kvk, papparapatty, dharmapuri (tamil nadu) - 636...
TRANSCRIPT
Report on Field Experience Training
at
KVK, Papparapatty, Dharmapuri (Tamil Nadu) - 636 809 (16.11.2010 to 08.12.2010)
Submitted to:
National Academy for Agricultural Research Management,
Hyderabad
For partial fulfillment of the FOCARS training of 92nd
batch, 2010
Submitted by:
Dr. Thirugnanavel A.
Mr. Nagaraja N.R.
Dr. Sujithra M.
Ms. Rosin K.G.
Dr. Shailesh Pandurang Gawande
Dr. Bhaskar Bharat Gaikwad
They live who live to plough and eat
The rest behind them bow and eat.
- Thirukkural
Acknowledgement
In undertaking this study, we have received help from a wide variety of sources. Our
greatest indebtedness is to our Course Coordinators Dr. K. H. Rao and Dr. K. Srinivas,
Principal Scientist NAARM, who always took keen interest in each and every activity and
ensured its successful completion. We feel deeply grateful to Dr.P.K.Joshi, Director NAARM and
Dr.N.H. Rao, Joint Director, NAARM for their inspirational motivation. We also thank our FET
monitoring faculty Dr. V.K.J. Rao for sharing his valuable knowledge and keeping us cheerful
during our training.We are also thankful to Dr. K.M. Reddy, FET Committee Chairman. We are
deeply indebted to FET Committee, NAARM for their constant support, inspiration,
encouragement and valuable suggestions throughout the training.
Beyond words is our gratitude to Dr. P. Sridhar, Programme Cooridinator, KVK,
Papparapatty, (Dharmapuri), Dr. Shanmugham, local FET Coordinator for their whole hearted
support, assistance and scholarly advice to workout PRA techniques during FET training. We
would like to thank all the scientist of KVK and Mr. Manirajan, A.O (Nallampally) for their
heartful support throughout the period.
We are equally grateful to farmers and Villagers of Palavadi Village for their outmost
courtesy and friendliness. We owe a special debt to Mr. Kathirvel, progressive farmer of
Palavadi village for his constant support throughout the village training period.
We would like to thank our friends from NAARM for their unconditional support and
memorable team efforts during FOCARS training, which are and will be cherished throughout
our ARS careers.
Dr. Thirugnanavel A.
Mr. Nagaraja N.R.
Dr. Sujithra M.
Ms. Rosin K.G.
Dr. Shailesh Pandurang Gawande
Dr. Bhaskar Bharat Gaikwad
Contents
S. No. Chapter Page No.
1 Introduction 1
2 Objectives of the Field Experience Training (FET) 2
3 Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools 3
4 FET Methodology 4
5 PRA techniques used in the village 5
6 Findings 6
6.1 Basic Information 6
6.2 General Transect 9
6.3 Agro-ecological map 13
6.4 Social map 15
6.5 Resource map 18
6.6 Seasonal calendar and analysis 20
6.7 Gender disaggregated activities 22
6.8 Time line 23
6.9 Time trend 25
6.10 Technology map 27
6.11 Matrix ranking 32
6.12 Consequence diagram 35
6.13 Bio-resource flow 37
6.14 Wealth ranking 38
6.15 Venn diagram 43
6.16 Mobility map 45
6.17 Indigenous technical knowledge 48
6.18 Problem Identification Technique 49
6.19 Problem tree and solution tree 49
6.20 Perspectives of problems 52
6.21 Research project proposals 52
6.22 Action Plan 53
7.1 Village seminar 55
7.2 Institute seminar 56
8 Industrial visits 57
9 Rural Marketing 66
10 Information and communication technology 68
11 Conclusion 69
1
1. INTRODUCTION
“Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan”- said Lal Bahadur Shastri, late Prime Minister of India,
considering the two utmost securities required for a nation, i.e.food and defence security.
Agriculture still continues to be backbone of our nation. Although agriculture contributes only
15% of India’s GDP (2009-10), its importance in the country’s economic, social, and political
fabric goes well beyond this indicator. About 68 per cent of Indian population still depend on
agriculture and allied activities for their livelihood. Most of the rural poor depend on rain-fed
agriculture and fragile forests for their livelihoods.
The sharp rise in food grain production during India’s Green Revolution of the 1970’s
enabled the country to achieve self-sufficiency in food grains and stave off the threat of famine.
Agricultural intensification in the 1970’s to 1980’s saw an increased demand for rural labour that
raised rural wages and, together with declining food prices, reduced rural poverty. Sustained,
although much slower, agricultural growth in the 1990s reduced rural poverty to 26.3 per cent by
1999-2000.
Since then, however, the slowdown in agricultural growth has become a major cause for
concern. In the new millennium, the challenges in Indian agricultural sector are quite different
from those met in the previous decades. The enormous pressure to produce more food from less
land with shrinking natural resources is a tough task for the farmers as well as agricultural
research scientists. To keep up the momentum of growth a careful economic evaluation of inputs
like seeds, fertilizers, irrigation sources etc. are of considerable importance.
In this connection Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) is an important tool to find
location specific problems and researchable issues to come up with possible solutions for short
and long-term benefits. PRA is a good exposure for the trainee scientists to understand the
problems of the farmers. It allows them to think individually in his/her area of interest for
necessary intervention. PRA also provides an opportunity to the farmers to analyze their
livelihood issues.
PRA is an exercise that deals with temporal and spatial issues in agricultural activities.
Spatial information supplies the database about soil type, water resources, land use, land pattern
and topography of different life support system. Temporal data helps in seasonal analysis,
adoption and awareness about the new technologies and human dimension helps in knowing the
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facts about participation, gender issues, disaggregation, cultural values and ethics of the people
of that locality.
This Field Experience Training (FET) report has been prepared by multidisciplinary team
of six members from different disciplines namely Agricultural Entomology, Plant Breeding,
Horticulture, Soil Science Plant Pathology and Agricultural Engineering. The information
collected under different PRA tools is presented in different sections of this report.
2. OBJECTIVES OF THE FIELD EXPERIENCE TRAINING (FET)
The specific objectives of the FET are:
1. To provide an opportunity to the trainee scientists for interaction with the farming community
and to get an insight into their ways of living, needs, resources, priorities, problems and
prospects.
2. To enable the trainee scientists to understand the adoption profile of farming community.
3. To provide an opportunity to the trainee scientists to understand the technology adoption and
diffusion process and the factors associated with adoption and related concepts.
4. To provide an opportunity to the trainee scientists to understand the extension system and
transfer of technology (TOT) operating in the village.
5. To provide an opportunity to the trainee scientists to gain an insight and appreciation about
indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) of farmers and to generate appropriate technologies if
scientifically valid.
6. To enable the trainee scientists to discuss the problem and identify field related problems.
7. To inculcate the culture of teamwork and multi-disciplinary perspective among scientist-
trainees.
8. To study socio-economic implications and consequences of technologies, products and
processes.
9. To generate a detailed account of technology products and processes used by producers with
respect to production scenario, problems, opportunities, and futuristic approaches.
10. To provide comprehensive insight into the role of private industry and other stakeholders in
value chain.
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3. PARTICIPATORY RURAL APPRAISAL (PRA) TOOLS
Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) is a systematic, semi structured activity conducted
on site, by a multidisciplinary team. It is basically a bottom to top approach of learning rural life
forms with and by rural people. Due to active participation of community members as well as
scientists, PRA has become a useful method to focus attention on people, their livelihood and
relationship with social and economic factors. It is a good technique to help the community
members make an appraisal of their livelihoods and issues related to it.
Diverse information is collected during PRA using a number of techniques. This
information is verified by triangulation among various key informants (KI’s) in addition to on-
site observation by the team members. The various techniques used by the FET team to collect
information are as follows:
1. Direct observation, collection and verification of primary data.
2. Collection of secondary data from panchayat members and officials of the State Dept. of
Agriculture.
3. Semi structured interview by raising some general issues to motivate villagers' participation
in different aspects of the village.
4. Collection of detailed views by approaching some representative key informants.
5. Use of snowball technique to know more about some specific issues.
6. Participatory mapping for rapport building, easy interaction and spontaneous involvement.
7. Seasonal analyses to understand different time bound farm activities, problems and
opportunities throughout the year.
8. Problem identification and preference ranking to identify the top most problems and
preparing solution plan accordingly.
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4. FET METHODOLOGY
The FET is a learning process. It is firmly anchored on the principle of 'seeing is
believing' and 'learning by doing'. FET has three phases. In the first phase, the village for PRA
work was selected in consultation with the FET coordinator, Dr.P. Sridhar, Program Co-
ordinator, KVK, Paparapatty, Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu. Palavadi is located at a distance of 6 km
from KVK. In Palavadi, we identified one main Key Informant (KI), Mr. Kathirvel, Ex-village
President. The team walked along with the main KI; interacted with other KI’s and villagers,
observed while walking and noted the information. For each PRA technique, four KI’s were
selected. Interaction with KI’s was initiated from the semi-structured questionnaires and then
branched as per need. The information given by one KI was triangulated (verification) with other
KI’s and on the spot analysis. The principle and methods of PRA was applied for gathering
information on 21 topics.
PRA is a research technique developed in early 1980’s as an alternative and complement
to conventional sample survey. PRA is a way of learning from and with farmers to investigate,
analyze and evaluate constraints and opportunities and to formulate research plan to address the
problems. The complexities of problem involved in agriculture can be understood through PRA
and hence, it is a system approach for systematic and rapid collection of information.
In the second phase of FET, we visited and interacted with various stakeholders like the
scientists from KVK, Agricultural Officer, Veterinary Officer, and Village Administrative
Officer. The interaction with stakeholders also helped to understand the agricultural problems
and prospects in the village and to prioritize the research problems for action. To understand the
industrial scenario prevailing in the area, we visited Dharmapuri district co-operative sugar Ltd,
Palacode, which is largest sugar factory in the Dharmapuri district. We also visited Jaggery
production unit in Vellampatty. We visited Ponni Agro Industries Ltd. (Mango procesing Plant),
Sapanppatti which is the leading processing plant in terms of turnover in the Krishnagiri District.
We also visited Tomato wholesale market, Sakthi vegetable nursery, Balaji cold storage unit in
Rayakottai and also we visited precision farmer’s field at Muthampati and Kelamangalam,
Krishnagiri district. In the third phase, we shared our experience with the villagers and also with
the scientists of KVK, Papparapatty by organizing village seminar on 1.12.2010 and institute
seminar at KVK on 06.12.2010, respectively. We obtained feedback from the farmers and the
scientists, in light of which the action plan was modified and proposed.
