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| AGRICULTURE TRIBUNE | Monday, September 11, 2000, Chandigarh, India |
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Citrus industry needs direction Farmers’ associations remain non-functional
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Forest management issue in HP HIMACHAL Pradesh is known for its lush green forests, meadows, snow-capped mountains and perennial rivers. Out of the total 45,000 species of plants found in India as many as 3,295 (7 per cent) are reported to occur in the state. The state has a total geographical area of about 55673 km2 of which 35407 km2 (63.6 per cent) is recorded as forests. However, the actual forest cover is believed to be about 12521 km2 which constitutes 22.5 per cent of the total area in the state. Out of this, dense forests (40 per cent density) are 9560 km2 (76.35 per cent), while open forest 10-40 per cent density) constitute the remaining 2961 km2 area. According to a latest report available, there is a decrease of 5 km2 dense cover but an increase of about 25 km2 open forest, indicating a net increase of 20 km2 forests in the state. This is despite the fact that the forest cover in the country has declined from 638879 km2 to 633397 km2 (19.27 per cent) as a whole as per the FSI, Dehra Dun, 1997. We have a very less forest cover as against the required 66 per cent set for the hills under the National Forest Policy, 1988. Only a few states like Mizoram (89.1 per cent) Nagaland (85.8 per cent), Arunachal (81.9 per cent), Manipur (78 per cent) and Meghalaya (69.8 per cent) meet this requirement. As far as Himachal Pradesh is concerned, it is nowhere near even to the half-way mark despite the launching of many afforestation schemes in the past. The marginal increase reported now can be attributed to the increased natural regeneration in protected open forests. There is less grazing, besides an apparent shift in the cropping pattern in some parts of the state. Most farmers in the upper and mid hill regions follow horticulture-based system and keeps two-three milch animals rather than a herd as was the practice earlier. The Supreme Court/Centre has issued directives prohibiting felling/cutting of trees above 1000 m elevations in the Himalayas. But is this possible? About 70 per cent of the wood removed from forests is used as firewood on timber in the rural areas. While firewood is a non-monetised commodity, no effort is being made to supply LPG or solar devices to the villagers living in the vicinity of forests. The same is the case with fodder, most of which is met from forest lands. The indiscriminate lopping has become responsible for the disappearance of oak, neoza, yew (Taxus sp.) and other valuable species in the state. It may be pointed out that the species are vanishing though no actual felling are being made in them. The ban by the Supreme Court has thrown the working of the state Forest Department out of gear. The ban is applicable to the forests which are under the working plan prescriptions for the past many decades. Some mature forests are deteriorating, thereby putting less growth on increment. Efforts should be made to keep forest healthy, vigorous and in a state of high biological production all the time. A sound management system requires proper silvicultural technique for getting timely regeneration and establishment and follows appropriate tending regimes (as per working plan prescriptions) for enhancing better site utilisation in the compartments concerned. Large scale wind, snowfall, decay and pest infestation as seen these days support the contention that some forests are indeed becoming over mature and unproductive. Too much salvage in some forests is, however, a matter of great concern. In the absence of effective forest management now, more and more personnel of the department have been rendered idle resulting in additional financial loss to the state exchequer. Re-demarcation of protected forests assumes great priority in view of the large-scale agriculture expansion or encroachment on forest area. A forest guard cannot be fully entrusted with protection as he has to look after other silvicultural works also. Himachal Pradesh has been striving to get the necessary grant from the centre for erecting boundary pillars to prevent large-scale encroachment in the protected forest areas. Similarly, forest fires have become an annual feature now. Over 45,000 ha forest area was burnt by April-May last year. The havoc caused to flora and fauna and the environment is immense and irreparable. No advance contingency plans are prepared by the department, though people at large are willing to help them. (To be concluded) |
