July 2006 Vol. 7 No.3

The CIKS quarterly newsletter

For more CIKS news updates, visit www.ciks.org

Answers from an Ancient ScienceVrkshayurveda for Vegetables

This project is being implemented with support from DST. As a part of this project, nearly 9 farmers have taken up organic vegetable cultivation in 10 cents area. Bhendi seedlings have been raised in pots in the shade net in Agani. Various concentrations of panchagavyam have been sprayed and the results have been recorded. A training programme on organic vegetable cultivation was conducted for the farmers of Allivilagam and Radhanallur villages on 4th April, as well as for the beneficiaries of Sirkazhi organic farmers sangam on 17th May. Fumigation experiments were conducted using Acorus powder in paddy seeds. Experiment using Fusarium cultures has been initiated at Sirkazhi. A one-day training programme on “Organic vegetable cultivation” was organized by the Kudavasal Agriculture Development Officer, Mr. Srinivasan. Nearly 30 farmers from the Simili village and six agriculture officers participated in this training programme. They were trained on organic cultivation of vegetables, pests and diseases affecting them and their organic management. Subhashini Sridhar, P. Krithika and S. Ashok Kumar served as the resource persons for this training programme.

Ford Foundation Project UpdateThe project on Enhancing livelihood security of small and marginal farmers through promotion of organic farming technologies was supported by Ford Foundation for the last two years and was completed this June. Monthly sangam meetings were conducted in all the three districts. The trainer’s training programmes were conducted in all the three districts. The trainers were asked to make an assessment of the programme and how it has benefited them. They were also asked to give their suggestions for the next phase of the programme. The best sangam in each district was selected based on various criteria and given awards.

A prototype fumigator developed by ciks for seed treatment. Since it is being developed specifically for seed treatment, farmers will find it convenient and economical.

A field experiment in progress.

CIKS NEWS July 2006 Vol. 7 No.3

PROJECT WATCH A round-up of our activities

C A P A C I T Y B U I L D I N G O N ORGANIC FARMING This project, which is supported by CAPART, New Delhi, is being implemented in 10 villages in the Kancheepuram district. Sangam meetings took place in all the 10 villages. Twice the quantity of seeds distributed during the previous season have been procured from the farmers. Construction of seed bank and biopesticide units in Edaiyur, Narapakkam, Kolathancherry, Valathodu and Thandaraipuducheri villages is nearing completion.

PADDY ORGANIC CHAIN - SEED TO HARVEST CIKS is implementing a pilot project on “Paddy organic chain – Seed to harvest” in Tamil Nadu with support from HIVOS, Bangalore. Monthly meetings were conducted in Chithravadi, Kolathancherry and Kaliyapettai villages. Land has been selected for the construction of seed bank. The beneficiaries of Chithravadi and Kolathancherry organic sangams were taken for exposure visits to an organic farm and vermicomposting area at Erode. On 9th and 10th May, a two day training programme on organic farming was conducted for the farmers of Kaliyapettai village. They were trained on importance of organic farming, alternatives to inorganic fertilizers, organic paddy cultivation, non-chemical pest control methods, paddy pests and diseases, biopesticides preparation methods and use of medicinal plants. Training on Internal Control Systems(ICS) and Standards for obtaining organic certification were conducted on 24th & 26th May and 2nd June, for the beneficiaries of Chitravadi & Kolathancherry and Kaliyapettai respectively.

DST PROJECT ON STORAGE FORMS OF BIOPESTICIDESA DST supported project on storage forms of biopesticides is being implemented in Sirkazhi from September 2005. Leaf folders are being reared on the paddy crops in the net house established in Agani. Brinjal seedlings have been raised in the pots in Agani and Epilachna beetles have been released in them for rearing purpose. On 6th May, Prof. Selvamuthukumar of the Entomology Department, Annamalai University conducted a training programme on “Experimental Designs” for our Sirkazhi field staff. Bioassays were conducted to test the effect of various concentrations of Andrographis kashayam and neem oil emulsion on armyworms. On 22nd June, Dr. Arivudainambi from the Entomology Department, Annamalai University visited our insect rearing lab at Sirkazhi and demonstrated the bioassay techniques using aphids.

