India can produce more rice through 'SRI': Experts

India can produce more rice through 'SRI': Experts

Rice is the staple food for majority of the population in India. It contributes 65% of the total food grain production of the country.

With the food crisis and inflation wreaking havoc to the most under-served communities in India, researchers are looking for methods of increasing the rice production. Also the growing population and changing food habits are further making it critical to up the rice yield.

System of rice intensification (SRI) technology has immense potential of increasing the rice yield. This method of rice cultivation has become popular in many Indian states. However, still there are several states lacking with even the basic awareness of SRI technique. Needless to say there is a long way to go still to aware and effectively engage farmers in upping the rice cultivation using the SRI technique. The SRI is a new and evolving alternative to conventional methods of rice cultivation; originated in Madagascar.

There is a notion that higher yields in rice come with high investments on seed, irrigation, high doses of fertilizers and pesticides. Contrary to this popular view, SRI method of cultivation produces higher yields with less seed and less water. SRI emphasizes on the need to shift from chemical fertilizers to organic manures.

"Formal experimentation on SRI in India started in 2002-03. So far the method has been adapted and is being scaled up rapidly in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Gujarat. This method of cultivation of rice has already helped millions of farmers to at least double their yields", Said Banku Bihari Sarkar, Programme Coordinator, Grameen Development Services (GDS). GDS is also making special tools to be used in farming with SRI technique.

SRI is not a new variety or a hybrid. It is only a new method of cultivation. SRI is showing promising results in all rice varieties - local or improved. SRI method is emerging as a potential alternative to traditional way of flooded rice cultivation and is showing great promise to address the problems of water scarcity.

In the state of Uttar Pradesh, the Kharif crop is cultivated in 90 lakh hectares of land of which 59 lakh hectares is under paddy cultivation. Hence rice is a major crop here. If the SRI method is adapted by farmers for paddy cultivation in UP, not only this will potentially cut water requirement for paddy cultivation by 50% but also boost the rice production by 50%.

"With such far-reaching benefits of SRI, why are we not actively pushing SRI in UP" questioned Mr JL Dwivedi, a senior agriculture scientist of Narendra Dev Agriculture University.

SRI had earlier emerged as a set of six practices:

1) Transplanting young seedlings: Transplanting of very young seedlings between 8 to 12 days old to preserve potential for tailoring and rooting.

2) Planting single seedling: Planting seedlings singly very carefully and gently rather than in clumps of many seedlings.

3) Transplanting at wider spacing: Spacing them widely, at least 25 x 25 cm between plant to plant and as well as row to row; resulting in the spread of roots and acquiring more nutrients from the soil. This enables them to produce more tillers and more grains.

4) Using hand weeder to aerate the soil: Using a simple mechanical hand weeder (Cono weeder) to aerate the soil as well as to control weeds; this helps in vigorous root growth.

5) Keeping soil moist: Keeping the soil moist but not continuously flooded, drain out the surplus water; there is no need to maintain standing water.

6) Use organic manures: Use organic manure or compost to improve soil quality and fertility Organic manures improve soil aeration and also microbial activity.

Particularly in these times of rising food crisis, inflation and water scarcity, it is of utmost significance to use such eco-friendly and effective techniques like SRI to up the rice production. Let us hope the authorities are listening!

Amit Dwivedi

Published in

Central Chronicle, Madhya Pradesh/ Chattisgarh, India

Assam Times, Assam, India

Media for Freedom, Nepal

News Blaze, USA

The Seoul Times, Seoul, South Korea

India can produce more rice through 'SRI': Experts

India can produce more rice through 'SRI': Experts

Rice is the staple food for majority of the population in India. It contributes 65% of the total food grain production of the country.

With the food crisis and inflation wreaking havoc to the most under-served communities in India, researchers are looking for methods of increasing the rice production. Also the growing population and changing food habits are further making it critical to up the rice yield.

