Bulk handling and silo storage of wheat
P.S. Rangi
DESPITE the government intervention in pricing and procurement of foodgrains, particularly wheat and paddy, the country continues to suffer heavily on account of losses and wastage incurred in the post-harvest operations. A recent study undertaken at the PAU put foodgrain losses in the country at about 12 per cent of the production estimated at 25 million tonnes per annum at the current production level.

Indigenous cattle less susceptible to FMD
K.S. Chawla
WHILE mad cow disease is ravaging Europe which spread from Britian, another calamity has hit British livestock in the form of foot and mouth disease (FMD). The FMD is a virulent virus infection affecting cloven footed animals such as cattle, sheep and pigs. It is highly infectious and is transmitted by contact, infected meat, contaminated feed, water, transport, clothing and by wind to other sites and countries.

Tree — a missile against pollution
R.K. Sapra
WITH increasing industrialisation and urbanisation, pollution has increased beyond the regenerating power of nature and its consequences are clearly visible on the human life. The population explosion has acted as a catalyst in increasing pollution. The pace of exploiting natural resources has increased to meet the demand of increasing population. 

FARM OPERATIONS FOR JULY
MAIZE:
— Maize can be sown in trench which helps in avoiding lodging and the crop shows more emergence.

Bulk handling and silo storage of wheat
P.S. Rangi

DESPITE the government intervention in pricing and procurement of foodgrains, particularly wheat and paddy, the country continues to suffer heavily on account of losses and wastage incurred in the post-harvest operations. A recent study undertaken at the PAU put foodgrain losses in the country at about 12 per cent of the production estimated at 25 million tonnes per annum at the current production level. Translated into money terms, it works out to be a whopping Rs 15,000 crore in a year. In recent years, about 17 to 18 million tonnes of wheat is procured in India by the public agencies and this quantity is 10 million tonnes in Punjab. In spite of moisture gains (weight gain 2 to 3 per cent) in the case of wheat during the rainy season, the storage shortages (losses) incurred by the public agencies worked out to be Rs 174 per tonne (three years average ending 1999-2000). Thus, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has to suffer more than Rs 300 crore annually due to storage losses only on the wheat crop. Though, these and other post-harvest losses cannot be eliminated, yet these can be reduced through scientific handling, storage and transportation of foodgrains. This calls for a programme of incentives for adoption of modern technologies and scientific storage method both in the public and private sector.

The public agencies like the Food Corporation of India (FCI), the Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) and the State Warehousing Corporations (SWCs) have played a significant role in creation of storage infrastructure in the country. The quantity of foodgrains being handled by the FCI and state agencies is still increasing and so is the requirement of infrastructure for handling, movement of foodgrains and storage capacity. So there is an urgent need to create the modern/scientific infrastructure in the country in general and the Punjab state in particular to have proper post-harvest management of foodgrains.

Punjab procures about 12 to 13 million tonnes of paddy (8million tones of rice) and more than 10 million tones of wheat annually. In the absence of fast movement of grains from the state due to slack in demand from consuming states and paucity of railway wagons, the carry over stocks in the state would pile up. The covered storage capacity in the state is only for 10 million tonnes and the rest, especially the wheat crop is to be stored under the covered area plinth (CAP) system where the storage losses are very high. As an example, about 90 lakh tonnes of wheat was lying in the state with the public agencies as on April 1, 2001. Another more than 105 lakh tonnes has been procured by June 15, 2001, from this season’s crop. Thus, a total of more than 175 lakh tonnes of wheat is at present lying under the CAP system in the open under polythene covers, which should be a matter of concern to the government and the policy makers. And it may be mentioned that at this price (Rs 610 plus handling incidental and market charges @ 12.5 per cent plus gunny bag = Rs 725 per quintal), there are no buyer of wheat even in the state. Also, unhusked paddy from last year’s crop and rice are lying in the state which require movement to the consuming states. The capacity of the Indian Railways to move the foodgrains from the state is hardly 14 to 15 lakh tonnes per month. So wheat and rice are likely to be stored in the state for a prolonged period even if there is demand for these products and the Railways operate at full capacity, which is unexpected from a public sector undertaking.

So, in this context, storage of wheat in Punjab needs to be considerably improved.