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5. PRA TECHNIQUES USED IN THE VILLAGE
1. Basic information about the village
2. Transect walk
3. Agro-ecological map
4. Resource map
5. Seasonal calendar (activities)
6. Seasonal analysis (problems)
7. Gender disaggregated activities
8. Social map
9. Time line
10. Time trend
11. Mobility map
12. Venn diagram
13. Bio-resource flow
14. Wealth ranking
15. Indigenous technical knowledge
16. Technology map
17. Matrix ranking
18. Consequence diagram
19 Problem identification and ranking
20 Problem tree and solution tree
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6. FINDINGS
The analyzed results of various PRA techniques applied in Palavadi village in
Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu are given below.
6.1 BASIC INFORMATION
Key informants: Mr. Manirajan (AO), Mr. Thangaraj (VAO), Mr. Kathirvel (Ex-Village
President)
Name of the Village : Palavadi
Village Panchayat : Palavadi
Mandal : Nallampally
District : Dharmapuri
State : Tamil Nadu
Climatological Data
Mean Annual Rainfall : 857 mm/year
Mean Annual Temperature : 31 0 C
Relative Humidity : 65-75%
Geographical Coordinates
Latitude : 12°10’57.5”N
Longitude : 78°03’52.9”E
Altitude : 495 – 500 m MSL
Geographical Area
Total Area : 165 Hectares
Cultivated Area : 130 Hectares
(Net Sown Area)
Irrigated Area : 100 Hectares
Residential Area : 10 Hectares
Lake and ponds : 04 Hectares
Demographic Pattern (2001 census)
Total no. of households : 632
Total population : 3878
No of Males : 2013
No of Females : 1865
Literacy in percentage : 70%
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Community Categorization
No. of Hindu Families : 632 households
Vanniar : 364 households
SC : 250 households
Kongu Velala Goundar: 14 households
Chettiar : 04 households
Occupational Distribution of families
Dependent fully on agriculture and livestock : 80%
Dependent on labour and livestock : 20%
Labour includes agricultural labour and non-agricultural labour including daily labour at
construction sites, coir making and shop-keeping.
Agricultural Scenario
A) Land Distribution
Land Holdings
Largest (> 10 acres) : 10 Farmers
Medium (5-10 acres) : 91 Farmers
Small (2.5-5 acres) : 303 Farmers
Marginal (< 2.5) : 228 Farmers
B) Crop Husbandry
Kharif season : Cotton, turmeric, paddy, sorghum, groundnut, red gram, and
millets
Rabi season : Tomato, brinjal, bhendi, onion and chillies
Other crops : Tuberose, sugarcane, fodder crops, jasmine, crossandra and
neerium
Gross Cropped Area : 260 Hectare
Cropping Intensity : 150 %
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C) Animal Husbandry
Type of Animals : Buffalo, cow, bullock, goat and poultry,
Animal Population Economic yield
Milk (litre/day) Other products
Buffalo 150(Indigenous) 6 Milk
Cow 400(Jersey cross) 12 Milk
Cow 500(HF cross) 12 Milk
Goat 750(Indigenous) --- Meat
Bullock 25 pairs --- Draught
Backyard Poultry 1000 --- Chicken and egg
Mortality Rate of Different Animals: Mortality occurs by natural ways and mortality by
disease is rare
D) Water Bodies
Open well : 83
Bore well : 40
Pond : 3
Lake : 1
E) Others
Soil Type : Red sandy soil, Black clay alluvial soil
F) Agricultural implements
Tractor : 7
Cultivator : 7
Country plough : 250
Power tiller : 1
Sprayers : 200
Tractor mounted sprayer : 1
Sugarcane crusher : 1
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Figure 1: Satellite image of Palavadi village (Courtesy – Google Earth).
6.2 GENERAL TRANSECT
Key informants: Mr.Kathirvel, Mrs.Rama, Mr.Thangaraj, Mr.Perumal and
Mrs.Sangeetha
Transect is the walk through the village in a particular direction along with some key
informants. The main objective of the transect is to understand and study the major land uses,
topographical pattern, water resources, natural vegetation and different ecological zones by
observing, interacting and discussing with the key informants, while walking in the decided
direction. The items for discussion included topics such as land use pattern, land slope, soil type,
soil fertility status, water resources, agro-ecological zones, crops, weeds, trees, lives stock and
institutions.
Palavadi is divided into two zones, viz., upland and lowland area. Lowland area consists
of one lake, one pond, 40 deep bore wells and 83 open wells. The residential area is situated at
main roadside and also scattered throughout the village with agricultural lands. Alluvial soil,
Black clay soil and red soil are predominant in the village.
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Cotton, turmeric, sugarcane, tuberose, and paddy are the predominant crops occupying
more than 70 per cent of the cultivated area. Besides, vegetables viz., tomato, brinjal, bhendi,
tapioca, and chillies are cultivated in considerable area depending on the availability of water
followed by cowpea, onion, beans, moringa, and coriander. Red gramand agathi are cultivated as
border crops. The flowers like crossandra, jasmine and neerium are cultivated in small scale.
Sorghum is cultivated predominantly for fodder purpose and CO-4 fodder grass are also
cultivated. Mango (Neelum, alphonso and banganapalli), banana (Dwarf Cavendish, Monthan,
Elaki, and Karpooravalli) and coconut are the main fruit crops cultivated in the village. Tamarind
is the most commonly seen along the roadside. The other trees viz., papaya, custard apple, neem,
subabul, banyan, prosopis, Pythocelobium dulsi, palmyrah, teak, star gooseberry, Singapore
cherry, and pongamia are observed. The major weeds are Lantana camera, Parthenium,
Azortatum connizoidis, Eichornia crassipens, Commelina bengalensis, Cyda accuta, Cynadon
dactylon, Tridax procumbens, Calotropis gigantea, and Phylanthus amaris.
Primary and secondary tillage are done by using tractor drawn implements. Some farmers
also use animal drawn implements for tillage. Knapsack power sprayer is used by all the farmers
for spraying pesticides and nutrients. Drip irrigation and fertigation is adopted recently by
medium and big farmers through precision farming project implemented by TNAU. Harvesting
is done manually in all the crops and for rice, threshing is carried out by paddy thresher which is
hired on per hour basis. Ninty five per cent of the farmers are having cows and buffaloes. Jersey
and Holstein Friesian crosses predominate in the village. The villagers supply milk to Arokya,
Hatsun and DNV milk co-operatives. Goats and poultry are reared as backyard. Two farmers
have Jungle Fowl and two have ducks.
Palavadi has 18 temples, 3 milk co-operative societies, two government schools, VAO
office, Panchayat office, Anganvadi, Primary health centre, library, ration shop and post office.
Labour shortage and water scarcity are the prime most problem in Palavadi. Brinjal shoot and
fruit borer, aphids, whiteflies, turmeric rhizome rot, leaf curl virus in tomato, little leaf of brinjal,
wilt, ash weevil in brinjal, BPH in paddy, and leaf spot in paddy and turmeric are the major pest
and diseases causing the yield loss. Recently, papaya mealy bug become the major threat in the
village and it affects almost all the crops including trees causing huge economic losses. Water
management, IPM for BPH, IPM for mealybug, introduction of vanaraja and gramapriya for
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backyard poultry, introduction of small farm machineries, , silage making and vermicomposting
were identified as the major opportunities.
Figure 2: Rapport building with the school children and villagers
Figure 3: Interactionwith villagers about their agricultural livelihoods
Table 1: The general transect of Palavadi village
S.No Particulars Upland Low land
1 Soil Type: Red sandy soils Black clay alluvial soils
2 Major Crops
Cotton, sorghum, ,
groundnut, red gram,
tapioca, jasmine ,backyard
banana and papaya
Cotton, paddy, sugarcane,
turmeric, tuberose, crossandra,
jasmine, horse gram , finger
millet, pearl millet, tapioca
vegetables and coriander
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3 Livestock/
Poultry/Fish
Buffalo, cow, goat,
backyard poultry, bullocks
Buffalo, cow, goat, backyard
poultry, bullocks and ducks
4 Trees
Coconut, palm, tamarind,
neem, banyan, moringa,
custardapple Mango,
Subabul, prosopis,
singapore cherry
Coconut, palm, tamarind, neem,
banyan, moringa, custardapple
mango, subabul, banyan,
prosopis, star gooseberry
5 Weeds
Lantana camera,
Parthenium, Commelina
bengalensis, Cyda accuta,
Cynadon dactylon, Tridax
procumbens, Calotropis
sp. Phylanthus amaris
Eichornia crassipens, Lantana
camera, Parthenium,
Commelina bengalensis, Cyda
accuta, Cynadon dactylon,
Tridax procumbens, Calotropis
sp. Phylanthus amaris
6 Water
Sources
Open wells, bore well,
ponds
Lake, bore well, open wells,
Pond
7 Pests
Mealy bug in all crops,
Thrips in onion, , Shoot
and fruit borer in brinjal,
white fly in all crops, mites
in bhendi
Mealy bug in all crops, Shoot
borer in Sugarcane, Stem borer
and BPH in Paddy, Shoot and
fruit borer in brinjal, white fly
in all crops, mites in bhendi and
brinjal
8 Diseases
Rhizome rot and leaf spot
in turmeric,Yellow Vein
Mosaic virus in Bhendi,
CMV in cassava, Bean
mosaic, Mastitis and foot
and mouth disease in
livestocks
Blast in Rice , Red rot in
Sugarcane, Rhizome rot and
leaf spot in turmeric, Sclerotia
rot in tuberose, Mastitis and
foot and mouth disease in
livestocks
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9 Problems
Water scarcity, Pest and
diseases problems,
Livestock problems
Water scarcity, lack of
maintenance of lake, open wells
and ponds for water harvesting
and pests and disease problem,
Livestock problems
10 Opportunities
Construction of water
conserving and harvesting
structures, regulatory
markets, IPM for efficient
management of pests,
introduction of backyard
improved poultrybreeds
like vanaraja & gramapriya
and vermi-composting
Construction of water
conserving and harvesting
structures, cleaning of lake,
open wells and ponds, SRI
cultivation in paddy, regulatory
markets, IPM for efficient
management of pests,
introduction of backyard
improved poultrybreeds like
vanaraja & gramapriya and
vermi-composting
6.3 AGRO-ECOLOGICAL MAP
Key informants: Mr. Jamberi, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, Mr. Vedi and Mr.Thangaraj
Agro-ecological map indicates the macro and micro ecological (subsystem) features in a
village. The meteorological parameters like rainfall, temperature, relative humidity, flora and
fauna of the village and the basic land use pattern such as agro-forestry, forest cover and
wasteland is depicted in the map. The village Palavadi is located at 15 km from Dharmapuri. It is
situated at 12°10’57.5”N Latitude and 78°03’52.9”E Longitude and altitude of 495 – 500 m
above mean sea level.
The area is characterized by hot summer and warm winter and comes under rainfed area.
Palavadi receives maximum rainfall during September to November. The soil type is
predominantly red sandy soil, black clay alluvial soil. Most of the farmers depend on well water
for irrigation. Some medium and big farmers have deep bore wells. They do not share the
irrigation water among them. The soil is low in nitrogen, zinc and boron and rich in potash. The
floride level in the palavadi is very high i.e 2 ppm (0.5ppm is the maximum permisible limit for
drinking). Fishes like Grass carp, Rohu, Katla, and Mrigal are present in the lake.