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Citrus industry needs direction THE lone question that has dominated all proceedings of confidences, seminars and meetings conducted by various corporations, government departments and ministries during the past half a decade to decide the future course of kinnows has been that how can we improve this citrus variety? Very ambiguous and abstract in nature, I must say. And the truth remains that the state of kinnow remains at the same ebb, pushed with occasional splinter movements of the government. The first and the foremost step that needs to be taken is to have a comprehensive policy on the citrus industry as a whole and not kinnows alone. We need to put our heads together and visualise where we want to see our citrus industry in the next 10 years. Keeping in mind the WTO era, immediate deliberations are needed to decide whether we should go in for newer citrus varieties that are acceptable in the international market. We must research on those varieties which can be grown in India and can be processed for juice. It is a matter of shame that we have not been able to cultivate such varieties and India’s juice demand is being fulfilled by other countries. Over 55 per cent of the juice that is consumed in the world is of citrus and has a growth potential of 15 per cent every year. Thrust also needs to be given to those citrus varieties which offer a strong potential for other agro-based and value-added industry. At the moment kinnow offers none. But at the same time kinnow has acceptability as a fresh juice fruit and has immense domestic awareness. Should kinnow be promoted, if yes then is it for exports or domestic market? It’s a very emotional question to ask because it is after many years of labour and effort that farmers and government agencies have got a gist of growing and marketing kinnow but debate needs to done vis-a-vis international acceptability. Thus, the need of talking in terms of citrus as an industry and not kinnow alone becomes imperative. Till now we have followed visionless credence. We ought to realise that the potential of the citrus industry lies in promoting citrus within our people by maximising the consumption of citrus. In a population of more than one billion citrus needs to be promoted as a health fruit and can be consumed in the form of juice, jam, marmalade, spreads, pickles, etc. Until and unless more and more people start consuming citrus fruit and products there is no way we can visualise citrus as an industry. Last year Funde Citrus of Brazil launched a campaign in the states of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janerio and Brasilia to stimulate the consumption of fresh oranges. The great part is that all the sectors such as input and equipment companies invested approximately $ 55 million in the promotional effort. The reason being that everybody benefits with the growth of a particular industry. A study reports that the agri-chemical sector profit from citrus production in 1999-2000 is estimated at $ 160 million, while the fertiliser sector profited $ 70 million from citrus production. According to figures available with the National Horticulture Board, oranges are grown in 1,65,776 hectares of land with a production level at 1,47,2401 metric tonnes, while kinnow is grown in a area of 33,638 hectares with a production of 32,0745 metric tonnes. The average yield not being more than nine tonnes per hectare and yet we find it difficult to market. India exported 18,179.4 metric tonnes of oranges worth Rs 13,46,77,390 in 1997-98. According to a study conducted by the University of Sao Palo, Brazil, the citrus industry generates a revenue of approximately $ 3 billion per year. Australia predicts 110,079 MT of export during 1999-2000. According to the ABS, four out of Australia’s top five export markets are in Asia and accounted for 66 per cent of the total exports during 1999-2000. Australia Citrus Growers Inc predicts the orange production at 515,000 metric tonnes and estimates orange juice consumption at 46,000 metric tonnes for 2000-2001. Spain produces around five million tonnes of citrus on 272,000 hectares. Around 60 per cent is exported (world’s largest citrus exporter), 30 per cent sent to domestic markets and 10 per cent is processed. APEDA exported 27,990 kg (27.9 metric tonnes) of kinnow mandarins to Bangladesh, Indonesia, Mauritius and Sri Lanka in 1997-98 worth