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Report of the

Technical Consultation with Farmers on Agronomic Rehabilitation of ‘Gaja’ cyclone affected areas in

Nagappatinam and Thanjavur Districts

30-31 Jan 2019

M.S.Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai

Coconut Research Station, TNAU, Veppankulam, Pattukkotai

Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Chidambaram &

Joint Director of Agriculture, Thanjavur, Dept. of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu

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Introduction A technical consultation was organized to the Gaja Cyclone affected regions of Thanjavur and Nagappattinam dts on 30-31 Jan 2019 with the following objectives: (i) to evolve immediate technical guidance required to farmers on the management of the affected perennial crops such coconut, mango, cashew and (ii) to identify and discuss the potential adaptation strategies from the disaster resilience dimension. The consultation was organized in a traveling workshop mode with a multi-disciplinary team from Horticulture, Agronomy, Plant pathology, Entomology, Soil science from four different institutions etc. The team visited and interacted with farmers in the following villages and in addition, the team had a discussion with officials of both the districts.

Thanjavur - 30 Jan 2019

Primary crops

affected

Nagapattinam – 31 Jan 2019

Primary crops

affected

1. Kellakurichi East 2. Madhukar north and 3. Mudhalcherry

Coconut 1. Periyakothagai and 2. Pushphavanam

Mango Coconut and Cashew

30 Jan 2019 - Thanjavur

The team had a discussion with District Collector Mr.Annadurai, IAS, Thanjavur and Mr.Raja Gopal Sunkura IAS, Additional Project Director, Gaja Cyclone Reconstruction Rehabilitation and Rejuvenation project – Thanjavur and Pudukottai. The District Collector requested the team to visit the Gaja cyclone affected fields and interact with farmers to understand their needs and feasibility to promote the livelihood package developed by the Department of Agriculture, Government of Tamil Nadu. In addition, the Project Director discussed the need to focus on the rehabilitation framework for small holders and agricultural labourers with special attention to women headed households. Accordingly, the team visited the selected villages and discussed with the farmers: Current status Stand of the coconut fields: During the cyclone, the productive trees got damaged which varied from 50- 90 % in intensity in different farmer’s field. The damaged conditions of productive trees vary from uprooting of trees, crown twisting with fewer number of leaf fronds (average 4-5 leaf fronds/tree), lodging towards windward side and post cyclonic physiological disorders (dieback symptom, wilting, entering into physiological lag phase of growth). The standing trees that are currently in the field are largely unproductive and senile. Clearing the land and field sanitation: The farmers (whoever received the compensation from government) initiated the process of clearing the fallen trees; (i) tree trunk, (ii) uprooting the basal portion of the tree along with roots and (iii) crown portion with leaf fronds. This is the primary action necessary to restore the cultivation in the field for the coming season.

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i) Trunk portion: To remove the fallen trunk portion there is a requirement for portable saw machine, right now there are two to three saws were provided by Department of Agricultural Engineering to the farmers groups in the villages. Here farmers themselves engaging the labourers and clearing the waste, which are largely dumped, near the bunds, roadsides, water bodies etc. Few attempted to dig a large pit and put the trunks inside and burning it and covering it with soil. Apart from this, there are few private players are engaged in this task in which they are taking back the trunk portion and farmers are spending the labour and food expenses for this purpose @ Rs 4000- 5000 per day.

ii) Leaf fronds and Crown portion: The leaf fronds and crown portions are burnt in the field itself.

iii) Hardcore lignified root biomass with basal part of tree trunk: Removal of the

root portion along with basal portion of the trunk (up to 2 feet height) from the field is essential to cultivate pulses and groundnut in the coming season. As this hard core of lignified root biomass occupies substantial portion of the subsoil, it reduces the effective space for further cultivation. Right now, few farmers are using JCP machine to remove the basal trunk portion, still they find it difficult to completely remove the root portion. For this, few JCBs are available in a village and the rental cost is Rs 900 /hour.

Specific recommendations: 1. Management of fallen trees

1.1. Clearing the trunk and crown portion of the tree from field: 1.1.1. Ensuring adequate number of electric Saw machine to cut the trunk portion

and JCBs to remove the trunk portion from the field.

1.1.2. Providing heavy shredder machine to shred the leaf fronds and crown portion in the field itself, which will reduce the level of burning, help to maintain the sanitation of field and nearby water bodies and crop residues can be effectively used to improve the soil health. Burning also add more carbon di oxide to the atmosphere

1.2. Management of root biomass:

1.2.1. In-situ residual root biomass management: Introduce the technology to speed up the decomposition process by using microbial consortia (suitable for high lignin content degradation) in the remaining root portion left in the soil. The microbial consortia need to be applied through injection method to speed up the degradation process. Here tools like Hydraulic Jack Hammer fitted with JCB can be used for quick action. Such specific product is available with National Centre for Organic Farming, Bangalore, which can be sourced, based on the need. In addition, commercially Laccase enzyme, which degrades the lignin, is currently available in the market at the cost of Rs. 500/kg, can be applied to degrade the root biomass. Inputs can also be taken from the experiment undertaken by

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Coconut Research Station, Veppankulam on the similar issue using Trichoderma and Chaetomium globus.