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Palavadi is rich in flora and fauna. There is lot of diveristy in plant species starting from
weeds to trees. There are different bird species viz., Sparrow, Crow, Crane, Koel, Parrots,
Kingfisher, and Mynah, due to the presence of lake and ponds and green cover. Snakes like
Cobra, Viper, Green snake and some other snakes are also present. Snake and scorpion bite is
common in Palavadi.
Figure 4: Agro-ecological map of Palavadi village depicting the various agricultural and
ecological resources
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6.4 SOCIAL MAP
Key informants: Mr. Manirajan, Mr. Kathirvel, Mr. Chinnasamy, Mr. Murugan
The social map gives the information to understand and analyze the social structure,
stratification, social institutions and availability of social facilities in the context of existing
socio-economic condition of the village. According to key informants Palavadi has population of
3878 living in 632 houses. Among them 2013 are male and 1865 are female. The total area of the
village is 165 hectares. The main occupation of the village is agriculture and livestock. Some of
the notable social features are given below.
Social structure and stratification: The predominant caste in the village is Vanniyars followed
by Scheduled Castes, Kongu Vellala Goundar and Chettiar. All the caste people are living
together in the village except SC people. Even though there is no big caste problem between the
castes, the SC peopleare living in the corner of the village. Hundred per cent of the village
population belongs to Hindu religion.
Housing pattern: Most houses are brick and tiled houses, but few are kaccha houses. Most of
the families are poor and middle class and few are rich. Nuclear families dominate in the village
and only few families are living as joint family.
Government institutions: Palavadi has elementary school, high school, post office, village
administrative office, panchayat office, anganwadi ration shop and library.
Local institution: There are 18 temples in the village. Lord Ganesha temple, Perumal temple
and Mariamman temple are very famous and festivals of these temples are celebrated in grand
manner with all the surrounding villages including all the castes.
Educational institution: One upper primary school (Tamil medium) and one high school (Tamil
medium), library and anganwadi are functioning to take care of the education of the children in
Palavadi village. All the parents in the village prefer education to their children. So far one BDS,
six MBBS, one MS, few engineering students, masters of Arts and Science students are
undergoing their education in various institutes in Tamil Nadu. Most of the parents insist their
son/daughter to study B.Ed. Each and every year the literacy percentage of the village is
increasing and at present is around 70%.
Other institutions: Three co-operative milk collection centres, one flower collection center,
twenty five registered Self Help Groups for women and three unregistered male groups are
functioning in Palavadi village.
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Figure 5: Educational institutions at Palavadi village
Figure 6: Religious Institutions in Palavadi
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Social evils: Alcoholism is the major social evil in the village. Ninety per cent of the old and
middle age group of male population are consuming alcohol. Dowry during marriage is common
and it does not create anyproblem in the village. There is no child labour in Palavadi, and all the
children in the village are going to school.
Figure 7: Social map of Palavadi
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6.5 RESOURCE MAP
Key informants: Mr. Kathirvel, Mrs Rama, Mr. Thangadurai and Mr Vedi.
The village resource map shows the different kind of natural and man-made resources
such as land, vegetation, common land use, soil, livestock, transport and source of
communication. Palavadi does not have good transport facility. All the villagers depend on two
wheelers, and auto rickshaws because government public transport facility (bus) frequency is
less and irregular.However school bus facility is available for children studying outside Palavadi.
The village has good communication facility like television, mobile phones, coin booth, news
papers and DTH services. Ration shop is functioning in the village which supplies rice, sugar,
wheat and kerosene at government rates. Tractor, power tiller, sprayers, cultivator, disc plough,
country plough, and cono weeder are used by farmers in the village. Paddy and ragi is processed
in the rice mill situated midway in the village. The villagers get advice from KVK, sugar mills,
spinning mills, AO and HO office. Most of the work force migrates to Bengaluru, Chennai and
Coimbatore as construction workers and few are working under MGNAREGA scheme. Due to
presence of alternative livelihood for labour class, severe labour shortage problem is presently
faced by farmers of Palavadi village. All the farmers preferred artificial insemination of the
livestock, and get it done at veterinary hospital located at Indur and Paparapatty. The carcass of
dead animals is taken by SC community people in the village for its skin and beef. Carcass is
also sent to the crocodile rehabilitation centre in Hokenakkal as feed for crocodiles. During the
general transect through the village, the different resources found are listed below.
Table 2: Resource of Palavadi
Particulars Articles
Transport facilities Auto rickshaw, Motorcycle, Bicycle and Bus
Common facility Community hall, water tank ,common threshing yard, hand
pump, common library and common toilet
Communication facilities News paper, Television , Radio, mobile phones ,DTH and
coin booth
Health and welfare societies
information Primary health care centre
Supply and service agency Ration shop
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Agriculture implements Tractor, Tractor mounted sprayer, Country plough, Power
tiller, sickle and Power knapsack sprayer
Animals use for agriculture Bullocks
Advisory facilities information KVK, Agriculture Officer, Horticulture Officer, Cotton
spinning mill and sugar cooperative ltd.
Animal Reproduction Artificial insemination
Figure 8 Resource map of Palavadi village
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6.6 SEASONAL CALENDAR AND ANALYSIS
Key informants: Mr. Murugan, Mr.Ramesh, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and Mrs. Saranya
Seasonal analysis is also called as seasonal calendar. This is a calendar, which indicates
month wise activities, specialities, threats, problems, abundance, and shortage with regard to
agriculture in a diagrammatic way. The items to be included in seasonal analysis must be those,
which really affect agriculture. This explores seasonal constraints and opportunities by
diagramming changes, month wise for a year.
The main activities, problems and opportunities of Palavadi were identified by using
seasonal calendar. It depicts time-to-time crop related operations being carried out in the existing
farm situation. The common crop seasons in the village are Kharif and Rabi with cotton,
turmeric, paddy, tuberose and sugarcane as the main crops.
Seasonal analysis helps in identifying the period which are critical with respect to labour
demand, pest and disease problems and availability of fodder. The most important problems are
water scarcity, labour availability, sudden outbreak of mealy bug infestation in cotton and FMD
in livestock.
Farmers are well aware of improved crop varieties and are adopting latest technologies
like SRI in paddy, drip irrigation and fertigation and turmeric boiler.
Table 3: Seasonal calendar of major crops and their problems in Palavadi
Crop Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct
Cotton F H FP S W F W
Turmeric H FP P W,F F F
Sugarcane H FP,H P F,W F,W D
Ratoon W,F F D H
Paddy H FP,
N P,W W,F
Tomato FP P,W F,St H,St F,H,St H
(Note: N = Nursery, LP = Land preparation, T = Transplanting, F = Fertilizer application, H =
Harvest, S = Sowing,W = Weeding, St = Staking, P = Planting)
21
Table 4: Seasonal calendar of major crops and their problems in Palavadi
Crop Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct
Cotton VW VW, T, M
Turmeric RR,
SR,
LS
RR, SR, LS
Sugarcane RT SB WA RT
Ratoon
Paddy BPH,
LR B,
SB
B,BPH,
SB
Tomato TSW
(Note: VW = Verticilium wilt, T = Thrips, RR = Rhizome rot, B= Blast, BPH = Brown Plant
Hopper, WA = Wooly Aphid, SB = Shoot Borer, LR = Leaf roller, M = Mites, LS = Leaf spot,
SR = Sclerotia rot, RT = Red rot, TSW = Tomato spotted wilt virus)
Table 5: Seasonal calendar of livestock health management practices and problems
Species
Problem
and
practice
Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct
Jersey
cross
and HF
cross
Vaccination FMD FMD
De-
worming
AI 12 hrs after heat
Larvae in
foot Rainy
season
Lack of
clean milk
production
practices
All round the year
(FMD = Foot & Mouth Disease, AI = Artificial insemination)
22
Table 6: Daily Routine Diagram of Palavadi village
KI’s: Mrs. Sathy, Mrs. Kasthuri, Mr. Kathirvel, Mr. Gopi, Mrs. Saravana
DAILY ROUTINE ACTIVITY PROFILE
Time Male Female
4.00 am Wake Up Wake Up
6.00 am Flower plucking & Marketing Flower plucking & marketing
7.00 am Milking & Marketing Cooking& household work &
Breakfast 7.30 am Farm Activities
9.00 am Breakfast
9.30 am
Farm Activities
Farm Activities 11.00 am
12.00 pm
1.00 pm Lunch, take rest/time for self Lunch, take rest/time for self
2.00 pm Farm Activities Farm activities 3.00 pm
4.00 pm
5.00 pm Milking & Milk marketing Fodder collection
6.00 pm Visit to town Cooking/ household works
7.00 pm
8.00 pm Dinner & watching TV
Dinner & watching TV 9.00 pm
10.00 pm Going to sleep Going to sleep
6.7 GENDER DISAGGREGATED ACTIVITIES
Key informants: Ms Sonia Gandhi, Mr. Thayammaal, Mrs. Tamilarasi, Mr. Velusamy and Mr.
Muthu
According to information revealed by the key informants, Women in Palavadi
concentrated mainly on various farm activities including flower plucking, livestock management
and home management. Ladies would feed the livestock, milk the animals in the morning, take
the animals to the fallow land, bath them at noon, milk them again in the evening and cut fodder
for the animals. Landless women and women whose husbands had little land also worked as
agricultural labourers either within the village or in nearby towns. Men are mainly involved in
field activities and also take the livestock for feeding, vaccinations, artificial insemination and as
well as selling milk.
23
Table 7. Gender disaggregated activities in Palavadi village
Crop Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct
Cotton F
(M,F) H (M,F) FP(M)
S
(F,M) W (F) F (M,F)
W
(F)
Turmeric H (M,F) FP (M, F) P
(M,F)
W,F
(M,F)
F (M,
F)
F
(M,F)
Sugarcane H
(M,F)
FP,H
(M,F)
P
(M,F)
F,W
(M,
F)
F,W
(M,F)
D
(M,F)
Ratoon W,F
(M,F)
F
(M,F)
D
(M,F)
H
(M,F)
Paddy H
(M,F)
FP, N
(M,F)
P,W
(F)
W,F
(F,
M)
Tomato FP
(M)
P,W
(M, F)
F,St
(M, F)
H,St
(M,F)
F,H,St
(M,F)
H
M,F)
6.8 TIME LINE
Key informants: Mr. Kantha samy, Mr. Krishnan, Mr. Kathirvel, Mr.Thanga velu, C. Murugan,
Mrs. Saravana, Mrs. Palani ammal
Time line is a tool of PRA technique used to know the history of major remembered
events in community and their significance. It indicates the causal link between past and present.
