipher the molecular structure. 50 g of powdered rice grains from the 13 varieties of rice was soaked in 100 ml of 880 g of Navara was cooked with 3 litres of hexane for 24 hrs at 35oC. This was repeated water and cooled to room temperature. thrice for optimum extraction. The pooled 1.5 litres of water was further added and it was filtrate was evaporated under vacuum to yield macerated in a mixer to a semisolid the crude extract. The extraction was continued consistency and partitioned using the same with ethyl acetate, chloroform and methanol. order of solvents. The yields were calculated. The crude extracts were air-dried and the yields Further purification of the hexane extract is were calculated. 20 mg of the crude hexane under progress for a comparative study. extract was dissolved in 400 μl of hexane to Navara brown and yellow (awned and awnless obtain a homogenous solution. 10 μl of this types) varieties, Mullenchanna, Gandhakashala, solution was spotted equidistantly on a TLC Arupathamcheera, Chennellu and Veliyan plate (SiO2 230-400 with F- 254, 11 X 10 cm) landraces were analysed for total protein, using capillaries of 0.5 mm bore size and air- carbohydrate, reducing sugars, free amino dried. The plate was eluted in various solvent acids and free fatty acids. Navara black systems to identify the best ratio. The plates awnless (black seeds) and Navara yellow

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ awned (polished and unpolished) yielded Serratia (99-100 % sequence similarity), Vibrio highest total protein of 0.007 mg/g. Navara (95-98.4 % sequence similarity), Azospirillum black awned (pol and unpol). Navara yellow (99-100 % sequence similarity), Klebsiella awnless (unpol) and Navara yellow awned (pol) (99-100 % sequence similarity), Entero- together with Chennellu and Mullenchanna bacter (95-95.6 % sequence similarity) and yielded 1.2- 1.24 mg/g of carbohydrate. Navara Swaminathania (99-100 % sequence black awned (pol) variety yielded 185 mg/g of similarity). The strains which had 2-5 % dissi- free fatty acids followed by Arupathamcheera milarity in 16S rRNA gene were taken up for (173.9 mg/g). Free amino acids ranged from further detailed taxonomic characterisation 30.2 to 9.8 mg/g. using polyphasic approach.

Two facultatively anaerobic, nitrogen-fixing Sub Programme Area 305 bacteria (MSSRF30T and MSSRF31) were chosen and determined as nitrogen-fixers Microbial Diversity using the acetylene-reduction assay and PCR

Bioprospecting and assessment of functional detection of a nifHgene amplicon. Phylogenetic diversity of microbes have helped in identifying analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences novel beneficial organisms, to be harnessed indicated that these bacteria were most closely T for INM and IPM. Further details on IPM related to Vibrio fluvialis LMG 7894 (96·8 % T research is reported in Section SPA 404. sequencesimilarity), Vibrio furnissii LMG7910 (96·8 % sequence similarity) and Vibrio 305.1 Bioprospecting for Novel tubiashii CIP 102760T (96·7 % sequence Microorganisms similarity), but their similarity was below 97 %. Further multilocus sequence analysis using Plant growth promoting novel Vibrio spp. recA, pyrH, rpoA and nifH genes also showed from mangrove ecosystem low levels of sequence similarities (83-93 %) The research focused on the microbial diversity with all taxonomically validly published Vibrio analysis of the rhizosphere-associated wild rice species. Multigene phylogenetic tree using (Porteresea caroctata) of the Pichavaram concatenated sequences of four genes (16S mangroves for the isolation of PGPRs, nitrogen rRNA, rpoA, recA, and pyrH) showed that the fixation and antagonistic activity against strains MSSRF30T and MSSRF31 occupy a phytopathogens (bacterial and fungal distinct phylogenetic position forming a long pathogens). Primary screening resulted in the branching not clustered to any other known isolation of many PGPR bacteria strains, which Vibrio species. The most abundant fatty acids exhibited antagonistic activity or were able to also depicted that these strains belonged to fix atmospheric nitrogen. These strains were the genus Vibrio. The results of physiological, grouped into different genera based on 16S biochemical characteristics, genomic rRNA gene sequencing, which belonged to fingerprinting and DNA-DNA hybridisation Bacillus (99-100 % sequence similarity), analysis clearly differentiated both MSSRF30T

BIOTECHNOLOGY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ and MSSRF31 strains from their strain MSSRF38T from its phylogenetic closest phylogenetically closest relatives V. cholerae relative. Based on genotypic, phenotypic, IID6019, V. mimicus LMG7896T, V. fluvialis chemotaxonomic, phylogenetic and DNA–DNA LMG 7894T and V. furnissii LMG 7910T. Several hybridisation analysis, the name Vibrio phenotypic traits also differentiated the strain mangrovi sp. nov. (type strain MSSRF38T is MSSRF30T from other Vibrio species. Based deposited in LMG Beligum and DSM, on genotypic, phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, Germany) is proposed for this novel taxon. phylogenetic and DNA–DNA hybridisation Another diazotrophic strain MSSRF40T, analysis, the name Vibrio porteresiae sp. nov. based on (16S rRNA, rpoA, GyrB, and (type strain MSSRF30T=LMG 24061T=DSM Hsp60) can be a new genus in the family 19223T; DNA G+C contents 44.4±3.1 mol %) Enterobacteriaceae for which the name is proposed for this novel taxon. Mangrovibacter plantisponsor gen. nov, sp. nov. is proposed (type strain MSSRF40T and Similarly, red pigmented diazotrophic bacterial has ben deposited in LMG Beligum and DSM, strain MSSRF38T was also characterised. Germany). Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA Genetic Diversity of Soybean Bradyrhizobia gene sequences indicated that these bacteria Isolated from India were most closely related to Vibrio Soybean (Glycine max Merrill.) was introduced rhizosphaerae MSSRF3T (98 % sequence to India as soon as it was domesticated in similarity), Vibrio ruber JCM 11486T (98.3 % China. However, the diversity of rhizobial sequence similarity) and their similarity was strains in India that can nodulate soybean was below 95 % with all taxonomically validly poorly understood. Diversity and phylogeny of published Vibrio species. Further multilocus 50 slow growing strains, isolated from nodules sequence analysis using GyrB, GapA, recA, of soybean collected from Madhya Pradesh, pyrH, rpoA and nifH genes also showed low Orissa and Maharashtra, India, where soybean levels of sequence similarities (83-93 %) with is intensively cultivated, were studied, using all taxonomically validly published Vibrio Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism species. Multigene phylogenetic tree using (RFLP) and phylogenetic analysis. Cluster concatenated sequences of six genes (16S analysis of 16S rDNA restriction patterns with rRNA, rpoA, GyrB, GapA, recA, and pyrH) seven tetrameric endonucleases grouped showed that the strain MSSRF38T occupies a these isolates with Bradyrhizobium spp. distinct phylogenetic position not clustered to resolving two genotypes within these Vibrio rhizosphaerae MSSRF3T and Bradyrhizobia. In the analysis of Intergenic Vibrio ruber JCM 11486T group . The most Spacers (IGS) and RFLPs with three restriction abundant fatty acids also depicted that this enzymes, six genotypes were found. Variability strain belonged to genus Vibrio. The results of in the length of rDNA IGS regions was detected physiological and biochemical characteristics, among different IGS genotypes. The IGS genomic fingerprinting and DNA-DNA sequences of the strains of Indian origin have hybridisation analysis clearly differentiated very low similarity to those of the strains of

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ validly described species of Bradyrhizobium fungal symbiosis in the rhizosphere nodulate from other legumes and also from soybean. roots and also synthesize growth promoters The RFLPs of symbiotic genes (nifH and nodC) such as IAA and Gibberellins. They are rich and phylogeny based on the nifH DNA sources of secondary metabolites and can sequence delineated all isolates into two serve as a resourceful pool for gene donors. biovarieties. It clearly showed the existence of They utilise root exudates for growth and the potential new biovariety among soybean secretion of antimicrobial compounds. Plant nodulating bradyrhizobia. Although the strains growth promoting compounds such as were isolated from soybean root nodules, the Auxofurans have already been reported from nodulation assays revealed that all the isolates Streptomyces strains. The present study was induced nodulation with Vigna mungo, Vigna initiated to estimate the diversity of the radiata, Vigna unguiculata, Cajanus cajan and actinomycetes associated with the Eastern Macroptilium atropurpureum. All strains are Ghats and on the isolation of rare resistant to cloxacillin, polymyxin B, penicillin, actinomycetes other than members of the gentamicin, oxytetracycline and amoxicillin. family Streptomycetaceae. Streptomyces sp. They did not grow in the presence of are easily culturable and about 60 % of the ciprofloxacin, cefuroxime or neomycin and reported biomolecules have been isolated from exhibited weak growth in the presence of Streptomyces. A total of 96 strains of erythromycin. The novel strain designated M6 actinomycetes were isolated from soil samples exhibited the following characteristics: Gram- collected from the Guntur cassava field, negative rods as per the other species of the Devanur forest, Alathur sparse forest, Ariur rain genus, colonies small, pearl white in YMA at forest of Kolli Hills and designated as MSACT1- 28 0C, optimal growth temperature at optimum MSACT96. Among them 15 strains exhibited pH 7–7.5. Nitrate reduction is positive. The antagonistic activity against Rhizoctonia solani, strain produced β-galactosidase and urease (sheath blight pathogen of rice), 6 strains and hydrolysed aesculin. It utilised glucose, exhibited activity against Fusarium udum (wilt L-arabinose, galactose, mannose, mannitol, disease in pulses) and 8 strains were active N-acetylglucosamine, maltose and L-sorbose against Fusarium oxysporum (wilt pathogen in as carbon sources. The strain did not grow on a number of crops). The strain KAM 11 lactose, L-rhamnose, trehalose, raffinose, exhibited broad spectrum activity against all sucrose or adonitol. The strain M6 is being the test pathogens. The strain KAM 11 was proposed as a novel sp. in the genus identified as Streptomyces cinnamomeus by Bradyrhizobium. amplification and sequencing of 16S rRNA gene. The strain S. cinnamomeus has been Diversity analysis of actinomycetes from reported to be a potent producer of extracellular Kolli Hills enzymes. Further studies can provide valuable Actinomycetes are a group of potent clues on the mechanisms involved in the microorganisms known to exhibit antagonistic antagonism and plant-microbe interactions of activity against phytopathogens, promote plant S. cinnamomeus. The isolation of DNA has

BIOTECHNOLOGY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ been standardised and the amplification of the The restriction pattern was determined using 16 S rDNA was carried using fD1 (5’- restriction enzymes Sau31. The restriction AGTTTGATCCTGGCTCAG-3’) position7- 26 pattern exhibited difference in the banding and r P2 (5’ACGGCTACCTTGTTACGACTT- pattern and hence further studies for the 3’)-position1,513 to 1,494 bases. The initial identification of these organisms by a genetic diversity analysis of antagonistic polyphasic approach are in progress. actinomycetes was performed using GTG 5 305.2 Screening for biomolecules from primer which showed 4 different genotypes of microorganisms collected from different actinomycetes. The sequencing data has also ecological niches confirmed that members of Streptomyces spp. are predominant among the strain that were Microbial diversity describes the complexity screened for antagonism. A further study on and variability of microorganisms at different the characterisation of these genotypes is in levels in the ecosystem. The measure of progress. microbial diversity manifests the measure of the total community level and the functional Diversity analysis of actinomycetes from components. Discovering novel biomolecules the mangrove ecosystem using untapped resources has gained Forty isolates of filamentous actinomycetes momentum and the modern biodiversity were isolated from the mangrove ecosystem. prospecting integrates the systematic search The isolates were designated as MSACTM 1- for the new sources of biomolecules, genes MSACTM 40. These isolates were screened and other economically valuable natural for their antagonistic activity against plant products. Attempts were made to isolate pathogens but none of these strains exhibited microorganisms from soil samples collected antimicrobial activity against the test from the different ecological regions of the pathogens. The strains utilised cellulose and Eastern Ghats. The first set of soil samples peptone and exhibited cellulase and amylase covered the areas of the Guntur cassava field, activity. Some of the strains were able to fix Devanur forest, Alathur sparse forest, Ariur rain nitrogen in nitrogen free medium. The diversity forest and Kolli Hills. The soil samples collected of the strains was determined by amplifying from these locations were isolated using 30 the 16s rDNA using fD1 (5’-AGTTTGATCC- different media to isolate both slow growing

TGGCTCAG-3’) position7- 26 and r P2 and fast growing microorganisms. A total of (5’ACGGCTACCTTGTTACGACTT-3’)- 1,000 cultures/month were isolated to purity position 1,513 to 1,494 bases. PCR and the colony characteristics viz., colony size, amplification was performed in a DNA thermal colony configuration, colony margin, colony cycler. The amplified product of 1,450 bp which elevation, colony colour, colony mucilage, was obtained has been reported in biofilm formation and pigment production were actinomycetes. The microscopic structure of recorded. The cultures were stab inoculated the strains was studied by cover slip culture. in the respective medium and dispatched to

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Nicholas Piramal Limited (NPL) Mumbai and an increase in yield of 20 %. Blast disease a duplicate set was stored in cryopreservation caused by Magnaporthe grisea has been vials. NPL will screen these isolates by HITS identified as the greatest constraint to finger (High infectivity throughput screening tests) for millet production. The anamorphic form of the the identification of novel biomolecules with fungus is Pyricularia grisea and the anti-cancer, anti-diabetes, anti-inflammatory teleomorphic stage M. grisea causes yield and anti-infectivity activity. Bioprospecting of losses from 20 % to 80 % in finger millet. The microbes would lead to the discovery of novel association of the nitrogen fixers with the biomolecules which would form the basis for rhizosphere of finger millet was found to be the synthesis of the chemical compounds. The sparse. The cultivation of the resistant and the bacterial isolates were further screened for susceptible varieties has been recorded. A cellulose and amylase activity and the survey was undertaken to study the cultivation actinomycetes are being screened for of finger millet in the coastal regions of TN. antimicrobial activity. Finger millet is cultivated in Tiruvanamalai, 305.3 Biological control of diseases Villupuram and Krishnagiri districts. The soil samples collected from these regions were Biological control of Blast disease of finger screened for the isolation of Plant Growth millet using plant growth promoting Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) and 450 bacteria isolates were obtained. The fluorescent Finger millet (Eleusine coracana) is a valuable pseudomonas strains isolated from these soils crop of high nutritive value, which has been were screened for their antagonistic activity estimated as per 100 g: Protein 7.3 g; Fat 1.3 against the blast disease pathogen P. grisea. g; Carbohydrate 72 g; Minerals 2.7 g; Calcium The PGPR associated with the rhizosphere of 3.44 g; Fibre 3.6 g; Energy 328 Kcal. It contains finger millet was isolated and identified based the amino acid methionine, which is lacking in on the amplification of the 16S r DNA. the diets of hundreds of millions of the poor Biological control of groundnut dry root rot who live on starchy staples such as cassava, caused by Macrophomina phaseolina using plantain, polished rice, or maize meal. Bacillus sp. and Pseudomonas sp. Pediatricians recommend ragi food for infants of 6 months and above because of its high Groundnut is the fourth most important source nutrition, especially calcium which is very of edible oil and third most important source of essential for children and elderly people. Over vegetable protein. Groundnut is cultivated in 20 varieties of ragi are cultivated in India, of over 100 tropical and subtropical countries which the grains of the white variety yielded including India, China, Nigeria and the USA. superior nutritive value. The grain yield ranged Every year, 36 million metric tons are harvested from 600-800 kg/ha in India under rainfed from 24 million ha. The average productivity conditions. It has been reported that seeds lies at 1.4 metric tons/ha. India is the largest inoculated with Bacillus azotobacter recorded producer with 5.7 million ha; however,

BIOTECHNOLOGY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ productivity is low with only 745 kg/ha. Pest overgrown by the pathogen; the antagonist and disease attack are the most important stopped the growth of M. phaseolina compared factors causing low productivity and groundnut to the control, Pseudomonas sp. suppressed is affected by over 55 bacterial and fungal the growth to an extent of 36 % in dual culture. pathogens. Major diseases of economic Trichoderma sp. showed fast growth combined importance in India are; early and late leaf spots with a rapid overgrowth of M. phaseolina which (Cercospora arachidicola and Phaeoisariopsis was initiated after 4 d incubation and it personata) rust (Puccinia arachidis) collar rot suppressed the growth of M. phaseolina to an (Aspergillus spp.), root rot (Macrophomina extent of 73 % and further incubation resulted phaseolina) and stem rot (Sclerotium rolfsii). in the mycoparasitism of Trichoderma sp. on There are no detailed records of yield losses M. phaseolina. The crude culture filtrate of caused by these diseases, but losses are Bacillus sp. revealed an inhibitory effect with a estimated to be 13 to 59 %. Macrophomina radial inhibition zone of 13 mm. Although the phaseolina (Tassi) Goid, a fungal pathogen, antagonist Pseudomonas sp. exhibited no causes high yield losses in groundnut by suppressive activity in controlling the mycelial invoking stem rot, root rot and dry root rot. growth of M. phaseolina, it interfered with the Chemical control is often uneconomical and formation of microsclerotia whereas not feasible, because the pathogen is primarily Trichoderma sp. and Bacillus sp. did not soil-borne. Little research has been carried out effectively suppress the formation of on Macrophomina root rot disease and its microsclerotia. The effect of the volatiles (biological) management in groundnut so far. emitted by the three Biological Control Agents The disease has not gained much attention (BCA) on the mycelial growth of M. phaseolina despite causing high yield losses and hence was studied. Pseudomonas sp. was found to research was carried out on the biological inhibit the mycelial growth of M. phaseolina control of the M. phaseolina using plant growth strains by over 70 % in inverted plate assay promoting bacteria like Bacillus sp. and and the mycelium of M. phaseolina strains Pseudomonas sp. and also Trichoderma sp. appeared flimsy and whitish. Further, neither and the antagonistic activity of the PGPR microsclerotia nor pigment production was against M. phaseolina was studied. Bacillus observed. The colour change from yellow to sp. suppressed the growth of M. phaseolina orange-brown indicated HCN production by strains considerably in dual culture, up to Pseudomonas sp. but Bacillus sp. and 56 % inhibition, with a stable inhibition zone of Trichoderma sp. did not produce HCN. It is up to 13 mm whereas Pseudomonas sp. essential to identify efficient biocontrol strains exhibited inhibitory effect which decreased for the control of the charcoal root rot disease. after 72 h of incubation and the fungus came The leads obtained from this study will help in in contact with the antagonist after 120 h of identifying suitable control measures for the incubation. Pseudomonas sp. was not control of this pathogen.

85 Programme Area 400

ECOTECHNOLOGY

A five-year evaluation of the Centre and its work was carried out by a team of experts identified by the Tata Trust. A draft Model Act for local level Climate Risk Management has been proposed. Approximately 27,500 trainee days were accomplished this year by the Centre.

401 Coastal Region ------88

402 Semi-Arid Region ------100

403 Hill Region ------107

404 Land-Lab-Land Linkages ------111

405 Climate Change Initiatives ------116

406 Designing Rural Technology Delivery Systems for Mitigating Agrarian Distress ------118

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understanding and assessing the status of the Programme Area 400 technology with reference to the goals of the JRD Tata Ecotechnology Centre, the Ecotechnology development of the grassroots institutions, their plans for the future and their interest areas and The JRD Tata Ecotechnology Centre was future plans of the Centre. established at MSSRF to research, develop and diffuse environmentally sound An attempt was also made to look at the main technologies through innovative delivery aspects of the Centre’s functioning as an models following an inclusive approach that is institution in terms of leadership, staff, human centred, through the biovillage model. processes, procedures and finances and to Using the concepts of biovillage and eco- highlight concerns, if any. In general the team enterprise development, in the 10 years of its of reviewers were of the view that the JRD Eco- existence, the Centre has focused on blending technology Centre was largely successful in sustainable natural resource management and livelihood security through the following Demystifying technologies and taking a pathways: participatory research and large number of them to the development, capacity building and grassroot commercialisation stage and helping to institution building. Through its operations in achieve development in a pro-poor, pro- the various agro-ecological systems prevailing women and pro-nature manner. in TN, Puducherry and Orissa, the Centre is Setting up vibrant, articulate and pro-active evolving models of sustainable development grassroots groups and institutions. for policy advocacy with the government, Utilising the corpus grant made to it to NGOs, private sector, banks and international leverage additional funds in a pro-active development agencies. The programme lays manner. emphasis on skill and knowledge empowerment of the rural poor. The team had some suggestions for strengthening the programme in marketing, One of the significant events this year was the developing the newly formed village based five-year evaluation of the Centre and its work organisations into independent and viable by a team of experts consisting of Ms. Manjul institutions in their own right and developing a Bajaj (Economist) and Mr. S. Rajashekaran more holistic, systems-based approach to (NRM Specialist) identified by the Tata Trust in impact assessment. Dec 2007-Jan 2008. The process was based on a series of interactions with all the team The review team also felt that the following two members, community members and emerging trends will have an important bearing stakeholders, and extensive field visits. During on the Centre’s structure and working over the the field evaluation, the reviewers focused on next few years. The first is a shift to large multi-

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Keeping this in mind the team has consciously Sub Programme Area 401 tried to address the suggestions for strengthening these areas and the work plans Coastal Region have been revised for all the sites and modified accordingly. The progress and the way forward The Centre has been working in the in the light of the evaluation are addressed here. Chidambaram region for the last 10 years to evolve a model of livelihood security by The work carried out under the bio-industrial developing pathways for optimal and watershed (BIWS) has made significant sustainable use of coastal resource bases progress and is reported under the different (such as coastal lowlands, water bodies, etc.) ecological zones. The broad objective of the with knowledge-intensive technology that could project is to extend the techniques of be self sustaining and thereby nurture sustainable management of natural resources grassroot institutions. Post tsunami, agronomic in five major soil regions of India, on a rehabilitation and livelihood promotion activities watershed scale, managed by the local were initiated in some of the affected villages, community of farm women and men as well in the Nagapattinam region. Based on the as landless labour for food and nutrition interactions with the community and the felt security, environmental quality and enhanced need expressed by them, the ‘Fish for All’ livelihood opportunities. The results of this training Centre was initiated last year at study will therefore have a large extrapolation Poompuhar. All activities initiated post tsunami domain within the country. This five-year and coordinating the support for the CBOs (2007 – 2012) project is spread over five agro- nurtured at Chidambaram are being continued ecological areas, viz. Pudukottai (TN), under the activities of the Centre at Karasanur (TN), Koraput (Orissa), Hoshiarpur Poompuhar.

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401.1 Chidambaram this year was 16,217 kg. In Senthirakillai cluster 96 members of 6 WSHGs borrowed a total Due to the role change being undertaken at amount of Rs 2,70,000 from DRDA with a this site and by way of addressing the subsidy of Rs 1,80,000. Utilising this amount, strengthening of the grassroot institutions, 300 36 women are involved in milch animal rearing, farmers practising Integrated Farming System 25 women in goat rearing and 35 in small (IFS) are being brought under one umbrella business. In Manikollai cluster 161 women and and the performance of the SHGs and their 41 men from 14 SHGs borrowed an amount income generating activities is being of Rs 16,25,000 with Rs 8,80,000 as subsidy. monitored. As part of the on-farm technical This amount was utilised to rear milch animals, interventions this year focus was placed on lease land for agriculture, to make coir, and large-scale participatory farm trials of a paddy have small business. seed farm. Sowing paddy directly using Magarasi drum seeder was demonstrated and Manikollai Lift Irrigation awareness on biological managements of rats as a part of good agricultural practices was The farmers from Manikollai Lift Irrigation also carried out. Totally, Rs 19.25 lakhs was Federation developed a community paddy accessed by the different group members, with seed production farm for optimum utilisation Rs 10.90 lakhs as a subsidy from DRDA and of available water and to address the cost of Rs 8.35 lakhs as bank credit. In all, 257 women cultivation. Here they produce founder seed and 41 men are involved in various economic from certified paddy seeds. In about 4 ha of activities. The focus in the coming year will be seed farm area, 6 farmers raised 4,500 kg of on strengthening the Federations to help them BPT founder seed this year. This seed farm carry on their activities. In all, 292 men and can service about 120 ha. The value of paddy 229 women were trained in 521 man days this seeds produced was Rs 2,20,860 from paddy year. worth Rs 1,17,000. The Federation Members of the Manikollai village will use the paddy Thenkoodu Federation seeds themselves. The cost of lifting water The Thenkoodu Federation currently has 44 from Paravanaru was found to be about 20 to SHGs in 17 villages, including 37 women SHGs 25 % of the total cost of cultivation due to the and 7 men SHGs, grouped into 5 clusters. lift irrigation work they had done earlier. The Among the groups in the B. Manavelli cluster, federation has also got power supply from the the individual average external borrowing was electricity department. Through the intervention Rs 12,921 head (5 fold of their savings), the of MSSRF the Govt. of TN has sanctioned average internal borrowing was 4 times their Rs 1.25 crores for the construction of a check savings. Nine women members of dam to prevent saline water entry into the Vekkalliamman SHG raised fodder crops in paddy irrigation area during off-season. Here B. Manaveli village and the green fodder yield 20 men farmers and 10 women farmers were

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ trained for 14 weeks with the support of the develop a co-management model over the State Agriculture Department under the years, through social mobilisation, participatory Farmers’ Field School programme. The training planning and adequate capacity building of the included the direct sowing method, paddy seed communities dependent on fisheries as a farm, transplantation and System of Rice livelihood source in the region, which will serve Intensification. as a pilot initiative of its kind. The programme aims at improving the performance of fishers Direct Sowing Method specifically focusing on women for poverty This year the Magarasi drum seeder was alleviation and distributional equity under the adopted in 39 ha by 19 farmers from 14 coastal agro-eco system. The construction villages. The yield was to the tune of 5,750 kg/ work is progressing well – the training centre ha/crop. The advantages of the Magarasi drum will also house the VKC which is ready for seeder include less water utilisation, reduced occupation, the dormitory will be ready soon input of paddy seed and high yield with and the pre-processing centre will be ready by minimum labour cost. year end. It is proposed to inaugurate this facility by the end of this year. Replication of the IFS The major work accomplished this year was Participatory demonstration of IFS has resulted collection of preliminary information about the in its replication in three blocks viz. Porto Novo, area and the lives of the coastal community, Mel Bhuvanagiri and Keerapalayam by 300 the baseline survey detailing aspects of the farmers. These replications have been mapped socio economic conditions of the fishing at the Chidambaram taluk level. The grouping communities, and the focus group discussions of farmers in clusters is in progress to enable on the various livelihood issues. their access to quality fish seed, optimisation of input cost by ecosystem integration, linkage Baseline Data with potential markets and addressing their The epicentre of the project, Kaveripoom- needs in the form of a strengthened grassroot patinam Panchayat is located at Sirkali taluk institution. This will help to promote a strong of Nagapattinam district. There are 5 hamlets cluster of IFS farmers who will then be able to in this panchayat, viz. Poompuhar fishermen start working on a collective approach for colony, Mandakarai, 92-Keezhaiyur, mobilising input services and post harvest Neithavasal, and Puthukuppam. Puthukuppam needs. is a small traditional fishing hamlet. Poompuhar 401.2 Poompuhar fishermen colony is a major fishing hamlet in this panchayat and others are agriculture- The establishment of a Fish for All Centre was based hamlets. It is important to understand initiated early last year with the identification the pivotal role played by the traditional of the land. The concept of Fish for All is to fishermen Panchayat (this Panchayat is

ECOTECHNOLOGY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ different from the one elected under local body management practice and field demonstration elections) that functions only within the fishing farms for crab and sea bass farming. Fifteen community and is managed by the elders of farmers have been identified and the activities the community. Poompuhar has its own unit of will begin shortly. council that functions as a decision making body on the issues concerning the fishing Good Aquaculture Practice community. Under this traditional governance To demonstrate good aquaculture practice in system, any dispute relating to internal family shrimp farming in Vanagiri area through matters or the community is taken up by the participatory mode, 10 marginal farmers with panchayat. and their decision is final. water-spread area of 16 ha, were formed into a cluster. Seed selection, stocking, feeding and The fish catch in Poompuhar comprises 80 % fin fishes and 15 % crustaceans such as feed management and water quality shrimps, crabs and lobsters; rays, skates, management were covered. The local cuttlefish and squids contribute the other 5 %. technicians and farm labourers are playing a The fish catch has been stagnant since 1997 key role in following this practice. The and in 2005 it decreased due to the tsunami. essentials of record keeping have also been The main catch is of sardines and mackerels, included. which form nearly 50 %. Integrated biological management of water Poompuhar has only two categories of craft: hyacinth by grass carp and weevil FRP boats (motorized boats) and high power The ongoing experiments were conducted in mechanized vessels (above 15 HP). The a confined environment and the farmers taking catamarans, which were prevailing in the pre- part in participatory demonstration in biological tsunami period, have become extinct in the control of water hyacinth by grass carp and post-tsunami period due to the rehabilitation weevil concluded that efforts of NGOs. There are nearly 75 FRP boat and 54 mechanised vessel operators. The big sized grass carp (> 1 kg) perform fishers sell their catch directly to the retailers efficiently in the pond (fisherwomen) through auction and to the a combination of big size grass carp (> 1 wholesalers through their local agents. kg) and weevil gives higher efficiency when Focused group discussion with the coastal compared to a single agent (weevil or fish) aquaculture and fresh water aquaculture integration of the fish and weevil is efficient farmers revealed that they are in need of a improved water qualities were noticed in the water testing laboratory; awareness low water hyacinth populated ponds programmes on alternative aquatic species cultivation; training programmes on good impact on environment is less when

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compared to other types of control proposition, marketing is still a grey area. measures. Pickles are being sold in the local markets in sachets. This is being revisited. The other In the coming year this practice will be activity introduced was candle making – which promoted in majority ponds in the area. is picking up slowly. Livelihood Promotion Agronomic Rehabilitation Crab Fattening: This was one of the livelihood Post tsunami, consistent efforts were made options introduced post tsunami at and the detailed soil quality analysis and close Madavamedu, one of the coastal villages affected by tsunami. The group has been monitoring of the affected soils show that soil sustaining its activities and modifications have quality has improved. In addition to agronomic been brought about in the design of the cage rehabilitation of soils affected by the ingressed to bring down the cost; the number of crabs saline water, steps were taken to promote which can be held in one cage has also been disaster resilient farming communities through brought down from 10 to 6, to increase the social mobilisation and encouraging farmers survival and free growth of the crabs. There from these areas to promote IFS through has been a request from other group members participatory mode in one wetland and three to help them start this activity. Therefore a dry land areas. MSSRF has been working survey was conducted to identify the areas to directly with four farmers’ associations, four extend this activity. There is a shortage of water women farmers’ groups and two women farm crabs, so this needs to be addressed. This labourers’ groups in the four agricultural pilot initiative has helped to bring out many key hamlets located in Nagapattinam district for the lessons on the challenges that one will face if last 12 months. this activity is scaled up. Crop Performance Crab Farming: With the support of the Rajiv MSSRF continued to collaborate with the three Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture, 10 WSHG farmers’ associations of the three project members from Poompuhar fishermen colony villages where the agricultural land was were trained in crab farming. Land has been affected by tsunami waves. An extent of 13 ha purchased for the construction of a crab farm. of land was taken up for farmers’ participatory The design and construction are in progress demonstration at Neithavasal, Anaikovil and and will be part of the first on-farm Vellapallam villages from April 2007 and input demonstration model being developed near the support was given to these farmers. The Poompuhar office. The activity will be initiated practice of summer ploughing, land in the near future. smoothening wherever needed, green/ Pickle making and candle making: While fish greenleaf manuring, provision of adequate pickle making could be a good value addition drainage, application of FYM or vermicompost,

ECOTECHNOLOGY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ use of growth promoters and paddy varieties direct seed sowing methods. In the coastal such as, Co43, ADT38 and traditional regions, around 25 traditional varieties suited landraces like Kuzhivedichan were continued to the local agro-climatic conditions had been as reclamation activities as in the previous recorded, but most of them have disappeared years. The total area covered was nearly from the region. Keeping this in mind, a 13 ha with 43 farmers from three villages and community-based seed bank was established the yield ranged from 5,250-6,250 kg/ha for in Vellapallam village. The traditional method the former and 2,560 kg/ha for the latter. of the thombai and kottai method of seed storage practices are followed in Vellapallam. The other contingency crops such as pulses, The traditional knowledge of cultivation and groundnut and vegetables have become post harvest practices of the local paddy regular crops. The ADT2 pulse variety yield was varieties were documented and efforts were around 700-875 kg/ha and groundnut pod yield taken to involve the Mullai farmer association 2,125-2,750 kg/ha in Vellapallam village. The in the management of the community seed vegetables (brinjal, cluster bean and tomato) bank. Since the region is prone to different average yield was 11,250-15,000 kg /ha. types of natural disasters, steps were Farmers feel that the crops are well suited to intensified to promote utilisation of the the soil and climatic conditions and that large community-based seed bank. Nearly 750 kg scale cultivation can be taken up if markets of paddy seeds were transacted during the are available. year, including two local varieties. During the last harvesting season, 5 additional local Local Seed System and Promotion of varieties were purchased and stored in the Community Seed Bank traditional containers. This year the seed bank Most of the paddy crops in Vellapallam village catered to the needs of the local farmers and were affected by the tsunami, except some it is planned to expand the facility to farmers in landraces like kuzhivedichan and kallurundai. other villages of the area in the coming year. The landraces are seen to be tolerant to salt as they withstood seawater at the time of the Integrated Farming System tsunami. These land races were collected from The farmers of Neithavasal, Anaikovil, nearby villages and distributed to farmers in Vettaikaranirruppu and Vellapallam decided to the coastal areas in Vellapallam and multiplied develop one participatory IFS model in each on a large scale. The farmers believe that village. The 4 farmers’ groups decided to kuzhivedichan is suitable for saline and flooded include components like aquaculture, dairy, conditions compared to other varieties grown poultry, goat rearing, cropping (paddy followed in that area. This village has very poor post by pulse), horticulture crop, banana, forage harvest technology and there are no proper crop, vermin composting, Azolla pit and agro seed storage facilities. The farmers follow forestry.