System of rice intensification (SRI) technology has immense potential of increasing the rice yield. This method of rice cultivation has become popular in many Indian states. However, still there are several states lacking with even the basic awareness of SRI technique. Needless to say there is a long way to go still to aware and effectively engage farmers in upping the rice cultivation using the SRI technique. The SRI is a new and evolving alternative to conventional methods of rice cultivation; originated in Madagascar.

There is a notion that higher yields in rice come with high investments on seed, irrigation, high doses of fertilizers and pesticides. Contrary to this popular view, SRI method of cultivation produces higher yields with less seed and less water. SRI emphasizes on the need to shift from chemical fertilizers to organic manures.

"Formal experimentation on SRI in India started in 2002-03. So far the method has been adapted and is being scaled up rapidly in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Gujarat. This method of cultivation of rice has already helped millions of farmers to at least double their yields", Said Banku Bihari Sarkar, Programme Coordinator, Grameen Development Services (GDS). GDS is also making special tools to be used in farming with SRI technique.

SRI is not a new variety or a hybrid. It is only a new method of cultivation. SRI is showing promising results in all rice varieties - local or improved. SRI method is emerging as a potential alternative to traditional way of flooded rice cultivation and is showing great promise to address the problems of water scarcity.

In the state of Uttar Pradesh, the Kharif crop is cultivated in 90 lakh hectares of land of which 59 lakh hectares is under paddy cultivation. Hence rice is a major crop here. If the SRI method is adapted by farmers for paddy cultivation in UP, not only this will potentially cut water requirement for paddy cultivation by 50% but also boost the rice production by 50%.

"With such far-reaching benefits of SRI, why are we not actively pushing SRI in UP" questioned Mr JL Dwivedi, a senior agriculture scientist of Narendra Dev Agriculture University.

SRI had earlier emerged as a set of six practices:

1) Transplanting young seedlings: Transplanting of very young seedlings between 8 to 12 days old to preserve potential for tailoring and rooting.

2) Planting single seedling: Planting seedlings singly very carefully and gently rather than in clumps of many seedlings.

3) Transplanting at wider spacing: Spacing them widely, at least 25 x 25 cm between plant to plant and as well as row to row; resulting in the spread of roots and acquiring more nutrients from the soil. This enables them to produce more tillers and more grains.

4) Using hand weeder to aerate the soil: Using a simple mechanical hand weeder (Cono weeder) to aerate the soil as well as to control weeds; this helps in vigorous root growth.

5) Keeping soil moist: Keeping the soil moist but not continuously flooded, drain out the surplus water; there is no need to maintain standing water.

6) Use organic manures: Use organic manure or compost to improve soil quality and fertility Organic manures improve soil aeration and also microbial activity.

Particularly in these times of rising food crisis, inflation and water scarcity, it is of utmost significance to use such eco-friendly and effective techniques like SRI to up the rice production. Let us hope the authorities are listening!

Amit Dwivedi

Published in

Central Chronicle, Madhya Pradesh/ Chattisgarh, India

Assam Times, Assam, India

Media for Freedom, Nepal

News Blaze, USA

The Seoul Times, Seoul, South Korea

'Save Ganga' Fast-unto-death of Prof Agarwal enters 9th day

'Save Ganga' Fast-unto-death of Prof Agarwal enters 9th day

Retired IIT Kanpur Professor (retired) Dr GD Agarwal, 76 years, is sitting on a fast-unto-death since 13 June 2008 to save the Ganga from the aggressive onslaught of strings of dams and hydel projects in Uttarakhand. Today the fast entered 9th day.