The purpose of this tool is to oBtain historical account of changes in demography, socio-
economic condition, communication, social relationship and interaction, technology diffusion
and adoption etc. Information regarding the important events like the development in agriculture,
animal husbandry are collected from the key informants, preferably elderly people of the village
and presented in the Table 8.
From the time line of agriculture in Palavadi, it is evident that the village had high crop
diversity. The farmers grew a number of crops including cotton, turmeric, paddy, tuberose,
sorghum, sugarcane, tomato, brinjal, chillies, jasmine, sugar cane, tapioca, crossandra red fram
and CO 4 fodder grass. Cotton is the predominat crop in Palavadi. The area under turmeric
cultivation is constantly increasing due to higher price and less labour requirement. The area
under paddy and sugarcane has decreased due to water scarcity and less profit.
24
Table 8: Time line of major events in Palavadi village
Sr. No. Year Events
1 1953 Post office
2 1956 Elementary school
3 1960 Library
4 1962 Ration shop
5 1965 Electricity, Radio
6 1967 First panchayat election
7 1970 Hand pump
8 1970’s Motor cycle
9 1972 Rice mill
10 1981 Milk co-operative society
11 1982 Sewing/Tailoring machine
12 1984 Tractor
13 1985 Television
14 1988 Co-operative bank, landline phone
15 1991 Self Help Group
16 1995 Panchayat Office,
17 1995 Gas Stove
18 1995 Bio gas plant
19 1995 Deep borewell
20 1996 Flower cultivation
21 1996 Bus
22 1997 Community hall
23 1997 News paper
24 1998 Co-operative Bank
25 1998 Pucca road
26 1999 Anganvadi
27 2000 Primary Health Center
28 2000 Mobile
29 2004 Flower Market
30 2005 BT Cotton
31 2005 Common Toilet
32 2005 DTH
33 2006 Turmeric cultivation
34 2006 Car
35 2007 Auto
36 2008 Higher Secondary School
37 2008 Drip irrigation
38 2008 Fertigation
25
Table 9: Agricultural time line of Palavadi village
Key Informants: Mr. Thangavel, Mrs. Sala, Mrs. Kasthuri.
Sr. No. Year Events
1 1960 Diesel pump
2 1965 Fertilizer use
3 1980 Vegetable cultivation started
4 1982 Tractor
5 1989 Sprayers
6 1989 Heavy Flood
7 1995 Deep bore well
8 1996 Flower cultivation started
9 2001 Red hairy caterpillar outbreak in Groundnut
9 2002 Severe drought
10 2004 Turmeric cultivation started
11 2008 Drip irrigation
Table 10: Livestock time line of Palavadi village
KIS: Mr. Kathiresan, Mr. Vedi, Mr. Muthammal
Sr. No. Year Events
1 1990 Improved breeds (Jersey & HF cross)
2 2002 Mass vaccination
3 2004 Artificial Insemination
6.9 TIME TREND
Key informants: Mr. Vedi, Mr. Kathirvel, Mr. Manirajan, Mr. Shanmugam, Mr. Saravanan
Time trend is a simple PRA technique, usually depicted in the form of graph (bar/line) to
show the trend of crop/animal production, commodity prices, human/cattle population etc. The
specific objectives of this tool are to identify the changes/fluctuations that have occurred over a
period of time in the variables influencing village life. For the purpose of the present PRA study,
the data were collected for crop productivity of paddy, sugarcane and cotton over the last 5-10
years and are presented graphically below.
26
1. Time trend for Sugar cane productivity
The trend analysis of sugarcane productivity shows an increasing trend from 2001 to
2010. In 2002, there was a sudden decrease in the prodductivity in almost all the crops due to
severe drought. Most of the area under sugarcane is covered by Co C 86032 which gives higher
yields under good irrigated conditions. Due to the introduction of drip irrigation system in 2007,
the productivity shows an increasing trend till date. Sugar cane is sold by farmers to the
Dharmapuri District Cooperative Sugar mill limited and to nereby jaggery production units.
Figure 9: Productivity trend of Sugar cane in Palavadi village
2. Time trend for rice productivity
Figure 10: Productivity trend of rice in Palavadi village
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10
Pro
du
cti
vit
y (
ton
nes/ acre
)
Year
SUGARCANE PRODUCTIVITY
productivity per acre
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10
Pro
du
cti
vit
y (
kg
/ha)
Year
PADDY PRODUCTIVITY
Productivity(kg/ha)
27
3. Time trend for cotton productivity
Figure 11: Productivity trend of cotton in Palavadi village
The productivity of Cotton also shows an increasing trend from 2002 till date except
during the drought year of 2002-03. Reason for the higher productivity pattern was due to
adoption of the BT cotton hybrids (Bollgaurd I) in 2005 and Bollgaurd II in year 2008 (Mallika,
vishwanath, Bunni and RCH 20 BGII). Also the farmers have shifted to close plant spacing (60
cm) as against conventional 90 cm that has increased productivity. Farmers justified the close
spacing considering the less spread of folliage in black sandy loam soils of palavadi, therby
allowing aeration in close spacings.
6.10 TECHNOLOGY MAP
Key informants: Mr. Kathirvel, Mr. Vedi, Mr. Jamberi, Mr. Sarathi, Mr. Velu & Mr. Mariappan
Technology map is a PRA technique, which is used to know different types of
behavioural patterns towards technology adoption. Different types of technology behaviour may
be of adoption type, discontinuance, rejection and over adoption type etc. Technology map
comprise type and frequency of adoption of latest technology through various agencies, related
to agricultural research and development. It helps scientist and extension workers to identify the
problem of the farmers through the feedback mechanisms.
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
2001-022002-032003-042004-052005-062006-072007-082008-092009-10
Pro
du
ctiv
ity
(qu
inta
ls/a
cre
)
Year
COTTON PRODUCTIVITY
Productivity quintals/acre
28
Technology Diffusion Methods: Technologies developed by various organizations are diffused
to farmers’ fields through the simplest methods, and as far as possible in the farmer's language.
The following diffusion methods in general are adopted for diffusion of any technology
Training camps
Field demonstrations
Farmers meeting
Kisan Mela
On-farm training
Distribution of bulletin and leaflets
Radio
Television
The different technologies which are adopted, discontinued and rejected are depicted in
Table 10. The farmers of Palavadi village have adopted different varieties of cotton, rice and
tomato hybrids. In cotton they have adopted Mallika and Bunni Bt varitiey due to its drought
tolerance and resistance to insect and pest irrespective of other varieties with high productivity.
Where as tomato hybrids viz., Red Ruby and US-618 have excellent keeping quality, yield and
good market price as compared to other tomato hybrids. Similarly in case of rice IR-20 and
ADT-39 are mostly adopted because of higher crop yield and resistance to diseases and pests.
Dairy industry is most popularised because of the assured regular income and they have adopted
cross bred Jersey cows and HF cross bred cows because of their high milk yield compared to
desi cows which were discontinued.
29
Figure 12: Technology Map
30
Table 10: The various technologies adopted/rejected/discontinued at Palavadi village
TECHNOLOGY TABLE FOR CROPS
S.No Crops Technology Status Reasons
1 Paddy
ADT 39 Adopted
High yield, high cooking quality, good
amylase content, lodging tolerant,
tolerant to pest and diseases
IR 20 Adopted
Moderately tolerant to green leaf hopper,
leaf blight, rice tungro virus and stem
borer and high yield
White Ponni Adopted Good cooking quality and high price
Bhavani Discontinued Susceptible to pest and diseases
2 Sugar
cane
Co C 86032 Adopted Higher yield, high sugar content and high
sugar recovery
Co C 8304 Discontinued Less sugar percentage and less juice
recovery
3 Cotton
Mallika Adopted Long fibre, high yield, tolerant to
diseases, tolerant to moisture stress
Bunni Adopted Long fibre, high yield
RCH 20 BG 2 Adopted High yield, long fibre, tolerant to
moisture stress
Viswanath Adopted Long fibre, high yield, more tolerant to
pest and diseases
BT-single gene
hybrids Discontinued
High incidence of viral diseases and
sucking pests
Non BT Discontinued
High incidence of bollworms, low yield,
susceptibility to sucking pest and
diseases
4 Tomato Red Ruby Adopted High yield, good keeping quality and
high price
US 618 Adopted High yield and good keeping quality
Ruchi Adopted High yield
PKM 1 Discontinued Low yield
31
TECHNOLOGY TABLE FOR AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES
S. No Technology Status Reasons
1 Drip irrigation and
fertigation
Recently
introduced
Very less amount of water required and
fertilizer application is easy
2 SRI cultivation in
rice
Recently
introduced
High yield, less amount of water and seed is
required
3 Vermi Composting Not adopted Lack of awareness
4 Border cropping
with red gram
Adopted Attract the insect pests, additional income
5 Border cropping
with agathi
Adopted Give protein rich fodder to cattle
6 Polyhouse Not adopted Lack of awareness
TECHNOLOGIES IN LIVESTOCK
S.No Technology Status Reasons
1 Desi cow Discontinued Very low milk yield
2 Buffalo local breed Partially adopted Tolerant to adverse climate
3 Jersey cross Adopted High milk production, Adaptability in
local condition
4 HF cross Adopted High milk production, Adaptability in
local condition
5 Artificial Insemination Adopted Genetic improvement
6 Silage and hay making Not adopted Lack of awareness
7 Clean milk production Not adopted Lack of practical knowledge
8 Milking machine Not adopted Not suitable for small scale farming
9 Goat local breed Adopted Alternative source of income, less input
requirement, less fodder requirement.
32
6.11 MATRIX RANKING
Key Informants: Mr. Kathirvel, Mr. Thangavel, Mr. Jamberi, Mrs. Manjulatha, Mrs. Sarala and
Mr. Ramesh.