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Dairy-based Integrated Farming System (IFS): discussions were held with women and men Four cross bred Jersey milch animals were farmers’ groups in each of the villages to added in the four villages. The stud bull in stall assess training needs. The programmes fed condition was fed with concentrated feed organised were on selection of good animals, by mixing rice bran, groundnut oilcake and animal nutrition, livestock disease black gram husk in right proportions to meet management, low cost decentralised the energy requirements. The cost of the production of animal feed using local crop concentrated feed was Rs 18/kg and 2 kg of products, forage cultivation, Azolla production, the mixture in addition to liberal quantities of bio pesticide and integrated rat control. The rice straw and green fodder were provided. duration of the different training programmes was around 12 training days. The members of Goat-based integrated farming system: Under the farmers’ associations are slowly emerging this system, boyar crossbred goats were as a cadre of local resource persons. It was introduced with improved cropping under dry observed that farmers here were also adopting land and wetland conditions. The goats were the IFS model practised by about 300 farmers medium sized with an average weight of 30- at Chidambaram. 35 kg and capable of yielding 0.5 litre milk per day. The goats yielded more meat and 401.3 Kendrapara exhibited grazing habits similar to sheep. The During the period under report the Centre has goats were fed with leaves from perennial concentrated on conducting training and fodder trees and dry fodder: green fodder stakeholders’ workshops at the district and 3 kg, dry fodder 3 kg and 100 gm oilcakes were state levels to disseminate key learnings. given to each goat. The manure collected was Reviews of the various activities carried out applied to the fields at the rate of 3 tons of this year have indicated that delivery organic manure valued at Rs 750 which is an mechanisms of the potential eco- additional income through recycling of organic entrepreneurial activities would need strong waste. and independent grassroot institutions, which would be able to provide the supporting The 4 farmers’ groups held monthly meetings linkages for up-scaling and replication. With and feedback was collected from them, this aim, a survey was conducted for regarding need-based technology transfer. replication of some potential interventions in Training and capacity building the district. The following activities have been observed in the farmers’ fields after initiation Need-based capacity building and cross of the Centre at Kendrapara. learning programmes were organised to SHG Organisation and micro-credit system enhance the capacity of the farmers and to develop a network among the four farmers’ The SHG members have formed three clusters groups across the villages. Separate group named Nari Shakti Mahila Sangha (12 SHGs),

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Jeevan Jyoti Sangha (24 SHGs) and Jhansi District Collector; more than 130 participants Rani Cluster (5 SHGs) in different demo fields. participated and the experiences of MSSRF All the members under the umbrella of MSSRF were shared with other institutions to replicate are actively participating in the group activities the model. such as participatory research, community banking management, kitchen gardening, Livelihoods poultry rearing, mushroom cultivation, apiary At Kuhudi Panchayat Nari Shakti Mahila management, flower cultivation and small Sangha members of the cluster have business. The total financial transaction for the organised a milk society. MSSRF has given year was Rs 13,05,235. Loan recovery was an interest-free loan of Rs 5,28,000 to develop Rs 7,62,000 and bank loan Rs 1,90,000. The 44 individual dairy units and supply milk to the clusters would be further strengthened the Orissa Milk Federation (OMFED). The society coming year to undertake activities on their has 80 members and the collection of milk is own. more than 200 lt twice a day. The total income from the dairy unit was Rs 6,76,150. The SHGs were able to generate income from micro-enterprises in both on-farm and non- Aqua Based Integrated Intensive Farming farm sectors, supported by micro-credit, and System create employment opportunities. The money thus covered by the SHGs was used for The concept of integrated intensive farming agriculture, dairy and poultry enterprise, system can be summed up as a high mushroom cultivation, health care activities, production system that makes judicious use petty grocery business and education of of water to get maximum production from the children. land. The pond is used for aquaculture activities during the monsoon season and in Capacity building the post monsoon season, the harvested water To build capacity and enhance the ability of the would be used for providing life saving irrigation rural community for eco-entrepreneurship and to the vegetables cultivated on the bunds and sustainable development 763 trainee days in areas adjacent to the pond. The SHG were organised on interactive learning members were able to harvest and sell the programmes with in-house training fresh vegetables from the IFS model farm. strengthened with field demonstration and From 2005 kharif, every year the SHG exposure visit. MSSRF organised five members have harvested water from the pond workshops on IFS at the district level and one for raising a 2 ha paddy nursery in early July workshop in partnership with OUAT in October and planted the crop at the appropriate time in 2007, in which more than 120 participants from more than 25 ha and had a bumper yield of various departments and organisations rice every season, which was never seen participated. The district level stakeholder before they started their activity. They have had meeting, held in April 2008, was chaired by the a net profit of Rs 64,000 from the aquaculture

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ activities and an additional income of MSFH-1 sunflower seeds were distributed to Rs 90,000 yr from grain due to the availability them in 6 adopted villages, in an area of 2.80 of water to raise seedlings. About 300 agro- ha, which recorded a yield of 16.12 qtl. per ha forestry saplings on the periphery of the model and the oil content was 31.55 %. Survey results will fetch more than one lakh after 5 – 7 years. showed that besides rhe sunflower MSSRF has successfully demonstrated this demonstration plots, 136 farmers from these aquabased IIFS model at Manitiri, Kendrapara, villages cultivated the crop, covering 33.50 ha, which will be replicated in the whole district with and received an average yield of 15.30 qtl per the help of the Government, financial ha. After seeing the encouraging results, and institutions, universities and non governmental considering this is the only possible oil seed stakeholders. crop for this saline tract, many farmers have cultivated it this year, where water is available. A model IFS will be established as a farm Most of the sunflower fields are yet to be school at Manitiri village to disseminate the harvested. A survey of the area under this crop successful results to farmers, women SHG showed that 173 farmers have cultivated members and other visitors. The women SHG sunflower as sole or inter crop, early or late members will maintain the farm school as they after potato, in the MSSRF-adopted and nearby are well trained and they are now resource villages. In other blocks like Garadpur, Derabis persons for the farm school. and Kendrapara, a vast area was covered under sunflower cultivation in 2007 – 2008. Paddy seed production

Paddy seed production was initiated in the Backyard kitchen garden 2006 kharif season; 75 kg of breeder seeds of Kitchen gardening is basically practised as an different varieties such as pratikhya and uphar individual activity in Kendrapara district, where and scented varieties such as basuabhoga, vegetables are cultivated in the backyard. The ketaki joha, dhusara, geethanjali and kalajeera activity was streamlined with technical brought from OUAT and CRRI, were distributed guidance and use of improved high yield in adopted villages for demonstration and varieties. Currently 412 HHs are maintaining multiplied by 28 farmers. In the 2007 kharif the activity and each household has about 4.3 season the foundation seeds produced by the cents and their annual production is estimated farmers could be distributed to 72 farmers, at about 300 kg. The activity could be covering an area of 8.0 ha. This will be popularised at the household level with multiplied in geometrical progression in the institutional support ensuring the availability of coming season. quality seeds for scaling up production.

Sunflower cultivation Backyard poultry During 2006-07, 17 farmers participated in In the Kendrapara site, poultry rearing is one sunflower cultivation and 15 kg of the hybrid of the income-generating activities and is one

ECOTECHNOLOGY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ of the economically viable options. Birds like essay competitions among the students. The Black Rock, Banaraja and Giriraja are reared centre also provides information on pests, and because of their quick growth and easy weather forecasts and information from line marketability. The chicks are available only departments, which are displayed on the notice at the Central Poultry Research Institute at board. Cluster members have installed a small Bhubaneshwar. From April 2007 to March library for computer learners and a telephone. 2008, 6,000 chicks were distributed among 401.4 Puducherry the 112 women SHG members in 8 adopted villages. MSSRF imparted training and The MSSRF biovillage programme was demonstration, which created an awareness initiated in 1991 in three villages, with the on poultry management and marketing. The support of The United Nations Development net income from this activity was Rs 4,10,400. Programme (UNDP) and in collaboration with the administration of the Union Territory of Mushroom production Puducherry and has now reached 56 villages. Ecological conditions in Kendrapara are This movement has been accelerated by two institutional structures viz., Innuyir Grama suitable for mushroom production as plenty of Sangam called the Biovillage Council (BVC) paddy straw is available in the coastal region. and Biocentre. Therefore, several training, demonstration and exposure visits were held for the women SHG A new project on Community Managed Bio members. Paddy straw mushroom and oyster industrial Watershed for Sustainable Natural mushroom were produced in the project site. Resource and Enhanced Livelihood During the year, 133 women participated in the Programme was initiated in July 2007 in project and got a net income of Rs 11,140. Karasanur village, covering 470 ha.

Village Knowledge Centre Strengthening Biovillage Council and Community Banking A VKC is functioning at Nembara village of Kuhudi GP since 2005. It is handled by Nari In active collaboration with all the stakeholders, Shakti Mahila Sangha, a WSHG. College and the Biocentre has been promoting, monitoring school going students are availing of the facility and strengthening SHGs and has so far on payment basis and trained SHG members facilitated 346 SHGs with a total membership have taken up coaching. Forty nine students of about 4,200 women. At present no new were selected in 4 batches for computer SHGs are being formed but efforts are on to training and Rs 1,225 was collected from them. strengthen the existing SHGs. Almost 95 % of For meeting the stationary expenses and the SHGs availed credit facility. The financial purchase of educational materials, normal transaction of the SHGs has reached nearly charges are collected from the users. The Rs 5.2 crores in the current financial year, centre also organises debates, drawing and which includes their savings and interest, loans

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ from banks, subsidy/grants and enterprise training was conducted for the 346 SHG turnover. leaders/ representatives. Three one-day training programmes on cattle feed A loan of Rs 2.33 crore has been credit linked management and fodder production were for 1,550 members, which helped them in conducted, along with PONLAIT, Govt. of uplifting their IGAs and livelihoods. In addition, Puducherry in Mangalam, Senthanatham, 140 SHG members availed of Rs 8,40,000/- Ulavaikkal, Uruvair, and Keezsathamangalam as subsidy from PONLAIT under the dairy villages. Training was organised for BVC development programme. For easy operations, members to document their community continual support and regular monitoring of development work for the NVA Fellow award. these 346 SHGs, the working regions have been divided into 6 clusters. Through cluster A five-day IGP training was conducted for the level meetings village level animators were DRDA SHGs at the request of DRDA. Also, identified, to look after the 346 SHGs in 56 with financial support from NABARD, five one- villages. The SHG grassroots institution, called day awareness training programmes (ODAP) the Biovillage Council, has been re-registered or IGP were organised for 206 SHG members. in the name of Innuyir Grama Sangam under Five, three-day Micro Enterprise Development the Trust act to facilitate all the federation’s (MEDP) training programmes for 152 selected activities. Innuyir Grama Sangam Community SHG members were conducted. Training was Bank was established on 12 January, 2007, imparted on mushroom cultivation, with the contribution of an annual membership vemicompost, kitchen garden, book keeping of Rs 500 from each SHG. About 220 SHGs and accounts, fodder cultivation and dairy were brought under the Community Bank fold. management. Orientation on the Biovillage Until now Rs 4,60,000 has been given as loan model was given to grassroots NGO officials, to 46 beneficiaries and regular repayment is bank managers and national and international being done. university students. Five IEC material brochures / handouts were prepared for the SHG Capacity Building and Mentoring training programmes. Centre Establishment of Sanitary Napkin Unit The training needs of the SHG members were identified through cluster level meetings and BVC members have been regularly partici- training for a total of 4,255 trainee days was pating in the mother and child health conducted on various topics. Sixty eight programmes in the villages, where they found percent of the SHGs were interested in taking that many village women in the age of 25 to 40 up IGAs, 27 % were interested in accounts and face gynecological problems, particularly bookkeeping, and the rest were interested in related with personal health and hygiene. The social aspects. As part of the streamlining of BVC conducted a survey among the rural existing SHGs, village level group leaders’ women in the biovillages, and realised that

ECOTECHNOLOGY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ there is a demand for low cost sanitary napkins. medical colleges, Shankara Nethralaya, The BVC decided to start a low cost sanitary veterinary college, Fish Farmers’ Development napkin unit to make available hygienic as well Agency and NGOs. as low cost napkins in the villages. An exposure Funds Leveraged visit was arranged to a unit managed by a person in Coimbature who has developed low For the past one year a sum of Rs 2.05 lakhs cost machinery to produce these napkins and has been mobilised from different sources was adjuged for the innovation award. They (NABARD, Agriculture, Horticulture were also trained to establish and manage the department and DRDA). In addition the SHGs unit, and developed a business plan. It was have been credit linked and availed of loan and subsidies of Rs 2.41 crores from banks and supported with a 30 % grant. The Innuyir Ponlait (2.33 crore+ PONLAIT subsidy Grama Sangam under its Thozhir Pirivu Rs 8,40,000). established for the first time in Puducherry as federation activity a low cost sanitary napkin Bioindustrial Watershed unit. The product is being marketed under the The Biocentre coordinates the implementation brand name of ‘Softex’. of the BIWS programme at Karasanur village. Dairy Activity Karasanur is located 20 km away from the Biocentre office. It falls in the Nallavur In Puducherry, there is a huge demand for milk watershed No.4CID4 and extends upto (daily demand of 1,00,000 litres vs supply of Kaluveli in Villipuram district. It includes 55,000 litres). There is an assured market for wetlands cover (35 ha) and dry land around milk through village cooperative societies; (360 ha). Major crops in the wetland are paddy, training is available for clean milk production finger millets and vegetables such as lady’s in this region. As dairying has potential as a finger, onion, chilly and brinjal. In dry lands good option for an enterprise, the SHGs were casuarina is the major crop. interested in it. Training and financial linkages were given to this activity; 140 SHG members Initial Interventions have purchased milch animals, by availing of As an entry point, eye camps and cattle health Rs 6,000 as subsidy. A total subsidy of camps were organised. To strengthen the Rs 8,40,000 was got from PONLAIT. BIWS programme, PRA, benchmark survey, soil /water testing in both wet and dry lands, Networking cattle survey and soil health survey were Partnerships were built with small and marginal conducted. As a trial, 4 ha of wetlands were farmers, Agriculture and Horticulture brought under SRI and vegetables. Adaptive Departments, FD, TNAU, KVK, PONLAIT, Research Trial was initiated with the support PASIC, nationalised banks, NABARD, DRDA, of the agriculture department, for pulses and research institutions, educational institutions, kitchen garden.

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Grassroots Institution building focus is on strengthening the capacity of the Intensive Farmers’ Field School (FFS) was SHGs and facilitating credit linkages and rural started to support IPM and INM activities. Crop- entrepreneurship. The annual turnover of the based Farmers Interested Groups (FIG) were federation is Rs 2.8 crores with repayment of established for SC and BC farmers. All the around 85 %. The utilisation pattern of the micro-credit component of Kulumai community existing SHGs and other institutions were bank shows that promotion of livelihood brought under one umbrella, and the BIWS activities is gaining importance (has increased committee. 1,109 mandays of training was slightly from 74 to 78 %) followed by education conducted as part of the capacity building in and health needs. The auditors have on-farm techniques and social capital building. completed the external audit for the groups and To strengthen the BIWS programme in the statements were shared with them. The project area networking was established with audited statements are being used as one of various government and other agencies for the indicators to assess the status of the group credit and technological support. for credit linkage and enterprise development. Through its partner-agent model risk cover Sub Programme Area 402 scheme, it supported 3 members during the year. Semi Arid Region To strengthen the organisational structures and 402.1 Kannivadi systems, the present management processes and working methods of the animators were Efforts continued on facilitating the role change assessed with the support of external experts process for the two grassroot institutions and the following points were discussed for viz Kulumai: SHG federation and further action: promotion of mixed community Reddiyarchatram Seed Grower’s Association: members while forming groups, inter-seed farmers’ association. The main activities have agreement model for the community banking been focused on strengthening institutional / transactions, organising periodical recovery organisational capacity to handle the camps with the support of banks and groups, operations and on income generating necessary formats for the plan and progress, strategies. Networking and linkages with line and performance linked pay for the animators. departments, banks, NGOs working in the The revamping process is helping the region and universities have been promoted. federation to strengthen its administrative and Attempts were made to implement the joint management systems. As part of its social action plan evolved to strengthen the self agenda, it coordinated two eye camps with the sustainability of grassroot institutions. support of a private hospital based at Trichy and one animal health camp with the Kulumai-SHG Federation: The current participation of the Department of Animal strength of the federation is 156 SHGs. The Husbandry.

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With reference to strengthening infrastructural plan, linkages were established with the State facilities, the building plan was evolved jointly Department of Agriculture and some with the Federation and the engineer was companies. As an outcome, the association identified. Based on an agreement, a achieved 40 ha of cocoa cultivation as an construction management committee was intercrop in coconut fields with the support of formed and the construction process was the Horticulture Department and Cadbury Ltd started. The construction cost of the building (Rs 4 lakh), 10 ha under Bt cotton with the is being borne by the Friends of MSSRF and support of KVK, Gandhigram (Rs 1 lakh), 5 the project is to be completed by October 2008. vermicomposting large size pits (Rs 2 lakh), The land was purchased by the Kulumai seven percolation ponds, etc. The National Horticulture Mission is working in collaboration Fedaration. with the association in identifying the right Kulumai has identified and is practising the partners for the programme. Five farmers who strategy of running an enterprise as an income have been continuously practising the SRI earning opportunity to sustain the federation. method of paddy cultivation received the Best An integrated dairy was the first initiative with Farmer award from the Department of 65 members and the daily transaction is around Agriculture. The institution, in collaboration with 700 litres. Low cost cattle feed production is International Development Enterprise, is being tried as a second initiative. NABARD has promoting drip irrigation and 10 farmers are in supported the federation with technical and the process of installing the system. The hands-on training and an exposure visit to feed membership of the association has increased production unit. Preliminary assessment of the from 105 to 160 and there are many active participants. Two more groups have been cattle feed requirement, consent of the SHG linked to NABARD and 4 groups are in the members in supporting Kulumai in this new process of joining. The institution is recognised initiative, as well as other preferences, were as a centre for training by KVK and the district obtained from each of the members through a administration. The association manages the questionnaire handled by the animators. On hub of the Community Learning Centre (CLC), this basis, Kulumai has developed a business which provides need-based information on plan for the unit and submitted it to the MEM market prices, input prices and availability from initiative of community banking, Chennai. In the different markets and medium range weather current year it is planned to strengthen and forecast through a decentralised weather expand the management system to reach station. The local newspaper Seithisolai has nearly 300 groups with a focus on socially and been providing seasonal information, farmers’ economically disadvantaged sections of the experiences and schemes available for community. regional farmers.

Reddiyarchatram Seed Growers Revamping the institution’s governing system Association: According to the role change was carried out; as part of this process, election

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ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ was carried out and new EC members were Based on the progress, the support of Friends elected. Activities were focused through village of MSSRF were sought to upscale the process level thematic groups and they have started to reach 1,000 learners from socially and savings and credit activities. Measures have economically weaker sections. In continuation been taken to strengthen the service of the of this effort, a detailed database of the villages association to the members with the technical with community details was prepared and support of BASIX, Hyderabad. It was criteria evolved to select the ten potential recommended by the Trust external reviewer villages for expansion. that the association must change the strategy from ‘service’ to ‘business’ in order to move Ecoenterprises for Livelihood Security forward and become financially self reliant. The production methodologies of biological The identified sectors are credit services, input products viz Trichoderma viride, Pseudomonas and market support and risk management fluorescens, Trichogramma chilonis, services. A database of the members was Paecilomyces, Azosprillum, phosphobacteria produced. and Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (AM) were Community Informatics: CLC’s have been demystified, both at the production and unit functioning with a focus on facilitating functional establishment levels. In the role change literacy, and providing need-based locale- process, the members are able to manage on specific information on market trends, their own except for market deals. Efforts are government entitlement schemes, educational under way to involve them in the process. Also, opportunities, agriculture, pest management to strengthen the local and regional marketing, and weather forecast. Five centres have been the groups have engaged a marketing person promoting functional literacy, and three centres and have also shared the responsibility to reach are in the process of reaching 100 % of the other farmers and relatives in their own village. HHs, in which more than 60 % are women. The production process has been stabilised in all the units except for Trichogramma Nearly 12,360 members visited the centre during the year, of whom nearly 60 % were production. Though the technical component men and 40 % were women, which is a slight is being addressed with the support of other improvement over the last year. On an average private units and experts, getting a suitable 62 % of the total visitors approached the place for production is difficult. As market centres to seek information; women requested requirements and technology change, the information related to education, health and groups need to change their production government PDS, while men requested details process and products. Right now there is a on prices related to agricultural products, good scope and demand for liquid-based schemes, etc. During the year the centre formulations rather than talc-based products, facilitated 16,000 trainee days covering 85 % hence it is essential to develop simple women and 15 % men participants. production processes for the new technology.

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Attempts have been made to identify the right members have enhanced their capacity and partners to provide the technology and the efficiency in paper production and reached the process of simplification is being initiated. amount of 500 papers per day from 150 papers in a day earlier. A full time resource person is The production details of the units are: 3,100 supporting the group members in terms of kg of T.viride and 500 kgs of Paeciliomyces production and marketing. The unit is (Bionematicide) by the Elayathendral group, generating around 250 labour days in a month 3,500 kg of Pseudomonas fluorescens by and has established consistent market links Durga group, 6,000 kg of biofertilisers (3,000 with five reliable firms. Efforts are being made kg each of azosprillum and phosphobacteria) to enhance the production capacity further by and 2,500 kg of VAM. To strengthen the market adding additional infrastructure and manpower. links, agreement has been established with Thiagarajar School of Management, Madurai, Sesame Seed Village to establish viable and sustainable market links The management of the Sesame Seed Village with a pilot survey for branding the products project that was initiated in 2004 as an and package, collection of database of the explorative Public-Private Partnership with planters’ association in the hill as well as valley Idhayam Group, Virudhunagar, was handed regions, an intensive market survey and sales over on completion of the three year period to campaign, training the group members on Idhayam for further development and multiple marketing and developing a market implementation. The learning from the project report. As part of the agreement Gramotsav, a has been documented and brought out as a two-day rural awareness event with a focus on report. cardamom growers was conducted on the western hilly tract of the neighbouring district. MSSRF continued with the implementation of It helped the women group members to the Front Line Demonstration (FLD) on sesame establish and initiate contact with big land as part of the All India Coordinated Project on holders growing commercial crops. Sesame and Niger (ICAR) in Erode and Salem district. Thirty farmers participated in this The units have trained a farmers’ group from programme (18 from Erode covering four Aga Khan Foundation, Gujarat and a team villages and 12 from Salem covering 4 from BASIX, Hyderabad on the production villages). 12 ha were covered under FLD from processes. August 2007 to December 2007 and the yield With reference to the handmade paper performance in all cases was better under FLD production unit, an agreement has been signed when compared with the Farmers’ Practice with Kalangium Thozilagam Limited, Madurai, (FP). Under FP the yield ranged from 400 kg/ for technical and marketing support. The ha to 1,100 kg/ha while under FLD it ranged machinery in the unit is completely serviced from 1,100 kg/ha to 1,600 kg/ha. Net returns and the unit is running to its full potential. The ranged from Rs 3,055 /ha to Rs 25,910 /ha

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Watershed Plan Soil and Water Sample Collection

The watershed plan has been drawn up, In all 256 soil samples and 19 water samples including the construction work, and is to be were collected from the villages by the team taken up survey number-wise. from Chennai, with volunteers from the villages assisting them. The points at which the Road map I - Watershed plan for Meya- samples were taken were marked using GPS. goundanpatti watershed showing proposed sites for rainwater harvesting, supply channels, Census Survey check dams, etc. The census survey including demography, Road map II – Watershed Plan for Ennai and literacy, dwelling status and land and livestock holding covered 135 HHs in Thalinji watershed area, with estimates of the Meiyagoundanpatti. physical work to be undertaken. The report shows detailed descriptions of the work to be Benchmark Survey, Preparation of Master implemented in each survey number of the Tables and Tabulation selected project area. Benchmark survey was completed with the Participatory Community Nursery help of well-qualified investigators. The survey covered 35 HHs by selecting every fourth A community multi-purpose nursery with the household and a master table was prepared. following number of seedlings Pongamia: The data has been computerised for further 3,446; annual Moringa: 1,864; Sesbania: 1,189 analysis. and Papaya: 1,752 was established and the seedlings were distributed to 96 families. Development of Integrated Farm Pond With MSSRF intervention, three farm ponds Revival of Backyard Gardens have been converted into an integrated farm To enhance the nutritional security of the rural pond. A meter to measure the water level in HHs, farmers were encouraged to revive the the pond has been installed. The bunds of the traditional practice of maintaining a nutrition pond are being utilised for the cultivation of garden in the backyard. Seeds of various fodder crops and fruit bearing tress. In addition, vegetable crops like lady’s finger, Hibiscus buffalo grass and hybrid maize have been cannabinus, snake gourd, bitter gourd, ridged planted on the inner sides. After creation of gourd, field lablab, etc., were distributed to 114 awareness and motivation, 39 farmers came HHs at Meyagoundanpatti village through the forward to implement the scheme. 26 ha of Federation. In all, 74 gardens have been land was brought under tree cultivation and the established and are being maintained by the following tree species were planted: Teak women. The families are realising an average (Tectona grandis): 1,980; Eucalyptus spp.: yield of 5.5 kg vegetables per month for their 36,260; Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus): domestic needs. 320; Neem (Azadirachta indica): 980;

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Pongamia pinnata: 180; Gmelina arborea: Napier Hybrid (CO 3) by 20 farmers; Sunflower 1,260; Ailanthes excelsa: 2,040; Dalbergia (CO 4) – 0.15 ha; Horticulture (Amla – NA 7, 140; taking it to a total: 43,160. More than 5 ha Krishna, Kanchan, Chakya and Mango – of rainfed fallow land belonging to SC families Alphonso and Banganapalli) – 25.2 ha by 30 was brought under tree cultivation and more farmers; Teak (Tectona grandis), Eucalyptus than 26 ha of fallow land was brought under spp., Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus), cultivation. Neem (Azadirachta indica), Pongamia pinnata, Gmelina arborea, Ailanthes excelsa, Dalbergia National Horticulture Mission – 26.3 ha by 39 farmers; MDU –5 Paddy (Drum With the help of the Horticulture Department, seeder) – 4 ha by 7 farmers; direct sowing MSSRF has facilitated the implementation of Paddy in 15.9 ha by 29 farmers and Azolla NHM in Meyagoundanpatti village. Thirty was introduced in 12 pits. farmers were provided with (2,190) mango and (2,291) amla grafts under the scheme. Many Direct Sowing of Rice of the farmers are cultivating pulses like The conventional method of paddy cultivation greengram, blackgram and horsegram as by transplanting the seedlings is highly labour intercrops along with these trees. and input intensive. To overcome the problem Animal Health Camp of labour shortage during the season and also to reduce the input cost, direct seeding of rice Animal rearing is the main occupation in this by a drum seeder is an efficient method. hamlet. Following an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in this area, an animal health The paddy farmers of Ennai and Thalinji faced camp was conducted with the help of the severe water and labour shortage during the Veterinary Assistant Surgeon and the animals regular season and hence, direct sowing was were vaccinated. The veterinarian advised the suggested. MDU 5 variety was purchased by farmers and gave them training. the farmers from Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai. Twenty-nine Introduction of New Crops and Varieties farmers from Thalinji and Thattankudi hamlets One of the objectives of the community of Ennai have taken up rice cultivation by this managed bio-industrial watershed project is the method in 16 ha. introduction of new crops and varieties suited to the watershed area to maximise the income Redgram (arhar) seed village and meet the demands of food, fodder and fuel. In order to introduce high yielding cultivars of In this connection the following crops and new redgram in the project area, the centre has varieties have been introduced: Sweet initiated the redgram seed village project with Sorghum SSV 84 – 0.16 ha; Red gram technical input from ICRISAT. Under this ICRISAT Hybrids – 2 ha; Greengram Trombay project, new hybrids developed by ICRISAT 1- 11.5 ha and adopted by 70 farmers; Bajra- has been introduced in the area and the seed

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ECOTECHNOLOGY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ production of the parental lines is been carried Organic farming out in the village with the participation of the The major constraint faced in commercialising farmers. Preliminary work towards this, in the traditional farming production systems terms of mobilising farmers for a field demo through certification is the poor quality of the has been initiated. produce. During the year, IMO Control Pvt Ltd, Bangalore certified 110 HHs, covering 210 ha, Sub Programme Area 403 for coffee, black pepper, lemon, banana, orange and sour orange as ‘fully organic’. Hill Region Linkages have been established with potential buyers both at the national and international 403.1 Thonimalai levels, which is a crucial part of the process. Agreements have been made with corporate The geographically isolated villages of companies for continuous market links. Ten Thonimalai and Pulayar Colony in Lower Palani potential buyers have been identified for further Hills of the Western Ghats are inhabited by tie ups and the team has been getting queries Pulayars and Mannadiyars. Farming major for pepper and coffee. economically important species like coffee, lemon, pepper and banana in the hilly slopes The consistent efforts helped to market 2,000 under rainfed conditions is their primary kg of black pepper with a premium of around livelihood. It is supplemented by the income 40 %. This year, activities have been focused earned through agricultural labour during the on systems for collective action, improving the peak season. The VKC located both at harvest and post harvest processes and Thonimalai and Pulayar Colony impart need- grading. One more observation is the based information, maintain a database on prevalence of pre-harvest contracts among organic farming and facilitate functional literacy. farmers to meet immediate financial needs. It The centre provides a critical link between the restricts the farmer’s interest in getting the farmers and the Coffee Board and the benefits and an attempt has been made to Horticulture Department to access the scheme. promote fair practices. Appropriate remedial It also informs them of the market prices of measures need to be ensured through the coffee, lemon and pepper from the standard farmers’ association during the pre-harvest markets. The centre is in the process of phase itself. finalising the GIS based farmers’ database to facilitate organic farming practices and market Three model demonstration plots have been intervention. The GIS based maps are being established in the 3 hamlets in the region and used to plan the improved soil and water the focus areas are pest and disease conservation structures in consultation with the management, agronomic practices such as Department of Agricultural Engineering at the pruning, shade management and nutrient district level. management. During the year, around 1,050

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ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ trainee days were completed in the three Pulayars, a forest dwelling community. Floristic hamlets on these themes. survey was done before initiating the activity and 45 boxes were provided with the support Community based initiatives on shade of Keystone Foundation, Kothagiri. Hands-on management through planting adequate trees and exposure training programmes were and coffee berry borer management with traps are the successful initiatives carried out during organised. But the group could not fill all the the year. Planting of around 2,000 different tree 45 boxes as the domestication process takes species and placing 760 traps have been a long time. On an average, 30 boxes are being adopted as a community practice. In order to cultured and efforts have been made to change enhance soil fertility, vermicomposting was their place. A local animator is managing the introduced but results have shown that it has unit with close technical support from Keystone limited scope for replication. Effective Foundation and local bee growers in the hills. microorganisms enabled composting practices Goat farming was taken up as on additional which have has good scope for replication have income generating option and each household now been demonstrated. In addition, the use has planted about 20 different forage tree of biodynamic soil activator BD-500 is being species. promoted. One SHG is continuing to produce seedlings to supply to the farmers. During the 403.2 Koraput year, around 25,000 seedlings were produced. The BIWS programme at Koraput district was Thonimlai Thottakalai Farmers’ Association is the key operator in the certified organic farming initiated during May-June 2007 with a focus initiative and maintains the documents. The on developing activities aimed at skill building proposal for post harvest processing facilities in sustainable agriculture, demystification of has been accepted by the Coffee Board and is suitable remunerative technologies and awaiting the release of financial support under promotion of multiple livelihoods and also the the Eleventh Five Year Plan. As farmers are use of ICT for the development of the informal and do not have the necessary community. Emphasis has been given to value licenses for marketing, they face constraints addition, marketing and introduction of suitable while transacting with external buyers. medicinal crops to convert the project area into Considering the number of farmers in this a herbal valley. region and the cost and effort needed to maintain accounts and follow up on legal forms Tolla revenue village which is 24 km from and licenses, it is planned to link these groups Jeypore under Mahuli GP of Boipariguda block with RSGA. has been identified for the implementation of the project. The village is situated at latitude Apiculture – an ecoenterprise 180 - 26’- 43” N to 180 -28’-4” N and longitude Apiculture has been introduced as a value 820 -11’-E to 820 -12’ E, and has a dry sub- addition strategy to the traditional skills of humid climate. The project area has 186 HHs

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ECOTECHNOLOGY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ and a population of 674. Of these, 107 HHs collected to determine the health status and with a population of 361 are tribals and 47 HHs sent to the IPM Lab at Chennai (See SPA 404). with a population of 115 are general and the Twenty-five twin vermicompost units were rest are SC. completed with financial support from the Spices Board, Koraput for sustainable For the sustainability of the grassroot development of organic agriculture. institutions, human resources and financial aspects were taken into consideration. A A study on integrated nutrient management of transparent management system and lowland kharif paddy was carried out with a governance were focused on through training, focus on yield advantages. The experiment capacity building, exposure visits for cross was carried out through different doses of three learning and discussions for organisational different organic fertilisers with their sustainability, linkages and leadership building. combination, which were given to seven In addition to this, need-based technical farmers (5 local land races and 2 high yielding capacity building programme, were conducted varieties) in two hamlets selected for the trial. and the process is continuing. Emphasis has Organic fertilisers were supplied from the also been given to make women participate in project fund and FYM and labour for the trial the programme. The institutionalisation were provided by the farmers. Yield was process at the site is in the nature of revitalising calculated on the basis of plants taken from and regrouping of the existing SHGs into 9 one square metre area of three different places functional SHGs. in a single field. In order to extend seed support to the poor and replicate the programme in Baseline data has been collected to study the other WS hamlets, 5 kg of runner bean seeds existing socio-economic condition of the as early winter crop were given to 18 HHs of community. Several awareness/mobilisation the WS area programmes were conducted to streamline and drive forward the watershed activities. A Onion was cultivated in 1.2 ha to introduce a draft plan on a series of activities has been new variety; 10 kg of onion seed was supplied carried out by participatory rural appraisal. A to 25 farmers. The seeds were procured from watershed committee (now being named a private source; the beneficiaries have Village Development Council) has been contributed 5 % of the cost of the seeds. This formed, consisting of 21 members and 9 SHGs year, farmers have planted it as mixed crop in as a platform for decision making, proper the vegetable field. It is planned to increase implementation and smooth running of the acreage in the coming year. activities. Several activities were taken up at In rain-fed areas, alternative land use system the project site during the reporting period. (rice-potato system) in upland paddy is a key Twelve water samples were collected and sent for sustainable agriculture. In this system, the for testing. Around 200 soil samples were succeeding crop will get the advantage of the

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ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ residual remains of the succeeding crop as recycling of biomass. Mushroom is rich in organic manure. Considering all components protein. Therefore MSSRF has promoted such as soil depth, slope and available mushroom cultivation through a WSHG of resources, potato cultivation was promoted as Bebartaguda in the bio-industrial watershed. a cash crop to accelerate farmers’, income. After conducting meetings with the SHG, the The Water Shed team made the villagers (both WS staff facilitated the group to take up land holder and landless) aware of the mushroom cultivation in the bio-industrial importance and relevance of vermicompost in watershed area. In view of its prospects sustainable agriculture by conducting several training on mushroom cultivation was given by meetings at the village level. Landless people the experienced technical staff and also were also included as this activity of selling through the Nuaguda SHG who have been vermicompost and worms can partially support doing it for 3 years. One concrete tank was their livelihood. The decision was taken by the constructed for straw wash and treatment from community to cover all the HHs with the project funds at a cost of Rs 1,000. A vermicompost production units. temporary (kachha-mud) thatched house was constructed by the SHG to keep mushroom As per the decision taken by the Committee, beds in the shade and maintain temperature. 2 diesel pumps (2 HP) were supplied to the All the operations during cultivation will be groundnut grower groups for raising 18 ha of managed by the SHG. crop. The crop was grown organically and aspects of seed treatment, application of Efforts were made to activate the Community gypsum and other crop care technical support Seed and Grain Bank (CSGB). As the was provided. A total of 55.78 ha was covered watershed project is going on in this village, it by rabi vegetables in the watershed area, of was discussed with the community. They have which 6 ha was covered through the central shown interest in reviving and regularising the community nursery. The farmers of Malliguda CSGB in their village. This is also one of the village are traditionally vegetable growers. So, major components of the WS project, which technical support was extended along with a needs to be activated, so that the people will supply of quality vegetable seedlings to these be benefited, particularly during the lean farmers for growing vegetables organically. season and is being addressed.