1.2.2. The scope for vermi composting of the biomass waste could be explored further.

1.2.3. To further avoid the cost in going for new pits, it is suggested that new seedlings can be planted by taking pits in the old place itself after the removal of hard root biomass. Alternatively, if they are opting for new pits in between the older pits, the existing root biomass of the old trees should have to be removed upto a sub soil depth (30 to 45 cm). For this deep ploughing with disc plough and JCB earth movers can be engaged.

1.2.4. General soil health management: In general, liquid

pseudomonas/trichoderma based consortium loaded along with humic acid based carrier can be recommended to be soil applied before ploughing.

2. Management of Standing coconut trees

2.1. Assessment of standing coconut trees for further removal/rejuvenation: The standing trees subjected to partial damage by heavy wind need to be assessed for either removal or rejuvenation. The following parameters need to be used for assessment and plan for rejuvenation. The farmers need to be trained about assessing the damage conditions of the trees standing to take informed decisions (either removal or rejuvenation). Damaged coconut trees with the following characters can be rejuvenated

1. Crown condition • Should have minimum 15 to 20 fronds ( leaves)

2. The top meristamatic frond (kuruthu leaves)

• should not be damaged

3. Tree position • The tree should not be lodged in acquit angle of <750 angle

4. Age of the tree • The tree should not have attained the age of > 15 years

5. Stem and root • Free from pest and diseases 6. Partially uprooted

trees • Age of the trees should be less than five

years

Unproductive trees, which produce less than 10 nuts for year per tree, trees which are heavily affected by boron deficiency showing the pencil point symptoms, and trees with stunted growth can be removed completely

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Tree A- To be marked for rejuvenation Tree B- To be marked for removal

Coconut residual root biomass (covering 1.5m x 1.5m area covering soil

intensively)

Coconut residual root biomass – partially removed

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Fig.1.1.Coconut

2.2. Rejuvenation practices: As the partially damaged trees have entered into physiological lag phase of growth, the management practices need to be towards overcoming the abiotic stress and hidden hunger in the trees. The treatments include:

2.2.1. Application of Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) or Potassium Nitrate along with Silica in the feeder root zone (As nitrate form of Nitrogen & Silica are more appropriate for immediate relief from abiotic stress it is recommended) and the recommended doses are: CAN (two times a year)

For 3-4 years-150-175 gm/tree and for >5 years -250-300 gm/ tree. Potassium Nitrate – Grade -(13:0:45)

For fertigation: Above 5 years old trees @ 100 gm/ tree (application at an interval of every month) For soil application: above 5 years old trees @ 250 g/ tree (application at an interval of 90 days)

Silica

Above 5 years old tree - 500 gm/tree. (two times/year)

2.2.2. Application of 10 g Humic acid 85% (Powder form- water soluble grade)/tree along with 25 Kg of bulky organic manures (Apply once in 90 days /year)

2.2.3. In addition to the above Integrated Nutrient Management Practices

including micro nutrients have been applied (500 g N, 320 g P and 1200 K /year – applied in two splits in June/July and December/January months and Boraux 50 g/tree/year along with FYM 15 kg/tree) and root feeding of the trees with Micro nutrient mixture)

2.2.4. Providing proper irrigation facilities, in this context many of the agricultural wells still have not received the electricity which has to be given priority

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Interaction of Project Director with farmers on field cleaning to restore cultivation

3. New plantations and Management practices

3.1. Planting: The practice of planting with 3 x 3 x 3 feet pit size instead of shallow planting of 1.5 x.15x 1.5 m have to be promoted. Here in order to avoid the labour shortage suitable pitting machine can be introduced

3.2. Under planting: It is suggested to practice the under- planting in the field

which has more than 15 years old trees 3.3. Suitable variety and Good Quality Seedlings: Preferably Tall and Dwarf

variety for nuts and suitable variety for tender coconut like Gangabondam, Lakshaganga (Lakshadeep ordinary x Gangabondam)

3.4. Promote multi-tier cropping system in the garden with a combination of

perennials, semi-perennials and seasonal/annual species like cocao, guava (Arkakiran and L49), black jamun, wood apple, jack (wind barrier in the bunds), banana, papaya, vettiver, groundnut, black gram, yams, turmeric etc.