Table 11: Technology adoption table for BT cotton (Matrix ranking of BT cotton)
Indicators Key
Informants Mallika Bunni RCH-20
Rank Points Rank Points Rank Points
Fibre quality
K1 A 3 C 1 B 2
K2 A 3 B 2 C 1
K3 C 1 B 2 A 3
K4 B 2 A 3 C 1
Score
9
8
7
Yield
K1 C 1 B 2 A 3
K2 C 1 A 3 B 2
K3 A 3 B 2 C 1
K4 A 3 C 1 B 2
Score
8
8
8
Resistance to
pest and
disease
K1 A 3 B 2 C 1
K2 A 3 C 1 B 2
K3 A 3 B 2 C 1
K4 A 3 B 2 C 1
Score
12
7
5
Drought
tolerant
K1 B 2 A 3 C 1
K2 B 2 A 3 C 1
K3 A 3 B 2 C 1
K4 A 3 B 2 C 1
Score
10
10
4
Total score
39
33
24
Rank
A
B
C
33
Table 12: Technology adoption for paddy
(Matrix ranking of paddy varieties)
Indicators Key
Informants
ADT-39 IR-20 White Ponni
Rank Points Rank Points Rank Points
Higher Crop
Yield
K1 A 3 B 2 C 1
K2 B 2 A 3 C 1
K3 A 3 B 2 C 1
K4 A 3 B 2 C 1
Score 11 9 4
Cooking
Quality
K1 B 2 C 1 A 3
K2 C 1 B 2 A 3
K3 A 3 B 2 C 1
K4 B 2 C 1 A 3
Score 8 6 10
Market Price K1 B 2 C 1 A 3
K2 B 2 C 1 A 3
K3 A 3 C 1 B 2
K4 B 2 C 1 A 3
Score 9 4 11
Resistance to
pest and
diseases
K1 A 3 B 2 C 1
K2 B 2 A 3 C 1
K3 A 3 B 2 C 1
K4 B 2 A 3 C 1
Score 10 10 4
Total score 38 29 29
Rank B A C
34
Table 13: Technology adoptions for tomato (Matrix ranking of tomato hybrids)
Indicators Key
Informants Red Ruby US-618 Ruchi
Rank Points Rank Points Rank Points
Higher Crop
Yield
K1 A 3 C 1 B 2
K2 A 3 B 2 C 1
K3 B 2 A 3 B 2
K4 A 3 B 2 C 1
Score
11
8
6
Market
Preference
K1 A 3 B 2 C 1
K2 A 3 C 1 B 2
K3 B 2 A 3 C 1
K4 A 3 B 2 C 1
Score
11
8
5
Keeping
Quality(shelf
life)
K1 B 2 A 3 C 1
K2 A 3 B 2 C 1
K3 B 2 A 3 C 1
K4 A 3 B 2 C 1
Score
10
10
4
Pest and disease
resistance
K1 B 2 A 3 C 1
K2 A 3 B 2 C 1
K3 A 3 B 2 C 1
K4 A 3 B 2 C 1
Score
11
9
4
Higher price
K1 A 3 B 2 C 1
K2 B 2 A 3 C 1
K3 A 3 B 2 C 1
K4 A 3 B 2 C 1
Score
11
9
4
Total score
54
43
23
Rank
A
B
C
Therefore the most decisive factor for a farmer regarding crop adoption is its consumer
preference, keeping quality of the produce and its yield.
35
6.12 CONSEQUENCE DIAGRAM
Key informants: Mr. Thangaraj, Mr. Thangavelu, Mr. Murugan, Mrs. Sumathi, Mr.
Dhanushkodi, Mrs. Nagammal and Mr. Karuppaiah
The consequence diagram indicates the impact of adoption of technology. Consequence
diagram related to crop inventory was found out for Mallika Bt cotton, ADT-39 rice variety, Red
Ruby tomato hybrid and HF cross cattle in the village. These are the most adopted technologies
used by most of the villagers.
• More preference by spinning
mills
• More income
• Easy harvest
• Adaptability
Susceptible to reddening
+ve
-ve
KEY INFORMANTTHANGARAJTHAGAVELUMURUGANSUMATHITHAYAMMAL
KEY INFORMANTCHINASAMYVEDIMURUGANDHANASEKAR
• High income• Consumer preference• Tolerant to lodging• Less cost of production
+ve
-ve • High water requirement
36
Figure 13: Consequence diagrams
37
6.13 BIO-RESOURCE FLOW
Key informants: Mr. Manickkam, Mr. Karthikeyan, Mr. Raja, Mr. Mani And Mrs. Amudha
Bio-resource flow diagram reflects the inflow and outflow of farm produce and its by-
products from and to the household. It explains the interrelationship between different farm
enterprises that enable holistic planning for development of farm household. In this village the
typical representative household is medium sized farmer. The existing practice are shown by
solid lines. Proposed interventions are depicted by dashed lines.
Figure 14: Bio-resource flow of Palavadi village
38
6.14 WEALTH RANKING
Key informants: Mr. Kathirvel, Mr. Thangaraj, Mr. Raja.
The aim of this analytical exercise is to find out the relative position of households in the
village as perceived by the villagers themselves. Knowledge about wealth status of the farmers
will help us to prioritize research areas and development of newer technologies and packages,
which would be economically feasible and easily adoptable by majority of the farmers.
Under this PRA technique, three local key informants were identified and asked
independently to classify all households of Palavadi village into different wealth categories
according to their own criteria of classification. Later, we calculated the average score based on
the rank given by each key informant for each household. Correction factor was calculated and
wealth status of these villagers was derived.
The criteria and categories followed by the key informants are given in the table below:
Table 14: wealth ranking criteria and categories
KI Criteria Rich Medium Small
1
Land > 5 acres 2 – 5 acres < 2acres
Service Govt. service - -
Type of house Concrete Tiled Kaccha
2
Land > 3 acres 1- 3 acres < 1acre
Livestock > 2 cows 2 cows 1 cow
Source of
Income
Agriculture,
Govt. job, Dairy
Agriculture,
Dairy
Agriculture,
Dairy, Daily labour
3
Land > 3 acres 1-2 acres No land
Source of
income
Agriculture,
Govt. job
Agriculture,
Dairy
Daily labour,
Migrants
Live stock >2 cows 1-2 cows 1 cow
39
Figure 15: Wealth status of Palavadi village
The graphical representation of wealth ranking is given in Figure15 Out of the 632
households in the Palavadi village, only 16% of households were under the big category (101
houses) whereas, 48% (303 houses) and 36% (228 houses) under the medium and small
categories, respectively. About 84% of the households in this village belong to the small and
medium categories. To make active participation of the villagers in adoption of newer
technology in agriculture, the technology should be economically viable for the small and
medium families.
Figure 16: Wealth Ranking of Palavadi village
0-33 33-66.67 68-100
Small Medium Big
No. of households 228 303 101
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
No. of
Hou
seh
old
s
Small 36%
Medium 48%
Big 16%
40
Livelihood Analysis: Using the wealth ranking method, the entire Palavadi village households
were divided into three categories, viz., big, medium and small. The livelihood status of each of
the three categories was assessed by selecting a representative house from each group. The
percentage contribution of different income sources and expenditure of all the three categories
are represented below graphically.
Livelihood analysis of Palavadi village:
Big family:
Expenditure
Figure 17: Income and Expenditure of Big Family
Agriculture
70%
Livestock
20%
Other sector
10%
Income
Education60%
Agriculture20%
Food5%
Vehicle cost3%
Temple visit3%
Tech-repair 2%
Shopping2%
Mobile2%
Family function
1%
Medical1%
Savings1%
41
Medium Family:
Figure 18: Income and Expenditure of Medium Family
Agriculture
70%
Livestock
25%
Other sector
5%
Income
Expenditure
0%
Agriculture
49%
Education
35%
Food
5%
Medical
2%
Mobile
2%
Shopping
2%
Savings
2%
Temple
visit
2%
Loan repay
1%
Expenditure
42
Small Family:
Figure 19: Income and Expenditure of Small Family
Agriculture
20%
Livestock
30%
Daily wages
10%
Migrants
40%
Income
Education
40%
Agriculture
30%
Food
10%
Mobile
5%
Debt
5%
Entertainment
3%
Medical
2%Temple visit
2% Shopping
2%
Savings
1%
Expenditure
43
6.15 VENN DIAGRAM
Key informants:Mr. M.Murgan, Mr. P. Manidasm, Mr. Ramesh,Mr. Vedi
The Venn diagram shows existing institutions, organizations, groups and important
individuals found in the village as well as the villagers’ view of their importance in the
community. Venn diagram also indicates the level of contact and cooperation between these
organizations and groups. The organizations/institutions/groups around Palavadi are private
agricultural input suppliers at the nearest village of Papparapatty, Technology interventions in
the form of new crop varieties and training programs are provided by KVK, Palavadi which is
the important source of knowledge about new technology for the farmers. The Bt cotton
technology was introduced in the village in 2005, which increased the production and
productivity of the cotton crop. For this state agriculture department, super farm production Ltd.
are playing an important role. Drip irrigation and fertigation technology are newly introduced in
the village which also increased the production of the crop, for this the important input supplier
is Jain irrigation Pvt Ltd.
Figure 20: Venn Diagram of BT cotton production
44
Figure 21: Venn Diagram of Hybrid tomato production
Figure 22: Venn Diagram for livestock
45
Similarly in hybrid tomato production, the state horticulture department play the major role.
Where as in case of milk production in the viilage DNV, Arokya and Hatsun milk collection
centre provide the marketing facilities, which provides the great economical support to farmers.
Also in case of livestock health and nutrition , veterinary hospital and private input supplier play
a key role, respectively.
6.16 MOBILITY MAP
Key informants: Mr. Kathirvel, Mr. Anbu, Mr. Periyaswami, Mr. Padmanabhan, Mr.
Gnanasekar, Mrs Sathy
Mobility map is to study day in day out movement of villagers for different purpose. It is
the map that leads to explore the spatial mobility of the villagers for the different activities like
health/medical, marketing, education and entertainment. The KI’s were asked to give
information on mobility of villagers and information was collected on the basis of location,
purpose, distance, time required, mode of transport and transport cost to each location. It was
observed that Papparapatty is the most frequently visited place due to its vicinity and good road
connectivity with the village, followed by Indoor and Dharmapuri. Due to presence of Primary
health centre, Post office and Cooperative Bank in the Palavadi village, villagers occasionally
have to visit nearby areas for their needs. However during the summer months (March-May),
about 50 per cent of village population migrates as labourers at construction sites in nearby cities
(Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Erode) due to water scarcity in the village. Dairy farming being the
second most practiced occupation, villagers often go to nearby Indoor and papparapatty village
to avail veterinary facility. The main mode of transport is Motor cycle. Detailed mobility of
Palavadi village has been given in the Table 15.and Figure 23.
46
Table 15: Mobility table for Palavadi village
Sl.