Mushroom requires simple technology and In the watershed village pipla is cultivated by 5 paddy straw as strata or bed. As it requires farmers belonging to one family, in an area of less land and indoor work, it gives good 4 ha. It is understood that pipla is a paying crop employment opportunity to landless labourers, and there is a potential market for the root in destitute women, unemployed youth and even AP. They get a net profit of Rs 50,000 per acre school-going children. Mushroom production if proper care is taken. The crop is grown helps in utilising agricultural waste and organically. However, the only disadvantage is

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ECOTECHNOLOGY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ that the harvesting of the crop starts after 3 years of planting; the crop will continue to yield Sub Programme 404 for more than 12 years, with harvesting every year during December-January. Efforts were Land - Lab-Land Linkages made to persuade other farmers to take up The two labs which come under the Centre at pipla cultivation, but they declined. There is Chennai, the INM (microbiology lab, See SPA scope for making the WS valley a herbal pipla 305) and the IPM provide support for valley because of its suitability to the area and ecotechnology development and the adoption market potential. Efforts will be made to of biological software (biofertilisers, biocontrols cultivate this crop with WS project support. etc) in the farmers’ fields. They also conduct soil testing to provide the data to develop the Twenty-six User Groups (UG) have been soil health card for the farmers at the sites identified for implementation of the soil and where on-farm interventions are being carried water conservation project. Various soil and out under the Centre’s programmes. The work water conservation measures against done by both the labs has been highly depletion have been identified, with detailed commended by the review team which estimation of costs. A check dam at recommended that laboratory facilities should Bebartaguda hamlet is at the final stage of be upgraded and modernised as the Centre earthwork. Plantation has commenced as a should retain, over time, its competitive edge measure to check soil erosion and in situ in this area. moisture conservation. The details for the INM lab is reported under Training and Capacity Building: 221 training PA 301 under section SPA 305 and the one on days were organised on various aspects of on IPM is reported in the following paragraphs. agriculture, horticulture, INM / IPM to the The IPM laboratory at Chennai focused on the watershed dwellers, SHGs and watershed biological control of red flour beetle Tribolium management team. Three exposure visits were castaneum using entomopathogens Beauveria conducted, one to Western Orissa Rural bassiana and Paecilomyces lilacinus. Mass Livelihood Project (WORLP), Kalahandi, to multiplication of entomopathogens and spawn build awareness, resources and skills. production were standardised. A training programme for farmers on pest and disease Networking institutions: During the process, management was conducted. The chemical, the Government line departments were physical and biological properties of the soil approached for accommodation of the samples collected from different parts of watershed activities. Village level workshops Pudukottai, Puducherry and Jeypore under the and meetings were conducted to leverage bioindustrial water shed programme were micro-credit facilities for the development of analysed and soil health cards were prepared entrepreneurship and livelihood programmes. based on the soil analysis.

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Biological control of entomopathogens least as against the control (100%). The against red flour beetle: Efficacy of infection was confirmed by re isolation of the Beauveria bassiana and Paecilomyces pathogen from the surface of dead infected lilacinus against different stages of grub. Different spore concentrations of T. castaneum P. lilacinus tested did not have any impact on Grub the larval development but the pupal duration was prolonged by one day (approx.) in those The antagonistic activity of B. bassiana and grub treated with 2.9×107 and 2.9×106 spores/ P. lilacinus at different spore concentrations ml as against control. Forced pupation and was assessed on the developmental stages adult emergence were noticed in 0.006 % of grubs viz., pupation (%), grub duration (v/v) cypermethrin treatment. (days), pupal duration (days) and adult emergence (%). Least pupation of 16.66 % was The malformed /dead adults were 50 and observed in grubs treated with B. bassiana, at 16.66 % in 2.9×107 and 2.9×106 spores/ml a spore concentration of 2.4 ×107 and 2.4×106 treatments respectively. Except for this, the spores/ml followed by 20 % in 2.4 ×105 adult emergence was normal (100 %) in all spores/ml. The reduction in pupation ranged other spore concentrations of P. lilacinus as from 70 to 83.33 % at different spore well as in controls. concentrations of B. bassiana whereas Pupa maximum pupation (100 %) was observed in the controls (distilled water and Tween 80). In The pupae treated with B. bassiana and P. addition to mortality, reduced feeding, lilacinus were assessed for various parameters sluggishness, prolonged grub duration, grub- such as pupal mortality (%), pupal duration pupal intermediates and grub shrinkage were (days) and adult emergence (%). The pupa observed and the pupal duration was increased treated with B. bassiana showed an increase by 1.9 days in grub treated with 2.4 ×107 spores/ in pupal mortality with increasing spore ml as against controls (4.3 days). Further concentration. The maximum pupal mortality disruption in metamorphosis was observed, of 36.6 % was observed with 2.4 x 107spores/ which resulted in higher degree of malformed/ ml followed by 26.6 % in 2.4 x 106 and 2.4 x dead adults. The adult emergence was nil at 104 spores/ml. In general the pupal duration all spore concentrations tested except for 4.76 was prolonged (6.5 days) in the highest spore % in 2.4×106 spores/ml of B. bassiana and concentration (2.4 x 107 spores/ml) as against 66.66 % for 0.006 % (v/v) cypermethrin control (distilled water) (4.05 days). Malfor- treatment. The adult emergence was normal mation was observed among the adults which (100 %) in controls viz., distilled water and varied from 15.8 to 31.7 % with different con- 0.02 % (v/v) Tween 80. centrations of 2.4 x 103 to 2.4 x 107 spores/ml.

The grubs treated with P. lilacinus at 2.9×107 The percentage of pupal mortality was 53.3 and resulted in a pupation of 20 % which was the 43.3 % in those pupae treated with 2.9 x 107

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ECOTECHNOLOGY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ and 2.9 x 106 spores/ml of P. lilacinus whereas sporulation and biomass of the two fungi, 40 % was observed with 2.9 x 105 to 2.9 x 103 B. bassiana and P. lilacinus in eight different spores/ml.. The malformed or dead adult culture media such as Emerson YPSS agar (30.0 %) was observed only in the highest (EMYPSSA), Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA), spore concentration. (2.9 x 107 spores/ml) Sabouraud dextrose agar + 1 %( w/v) yeast which was on par with 0.006 % (v/v) extract (SDAY), Potato dextrose agar (PDA), cypermethrin (28.3 %) whereas in all other Potato dextrose agar +1% (w/v) yeast extract spore concentrations no malformation or death (PDAY), Yeast peptone glucose agar (YPGA), of adults was observed. Czapek’s agar (CDA) and Sabouraud malt yeast peptone agar (SMYP) was estimated. Adult B. bassiana: Among the different media used, The mortality of adults treated with different PDAY supported the maximum radial growth spore concentrations of B. bassiana and (62 mm) which was on par with YPGA (60 mm). P. lilacinus at different exposure time was This was followed by 58 mm on PDA alone. recorded. The results obtained indicated that, The least vegetative growth (35 mm) was in general, the adult mortality (%) increased observed on EMYPSSA. The sporulation was with the increase in the period of exposure and highest on PDA (22.3 ×106 spores/ml) followed spore concentration. Maximum and minimum by PDAY (18.4 × 106 spores/ml). On CDA and mortality of 21.6 % and 6.66 % respectively EMYPSSA, mycelial growth was extremely was obtained with those treated with 2.8 x 107 sparse and least spore production of 6.2 ×106 and 2.4 x 103 spores/ml of B. bassiana for 20 and 3.3 ×106 spores/ml respectively were seconds. The mortality of adults increased in observed. all the concentrations except for 2.4 x 105 spores/ml with increasing exposure period P. lilacinus: SDAY supported the maximum from 5 sec to 20 sec. Mycelial growth (white radial growth of 72 mm, followed by SMYPA fluffy) was observed over dead infected adults. (66 mm). CDA resulted in the least radial Similarly in adults treated with P. lilacinus, the growth (45 mm). The spore production of 24.6 mortality (%) increased with increasing × 106 spores/ml was favoured by SDA and it exposure time in all the spore concentrations, was followed by 19.8 × 106 on PDAY. The least which was recorded as 10.0 to 41.6 % sporulation of 4.3 × 106 spores/ml was with 2.9 x 107 spores/ml. The reduced observed on EMYPSSA. mortality of 10.0 % was observed in those Mass multiplication in solid substrate treated with lesser spore concentration of 2.9 x103 spores/ml. The substrates (rice, sorghum, barley, groundnut, potato, beetroot, carrot, sawdust Mass multiplication of entomopathogens: and paddy straw) for mass production were Growth kinetics in liquid medium used in four different conditions with three The growth kinetics viz., radial growth, replications each as follows. The first set of

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ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ treatment was supplemented with 2 % (w/w) beetroot and sawdust against the control for sucrose (A), the second set with 1 % (w/w) B. bassiana whereas sorghum, groundnut and yeast extract (B), the third set with 2 % (w/w) straw for P. lilacinus. sucrose and 1 % (w/w) yeast extract (C) and the fourth set served as the control without Mushroom spawn production: Standardi- either sucrose or yeast extract sation of the protocol for the production of supplementation (D). healthy spawn to support mushroom cultivation in the Biocentre was carried out. The process The observations on spore count per gram of was standardised as follows: 250 g of sorghum the various substrates used for mass grain was washed thoroughly in fresh water to production of B. bassiana and P. lilacinus were remove the chaff and other impurities, soaked made on 10 and 20 DAI. The results in general overnight, boiled for 10 minutes to soften the indicated that the production of conidia grain and washed with cold water. The excess increased with the increase in incubation time. water was removed by drying the grain in the shade, adding calcium carbonate @ 10 g/kg The addition of 1 % (w/w) yeast extract (YE) in and sterilised in a cooker for 120 minutes. Ten all the substrates enhanced the sporulation of discs of 9 mm pure culture Pleurotus florida B. bassiana against the control. However, the was inoculated per 250 g packet under sterile addition of 1 % YE to paddy did not have any conditions and incubated at 23 0 ± 2 0 C for 15- influence on the sporulation. Among the 20 days to attain the full growth. Fifty packets grains tested, the maximum sporulation of of oyster mushroom spawn of 250 g each were B. bassiana was observed on rice supple- supplied to the Biocentre. In addition to mother mented with 1 %YE (117.0 x 108spores/g). The spawn, pure cultures and bed spawn of least sporulation was observed on sorghum in Pleurotus florida are maintained in the all the four conditions. laboratory. In contrast, maximum sporulation of P. lilacinus was observed on barley (55.2 x 108 spores/g) Field Trials supplemented with 1 % (w/w) YE. Among the Support to organic farming at Thonimalai by tubers, beetroot favored highest sporulation way of field survey, and identification of pests generally in all treatment, followed by carrot and diseases, was provided. The major pests and potato for both the fungi. No significant and diseases observed and the IPM practices increase in spore production of B. bassiana followed at Thonimalai are given below. was observed in the substrates supplemented with 2 % (w/w) sucrose except for rice, Coffee berry borer: 150 berry borer traps have groundnut, carrot and sawdust; the addition of been installed anticipating the emergence of 1 % (w/w) YE + 2 %(w/w) sucrose enhanced CBB covering 25 acres of Robusta. 16,000 spore production only on rice, sorghum, adults have been trapped.

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Banana pseudostem weevil: During the first samples from Jeypore and Puducherry were inspection, 85 out of 245 trees in 2 fields were analysed for pH, electrical conductivity, anions, infested with banana pseudostem weevil. cations, SAR and RSC. Prophylactic pseudostem injection of neem oil Soil analysis and preparation of soil health coupled with soil application of neem cake was card carried out to prevent the incidence of banana Crop production depends on a well-balanced pseudo stem weevil. 146 pseudostem traps + nutrient status and need-based application of 2.6 kg of B. bassiana pasted traps were installed. fertilisers to attain the expected maximum Pepper quick wilt: During the first phase of yield. Hence it is the need of the hour to develop scouting (May-June), out of 1,332 vines in 2 a soil health card, which would out the complete fields 238 vines were found to be infected with profile of nutrient status of the soil based on wilt. 71 kg of T. viride was distributed /applied which the fertiliser recommendations would be covering nearly 38 ha of 34 farms. made. The various physical, chemical and biological properties were analysed. However Training the amounts and kinds of fertilisers required Training on the management of secondary pest for the same crop vary from soil to soil, and infestation in Corcyra production (50 trainee high crop yields can be obtained by applying days) at Kannivadi and on IPM of pests and the required fertilisers in the required dose to disease of paddy for Karasanur farmers – overcome existing deficiencies. The Watershed Project (31 trainee days) was recommendation for the application of organised. The major pests and diseases of fertilisers is based on the results of the soil- paddy, its life cycle, damage symptoms and testing and up-to-date agronomic research on integrated management practices for these the crop. With these concepts, the soil testing problems were explained to the farmers. This for the proper recommendation of the use of was followed by a field visit where the farmers fertilisers was carried out for the different sites were taught to differentiate between pests and under the water shed programme. diseases as well as beneficial insects as Antifungal activity of actinomycetes and measures of plant protection. bacteria against plant pathogens Soil analysis for sustainable agricultural The antifungal activity of the microbes isolated practices from soil (bacteria and actinomycetes) was One hundred and forty eight soil samples from studied against the selected plant pathogens Chidambaram were analysed for organic (Rhizoctonia solani, Helminthosporium oryzae, carbon. 122 soil samples from Thonimalai and Curvularia lunata, Fusarium oxysporum and Nagapattinam were analysed for pH, electrical F. udum). The study showed that two isolates conductivity, organic carbon and macro (Act-8 and Act-10) have strong activity against nutrients (N, P and K). Sixty-seven water most of these pathogens with maximum

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ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ inhibition of zone diameters ranging from 1.1 universities in Rajasthan and AP to help cm to 1.5 cm. A few isolates showed minimum monitor the functional aspects of the agro-met inhibition of <0.8 cm. observatories established in different project sites and advice on utilising the data generated The in vitro biocontrol activity of the bacteria locally. The trial run of the prescribed cropping isolated from the soil samples exhibited good activity against rice pathogens viz., R. solani mix suggested for both rabi and kharif seasons and H. oryzae. Most of the strains isolated were are being carried out. identified as Bacillus spp. Out of the 36 strains, Various capacity building activities, including 20 showed positive antagonistic activities. training of women masons in the construction of efficient stoves, SRI method of cultivation, Sub Programme Area 405 and ground water monitoring, were carried out. There was a sustained focus on awareness- Climate Change Initiatives building on climate-related issues in the project 405.1 Vulnerability Assessment and sites. Enhancing the Adaptive Capacity to To implement the mandate on improving the Climate Change in Semi-Arid India delivery system, a scoping exercise was undertaken by the project partner, MANAGE Implementation of various adaptation-related interventions such as lining of irrigation along with the consulting agency Winrock India, channels, revival of traditional system of to take stock of the various extension-related irrigation, weather based-farming, treatment of courses and curricula offered at the national alkaline soil, promotion of energy-efficient level, to develop and introduce specific stoves, establishment of fodder banks, and modules providing information on the cause common pasture development were carried out and effects of climate variability and change, in the project sites Udaipur in Rajasthan and as well as possible adaptation remedies. Mehabubnagar in AP with community Joint Implementation Group, which is an participation. internal mechanism set up to monitor and One of the major highlights is the development discuss all project-related problems, functions of a monitoring framework and identification as an active forum to develop a cohesive vision of suitable indicators for monitoring various and shared sense of direction. It undertook an activities. The monitoring framework provides internal assessment of lessons learnt so far an overview of the activities and how they will and discussed the road map for the upcoming be operationally supported. State and National Policy workshops.

The project consortium entered into an The media workshop was organised for young understanding with local agricultural journalists from South East Asian countries,

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in the adoption of technology related to crop Sub Programme Area 406 production;

Designing Rural Technology to critically examine the technology delivery Delivery Systems for Mitigating system that is in place; Agrarian Distress to provide an action plan for a suitable technology delivery mechanism. This is a research study, the main focus of which is to design an effective technology An acute manifestation of the current crisis in delivery system in areas that are currently agriculture is the persistence of suicides by experiencing a severe agricultural crisis. Since farmers in some regions. From among the the mid 1990s it has been particularly severe ‘distress’ districts identified by the Government on the small and marginal farmers cultivating of India in this context in the states of cash crops in the rain-fed regions of the Maharashtra and AP, the study proposes to country. The factors underlying this crisis are examine the technological issues related to the complex and manifold. The major factors relate agrarian crisis in two districts, one each from to the nature of the economic strategy pursued the two states. The district of Wardha in by the state, although there are several Maharashtra and the district of Anantapur in institutional, technological, ecological, and AP have been chosen for our study. weather- related factors. In this study, the To analyse the set of available technologies concern is to analyse one dimension of the for crop production and processing, and problem facing Indian agriculture, namely, the understand the constraints in the prevalent technological dimension. Technological system of extension, detailed interviews with dimension is defined in a very broad sense, as farmers as well as experts in various research covering an entire bundle of techniques and institutions will be held. The survey will focus steps that are required to improve and stabilise on the various aspects of crop cultivation and crop yields. It encompasses a wide spectrum management and the role of agricultural of factors relating to crop production, including extension, to ascertain the constraints faced the nature and quality of the agricultural inputs by the farmers. An attempt will also be made used, the type of crop protection practices to study in detail the practices adopted by followed, the kind of agents used for protection, farmers who are successful, that is, farmers the overall management practices adopted in who are often referred to as ‘model’ farmers. cultivation, including irrigation practices, and This is expected to sharpen our understanding technology delivery. of factors that have contributed to their survival The major objectives of the study are: and success, even while a vast majority is to analyse the constraints faced by farmers affected by the widely prevalent distress.

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Given the above framework and methodology, An almost complete absence of agricultural the 2-year study will be completed by June extension services in the public domain. 2009. Since July 2007, we have been engaged The intensive qualitative surveys have revealed in surveying the literature and have undertaken that there is a striking difference in cultivation field visits to Wardha. We have carried out practices among different classes of farmers, intensive qualitative surveys among farmers particularly with regard to the input use, the across different size classes in two villages in quantity, timing, and application methodology, two different taluks. awareness about good farm practices, the yield The preliminary investigation into the rate of crops, the holding capacity of harvested technological dimension of agricultural distress produce, and access to market intelligence. has revealed a number of contributing factors Our survey also substantiates the observation such as: made by many other researchers that the small and marginal farmers had the twin handicap Degradation of natural resources including of poor quality of soil and lack of irrigation land degradation, soil erosion, and decline facility. The location of their cultivable land was in soil fertility and ground water table; another factor which added to their Drought and erratic rainfall pattern; vulnerability; the lands were located closer to the hills and forest areas, rendering their crops Pests and diseases; a frequent target for wild animal attack. A total Spurious inputs and unavailability of inputs lack of access to extension service was noticed at the appropriate time; across all classes of farmers.

119 Programme Area 500

Food Security

Concerted efforts were initiated to ensure the sustainability of the Community Foodgrain Banks. The findings of the field studies on the nutrition status were shared with the community at Wayanad and Orissa to sensitise them and promote positive action. The National Nutrition Conclave outlined the measures needed for a ‘Nutrition Secure India’. Both research study and field interventions in Orissa and TN sought to establish and promote the cultivation and consumption of millets as a nutritious cereal. An initiative for empowerment of women farmers– ‘Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran’ - was launched in Vidarbha.

501 B.V.Rao Centre for Sustainable Food Security...... 121

502 Ford Foundation Chair for Women and Sustainable Food Security...... 137

503 Initiatives in Vidarbha...... 138

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been developed for each of the indicators as Programme Area 500 well as the composite index, to show the position of the states in the ranges between Food Security highly food insecure to food secure. The thrust has been on outcome indicators with four of Research on sustainable food and nutrition the seven indicators chosen being outcome security is being undertaken by the B V Rao indicators – Centre for Sustainable Food Security and the • Percentage of population consuming less Ford Foundation Chair for Women and Food than 1890 Kcal (NSSO, 1999-2000, 2004- Security. The initiatives in Vidarbha are also 05) coordinated under this programme area. • Percentage of HHs without access to safe Sub Programme Area 501 drinking water (Census 1991, 2001) • Percentage of HHs without access to toilet B V Rao Centre for Sustainable facilities (Census 1991, 2001) Food Security • Percentage of ever-married women with any anaemia (NFHS-2, 1998-99, NFHS-3, Research, field interventions on food and 2005-06) nutrition security, training and capacity building, evaluation studies, advocacy, and • Percentage of ever-married women with dissemination, formed the focus of activities Chronic Energy Deficiency (NFHS-2, 1998- during the year. The Centre also collaborated 99, NFHS-3, 2005-06) with other Programme Areas on some special • Percentage of children (6-35 months) with projects and conduct of national consultations. any anaemia, (NFHS-2, 1998-99, NFHS-3 2005-06) 501.1 Report on the State of Food Insecurity in Rural India • Percentage of children (6-35 months) who are stunted (NFHS-2, 1998-99, NFHS-3, The study, based on the latest data of the 2005-06) National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) Data has been compiled for two time periods, and National Family Health Survey (NFHS) and 1998-2000 and 2004-2006, and a comparative the last Census, examines the state of food picture drawn to highlight changes in trend and insecurity in the country and undertakes a in the relative positions of the States on the critical evaluation of the food policy measures Food Security scale if any. in the country over the years. States are ranked on the basis of a chosen set of indicators and The report also analyses, the state of the public a composite food insecurity index is developed food delivery systems, viz. Public Distribution to show their relative positions. Maps have System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme (MDMS)

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ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ and Integrated Child Development Services A similar observation was also made by the in- (ICDS) were taken up for in depth study and house review undertaken in July 2007 of the analysis. 23 community gene-seed-grain banks set up by MSSRF under different projects across The main policy recommendations of the report Koraput, Kalahandi and Kandhamal districts are in the following areas: between 1999 and 2006. MSSRF does not have a direct presence anymore in Kalahandi • Initiatives needed to address the food and Kandhamal districts. Lapses were availability issue - enhance production by observed to have crept in over a period of time, enabling small farmers’ production with defaults in repayment, conflicts, poor • Measures for ensuring livelihood security; management of storehouse and lack of follow- NREGS – a step in the right direction up for repayment. Illiteracy and consequent poor record keeping were a common problem. • Expansion of MDMS and universalisation Following the visit and discussions with the of the PDS and ICDS to ensure access village community, cluster level volunteers have been appointed in Koraput district to help • Appropriate investments in public oversee the operation of the grain banks in healthcare and nutrition education to areas where we have a presence, covering address the issue of absorption. nine grain banks in the process. Follow-up and The Report of this study will be released by monitoring are being done with assistance from the end of the years. field staff across different projects, to ensure that the community’s capacity to utilise the 501.2 Community Foodgrain Banks initiative to its benefit is developed. One-time assistance is also being provided where An evaluation of the impact of community needed, for repair of grain bank storehouses foodgrain banks was undertaken in six villages with community participation, to revive the in Koraput and Kalahandi districts of Orissa momentum. and two villages in Kalrayan Hills, TN. This was based on a sample household survey with a Local NGOs like Antyodaya in Kalahandi, have structured questionnaire and focus group been requested to assist in areas where we discussion done by field staff in 2005-06. The no longer have a presence. A one-day main finding is that while grain banks serve workshop on record keeping was organised in the purpose of helping to tide over the September for all the grain bank committee members and volunteers. Simplified registers immediate food scarcity and positive qualitative have been introduced for easier maintenance changes are observed, capacity building and of records (see SPA 202.3). community ownership are very crucial to ensure sustainability. The reports are being In TN likewise, a visit to Kalrayan Hills in finalised. January 2008, after a year, revealed few

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FOOD SECURITY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ lacunae in operation. Unlike in Orissa, where Kharnak, had it not been for our support, at the entire hamlet is involved, the banks in least fifty to sixty percent of the livestock would Talvellar and Melvazhapadi are being managed have perished. The people recall how sixty to by SHGs. Steps are now being taken to involve seventy per cent of flock / herd of livestock the entire community and the Panchayats and perished under such natural calamity some ten discuss the need for CFBs and their years back”. management. 501.4 Nutrition Security Initiatives The review also brought out the need to have The nutrition security initiatives fall under three a long-term focus beyond the life of a project broad categories namely, research-based in areas where project-based initiatives are interventions, academic work and advocacy started, and build a withdrawal strategy into the initiatives. approach. 501.4.1 Research-based interventions 501.3 Community Fodder Banks in Ladakh Nutrition Intervention in Orissa: The inter- Support was given to a Leh based NGO, vention to improve infant feeding practices in CENSFOOD, for starting fodder banks in two Orissa as part of the PAN MSSRF initiative villages in 2004-05, in the Changthang valley followed the results of the diet survey of Ladakh, where the nomadic pastoral conducted earlier in 76 HHs from three project community resides. Livestock mortality is high villages to assess the food practices and during the winter months due to lack of proper nutritional status of children under three. With shelter and food. Following an emergency regard to household food practices it was found request late last year, funding was provided that food was cooked twice a day but for the purchase of tarpaulins to provide shelter consumed thrice a day. Rice and ragi were for the livestock in Kharnak village. the staples. Ragi porridge was made in the morning and eaten before lunch. Very often it The feedback received from CENSFOOD is was consumed in the evenings also. Twenty quoted below – four percent of the families had the habit of “Fortunately this winter, under our intervention, drinking morning tea. While 8 % had tea with the people of Kharnak had themselves stocked milk, 15 % took black tea. Since there was no feed as per their individual capacity topping up practice of drinking curd or milk-based our stocking. The supply of tarpaulins in products, it was concluded that milk was not a November 2007 to be used as animal shelter major food item. Ninety seven percent of was indeed very timely. This helped to sustain families had cooked and eaten vegetables on the livestock through the long severe winter the day of the survey. Thus besides rice and without any unusual high mortality till date. As ragi, vegetables form an important part of the per feedback received from the nomads of diet. Seventy four percent of HHs had cooked

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ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ potatoes, 34 % had used tomatoes, 29 % had surveyed HHs, traditional birth attendants, cooked brinjal, 21 % had cooked country members of SHGs, community grain banks beans and 18 % had cooked jackfruit. Only 3 and village development committee, MSSRF HHs had cooked leafy vegetable. Eighty four volunteers, ASHA volunteer, anganwadi percent of HHs had a domestic animal. worker, village health nurse and street theatre However they were meant for economic artists. Participatory methodologies such as purposes and not for domestic consumption. group discussion, role-play and activities were used. The workshop was structured to enable In the overall sample 37 % of children were participants to undertake a critical self- infants, while 42 % were between one and two exploration and exhibit their knowledge, skill years. Twenty one percent were in the age and talent. Care was taken to provide space group of two to three years. Sixty three percent for different perceptions and view points and of the children were males while 37 % were to encourage team spirit. The participants females. Forty six percent of the children were identified six messages considered critical to normal while 54 % were malnourished. Since infant feeding, which were: feeding and healthcare practices hold the key to improving the nutritional status of young Breastfeeding should begin within the first children, an intervention campaign for infant hour of birth and young child feeding was mooted. As a first First milk should be given step, a nutrition literacy workshop was held for the community members of Gunthaguda and Only breast milk to be given for six months Nuaguda hamlets and Bolliguda village at and no other food Jeypore on May 9 and 10, 2008. The Complementary feeding should begin by objectives of the workshop were to help introducing home foods such as ragi and participants understand the concept of rice kanji after six months alongwith breast nutritional status, help them reflect on the milk critical periods in the life cycle with special focus on infancy, sensitise them about infant The child should be fed atleast four to five feeding practices and the nutritional status of times a day children and assess the prevailing scenario in The density of the food should increase as their own villages, shortlist critical messages the child grows older. in infant feeding, strategies for taking them They composed two songs containing these forward and action for establishing monthly messages and agreed to take it forward into weighing of children through ICDS. their communities. They also decided to join It was a multi stakeholder workshop, including hands with mothers in the villages and ICDS both men and women. The thirty participants to initiate monthly growth monitoring of all consisted of parents of young children from the children below six years.

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Following the workshop a dialogue was 501.4.2 Enhancement of Nutrition organised on 12 May 2008 with the workshop Curriculum participants and Government functionaries on Following up on the brainstorming workshop the food and nutrition security situation in the held in March 2007 reported in last year’s project sites in Orissa. The objective of this Annual Report, the second workshop for exercise was to provide an interface between enhancing the curriculum for the the community and the public delivery system. undergraduate course in Nutrition was held for The workshop focused on the current initiatives two days at Kizhakarai in Ramnad district in of MSSRF with regard to food and nutrition September 2007 under the auspices of security and the rights and entitlements of the Thassim Beevi Abdul Kadar College for community under the various schemes of the Women. The workshop participants discussed Government. the definitions of the term nutrition, the scope of the syllabus in today’s context, the core Nutrition Intervention in Wayanad:The subjects and their subsidiary papers, existing research report on ‘Family food habits and lacunae in transacting the curriculum and the nutritional status of mothers and children below role of professional bodies. A conceptual three years in selected Paniya and Kattunaikka separation was made between the study of tribal colonies of Wayanad’ was finalised and foods and the study of nutrition at the the findings were shared with members of the undergraduate level. The group felt that while community and local government bodies at the usual nomenclature of ‘Food and Nutrition’ seven stakeholder meetings. The included both the physical aspects of food as stakeholders were mothers, officials of the well as its interaction with the human body, the ICDS, tribal leaders and Panchayat former had nevertheless emerged as a fully representatives. As a result of this intervention, grown discipline needing to be offered as a an ICDS centre has been opened at Poonkuzhi separate undergraduate course. Hence Food Kattunaikka colony and the ward member has Science and Quality Control should be the subject of a three year B.Sc programme. Since formed a committee to oversee the distribution the term nutrition encompasses the biological, of ICDS supplement to the target families. In social and environmental aspects it was addition, 125 HHs of Paniya, Kattunaikkas and thought appropriate to rechristen the term Kurichiya tribal HHs have been supplied with nutrition as ‘Nutrition Science’. Nutrition traditional and wild varieties of 1,125 kg of Science would include the disciplines of Dioscorea alata, 400 kg Colocasia esculenta, dietetics and community nutrition. 250 kg of Amorphophallus companulatus, leafy greens, 7 varieties of plantain and 3 varieties The issues having implications for curriculum of Ipomoea batatas. The yield and consumption enhancement were identified as follows: patterns of the harvested products have been There was a preponderance of biological surveyed and are being analysed. aspects in the current curriculum in general

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with little scope for social and environmental of nutrition sciences such that the student dimensions or policy issues would be able to opt for a major paper in the final year. A new paper on Sports Nutrition was While a good theoretical base was suggested for inclusion. While the content was essential, practical exposure even at the discussed at length, the system of credits, UG level was equally important. Besides major and allied papers as well as electives good laboratory facilities, the institutions needed to have linkages with the industry were worked out. Practical work for students (for food science and quality control), the included project work, writing a term paper and hospitals (for dietetics) and with NGOs and seminar presentations. It was agreed that the Government (for services). curriculum would be finalised by the group at the end of June and distributed to a wider Institutions could offer any one of the audience for critiquing by the end of August. branches of specialisation in the final year depending on the facilities available. 501.4.3 Advocacy

Rural institutions had more difficulties with The high levels of undernutrition among Indian regard to enrolment of students, getting women and children paradoxical with a appropriate teaching faculty, library and burgeoning middle class and increasing growth laboratory facilities. rate is a matter of serious concern that has Refresher training would be necessary for generated a lot of debate in the country as a the teaching faculty if new courses are whole. It was to discuss how to achieve introduced. nutrition security that a National Nutrition Conclave was organized from 12 to 14 August The scope of the content under the broad 2007 (see SPA 606 for details). About 100 heads of nutrition sciences and food science participants drawn from interdisciplinary fields and quality control was worked out and the of agriculture, nutrition and social sciences participants agreed to share the task of representing academia, NGOs, Government, enhancing the curriculum. They could co-opt corporate sector, civil society organisations and other colleagues, nutritionists and donor agencies participated in the professionals. brainstorming. The conclave adopted the The third workshop held in March 2008, saw participatory technique of Open Space the participants sharing the homework and Technology to have indepth discussion on discussing at length the reworked syllabus for critical issues. There were 36 working groups the undergraduate course in Food Science and on the first day which deliberated in depth on Quality Control and of Dietetics under Nutrition the chosen themes. On the second day, Sciences. It was agreed at this juncture that participants identified ten key recommen- the first two years of study at the undergraduate dations as essential to nutrition security, some level should expose the student to all branches of which were integrating nutrition on the

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FOOD SECURITY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ national agenda, preparing a national strategy National Horticulture Mission, National Food for children under two, preparing a white paper Security Mission, etc. It would also work in on nutrition, focusing on the urban poor, collaboration with UN agencies, NGOs and improved monitoring of nutrition programmes Science and Technology and Educational and undertaking nutrition education, commu- Institutions. nication and awareness. As a follow up of the conclave, USAID facilitated the formation of a 501.5 Sustainability of Farming Systems- Coalition for Nutrition Security with Prof M S Integrating the objectives of conservation Swaminathan as the Chair. Two Task Forces with the economics of farming in the rice have been formed, one on writing the white farming systems of Tamil Nadu paper on nutrition and the other on preparing the strategies for children under two; MSSRF The study was undertaken against the is one of the members in the former group. backdrop of advancements in improving production in irrigated rice farming systems A meeting was held on 17 February 2008 at accompanied by doubts regarding India’s ability the Central Food Technological Research to continue with its rate of growth in the Institute (CFTRI) Resource Centre, Bangalore production of rice and its capability to meet the with Prof Swaminathan as Chair, to deliberate calorie requirements of the increasing on viable action for reducing undernutrition population. The earlier gains achieved in the levels among infants in rural India. Based on production are now threatened by stagnant the discussion, a Forum for the Alleviation of yields or yield declines, especially in continuous Rural Infant Malnutrition (FARIM) was formed double-cropped rice farming systems. with CFTRI as the coordinating centre. The Forum decided to function at two levels: Policy Objectives advocacy at the national level and demonstration for capacity building for the The following research objectives were elimination of rural infant malnutrition at the defined. village level. While the short term goal would Identify the ecological and economic be to end chronic infant malnutrition, the long constraints to farm productivity in the term goal will be increasing income and irrigated rice farming system based on livelihood security for the rural poor. A small empirical evidence from the rice belt in the group, of which MSSRF is a member, is to north-eastern coastal parts of Tamil Nadu. prepare a Vision and Mission Statement and a brief action plan for 2008. The Forum would Compare and contrast the dialectics of try to bring about convergence and synergy ecology and economics of farm production among the numerous ongoing government in farms under varying levels of programmes such as the ICDS, Mid Day Meal intensification, diversification and crop– Scheme, National Rural Health Mission, livestock integration.