Rs 2,48,044 or $ 5512. India exported 10,000 kg of fresh orange juice and 200 kg of frozen juice with an estimated value of Rs 3 lakh. PAGREXCO (Punjab Agri-Export Corporation), set up by the Punjab Government to promote fruit and agri-products, especially, kinnow, runs on the interest of a small amount of corpus money deposited in a bank. And yet so much hullabaloo of offering a citrus vision. These figures are a stark reality in the overall scenario of citrus in India-vis-a-vis the world and undermine tall government and bureaucratic claims of giving citrus a new direction. It’s time the caretakers of horticulture stop taking pride in fractured policies and give citrus the much-needed sight, thus making it a formidable industry. |
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Farmers’ associations remain non-functional THE main objectives of the Command Area Development Authority (CADA) are to bridge the gap between the irrigation potential created and that utilised in the irrigated commands on sustainable basis to ensure equitable distribution of water for irrigation among all farmers and proper maintenance and utilisation of water courses in the command areas. Irrigation potential of 329.71 thousand hectares was created in Haryana up to 1996-97 but irrigation potential upto 187.74 thousand hectares (57 per cent) only was utilised. Though 374 farmers’ associations were formed and registered to motivate and involve farmers in water management/distribution, all these associations were non-functional. Among many as 1,677 water courses constructed in six divisions under the programme up to March, 1998, had been handed over to farmers’ associations for their maintenance. The water courses wherever damaged were not repaired. There was a shortfall ranging from 58 to 91 per cent towards achievement of targets of “warabandi” during 1994-98 to ensure water distribution to farmers. A provision of Rs 28 lakh was made during 1991-92 to 1997-98 for evaluating the programme. The CADA arranged only one pilot evaluation study of lined water courses on which Rs 0.68 lakh was spent. In effect, therefore, an important aspect of the programme was overlooked by the government. Two monitoring evaluation and quality control divisions at Faridabad and Rohtak under the control of a Superintending Engineer at Panchkula were set up. Of the 1,916 water courses constructed under the programme up to March, 1998, the position of only 309 water courses (16 per cent) was monitored by the divisions. The monitoring reports were submitted to the SE, Monitoring Evaluation and Quality Control, CADA, Panchkula, in October and November, 1997, but no follow-up action was taken. Other aspects like impact of subsidy released to farmers’ associations, demonstration plots, training to farmers, etc of the programme were not monitored at all. Expenditure incurred during the last quarter of 1991-98 in the offices of the CPOs and the lining divisions of CADA, according to the CAG report, varied from 27 to 83 per cent of the total annual expenditure. The CPOs, Bhiwani and Rewari, incurred the maximum (83 per cent) expenditure during the last quarter of 1995-96. The rush of expenditure in the month of March during 1991-98 was evident in the high expenditure levels in this month which ranged from 13 to 80 per cent. The divisions concerned stated that the rush of expenditure was due to heavy grants received during the last quarter from the Administrator, CADA, Panchkula. The CADA lined 1,916 water courses upto March, 1998, at a cost of Rs 126.81 crore. A study of information regarding the irrigated area through 1677 water courses supplied by the divisions test-checked revealed that 153 water courses having a capacity to irrigate 27.3 thousand hectares of area constructed at a cost of Rs 6.76 crore by three divisions were never used for irrigation purpose. The water courses were constructed in anticipation of construction of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal and availability of water therein. However, SYL construction work came to a standstill in July, 1990, in Punjab territory. The state government fixed targets (January, 1992) for taking up the construction of water courses during the Eighth Five-Year Plan. Investment without proper planning did not help in achieving the objectives of the programme. In the divisions, it was noticed in the audit that 114 water courses were constructed during 1984-97 at a cost of Rs 4.66 crore for irrigating 15,566 hectares of agriculture land but only negligible are of 605 hectares (4 per