In future, the production of wheat is likely to increase in other wheat producing states and it may become difficult to quickly transfer surplus wheat from Punjab to the consuming states. In such a situation, it will be absolutely essential to improve storage where wheat grains can be stored for 3 to 4 years without any loss. Some long-term storage capacity (silo storage) has to be built. A start could be made at some selected places and overtime a capacity of 5 to 6 million tones should be created in the state. Punjab through some parastatal agency like the Punjab State Warehousing Corporation and Markfed should build silos storage capacity and operate it on behalf of the Government of India as a measure of food security. Since silo storage is capital intensive and has a long gestation period, participation of the private sector, particularly the Indian and MNCs, should be encouraged through suitable returns on the investment made in such storage structures.

In the present system, wheat grains from farmers’ field to the godowns involve heavy cost of handling. These are unloaded in the market yard, cleaned (not graded), auctioned, filled in bags, weighed and stitched before transportation to godowns. These market operations cost about Rs 15 per quintal to the procurement agency plus commission to the arhtiyas @ 2.5 per cent ad valorem, making a total Rs 30 per quintal. Alternatively, in the case of silo storage, these costs would be saved. Silos would be declared purchase centres of the respective market committees and the farmers would bring their wheat direct to these silos on their tractor-trailers. It would be weighed before and after unloading the trolley, and the PSWC/Markfed, as the case may be, will make payment on the spot. As these agencies will save Rs 30 per quintal, these can shift some portion, say Rs 20 per quintal to the farmers as an incentive to patronise the agency at the silos. This would benefit both the producers (in terms of time and better price) and the public agency (cost saving). It will also reduce the gluts, congestion and traffic hazards in the market yards during peak season.

With the withdrawal or reduction of subsidy on food production by developed countries and decision of gradual withdrawal of the USA from world food trade, the country is likely to emerge as a major player in the near future in the foodgrain trade in the international market. The system of grain quality control at par with internationally accepted norms, coupled with modernisation of the system of storage and handling, is what is required to make India globally competitive in food trade. The ultimate goal should be to have an integrated, modern and efficient system of foodgrain handling and scientific storage and distribution of foodgrains to the consuming centres through special bulk wagons so that losses are brought down to the minimum levels and the cost effectiveness is achieved. Facilities for bulk handling of grain at ports should also be developed for export purposes in the long run. Also, the railway transport system will have to be modified accordingly. In the meantime, these silos could be provided with certain additional facilities like automatic machines for filling, weighing and stitching of gunny bags for transportation of wheat to the consuming states. These facilities are already available for filling bags in fertiliser plants and the MHUs of the Punjab Mandi Board at select markets. Even under the existing system, movement of foodgrains from mandis to the bulk storage silos is possible by pressing into specially designed trucks for unloading the grain in the silos. Ultimately, such storage structure would cut down the cost of handling foodgrains in the state and the country.

To begin with two silos of the capacity of five lakh tonnes each may be constructed in the state. It can be updated and modified in view of the advanced technology available in other developed countries like the USA, Canada, etc. Before taking a final decision, the government may take advice from some consultant on the cost structure and the design of such stores which have experience in bulk handling and silo storage of wheat.

Sprinklers help change cropping pattern
V.P. Prabhakar

INSTALLATION of the sprinkler irrigation system has really proved to be a boon for the farmers of the south-western region of Haryana. With this system, the agricultural production has recorded a substantial increase and there has been considerable increase in the income of the farmers, thereby boosting the economy of the region.

These revelations have been made in a study the sprinkler irrigation in Haryana conducted by the Economic and Statistical Organisation of the Haryana Government. This efficient water management technique has reportedly saved water to the extent of 30 to 40 per cent which otherwise was going waste in percolation losses. Through sprinkler, the water has started reaching difficult terrains even.

The study has further pointed out that with the additional water available, significant changes had taken place in the cropping pattern followed by the sampled farmers. A clear shift from uncertain crops to more assured crops was visible. Before introduction of the system, bajra, jawar, gowar and gram were the major crops of the region, but after the installation of sprinklers, the shift was towards wheat and rapeseed/ mustard. The area of sampled farmers under wheat had more than doubled, while there was a three-time increase in the area under rapeseed/mustard.

A noticeable feather, according to the study, was that the farmers of Bhiwani district have also started growing cotton and a few farmers had also taken up growing pulses and vegetables, though the coverage so far has been meagre.

The percentage of irrigated area of sampled farmers, which was 25.2 before installation of sprinklers, significantly rose to 61.8 after the installation in the year 1992-93. Consequently, the productivity of land has also increased. The data collected through a field survey shows that the proportional increase in the average yield per acre in respect of wheat, barley and rapeseed/mustard was 31.6, 22.8 and 57.5 per cent, respectively. The sample survey also revealed that 31.9 per cent farming families in the sampled villages possessed sprinkler sets.