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Document the social and institutional Economic Indicators factors that have enabled farmers to Farm Profitability (profitability from paddy, promote intensification, diversification, and whole farm profitability, valuation of benefits crop–livestock integration in their farms. from crop–livestock integration Derive suitable strategies for the Social indicators sustainable management of rice farming systems. Gender disaggregated labour profile·

Methodology Access to productive resources: Land and A study of the ecosystem structure, productivity water· and profitability of randomly identified sample Institutions and their roles in resource farms was carried out initially in the village. This management was followed by a detailed comparative study Findings of four farm types. One ‘standard’ (STD) farm from within the village was compared with other The following are the major findings of the farms located within and outside the village, study. which had varying levels of intensification, Ecological crises in rice farming systems diversification and crop-livestock integration. are brought about by management These farms have been under the same practices that do not appear to enhance management for three years or more. natural ecosystem processes such as soil Indicators fertility regeneration, and use water non- judiciously. With paddy mono-cropping and The indicators selected to study the very little livestock integration, current farms sustainability of the farming systems are given in rice farming systems also have simplified below: ecosystem structures and seem to support Ecological indicators poor on-farm crop and animal diversity.

Production constraints in paddy (yield, yield Paddy dominates the rice farming system gaps and ecological constraints to higher with very little integration of legumes yields, total factor productivity – land, water, (84 % and 12 % respectively of the gross nitrogen, seed) cropped area). Other crops such as The farm ecosystem structure (species vegetables, chilli, gingili and black gram number and diversity, guilds, chain length, appear to be very poorly represented linkage density) (together they form less than 4 % of the gross cropped area). Livestock integration Ecosystem functions (quality enhancing processes within the soil water is minimal with an average of 0.8 animals consumption) per farm. As a consequence, the farm

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structure is very simplified and made up of inputs for the coming season, instability in paddy as the dominant farm output. the prices of other crops which reduces the ability of the farmer to purchase inputs for Cropping intensities in paddy are low and the next season paddy crop, and the restricted by overall water non-availability. farmers’ dependence on private merchants Water in the tanks has been found to be for sale of paddy due to the absence of insufficient to support a second crop of active government procurement. paddy within the tank command area. There A study of the gendered labour profile in has also been a shift in the cropping paddy cultivation shows high casualisation calendar from the sornavari season (April of labour, a predominance of female casual to September) which used to be the main labour and a high ‘gender gap’ reflected as season, to navarai season (December – low wages for women with respect to men. April). 501.6. Using Markets to Promote The economic crisis is evident in the almost Sustainable Utilisation of Minor Millets complete dependence on external markets for paddy cultivation. Almost all the sample A case study on minor millets in Kolli Hills and farms depend heavily on external markets Dharmapuri plains, TN, India, was undertaken for chemical fertilisers, organic manure and to understand the use of markets to promote the sustainable utilisation of crop genetic biological inputs. Soil fertility has been found resources (CGR). This is a collaborative to be dependent on inputs purchased from research study with Agricultural and the markets. Groundwater was also Development Economics Division (ESA) of the observed to be highly appropriated among FAO and the International Food Policy the farmers for irrigation uses, the riparian Research Institute (IFPRI). The major objective rule prevailing. ‘Buying’ groundwater for a of this activity was to study the agricultural full paddy crop by any farmer has been markets and their relationship to farm level reported to be quite high: one-third of the decisions on using crop genetic resources. paddy produced had to be shared for a season’s share of water. Minor millets are a group of annual grasses found mainly in arid and semi-arid regions of Poor farm ecosystem has reduced the the world. Compared with other dryland crops economic viability of the farms. The average like sorghum and pearl millet, the harvesting cost of cultivation of paddy in the sample and processing of minor millets is extremely studied is about Rs 20,750/ha. Profitability labour-intensive and the crop is also more is affected by several other factors such as prone to bird damage. Though the area under lack of storage of harvested grains, credit minor millets is limited to certain states of India, dependency of farmers leading to farmers these crops still play a significant pledging their future produce in return for supplementary role in dryland farming systems.

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A detailed farm as well as market level study village communities. The supply channels and was undertaken in two sites namely Kolli Hills actors (vendors) differ, based on the types of and Pennagaram in TN, where minor millets ‘products’ (seed or grain) being sold in the are grown in different agro-ecological markets. For minor millet crops, the research situations. In Kolli Hills, the research evaluated systems are poorly developed and still the impact of some development interventions traditional varieties dominate the farming by MSSRF towards the improvement of minor systems. Therefore explicit, formalised millets in terms of utilisation and conservation channels of seed are not well-developed. among the local communities through Within each major market town of the district, improved seed exchanges and value-addition during the planting season, there are four opportunities. In Dharmapuri district, minor different channels through which farmers millets are grown in semi-arid plains, as a accessed minor millet genetic resources. The rainfed crop and no specific minor millets channels consist of mandis (wholesale grain based development interventions exist. The traders with permanent structures in the preliminary findings from the economic market), retailers (who sell millets in small analyses of markets and HHs are discussed quantities, in market towns mainly for below. consumption purposes) or local shops, agro- Local market hubs – Dharmapuri district, dealers, and government sponsored agro- Tamil Nadu depots or centres. There is another channel through which seeds were exchanged, and The objective of this research was to operated mainly at the village level: the weekly understand how variations in market markets namely shandies. These are transactions and vendor characteristics affect composed of petty vendors or farmer-traders access to minor millet crop genetic resources who sell small quantities (5-10 kgs) of minor by focusing on local market hubs (towns). The millets, to buy other consumption goods for the data used in this analysis was collected in household. March-May, 2007 before the planting season in the district, a major market centre among The proportion of minor millet seeds sold south Indian states for the sale of two minor during the planting season across these millet crops, namely little millet (Panicum vendors varied significantly. Only 2-3 % of the sumatrence) and finger millet (Eleucine total minor millet sales were as ‘seeds’ by corocona). Farmers here accessed minor wholesale traders and retailers. The shandy millet crop seeds through multiple sources – traders, especially during the planting season, both informal and formal. They either used their sold almost all the grains as seeds. The agro- own farm-saved stocks or borrowed from dealers were the only formal source of seed neighbours through informal exchanges at the supply in the entire chain.

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Farm household surveys - Kolli Hills and surveyed. On the whole, in Kolli Hills the Pennagaram, Tamil Nadu significant welfare effects among the intervened minor millet growing communities The major purpose of this research was to were seen through enhanced participation in analyse the determinants of household market conservation and cultivation aspects and also participation for either product or seeds of by creating an economic stake in the same. minor millets and its impact on farm welfare. In the case of Dharmapuri district, the In Kolli Hills most of the seed and grain preliminary analyses on the minor millet exchanges are autarkic, except in communities growing HHs and their economic welfare were where ‘interventions’ have taken place. From determined through their participation in local our preliminary analysis of the project impact, markets. It was found that among the surveyed we found that in general, the percentage of HHs the total per capita income, the area share HHs that replaced their seed at least once was allocated to minor millets and the ratio of the higher for the farm communities who active household population (14-60 years old) participated in interventions than the control engaged in farming had a significant impact group (69 % versus 60 %). This replacement on household welfare. In terms of household took place mainly through formal sources of dietary diversity patterns, it was found that the seed such as an extension agent, researcher number of food items consumed per household or NGO (50 %) than control group (6.9 %). ranged from 8-22 while the average number Nearly 21 % of the HHs in intervention of food groups consumed was 7 from the total communities exchanged minor millet seeds of 12 food groups. The diet of the people in with other HHs compared to only 11 % of the this area consists of cereals, vegetables, non-intervention HHs. Further among the HHs tubers, legumes, and spices with a preference who exchanged seeds, 28 % supplied to formal for finger millet items. On the other hand, meat, sources such as an extension agency or NGO. fish and egg consumption was considerably In general, we found that the HHs from the low. Compared to Kolli Hills, the most food intervention communities were more actively insecure HHs were found in the plains. involved in market-based seed exchange activities for minor millets. The preliminary The case study presents an example of an results of the different econometric estimations economically minor (but nutritionally rich) crop, also show that the participation of the HHs in that provides supplementary income as well any MSSRF-based intervention for minor as food security opportunities for subsistence millets had a significant and positive impact HHs in two different agro-ecological and fragile on their household dietary diversity i.e., the environments through varied degrees of consumption of minor millets have increased market participation either for seed or grain or through various food items, as well as the both. The overall findings from this research household level food security among the HHs on the economic impact of minor millets reveal

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ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ that in Kolli Hills, participation of HHs on any Bangalore, UAS, Dharwad, G.B. Pant minor millet-based intervention had a positive University of Agricultural Sciences and impact on their crop yields, dietary diversity and Technology (GBPUAT), Ranichauri campus food security levels as well as the number of and the CFTRI, Mysore. The implementation attributes (consumption and production) used followed an annual work plan meeting of all by the farm HHs in the communities. In the partners including the international coordinating case of Dharmapuri plains, the farm HHs which partner in Chennai in May 2007. grew minor millets and participated in The Neglected and Underutilised Species agricultural markets, benefited from increased (NUS) included in the project are finger, little, food security levels and improved dietary Italian and barnyard millets and grain habits, but in lesser magnititude compared to amaranth. The project is being implemented the hills. The major difference among the two in 33 tribal or economically backward villages case study scenarios, especially in Kolli Hills, across four States. Five tribal villages in Kolli is the creation of an economic stake in Hills (TN) and seven tribal villages in Kundra conservation as well as in cultivation aspects block, Koraput district (Orissa) have been of minor millets among the farmers. This calls chosen by MSSRF. In South Karnataka, the for more effective and concerted public policy towards crop improvement and in creating project is implemented in five villages in Kolar improved marketing opportunities for minor and Chamarajanagar districts by the UAS, millet crops in the state and elsewhere that Bangalore, while in North Karnataka the project would improve the welfare of the farming is being implemented by the UAS, Dharwad in communities living in dryland environments. six villages in Haveri and Bellary districts. The GBPUAT implements the project in ten villages 501.7 Empowering the rural poor by of Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. strengthening their identity, income CFTRI, Mysore provides the backstop on the opportunities and nutritional security required grain processing technology. through the improved use and marketing Small millets belonging to six species are of neglected and underutilised species grown in India. Among them, finger millet is This is an international project located in India, the most predominant and grown across the Yemen, Peru and Bolivia, funded by the country. Italian and little millets are largely International Fund for Agricultural Development grown in peninsular India, while barnyard, (IFAD) and internationally coordinated by proso and kodo millets are more common in Bioversity International, Rome. In India, the Central and Northern India. All these crops are project is being implemented by five agencies known for their high adaptability under low and including MSSRF, which also serves as the erratic rainfall, and marginal soil and national coordinator. The other four partners management conditions. Their low input are University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), requirement, freedom from pests and

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FOOD SECURITY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ diseases, high drought tolerance and safe grain intercrop systems offering better and storability are features preferred by the tribal sustainable income, capacity building in value and poor farmers in hilly and arid regions. They addition to develop traditional and novel food have the added advantage of relatively better products and their marketing are important nutritional profile for certain minerals, vitamins, activity components to achieve the project amino acids and dietary fibre. The low glycemic goals. Social mobilisation under SHGs and index of these grains is receiving increasing farmers’ clubs, capacity building of these importance in the nutraceutical context. These groups through institutional and on-farm grains contribute significantly to the food and training and exposure visits are important nutritional security of people who, by and large, processes being followed. are poor and eke out a livelihood under Benchmark Survey: A benchmark survey marginal conditions. The grain amaranth is a format was finalised and the survey was nutritionally rich crop grown in higher conducted in two MSSRF field sites. A sample elevations, particularly in the Garhwal Hills of size of 148 HHs in Kolli Hills and 105 HHs in Uttarakhand and the BR hills (Chamarajanagar Koraput were selected for the survey. Among district) of Karnataka. these, 4 HHs in Kolli Hills and 1 household in Project goals, pathways and processes: Koraput have no land for farming. About 4 % The project aims at empowering the rural poor, of cropped area by 51 HHs in Kolli Hills and raising incomes and strengthening the identity 54 % of area owned by 101 HHs in Kundra are and food security of small farmers and rural being used for millet cultivation. Almost all communities by securing and exploiting the full these HHs were using a local variety of seeds. potential of the genetic and cultural diversity While the majority of farmers in Kolli Hills grow contained in the NUS. The income increase millet as mono crop, intercrop of millet is more from NUS is being achieved through common in Kundra. In both locations sowing productivity increase of these crops and is always by broadcasting. The range of companion crops in the intercrop system and average yield of finger millet is between value addition of NUS produce. Linkages are 243 kg and 1988 kg/ha in Kolli Hills, while this established with local and distant markets for varied from 247 kg to 1,235 kg/ha in Kundra, the value added products to enhance the farm which fetched a gross value between Rs 1,944 income. Introduction and promotion of grain and Rs 13,916 in Kolli Hills and from Rs 592 to processing technology is part of the value Rs 9,880 in Kundra. Only women members of addition process. Conservation of local land 19 HHs in Kolli Hills, who were trained during races of NUS, expansion of local genetic base the first phase of this project, knew about value with introduction of new varieties, farmer addition of millet and use this approach for participatory selection of varieties, empowering income generation. The millets contribute on in quality seed production of varieties, an average 30 – 60 % of the daily food grain participatory evaluation of NUS-based intake in the villages in Kundra block, while

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○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ about 42 % of the HHs surveyed in Kolli Hills intercrops and better management with reported consumption of millets. Some of the weeding, interculture and top dressing. Cost very poor HHs reported cent percent benefit analysis of these practices was dependence on millets. Based on the Planning conducted to demonstrate the income Commission poverty level income definition, generation potential of the farmer-selected all the HHs in Kundra and 43 % of HHs in Kolli varieties, quality seed and scientific agronomy. Hills are below the poverty line. While the traditional practice offered Cost- Benefit Quotient (CBQ) between 1.05 and1.47, Income generation through sustainable the selected seed under improved practice increased farm productivity of NUS: In offered the CBQ between 1.58 and 2.44. many of the project villages farmers used millet varieties selected under the participatory Introduction of tapioca as an industrial crop has method. Thus farmers of Karnataka used GPU resulted largely in replacing small millets in Kolli 28, MR 1 and MR 6 of finger millet, Sukshema Hills over the last 20 years. For different of little millet and Krishnadevaraya of Italian reasons including economic gains, farmers millet while in Uttarakhand finger millet varieties prefer tapioca to small millets while they do PRM 1 and PRM 9802 were used. Seeds of value their long tradition in consuming these these varieties were distributed to many millets. farmers in all the villages for cultivation With the increasing availability of rice through following improved and traditional methods. PDS and drudgery associated with the Participatory Variety Selection (PVS) deploying traditional processing of millet grains, there is 30 varieties of finger, little and Italian millets in a decreasing trend in the local consumption of Kolli Hills and 22 varieties of finger millet in the grain produced. A plan to promote Kundra was performed. From these varieties cultivation of millets without displacing tapioca farmers shortlisted HR-911, PR-202, GPU-45, has been started for the first time with the INDAF-9, MR1 and MR6 among finger millet introduction of early maturing finger millet as varieties, OLM 203 and Kattavetti samai among an intercrop with tapioca. First year results on little millet varieties and Perunthinai among such trials showed the possibility for co- Italian millet varieties. Seeds of the varieties production of about 750 kg of finger millet grain/ which received high selection ranking from ha under such intercrop without influencing the farmers were multiplied during off season. tapioca yield. It also provided one ton additional Similarly, participatory evaluation of improved quantity of dry fodder for cattle. agronomic and traditional practices was conducted in selected farmers’ fields in all the Organic farming is followed by default by the villages. The improved practice advocated farmers in Kolli Hills and the hills of Tehri varieties with higher yield potential, their Garhwal. However, chemical fertilisers are planting in rows rather than by broadcast, used for tapioca cultivation in Kolli Hills and choosing appropriate row ratio for different vegetable cultivation in Tehri Garhwal region.

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Organic production of small millets and grain the grain, apart from generating substantial amaranth is being promoted in the project income from the additional employment villages of Tehri Garhwal with training and generated. The products are being marketed capacity building on production of organic in the local and urban markets under different inputs and application. brands and appropriate labeling.

Enhancement of human and social capital Assessment of nutritional values of NUS to manage NUS and derive benefits from and development of strategies for their use: SHGs and farmers’ clubs are enhanced use of NUS in nutrition important institutional mechanisms being used programmes: A study was conducted at the for advocacy and promotion of activities such Rural Home Science College of UAS Dharwad as conservation of local landraces in village on the protein availability in millet diets and seed banks, organising farm women and men changes in the polyphenol associated in participatory variety selection and improved antioxidant activity in millets during processing farming methods, quality seed production, and and cooking. One serving of enriched millet capacity building on value addition, product breakfast foods costing between Rs 2 and 6 is development and their marketing. The found providing around 6.0 to 16.0 g protein technologies for millet value addition are and 220-585 calories. The polyphenol content sourced from the Rural Home Science of millets ranged between 148.5 and 653.5 mg/ Colleges of UAS Bangalore and Dharwad. 100 g and the highest polyphenol was recorded These institutions also help in building the in brown finger millet. Milling and cooking capacity of farm women and men on value reduced the polyphenol content with highest addition and packaging in project villages. reduction effected by milling. Traditional CFTRI is being requested to provide the badly Karnataka food preparations like finger millet needed machinery for de-husking and mudde and navane rice enriched with polishing the little, Italian and barnyard millets fenugreek seeds, pepper powder, vegetables and automised finger millet malting unit. The and green gram helped in significantly Mc Gill University, Canada kindly extended enhancing the polyphenol content. Methanol financial support to supply eight de-stoning and extracts from the whole grain foxtail millet, milling machines in the project villages in Kolli decorticated grain and enriched rice i.e., Hills, BR Hills and Kolar. Important products bisibelebath were evaluated for antioxidant being developed and marketed are malt, activity. The antioxidant activity of Italian millet chakkli from finger millet, laddu from finger and grain estimated by DPPH method was 11.3 % Italian millets, papad, nippattu and tengulu from and this was reduced by decortications. little millet, rice and semolina (rava) from little However, enrichment of Italian millet rice with and Italian millets. Among these, finger millet traditional antioxidant rich ingredients malt is the most cost-effective product, fetching enhanced the antioxidant activity up to at least eight-fold higher income than that from 68.7 %.

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Intervention feeding for long term using consumption, and traditional recipes followed breakfast foods based on Italian, little and in different regions to document the linkage finger millets was conducted in UAS Dharwad between the cultural diversity and genetic for assessing the acceptability and measuring diversity. Conservation of NUS resource base the nutritional impact on thirty-four farm women in project villages has been achieved by labourers and thirty adolescent school girls. leveraging women SHGs and establishing Eighteen standardised breakfast food items of Village Seed Banks. Farmer participatory millet providing one-third RDA of energy and quality seed production, storage and protein were fed for a period of three months. distribution were linked to these seed banks. Nutritional status was assessed through The three University-based project partners anthropometric measurements, biochemical organised several field level awareness and estimation of Hb, blood pressure and 24 hr training programmes on NUS including dietary recall method and physical fitness. telecasts on DD channel (Kannada) to highlight Results indicated acceptance of all breakfast the important features of small millets, their foods, although 5 % of subjects were reluctant improved cultivation practices and their varied to accept the food for a long period. Post- value added products. Enthused during an feeding assessment indicated no significant awareness programme on millets organised change in BMI, B.P. and also physical fitness by the UAS, Dharwad, the Member of among the labourers, whereas there was an Parliament from Dharwad South constituency, improvement in physical fitness of the offered Rs 2 lakhs assistance from MP’s adolescent girls. Finger millet malt was highly special fund to a SHG for construction of a acceptable to the girls. Regular consumption building to house millet value addition activities. of millet as breakfast food showed an In Uttarakhand, there has been success in incremental change at 0.5 %, 3.4 %, 15.4 % incorporating small millets in the Anganwadi and 37.28 % in height, weight, Hb level and feeding programme. Another important goal of PFI, respectively. this project is to win over policy makers for introducing millets in the mid-day meal Improvement of availability, knowledge and programme in the schools of selected regions. maintenance of NUS resource base: Building on work done during the previous Exploring the role of rural tourism in phase, more emphasis was placed on the promoting NUS: Activity related to this role is generation of greater awareness among farm confined to the project villages in Uttarakhand. families on the nutritional benefits of small In the context of a decision by the Uttarakhand millets, quality seed multiplication of new and Government to introduce grain amaranth and traditional varieties for enhancing variety small millets as part of ‘prasadam’ in the four diversity in the project villages, compilation of famous spiritual sites of the State, namely, Indigenous Knowledge (IK) associated with Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri, millet cultivation, conservation and efforts are being made to introduce recipes

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FOOD SECURITY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ from these crops in the menu of Garhwal millets were made in national channels such Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) and Kumaon as DD, ETV and TV 100. Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN), two premier tourism agencies of the State. The help of media is also being sought to promote this goal. Sub Programme Area 502 Promotion of better policies and legal Ford Foundation Chair on Women frameworks for the sustainable and equitable use of NUS: Generation of a sound and Sustainable Food Security database on millets, its role and potential as a The aims of the Chair have been to undertake critical supplementary grain for nutritional and research work related to the concerns of food security of communities inhabiting women in getting equitable access to food, inconvenient locales and facilitating appropriate drinking water, resources, livelihoods, and policy and legal framework on developing seed healthcare, using both primary and secondary systems, possible support price, inclusion in sources; disseminate research findings and school feeding and public distribution conduct workshops and seminars to promote programmes and promoting dietary systems, better understanding on women and food are important components of the project goal. security and stimulate debate To meet this end, the project endeavours to influence policy makers with awareness The Program Advisory Committee of the Chair programmes and demonstrations of the met in April 2007 and gave suggestions. strengths of the NUS. The Minister of Agriculture, Uttarakhand, participated in During 2007-08, the draft of a book – ‘Bearing ‘Farmers’ Fair’ in Ranichauri, where he was the Brunt – Adverse Impact of Rural Distress apprised of the project activities, the nutritional on Women’ was completed and submitted to advantages of these grains and given a taste SAGE Publications. The book attempts to of the novel food items prepared from them. examine the impact on women’s wellbeing in rural India against the backdrop of growing The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) agrarian distress. The first chapter gives produced a thirty minute documentary on the evidence of deteriorating rural livelihood millet revival programme being undertaken by opportunities to support the thesis of spreading MSSRF in Kolli Hills under the title “Forgotten rural distress at the turn of the century. The Fruit”. This documentary was repeatedly last chapter computes the gender gap Index telecast in February 2008 under its Earth for all India and across the states for rural Report programme. It was also screened at populations to examine the areas of concern, the Eighth Conference of Parties of the where the gap is widening. The four chapters Convention on Biological Diversity recently held in the middle deal with various concerns of at Bonn, Germany. Other telecasts on small women in food production, natural resource

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The programme was formally launched in The women participated in “Technology Ralegaon tehsil in May. The mothers with Demonstration and Linkage Programme for school going children from families where a Women Farmers on Profitable Cotton Farming parent had committed suicide between 2003 and other Livelihood Opportunities”, organised and 2007 were called to a meeting on 17 May by Community Polytechnic and College of 2008, and the programme was explained to Agriculture, Wardha on 2-3 January 2008. them. There are about 25 families with 47 Various technologies like bee-keeping, children who will be covered. One family of vermicompost and vermiwash manufacture, three brothers came with their uncle. Their solar drying of vegetables, soya products and mother had died earlier and the father had pulse processing mill, were demonstrated at committed suicide in 2006, leaving them the venue. orphaned. Training in Sustainable Farming under No-frill accounts are being opened in the Rainfed Agriculture names of the mothers and children at SBI Ralegaon. If the mother is also not alive, the As part of the skill training for women farmers, guardian with whom the child is staying will be training in sustainable agriculture under rainfed the joint account holder. The tri-annual conditions was organised in technical instalments will be deposited in the accounts, collaboration with Chetana Vikas, a local NGO. commencing from the current school year. On 1 and 2 February 2008, an exposure cum demonstration programme was organised at 503.2 Mahila Kisan Sasakthikaran the Chetana Vikas Farm. 26 women and four Pariyojana (Women Farmers’ of the older children of farmers who had Empowerment Initiative) committed suicide, participated. The subjects included NRM, soil and water management The Education Support Programme has been techniques, multiple cropping systems an entry point to get to know the mothers. Most (season-wise) under dryland farming of them are young, and engaged in farming; conditions; self-reliant (swawlambi) agriculture; some have land in their name; many work as equipment and tools required for the farm labour. technology, inter-cropping of companion crops; Following meetings in Sept – Oct 2007 (see fruit farming; kitchen garden; formation of SPA 606), an initiative for women farmers, SHGs and micro-enterprise activity. Mahila Kisan Sasakthikaran Pariyojana has Chetna Vikas listed areas in which they could been launched. A Technical Support offer training for farmers to adopt practices for Consortium of agencies for technical support (agricultural university, research institutions, sustainable agriculture and the participants finance and marketing support) has been were asked to list their priorities. Those who formed. opted for training in sustainable agriculture

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503.3 Financial Inclusion declare Wardha district, a financially inclusive district on 2 October 2008. This will mark the MSSRF continued to coordinate with the banks completion of the first phase of every operating in Wardha district to bring the entire population under the formal banking system household in the district having a bank account. and make the district 100 % financially The next step will be to make them aware of inclusive. State Bank of India is coordinating and enable them to access other schemes of the effort among all banks and it is targeted to the banks.

141 Programme Area 600

Information, Education and Communication

NVA has so far set up 17 VRCs and 96 VKCs. A 9 - point charter has been proposed for Mahila Kisans. Mission 2007 has been rechristened Grameen Gyan Abhiyan. Knowledge-on-Wheels and Fisher Friend Mobile Application benefited a number of farming and fishing families. Several conferences and meetings were organised.

601 Jamsetji Tata National Virtual Academy for Rural Prosperity ...... 143

602 Uttara Devi Resource Centre for Gender and Development...... 151

603 The Hindu Media Resource Centre...... 153

604 Every Child a Scientist Programme ...... 156

605 Library and Information Services...... 159

606 Conferences and Workshops...... 159

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Knowledge Movement – Mission 2007: Every Sub Programme Area 601 Village a Knowledge Centre). Jamsetji Tata National Virtual Three tier network - NVA Academy for Rural Prosperity NVA has a three-tier knowledge network. Informatics Division, Chennai (National Level Since 1992, the Informatics Division of MSSRF Hub) has been connecting several data has been establishing Village Resource generators and data providers (universities, Centres (VRCs) and Village Knowledge experts, financial institutions, corporate sector, Centres (VKCs). In 2003, the VRC and VKC technocrats,NGOs, grassroots academicians, programmes were further strengthened by etc.) focussing primarily on content and creating the Jamsetji Tata National Virtual capacity building. It has been connecting with Academy for Rural Prosperity (NVA) and VRCs (block level hub) through Indian establishing collaboration with several Space Research Organization (ISRO) international and national partners for uplink / downlink satellites and transfering the developing content and undertaking capacity knowledge / information to VRCs and vice- building efforts for sustainable rural versa. From the VRCs, locale-specific, demand development. driven content is being disseminated through The main aim of the programme is to empower VKCs / Community Technology Learning the vulnerable rural communities to make Centres (CTLCs). better choices and achieve better control of their own development and build the skills and Through systematic collection of secondary capacities of the rural poor with a view to data and well-planned need assessment, enhancing livelihood opportunities. The VRC/ VRCs/VKCs/CTLCs develop locale-specific VKC programme brings together the experts demand-driven content, organise training and and grassroots level communities in a two-way awareness programmes and make linkages communication with the objective that with appropriate organisations for transforming knowledge should reach every home and hut. the content into action / application.

NVA is an umbrella for different ICT-enabled As of now, NVA has set up 17 VRCs and 96 development activities of MSSRF such as the VKCs (in TN, Puducherry, Maharashtra, AP, intranet / internet network, VRCs and Orissa, Kerala and Rajasthan) with the help of Knowledge on Wheels, ICT-based curricula for different philanthropic organisations. From May rural youth (both women and men) and 2007 to May 2008, NVA set up 8 VRCs and 37 children, Jamsetji Tata Training School for VKCs in TN, Maharashtra, Orissa, AP and Leadership in Rural Knowledge Connectivity Kerala. A VRC is normally located at the block (JTS) and Grameen Gyan Abhiyan (Rural level or at the centre of a cluster of villages.

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Knowledge Workers VRCs continuously debate updating the need- based dynamic and static information that the NVA has been selecting knowledge workers people may need. Particular attention is given with the help of local partners for maintaining to making the information content simple and the VKCs. It has been continuously imparting easy to understand and to disseminating the training to knowledge workers on various same to the community in a practical manner. aspects such as the concept of VKC, They also collect local information pertaining methodology of collection and dissemination to the day-to-day life of the people. of need-based content, managing users and visitors, maintaining the user register, bill books VRCs / VKCs establish links with a number of and other records pertaining to the VKC, institutions, organisations, experts and building rapport with users and community government departments regarding the members, gender concerns and basic content, addresses and linkages of other hardware and software. VRCs conduct quiz related institutions and capacity building programmes for Knowledge Workers (KWs) programmes. These links are in the form of based on the content in VKCs. Some of the VRC level meetings, face-to-face in their KWs have developed training material related institutions or in the fields, besides email or to VKC management based on their field telephone. experience and VRC training. The coordinators Through these links VRCs / VKCs are able to of NVA conducted general management help the rural community in availing of several training programmes for KWs in several places government schemes / services, such as the such as Jeypore, Kalpetta, Annavasal, centrally sponsored scheme “Strengthening Thiruvaiyaru, Chidambaram, Nagerkovil and Infrastructure for Quality & Clean Milk Puducherry. Production” during the 10th Plan Period and the The VRC technical staff is providing basic NETFISH programme for addressing the hardware and software training to KWs to extension requirements of the fisher folk of ensure effective system maintenance at VKC coastal states. level. VRC technical staff is also preparing VRCs collect and generate demand driven several technical manuals based on the locale-specific content based on seasonal problems faced by the VKCs. queries related to agriculture, fisheries, health, Content and Linkages etc., community newspaper readers, user register analysis, findings from village profile, Creating and updating relevant content to suit thematic segregation, need based user local needs is a key factor in the programme. meetings, employment news from local The information provided is time and locale- companies, and area specific target groups. specific, demand-driven and relevant to the day-to-day life and work of rural women The VRCs have produced a number of and men. dissemination materials in the form of

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INFORMATION, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ questions and answers, pamphlets, web page, seminar “Three years after Tsunami: a new life PowerPoint, word format, flash cards, dialogue for fisher communities” at MSSRF, Chennai, mode, audio and video format. The VRCs also and officially launched the FFMA by distributing use the readily available information from 40 mobile phones to the fisherfolk of various organisations and government Puducherry, Chidambaram, Nagapattinam, departments, combination of scientific inputs Manamelkudi, Vembar, Thangachimadam and and local terms, season based advisories Nagerkovil. The recipients were the socially based on the needs assessment, local experts, and economically marginalised members of the advisories / suggestions, historical background community. of local villages, environmental protection, value addition for extension departments and On the basis of the feedback from the users, reliant web based material. the project partners are in the process of making modifications in the FFMA. Dissemination Content Dissemination through All India VRCs are using both modern (mobile phone, Radio (AIR) Very High Frequency-VHF, WiFi and satellite based video conferencing, off line CDs for both Under the IDRC-CIDA Tsunami project, NVA audio and video, telephone – both landline and disseminates audio content through AIR. This WLL, wired and wireless public address is a 52-week programme from 19 November system, KYAN-PC (consisting of PC, Projector, 2007 to 10 November 2008 relayed every TV tuner card, DVD player, amplified speakers Monday between 18:45 and 19:00 hrs. on and modem), and traditional methods Chennai “A” – medium wave 416.7 m 720 khz, (community newspaper in vernacular language and also on short wave 60.08 4920 KHz. for each VRC, pamphlets, notice boards, The topics enclude VRC/VKC concept and pictorial based exhibitions etc.) to spread activities, Integrated Coastal Zone relevant knowledge to the community. The Management, micro-enterprises, climate community newspaper has been reaching 591 change in the context of rural development, villages and 605 organisations. and government schemes.