No. Place
Distance
(km) Mode Frequency
Fare
(Rs.) Purpose
1 Papparapatty 5
Motor
cycle,
Auto, Bus
Very
frequently 3
Education, Indian Bank,
Marketing, Veterinary
hospital, Agril. Inputs,
Entertainment, KVK,
household purpose and
alcohol
2 Indoor 4
Motor
cycle,
Auto, Bus
Very
frequently 5
Education Bank, AAO
Agricultural inputs,
Veterinary hospital
3 Dharmapuri 17
Motor
cycle,
Auto, Bus
Frequently 8
Hospital, Entertainment,
Education, Market,
agricultural Inputs,
Household purpose
4 Nallampalli 20 Motor
cycle, Bus Sometimes 12 AO, HO
5 Vellampatti 4 Motorcycle
Auto Sometimes 5
Sugarcane suppy for
Jaggery production
6 Bengaluru 127 Bus Sometimes 64 Marketing flowers and
vegetables, Hospital
7 Coimbatore 275 Bus Sometimes 80 Marketing of cotton and
vegetables
8 Erode 131 Bus Sometimes 46 Marketing of Turmeric
9 Rayakottai 40 Bus Sometimes 18 Purchase of vegetable
seedlings
10 Palacode 14 Bus,
Motorcycle Sometimes 7
Purchase of vegetable
seedlings
11 Thiruvanna
malai 121 Bus Sometimes 42
Purchase of tuberose
rhizome
Figure 23: Mobility map of Paju Kalan village
47
Bus - 18/-
Motor cycle-
Auto- 5/-
Bus - 7/-
Motor cycle
Bus - 46/-
Bus - 80 /-
Bus - 64 /-
Motor cycle-
Bus - 12/-
Motor cycle
Auto- 5/-
Bus - 3/-
Motor cycle
Auto- 10/-
Bus - 3/-
Bus - 42/-
Motor cycle-
Bus - 8/-
Palavadi
Papparapatty 5Km
Rayakottai 40Km
Erode 131KmCoimbatore
275Km
Bengaluru 127Km
Vellampatti4Km
Nallampalli 20Km
Dharmapuri 17Km
Indoor 4Km
Palacode 14Km
Thiruvannamalai 121Km
Mobility Map of Palavadi Village
Hospital, Entertainment, Education, Market,
agricultural Inputs, Household purpose
Mark
etin
g o
f co
tton
an
d v
eget
ab
les
Purchase of vegetable seedlings
Figure 23: Mobility map of Palavadi village
48
6.17 INDIGENOUS TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE MAP
Key informants: Mr. Jamberi, Mr. Mani, Mr. Vedi
Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) is the information gained over a period of time
and passed on from generation to generation by word of mouth. ITK is the knowledge and
practices which are based on peoples accumulated experiences in dealing with situations and
problems in various aspects of life.
Table 16: ITKs in crop and livestock management in Palavadi village
No. Practice Purpose
For Crops
1 Agniastra (Ingredients: Garlic 1/4kg+ Green chillies 1/4kg+Tobacco 3/4kg + Neem leaves 5 kg + cow dung 10 kg) Grind all the above ingredients and boil it for 15 min and mix well in 20 ltr. of water for spray purpose
To control sucking insect pests on crops
2 Jeevamirtham (Cowdung 10 kg+ cow urine 1 litre+ jaggery 2 kg+ Urd/ Bengal gram flour 2 kg + 1 handful of soil - mix all the ingredients in 200 litres of water for 20 days and delivered through drip irrigation
To increase soil fertility
2 Grind dried ginger of 200 gm into powder form and boil in 2 litres of water till the volume gets reduced to 1 litre and mix in 5 litres of fermented buttermilk. Mix all above in 200 litres of water and spray @ 1 litre/10 litres of water
To control various fungal diseases on crops
3 Take a mud pot and mix contents of 10 eggs + 30 nos of lemon juice and cover it with white cloth and keep it for 10 days till it comes to rubber form and mix with ½ kg jaggery and again keep it for 10 days without disturbance. Spray @ 3 gms/ litre of water.
To Increase plant growth. (Plant growth regulator)
4 2 kg cow dung+ 2 litre cow urine+ 5 kg clay soil + ½ litre neem oil. Mix all and make in to paste and apply on the infested bark portion.
To control mango bark borer infestation
5 Mix 20 gm of paal perungayam (a type of asafoetida) in 50 litres of water and it forms milky solution and spray directly
To control mealy bug infestation
For livestock
1 Feed 50 ml of panchakavya to catte/ day To avoid cattle diseases and good for animal health.
For Human
1 Powder of shade dried 19 – day old seedlings of wheat crop/ moringa plant @ 2 gm/ person/ day
To prevent cancer disease
49
6.18 PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION TECHNIQUE
Key informants: Mr.Kathirvel, Mr. Vedi, Mr. Jamberi
After doing all the survey about the technology and resources available in the village,
next process is to identify the problems faced by the villagers in the village environment
especially in agricultural sector. Thirty farmers were identified using snowball technique to
determine the problems. Eleven problems were listed as per their perception. Then they have
been asked to rank them according to their severity. Since the farmers of Palavadi village had
diverse pattern of cropping not all farmers could rank all the eleven problems. Maximum of
seven ranks were given by the farmers. They were also enquired for extent of damage in terms of
acerage of crops affected in the village. The average monetary loss for the village by each
problem has also been taken from the farmers for each problem. Frequency of each rank was
calculated for the entire eleven problems. Rank Based Quotient (RBQ) and Value Based Index
(VBI) were then calculated using following formulae.
1 Rank Based Quotient
RBQ = ∑f1(n+1-i)x100
N X n
Where,
Fi = Frequency of farmers for the ith rank of the attribute
N = Number of farmers contacted for factor identification
n = The maximum number of ranks given for various factors.
i = Rank of the attributes
2 Value Based Index
VBI = RBQ x Average loss experienced x area of crops/animals
The problems were ranked based on VBI as given in the Table17.
6.19 PROBLEM AND SOLUTION TREE
Under this PRA tool, all the problems were discussed with the farmers for all possible
reasons using top down approach. The possible solution for each cause was also discussed with
the farmers. These causes and solutions were discussed with the subject matter specialist before
the finalization of the tree.
50
Table 17: Problems identified by villagers in Palavadi
Sr.
No. Problems Identified
Ranks RBQ
%
loss VBI Rank
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
1 Sudden outbreak of mealy
bug
7 5 11
63.8 60 650760000 I
2 Water scarcity 4 14 5 4
72.9 30 557685000 II
3 Labour shortage 19 6 5
92.4 100 40840800 III
4 Leaf curl & spotted wilt virus
in tomato 1 5 1 4 11.9 35 32570300
IV
5 White flies in cotton
2 3 3 3 12.4 10 21080000 V
6 Rhizome rot in turmeric
2 4 2 1 3 2 24.3 10 5346000 VI
7 Shoot and fruit borer in
brinjal
2 3
5
6 22.9 40 5221200 VII
8 BPH in paddy
1
7 6 4
28.6 30 4190472 VIII
9 Leaf spot and blight in
turmeric
1 6 2 1
17.6 5 1936000 IX
10 Thrips in onion
1 6 4 2
21.4 10 513600 X
11 Red mite in brinjal
2 4
1 10 5 285000 XI
Figure 24: Problem solution tree for water scarcity
51
Figure 25: Problem solution tree for labour shortage
Figure 26: Problem solution tree for mealy bug Infestation
52
6.20 Perspectives of problems
Problems identified were categorized as problems arising out of gaps in research in
various agricultural disciplines and as problems arising out of gaps in extension activities.
Main problems related to extension and research identified has been enumerated as follows:
Extension Gap
1. Knowledge dissemination and FLD of crop specific mechanization packages
2. Awareness about moisture conservation techniques
3. Adoption of abiotic stress tolerant varieties
4. Awareness about micro nutrient deficiency solutions
5. Drip irrigation maintenance
6. Biocontrol agents in mealy bug management
7. Vermicomposting
8. Silage and hay making
Research Gap
1. Brinjal shoot and fruit borer resistant variety
2. Turmeric planter
3. IPM module for papaya mealy bug management
6.21 Research project proposals
Based on the problems and research gaps identified, the following research projects are
proposed.
1. Design and development of tractor operated turmeric planter.
2. Development of IPM module for mealy bug management.
3. Studies on population dynamics of Mealy bug and development of weather-based
forecasting models for its management
4. Identification of economically profitable farming systems in rain fed areas of north Tamil
Nadu
5. Development of Integrated disease management module for rhizome rot of turmeric caused
due to Pythium graminecolum.
53
6. Development of integtared disease management module for sclerotium rot of tuberose
caused due to Sclerotium rolfsii.
7. Screening programme for identification of cassava mosiac resistant varieties.
8. Development of Integrated DSS for crop selection based on market, epidemology, and
other affecting factors.
9. Development of shoot and fruit borer resistant variety in brinjal through interspecific
hybridization.
6.22. ACTION PLAN
What Who Whe
n
Where How Cost
(lakh
s)
Outcome
1. Design and
development of tractor
operated turmeric
planter.
Agri. Engg 2011-
2013
CIAE Studying the
prefered pattern on
turmeric planting
and cost economics
of existing manual
planting method.
10 Tractor
operated
turmeric
planter
2. Development
of IPM module for
mealy bug
management.
Entomologist
Agricultural
chemist
2011-
2013
IARI,
New
Delhi
Evaluation of
Chemical, physical
& mechanical
strategies
15 IPM module
for mealy bug
management.
3. Studies on
population dynamics
of Mealy bug and
development of
weather-based
Forecasting models
for its management
Agrl.
Entomologist
Computer
scientist
2011-
2014
IARI,
New
Delhi
study, development
and validation of
population dynamics
forecasting model
20 Expert system
for population
dynamics
forecasting
and
management of
mealy bug
4. Identification
of economically
profitable farming
systems in rain fed
areas of north Tamil
Nadu
Economist,
Agronomist,
Statistician
2011-
14
NCAE
P, New
Delhi
Conducting Field
survey
20 Profitable
farming system
5. Development
of Integrated disease
management module
for rhizome rot of
turmeric caused due to
Pythium
graminecolum.
Plant
Pathologist,
Horiculturist
2011-
14
IIVR,
Varana
si
Testing possible
control measures
(cultural, biological
and chemical)
10 Integarted
disease
management
module for
rhizome rot of
turmeric
54
6. Development
of integrated disease
management module
for sclerotium rot of
tuberose caused due to
Sclerotium rolfsii.
Plant
Pathologist,
Horticulturist
2011-
2014
IIHR,
Bengal
uru
Testing possible
control measures
(cultural, biological
and chemical)
10 Integrated
disease
management
module for
sclerotium rot
of tuberose
7. Screening
programme for
identification of
cassava mosiac
resistant varieties.
Plant
Virologist,
Entomologist
and Plant
Breeder
2011-
2014
IARI,
New
Delhi
Screening of
different varities of
cassava by artifical
innoculation
20 Resistant
variety of
cassava
8. Development
of Integrated DSS for
crop selection based
on market,
epidemology, and
other affecting factors.
Computer
Scientist,
Economist,
Agronomist,
Statistician
Entomologist
2011-
2013
IARI,
New
Delhi
Study of affecting
factors and
computer modelling
20 Integrated DSS
for crop
selection,
9. Development
of shoot and fruit
borer resistant variety
in brinjal through
interspecific
hybridization.
Horticulturist
Entomologist
2012-
2014
IIHR,
Bengal
uru
Screening the wild
parent for resistance,
Crossing,
confirmation of
transfer of resistance
gene in hybrids,
back cross
10 Resistant
variety
10. Development
of various viable water
conservation
techniques in rainfed
areas of Dharmapuri
district of Tamil Nadu.
Agronomist
Soil Scientist
Economist
2011-
2014
IARI,
New
Delhi
Adaptation of
different water
conservstion
technology like
minimum
tillage,mulching etc.
and assessment of
their performance
on the basis of
economics and
social benefit
40 Permanent soil
moisture
conservation
and higher
productivity
11. Management
of Micronutrient
deficiency for
improving the soil
quality and crop
productivity.