The additional income accrued to the beneficiary farmers had changed the socio-economic status of the farmers’ families. The beneficiary farmers had acquired durable assets. The economic prosperity has also brought about general awareness among farmers regarding better food, education, health consciousness and social outlook.

It was also observed during field survey that after installation of sprinklers, the sampled farmers were using more improved seeds, applying increased dosage of fertilisers and also using insecticides/pesticides. This had been possible due to the availability of assured irrigation facility.

The fertiliser consumption per acre also increased from 99 kg to 145 kg under wheat crop, from 39 kg to 68 kg under bajra crop and from 59 kg to 117 kg in oilseeds. All the sampled farmers excepting four reported making use of insecticides/pesticides to check spread of disease in various crops at the time of survey. It can be concluded that the farmers had become quite aware of the use of the latest agricultural technologies.

An opinion survey by five Assistant Soil Conservation Officers, (ASCOs) 36 knowledgeable persons of the selected villages and 36 non-beneficiary farmers was also conducted on this system. The ASCOs were of the opinion that aluminium sets were superior to the HDPE sets as these were more pressure bearing and durable. They were unanimous in an increase in the output, change in the cropping pattern, saving of water.

While concurring with the views of the ASCOs, the knowledgeable persons were unanimous in their views that uninterrupted power supply can further enhance the utility and efficiency of the sprinkler system.

Farmers who had not installed sprinkler sets were treated as non-beneficiaries. The main reasons cited by them for not installing sprinkler sets were lack of irrigation source, small size of land and plain land. Other reasons given by them were cumbersome loan procedure, shortage of manpower, erratic power supply and poor economic condition.

The study has, however, also brought into focus certain bottlenecks in the implementation of the programme. These include decline in the watertable in some parts of Mahendergarh and Bhiwani districts, delay in crediting subsidy to the farmers account, pending cases of subsidy, inadequate availability of spare parts or repairs facility, choking of nozal due to sandy water in certain areas and lesser post-installation field visits by the technical staff of the Soil and Conservation Department.

Indigenous cattle less susceptible to FMD
K.S. Chawla

WHILE mad cow disease is ravaging Europe which spread from Britian, another calamity has hit British livestock in the form of foot and mouth disease (FMD). The FMD is a virulent virus infection affecting cloven footed animals such as cattle, sheep and pigs. It is highly infectious and is transmitted by contact, infected meat, contaminated feed, water, transport, clothing and by wind to other sites and countries. The first report of the epidemic was from a farm in Essex, England, on February 19, 2001. On March 14 the UK’s Agriculture Minister Mick Brown told Parliament that the probable source of infection was illegal meat such as meat pie or sandwiches. Once having got a foothold, the virus spread rapidly to other farms, markets and slaughter houses in England and to Scotland by animal movement. The government on February 23 banned the movement of animals. But by that time an unknown number of potentially infected sheep had been transported around the country. By March 13, more than 200 cases of the disease had occurred. In order to contain the virus and to stamp out the disease, the British Government resorted to culling the infected and neighbouring premises and slaughtering the animals and burn their carcasses. By March 19, about 2,41,000 animals had been slaughtered or earmarked for slaughter and the extended slaughter programme was to involve about 3,00,000 animals.

On March 13, the disease was reported in the Mayenne region of France on a cattle farm next to the one which had imported British sheep in February. Some 300 sheep were impounded at a slaughter house in Pianella in Italy which had indication of contact with infected or vaccinated sheep on farms in France from where they had come. Italy imposed a global ban on the imports of susceptible livestock. The disease had also spread to the Netherlands and Uruguay reported the FMD on a cattle farm on April 27.

The British Government banned export of meat and products on February 22. On March 15, the USA and Canada banned all imports of animals and raw meat from the European Union (EU). The ordered quarantine of meant imports from the EU since February 21 for inspection. Australia and New Zealand followed suit.

To quote Dr B.S. Gill, a former Dean, College of Veterinary Sciences, Punjab Agricultural University, the disease is having a heavy financial toll on the farming and tourism industry of Britain. Media coverage of blazing pyres of heaped with "animal carcasses" and "keep out" signs plastered across the country repel foreign tourists. The present epidemic could cost Britain at least $ 7.18 billion by September in lost tourism and is not likely to regain the lost ground till 2003.