"The contentious issue is 600 MW (4X150) Loharinag - Pala dam being built by National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), a central government undertaking, the country's largest power generation company. Ganga will be put into 26 and 17 km long tunnels leading to its disappearance from its natural course through the stretch. The construction is going on in full steam. The resultant destruction of the fragile and unique ecosystem will have far reaching consequences. Not only this, all this is done in earthquake zone 5 and terrain full of sedimentary rocks. No imagination is required to realize what one earthquake would to the entire region. Siltation is another problem. Ganga and all other Himalayan rivers carry lots of silt along which will now settle in the reservoirs created by the dams reducing the electricity generation capacity. Repeated closing of Nathpa-Jhakri Dam on Satluj in Himachal Pradesh 4 years after its commission is a fine example" explained Environmental scientist Neeraj Doshi, who has moved back from USA recently to strengthen people's movements.

Few days back, yoga guru Ramdev has launched 'Ganga Raksha Manch' while expressing his support to Professor Agarwal's tirade to save the Ganga.

The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, BC Khanduri, had said on 17 June 2008, that he was ready to stop the construction of hydel projects on the Bhagirathi river if the power needs of the state were fulfilled by the Centre.

The Uttarakhand state government had earlier planned a series of hydel projects between Uttar kashi and Gangotri. Khanduri, however, made it clear that the decision on stopping the construction of the 600-MW Lohari Nagpala project would be taken by the Centre since it was being constructed by NTPC. Other major dams being built on the river include Pala Maneri (480 MW), Bhairon Ghati (381 MW) and Jad Ganga (200 MW).

"In the name of 'development' and 'economic growth' in India, rural and urban poor have been the worst hit, facing displacement and dispossession at an unprecedented scale" said Dr Sandeep Pandey, Ramon Magsaysay Awardee (2002) and convener of National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM).

"Not only the state has overlooked the environmental cost of such hydel projects, but also the issues of livelihood and quality of life of those living in areas adjoining the Ganga and those who will be displaced by these projects has been appallingly ignored by the state" added Dr Pandey while strongly endorsing the fast of Dr Agarwal.

The privatization of water, use of agriculture lands as special economic zone for rapid industrialization, heavy displacement of poor people with 'development projects' which put them at grave risk of life-threatening conditions, are certainly not going to help India in its development goals.

With the fast-unto-death entering 9th day today, 76 years old Dr GD Agarwal's commitment to save the Ganga, the environment and the rights of the most under-represented people in the development discourses, should move the mountainous governments to listen to the people, for a change.

Published in

Media for Freedom, Nepal

Pennsylvania Chronicle, Pennsylvania, USA

Asian Tribune, Thailand/ Sri Lanka

News Blaze, USA

California Chronicle, California, USA

American Chronicle, USA

'Save Ganga' Fast-unto-death of Prof Agarwal enters 9th day

'Save Ganga' Fast-unto-death of Prof Agarwal enters 9th day

Retired IIT Kanpur Professor (retired) Dr GD Agarwal, 76 years, is sitting on a fast-unto-death since 13 June 2008 to save the Ganga from the aggressive onslaught of strings of dams and hydel projects in Uttarakhand. Today the fast entered 9th day.

"The contentious issue is 600 MW (4X150) Loharinag - Pala dam being built by National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), a central government undertaking, the country's largest power generation company. Ganga will be put into 26 and 17 km long tunnels leading to its disappearance from its natural course through the stretch. The construction is going on in full steam. The resultant destruction of the fragile and unique ecosystem will have far reaching consequences. Not only this, all this is done in earthquake zone 5 and terrain full of sedimentary rocks. No imagination is required to realize what one earthquake would to the entire region. Siltation is another problem. Ganga and all other Himalayan rivers carry lots of silt along which will now settle in the reservoirs created by the dams reducing the electricity generation capacity. Repeated closing of Nathpa-Jhakri Dam on Satluj in Himachal Pradesh 4 years after its commission is a fine example" explained Environmental scientist Neeraj Doshi, who has moved back from USA recently to strengthen people's movements.

Few days back, yoga guru Ramdev has launched 'Ganga Raksha Manch' while expressing his support to Professor Agarwal's tirade to save the Ganga.