Soil Scientist
Plant
physiologist
2011-
2014
IARI,
New
Delhi
Application of
micronutrient
precision fertilzers,
Site Specific
nutrient
management etc for
improving soil and
crop quality
30 Improvement
in soil and crop
quality
55
7.1 VILLAGE SEMINAR
Village seminar was conducted on 1st December 2010 at the village flower collection
centre. The seminar was headed by Dr.P. Sridhar, Head, KVK, Paparapatty. The monitoring
committee chairman, Dr.V.K.J. Rao also accompanied us. The Subject Matter Specialist from
KVK, Paparapatty and Mr. Manirajan, A.O and Mr. Arul, A.A.O (Nallampally) were also
participated. Nearly about 90 farmers were attended the seminar. The villagers were very
interactive during the session. They actively took part in the village map drawing.
The findings through PRA techniques were triangulated with the villagers and the
necessary feedback and corrections were taken up. The top most researchable problem we
identified by discussions and using the ranking technique were triangulated and almost all the
villagers were in total agreement on that. Water scarcity, sudden outbreak of mealybug turmeric
rhizome rot, leaf spot in turmeric, brinjal shoot and fruit borer, little leaf of brinjal, BPH in rice,
redening in cotton, poor maintenance of drip irrigation system and tomato spotted wilt virus and
leaf curl virus were suggested as the major stumbling blocks for improvement of the livelihood
of villagers.
The suggestions for above said problems were given by Dr. P. Sridhar, Dr. N.A. Saravanan
and Mr. Manirajan. Apart from the identified problems, marketing of the produce was the
biggest issue discussed in the village seminar. The farmers also told about the non availability of
water soluble fertilizers. Mr. Manirajan, A.O clearly explained the procedure for getting the
water soluble fertilizers from the state department of agriculture.
Farm mechanization was one of the key issues discussed in the seminar. Dr. Bhaskar
Bharat Gaikwad explained the various small machineries available and their usage in agriculture,
particularly sugarcane harvester, cono weeder, seed dibbler, paddy transplanter and turmeric
harvester.
The seminar ended on a high note with the assurance that farmers will get advice for the
soil and crop problems from the KVK, Agricultural department, Horticulture department and
Research Institutes rather than following blindly the advice of the pesticide dealer.
56
Figure 27: Village seminar at Palavadi village
7.2 INSTITUTE SEMINAR
The institute seminar was held on 6th
December 2010 at KVK, Paparapatty. Dr. P. Sridhar
Associate Professor and Head, KVK Paparapatty, Dr. Shanmugam, local FET co-ordinator, and
all the scientist of KVK, members from State Agricultural department were present during the
seminar. During the institute seminar, we discussed the village transect, resource and social
maps, daily activity profile of both men and women, time line, seasonal calendar, consequence
and venn diagrams, problem tree, solution tree and proposed research projects. The presentation
by each FOCARS trainee apart from different PRA tools also included information acquired
about the problems of farmers.
We presented the researchable issues on the means to overcome the problem of water
scarcity, labour shortage and mealy bug. We triangulated the details that were collected from the
village with the scientists. After the seminar, active discussion was held among scientists and
feedback was received. The scientists gave valuable inputs to overcome most of the problems
faced by the villagers.
The dignitaries were happy with the FET group presentation and the PRA work. It was also
suggested that further “farmer based - need oriented” research programmes should be initiated
57
.Figure 28: FET seminar at KVK Papparapatty
8. INDUSTRIAL VISITS
Major crops grown in the Palavadi village were cotton followed by turmeric and
Sugarcane. Out of total crop cultivation area, sugarcane crop has been cultivated under 15 ha
with productivity of 65 tonnes/ha. As per farmer’s conception, the reason for higher productivity
of cane in the last five years was due to adoption of precision farming, specifically drip irrigation
method. Though there is a cooperative sugar mill i.e., The Dharmapuri District Cooperative
Sugar Mill Ltd., which is situated only 17 km away from the village, most of the farmers are
selling their canes to private owned small scale level jaggery production units. Only few farmers
are supplying their canes to co-operative sugar mill. To study and compare these two sectors and
also to find out the most profitable sector to farmers, we organized industrial visits to sugar mill
as well jaggery production unit.
8.1 Visit to The Dharmapuri District Co-operative Sugar Mill Limited, Palacode.
Key informants: Manufacturing chemist: Mr. Subramaniyam
Superintendent Officer: Mr. Thirupathi
We visited The Dharmapuri District Co-operative Sugar Mill Limited at Palacode on 2nd
December, 2010. This sugar mill covers 600 villages with 7000 growers and 18,000
58
shareholders. This sugar mill is functioning with 505 staff members including 9 cane officers.
The crushing capacity of this sugar mill is 2.2 lakh metric tonnes per annum. The main crushing
season is only 7 months from November to May and the remaining 5 months are off-season.
During these months maintenance, repairing and replacement of machines will be done. The
most cultivated sugarcane variety for this mill is COC 86032 with 10.72% sugar recovery.
In the beginning of the crop season, memorandum of understanding (MoU) will be signed
between sugarcane growers and sugar mill to supply their canes only to the sugar mill. If any
farmer break this contract at any circumstances, to rejoin in this contract, they are imposed a fine
of 1/3rd
of their total cane produced in that season. If farmers require financial support it is
arranged by sugar mill authorities. Apart from this, technical advises are also given to the
growers by sugar mill. Sugarcane grower’s will be paid within 15 days after procurement of their
cane by sugar mill. Hence, the buy back facility and hand holding support are followed in this
agreement.
Figure 29: Visit to Dharmapuri District Co-operative Sugar Mill Limited, Palacode
59
Method of Extraction of sugar from sugarcane:
Cane Raw Juice Automatic weighing machine Primary heating
Clear juice DARR Secondary heating
Evaporators Muddy juice Rotary vacuum filter Filter cake (Manure)
Pan station/Crystallization section
Centrifugal process
Crystal
Sugar
8.2 Visit to Jaggery Production (Crusher) Unit, Velampatty, Dharmapuri District:
Key Informants: Mr. Senthil, Mr. Ramesh and Mr. Muthaiah
Method of jaggery production:
Baggasse
Temp-70oC
5-8 sec
20 gm Cao+5.5 gm
So2 / ton
Temp-100oC
5-8 sec
muddy juice plus fine particles
of baggasse under vacuum
condition
24 segments
3 zones- nil, high and low
vacuum
4 compartments
3 ½ hrs
Settling of non-sugar components
Addition of MAGNOFLOC @750 gm/t as
flocculating agent
Mother Liquor
(Molasses)
65% Brix
Procurement of cane
Extraction of juice
by crusher Juice tank
Iron pan Drying pan Jaggery balls
made each of 1 kg
160-180 litre juice
100 gm Hydrose- colouring agent
a cup of caustic soda- clearing agent
half spoon of washing soda- clearing agent
2 hr boiling process
Baggasse Fuel
60
We visited the jaggery production unit on 27th
November, 2010. There are 150 sugarcane
crushers are available for jaggery preparation in this area. The crushing capacity of this unit is
around 6 – 8 tonnes per day. They procure the cane directly from the farmers @ Rs. 1900 / t
along with harvesting and transport cost. Jaggery balls prepared in this unit are mainly marketed
to different places like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kerala and Chennai.
Figure 30: Visit to Jaggery making unit, Vellampatti
61
Comparison of Sugar Mill and Jaggery Production Unit:-
Sr.
No.
Sugar Mill Jaggery Production Unit
1 Standard remunerative price as State
government price
Fluctuating price
2 Arrangement for finance and technical advices
are available to the growers
No such provisions to growers
3 Even the market price is decreased farmers will
get assured stable price (regularity of income)
Farmers will get less price if the
market price is decreased (irregularity
of income)
4 Quality of the sugarcane to produce good end
product is maintained (10-12% Brix)
Quality of the sugarcane to produce
good end product is not maintained
5 Harvesting stage are decided by sugar mill at
crop stage of 11 to12 months cane to ensure
more recovery and more income
To grow more crops in a season, cane
are harvested even at 7 to 8 months old
stage irrespective of maturity and more
sugar recovery
6 Seasonality of cultivation No seasonality in sugarcane cultivation
7 Harvesting and transportation cost has to be
spend by growers
Harvesting and transportation costs are
provided
8 Recovery of sugar per tonne of cane is 100 kg Recovery of sugar per tonne of cane is
70-75 kg
CONCLUSION
Though supplying cane to jaggery production unit has some short term advantages for
growers in terms of taking three crops in two seasons, but seasonality and fluctuating price of
jaggery in the market is the main deciding factors of profitability. However, the growers supply
cane to sugar mill even though the market prices are decreased, they will get the stable price as
fixed by sugar mill, there by benefits are assured. In other hand, there is no guarantee of stable
income to the growers who supply canes to jaggery crusher unit. Therefore it is highly profitable
for farmers to supply cane to sugar mill rather to jaggery unit. There is an urgent need to
integrate sugar mills at higher level to avoid competition in terms of more cane procurement
between various sugar mills. Moreover, contract of sugar mill should not be broke by growers
even they will get more attractive market price for their produce. This type of commitment may
ensure more benefits to the farmers by getting more value for their produce.
62
8.3 Visit to Ponni Agro-industries, Sappanipatti, Krishnagiri district:
Key Informants: Managing Director: Mr. Moorthi, Manager: Mr. Mathialagan
Ponni Agro industry was established in the year 2004 at Sappanipatti village, Krishnagiri
district. It is a agro-based mango pulp processing industry started with 50% subsidy from
government. Processing capacity of this unit is 150 tonnes / day. The processing period is for
only 3 months i.e. May, June and July. The major mango varieties used for processing are
Totapuri (70-80 %), Alpohoso, Raspuri and Neelum. On an average, 50 kg of mango pulp can be
extracted from one tonne of fruits (50% recovery). Buy back facility and hand holding support
from this private industry to the farmers are very shallow. This industry purchase mango fruits
directly from the farmers and extract the natural pulp without adding any preservative. The
quantity of the pulp will be extracted and sealed in galvanized tins is based on the requirement
placed by different companies under the contract.