Dr Gill points out that the scenario near home is that the FMD has been existing in India all along, outbreaks usually occurring in spring every year. The indigenous breeds of cattle are much less susceptible to the effects of the FMD than exotic cattle and their crossbred which suffer more severely with the death rate of 10 to 12 per cent.

According to Dr Gill the economic loss caused by the FMD to the country is enormous, estimated in 1962 at Rs 2.5 crore. The present-day loss must be manifold due to the enormous increase in the number of crossbred cattle.

Endemicity of the FMD in India imposes severe restrictions on the country’s export of animal and animal products. Having been alerted by the present outbreaks, the UK, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt have banned import of meats from India, says Dr Gill.

According to Dr Gill eradication of the disease through the available means of slaughter of affected animals is not feasible option in India. Timely vaccination of cattle and stringent enforcement of ban on the movement of animals around the sites of outbreak remain the only practicable tools for minimising the losses from the FMD.

In the words of Dr M.P. Yadav, Director, National Veterinary Research Institute, "India has learnt to live with the FMD". Dreaming of achieving freedom from the FMD, though desirable is not feasible due to our socio-political culture, laxity of work ethics and versatility of the virus to spread.

Tree — a missile against pollution
R.K. Sapra

WITH increasing industrialisation and urbanisation, pollution has increased beyond the regenerating power of nature and its consequences are clearly visible on the human life. The population explosion has acted as a catalyst in increasing pollution. The pace of exploiting natural resources has increased to meet the demand of increasing population. The Green revolution has led to an increased use of fertilisers and pesticides, but its long-term consequences have been ignored. Today, not only soil is polluted but also the ground water is contaminated through percolation of pesticides.

Air pollution:
The industries and vehicles are the main contributors of pollution load from human activities. According to a study conducted by the Centre for Science and Environment, air pollution kills a person every hour and 60 per cent persons are suffering from asthma or other breathing problems in Delhi. Doctors in Kolkata have also found an alarming increase in the number of cancer cases because of bad air quality. Polluted air can cause respiratory disorders such as bronchitis, asthma, nose-blockage, throat and eye irritation, and emphysema and lung cancer. Trees play an important role in controlling air pollution. When polluted air strikes tree, the suspended particulate matter (sand, dust particles, ash, soot and pollen) is deposited on its leaves and gaseous pollutants (carbon dioxide, carbon mono-oxide, oxides of nitrogen and sulphur dioxide) are absorbed. According to a study conducted in Hyde Park (London), this park of 1 sq km reduces the concentration of smoke by 27 per cent.

Water pollution:
Domestic, industrial and agriculture activities are mainly responsible for water pollution. The domestic sector contributes about 90 per cent of the waste water generated in India. Polluted water is being used for raising food and forage crops near cities which is leading to accumulation of poisonous elements in human and animal bodies. It leads to a number of water-borne diseases such as gastrointestinal problems, skin discoloration, nervous system problems and even cancer. Trees can use large quantities of polluted water and transpire clean water through its leaves and produces oxygen. Water hyacinth has the capacity to remove polluted elements of sewage and industrial effluents like poisonous phenol, carbonic substances and some radioactive elements. The utilisation of polluted water by trees would not affect human beings as these are not consumed directly by them.

Sound pollution:
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has fixed the safe limit of noise as 45 dB, but in metropolitans like Bombay, Kolkata, Delhi and Chennai, the noise level is above 90 dB. A WHO study warns that daily exposure to a noise level of 75 dB can cause health problems like lack of concentration, loss of sleep, headache, irritation, hypertension and fatigue. Trees absorb not only gaseous and poisonous metals but also absorb sound. For optimum results, trees and shrubs should be planted close to the noise sources. These should be planted as close together as practical to form a continuous, dense barrier.

Trees to be planted:
The following trees should be preferred for planting.

Fruit: Amla, bel, beri, fig, guava, imli, jamun, jangal jalebi, kathal, lemon, mango and sahjan.

Ornamental: Amaltas, bougainvillea, cassia siamea, casurina, chandani, erythrina, gulmohar, harsingar, hibiscus, jacaranda, jarul, kachnar, lal kaner, nagchampa, peeli kaner, peltophorum, sadabahar, sawani and subabul.

Shady: Alstonia, arjun, bakain, barh, gular, kigelia, maulsari, neem, papri, peepal and pilkhan.

Timber: Ailanthus excelsa, bhera, dhak, eucalyptus sp., kikar, mahua, semal, siris, shisham and teak.