Fisher Friend Mobile Application (FFMA) Advisories through Video Conferencing Overcoming a major obstacle in the dissemi- As mentioned, all the VRCs are connected with nation of information to rural areas, the NVA of MSSRF through ISRO uplink and QUALCCOMM, MSSRF, Astute Systems and downlink satellites. Tata Teleservices have developed an application for fishermen with up-to-date In addition to daily advisories and clarifications, relevant information through the mobile phone. several thematic video conferencing On 26th December 2007, MSSRF organised a programmes related to farming, health and

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In the agriculture sector, programmes such as In the health sector, programmes such as sunflower plantation, kitchen garden, seed awareness on HIV/AIDs, chikungunya, collection, ginger and turmeric cultivation, tuberculosis, general health camps, health friendly insects of cotton, management of weed camps for pregnant women, women’s and preparation of compost from weed, organic reproductive health issues, diseases caused farming, system of rice intensification, jasmine by mosquitoes, tobacco eradication awareness cultivation, gingelly cultivation, paddy crop were conducted. management during flood, orange In the environmental sector, programmes such management, oyster mushroom cultivation, as sea turtle conservation, integrated coastal vermicompost, coconut farming, azolla zone management, were conducted. cultivation, usage of biofertiliser, tuber cultivation, application of Trichoderma and Under the dissemination of government Pseudomonas were conducted. schemes / entitlements sector, details of various schemes under child and welfare In the fisheries sector, programmes such as department, availability of various training GPS handling and using navigational map for programmes in agricultural schemes of fishing, hygienic handling of marine fishing banks, self-employment schemes, Right to products, fish quality management and Information Act and legal literacy, were sustainable fishing were conducted. covered.

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Programmes on maintaining SHG accounts, community newspaper, running eye camps and SHG credit links with financial institutions, training and awareness programmes. savings and credit management, discussion This year VRCs developed several MUPP with panchayat leaders regarding various course modules (in PPT) in vernacular schemes and career guidance were also conducted. languages (Tamil and Marathi). The modules include computer fundamentals, web ICT-based Curricula: designing, Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Microsoft Unlimited Potential Programme Access. (MUPP) Curriculum: VRCs and VKCs In the last year, 6,677 trainees have enrolled conduct the Microsoft Unlimited Potential in the MUPP and 1,158 passed the final Programme (MUPP). The curriculum covers examination. This programme covers 624 fundamental aspects such as Computer villages in TN, Puducherry, Maharashtra and operation, Digital Media, Internet and World Orissa. Wide Web, Web Design, Word Processing, Presentation, Database and Spreadsheet. Computer Aided Learning Programme The target audiences for this course are SHG (CALP): In cooperation with the Azim Premji members, women and men from the farming Foundation, NVA initiated the Computer Aided and fishing communities, unemployed youth, Learning Programme in VRCs and VKCs. The school teachers, employers from various target groups for this programme are children organizations and school children. Before in the age group of 6-13 years in classes I to attending the final MUPP curriculum VIII. Under this programme the VRCs and examination, each trainee spends 60 hrs on VKCs are using 62 interactive CDs. hands on training and 60 hrs on theory. VRCs and VKCs are disseminating information Sometimes the rural trainees spend more than about this programme through KWs and school 180 hrs to complete this course. They also activities, VKC users, and meetings at the attend two model examinations. The successful candidates are given certificates. village level. Previously VKCs used to have separate sessions to suit “Sarva Shiksha VRCs and VKCs also hold exposure meetings Abhyan” students. Now both “Sarva Shiksha for students, rural youth and women, along with Abhyan” and others attend the same sessions education institutions and private consultancy in the evening. VRCs also conduct pre and post groups. Some of the trainers disseminate evaluation tests for students before and after information on health, agriculture and livestock, the use of each CD. to the rural community. Some of the trainees have been consistently helping in the VRC and This year NVA covered 268 schools and 5,896 VKC activities such as distribution of the students participated in this programme.

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Intel Learn Programme: Intel Learn Crop Cultivation Practices, Integrated Pest Programme includes three aspects, namely Management, Post Harvest Technologies, etc. technology literacy, critical thinking and This van now provides services to the Cauvery collaboration. Technology literacy involves the Delta farmers. ability to use technology such as computers to In Vidarbha, with the help of the College of communicate, solve problems, and collect, Agriculture, Amravati and Indian Farmers organise, and share information. Critical Fertilizer Co-operative Limited’s (IFFCO) soil thinking involves problem solving. vans, more than 350 farmers in Jasapur, Collaboration involves teamwork – working with Bodad and Lonswali villages got soil health one or more people to complete a task. Under cards. This is a continuing activity. this programme students produced 34 projects, PAN-MSSRF Training programmes covering topics such as rain water harvesting, disasters, problems of their community and the NVA is working with Coastal Systems future of the community. During the year, 364 Research and Biodiversity Programme Areas students from 37 schools participated in this for setting up VRCs and VKCs as a PAN- MSSRF project in TN, AP and Kerala. This programme. year, several workshops on monitoring, Knowledge on Wheels evaluation and capacity building were conducted to improve the capacity building of On 7 August 2007, NVA launched a new project staff and partners. programme called “Knowledge on Wheels”. On 29 December 2006, NVA and Sankara 6-8 September 2007, Workshop on Nethralaya Medical Research Foundation Monitoring and Evaluation System for the signed a Memorandum of Understanding to NGO partners of IDRC-CIDA Tsunami provide eye care facilities and eye care project, Thangachimadam VRC awareness using a van for this purpose. 20-22 September 2007, Training in In March 2008, Sankara Nethralaya opened developing Logical Framework Approach another surgery unit at Rameswaram for this for VRC and VKC activities, MSSRF, purpose. So far 12,708 patients have been Chennai screened from 381 villages (TN, Puducherry 18-22 January 2008, GIS based community and Maharashtra). 197 camps were needs assessment training, Thachampathu conducted. VKC, Wayanad

With the help of HP and ISRO, NVA has now 15-17 May 2008, Orientation on been strengthened with a soil and water testing Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation for mobile van that helps to test soil parameters. the NGO Partners & Community members With this facility, NVA plans to show a few of IDRC-CIDA Tsunami Project, documentaries on Soil Nutrient Management, Thangachimadam VRC

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19-21 May 2008, Training on Gender of researchers, academic institutions and Sensitisation for the staff of IDRC-CIDA policy makers have studied the VRC and VKC Tsunami Project, Olaikuda, Rameswaram activities and compared them with other entrepreneurship models such as n-Logue, Digital Library government initiatives (e-seva) and corporate NVA is developing a digital library which models (ITC e-Choupal). contains the photographs of the activities of From January 2007 to March 2008, apart from VRCs and VKCs such as knowledge workers trainess, 27,907 one time users and 14,703 training, ICT-based educational programmes repeated users (more than two times) visited and Knowledge on Wheels. the VRCs and VKCs. Several events, such as Virtual Congresses, Grameen Gyan Abhiyan (GGA – Rural MUPP—NGO partners’ meet, mud crab Knowledge Movement) farming, and diet for women have also been documented in the form of video tapes. In 2004, MSSRF initiated steps to extend the VKC concept to different parts of the country Monitoring and Evaluation in the form of multi-stake holder partnerships NVA is systematically monitoring its activities called “Mission 2007: Every Village a through an evaluation framework. Data Knowledge Centre”. By 2005 this network collection and compilation plans are prepared consisted of more than 200 partners and was on the basis of indicators developed for various getting support from both national (including programmes of the NVA. The collected data government) and international agencies. Since are periodically analysed using SPSS package early August 2007 this network / movement is and communicated to all the stakeholders to being referred to as Grameen Gyan Abhiyan take appropriate decisions and make future Rural Knowledge Movement (See SPA 606). plans. GGA is a multi-stakeholder partnership, In addition, NVA also conducts periodical facilitating national and regional events related internal reviews with the VRC staff to make to ICT-enabled rural development activities. necessary midcourse corrections wherever Some of the GGA partners are testing different necessary. Documenting the outcome of technologies and developing applications for VRCs and VKCs. Academics, the corporate various activities of the NVA using case study sector and policy makers use this platform for and other qualitative and quantitative methods knowledge and technological empowerment. is a continuous process and helps to identify the changes among rural communities. The The major role of the Grameen Gyan Abhiyan documented outcomes are shared among the movement is to establish a link between partners in the form of publications. A number scientific know-how and field level do-how.

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Rural Innovation Fund (RIF) received. The committee short listed the applications. Telecentre.org and Microsoft allot As envisaged by Mission 2007, one of the the resources and provide necessary guidance major obstacles in the emergence of “Rural to select 5 RIF’s award winners. GGA Knowledge Societies” across India is the lack secretariat monitors the entire programme and of cost-effective and adaptive technologies that the award winners will bring and develop can address area-specific needs and demands submiting their software applications to the and can function effectively in varied rural GGA secretariat. environments. It necessitates “innovation” of new technologies and “adaptation” of existing NVA Fellows ones in such a way that they operate efficiently On 1 August 2007, NVA conducted its 5th under prevalent rural constraints and convocation for newly elected NVA Fellows at conditions. To address this problem Microsoft IGNOU, New Delhi. 527 Fellows (M:329, and Telecenter.org (a collaborative initiative of F:198) from 19 states (AP, Assam, Microsoft, IDRC, Canada and the SDC have Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, constituted this Fund. Karnataka, Kashmir, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, In July 2007, the Secretariat of Mission 2007 Maharashtra, Orissa, Puducherry, Punjab, invited applications through email from those Rajasthan, TN, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand working towards developing innovative and West Bengal) and 25 International Fellows applications / solutions / content / services in (M:22, F:3) from 6 countries (Afghanistan, any of the following areas. Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Philippines and Sri Lanka) were present. Enhancing livelihood and agriculture practice On 31 July 2007, NVA organized a one-day orientation programme on cultural topics of Education & literacy practical relevance with the help of several Rural Health & telemedicine schools Indira Gandhi National Open University E-Commerce (IGNOU).

Local content management applications & On 30-31 July 2007, NVA conducted the 5th village level administration tools National Participatory Knowledge Management Workshop at the National Academy of Disaster preparedness & management Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi and Indira The Fund only supports project costs, and not Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi recruitment, core organisational costs and for newly elected NVA Fellows. On 18-19 recurrent needs. The official representatives December 2007 NVA conducted participatory of the sponsors served as selection committee knowledge management workshop for AP members. More than 1,400 applications were Fellows at Adult Education Department

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Training Hall, Guntur, AP in collaboration with Firewall and ISA Server (Internet provider for the Adult Education Department, Guntur and VRCs), controlling the SPAM mails, email 21-22 December 2007 at Adult Education back-up facility, maintaining the satellite-based Department Training Hall, Medak, AP. NVA has connectivity between MSSRF, Chennai and the developed a video film on “Journey from VKCs VRCs and VKC network, and intranet network to NVA and the objective of NVA Fellow” in three of more than 120 computers and 60 printers. languages, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. This year, the internet connection was upgraded from 512 kbps (1:4) to 512 kbps Four Soil Health Management (16-18 October dedicated line (1:1). E-print server was set up 2007, 24-26 November 2007, 27-29 December for the library to publish all the MSSRF 2007 and 12-14 March 2008) training research papers into the web- based public workshops were held in partnership with IFFCO domain (open access). Informatics also in TN, Mahararashtra and AP. upgraded the Firewall from Checkpoint NG R So far 985 Fellows have been selected from 5.5 to R 6.5, blocked certain web sites based 21 States in India (AP, Assam, Chhattisgarh, on the request of the staff, allotted direct Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, internet access for some machines for internet- Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, based video conferencing (SKYPE), changed Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, manageable switches (to create segment Orissa, Puducherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, TN, network) in a few locations of MSSRF, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarkand and West Bengal) Chennai, from 100 Mbps to 1 GB, and installed and 25 Fellows from 6 foreign countries. AntiSPAM Iron Port in mail gateway to filter SPAM mails. In August 2007, NVA brought out the second volume of the directory of NVA Fellows (Profiles and Core Competencies). The brief profiles of Sub Programme Area 602 the NVA Fellows outlined in this publication Uttara Devi Resource Centre for reveal the wide range of competencies and expertise they represent. Despite the wide Gender and Development diversity of their interests, the common link During the year, the Centre coordinated the among them is the special spirit of service that publication of two major collections of studies: each Fellow possesses, and the quality of leadership to bring about rural transformation. The first - MSSRF held a Consultation in July 2007, with the support of the Department of MSSRF’s Intranet / Internet Network Science and Technology and FAO-RAP at The Informatics division has been looking after Bangkok, on the theme of “Technology the intranet / internet network and maintaining Development and Delivery Models for six servers, namely Mail, Proxy, Domain, DNS, Sustainable Livelihoods”, involving participants

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Dr. Maithreyi Krishnaraj, one of the most lecture/brainstorming, these target groups are outstanding figures in Women’s Studies in the invited to participate in the event. The events country, was invited to accept the Visiting are structured to give scope for interaction and Fellowship in Gender and Development for dialogue. The consistent efforts in organising 2006 and edit and prepare this volume, as well events have resulted in establishing a network as conduct a short course on Women’s Studies among Arts, Science and Engineering colleges during the year. The book, Gender, Food and media houses in Chennai. Twenty colleges Security and Rural Livelihoods (STREE, were added to the network this year. December 2007) is the outcome of her hard Event management and impact work. During the year, THMRC organised 22 events Sub Programme Area 603 (See Table on page 156). A total of 196 media professionals visited us; 305 feature stories The Hindu Media Resource Centre were published and 15 news stories were telecast. Each event was attended by eight The Hindu Media Resource Centre (THMRC) journalists on an average. Around 40 news and disseminates information on sustainable feature stories are being published in the agriculture and rural development, using mass national dailies, regional journals, private media as a technological tool to reach the commercial television channels, Gyan Vani masses. It acts as an interface between the and Community Radio Stations. scientists and media professionals. The Training and capacity building activities have resulted in more space in the media for developmental stories. Communication strategies and skills were taught to grassroot academics of the NVA, Communication strategies participants from various NGOs and To achieve the above mandate, THMRC has representatives from the farming and fishing consistently organised media workshops, communities through the workshops organised public fora, public lectures, media tours and at Puduchery, Sempatti (TN) and Medak (AP). Press interactions on relevant scientific issues. Website Networking and partnership The feedback from journalists, students and All the events organised by THMRC are scientists of several institutions confirms the targeted towards research scholars, post usefulness of the website. Media tracking graduate students and academics, in addition confirms the increased number of publications to the mainstream media professionals and in the newspapers and magazines using the emerging Community Radio Stations. audio from the website. The Video Corner has Depending on the theme of the workshop/ two films, Science and Tsunami-Two Years

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Details of activities conducted by THMRC Media Workshops Date Title 25 September, 2007 Nonviolence to Nature – to commemorate the International Day for Nonviolence 26 December, 2007 Three Years after Tsunami: New Life for the Fisher Communities 11 February, 2008 The Role of ICT in management of Climate Change at the Grassroots Level- Public Lectures Date Title 11 August, 2007 Lecture by Mr. Pedro Medrano, Regional Director (Latin America & Caribbean) UN World Food Programme on “Initiatives to Eradicate Chronic Undernutrition in Latin America” 3 September, 2007 To commemorate National Nutrition Week- “Nutrition Interventions in the Past and Present” by Dr. S. Raja Gopalan, Secretary, CRSARD Press Interactions Date Title 26 July, 2007 Three Day National Consultation on Technology Development Delivery Models for Sustainable Livelihoods 14 August, 2007 Recommendations of National Nutritional Conclave 15 November, 2007 Rural Innovations Award 3-7 January, 2008 Mahila Kisan Congress, Indian Science Congress (Visakhapatnam & Chennai) 20 February, 2008 95th Indian Science Congress – “National Challenges Programme” - Chennai 23 February, 2008 Bio-fortified Crops – “Crops for better Nutrition” 21 April, 2008 The summary and the key decisions derived from the International Dialogue on Community Management of Climate Change - Role of Panchayats & Nagarpalikas Millennium Lectures Date Title 9 August, 2007 “Lessons from India for Africa’s Economic Development”, Prof. Jeffrey Sachs Director, Earth Institute at Columbia University 22 August, 2007 “Globalisation of Food and Agriculture and the Poor: Driving Forces, Consequences and Policy Implications”, Prof. Joachim Von Braun, Director General, International Food Policy Research Institute

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25 September, 2007 “Agrarian Crisis: Causes and Concerns”, Ramon Magsaysay Award Winner, Mr. P. Sainath, Rural Affairs Editor, The Hindu 11 February, 2008 “Global Knowledge Partnership for Meeting the Emerging Global, Environmental and Economic Challenges”, Dr Walter Fust, Director General, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation Seminars Date Title 7 August, 2007 Inauguration of an Interdisciplinary Dialogue on “Bread and Biotechnology” 16 October, 2007 To commemorate World Food Day – Food for All & Forever 28 January, 2008 Role of Media in Women Empowerment Training Workshops Date Title 28 & 29 September, 2007 JTS: A Virtual Workshop for the Trainers: Content Development & Management 2 & 3 November, 2007 Workshop on Needs Assessment of Youth, Sempatti , Dindigul 18 December, 2007 Workshop on Exploring Skills and Needs of NVA Fellows – Medak and Guntur (AP) 16 March, 2008 Workshop on Communication with Special Reference to Multimedia Packages Public Fora Date Title 15 September, 2007 Coastal Zone Management, Rameswaram 26 December, 2007 Coastal Zone Management, Chennai Discussions/Dialogues Date Title 21 May, 2008 Panel Discussion on Green Genes and Global Warming

Later and We Shall Overcome. Both the films Media Tracking can be downloaded into any multi media- All the news features that are published in the enabled mobile phone. The regular monitoring newspaper/magazines are tracked and of web hits shows that both the films are viewed available to the staff, web subscribers, media 50 times on an average per month and the professionals and online discussion groups. overall page is viewed 500 times on an average Three hundred and five published stories are every day. preserved for research and documentation.

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This reference material has motivated other journalists to develop stories for their Sub Programme Area 604 newspaper/channel. Every Child A Scientist Concept Bank Programme It consists of write-ups, classified on the basis of themes, highlighting the initiatives of This programme has been functional in MSSRF. They are useful to the media/ Chennai since August 2002 and the target researchers/public to get an idea before group are students belonging to the discussions with the scientists to develop news economically challenged sections of society, stories or research papers. These write-ups studying in Corporation schools. Activities under the programme in Wayanad have been are available online in THMRC. reported under SPA 201.3. The centre in Video Catalogue Chennai is equipped with fifteen computers and multimedia learning material with new content To make effective use of the 35 documentary creation every month. With encouragement films so far produced by THMRC, a video from the Zonal Supervisors, the centre has catalogue containing details about free access, established a good rapport with Corporation concept, format, and availability of the films was Middle School headmasters, headmistresses, developed. The catalogue is available online schoolteachers, orphanage schools and for reference. Software, which has the feature government-aided schools in the neighbouring of built-in audio to read the text in English, was zones IX and X. also developed to facilitate distribution of the video catalogue in CDs. Students from zone IX and X participate in the programme, in batches of 20 students for Media relations fifteen days from 10.00 a.m.- 4.00 p.m. Each A database of all media professionals is batch of students is exposed to a combination maintained and updated regularly. The details of both lectures and some practical of online journalists have also been collected experimentation. The interactive lectures for and used for online information sharing and the students are mostly on Biotechnology, discussion. Biodiversity, Information Technology, Health and Diseases, Global Warming and Public relations and image management Greenhouse Effect, Types of Pollution and MSSRF receives visitors from all walks of life Rain-water Harvesting. Apart from these topics, including Government officials, delegates, students learn MS Office and fundamentals of scientists, research scholars and students from Computers. So computers are used as tools schools and colleges. There were nearly 1,700 to help students understand the concepts, visitors this year. principles, and amazing facts of science. This

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INFORMATION, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ year, 400 students benefited from the of touch and smell. Apart from children from programme. Students from 11 zone schools, the blind schools, visually impaired adults from Advent Christian Schools in Velachery and various NGOs also visit the garden. A group Kanagam and Seva Samajam Home at of visually impaired computer trainees from Pallipattu participated (6 schools from IX zone National Institute for Visually Handicapped, and 5 schools from X zone). Dehradun and teacher trainees from the All the students were encouraged to prepare institute in Poonamalle, Chennai, visited the models, draw charts and herbaria, enact skits, garden in January 2008 and learnt about conduct quiz, games, etc. At the end of each setting up similar gardens in their campuses. training module, the students submitted A herbarium of about twenty touch and smell projects on topics of their choice and garden plants was developed for children to showcased their ideas in the form of learn about the types of plants and their assignments, charts and models. These charts medicinal value. The herbarium gives the and models serve as a source of information botanical classification and medicinal uses of to subsequent batches of students. This year, the plant. A detailed explanation of touch and additional resource materials on topics like smell garden plants is available in a CD. Some Biodiversity, Facts on Volcanoes, Greenhouse of the students from Corporation schools Effect, Solar System, Ozone Layer, Energy- helped to make the botanical name boards for renewable and non-renewable, were included. the plants in the Touch and Smell Garden. A Green School programme was organized in Genome Clubs and Vacation Training July 2007 and 15 schools participated (both Programme government and private schools). This programme was to orient teachers to carry out The Department of Biotechnology, Govt of India, a green audit as a self-assessment of the has set up DBT Natural Resources Awareness environmental practices of the school through Clubs – “DNA Clubs” – in selected schools in their students. The teachers have agreed to every State. These clubs operate as a nucleus conduct this audit in the coming year and for a suite of activities and hands-on learning compete for the Green School Prize. On 28 opportunities focusing on bioresources that February, 2008, Science Day was celebrated seamlessly blend with formal course curricula. with participation from students of both zones Regional Resource Agencies (RRAs) have and they demonstrated their talents through been established at different locations in the skits, quiz and experimental models. country to facilitate this activity and MSSRF has been selected to coordinate the activity in Touch and Smell Garden the southern States, including Orissa. These This garden was developed for visually clubs concentrate on hands-on training for impaired people to experience the joy of nature children, lectures by eminent experts, field and learn by exploration through the senses visits to national institutes engaged in

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ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ biotechnology research and nature walks. The This year, MSSRF conducted two vacation- clubs have been established through our training programmes in Wayanad, Kerala and partners, namely, Shri AMM Murugappa Jeypore, Orissa. The programme in Jeypore Chettiar Research Center (MCRC), Chennai was conducted from 5-30 May, on (for Puducherry), Loyola Institute of Frontier Bioresources and Bio-technology. A total of Energy, Loyola College, Chennai (for TN), 30 students (16 boys & 14 girls) from 22 schools from 13 districts of Orissa participated Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology & Natural in the programme. The programme had a blend History (SACON), Coimbatore (for Andaman of exposure visits and classroom interactive & Nicobar Islands), The American College, sessions. The students visited industries like Madurai (for AP) and Ashoka Trust for National Aluminum Company (NALCO), Research in Ecology and the Environment Ballarpur Paper Industry (BILT) in Koraput (ATREE), Bangalore (for Karnataka). MSSRF district and were exposed to the environmental implements the programmes directly for Orissa safety precautions and measures taken by and Kerala. these industries. During the course they were exposed to nature trails in the highest mountain School students need to learn the importance peak of Orissa (Deomali- 3000 ft Msl), forest of our environment, biodiversity, biotechnology nurseries, propagation techniques, vegetable and the relation of all these with everyday life. cultivation, vermicompost preparation, herbal To create an enlightened brigade of bright, bio-valley, preparation of herbariums of young students curious about the world around economic forest plants, sericulture and the them and its importance, a Vacation Training process of silk production, sacred groves, Programme on Bioresources is being carried reserve forests, millet cultivation and out regularly since 2002. This programme is preparation of value added items. They visited held annually for children who have appeared MITS, Rayagada and learnt basic computer in the class X board exams. The programme application. is of 3-4 weeks duration, fully residential and The students also visited a village, which was held during the summer vacations, in which electrified under the Rural Electricity 30 children are trained. The course consists programme by the Ministry of Non Renewable of interactive lectures, hands-on laboratory and Energy. They were able to see electricity fieldwork and projects of relevance to the generated by using wood from the forests. students, such as the study of plants, animals They interacted with the traditional healthcare and microbes of their area, web page designing practitioners in 3 tribal villages to document on bioresources, simple biotechnology-based their knowledge on the use of plants and experiments, etc. This is a unique activity that animals. Through interactive lectures they were benefits children immensely. oriented to subjects such as biodiversity,

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INFORMATION, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ cytogenetics, centre of origin of different crops Publication & Distribution Service and mapping of plant resources. A poster (Exchange Basis) competition was held for all the students on Newsletter and Alert Services environmental issues and 9 environmental games held to make them understand nature The library serves not only the in-house staff, but also caters to the needs of users from and the environment. various organisations, universities, colleges, A similar vacation training programme was held and schools. There were 880 external users in Wayanad from 19 May – 6 June, in which during the year. Scholars from different 30 students participated. universities within India and the University of Ottawa, University of Bristol, University of Tokyo, Yale University, University of San Sub Programmme Area 605 Francisco and University of Bonn, visited the library during the year. Library and Information Services The library is also planning to expand the The library strives to provide efficient intranet based Open Access Archives (OAA) information service to the users. Currently, and Online Public Access – Catalogue (OPAC) there are 16,723 books of which 1,100 were and make it web-based to provide access to added during the year. In addition it also holds scholars from across the globe. 239 CDs, 126 journals, 230 newspaper clippings for the year 2007-2008 and 2,250 back volumes of journals. The library also Sub Programme Area 606 houses reports of MSSRF, development reports and Annual Reports of several Conferences and Workshops organisations. Recent information downloaded Seminar on Taxonomy vis-à-vis from the Internet on relevant topics is also Conservation, 23 May, 2007, CAbC, MSSRF, provided to the staff. Wayanad

The following services are given to the end- A one-day seminar on Taxonomy vis-à-vis users Conservation was organised to observe the Tercentenary Celebration of Carl Linnaeus, Current Awareness Service (CAS) which was attended by 120 researchers, Selective Dissemination of Information students and teachers. Shri H. Nagesh Prabhu, (SDI) IFS, CEO, State Medicinal Plants Board, delivered the keynote address on medicinal Online Information Retrieval (E-Alerts) plants; it was followed by a series of lectures Reprographic Services (Photocopying) by experts on biodiversity. The event was

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ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ sponsored by Investing in Nature (IIN), NBRI alliance members for promoting self- and Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, Mumbai. sustaining, self-replicable and self-generative Village Knowledge Centres. The involvement Capacity building workshop for Panchayat of a wide range of stakeholders in the alliance and community leaders, farmers and other provides us with opportunities to study and workers on the recent legislations understand the structures and functions of pertaining to Biological Diversity and different types (Community, Entrepreneur, Farmers’ Rights, 2 June, 2007, MSSRF, Corporate Sector, and Government Initiatives) Chennai. of VKC, Telecenters, Information Kiosks, The inception workshop for launching the Village Information Centres, Community project Capacity Building of Panchayat Raj Service Centers, etc. An understanding of the Institutions on the Biological Diversity Act and social and economic context of VKCs is Protection of Plant Varieties & Farmers’ Rights essential to define the roadmap for the future. Act was held at MSSRF (See SPA 205). The Based on this background, GGA (Mission project, supported by the Department of 2007) Secretariat organised a two-day Scientific and Industrial Research and National workshop on strengthening the linkages of Biodiversity Authority, aims at training and different ICT4D models to address aspects capacity building of local level leaders and such as identifying various models of VKCs functionaries of Panchayats, on the BD and and ICT4D and share their experiences, PPVFR Acts, in four districts, namely understand the viability of different Cuddalore, Thanjavur, Pudukottai and technological options for ICT4D, define the Namakkal of TN, over a period of two years. linkages with various missions, programmes The Hon’ble Union Minister of Panchayat Raj, and projects, delineate the programme Shri Mani Sankar Aiyar, was the chief guest at management and policy advocacy strategies the meeting. Block Panchayat Presidents and and arrive at a road map for strengthening District Panchayat Presidents of all four districts Mission 2007 with more than 25 telecentre were specially invited for this event. About 48 managers. The outcome of the meeting has of them, including 9 women representatives, been brought out in the form of a publication. participated. A few progressive farmers, representatives of NGOs and other community National consultation on Technology organisations from all these districts also Development and Delivery Models for participated at the meeting. Sustainable Livelihoods, 26-28 July, Workshop on Strengthening the Linkages MSSRF, Chennai of Different ICT4D Models, 22-23 June, The National Consultation was organised with 2007, Chennai the help of financial support from FAO, Mission 2007 has been focusing on Bangkok, DST, New Delhi and SBI, Chennai, strengthening partnership among various to explore the four facets of the inclusive

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INFORMATION, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ technology system identified as technology Many aspects such as knowledge connectivity development that is responsive to diverse rural in rural areas, role of Gram Panchayats in rural clients, technology transfer modalities, knowledge revolution, public-private technology service processes that transcend partnerships, meeting the knowledge and social inequities and policies and programmes livelihood needs of rural communities, global for inclusive technology development, delivery partnerships, announcement of Rural and adoption. The inclusive perspective Innovation Fund awardees, etc. were covered. examined the social and economic inequities Mission 2007 has now been renamed that perpetuate technology divide in rural Grameen Gyan Abhiyan (Rural Knowledge communities. The consultation submitted Movement). See SPA 601. twelve recommendations to the policy makers, technology development and transfer Annual Dialogue on Bread and organisations and other stakeholders to help Biotechnology, 7-9 August, 2007, MSSRF, the pathways of the multi-sector stakeholders Chennai to refine and reform technology development and delivery modalities to improve rural Many developing countries are advancing livelihoods. There were more than 40 efforts to use biotechnology to improve the participants. The proceedings have been agriculture and healthcare sectors for the brought out as a publication titled Technology benefit of their populations. Significant efforts Development and Delivery Models for have been made to establish research Sustainable Livelihoods. capacity, bio-safety and regulatory frameworks. 4th Convention of the National Alliance for Both publicly funded and private sectors in Mission 2007: Every Village a Knowledge Africa, Asia and Latin America are combining Centre, 1-3 August 2007, Indira Gandhi new biotechnology techniques with an overall National Open University, New Delhi objective of ensuring food, nutrition and health Mission 2007 Secretariat and alliance partners security for their ever-increasing population. conducted the fourth convention of the National The rapid advances made in the area of Alliance at IGNOU, New Delhi. Mission 2007 biotechnology call for accelerated efforts on the is a multi-stakeholder partnership, facilitating delivery of products to the farmer and national and regional events related to ICT- consumers, based on the established evidence enabled rural development activities. Many of safety and sustainability of these experts, including central ministers, policy interventions to the food, nutrition and human makers, technocrats, the corporate sector, health as well as to the environment. academic, UN bodies, ICT-enabled development workers and NGOs, participated The Pugwash Conferences on Science and in this event. Many recent technologies were World Affairs and MSSRF organised the demonstrated in technology Partners Pavilion. Annual Dialogue on Bread and Biotechnology

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INFORMATION, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ improved monitoring and evaluation of nutrition Mr. M.P. Veerendrakumar, Hon’ble MP, and programming, including ICDS increasing its chaired by Mr. Shreyamskumar, MLA. Prof focus on measuring nutrition outcomes, more M.S. Swaminathan delivered a special talk on focus on nutrition education, communication ‘Agrobiodiversity and Sustainable Food and awareness. A Coalition for Nutrition Security’. Three technical sessions were held Security has been formed as a follow-up to the viz., Revitalisation of Community Biodiversity Conclave (SPA 501.4). Conservation Practice, Biodiversity and Food & Nutritional Security, Protecting Community Socially Sustainable Strategy for Rights for Conserving Biodiversity. Each Agriculture in Vidarbha, Sept 8 2007, technical session was attended by about 50 Nagpur and Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran people; the keynote speakers, panelists and Pariyojana, Oct 6, 2007, Sewagram, Wardha participants gave suggestions for revitalising A meeting of academic and research institutes, agrobiodiversity conservation, which was later civil society organisations, farm men and presented as recommendations. Simultan- women, bankers, industry and government eously an exhibition on wild foods, leafy greens, representatives in Nagpur on Sept 8 resulted traditional crop varieties and organic products in an action plan for ‘bringing new life to the was organised, which was visited by over 3,000 women farmers of Vidarbha’. A Technical people including students, children, farmers, Support Consortium of participating institutions and planters. The National Discussion was and agencies was formed to work towards this partially supported by the State Bank of end. A follow-up meeting in Sewagram, Travancore, Thiruvananthapuram. Wardha on Oct 6 had women farmers speaking First National Virtual Congress of Mahila about the issues faced by them in the forenoon Kisan, 5 January, 2008, Visakhapattinam and the technical support consortium members giving their suggestions in the afternoon. The MSSRF, Indian Space Research Organisation two meetings laid the foundation for the ‘Mahila and Andhra University organised the first Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana’ – Women national Virtual Congress of Mahila Kisans at Farmers’ Empowerment Programme in the Convention Hall, Andhra University, during Vidarbha (See SPA 503.2). the 95th Indian Science Congress at Visakhapattinam. During the congress, National Discussion on Revitalising MSSRF, Chennai, VRCs of Jeypore (Orissa), Agrobiodiversity for Alleviating Poverty and Waifad and Yavatmal (Maharashtra), Hunger, 24 – 26 November, 2007, CAbC, Moosapet (AP), Thiruvaiyaru (TN) and Pokran MSSRF, Wayanad (Rajasthan) were connected through ISRO A three-day National Discussion on Revitalising uplink and downlink satellites. This brought Agrobiodiversity for Alleviating Poverty and several women agriculturists together on a Hunger was held to mark the tenth year of single platform to discuss and guide a policy CAbC. The programme was inaugurated by change. The Mahila Kisan who participated in

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Reduction in drudgery and enhancing applications in disaster management, climate income per hour of work; Farm implements, change management at the grassroots for which can help to enhance work efficiency governance, role of Panchayat, vulnerability and reduce drudgery, are urgently needed. assessment and enhancing the adaptive Traveling Exhibitions and Knowledge on the capacity to climate change in semi arid areas, Wheels programmes may be organized to and climate literacy through VRCs and VKCs familiarise Mahila Kisans with the gender were discussed. Dr. Walter Fust, Director sensitive implements available in General, SDC, Ms. Rinalia Abdul Rahim, Agricultural Universities, ICAR institutions, Executive Director, Global Knowledge IITs and KVKs. Partnership Secretariat, Dr. V.S. Hegde, ISRO, Study tour of 25 Nenasala operators on Mr. Malan, Dr. G. Palanidurai, Gandhigram knowledge and experience sharing University and many dignitaries including mission, 4 – 11 February, 2008, MSSRF, Panchayat leaders and NVA Fellows Chennai participated in the workshop. NVA Fellows ICT Agency (ICTA) of Sri Lanka sent 25 shared their experiences related to climate Nenasala operators (like VKCs) to MSSRF, change. The participants also had discussions Chennai and Puducherry VRCs and VKCs to with farm women and men, fisher folk, NVA discuss various aspects such as concept and Fellows and Panchayat leaders of Puducherry, activities of VRCs and VKCs, NVA Fellows, Nagapattinam, Waifad, Annavasal, capacity building, training for knowledge Thangachimadam and Jeypore through ISRO- workers, monitoring and evaluation of VRCs based satellite conference regarding their and VKCs, functions of Grameen Gyan preparedness for meeting the adverse impact Abhiyan secretariat, ICT-based trainees, and of changes in precipitation, temperature and NVA Fellows. On 10 February 2008, the increase in drought, floods, coastal storms and participants had a debate on activities that sea level rise (hydro-meteorological events). could be replicated in Sri Lanka (both content Aspects such as sea water ingress (shifting and dissemination), difference between the settlements, reducing the space for drying MSSRF VRCs, VKCs and Nenasala’s, and fishing nets and landing their boats), increased how to improve Nenasala centres by using humidity (vegetable crops matured much different monitoring and evaluation methods. earlier resulting in poor quality and quantity), Workshop on Role of ICT in the reduced dew (low productivity of wheat), management of Climate Change at the disappearing species increased water Grassroots Level, 11 February, 2008, temperature, coral reefs bleaching (bleeding)), MSSRF, Chennai fluctuations in fish finding zones, changes in Many aspects such as the role of SDC and the fishing season and season advance were GKP in climate change, the role of space discussed.