cent) could be irrigated due to non-availability of water. The CADA constructed 19 water courses at a cost of Rs 1.05 crore during 1997-98 despite recommendations of the Public Accounts Committee of the Vidhan Sabha not to construct any more water courses till the completion of the SYL channels. In the Gurgaon canal command area, construction of field channels during 1991-98 fell short of targets by 37 per cent. In the Jawaharlal Nehru Canal command, Western Yamuna Canal command and Agra canal command areas, the shortfall during the same period ranged from 7 to 12 per cent. The CADA attributed the shortfall to floods, excessive rains and non-release of funds as per time schedule by the central and state governments. The reply is said to have been not based on facts as there were no serious floods in the state during 1991-95 and 1996-98. In six command areas development agency, though 374 farmers’ associations were formed and registered under the Societies Act and a management subsidy of Rs 17.42 lakh was paid to 87 such farmers’ associations during 1991-98. All these 374 associations were non-functional. The management subsidy was paid by the CADA without obtaining accounts from these associations. The funds were lying unutilised as the water courses were not handed over to the farmers’ associations. As per instructions of the Central Government, the cost of establishment was not to exceed 20 per cent of the total expenditure under the programme. It was, however, noticed that cost on establishment of the CADA, including salaries of the secretariat and various divisions staff ranged from 22 to 28 per cent from 1991-95. Expenditure incurred on establishment over and above the norms of 20 per cent came to Rs 2.06 crore. |
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Farm operations for Sept Paddy: — Rogue out the weeds and off-type plants from the paddy. — Control leaf folder by spraying 150 ml of Lebaycid 1000 EC (Fenthion) or one litre of Coroban/Durmet 2 EC or 560 ml Nuvcron/Monocil 36 SL in 100 litres of water per acre. — White-backed plant hoppers some time become serious in coarse rice. The crop dries up in patches. The plant hopper can be controlled by spraying 250 ml of Lebaycid or 800 ml of Ekalux 25 EC or 1000 ml Ekalux 20 DF or one litre of Coroban. Dursban 20 EC or 560 ml of Thiodan 35 EC/Nuvacron 36 SL in 100 litres of water per acre. — Paddy stem borers feed on growing points and cause dead hearts and white erect ears. Check attack of borers in basmati rice by spraying 560 ml of Monocrotophos 36 SL or one litres of Corobon/Dursban 20 EC (Chlorpyriphos) in 100 litre of water per acre. Repeat spray after 10 days interval. These pests can also be controlled by applying 10 kg of Padan 4 G/Caldan 4 G or 7.5 kg of Sevidol 4 G per acre in standing water. — If high humidity and cloudy weather persists, the crop may be sprayed with Blitox/Copper Oxychloride 50 WP @ 500 g/200 litres of water per acre to control false smut and repeat the spray after 10 days of its application. Start at boot stage of the crop. — To save the crop from sheath blight, keep the bundhs of the fields clean by removing grass. On noticing the disease symptoms spray with Bavistin @ 200 g/200 litres of water per acre. Maize: — The attack of maize borer can be checked by spraying 40 ml of Sumicidin 20 EC/Ripcord 10 EC or 80 ml of Decis 2.8 EC in 50 litres of water/acre. Cotton: — Check the attack of bollworm by spraying 800 g Acephate 75 SP or 800 ml Quinalphos 25 EC or 850 ml Fenitrothion 50 EC per acre. In case serious attack of Heliothis is noticed then spray 2 litres of Chlorpyriphos 20 EC immediately. Repeat the spray if it rains within 24 hours of spraying. In case mite/aphid/jassid or whitefly appear along with bollworms prefer to use Monocrotophos/Triazophos or Ethion, etc. or mix 75 ml Phosphamidon with other insecticides used for bollworm control. Sugarcane: — Rogue out the canes affected by red rot and silt. Collect and destroy the shoots infested with Gurdaspur borer. Repeat this operation at weekly intervals. — To control Pyrilla, spray 500 ml of Thiodan 35 EC or 350 ml of Folithion/Sumithion/Accothion 50 EC per acre in 150 litres of water. — Control whitefly by spraying 1 to 1.5 litres of Malathion 25 EC in 200 litres of water per acre. — Start sowing of early maturing sugarcane varieties like CoJ-86, CoJ-83 CoJ-64 and CoP-211 from second fortnight of this month after giving recommended seed treatment. Keep 90 cm distance between rows.
— Progressive Farming, PAU |
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