The Forest Departments and municipal committees/corporations are undertaking tree plantation in urban areas, but their efforts are limited due to resource constraints. You can join this mission through planting trees in home and its surroundings for protecting your child against pollution. You can celebrate birthdays, marriage anniversaries and death anniversaries through planting a missile against pollution. You can plant trees any time except the period from April to June. Ornamental and fruit trees should be planted at home. In heavy polluted areas, fruit trees should not be planted, as it affects its fruiting. You should plant whatever you like as even a blade of grass helps in controlling pollution. You should not only plant but also protect trees.

Trees and green spaces help keep cities cool, act as natural filters, noise absorbers and sinks for air pollutants. Trees serve the humanity and nature in a selfless manner.

FARM OPERATIONS FOR JULY

MAIZE:
— Maize can be sown in trench which helps in avoiding lodging and the crop shows more emergence.

— For the control of weeds, use Atrazine/Simazine 50 WP as pre-emergence application @ 500 g per acre on light textured soils and @ 800 g per acre on heavy textured soils. Atrazine can also be sprayed 10 days after sowing maize for controlling weeds.

— Do not allow the rainwater to stand in the main crop as this crop is highly sensitive to standing water.

— Maize responds to organic manures or farmyard manure or compost. To the Bio 9637, Parkash, Pearl Pop Corn and Kesri varieties, apply 25 kg of urea and 75 kg of superphosphate per acre at the time of sowing. If maize follows wheat which received recommended phosphatic and potassic fertilisers, the application of superphosphate and potash may be omitted. If FYM has been applied @ 6 tonnes/acre then there is no need to apply fertiliser at the time of sowing. If soil tests low in potash, 15 kg of muriate of potash may also be applied.

— To check the attack of maize borer, uproot the borer damaged plants and bury them at the time of thinning. Spray the crop with 40 ml Sumicidin 20 EC/Ripcord 10 EC or 80 ml Decis 2.8 EC in 50 litres of water per acre. After this application, there will be no need to spray further any pesticide to check this pest.

— Spray the crop with Indofil M 45 @ 200 g/100 litres of water to protect against diseases.

SUGARCANE:
— Earthing up of the sugarcane crop may be done if not done earlier. If sugarcane fields get flooded with water, excessive water may be drained out.

— The attack of top borer can be checked by applying 12 kg of granules of carbofuran encapsulated 3 G or Phorate encapsulated 10 G at the base of the shoots. Earth up slightly to check the granules from flowing with the irrigation water and irrigate the crop immediately. Apply granules only if attack exceeds 5 per cent level.

GROUNDNUT:
— Sowing of the rainfed crop should be completed using variety M-37. Use of bolder seed ensures a high yield.

— The rainfed crop to be sown now must be treated with fungicide for the control of collar rot disease. For this purpose, use 5 g Thiram or 3 g Indofil M 45 per kg of kernels.

— To check the attack of termites/whitegrub, seed should be treated with chlorpyriphos 20 EC @ 12.5 ml/kg seed kernel.

— Apply 50 kg of superphosphate, 15 kg of urea and 15 kg of muriate of potash per acre. If the source of P is other than superphosphate (single), gypsum @ 50kg/acre may be applied. If groundnut follows wheat which received recommended dose of phosphorus, omit application of phosphorus.

— The grub attack can also be reduced by applying 4 kg of Thimet 10 G or 13 kg Furadan 3 G per acre in the field at the time of sowing of groundnut.

KHARIF PULSES:
— Sowing of mash (Mash 338, Mash 1-1, Mash 48) and moong (PBM 1, ML 613 and ML 267) should be completed as delayed sowing results in lower yields. Moong variety PBM 1 is recommended only for sowing in Bathinda, Mansa, Muktsar, Ferozepore and Sangrur districts.

— Check weeds in mash, moong or arhar by giving once or two hoeings. Alternatively in moong, use Stomp 30 EC (pendimethalin) @ 1 litre/acre pre-emergence application or Basalin 45 EC (fluchloralin) @ 600 ml/acre as pre-plant application.

— Treat the seed with 3 g Captan per kg of seed before sowing. Grow mosaic resistant variety (PBM 1, ML 613, ML 267) for the control of yellow mosaic virus.

— Semi-looper/hairy caterpillars infestation can be checked by spraying 450 ml of Fenitrothion 50 EC or 500 ml of thiodan 35 EC or 200 ml Nuvan 100 in 80 litres of water per acre.

— Progressive Farming, PAU