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Annual Interdisciplinary Dialogue on universities, scientists, bankers, farm men and Community Management of Climate women, civil society and media met at Change: Role of Panchayats & VANAMATI, Nagpur and deliberated on the Nagarpalikas, 19 - 21 April, 2008, MSSRF, issues cent ring on soybean cultivation and Chennai related aspects. The meet was organised by The main objectives of the dialogue were to MSSRF, Chennai and The Soybean discuss (i) issues that help to understand the Processors Association of India (SOPA). perceived risks of climate change and available The main thrust was to highlight the importance options at the local level for pro-active action, (ii) ways and means to enhance local of having a farming system approach to capacities through education, social soybean cultivation and linking livestock with mobilisation, training and awareness for the crop cycle as an integral part of the system. handling climate related stresses and This was felt important in the light of the recent (iii) develop a simple regulatory framework to trend of more area coming under soybean handle climate related issues at the local level. cultivation in the Vidarbha region. Soybean is About 50 participants including Panchayat both a protein and oilseed crop and soybean leaders, policy makers, scientists, civil society bhusa is excellent cattle feed. representatives, and lawyers were present. The dialogue resulted in a draft model Act for The programme structured in four sessions local level Climate Risk Management (Climate focused on the production and potential for Risk Management Act, 2008). The draft Act soybean in the country; the situation in the outlays provisions to enhance the ability of local Vidarbha region came in for special focus. The communities to develop and implement climate need for a whole soybean farming system change adaptation programmes and policies approach from the production stage to the within a framework of ecologically, ethically, marketing stage was emphasised. Production economically and socially sustainable support needs strengthening of seed breeding development. The draft Act covers food programmes, promotion of seed production, security, energy security, non-farm employment, human diseases, carbon trade awareness of agronomic practices and opportunities and climate literacy issues. A attention to soil health. A livestock integrated small expert group has been constituted to farming system approach and development of finalise the draft. post harvest infrastructure is imperative.

Soybean cum Livestock Based Farming A Support Consortium comprising research System Approach for Work and Income institutes, government agencies, bank and Security in Vidarbha, 10 May, 2008, Nagpur insurance companies, industry and civil society Around 100 participants from research was formed for rendering appropriate technical institutes, animal and agricultural science and other support to farmers.

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Special Projects

MSSRF was requested by the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, to undertake two studies in Kerala, on sustainable development of Alappuzha district together with Kuttanad Wetland region and Idukki district. The reports have been submitted.

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The two regions, the Alappuzha district Programme Area 700 together with the whole of KWE and the Idukki district, are important agricultural hubs of Studies on identifying and Kerala. Kuttanad, which in part lies 2.2 m below recommending measures to mean sea level, has a very large area under mitigate agrarian distress in rice, with relatively high productivity and hence is recognised as the “rice bowl” of the State. Alappuzha district together with Idukki district, on the other hand, is a hilly region the Kuttanad wetland ecosystem, well known for the commercially valued and Idukki district of Kerala State plantation and spice crops and is known as the “spice district” of the State. Notwithstanding this contrasting geomorphology, an important The Government of India, in view of the common factor between these two regions is farmers’ distress, had declared a special their unparalleled endowment of natural charm, rehabilitation package for 31 distressed districts which is uniquely distinct for each region. of AP, Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra. However, the natural charm of these regions Approval for a special plan of action for is fading and their wealth is being frittered away. improving the farming conditions in Alappuzha Unsustainable development paradigms, district together with the Kuttanad Wetland misuse of technologies, increasing intensity Ecosystem (KWE) region, and Idukki district and frequency of natural calamities, greedy of Kerala was also granted. MSSRF was invited plundering of natural resources, pessimistic by the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of public apathy, inadequate policy and India, to undertake studies and make specific administrative interventions and acute shortage recommendations on the sustainable of financial and infrastructure resources are development of KWE region together with increasing the growing threat to the ecology Alappuzha district and Idukki district with and the livelihoods of economically and socially particular focus on the measures for vulnerable groups such as small farmers, strengthening the ecological security and fishermen and agricultural workers. expanding sustainable livelihood opportunities The studies and the reports on Alappuzha for the people of these areas. The reports district including Kuttanad region and Idukki pertaining to these two regions have been district were conducted under the guidance of submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture, Prof M S Swaminathan by two teams led by Government of India. Both these reports have Dr S Bala Ravi, Advisor, MSSRF. The MSSRF been technically approved by the Government members in the first team were Dr Sudha Nair, of India as well as the State Government and Director, JRD Ecotechnology Centre, are currently under different stages of Ms Deepa Varma and Dr Anil Kumar, Director, administrative and financial approval. Biodiversity and Head CAbC, Kalpetta. Dr KUK

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Nampoothiri, Director, BPMPGRC, Jeypore Idukki. While agriculture contributes to more was on the second team. Both these teams than 90 % of the GDP of Idukki district, it were supported by a panel of eminent technical exceeds 60 % in Kuttanad region, including experts. Alappuzha district. In Idukki 82 % of agricultural income is from rubber, cardamom, pepper and The studies in both the districts followed almost horticultural crops and another 11 % is from similar processes. They involved initial studies the animal sector, 90% of which is contributed of earlier important reports on these districts, by milk. In the case of Kuttanad, nearly 80 % wherever such reports were available, of the agricultural income is contributed by rice, extraction of all relevant databases connected coconut, rubber and fish. While Alappuzha is to the mandates of the study, several field visits, the most densely populated district in the State, collection of data from case studies and Idukki has the lowest population density. Nearly organising over 25 wide-ranging consultations 50 % of the area in Idukki is under forest, in both districts involving all stakeholders notwithstanding the threat imposed by various impacted or concerned by the agricultural anthropogenic factors, while Alappuzha is economy and threat to ecological and livelihood known for the large backwater bodies and security. The stakeholders included Ministers, labyrinthine river system. In the Alappuzha- all elected representatives up to the Panchayat Kuttanad region, more than 95 % of the farmers level, senior officials of all concerned line departments in the districts, scientists, farmers, own less than 0.4 ha land area, while 95 % of farm/plantation workers, fishermen, farm holdings in Idukki district have less than 2 ha women and their respective associations, of land area with per capita availability of land members of SHGs and NGOs, eminent marginally above 1 ha. According to the data citizens, experts and media. During the for 2004-05, out of about 4, 00,000 families in consultations in the two districts, oral inputs Alappuzha district, 39 % are below the poverty from over 1,900 persons and written inputs line. In Idukki district, 44 % of the 2,65,000 from 913 memoranda were received. These, families are classified as BPL. together with the detailed study conducted by The ecological security of both regions is the teams at many locations were used to imperiled by anthropogenic factors, although develop the report and administrative and in a quite dissimilar manner. Revival of financial recommendations. agriculture in these districts, to make it a In both the districts, agriculture constitutes the sustainable and vibrant economic occupation primary and predominant source of livelihood for securing livelihoods with enhanced income, for the majority of the population. For more than is intrinsically linked to the restoration of 80 % of the population in Kuttanad and ecology and strengthening the respective Alappuzha, agriculture is the only source of natural endowments of these regions. Nothing income and this dependence exceeds 95 % in underscores the strong link between farm

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Kuttanad illustrates another paradox of acute declining water spread area in Vembanad agrarian distress amidst natural bounty. As in Lake, surrounding wetlands and discharge Idukki, causes behind the agrarian distress in capacity of all the waterways Kuttanad are multiple. A unidirectional increasing flood vulnerability with rising risks development agenda followed over the last few to farm production and economy decades, ignoring the ecological fragility of the problems due to the ongoing regulation of KWE and its vulnerability to regular flooding, saline water intrusion such as construction of criss-crossing roads blocking many waterways, reduction of flood choked waterways and resulting problems area by reclamation of wetlands, serious in drainage, pollution, sanitation, human

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health and availability of clean drinking cultivated area in the district is under perennial water and water for irrigation and high value crops, which essentially demand heavy annual investments to sustain multi-factored pollution of water bodies productive health and better productivity. The including the invasive water hyacinth low prices of pepper, cardamom, coffee and declining wetland ecosystem services like tea, which in some cases were below the cost water recharge and fish production, and of production, is the prime cause behind the habitat loss and biodiversity, poor state of farm economy. While the prices lack of locally produced quality paddy seeds have crashed, the cost of production has gone and need for massive replanting of low up. This has led to failure in loan servicing, yielding and sick coconut palms with quality which in turn has blocked fresh lending. Failure disease tolerant seedlings, in fresh investment on these crops for over a couple of years led to yield decline and crop declining productivity and income from loss from major pests and diseases. This coconut and lack of coconut based inter or shrank the farm income further. The total mixed cropping and value addition for outstanding agricultural loan in the district from income and employment generation, the cooperative and commercial banking incapability of local markets to procure and sectors in March 2007 was estimated at above locally process the paddy Rs 630 crores. About 85 % of this loan was due to small farmers and about 82 % was as declining profitability from rice farming, crop loan. Data on the magnitude of private increasing fallowing or conversion of paddy lending in the district were not available. Apart fields, decreasing rice intensification, under from the farm distress precipitated by the utilisation of one-rice-one-fish production market prices, farm economy also suffered technology, shortage of farm labour and from continuous drought during 2002 and 2003 high labour cost and heavy rain and wind during 2007. The The report on Alappuzha district and Kuttanad cumulative economic crisis and the farm offered integrated and well prioritised distress were so deep that the farmers, recommendations to address all the major particularly the small farmers, are getting issues for achieving ecological revival and further entrenched, without a special economic restoration and strengthening of livelihoods and development package designed to help from agriculture and allied activities. them.

The study in Idukki district identified that many Pepper which is grown by virtually every farm farmers, particularly small farmers, are under family and is a major contributor to farm heavy debt and the state of their farm economy income, had suffered serious setbacks from is not healthy enough to service the loan, even slow and fast wilt, leading to loss of plantations by paying the interest. At least 91 % of and severe yield decline. Replanting the

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ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ damaged gardens and nursing back the poorly such package focuses on sustainable managed ones are inevitable for securing production at competitive cost, and provision income. Cardamom, grown by more than of a need-based fair market system, preferably 25,000 farm families, a majority of them small managed by farmer groups/cooperatives, farmers, has become less competitive due to infrastructure for short-term storage and value the high cost of production under severely addition in certain crops, and arrangement for depressed prices. Introduction of high yielding bank loans against stored produce to farmers’ varieties like ‘Njallani’ is being misused discourage distress sale at low prices. by adopting ecologically unsustainable farming On the ecological side also, the state of affairs practices and destruction of forest cover in the is dismal, with the looming threat of its effects Cardamom Hill Reserve forest region (CHR on agriculture and other sources of local forest) for achieving higher yield. The price livelihood, including tourism. Idukki district crisis has made several plantations receives the highest rainfall (3,506 mm) in unproductive and uneconomical, requiring Kerala and probably also has the highest replanting for reviving income generation. Tea number of rainy days. Due to the high altitude gardens, small and big, are suffering from the and large rain forest area, which accounts for low productivity of senile bushes, high cost of about 51 % of the district, the hilly region has a production and depressed market prices. comfortable range of maximum and minimum Liberal support is essential to revive this temperatures. The weather and the charming important sector, which is providing scenic views of the hills contribute to the employment to many poor families. Apart from popularity of Munnar hills as a tourist spot, as plantation crops, seasonal crops such as well as the high suitability of the region for high vegetables, plantains, and spices like ginger value plantation and spice crops such as and turmeric are suffering from low prices, cardamom, pepper, clove, tea, and coffee as increasing cost of production, absence of fair well as temperate vegetables and fruits. The market and exploitation by middlemen. This weather also contributes to the unique quality exploitation is being exacerbated by the poor of the spices produced here. Thus, the communication and marketing system rainforests of the district have a profound and available in this hilly region. Certain parts of multiple implications for the climate, ecology the district in Devikulam taluk have great and economy of the district and the surrounding potential to expand production of temperate region. vegetables and fruits. The developmental systems in place are far too inadequate to Over the years, the ecologically unfriendly attend to these problems and the other crying development paradigm, increases in needs of the district. Hence a special package settlements and population, agricultural is imperative for enhancing the income expansion, heavy total or partial deforestation generation of the farmers. It is important that by the people and the government, have led to

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Publications Phosphobacteria. Monograph no. 26. M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai. Books/Monographs/Manuals 36pp.

Arunachalam, V. (ed.). 2007. Participatory Parida, Ajay, P. Eganathan, Ashwani Kumar, Plant Breeding and Knowledge Management H. M. Behl, O. P. Siddhu, N. Singh, Kailash for Strengthening Rural Livelihoods. Paliwal and A. R. Nautiyal. 2007. Proceedings no. 66. M. S. Swaminathan Agrotechnology Packages for Bioenergy Research Foundation, Chennai. 239pp. Crops. Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India, Hariharan, G. N., P. Bharath and P.Balaji. 2008. New Delhi. 83pp. Interactive Website with Database on Lichens of TN. M. S. Swaminathan Research Rukmani, R., V. Senthil Kumar and Foundation and Dept. of Environment, N. Thenmathi. 2007. Measures of Impact of Government of TN. http://www.tnenvis.nic.in/ Science and Technology in India: Agriculture Lichens/ENVIS-MSSRF.html and Rural Development. M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai and Office of Gruere, Guillaume, Latha Nagarajan and the Principal Scientific Adviser to the E. D. Israel Oliver King. 2007. Marketing Government of India, New Delhi. 282pp. Underutilised Plant Species for the Poor: A Case Shanthasheela, N., Vijay R. Subbiah, and Study of Minor Millets in Kolli Hills, TN, India. Sudha Nair. 2007. Sesame Village. Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilised Proceedings no. 14. M. S. Swaminathan Species (GFU), International Food Policy Research Foundation, Chennai. 18pp. Research Institute, Rome and M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation. Shetty, P. K., Ajay Parida and M. S. CAPRI Working paper No. 69. Oct Swaminathan (ed.). 2008. Biosecurity. NIAS, www.capri.cgiar.org/pdf/capriwp69.pdf. Bangalore and MSSRF, Chennai.255pp.

Nair, Sudha, Nandhini Iyengar. (eds.). 2008. Swaminathan, M. S. (ed.). 2007. Agriculture Technology Development and Delivery Models Cannot Wait: New Horizons in Indian for Sustainable Livelihoods. Proceedings no. Agriculture. Academic Foundation, New Delhi. 67. M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, 550pp. Chennai. 168pp. Swaminathan, Mina. (ed.). 2007. Six Case Prabavathy, V. R., R. Rengalakshmi and Sudha Studies on Gender and Social Inclusion for Nair. 2007. Ecoenterprises for Sustainable Sustainable Livelihoods. M. S. Swaminathan Livelihood: Decentralised Production of Research Foundation, Chennai. and Food and Biofertilisers – Azospirillum and Agriculture Organisation, Bangkok. 72pp.

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Thesis Thesis submitted to the University of Madras, Chennai in partial fulfillment of requirement for Palled, Vishwanath. 2007. The Process of Self the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Help Groups Movement and Socio-economic Change: Case Studies from TN and Karnataka. Articles in Journals/Books Thesis submitted to the Karnataka University, Anil Kumar, N. and M. K. Ratheesh Narayanan. Dharwad in partial fulfillment of requirement for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Degree 2007. Gender Knowledge and Changing awarded. Trends in Utilisation of Wild Edible Greens in Western Ghats, India. Indian Journal of Gnanappazham, L. 2008. A Remote Sensing Traditional Knowledge. 6(1): 204-216. and GIS based Decision Support System for the Effective Management of Pichavaram Anil Kumar, N. M. K. Ratheesh Narayanan and Mangrove Wetland, South India. Thesis K. Satheesh. 2008. Traditional Knowledge of submitted to the University of Madras, Chennai Three ‘Mycophilic’ Communities on Wild Edible in partial fulfillment of requirement for the Mushrooms of Wayanad District, Kerala. Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Degree Ethnobotany. (in press). awarded. Balaji, P., S. Malarvannan and G. N. Hariharan. Rameshkumar, N. 2008. Isolation and 2007. Efficacy of Roccella montagnei Extracts Characterization of Two Novel Plant Growth on Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Promoting Vibrio Species from Wild rice Noctuidae). Journal of Entomology 4(3): 248- (Porteresia coarctata Tateoka): Description of 252. Vibrio rhizosphaerae sp. nov., and Vibrio Balaji, P. and G. N. Hariharan. 2007. In vitro porteresiae sp. nov. Thesis submitted to the University of Madras, Chennai in partial Antimicrobial Activity of Parmotrema fulfillment of requirement for the Degree of Praesorediosum thallus Extracts. Research Doctor of Philosophy. Journal of Botany 2(1): 54-59.

Geetha Rani, M. 2008. Plant Resources of Balasubramanian, T. N. 2008. Enforcing Green Pachamalai Region with Special Reference to Revolution in Drylands of TN. AUFAAA Indigenous Knowledge. Thesis submitted to Technical Souvenir. (eds.) S. Kannaiyan and the University of Madras, Chennai in partial T. Marimuthu. Annamalai University, fulfillment of requirement for the Degree of Chidambaram. 110-113. Doctor of Philosophy. Bharath Kumar, S., Diby Paul and Sudha Nair. Varma, Deepa. 2008. The Sustainability of 2008. Microbial Diversity of Culturable Farming Systems – Integrating the Principles Heterotrophs in the Rhizosphere of Salt Marsh of Conservation with the Economic Objectives Grass, Porteresia Coarctata. Journal of Basic of Farming in the Rice Farming Systems of TN. Microbiology. 48: 10-18.

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Bharath Kumar, S., N. Rameshkumar, Diby from Avicennia Marina: Molecular and Paul, V. R. Prabavathy and Sudha Nair. 2008. Functional Characterization. Plant Physiology Characterisation of the Predominant Bacterial and Biochemistry. (in press). Population of Different Mangrove Rhiozsphere Kesavan, P. C. and M. S. Swaminathan. 2008. Soils Using 16S rRNA Gene-based Single- Strategies and Models for Agricultural Stranded Confirmation Poly morphism (SSCP). Sustainability in Developing Asian Countries. World Journal of Microbiology and Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society Biotechnology. 24: 387-394. B. 363: 877-891. Ganesan, G., H. M. Shankararama- Malarvannan, S., R. Giridharan, V. R. subramanian, Jithesh M. Narayanan, K. R. Prabhavathy and Sudha Nair. 2008. Sivaprakash and Ajay Parida. 2008. Transcript Bioefficacy of Crude and Fractions of Level Characterisation of a cDNA Encoding Argemone Mexicana against Tobacco Stress Regulated NAC Transcription Factor in Caterpillar, Spodoptra litura Fab. (Noctuidae Mangrove Plant, Avicennia Marina. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry. (in press). Lepidoptera). Journal of Biopesticides (Special Issue). 55-62. George, Suja and Ajay Parida, 2008. Impact of climate-change-enhanced Salinity Stress on Malarvannan, S., R. Giridharan, S. Senthil Rice and Maintaining Productivity in the Future. Kumar and Sudha Nair. 2008. Effect of CAB Reviews: Perspectives in Agriculture, Argemone Mexicana Crude Extract and Veterinary Science, Nutrition and Natural Fractions in Biochemical Profile of Helicoverpa Resources. (In Press) Armigera (Hubner) (Noctuidae: Lepidopters). Biochemical and Cellular Archives. 8(1): 45-50. Joseph, John, Remya R. Krishnan and K. A. Suajan. 2008. Agricultural Solid Waste Malarvannan, S., S. Senthil Kumar, V. R. Management through Vermicomposting Prabhavathy and Sudha Nair. 2008. Individual Employing Exotic and Local Species of and Synergistic Effects of Leaf Powder of a Earthworms in Wayanad District of Kerala. Few Medicinal Plants against American Proceedings of Kerala Environment Bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) Congress. (eds.) Babu Ambat, T. R. Vinod, (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera). Asian Journal of K.V. Raveendran, T. Sabu and Experimental Sciences. 22(1): 79-88. K.P. Thrivikramji. Centre for Environment and Malarvannan, S., S. Senthil Kumar, R. Giridharan Development,Thozhuvancode, Kerala. 118-124 and Sudha Nair. 2008. Bioefficacy of Argemone Kavitha, K., Gayatri Venkataraman and Ajay mexicana against American Bollworm, Parida. 2008. An Oxidative and Salinity Stress Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Noctuide: Induced Peroxisomal Ascorbate Peroxidase Lepidoptera). Hexapoda. 15(1): 49-55.

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Mitra, Sudip, R. Rengalakshmi, M. Parab, G. V., S Krishnan, M K. Janarthanam, K Nageswaran, S. V. Ramana, D. Rosario, S. R Sivaprakash and Ajay Parida. 2007. ISSR and Duraisamy, Sushanta K. Mahapatra and Sudha RAPD Markers Assessed Genetic Variation of Nair. 2008. Efficient Management of Natural Aerides maculosum – An Epiphytic Orchid from Resources and Enhancing Livelihoods through Goa, India. Journal of Plant Biochemistry and Bio-industrial Watershed Management Biotechnology 17(1): 107-109. Approach in Five Agro-ecologies in India. Prashanth, S. R, P. Bharath, R. Valarmathi, P. Proceedings of the International Conference Balaji, G. N. Hariharan and Ajay Parida. 2008. on Conservation Farming Systems and Species Status and Relationship between Watershed Management in Rainfed Areas for Roccella montagnei and Roccella belangeriana Rural Employment and Poverty Using DNA Sequence Data of Nuclear Eradication.(eds.) Anand Swarup, Suraj Bhan Ribosomal Internal Transcribed Spacer and J. S. Bali. Soil Conservation Society of Region. Journal of Plant Biochemistry and India, New Delhi. 128. Biotechnology. 17(1): 91-94.

Murthy, Ranjani K., Josephine Sagayam., Rameshkumar, N. and Sudha Nair. 2007. R. Rengalakshmi and Sudha Nair. 2008. Vibrio rhizosphaerae sp. nov., a Red- Gender Efficiency, Poverty Reduction and pigmented Bacterium that Antagonizes Empowerment: Reflections from an Agriculture Phytopathogenic Bacteria. International and Credit Programme in TN. Gender and Journal of Systematic Evolutionary Microbiology. 57: 2241-2246. Development. 16(1): 101-116. Rameshkumar, N., Sudha Nair, Stefan Langer, Nageswaran, M., S. Angel Priya, Sudip Mitra Hans-Jurgen Busse and P. Kampfer. 2008. and Sudha Nair. 2008. Efficient Use of Altererythrobacter indicus sp. nov., Isolated Available Resources in Rainfed Agriculture. from Wild Rice (Porteresia coarctata Tateoka). Proceedings of the National Seminar on International Journal of Systematic Livelihood Security through Rainwater Evolutionary Microbiology. 58: 839-844. Management. College of Agriculture, Nagpur. 74-75. Rameshkumar, N., Youhei Fukui, Tomoo Sawabe, and Sudha Nair. 2008. Vibrio Nair, Sudha. 2008. The Gender dimensions of porteresiae sp. nov., a Novel Diazotrophic STI Capacity Building. Global Forum Building Bacterium Isolated from a Mangrove Science, Technology and Innovation. Capacity Associated Wild Rice (Porteresia coarctata for Sustainable Growth and Poverty Reduction, Tateoka). International Journal of Systematic Washington DC. February 13-15. Evolutionary Microbiology. (in press).

Palled, Vishwanath. 2008. Evolution to Rengalakshmi, R., Smita Mishra, Susanta S. Revolution. Apala Param Mitra. 6. 21-24. Chaudhury, Israel Oliver King and Trilochana

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Ray. 2007. Gendered Knowledge and Gender Swaminathan, M. S. 2007. Scientific Research Relations: Case Studies in Two Agro- on Sustainable Agriculture, Biodiversity and Biodiversity–rich Locations. Participatory Plant Biotechnology. Rites Journal. 9(2): 5.1-5.10. Breeding and Knowledge Management for Swaminathan, M. S. 2007. Shaping the Future Strengthening Rural Livelihoods. (ed.) of Indian Agriculture. Sensex. 1(4): 45-47. V. Arunchalam. M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai. 130-148. Swaminathan, M. S. 2007. The Evergreen Revolution: Making Hunger History. The Little Rukmani, R. 2007. Role of the State in the Magazine. 7(3&4): 17-21. Technological Development of Indian Swaminathan, M. S. and S. Balaravi 2007. Agriculture. Technology Development and The Indian Agricultural Research System. Delivery Models for Sustainable Livelihoods. Agricultural Research Management.(eds) M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, G. Loebenstein and G. Thottappilly Springer, Chennai. 21-31. Netherlands. 305-329.

Swain, S. and N. R. Parida. 2007. Millets for Swaminathan, M. S. 2008. Gender and Food, Nutrition and Health Security. LEISA Biodiversity Management in India. Biodiversity India. 9(3): 6-7. Conservation for Sustainable Development. (eds.) Nagendra P. Singh and P. K. Chhonkar. Swain, S., N. R. Parida, K. C. Lenka, S. SAMSKRITI, New Delhi. 21-39. Pattnayak and L. Jena. 2007. Application of Swaminathan, M. S. 2008. Making Biotechnology for Conservation and Globalization Work for the Poor: Technology Enhancement of Medicinal Plants. Souvenir- and Trade. Globalization of Food and National level seminar on Biotechnology: Agriculture and the Poor. (ed.) Joachim von Application in medicinal plant & food Braun and Eugenio Diaz-Bonilla. Oxford processing. (ed.) Sudhakar Dash. V. D. University Press, New Delhi. 81-95. College, Jeypore, Orissa. 34-38. Swaminathan, M. S. 2008. Science and Shaping Swaminathan, M. S. 2007. Can Science and the Future of Rice. Rice India. 18(1): 65-72. Technology Feed the World in 2025? Field Swaminathan, M. S. 2008. Towards a Food Crops Research. 104: 3-9. Secure Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh. Epilogue. Swaminathan, M. S. 2007. Make Hunger 2(4): 11-17. History through Gram Swaraj. India Swaminathan, M. S. 2008. Women’s Empowered: Change Agents Speak on an Idea Empowerment and Men’s Enlightenment in Whose Time has Come.(ed.) Shekhar Gupta Indian Socio-economic Fabric. Rites Journal. Penguin, New Delhi. 217-220. 10(1): 8.1-8.6.

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Usha, B., Gayatri Venkataraman and Ajay Institute of Technology (IIT), Chennai. Parida. 2008. Heavy Metal and Abiotic Stress December 18-21. Inducible Metallothionein Isoforms from P. Arivudai Nambi, A. 2007. Vulnerability Assessment Juliflora (SW) D. C. Show Differences in and Enhancing Adaptive Capacity to Climate Binding to Cadmium and Zinc in Vitro. Change. National Conference on Impacts of Molecular Genetics and Genomics. (in press). Climate Change with Particular Reference to Usha, B., S. R. Prashanth and Ajay Parida. Agriculture. Tamilnadu Agricultural University, 2007. Differential Expression of Two Coimbatore. August 22-24. Metallothionein Encoding Genes during Heavy Arivudai Nambi, A. 2007. Climate Change: An Metal Stress in the Mangrove Species, Emerging Environmental Issue. Mock UN Avicennia Marina (Forsk.) Vierh. Current General Assembly. American International Science. 93(9): 1215-1219. School, Chennai. October 20. Valarmathi. R and G. N. Hariharan. 2007. Arivudai Nambi, A. 2007. United Nations Forum Soredial Culture of Dirinaria applanata (Fée) Awasthi: Observations on Developmental on Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) – Stages and Compound Production. CoP-13 Meeting. Bali, Indonesia. December Symbiosis.43 (3): 137-142. 3-14.

Vepa, Swarna S. 2007. The Feminisation of Arivudai Nambi, A. 2008. Enhancing Adaptive th Agriculture and the Marginalisation of Women’s Capacity to Climate Change. 95 Indian Economic Stake. Gender, Food Security and Science Congress. Visakhapatnam, AP. Rural Livelihoods. (ed.) Maithreyi Krishnaraj. January 3-7. Stree Publications, Kolkata. 1-23. Arivudai Nambi, A. 2008. Global Warming or Vepa, Swarna S. 2008. Changing Patterns of Global Warning? National Science Day Food Consumption in India and their Dietary Workshop. TN Science Foundation, Chennai. Implications. Food and Water Security. (ed.) February 28. U. Aswathnarayan. Taylor & Francis, London. Arivudai Nambi, A. 2008. Adaptation to Climate 169-185. Change in Semi-Arid Regions. International Papers presented in Conferences/ Workshop on Climate Change and its Impacts Symposia on Flora in the South Asian Region. National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow. Appunu, C., N. Rameshkumar, V. R. March 10. Prabavathy and Sudha Nair. 2007. Genetic Diversity of Soybean Bradyrhizobia Isolated Arivudai Nambi, A. 2008. Consultative Meeting from India. 48th Annual Conference of of the Sub-committee on Costal Zone Association of Microbiologists of India. Indian Management to the Expert Committee Meeting

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Arivudai Nambi, A. 2008. Climate Adaptation Arivudai Nambi, V. 2007. On the Trail of the in the Asian Commonwealth. Conference on Sirupanan (2nd AD). Conference on Tinai Social Strengthening Role of Civil Society and Media Order. Madras Christian College, Chennai. in Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster November 2. Mitigation. All India Disaster Mitigation Institute and Commonwealth Foundation, Chennai. Arivudai Nambi, V. 2007. Traditional April 23-25. Knowledge (TK) and Institutions of Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) in the Arivudai Nambi, A. 2008. Expert Committee on Coromandal Coast and their Relevance in Eco- Impacts of Climate Change. Ministry of Development. National Workshop on Eco- Environment & Forests, New Delhi. May 15. Development. Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust (GOMBART), Madurai. Arivudai Nambi, A. 2008. Joint UN-AIDS-UNEP December 12-13. Consultative Meeting on Aids and Climate Change. Geneva, Switzerland. May 20. Arivudai Nambi, V. 2008. Laws and Policies Related to Pastoralists. Workshop on Arivudai Nambi, A. 2008. Asia NGO Traditional Livestock Keepers, Indigenous Consultative Meeting on Disaster Risk Knowledge and Conservation of Local Reduction. Asian Disaster Reduction and Livestock Breeds Conservation. Sustainable Response Network, UNDP, UN/ISDR and Agriculture and Environmental Voluntary Action OXFAM, Bangkok. May 26-29. and National Biodiversity Authority, Madurai. Arivudai Nambi, V. 2007. Agrobiodiversity February 22. Hotspots – Some Issues and Concerns. Balasubramanian, T. N. 2008. Climate Change/ Interactive Workshop on Agrobiodiversity Climate Variability, System Vulnerability and Hotspots and Access and Benefit Sharing. Planning for Adaptive Strategies. 88th Annual Annamalai University, Chidambaram. July 19-20. Meeting of the American Meteorological Arivudai Nambi, V. 2007. Poverty Reduction Society. New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Using Biodiversity: The Story of Kalajeera. January 20-24. Madurai Symposium 2007: Dialogue on Pro- Balasubramanian, T. N. 2008. Concept Paper Poor Policies for Poverty Reduction. DHAN on Farmer and Weather. International Foundation, Madurai. September 28. Symposium on Agrometeorology and Food Arivudai Nambi, V. 2007. Agrobiodiversity in Security. Central Research Institute for Dryland India: Emerging Trends. Children’s Science Agriculture, Hyderabad. February 18-21.