With perennials:

• Coconut + guava/Cocoa/Jamun With semi perennials:

• Coconut+Banana • Coconut+Vettiver/lemon grass

With seasonal/annuals:

• Coconut+Vegetables (brinjal, bendi, coriander, vegetable cowpea, water melon, cucumber,radish,cluster bean)

• Coconut+yams/turmeric • Coconut+green manures (for seed production)

3.5. Awareness building to regularly prune the trees and manage the tree crown

by regularly cutting the extra leaf fronds.

Nagappatinam - 31 Jan 2019

Current status: The affected crops are coconut, mango and cashew. In the case of coconut, the productive trees were fallen during the cyclone and farmers started removing the trunk and root portion from the field and the remaining residues were burnt in the field. In mango and cashew, the damage varied from uprooting of whole tree to damage to canopy with breakage of secondary branches. The variety cultivated in this region is largely Romania followed by Banganapali in very lesser proportion.

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Specific recommendations are 1. Coconut:

1.1The productive trees have fallen during the cyclone and the standing ones are unproductive/senile palms which needs to be removed and replanted with quality seedlings of T x D along with suitable intercrops like banana between coconut and mango in the middle.

1.2 The standing trees are affected largely by Rhinoceros beetle and disease such as

Ganoderma wilt and stem bleeding which further reduce the productivity of the senile trees. The relevant IPM measures were discussed with the farmers.

1.3 Seasonal vegetables such as cluster bean, greens, radish, brinjal etc. can be cultivated in the interspaces

Interaction with farmers on disease management of coconut trees

2. Mango and Cashew:

2.1. Pruning practices for rejuvenation of damaged trees

2.1.1. Deheading (Heading back) of primary branches:

All primary branches should be cut by 1 to 2 m distance from head position and immediately after deheading application of nutrients as per the recommended dose and irrigation have to be done. (Fig.2.1. Mango pruning)

• All the farmers have to be trained in rejuvenation pruning techniques • Provision of mechanical saw tooth cutter in adequate number

2.1.2. Training the trees after deheading:

Based on the canopy framework only 8-10 outward growing well-spaced healthy shoots should be retained per branch to form new productive framework of the

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trees. The remaining new spurs should be removed periodically. Farmers should be trained in this technique similar to deheading on a hands-on training mode.

Damaged tree branches before pruning

After pruning (Heading back)

Damaged trees pruned by farmers Actual pruning level suggested

Fig.2.1. Mango pruning

2.1.3. New plantations

Romania (Rumani) is predominantly cultivated as it is a biennial bearer in this region and one of the peak bearing seasons coincide with festival season of Kerala and hence marketing is easier and they are getting reasonable prices for the mangos. However, to diversify the varieties in mango, farmers can go for other suitable varieties are Alponso, Banganapalli, Thothapuri, Neelum and Padiri which has good market value, may give higher returns than the existing Romania variety. Similarly, in Cashew, traditional variety is cultivated in this region which has bigger nut size, instead they can go for an improved variety which is medium nut size – VRI 3. Farmers can use this as an opportunity to remove the more than 15 years old plantations with this new variety.

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2.1.4. Intercropping

Right now mango is intercropped with groundnut and here coconut can be introduced as a filler tree in between mango trees to effectively use the space. Other remunerative crops in the orchards are annual moringa, sathukudi (sweet orange), jack (as a border crop, acts as wind barrier) in the productive soils, whereas in the marginal lands trees species like mangium and maghagony can be grown.

Following the field visit and interaction with farmers, the team debriefed the observations and recommendations to the Project Director, Mr.Pradeep, IAS – Gaja Cyclone, Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Rejuvenation, Nagappatinam. During the interaction, he discussed the scope to introduce and develop a business model such as ‘Nallakeerai’, in that context the initiative taken at the Periyakuthagai village on multispecies vegetable garden by MSSRF was discussed and the details will be shared. Annex 1. Team members

S.

No. Name Domain of

Expertise Institutional affiliation

1 Dr.Sundararaju Coconut and Banana – Agronomy

Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasaragod and National Banana Research Institute, Trichy (Director Rtd.)

2 Dr.Navin Saviour Soil Science Department of Agriculture, Tanjavur 3 Dr. Vijay Selvaraj Horticulture Coconut Research Station, TNAU,

Veppankulam 4. Dr.Rameshkumar Horticulture Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai

University, Chidambaram 5 Dr.Babu Agronomy Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai

University, Chidambaram 6 Dr.S.Jegan Microbiologist MSSRF, Chennai 7 Dr.B.Selvamukilan Microbiologist MSSRF, Kannivadi 8 Dr.S.Velvizhi Marine Biologist MSSRF, Poombukar 9 Dr.R.Rengalakshmi Agronomist MSSRF, Chennai