Method of Extraction of Pulp from Mango Fruits:
Procurement of fruits Storing in godown
for ripening Fruit washing machine
Tip cutter Destoner Pulper
Preheater (boilers)
- 5 sec
- temp- 65- 75o
C
Decanner
Kettle (500) kg
Boil for 10 min at 90oC
Vacuum sealing machine
(5 kg, 3.1 kg and 850 gm)
Seeds Nursery
63
Figure 31: Visit to Ponni agro industries, Sappanipatti,
Value – Supply chain:
BUYERS/
Export
Capricorn,
Chennai
Parle, Bangalore
Pepsi, Bangalore
Exotic fruits,
Bangalore
Ofel, Bangalore
Safal agro,
Hyderabad
Dabur, U.P
SUPPLIERS
(Mango growers)
PROCESSORS
(Pulp Industry)
64
Economics:
Procurement price of different mango varieties:
Totapuri = Rs. 14,000/t
Alphonso = Rs. 20,000/t
Neelum = Rs. 9000-10,000/t
Raspuri = Rs. 7500/t
Product price:
Totapuri = Rs. 150/3 kg can
Alphonso = Rs. 300/ 3 kg can
Neelum = Rs. 100/3 kg can
Raspuri = Rs. 100/ 3 kg can
8.4 Visit to Tomato market, Rayakottai.
The adjoining areas of Rayakottai village are major grower of tomatoes. Because of good
road connectivity to near by urban areas like Bangaluru tomato market was established by a
group of people in Rayakottai. Five mandis are currently operational.We visited the tomato
market at rayakottai on 4th
December, 2010 and collected information on functioning of market.
The tomatoes are transported in crates (25 kg load) by farmers from adjoining areas like
Dharmapuri, Tanjavur, Krishnagiri, Bengaluru in morning (7:00 to 10: 00 am) hours. Merchants
bid their prices based on prevailing market rates in open auction. The highest bidder gets the
tomato lot which he then transports to other markets after grading tomatoes. Farmer has to pay
10% commision of his sale to tomato market authority. Farmer also pays one rupee per crate in
off season and two rupees per crate in peak season as rental charges to Market authorities.
Farmers gets an average market price of Rs. 350 per crate, however the market price fluctuates
from one rupee per crate to Rs. 450 per crate depending on demand and supply and other factors.
Major loss is incurred due to poor handling and manual grading of tomatoes. The tomatoes are
graded based on size into three grades. First grade tomatoes are big in size with uniform shape,
colour and fetch market price between 400-450 Rs. per crate. The second grade tomatoes are
sold for 200-250 Rs. Per crate and the third grade at less than 190 Rs. per crate. Himsona, US
618 and laxmi tomato varieties are mostly grown by farmers. The time required for tomatoes to
reach end customers from farmers field is about three days in off season and one day in peak
season.
65
8.5 Visit to Cold storage, Rayakottai.
We also visited Balaji cold storage in Rayakottai. The cold storage was recently started in
August 2010 and has a storage capacity of 400 truck load (4000 tonnes approximately). Major
agricultural produce stored was tamrind (95%) followed by potato and corriander (5%). Storage
charge for tamrind without outer shell cover and with outer shell is Rs. 900/tonne and Rs.
1300/tonne, repectively for a period of 10 months; whereas for corriander it is Rs. 1400/ tonne
and for potato Rs. 1000/tonne. The cold storage is about 60 feet long, 40 feet wide and 70 feet (4
floors) in height. Storage tempratures of about 5 o
C to 9oC is maintained throughout storage
period by vertically air circulation from top to bottom. With government subsidy of 30%, the
cold storage was constucted at cost of Rs. 5 Crores by Frik India Ltd., Bangaluru. The cold
storage structure was approved from fire and safety department. As informed by the owner, the
cold storage was getting good response from clients and was a profitable buisness venture.
Figure 32: Visit to Rayakottai
66
8.6 Visit to seedling nursey, Rayakottai
Few seedling nurseries have come up in Rayakottai due to established tomato market in
same area. Most of the farmers from near by Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri district take one month
old seedlings of tomato hybrids from these nursey growers at price of 20-25 paise per seedling.
Each nursey growers supply on an average about 20,000 to 25,000 seedlings per day in peak
season during January to March. The production cost is about 10-12 paise per seedling. Plastic
protrays having 98 cells (30 ml each) is first filled manually with coirpith compost mixed with
fungicide (wettable sulphur) and fertilzer (19 N: 19 P: 19 K). Single seed is manually placed
after indenting each cell (1cm deep) which is later on covered with coirpith compost. These trays
are watered and then one month old seedlings are sold on order basis. Only women laborers were
employed in nursey on daily wage basis for 100 Rs./day (6 hours). Major problems faced by
nursey growers are labour shortage and incidence of disease like wilt, leaf minor and root not
nematode. Nursery growers also grow seedlings of other vegetable and flower crops like brinjal,
marigold on pre-order basis.
8.7 Visit to Polyhouse, Kelamangalam
We visited polyhouse in Kelamangalam on 4th
Dec, 2010. The polyhouse is owned by
farmer “Krishnan” and is cultivating comerically Marigold (Maximum yellow variety- East West
Company) and tomato for seed production for Namdhari seeds. Construction cost of 650 Rs. per
sq. m was incurred with 50 per cent subsidy from Tamil Nadu state government. Total of 6.5
lakh rupees has been invested for total floor area of 100 sq. m. The marigold is harvested every
two days and marketed to Bengaluru. The farmer had also ventured into small scale poultry for
additional income generation through poultry manure and chicken.
9. Rural Marketing
Beginning of 1960’s marked a significant turn around in the history of Indian economy. Indian
agriculture underwent a structural change after the introduction of Green revolution in 1966.
Production and productivity of major food grain crops started picking up primarily in the areas
where the Green revolution was introduced first. It had also spillover effect in the growth and
development of input industries and permeated latter to other areas as well. This had resulted in
both forward and backward linkages in Indian rural economy, which was seen through raising
level of per capita income of farmers and rural areas becoming major consumption centre for
67
large quantities of industrial and urban manufactured products. Thus, a special marketing
strategy emerged known as rural marketing.
Rural marketing involves delivering of manufactured or processed inputs or services to
rural producers or consumers. Indian rural market is large and scattered throughout length and
breadth of the country. It consists of over 63 crore consumers living across a total of 6, 27,000
villages accounting for 70 per cent of population and 60 per cent of national market demand.
Thus it acts as a major driving force of rural economy. According to NCAER study, there are as
many middle incomes and above households in the rural areas as there are in the urban areas.
There are almost twice as many lower middle income households in rural areas as in the urban
areas. Thus, rural market has tremendous but untapped market potential owing to its ever
growing demands by the presence of large proportion of mass consumption class. It poses a great
challenge to the market players to be successful in the rural market business. They need to
evolve a calibrated market strategy.
Figure 33: Rural marketing in Palavadi village
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In this context, along with PRA techniques, rural marketing is included in the FET
training to understand the existence of various rural markets, challenges and opportunities to the
marketers at village level. Understanding the dynamics of the rural markets and inter linkages
between the rural consumers and producer in the more globalized economy is thus become
essential in FET.
The rural markets in the village comprises of:
1. Idly Grinding machines
2. Telephone coin box
3. Flower market.
4. Milk collection centers
5. Utensils seller.
6. Processed food products like pickles and biscuits
7. Small food stalls.
8. Pan stall.
9. Tea and cold drink stall.
10. Small retail shops selling necessary household items
11. Vegetable.
These marketing activities were observed in the village owing to less purchasing power
of larger section of farmer who are small and marginal. However, there appears a great potential
and opportunities for rural markets in this village especially in the areas of agriculture inputs
such as seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, medicines and retail markets.
10. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
Various Information and communication technologies (ICT) existing in the Palavadi
village were Newspaper, Radio, Television, DTH (Mostly Sun Direct and Airtel), Landline, Coin
booth and mobiles (Airtel, Vodafone, Aircel, BSNL). Among these, the most commonly used IC
technologies were television and mobiles, which were introduced in 1985 and 2000, respectively.
Different daily newspapers like “Dinathanthi, Dinamalar, kaalaikathir are available in the village
library and most of the people including school childrens are reading news paper. The villagers
ocassionally listen radio, but regularly watch T.V. mainly for entertainment purpose (90%) and
few of them for agricultural talk show “Vayalum Vazhvum”, which is broadcasted in DD
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channel from 6:30 p.m to 7:00 p.m daily. This programme helps them to know about agricultural
related technologies developed by various agricultural universities. Some of the progressive
farmers have registered their mobile number in TNAU–DEE (Tamil Nadu Agricultural
University-Directorate of Extension Education) through which they get daily market prices in
mobile phones for two different agricultural produce from two different market locations
(Turmeric and Cotton from Erode and Coimbatore market). Thus, farmers are advanced in using
Information and Communication technologies in agricultural marketing. Farmers decide the
crops to be sown in the next season; based on the demand of the particular produce in the market.
These decisions are finalized after discussion with KVK, Papparapatty, Agricultural Officer
through Mobile and Telephones, information available on the news paper and .neighbouring
farmers. There is no computer facility available in this village. In future installation of common
computer centre with internet connection will help farmers to access to website like TNAU Agri
Portal where market prices of the various agricultural produce are given.
11. CONCLUSIONS
Since Palavadi village receives less rainfall and faces severe water scarcity, villagers
practice mixed farming to ensure their livelihood. Nearly 80 per cent of the villagers are involved
in agriculture and 20 per cent have migrated as labourers. All farmers have a diverse cropping
pattern that include cotton, turmeric, sugarcane, fodder sorghum, paddy, flowers (tuberose,
jasmine, crossandra) and vegetables (tomato, beans, bhendi). One unique thing with palavadi
village is their market intelligence. The crops taken during a given year are decided on basis of
market price of commodities. Villagers decide crops to be taken and the harvesting period based
on the daily market rates of vegetables and other commodities received by SMS from Tamil
Nadu Agricultural University. Along with crop husbandary, most of the villagers have improved
breeds of livestock (HF, Jersey), backyard poultry and goats as additional source of income. The
village has well established milk and flower collection centres which enable daily collection of
their produce and its marketing. However they still sometimes donot get the desired price for
their produce and is their major concern. The village is divided into upland and lowland area on
basis of ground water availability. Upland area depends on rainfed agriculture whereas farmers
in lowland area have adopted drip and sprinkler irrigation. Due to fluctuating water tables
villagers use submersible pumps for irrigating their fields. Fertigation system has been adopted
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recently by the farmers which has increased the productivity of all the crops cultivated (Flowers,
turmeric, sugarcane, vegetables). Bt cotton has completely replaced indegenious cotton varieties.
Villagers grow improved varieties like Mallika (cotton), Red Ruby (tomato), ADT39, IR20
(rice), CoC 86032 (sugarcane), and also local varieties of turmeric and tuberose. Few farmers
have started hybrid tuberose cultivation however is highly suseptible to sclerotium rot. Farmers
of Palavadi village have keen interest in practicing precision agricuture and adopting new farm
technologies. They also want minimum use of chemicals in crop cultivation. All farmers practice
intercropping, and use trap crops and border crops to manage the insect infestation. Most of the
farm activities are not mechanized in the village and farmers have been facing labour scarcity
from past few years. Palavadi villagers have lagged behind in adopting latest technologies with
respect to farm implements.
Palavadi villagers are adaptive to new technologies; however need timely updated
information on all problems. A better mechanism of information dessimination can certaily
further incerease incomes of the villagers. This FET and PRA exercise has made us more aware
of the ground reality and has given us a better understanding of how to approach farmers and
empower them to face the days ahead.