USE OF ANIMAL PRODUCTS FOR PEST CONTROLAs a part of this COMPAS supported project, in Sempadhaniruppu village, bhendi has been planted for experiments in connection with the use of animal products in traditional agriculture. Panchakavyam prepared using various products from the cow and the buffalo have been sprayed and data collection is being done. In Agani, experiments are being conducted to test the effect of various concentrations of panchakavya on ADT-43 paddy variety. Experiments are being conducted to test the effect of panchakavya on brinjal plants in Adhamangalam village. On 24th May, Prof. Selvamuthukumar made a practical demonstration for our staff on data collection and sample design. Various seed treatment experiments

using cow’s urine, cow’s milk, cow dung, goat’s milk and panchakavya are also being conducted.

T E C H N O L O G Y R E S O U R C E CENTRE ACTIVITIESTechnology Resource Centre activities of CIKS have commenced from October 2005. As a part of this programme, two day training programmes were conducted for the beneficiaries of Chinnanatham and Rakkampalyam villages on 16th and 18th May respectively. Nearly 65 farmers participated in these training programmes. They were trained on topics such as importance of organic farming, improving soil fertility, medicinal plants and its uses, organic paddy cultivation, importance of kitchen garden, preparation of biopesticides and ICS standards.

W O R K I N P R O G R E S S A T SUKKANKOLLAI In our exper imenta l farm a t Sukkankollai, construction of a green house has been completed. A cowshed and a shade net have been constructed. Eight varieties of vegetables have been planted in 35 cents. Paddy varieties like Kullakar, ADT-43 and ADT-37 have been harvested. Groundnut variety VRI-2 has also been harvested. On 14th and 15th June, training on various experimental techniques like data collection and data analysis was conducted for our staff by Dr. Arivudainambi and Dr . Se lvamuthukumar of the Entomology Department, Annamalai University.

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NEWSROOM Happenings and more.

CIKS NEWS July 2006 Vol. 7 No.3

VISIT TO CRRI

S. Arumugasamy visited the Central Rice Research Institute at Cuttack between 6th and 8th April to get to know about their activities.

TRAINING AT SUKKANKOLLAI

On 11th April , a group of 35 students and faculty members from the CSI Ewarts College visited our experimental farm at Sukkankollai. They were appraised about the various activities of CIKS. They were given practical training on preparation of various plant based extracts and identification of various pests and diseases.

SRILANKAN TEAM VISITS CIKS

A group of six members including farmers and NGO staff from Sri Lanka visited CIKS between 21st and 22nd April. Mr. Ranjith Henry of Kolam organized this trip. They visited our experimental farm at Sukkankollai, Cooperative sugar mill’s biocontrol lab and organic farms at Chithravadi village. They were appraised about the various activities of CIKS. They had an interactive session with the farmers of Chithravadi village. On 26th, the team visited the head office of CIKS at Chennai and had interaction with the staff.

CAPART MEETING ON RURAL TECHNOLOGY

On 9th and 10th May, CAPART had arranged a National Consultation on Rural Technology and the future role of CAPART. A. V. Balasubramanian participated in the meeting to which CAPART had invited representatives of voluntary organizations and persons from several government agencies who have been involved in CAPART work for several years.

VISIT TO ICAR

On 11th May, A. V. Balasubramanian visited Dr. Das, Deputy Director General (Extension services) of Indian Council of Agricultural Research at New Delhi to know about the ICAR programme for documentation of indigenous technical knowledge in agriculture.

V I S I T T O T I M B A K T U COLLECTIVE

K. Vijayalakshmi visited the Timbaktu Collective in the Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh between 15th and 18th of May.

M A R K E T I N G O R G A N I C PRODUCE

CIKS is involved in a series of efforts to promote marketing of organic produce. In this connection, various institutional options are being explored including formation of a Private Limited Company or a Producer Company with the involvement of farmers groups. A. V. Balasubramanian had meetings regarding this with Mr. Hariramamoorthy of FRLHT on 15th May and with Mr. G. Raju of Gram Mooligai Company Ltd., (GMCL) on 18th May.