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Bharath, P. 2007. Poster on Analysis of Fisherwomen through Fisheries Technology Elemental Accumulation Patterns in Select and Micro Finance. Global Symposium on Lichens of Madukkarai-Walayar Reserve Gender and Fisheries. Asian Fisheries Society, Forest, Western Ghats through Proton Induced Kochi, Kerala. November 7-13. X-ray Emission Spectroscopy (PIXE) and its Chinnaraja, S., V. Senthilkumar, C. Nagaraja Correlation with the Environmental Quality. and Sudha Nair. 2007. Sustainable Livelihood 18th International Conference on Ion Beam Development Opportunities for Fisherwomen Analysis. University of Hyderabad and Indian through Fisheries Technology and Micro School of Business, Hyderabad, A.P. India. Finance. National Conference on Status, September 23-28. Constraints and Scope for Fisher folk Bharath Kumar, S., N. Rameshkumar, Development through Microfinance. Fisheries C. Appunu, V. R. Prabavathy and Sudha Nair. College and Research Institute, Thoothukkudi. 2007. Diversity Analysis of Rhizosphere November 14-15. Associated Culturable and Unculturable Eganathan, P. 2008. Modern Plant Biotechnology th Bacteria from Mangrove spp. 48 Annual and its Application. BIONUT 2008. Sri Conference of the Association of Microbiologist Akilandeswari Women’s College, Vandavasi, (IIT), of India. Indian Institute of Technology, Thiruvannamalai District. January 10. Chennai. December 18-21. Geetha Rani, M. 2007. Conservation and Bhavani, R. V. 2007. Community Foodgrain Management of Genetic Resources. TN Banks for Food Security. German Agro Action’s Agricultural University, Coimbatore. February Annual Partner Workshop on Nutrition Security 14. – Towards an Integrated Approach. New Delhi. November 26-27. Geetha Rani, M. 2007. Conservation and Management of Genetic Resources: Access Bhavani, R. V. 2008. Social Dimensions of & Benefit Sharing. TN Agricultural University, Sustainability Science in Rural India – A Case Coimbatore. February 14. from Vidarbha. 95th Indian Science Congress. Geetha Rani, M. 2007. Agrobiodiversity Visakhapatnam, AP. January 3-7. Management Definition of Traditional Cultivar, Bhavani, R. V. 2008. Access Not Excess, Novel Germplasm, Folk Variety, Landrace and Ways to Nourish the World – Lessons from India. Farmers Variety. National Consultation on Annual Symposium of the Oxford International Agrobiodiversity Hotspot and Biodiversity Biomedical Centre. Oxford. April 1. Heritage Sites. North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Megalaya. June 1-2. Chinnaraja. S., V. Senthilkumar, R. Durairaja, C. Nagaraja and Sudha Nair. 2007. Sustainable Geetha Rani, M. 2007. Formations of SBB, Livelihood Development Opportunities for BMC and their Capacity Building. National

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Level Advocacy Workshop on Farmer’s Rights Gnanappazham, L. 2007. Application of to Livelihood. CUTS, New Delhi. June 20-22. Remote Sensing and GIS in Coastal Wetlands Developments. Training Programme on Geetha Rani, M. 2007. Agrobiodiversity Geospatial Technology – Concepts and Hotspot Management and Procedure for Applications. Sathyabama University, Chennai. Access and Benefit Sharing. National November 2. Consultation on Agrobiodiversity Hotspots and Access and Benefit Sharing. Annamalai Gnanappazham, L. 2007. Remote Sensing and University, Chidambaram. July 19-20. GIS in Mangrove Conservation and Management. UNESCO Training Programme Geetha Rani, M. 2008. Documentation of for Application of Remote Sensing. Anna Medicinal Plant Genetic Resources of University, Chennai. November 27. Pachamalai Hills, TN. National Seminar on Forest, Medicinal Plants and People. SIRSI Gnanappazham, L. 2007. Role of GIS in Forest College, New Delhi. February 21-22. Disaster Mitigation. Workshop on Media and Disaster Mitigation. Anna University, Chennai. Geetha Rani, M. 2008. Medicinal Plants December 12. Species Related to IK Management of Animal Diseases: An Overview of Malayali Tribals, Gnanappazham, L. and V. Selvam. 2008. Pachamalai Hills in the Eastern Ghats, TN. Multi–Temporal Remote Sensing Data in International Seminar on Medicinal Plants & Monitoring the Mangroves of Pichavaram. Herbal Products. S. V. University, Tirupati. National Seminar on Hyper Spectral Remote March 7-9. Sensing Data on Natural Resource Management. Annamalai University, Geetha Rani, M. 2008. Study on Indigenous Chidambaram. February 13-15. Knowledge Associated with Tribes at Pachamalai Hills. National Conference on Gnanappazham, L. 2008. Remote Sensing Dhishana 2008: Streamlining India’s Traditional Application on Mangroves Management. Knowledge towards Formulating a Sui Generis Training Programme on Geospatial Tech- Regime. Ministry of Environment and Forests, nology – Concepts and Applications. Government of India, Thiruvananthapuram. Sathyabama University, Chennai. March 31. May 23-25. Gopinath, R. 2007. Farmer’s Participation in George, Suja. 2008. Genetic Engineering for Management Local Resources: A Case Study Abiotic Stress Tolerance Using Prospis Juliflora of Parambur Tank in Pudukottai District, TN. as a Model Plant System for Gene Mining. International Conference on Water Resource International Conference on Recent Advances Management: Challenges and Opportunities in in Bioengineering. SRM University, Chennai. the 21st Century. Assam University, Silchar. February 7-9. April 23-26.

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Gopinath, R. 2008. Changing Irrigation Pattern Traditional Forest related Knowledge. in an Indian Village: Case Studies of Two Kunming, China. December 17-20. Farmers. International Seminar on Intensive Mahapatra, Sushanta Kumar. 2007. Operation Village Studies to the Understanding of the and Maintenance of Surface Irrigation System: Rural Scenario in India. G. B. Pant Social An Empirical Analysis from Selected Science Institute, Allahabad. February 29- Distributaries of Hirakud Command Area: March 01. Orissa. International Seminar on Water Spatial Isaac Manuel, R. 2008. Enhancing Adaptive Dynamics, Competitive Claims and Capacity to Climate Change. National Seminar Governance, How to Reduce Stress on the on Climate Change: South Asia and Southeast Resource in Urban, Peri-Urban and Rural Asia. Society for Indian Ocean Studies, New Areas? Pondicherry University, Pondicherry. Delhi. February 16. November 30-December 01.

King, E. D. Israel Oliver. 2007. Cultural and Maity, Bijay Kumar, Sudha Nair, Vijay R Conservation Dimensions of Malyali Tribes of Subbiah and R. Jeeva. 2007. Adoption of Kolli Hills, TN. Conference on Tinai – A Social Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Practices Order. Madras Christian College, Chennai. for Controlling Pests in Biovillage Programme November 2. in Kendrapara. National Symposium on Sustainable Pest Management and Safer King, E. D. Israel Oliver and A. Vedhamoorthy. Environment. Orissa University of Agriculture 2007. Public-Private Partnership Model in & Technology, Bhubaneswar. December 6-7. Organic Pine Apple Export – A Case Study. Maity, Bijay Kumar. 2007. Effect of Different India Organic 2007 Seminar on Indian Organic Storage Receptacles on the Oviposition, Agri Business: Threshold of Growth. NASC Development and Quantitative Loss by the Complex, New Delhi. November 29-30. Bruchid, Caryedon Serratus (Oliv) in Stored King, E. D. Israel Oliver. 2007. Role of Youth in Groundnut. National Symposium on Sustainable Rural Development. Regional Sustainable Pest Management for Safer Youth Camp. Nehru Yuva Kendra, Namakkal. Environment. Orissa University of Agriculture December 8. & Technology, Bhubaneswar. December 6-7.

King, E. D. Israel Oliver. 2007. Strategy for Malarvannan, S., R. Rengalakshmi., Conservation of Sacred Forest of Kolli Hills, R. Seenivasan., V. R. Prabavathy and Sudha TN, India: A Study on Botany, Ecology and Nair. 2007. Use of White Muscardine Fungus, Community Interaction. International Beauveria Bassiana in the Integrated Conference on Sustainable Forest Management of Banana Pseudostem weevil, Management and Poverty Alleviation: Roles of Odoiporus longicollis Oliv. in Thoni Hills,

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Western Ghats. 48th Annual Conference of the Nair, Sudha and R. Rengalakshmi. 2007. Value Association of Microbiologists of India. Indian Addition and Byproduct Utilisation in Banana. Institute of Technology (IIT), Chennai. Case Studies of Two Commercially Sustainable December 18-21. Small Enterprises. National Banana Research Centre, Trichy. October 29-30. Mani, K.G. 2007. Bioshield Development and Management. Seminar on Ecological Nair, Sudha. 2008. Bio-entrepreneurship for Development of East Coast of India, Coastal Women. National Conference on Showcasing Poor Development Action Network India Cutting Edge Science and Technology for (COPDANET), Chennai. December 21. Women. Department of Science and Technology, Govt of India., New Delhi. March 8-9. Mani, K.G. 2008. Poverty and Corruption. Symposium on Poverty and Society. Nair, Sudha. 2008, Empowerment of Women Annamalai University, Chidambaram. March in Rural Areas. Sustaining Global Pressures: 26-27. Women in Science & Engineering, Next Mitra, Sudip and Sudha Nair. 2007. Generation challenges and Opportunities. Bioindustrial Watershed Project Concept and Indian Women Scientists’ Association, Approach. Workshop on Water Management Kalpakkam, IGCAR, Chennai. January 3-5. Strategies for Food Security and Environmental Narayanan, Rama. 2007. Women’s Multiple Quality. Punjab Agricultural University, Work Roles, Maternity Support and Ludhiana. September 19-21. Management of Breastfeeding in Urban Slums Mitra, Sudip. 2008. Evergreen Revolution: in Chennai. 39th Annual Conference of the Efficient Management of Natural Resources Nutrition Society of India. National Institute of through Bio-Industrial Watershed Approach. Nutrition, Hyderabad. November 16. 95th Indian Science Congress. Visakhapatnam, Narayanan, Rama. 2007. The Obesity AP. January 3-7. Syndrome: Issues and Challenges. National Nagaraja, C. 2007. Women Based Aquaculture Conference on the Facts and Myths of Obesity. in TN - A Sustainable Model. National PSG College, Coimbatore. December 19. Workshop on Sustainability of Indian Narayanan, Rama. 2008. Determinants of Aquaculture Industry (Sustain-Aqua 07). Indian Infant Feeding Practices in Chennai Slums. 95th Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur. Indian Science Congress. Visakhapatnam, AP. September 28-29. January 3-7. Nair, Sudha. 2007. Engaging Women in Science – Options for Developing Countries. Narayanan, Rama. 2008. Measurement of Women in Science. Bibliotheca Alexandria, Undernutrition and Immune Status Egypt. October 23-24. Assessment. National Conference on Nutrition

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Parasuraman, N. 2008. Every Child A Scientist Parida, Ajay. 2008. Biotechnology for Global th Programme. 95 Indian Science Congress. Public Good. 95th Indian Science Congress. Visakhapatnam, AP. January 3-7. Visakhapatnam, AP. January 3-7. Parasuraman, N. 2007. Successful Parida, Ajay. 2008. Developing Crop Varieties Establishment of Alternate Livelihoods for the for Adoption to Climate Change. 95th Indian Rural Poor Youth in Coastal Areas. YES Science Congress. Visakhapatnam, AP. Alexandria 2007, Alexandria. August 26-30. January 3-7. Parida, Ajay. 2007. Biotechnology for Ensuring Parida, Ajay. 2008. Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Food and Nutrition Security. National Plants – Emerging Opportunities. National Conference on Recent Advances in Workshop on Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Plants. Biotechnology. Osmania University, Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneshwar. March Hyderabad. October 16-17. 11-15. Parida, Ajay. 2007. Tissue-Specific Parida, Ajay. 2008. Ensuring and Enhancing Histochemical Localisation of Iron and Ferritin Crop Productivity in Response to Emerging Gene Expression in Transgeneic Indica Rice Abiotic Stress Conditions. Indo-Australian Pusa Basmati (Oryza Sativa L.). Harvest Plus Workshop on Transgeneic Crops. National Rice Crop Meeting. Bangkok. November 3-5. Institute for Plant Genome Research, New Parida, Ajay. 2007. Biotechnology Options for Delhi. April 21-22. Enhancing Food and Nutrition Security. Annual Punitha, S. 2008. Distribution of Mangroves in Symposium of the National Academy of TN – Analysis through Remote Sensing. Sciences. Central Food Technological Research National Seminar on Hyperspectral Remote Institute, Mysore. November 6-8. Sensing Data on Natural Resource Parida, Ajay. 2007. Enhancing Crop Productivity Management. Annamalai University, in Saline Soils. 76th Annual Meeting of Society Chidambaram. February 13-15.

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Purohit Deepanweeta, 2008. Rice Iron Selvam, V. 2008. Seawater farming: An Adaptive Fortification for Combating Micronutrient Strategy to Sea Level Rise. 95th Indian Science Deficiency. International Conference on Recent Congress, Vishakapatnam, January 3-7. Advances in Bioengineering. SRM University, Selvam, V. 2008. Seawater Farming for Chennai. February 7-9. Coastal Area Prosperity. National Science Day Rameshkumar, N. and Sudha Nair. 2007. Workshop. Central Institute of Brackishwater Vibrio porteresiae sp. nov., A Novel Aquaculture, Chennai. February 12. Diazotrophich Bacterium Isolated from a Mangrove Associated Wild Rice (Porteresia Selvam, V. 2008. Resilience, Adaptation and coarctata Tateoka). 48th Annual Conference of Transformation in Turbulent Times. the Association of Microbiologists of India. International Conference on Resilience. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Chennai. Stockholm, Sweden. April 14-17. December 18-21. Selvam, V. 2007. Coastal Bioshields. National Rengalakshmi, R. 2008. Gender and Workshop on Cyclone Risk Management. Information and Communication Technology National Institute of Disaster Management, Based Functional Literacy. IAWS Annual New Delhi. August 27-31. Meeting. Lucknow. February 8-11. Senthilkumar, V. 2007. GAP in Aquaculture. Rukmani, R. 2007. India’s Agricultural Workshop on Application of HACCP Principles Development: Some Concerns. National in Shrimp Farming. Marine Products Export Seminar on India: The Emerging Super Power. Development Authority, Pondicherry. Institute of Technology, Mayyil, Kerala. April 22-23. October 3. Senthilkumaran, S. 2007. Telecentre Networks, Rukmani, R. 2007. Perspectives and Issues Network Strategic Plan, Network Structure and in Indian Development. Refresher Course in Governance. Consultative Meeting. The Economics for College Teachers. Establishment of Regional Knowledge Network Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirapalli. of Telecentres in Asia-Pacific, Bangkok. November 20. September 27-28.

Satheesh, K., P. S. Udayan and Indira Srinath, J. 2007. Knowledge Revolution for Balachandran. 2007. Notes on Ten Rare, Livelihood Security: Village Knowledge Centres Endemic and Threatened Plants of Western of M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation. Ghats of Conservation Concern. Indian National Seminar on Rural e-Empowerment. Association of Angiosperm Taxonomy National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Conference. Sivaji University, Kohlapur, Development (NABARD), Mangalore, Maharashtra. November 19-21. Karnataka. October 11.

186

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Subbiah, Vijay R. 2007. Evergreen Revolution: Participation in Training Programmes/ Farm to Fork. International Conference cum Workshops Exhibition on Agri Business & Food Anil Kumar, N., K. A. Sujana, K. Sathheesh, C. Processing. Federation of Indian Chambers S. Dhanya, K. S. Surabhi and S. Smitha Nair. of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Chennai. 2007. National Seminar on Medicinal Plants: October 26-27. Strategies for Conservation. Arya Vaidya Sala, Kottakkal. December 4. Usha, B., Gayatri Venkataraman and Ajay Parida. 2008. A-Nucleo-Cytoplasm Co- Anuradha, G. 2007. NSS, ASI & IIP Data localised Type 2 Metallothionein from Prosopis Processing. State Planning Commission and Juliflora Confers Heavy Metal Tolerance to University of Madras, Chennai. November 26. Transgenic Tobacco. Plant Biology 2008. Anuradha, G. 2007. Whole Person Process Mexico. June 26-July 01. Facilitation. Vistar Project of USAID, New Delhi. December 4-6. Vepa, Swarna S. 2007. The Impact of Economic Reforms on Agriculture. Seminar on Arivudai Nambi, A. 2007. Seminar on Climate Change and Indian Agriculture: Impact, the Impact of Reforms. Vivekananda College, Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment. Chennai. September 5. Madras School of Economics, Chennai. Vepa, Swarna S. 2007. Agriculture and Food August 31. Security. Symposium on Growing Sectoral Arivudai Nambi, A. 2007. GTZ Appraisal Imbalances in the Indian Economy. Madras Workshop for Indo-German Bilateral Project on Christian College, Chennai. September 17. Climate Change Adaptation for TN. Directorate of Environment, Chennai. September 22. Vepa, Swarna S. 2007. Government Policies Arivudai Nambi, A. 2007. Quiz Programme on of Poverty Reduction and Human Resource Environment for School Children. US Development. Symposium on Pro-Poor Consulate, American Centre, Chennai. Policies for Poverty Reduction. DHAN October 10. Foundation, Madurai. September 28. Arivudai Nambi, A. 2007. Young Climate Vepa, Swarna S. 2007. Policies to Alleviate Savers: Teachers Training Workshop on Agricultural and Rural Distress and Agricultural Climate Change and Energy. WWF-India, Price Policy and its Relevance in the Era of Chennai. November 21. Globalisation. Refresher Course on Arivudai Nambi, A. 2007. National Workshop Contemporary Issues in Development. Madras on Climate Change and its Impact on Health. School of Economics, Chennai. December 7. WHO, Lonavala, Mumbai. November 26-27.

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Arivudai Nambi, A. 2007. Panel Discussion on Bharath, P. 2008. Thelotremataceae Lichen AI Gore’s Film an Inconvenient Truth. US Workshop. The Field Museum, Chicago, USA Consulate, American Centre, Chennai. June 13. and Ramkhamhaeng University, Bangkok, Arivudai Nambi, A. 2007. United Nations Forum Thailand. March 10-15. on Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) – Bhavani, R. V. 2008. Workshop on Tool to CoP-13 Meeting. Bali, Indonesia. December Assess Local Level Food Security. SEVA 3-14. Mandir, Udaipur. March 19. Arivudai Nambi, A. 2008. Delhi Sustainable Bhavani, R. V. 2008. Asian Commonwealth Development Summit on Sustainable Conference on Strengthening Role of Civil Development and Climate Change. The Energy and Resources Institute, New Delhi. Society and Media in Climate Change February 7-9. Adaptation and Disaster Mitigation. Commonwealth Foundation and All India Arivudai Nambi, A. 2008. Climate Change Mitigation Institute, Chennai. April 23-25. Leadership Program. AI Gore The Climate Program, New Delhi. March 15-16. Gopinath, R. 2007. National Conference on Arivudai Nambi, A. 2008. World Meteorological Human Development in India. North-Eastern Day Theme Meeting on Observing Our Planet Hill University, Shillong. May 24-25. for a Better Future. Indian Meteorological Society, Chennai. March 25. Gupta, Ravi Kumar. 2007. Training Programme on Understanding the Environment Impact Balasubramanian, T. N. 2007. National Assessment. Centre for Science and Conference on Impacts of Climate Change with Environment, New Delhi. August 27-31. particular reference to Agriculture. Tamilnadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Isaac Manuel, R. 2007. Seminar on Climate August 22-24. Change and Indian Agriculture: Impact, Balasubramanian, T. N. 2007. TERI, DFID, IDS Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment. Project Meeting. New Delhi. September 25-26. Madras School of Economics, Chennai. August 31. Balasubramanian, T. N. 2007. UNDP Media Workshop. United Nations Development Isaac Manuel, R. 2007. Environment Quiz Programme, Udaipur. October 26-28. Programme. US Consulate, Chennai. Baskar, R. 2007. India Organic Trade Fair October 10. 2007. International Competence Centre for Organic Agriculture and Indian Council of Isaac Manuel, R. 2007. National Workshop on Agricultural Research, New Delhi. November Biodiesel. Madurai Kamaraj University, 29-December 02. Madurai. October 17-18.

188

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Isaac Manuel, R. 2007. NATCOM Workshop Maity, Bijay Kumar. 2007. Coastal Biovillage on Issues in Vulnerability Assessment and Programme of Kendrapara. Bapatla Agriculture Adaptation in India. WINROCK International College, AP. November 12. India, New Delhi. November 1-2. Maity, Bijay Kumar. 2007. National Symposium Isaac Manuel, R. 2008. National Conference on Sustainable Pest Management for Safer on the Environment and Indian History. CPR Environment. Orissa University of Agriculture Foundation, Chennai. January 11. & Technology, Bhubaneswar. December 6-7.

Isaac Manuel, R. 2008. Monitoring and Maity, Bijay Kumar. 2007. Strategies for Achieving 4 % Agricultural Growth in Orissa. Evaluation Meeting of Inter-cooperation. Institute of Public Finance and Policy (IPFP), AFPRO, Udaipur. January 29-February 1. Bhubaneswar. December 22-23. Isaac Manuel, R. 2008. 5th International Maity, Bijay Kumar. 2007. Citizens Priorities: Biofuels Conference. WINROCK International India, New Delhi. February 7-8. State Budget on Agriculture in Orissa. Centre for Youth and Social Development and Centre Isaac Manuel, R. 2008. Regional Workshop for Policy Research and Advocacy. on Building Adaptation Strategies to Climate Bhubaneswar. December 29. Change for Selected Flood and Drought Prone Areas of Bangladesh. Bangladesh Centre for Mani, K.G. 2008. Workshop on Role of Media Advanced Studies, Dhaka, Bangladesh. in Women Empowerment. Draupadi Trust, February 14. Chennai. January 28.

Isaac Manuel, R. 2008. World Meteorological Mani, K.G. 2008. Workshop on Research Day Theme Meeting on Observing Our Planet Methodology in Social Science. Annamalai for a Better Future. Indian Meteorological University, Chidambaram. January 30. Society, Chennai. March 25. Menon, Manjula. 2008. Training Programme King, E. D. Israel Oliver. 2007. Training Course on Water Management. Rajaji Bhavan, on Property Rights, Collective Action and Chennai. March 28-29 Environmental Governance: The Links Mitra, Sudip. 2008. Food Security and between State, Community and Resources. Institute of Social Economic Change and Environmental Change-Linking Science, CGIAR, Bangalore. April 16-20. Development and Policy for Adaptation. Oxford University, Oxford. April 1-4. Mahapatra, Sushanta Kumar. 2007. Towards Behavioral Foundation for Environmental Mitra, Sudip. 2007. Conservation Council for Policy. Madras Institute of Development Small Water Resources. DHAN Foundation, Studies, Chennai. August 29. Chennai. July 21.

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Mitra, Sudip. 2007. Soil Survey Coordination International Food Policy Research Institute. Committee Meeting. Department of Agriculture, Washington D. C., U.S.A. June 12-13. Government of TN, Chennai. September 24. Pradhan, Shishusri. 2007. Seminar on Climate Nageswaran, M. 2007. Madurai Symposium Change and Indian Agriculture: Impact, 2007 – Policy Seminar on Enhancing Rainfed Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment. Farming Livelihoods: Need of Policy Changes. Madras School of Economics, Chennai. DHAN Foundation, Madurai. September 26. August 31.

Nair, Sudha. 2007. Consultative Workshop on Pradhan, Shishusri. 2007. Environment Quiz Bringing Gender Sensitivity in Rural Programme. US Consulate, Chennai. Development: Programmes and Policies. October 10. National Institute of Rural Development, Hyderabad. October 16 - 17. Pradhan, Shishusri. 2007. National Workshop on Biodiesel. Madurai Kamaraj University, Nair, Sudha. 2007. Ecoagriculture Partnership, Madurai. October 17-18. Launch of the Community Knowledge Services. Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Pradhan, Shishusri. 2007. Training Course on Health Traditions, Bangalore. October 21. Innovation Systems and Energy Policy for Africa Development. African Centre for Nancy J. Anabel. 2008. Training Programme Technology Studies, Kenya. November 26-30. on Decentralised Disaster Risk Management, Colombo, Sri Lanka, Febrauary 21-23. Pradhan, Shishusri. 2007. Talk on Coastal Ecosystems and Human Wellbeing: The Case Parasuraman, N. 2007. Magsaysay Awardees of TN Coast. Madras School of Economics, Conference. Asia and the Magsaysay Award: Chennai. August 31. Ripples of Reform. The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, Chennai. November 14-17. Pradhan, Shishusri. 2008. 5th International Biofuels Conference. WINROCK International Parida, Ajay. 2007. Harvest Plus Project Management Committee Meeting. Washington India, New Delhi. February 7-8. D. C. October 30-31. Pradhan, Shishusri. 2008. Interdisciplinary Parida, Ajay. 2008. CGIAR Change Steering Research Methodology Workshop on Team Meeting. Addis Ababa. April 3-5. Environment, Sustainable Development and Human Wellbeing. Madras Institute of Parida, Ajay. 2008. Priority Setting Workshop Development Studies, Chennai. February 19. on Agricultural Biotechnology for Sri Lanka. Colombo, Srl Lanka. May 5-6. Ramana, Sana Venkat. 2007. Training cum Parida, Ajay. 2008. Harvest Plus Project Workshop on Watershed. Watershed Management Committee Meeting. The Organisation Trust, Ahmadnagar. August 21.

190

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Remesh, M. 2007. National Conference on Rukmani, R. 2007. National Seminar on Intangible National Heritage and Museums. Agrarian Crisis: Causes and Remedies. Regional Museum of Natural History and National Centre for Agricultural Economics and Directorate of Tourism, Calicut. April 18-20. Policy Research, New Delhi. August 1-2.

Remesh, M. 2007. National Workshop on Santhamurthy, P. 2007. Leaders Retreat for Prioritisation and Characterisation of Fast Community Based Organisation. DHAN Growing Native Tree Resources. Ministry of Foundation, Madurai. September 28-29. Environment & Forests, Government of India and Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Selvam, V. 2007. National Workshop on Breeding, Coimbatore. August 8-9. Tsunami Risk Management. National Disaster Management Authority, Government of India, Remesh, M., K. S. Surabhi., P. Sujanapal. and New Delhi. October 31. K. Satheesh. 2007. Seminar on Flowering Plant Diversity. Sree Narayana College Maliankara, Selvamukilan, B. 2008. Training Programme Ernakulam, Kerala. September 27-29. on Nesolynx thymus (Parasitoid of Silkworm) Production. Regional Sericulture Research Rengalakshmi, R. 2007. Organic Agriculture, Station, Salem. February 4-7. Marketing and Organisation Building. International Competence Centre for Organic Selvamukilan, B. 2008. Training Programme Agriculture, Bangalore. September 24-25. on Low Cost Cattle Feed Production. TN Veterinary College and University, Namakkal. Rengalakshmi, R. 2007. Community Knowledge February 26-28. Service – International Steering Committee and CKS Asia Launch Meeting. Foundation for Senthilkumar.V 2007. AQUAINDIA-2007. Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions Society of Aquaculture Professionals, Chennai. (FRLHT), Bangalore. October 21-22. September 27-28.

Rengalakshmi, R. 2007. International Task Senthilkumaran, S. 2007. 3rd Global Force Meeting on Gender and ICT. Convention Knowledge Conference. Global Knowledge Center, Kuala Lumpur. December 9-10. Partnership, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. December 9-13. Rengalakshmi, R. 2007. Global Knowledge Partnership Meet Workshop. GKP, Kuala Shanti, Duraisamy. 2007. Sustaining SHG Lumpur. December 11-13. Federations. DHAN Foundation, Madurai. September 27. Rosario, D. 2008. Tata-ICRISAT-ICAR Project Review and Planning Meeting on Productivity Sivakumar, A, 2008.Training programme on Enhancement Initiatives in India. ICRISAT, Decentralised Disaster Risk Management, Patancharu. April 24-26. Colombo, Sri Lanka, Febrauary 21-23.

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Sivakumar, A. and Vedamoorthy. 2007. TNAU- Srinath, J. 2007. Community Radio for Health CIDA-McGill University – Industry Meet on Care, Education and Livelihood Generation. Food Processing and Post Harvest India International Centre, Media Lab Asia and Technology. Tamilnadu Agricultural University, World Development Foundation, New Delhi. Coimbatore. June 25. April 16-17.

Sivakumar, M. N. 2007. Conservation and Co- Srinath, J. 2007. Global Knowledge Creation. The Covenant Centre for Partnership (GKP) South Asia Partners’ Development and CESCI Campus, Madurai. Meeting and Discussion on Preparation for August 1-2. GK3 Global Conferencing. BRAC Centre, Dhaka, Bangladesh. July 15-16. Sivakumar, N. 2007. Industry Conference on Driving the Next Agri Revolution. Confederation Subbiah, Vijay R. 2007. Emerging Agri- of Indian Industry and Chennai Trade Centre, Business: Opportunities and Risk Chennai. November 26-27. Management. Indian Bank Management Academy, Chennai. November 1. Sivakumar, P. 2007. 3rd Global Knowledge Conference. Global Knowledge Partnership, Subbiah, Vijay R. 2007. Infra 2007 – MAP Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. December 11-13. Tomorrow’s Chennai – Conference on Fuelling Inclusive Growth through Holistic Regional Sivan, V. V. 2008. Discussion on the PBR Development. Confederation of Indian Format designed by the National Biodiversity Industries, Chennai. December 18. Authority. Kerala State Biodiversity Board, Thiruvananthapuram. February 18. Sujana, K. A. 2008. Training in Botanical Illustration. Department of Botany, University Sivan, V. V. 2008. Training Course on Project of Calicut, Calicut, Kerala. March 13-15. Planning and Writing. ADWANA, Thiruvananthapuram. May 8-10 Swain, S. 2007. Training Programme on Participatory Approaches in Agro-Biodiversity Sivan, V. V. 2008. Field Course on Conservation in Assam. Assam Agricultural Interdisciplinary Approaches and Tools for University, Jorhat, Assam. November 19-29 Ecological Monitoring of Natural Resources and Swain, S. 2007. National Level Multi- Livelihoods. Keystone, Kothagiri. May 5-14. Stakeholder Consultative Workshop on Sophia, J.D, 2008. Training programme on Management of the Herbal Wealth of India. Decentralised Disaster Risk Management. PRAGYA, New Delhi. October 4-5. Practical Action, Colombo, Sri Lanka, Swain, S. 2007. National Level CAMP Febrauary 21-23. Workshop on Medicinal Plants of Orissa. Rural

192

PUBLICATIONS ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Poverty Research Center Foundation for Bharath Kumar, S., N. Rameshkumar, Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions and C. Appunu, V. R. Prabavathy and Sudha Nair. (FRLHT), Bhubaneswar. October 7-11. 2007. Dr. Rana Memorial Award for the best Thangavel, P. 2007. Soil Health Management poster presentation at 48th Annual Conference Training. Tamilnadu Agricultural University, of Association of Microbiologists of India, IIT, Coimbatore. October 16-18. Chennai.

Awards/Honours Parasuraman, N. Member, IUCN – Anil Kumar, N. 2008. Alcoa Foundation Commission on Education and Commu- Fellowship on Sustainability Practitioner. Alcoa nication. IUCN, Geneva Foundation, USA. Parida, Ajay. 2008. Member, International Anil Kumar, N. 2008. Watson Institute of Advisory Board, Transforum. Government of International Studies Scholarship. Watson Netherlands, Netherlands. Institute of International Studies, USA.

193 About the Foundation

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

Prof. M.S. Swaminathan (Chairman) Dr. T. Ramasami Mr. N. Ram Dr. Suman Sahai Dr. Madhura Swaminathan Mr. V. Namasivayam Ms. Mina Swaminathan Mr. Vijay Mahajan Dr. Tushaar Shah Ms. Rita Sarin Mr. K. Rajiv

Shri A.M.Gokhale, Executive Director, MSSRF (Secretary to the Board)

Centre for Research on Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development (CRSARD)

Prof. M.S. Swaminathan Shri. A.M. Gokhale President Executive Director, MSSRF, Chennai 11 Ratna Nagar, Chennai 600 018 Ms. Mina Swaminathan Dr. S. Rajagopalan Advisor (Education, Communication and Secretary – CRSARD Gender), MSSRF, Chennai 3 Jethnagar Second Cross Street RA Puram, Chennai 600 028 Prof. P.C. Kesavan Distinguished Fellow and Advisor, NVA Ms. Malavika Vinod Kumar (Treasurer) MSSRF, Chennai Technical Director M/s. Sundar Chemicals (P) Ltd Mr. B.S. Raghavan, IAS (Retd.) 560-562, 6-G, Century Flyover, Teynampet 4, Second Street, Nehru Nagar Chennai 600018 Adyar, Chennai 600 020

194

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

Dr. K.V. Raman Dr. P. Mannar Jawahar 3-A, ‘Shreyas’ Vice Chancellor 4th Seaward Road, Valmiki Nagar Anna University Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai 600 041 Chennai 600 025

Dr. T.N. Ananthakrishnan Dr. S. Ramachandran 6, “Dwaraka”, 42, (Old No. 22)Kamdar Nagar Vice Chancellor Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 034 University of Madras Chepauk, Chennai 600005 Mr. A.M. Mahmood Hussain, IFS (Retd.) 29, 1st North Cross Road Prof. S. Jayaraj*** Kapaleeswarar Nagar 39, A.G.S. Colony Neelankarai, Chennai 600 041 Velacherry, Chennai 600 042

Mr. G. Venkataramani Ms. Sumitra Ravichandran 51, Journalists Colony, Srinivasapuram Partner, M/s. N.C. Rajagopal & Co Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai 600041 No.22, Krishnaswamy Avenue Mylapore, Chennai 600 004 Rtn. S.S. Rajasekhar ‘River View’, Kottupuram Auditors Chennai 600 085 M/s. N.C. Rajagopal & Company, Chennai Dr. C. Ramasamy Project / Management Committees Vice Chancellor Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Advisory Board to The Hindu Media Coimbatore 641 003 Resource Centre Mr. N. Ram Dr. P. Thangaraju Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu, Chennai Vice Chancellor Tamil Nadu Veterinary & Mr. Sashikumar Menon Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS) Chairman Madhavaram, Chennai 600051 Asian College of Journalism, Chennai

Dr. M. Anandakrishnan Mr. B.R. Kumar Chairman Station Manager Madras Institute of Development Studies Gyan Vani, Educational Radio Chennai 79 Second Main Road, Gandhi Nagar IGNOU, Chennai Adyar, Chennai 600020

*** Deceased during the year

195

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Mr. H.R. Krishnamoorthy Ms. R.V. Bhavani Director Director i/c (Food Security) All India Radio, Chennai MSSRF, Chennai

Prof. M.S. Swaminathan Dr. Sudha Nair Chairman Director, (Ecotechnology ) MSSRF, Chennai MSSRF, Chennai

Shri. A.M. Gokhale Mr. S. Senthilkumaran Executive Director Director, (Information, Communication and MSSRF, Chennai Education) MSSRF, Chennai

Ms. Mina Swaminathan Dr. Suman Sahai Advisor, (Education, Communication and President, Gene Campaign, New Delhi Gender) MSSRF, Chennai Dr. P.K. Shetty Ms. Madhavi Ravikumar * National Institute of Advanced Studies Coordinator (NIAS), Bangalore The Hindu Media Resource Centre Dr. A.S. Abhiraman MSSRF, Chennai Executive Director Steering Committee for Integrated Hindustan Uni Lever Ltd., Bangalore Management of Biodiversity Resources in Mr. Francois Binder Partnership with Communities Country Director Chair SDC, New Delhi Prof. M.S. Swaminathan Mr. K. Vishwanath Chairman, MSSRF, Chennai Team Leader Members SDC, New Delhi

Shri. A.M. Gokhale Mr. N.R. Jagannath Executive Director Programme Officer MSSRF, Chennai SDC, New Delhi

Ms. Mina Swaminathan Dr. V. Arivudai Nambi (Member Secretary) Advisor, (Education, Communication and Principal Scientist & Gender) MSSRF, Chennai Project Coordinator, MSSRF, Chennai

* Left during the year

196

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

Institutional Bio-Safety Committee Members

Chair Dr. C.R. Bhatia 17, Rohini, Plot No.29-30 Sector 9-A Prof. M.S. Swaminathan Vashi, Navi Mumbai, Mumbai Chairman, MSSRF, Chennai Dr. S.F. D’Souza Members Associate Director Dr. K. Bhuvaneshwari Bio-Medical Group and Head Professor, TNAU Nuclear Agriculture and Biotechnology Coimbatore – DBT Nominee Division, BARC, Mumbai

Dr. H. Devaraj Dr. R.P. Gupta Director, University of Madras, Scientist “E”, O/o The Principal Scientific Guindy Campus Chennai Advisor to the Government of India New Delhi Dr. Ajit Yadav Medical Practitioner, Management Advisory Committee, MSSRF Apollo Hospital, Chennai CAbC, Kalpetta, Wayanad Dist, Kerala.

Shri. A.M. Gokhale Chair Executive Director Shri. A. Ratnam MSSRF, Chennai Kalpetta Dr. Ajay K. Parida (Member Secretary) Members Director (Biotechnology) MSSRF, Chennai Smt. C.V. Shanthy Principal, Jawaharlal Navoday Vidyalaya Project Review and Monitoring Committee Kalpetta “Designing Rural Technology Delivery Systems for Mitigating Agrarian Distress”, Smt. M. Sujatha supported by the office of the Principal Madakki, Kalpetta Scientific Advisor (PSA) to the Government Shri. K.V. Divakaran of India Pozhuthana , Kalpetta Dr. Panjab Singh (Chairman) Shri. Ajith Prasad Jain Vice-Chancellor Maniyancode, Kalpetta Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi Shri. A.M. Gokhale Executive Director MSSRF, Chennai

197

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Dr. K.U.K. Nampoothiri ** (Member Secretary) Chairman, SJRF Director, CAbC, MSSRF, Kalpetta Velachery, Chennai Wayanad Dr. Rohini Iyer Programme Advisory Committee, MSSRF Principal Scientist (Retd.), CPCRI CAbC, Kalpetta, Wayanad Dist, Kerala. Vengattampally, Thazhava Kuthirappanthi, Karunagappally, Kollam Chair

Prof. M.K. Prasad Dr. Indira Balachandran 62, Girinagar, Cochin Project Director Centre for Medicinal Plant Research, AVS Members Changuvetty, Kottakkal Shri. A. Ratnam Mr. H. Nagesh Prabhu, IFS Chairman, MAC –MSSRF, CAbC Director, Oushadhi Chief Executive Officer Kalpetta SMPB, Thrissur Shri. A.M. Gokhale Mr. N. Sasikumar Executive Director Director, KIRTADS, Calicut MSSRF, Chennai Dr. K.U.K. Nampoothiri ** (Member Secretary) Ms. Mina Swaminathan Director, CAbC, MSSRF, Kalpetta Advisor, (Education, Communication and Wayanad Gender) MSSRF, Chennai Programme Advisory Committee, Ford Dr. N. Anil Kumar Foundation Chair for Women and Director, (Biodiversity), MSSRF, Chennai Sustainable Food Security

Dr. P. Pushpangadan Chair Director General Prof. M.S. Swaminathan Amity Institute for Herbal and Biotech Chairman, MSSRF, Chennai Products Development, Mannamoola, Peroorkada, Thiruvananthapuram Members

Prof. S. Jayaraj *** Dr. Ganesan Balachander Vice Chancellor (Retd.), TNAU Country Representative Ford Foundation, New Delhi

** Transferred to MSSRF-Jeypore Centre, w.e.f. April 1, 2008 *** Deceased during the year

198

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

Prof. Parvin Kiran Sinclair Ms. R.V. Bhavani Professor of Mathematics Director i/c (Food Security) Indira Gandhi National Open University MSSRF, Chennai New Delhi Dr. R. Rukmani Ms. Chitra Jayanty Principal Coordinator Vice President Project on Designing Rural Technology Naandi Foundation, Hyderabad Delivery Systems for Mitigating Agrarian Distress, MSSRF, Chennai Dr. Smita Gupta Indian School of Women’s Studies Dr. Rama Narayanan New Delhi Advisor, Food Security, MSSRF, Chennai

Dr. Rani Bang Dr. Swarna S. Vepa (Member Secretary)* Director, Society for Education, Action and Ford Foundation Chair, MSSRF, Chennai Research in Community Health (SEARCH) Project Advisory Committee for Project on Maharashtra Strengthening Resilience of Tsunami Dr. Indira Rajaram Affected Communities in India and Sri Professor, National Institute of Public Finance Lanka and Policy, New Delhi Chair

Dr. Janaki Andharia Prof.M.S.Swaminathan Tata Institute of Social Sciences Chairman, MSSRF, Chennai Bombay Members Ms. Mina Swaminathan Mr. Calvin Piggot Advisor, (Education, Communication and First Secretary Gender) MSSRF, Chennai Canadian High Commission Dr. S. Balaravi Sri Lanka Advisor, (Biodiversity), MSSRF, Chennai Dr.Gail Cockburn Dr. Sudha Nair Head of Development Cooperation, CIDA Director, (Ecotechnology) MSSRF, Chennai New Delhi

Mr. S. Senthilkumaran Dr.Stephen McGurk Director, (Information, Communication & Director, IDRC, New Delhi Education) MSSRF, Chennai

* Retired during the year

199

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Mr.A.M.Gokhale Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne Executive Director Executive Director MSSRF, Chennai Sarvodaya, Sri Lanka

Dr. A. Senthil Vel Dr. Vishak Hidellage Director, Ministry of Environement and Director, Practical Action, Sri Lanka Forests, Government of India, New Delhi Dr. Buddhi Weerasinghe Mr. C.K. Sreedharan Director, Disaster Management Centre Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Sri Lanka Tamil Nadu Dr. V.Selvam Mr. A.V.Joseph Director, (Coastal Systems Research) Additional Principal MSSRF, Chennai Chief Conservator of Forest Ms. Uday Mendis Andhra Pradesh Deputy Executive Director Dr. V.S. Hegde Sarvodaya, Sri Lanka Director, (Applications) India Space Research Organization Bangalore

200 Foundation Staff

Shri A.M. Gokhale Executive Director

Programme Area 100: Coastal Systems Thangachimadam Research Mr. Selvakku Md. M. Dr. Selvam V. Senior Scientist Director Mr. Nedumaran T. Coastal Wetlands Project Scientist

Dr. Parasuraman N. Andhra Pradesh Principal Scientist Dr. Ramasubramanina R. Ms. Gnanapazham L. Senior Scientist Scientist Mr. Prasad Ch. S.S.V. Mr. Jayakumar K. Scientist Scientist Mr. Suvaranaraju P. Ms. Punitha S. Scientist Scientist Ms. Praveena Katragadda * Chidambaram Scientist

Mr. Mani K.G. Nuclear and Biotechnological Tools for Scientist Coastal Systems Research

Mr. Sivanesan V. Kudankulam Scientist Dr. Ravi Kumar Gupta Mr. Chockalingam K. * Scientist Scientist Mr. David P.V. Ms. Mercy Rajakumari C. * Technical Assistant Accounts Assistant

* Left during the year

201

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Mr. Chelladurai J. Ms. Lavanya A. Technical Assistant Project Assistant

Kalpakkam Ms. Uma A. Secretary Mr. Kalaimani R. Scientist Community Biodiversity Programme

Mr. Sankar R. Kolli Hills, Namakkal Field Assistant Dr. Israel Oliver King E.D. Programme Area 200: Biodiversity Senior Scientist

Dr. Anilkumar N. Dr. Sivakumar Arumugam * Director and Head, MSSRF, CAbC, Kalpetta Fellow

Dr. Bala Ravi S. Mr. Sivakumar M.N. Advisor Fellow

Dr. Arivudai Nambi V. Mr. Baskar R. Principal Scientist Accounts Assistant

Ms. Geetha Rani M. Mr. Thangavel P. Senior Scientist Office Attendant

Dr. Smita Mishra Community Agrobiodiversity Centre Senior Scientist Kalpetta, Kerala

Ms. Shanthi G. Mr. Girigan G. Fellow Senior Scientist

Ms. Sathya C.K. Mr. Ratheesh Narayanan M.K. Fellow Senior Scientist

Mr. Murugan S. * Dr. Manjula C. Fellow Principal Scientist

Ms. Lalitha Ramakrishnan Ms. Alishya Mathews Senior Scientific Associate Scientist

Ms. Meena M. Project Assistant

* Left during the year

202

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

Mr. Sivan V.V. Ms. Asiya P. Research Associate Project Assistant

Mr. Prajeesh P. Ms. Kavitha B.K. Project Associate Project Assistant

Ms. Dhanya C.S. Mr. Joseph John * Research Fellow Project Assistant

Ms. Smitha S. Nair Ms. Manisha Jain Research Fellow Project Assistant

Mr. Sujanapal P. Ms. Archana D. Research Fellow Research Associate

Ms. Sujana K.A. Mr. Raveendran T. Research Fellow Field Assistant

Mr. Satheesh K. Mr. Rasheed P.A. Research Fellow Field Assistant

Mr. Remesh M. Mr. Shajahan P.T. Research Fellow Technical Assistant

Ms. Surabbi K.S. Ms. Anu K.V. Research Fellow Field Assistant

Mr. Biju K.J. * Mr. Manoj Kumar T. Research Fellow Assistant Manager (Accounts)

Mr. Thejos Piyoosh Moolechal Ms. Elsy Mathew Junior Research Fellow Assistant Manager (Administration)

Mr. Lidith N.M. Ms. Shyja K.N. Junior Research Fellow Computer & Library Assistant

Mr. Sajeev V.P. * Mr. Salim P.M. System Administrator Farm Assistant

Mr. Sajeev V.B. * Ms. Saraswathy N. Field Investigator Cook cum Caretaker

* Left during the year

203

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Mr. Rasheed K. Ms. Shantilata Pattnayak Driver Scientist

Ms. Saraswathy K. Ms. Smita Raut Cleaner Fellow

Biju Patnaik Medicinal Plants Garden & Mr. Suresh Kumar Rath Research Centre, Jeypore, Orissa Accounts Assistant

Dr. K.U.K. Nampoothiri Programme Area 300: Biotechnology Director Dr. Ajay Kumar Parida Dr. Das P. * Director Director Dr. Hariharan G.N. Mr. Susanta Sekhar Chaudhry Principal Scientist Senior Scientist Dr. Rajalakshmi Swaminathan Mr. Mahapatra S.S. Principal Scientist Senior Scientist Dr. Gayathri Venkataraman Mr. Prasantha Kumar Parida Principal Scientist Scientist Dr. Eganathan P. Mr. Trilochana Ray * Senior Scientist Scientist Dr. Suja George Mr. Alok Kumar Badokar Research Associate Scientist Dr. Sankarasubramanian H.M. Mr. Kartik Charan Lenka Research Associate Scientist Dr. Balaji P. * Ms. Annapurna Sahu Research Associate Fellow Dr. Kavitha K. Mr. Rajendrakumar Nag Post Doctoral Fellow Research Fellow Mr. Vinod M.S. Ms. Manjulaxmi A.S. Senior Research Fellow Fellow

* Left during the year

204

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

Mr. Sadasivam V. Ms. Deepanwita Purohit Senior Research Fellow Junior Research Fellow

Ms. Usha B. Ms. Mahalakshmi R. Senior Research Fellow Junior Research Fellow

Mr. Bharath Prithviraj Ms. Rajam Ashok * Senior Research Fellow Junior Research Fellow

Ms. Valarmathi R. Mr. Dayanandham G.K. Senior Research Fellow Secretary

Ms. Trupthi Mohapatra Ms. Chitra R. Senior Research Fellow Technical Assistant

Ms. Sindhu Kuttan Mr. Saravanan M.M. Senior Research Fellow Technical Assistant

Mr. Harikrishnan Mr. Kannan M. Senior Research Fellow Lab Attendant

Mr. Satyan R.S. Mr. Kathiravan R. Senior Research Fellow Lab Attendant

Mr. Aveek Narain Mr. Siva E. Senior Research Fellow Lab Attendant

Ms. Divya Chandran Microbiology Senior Research Fellow Dr. Prabavathy V.R. Ms. Praseetha K. * Principal Scientist Senior Research Fellow Mr. Ramesh Kumar N. Ms. Rajalakshmi C. Senior Research Fellow Junior Research Fellow Dr. Appunnu C. Ms. Keerthi Chandana Rebala Post Doctoral Fellow Junior Research Fellow Mr. Shanthakumar S.P. Mr. Ganesan G. Junior Research Fellow Junior Research Fellow

* Left during the year

205

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Mr. Sridhar Ravichandran Dr. Shanti Duraisamy Junior Research Fellow Principal Scientist

Ms. Subathra G. Dr. Vijay R. Subbiah Junior Research Fellow Senior Scientist

Ms. Sasirekha N. Dr. Sushanta Kumar Mohapatra Junior Research Fellow Research Associate

Mr. Jegan S. Dr. Sakthi Vadivel M. * Junior Research Fellow Research Associate, CSIR

Mr. Ravikannan K. Dr. Malarvannan S. Technical Assistant Scientist

Jeypore Ms. Pudhumalar Hemavathy M. Scientist Mr. Saujanendra Swain Senior Scientist Mr. Sekar S. Technical Assistant Mr. Nihar Ranjan Parida Technical Assistant Ms. Geetha S. Senior Secretary Mr. Lambodar Jena Field Assistant Ms. Santhilatha S. Kumar Secretary Ms. Sulochana Padhi Field Assistant Mr. Karthik S. Lab Assistant Programme Area 400: Ecotechnology

Dr. Sudha Nair Mr. Mohan S. Director & Head (Microbiology) Office Attendant

Chennai Kannivadi

Dr. Sudip Mitra Mr. Seenivasan R. Principal Coordinator Scientist

Dr. Rengalakshmi R. Mr. Selvamukilan B. Principal Scientist Scientist

* Left during the year

206

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

Mr. Devaraj M. Ms. Meenakshi G. Scientist Scientist

Poompuhar Dr. Sudarkodi S. Dr. Sanjeeviraj G. Scientist Principal Coordinator Mr. Sanjeev R. Mr. Senthilkumar V. Scientist Scientist Mr. Karki T. Mr. Selvaganapathy E. Accounts Assistant Technical Assistant Mr. Babu M. Dr. Gopalakrishnan A.* Driver Senior Scientist Mr. Pandurangan V. Mr. Mahendra Kumar* Gardener Junior Research Fellow Ms. Rani R. Mr. Senthil Kumar* Cleaner Scientist Ms. Mangayarkarasi M. Mr. Nagaraja C. Cleaner Scientist Pudukottai

Mr. Selvarasu T. Dr. Nageswaran M. Scientist Principal Scientist

Mr. Chinnaraja S. Mr. Subramaniyan M.K. Scientist Social Scientist

Mr. Saravanakumar S. Mr. Ganesan C. Accounts Assistant Field Assistant

Pudhucherry Kendrapara

Dr. Rosario D. Dr. Maity B.K. Principal Scientist Site Coordinator

Mr. Santhamurthy P. Ms. Gitisree Nayak Senior Scientist Social Worker

* Left during the year

207

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Mr. Jeeva R. Programme Area 500: Food Security Technical Assistant Ms. Bhavani R.V. Mr. Pradeep Kumar Nayak Director (I/C) Administrative Assistant Dr. Swarna Sadasivam Vepa * Jeypore Ford Foundation Chair for Women & Food Security Mr. Ramana S.V. Principal Scientist B V Rao Centre for Sustainable Food Security Mr. Suryakanta Das Scientist Dr. Athreya V.B. Advisor Ms. Mary Dayabati Kiro Scientist Dr. Rama Narayanan Advisor Designing Rural Technology Delivery Systems for Mitigating Agrarian Distress Ms. Anuradha G. Senior Scientist Dr. Rukmani R. Principal Coordinator Ms. Deepa Varma Scientist Ms. Manjula Menon M. Senior Scientist Mr. Gopinath R. Scientist Vulnerability & Adaptation to Climate Change Dr. Jayakumar N. Economist Dr. Arivudai Nambi A. Principal Coordinator Mr. Sakthivelan A. Secretary Dr. Isaac Manuel Research Associate Namakkal

Ms. Shishusri Pradhan Mr. Vedhamoorthy A. Junior Research Fellow Scientist

Mr. Sunder Vadivelu K. Mr. Kumar N. Administrative Associate Research Assistant

* Retired during the year

208

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

Mr. Anna Durai A. Ms. Tara Gandhi Field Assistant Advisor

Mr. Senthilkumar T. Prof. Subbiah Arunachalam * Field Assistant Distinguished Fellow

Jeypore Ms. Nancy J. Anabel Programme Coordinator – Capacity Building Mr. Akshaya Kumar Panda Scientist Mr. Srinath J. Programme Coordinator – Content Mr. Tusar Ranjan Nayak Scientist Ms. Ganga Vidya N. Coordinator – GGA Secretariat Mr. Hrideek T.K. Scientist Dr. Sophia J.D. Principal Scientist Mahilakisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana, Vidarbha Mr. Dileep Kumar G.* Wardha Principal Scientist

Ms. Charushila Thakare Mr. Sivakumar P. Scientist Senior Scientist

Ms. Jyotsna Bhimrav Raut Mr. Rajamanikkam R. Scientist Scientist

Ms. Manda M. Bhondawe Mr. Muthuveeran R. * Scientist Scientist

Programme Are 600: Information, Mr. Jegan Karuppiah S. Education and Communication Scientist

Mr. Senthilkumaran S. Ms. Sumathi N.* Director Scientist

Jamsetji Tata National Virtual Academy for Ms. Yuvarani T. Rural Prosperity Technical Associate Prof. Kesavan P.C. Mr. Kolappa Dhas R. Advisor Technical Assistant

* Left during the year

209

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Mr. Sundaram N. * Pudukottai / Annavasal Accounts Assistant Mr. Rajkumar Ramasamy Mr. Balaji P. Project Coordinator Driver Mr. Gurumurthy S. Dindigul Technical Assistant

Dr. Nagarajan B.S. Mr. Saravanan R. Advisor Technical Assistant

Ms. Nirmala R. * Nagapattinam Scientist Ms. Velvizhi S. Mr. Sundaresan D. * Senior Scientist Scientist Mr. Balakumar S. * Mr. Murugesan M.T. Scientist Scientist Mr. Mugilnilavan P. Mr. Ananth A. Scientist Technical Assistant Mr. Suresh P.* Mr. Britto C.A.S. Technical Associate Technical Assistant Mr. Mohamed Seyed Mubarack M. Thanjavur Technical Assistant

Dr. Palaniappan V. Mr. Elongovan R. Advisor Scientist

Mr. Padmanabhan B. * Kovalam Scientist Ms. Rosemeena Amirthanayagam * Mr. Muthukumar M. Scientist Technical Assistant Chidambaram

Mr. Murugan G. Mr. Veeta Raj D. Technical Assistant Technical Assistant

* Left during the year

210

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

Mr. Senthamil P. Ms. Anandalakshmi S. Technical Assistant Technical Assistant

Mr. Aravinthan P. * Mr. Lourdessamy Maleappane C. Scientist Technical Assistant

Ms. Aruljothi S. * Mr. Thiruvanavukkarasu V. * Scientist Technical Assistant

Thangachimadam Nagercoil

Dr. Sivakumar Arunachalam Mr. Karumalai Kannan R. Project Coordinator Scientist

Ms. Sreekirupa R. Mr. Antony Edward Singh S. * Scientist Scientist

Mr. Raju Saravanan Mr. Yesudhas M. Scientist Technical Associate

Mr. Abdul Salam K. Ms. Kavitha A.* Technical Assistant Technical Assistant

Mr. Arockia Kevikumar J. Wardha Technical Assistant Dr. Vishwanath M. Palled Pudhucherry Project Coordinator

Dr. Thiagarajan A.R. Mr. Tushar Suresh Rao Deshmukh * Advisor Scientist

Ms. Pakkialatchoumy P. Mr. Deepak S. Kekan Scientist Scientist

Ms. Josephine Daisy Parimala Rani * Mr. Prasanna Prabhakarrao Ghode Scientist Scientist

Ms. Girija D.S. Mr. Sharad P. Sultane * Coordinator (I/C) Scientist

Mr. Jayakrishnan G. Mr. Pravin Khumbalkar Technical Assistant Technical Assistant

* Left during the year

211

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Mr. Prafulla Chandurkar Library and Information Services Accounts Assistant Mr. Janakiraman A. Ms. Sudha J. Bhadane * Manager – Library Services Technical Assistant Mr. Kuppuswamy M. Ms.Sudeshana R. Gajjbhiye Scientist Scientist Mr. Murugan B. Ms. Mangla J. Meshram * Assistant Librarian Scientist Administration & Finance

Mr. Avinash Rameshrao Wandle Mr. Hariharakrishnan S. Technical Assistant Manager (P&A)

Uttara Devi Resource Centre for Gender & Mr. Parthasarathy C.V. Development Executive Secretary Ms. Mina Swaminathan Ms. Udaya Sathyamurthy Advisor – Education, Communication and Associate Manager (Finance) Gender Ms. Prathiba Ramakrishnan Ms. Padmavathy G. Associate Manager (Finance) Administrative Assistant Mr. Rameswaran K. The Hindu Media Resource Centre Associate Manager (FM &M) Ms. Bhanumathi K. * Ms. Latha Murugesan J. Coordinator Assistant Manager (A&A) Ms. Madhavi Ravikumar * Ms. Rajalakshmi T.R. Coordinator Assistant Manager (P&A) Ms. Sukanya Rangarajan * Ms. Sheela K. Scientist Senior Secretary Ms. Rajarajeshwari M. Ms. Malathy R. Programme Associate Senior Secretary Mr. Suresh Kumar G. Ms. Dilhara Begum Y. Technical Assistant Secretary

* Left during the year

212

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

Ms. Jayashree R. * Ms. Sayeda Habiba Banu Begum Accounts Assistant Technical Assistant

Mr. Rukmangathan C. * Mr. Anandakumar B. Accounts Assistant Technical Assistant

Mr. Saravanan K. Ms. Chandrakala S. * Accounts Assistant Technical Assistant

Ms. Vijaya Sulochana T. Mr. Shanmugam P. Administrative Assistant Office Attendant

Ms. Rajakumaran M. Mr. Gopalakrishnan S. Administrative Assistant Driver

Mr. Suresh K. Mr. Samuel T. Administrative Assistant Gardener

Mr. Suban R. Mr. Lakshmanan P. Accounts Assistant Gardener

Ms. Nalina Muthukumaran Mr. Niyas G. Accounts Assistant Field Assistant

Ms. Kavitha R. Ms. Soundari Sundaram Accounts Assistant Cleaner

Mr. Sivaraj C. Ms. Lakshmi J. Electrical Supervisor Cleaner

Mr. Thiruvengadam E. Mr. Venkateswarlu C.H. Electrician Cleaner

Mr. Muthukumar P. Ms. Vijaya Lakshmi V. Electrician Cleaner

Mr. Sivakumar B. Electrical Assistant

* Left during the year

213 LIST OF DONORS 2007-08 Institutional Donors – National

Diana World Travel Pvt. Ltd, Chennai State Bank of Travancore, Indira Nagar, Chennai Individual Donors – National

Dr. M. Velayutham, Chennai Shri S. Srinivasan, Chennai

Mr. Bhagwan Maniar, Mumbai Mr. Subbiah Arunachalam, Chennai

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

Dr. B.R. Barwale, Mumbai Mrs. Radha Rajamannar, Bangalore

Dr. Gangabishan Bhikula, Mumbai Mr. Shirish R. Barwale, Mumbai

Dr. R.B. Barwale, Mumbai Individual Donors – International

Dr. Joseph H. Hulse, Canada Ms.Maria L.Cheryl, L.A

Dr.Lennart Grebelius, Sweden Endowment Funds Jamsetji Tata Trust, Mumbai Tata Education Trust, Mumbai Asia Initiatives (Friends of MSSRF Japan ) Mr. Ajay Gupta Mr. Robert Clyde Mr. Bouffard Martin Ms. Rupani Vasudev Mr. Benjamin Forster Ms. Ruth John McCreery Ms. Charla Stark Mr. Sameer Vakil Mr. Dannenberg Andreas Mr. Srivatsan Mr. David Sutherland Ms. Sinduja Raghunathan, Mr. Dovaston John Ms. Sata Yasuhiko Mr. Elango Ganesan Mr. Doug Ferguson Family Ms. Elizabeth Sequeira Mr. Doug Hodge Family Mr. Indranil Nath Mrs. John Bautista Family Ms.Jessica Batsford Dr. Geetha Mehta Family

214

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

Mrs. Joanne Radetsky Dr. Mayuri Bernhard Family Ms. Linda Semlitz Gilbert Mr. Russel Gesling Family Mr. Mitton E.Start Mr. Wigmore Family Mr. Neil Kesselman Epoch Groups Mr. Nobue Nohtomi Potters from The International School of Mr. Peter Massion Sacred Heart

Friends of Swaminathan, Australia (FOSA)

Mrs. Colleen Harkin Mrs. Helen Jackson Mr. Leigh Jamieson Mrs. Cushla McNamara Family Mr. Grant Poulton Family Mr. Leigh Ratcliffe Mr. Alan Oppenheim Mr. Roger Freeman

Support under Corporate Social Responsibility

Mitsubishi Corporation

215

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SOURCES OF PROJECT SUPPORT Programme Area 100 : Coastal Systems Research National International

Space Application Centre, Department of International Development Research Centre Space, Government of India (IDRC), Canada

Department of Atomic Energy, Government Canadian International Development Agency of India (CIDA), Canada

Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), New Delhi

Reliance Industries Ltd, Mumbai

Programme Area 200: Biodiversity

Department of Scientific and Consulate of Japan Industrial Research, Government of India International Plant Genetic National Medicinal Plants Board, Resources Institute, Rome Department of Ayush, Govt of India

Department of Science and Technology, Government of India

Department of Biotechnology, Government of India

Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, Mumbai

Barwale Endowment Fund

Ford Foundation Endowment

Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), New Delhi

State Bank of Travancore, Thiruvananthapuram

216

SOURCES OF PROJECT SUPPORT

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

National International

Programme Area 300: Biotechnology Department of Biotechnology, Government of American Express Foundation, USA India International Rice Research Institute, Manila Directorate of Forests & Wildlife, Government of Puducherry

Department of Science & Technology, Government of India Programme Area 400: Ecotechnology

Sir Jamsetji Tata Trust, Mumbai Department for Funding International Development, Government of UK Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, Mumbai American India Foundation, USA Bharat Soka Gakkai, New Delhi Barret Foundation, USA Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India Asia Initiatives, Friends of MSSRF, Japan

Department of Science and Technology, Friends of Swaminathan, Australia (FOSA) Government of India FAO Regional Office for Asia Pacific, Technology Information, Forecasting and Bangkok Assessment Council (TIFAC), DST, Government of India

State Bank of India, Chennai

Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), New Delhi

World Noni Research Foundation, Chennai

217

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

National International

Programme Area 500: Food Security UN World Food Programme, International Fund for Agricultural Regional Office for South Asia, New Delhi Development (IFAD), Rome

Ministry of Women and Child, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the Government of India UN(FAO), Rome

Vistaar Project of USAID, New Delhi International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Washington Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, Mumbai Friends of Swaminathan, Australia (FOSA) Venkateshwara Hatcheries Ltd India Relief and Education Fund, USA Ford Foundation Endowment

The Soybean Oil Processors Association (SOPA)

Programme Area 600: Information, Education and Communication

Indian Space Research Organisation, QUALLCOMM Ltd, USA Dept of Space, Government of India Canadian International Development Agency Sir Jamsetji Tata Trust, Mumbai (CIDA), Government of Canada

Tata Education Trust, Mumbai International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Government of Canada State Bank of Mysore, Chennai Asia Initiatives, Friends of MSSRF, Japan Telecenter.org, New Delhi Friends of Swaminathan, Australia (FOSA) Lehmann Brothers, Mumbai

Microsoft Corporation India Pvt Ltd

Intel Technology India Pvt Ltd

Hindu Group of Publications

Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), New Delhi

Programme Area 700 : Special Projects Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India

218 List of Acronyms

AFLP Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism AIR All India Radio AP Andhra Pradesh ATMA Agricultural Technology Management Agency BARC Bhabha Atomic Research Centre BCC Biodiversity Conservation Corps BCUE Biodiversity Conservation Utilization and Enhancement BDO Block Development Officer BIWS Bioindustrial Watershed BPL Below Poverty Line BPMPGRC Biju Patnaik Medicinal Plants Garden and Research Centre BVC Biovillage Council CAbC Community Agrobiodiversity Centre CALP Computer Aided :Learning Programme CBB Coffee Berry Borer CBO Community Based Organisation CBQ Cost Benefit Quotient CFTRI Central Food Technological Research Institute CGB Community Gene-Seed-Grain Bank CGR Crop Genetic Resources CICR Central Institute for Cotton Research CIDA Canadian International Development Agency CLC Community Learning Centre CMPG Community Medicinal Plants Garden CRRI Central Rice Research Institute CTAB Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide CTLC Community Technology Learning Centre DAE Department of Atomic Energy DBT Department of Biotechnology DDS Deccan Development Society

219

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DFID Department for Funding International Development DNA Deoxyribonucleic acid DRDA District Rural Development Agency DSIR Department of Scientific & Industrial Research DST Department of Science & Technology EC Executive Committee ECAS Every Child A Scientist EST Expressed Sequence Tag FAO-RAP Food and Agriculture Organization – Regional Office for Asia Pacific FD Forest Department FFMA Fisher Friend Mobile Application FLD Front Line Demonstration FP Farmers’ Practice FRP Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic FYM Farm Yard Manure GB General Body GBPUAT G.B. Pant University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology GDP Gross Domestic Product GFP Green Fluorescent Protein GGA Grameen Gyan Abhiyan GIS Geographical Information System GKP Global Knowledge Partnerhsip GP Gram Panchayat GPS Global Positioning System GUS Glucuronidase HAP High Altitude Plant HH Household HP Hewlett Packard IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency ICAR Indian Council of Agricultural Research ICDS Integrated Child Development Services ICRISAT International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics

220

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

ICS Internal Control System IDRC International Development Research Centre IEC Information, Education and Communication IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development IFFCO Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited IFPRI International Food Policy Research Institute IFS Integrated Farming System IGA Income Generating Activity IGCAR Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research IGNOU Indira Gandhi National Open University IGS Intergenic Spacers IIT Indian Institute of Technology IK Indigenous Knowledge IMFFS Integrated Mangrove Fishery Farming System IMO Institute for Market Ecology INM Integrated Nutrient Management IPGRI International Plant Genetic Resources Institute IPM Integrated Pest Management IRRI International Rice Research Institute IRT Iron Regulated Transporter ISRO Indian Space Research Organization ISSR Inter Simple Sequence Repeat JMM Joint Mangrove Management JNKVV Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya JTS Jamsetji Tata Training School KKJRGCS Kalinga Kalajeera Rice Growers Cooperative Society KVK Krishi Vigyan Kendra KW Knowledge Worker KWE Kuttanad Wetland Ecosystem LB Local Body LED Light Emitting Diode LR Land Races

221

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MANAGE National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management MDMS Mid Day Meal Scheme MEM Micro Enterprise Marketplace MGLP Multi Grade Learning Programme MNRE Ministry of New and Renewable Energy MPA Marine Protected Areas MSL Mean Sea Level MUPP Microsoft Unlimited Potential Programme MYB Myoblastisis NABARD National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development NAFED National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited NBPGR National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources NBRI National Botanical Research Institute NFHS National Family Health Survey NHM National Horticulture Mission NMDS Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling NMPB National Medicinal Plants Board NREGS National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme NSSO National Sample Survey Organisation NUS Neglected and Underutilised Species NVA National Virtual Academy ORF Open Reading Frame OUAT Orissa University of Agriculture & Technology PAD People’s Action for Development PASIC Pondicherry Agro Service and Industries Corporation Limited PAU Punjab Agricultural University PBR People’s Biodiversity Register PCR Polymerase Chain Reaction PCS Participatory Conservation System PDKV Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth PDS Public Distribution System PGPR Plant Growth Promoter

222

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

PIXE Proton Induced X-ray Emission PKS Polyketide Synthases PONLAIT Pondicherry Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union PPSS Praja Pragathi Seva Sangham PPVFRA Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Act PRA Participatory Rural Appraisal PRI Panchayat Raj Institution PVS Participatory Varietal Selection RAPD Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA RBD Randomised Block Design RET Rare Endangered and Threatened RFLP Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism RIF Rural Innovation Fund RNA Ribonucleic Acid RRA Regional Resource Agency SAU State Agricultural University SBI State Bank of India SCAR Sequence Characterized Amplified Region SDC Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDS-PAGE Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate - Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis SEM Scanning Electron Microscopy SGSY Swarnajayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana SICA South India Cotton Association SIFFS South Indian Federation of Fishermen Societies SPRIT Society for Participatory Research and Integrated Training SRI System of Rice Intensification SSA Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan SSR Simple Sequence Repeat TERI-NE The Energy Research Institute – North East THMRC The Hindu Media Resource Centre TN Tamil Nadu TNAU Tamil Nadu Agricultural University

223

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UAS University of Agricultural Sciences UNDP United Nations Development Programme USAID United States Agency for International Development VAM Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza VDMC Village Development and Management Council VKC Village Knowledge Centre VLI Village Level Institution VRC Village Resource Centre VSB Village Seed Bank VWS Village Welfare Society WSHG Women’s Self Help Group

224 M. S. SWAMINATHAN RESEARCH FOUNDATION 2007-2008 EIGHteenth annual report Centre for Research on Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development, Chennai

Address: M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation III Cross Road Institutional Area Taramani Chennai 600 113, India