VISIT TO KPP, KARNATAKA

On 16th and 17th May, A. V. Balasubramanian visited Krishi Prayog Pariwara (KPP) in Shimoga district of Karnataka, which is one of the COMPAS project partners. He visited Sagar and the surrounding areas to meet with farmers who have been working with KPP and he also visited the KPP experimental farm in Thirthahalli. Besides this, he also attended a meeting that was organized by KPP in a village in North Karnataka district, where on an

experimental basis the entire village is being converted to organic farming.

M E E T I N G O F C A P A R T T E C H N O L O G Y R E S O U R C E CENTRES

On 25th May, CAPART had organized a meeting of over twenty organizations from various parts of India who have been recognized as Technology Resource Centers and are operating in various parts of the country. A. V. Balasubramanian participated in the meeting and made a presentation regarding the Technology Resource Center activities of CIKS, which have commenced in October 2005.

TRAINING ON VILLAGE HERBS

On 27th May, Mr. Suresh, Mr. Abdul and Mr. Mageshamoorthy of GMCL, Bangalore conducted a one-day training programme on Village Herbs at our biopesticides unit in Agani. About 26 women farmers from Agani, Nandhiyanallur and Allivilagam villages participated in this training programme.

NEW PROJECT

Reclamation Of Agricultural Land In Tsunami Affected Areas

We have commenced a short-term project for 3 months on “Agricultural land reclamation in tsunami affected areas” supported by Gram Swaraj Sangh, Gujarat. This project is being implemented in Sirkazhi from June 2006. As a part of this project, on 22nd and 26th of June, two training programmes on organic paddy cultivation and seed treatment were conducted for nearly 65 farmers.

Book-Post

To

Editorial Team : Dr. K. Vijayalakshmi, R. Abarna and T.D.Nirmala Devi Design and Layout : R.Anand

CIKS NEWS July 2006 Vol. 7 No.3

• On 12th April, Dr. Ravindra, (Retd) Director, NIOT, Chennai and special adviser, RUTAG visited us.

• On 12th April, Mr. Rajashekar Reddy, SRESHTA visited us.

• On 5th May, a group of 32 students and Dr. Prema Kumari from Loyola College visited our experimental farm at Sukkankollai.

• On 13th May, Mr. Prasad, Production Manager of Sresta Bioproducts visited us to explore the possibilities of collaboration with them on organic products.

• On 15th May, Mr. Vinodh from IMO, Bangalore visitedus.HevisitedourfieldareasinChengalpet, Sirkazhi and Thiruvallur.

• On 30th May, MCRC organized a trip for group of students who visited our experimental farm at Sukkankollai to get to know about our activities.

• On 31st May, Mr. S. S. Rajsekar, Managing Trustee, National Agro Foundation, Chennai visited us.

• On 12th June, Dr. Uma Shankari from Hyderabad visited us in connection with her work relating to organizing a national meeting on agriculture related issues.

VISITOR'S BOOKWho's been dropping in at CIKS

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BOOKSTORENew publications and audiovisuals

Nalam Tharum Thavarangal(in Tamil) This booklet provides information and instructions on various aspects of cultivation of eight most commonly used plants and their uses in agriculture, gardening, human health and animal health. The plants include Aloe, Garlic, Ginger, Turmeric, Adhatoda, Kalmegh, Custard Apple and Onion.Price: Rs. 25/-

Organic Food - Why You Should Care This book attempts to help you understand the importance of organic food and its benefits - from both environment and health perspectives. Along the way, it throws light on some commonly held misconceptions about organic food, and gives you some handy tips on going organic in your own kitchen. If you’re interested in organic food and farming, this book will give you a quick and concise overview.Price: Rs. 30/-

For copies, send a demand draft or money order favouring ‘Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems’ to the below address. Add 30% of the total cost towards postage.Specify clearly the titles, language and number of copies required.

We do not accept cheques / VPP.