The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, BC Khanduri, had said on 17 June 2008, that he was ready to stop the construction of hydel projects on the Bhagirathi river if the power needs of the state were fulfilled by the Centre.

The Uttarakhand state government had earlier planned a series of hydel projects between Uttar kashi and Gangotri. Khanduri, however, made it clear that the decision on stopping the construction of the 600-MW Lohari Nagpala project would be taken by the Centre since it was being constructed by NTPC. Other major dams being built on the river include Pala Maneri (480 MW), Bhairon Ghati (381 MW) and Jad Ganga (200 MW).

"In the name of 'development' and 'economic growth' in India, rural and urban poor have been the worst hit, facing displacement and dispossession at an unprecedented scale" said Dr Sandeep Pandey, Ramon Magsaysay Awardee (2002) and convener of National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM).

"Not only the state has overlooked the environmental cost of such hydel projects, but also the issues of livelihood and quality of life of those living in areas adjoining the Ganga and those who will be displaced by these projects has been appallingly ignored by the state" added Dr Pandey while strongly endorsing the fast of Dr Agarwal.

The privatization of water, use of agriculture lands as special economic zone for rapid industrialization, heavy displacement of poor people with 'development projects' which put them at grave risk of life-threatening conditions, are certainly not going to help India in its development goals.

With the fast-unto-death entering 9th day today, 76 years old Dr GD Agarwal's commitment to save the Ganga, the environment and the rights of the most under-represented people in the development discourses, should move the mountainous governments to listen to the people, for a change.

Published in

Media for Freedom, Nepal

Pennsylvania Chronicle, Pennsylvania, USA

Asian Tribune, Thailand/ Sri Lanka

News Blaze, USA

California Chronicle, California, USA

American Chronicle, USA

MEDIA NEST - Kulsum Talha

Media nest
[To read this posting in Hindi language , click here ]

Members of MediaNest cordially invite you on the proud occasion of the Announcement Ceremony of Media Medical Corpus - a MediaNest Initiative and also to share the joy of achievements of three of our fellow journalists.

His Excellency the Governor of Jharkhand Syed Sibtey Razi has kindly consented to grace the occasion.

Mr. Shiva Kumar, Chief General Manager - State Bank of India, will be the Guest-of-Honour.

Day: Saturday, 21 June 2008
Time: 1630 Hours

:: Venue ::
UP Press Club
China Bazaar Gate, Lucknow

background

Media Nest, a forum of concerned journalists was set up on 23rd October 2007 in Lucknow. The need for setting up a body for Media persons and their welfare had been felt since long. MN is an organization, comprising positive thinking media persons who could give a voice to issues and concerns affecting the rights of media and the society it represents, strive for creating a greater interaction between the media fraternity, raising issues that concern both journalists and the society they represent

MN will also provide a voice and platform to those among us who risk our lives to bring out truth. Welfare and safety of media persons are the two core areas where MN would like to work Cutting across borders MN will have members not only from every part of India but also from across the globe. The idea is to create a forum where hands-holding comes to us naturally in times of crisis and where greater interaction is possible between the families of media persons. While MN will stand up against any atrocities committed on any journalist anywhere in the world it will also try to provide an opportunity for enhancing the professional skills of media persons by organizing workshops, mid career trainings.

Working under so many pressures, odds, always championing the cause of other sections in society it has often been seen that that the issues affecting journalists are pushed under the carpet. Media Nest hopes to address all such issues..

MN will step in where others fall back. While addressing the concerns and rights of the media it will also ensure the voice of the common man is not stifled. Media Nest will take up issues concerning society with the same gusto and spirit as that of the media fraternity,” said Sharat Pradhan, president Media Nest.

In time to come will organize workshops, seminars, career trainings. Reflecting the true spirit of journalism- Media Nest will lead “journalists for making difference.”

The first activity of MN was workshop on contempt and media. Patrakarita ki Lakshmanrekha was discussed threadbare on 4th Nov, 2007 at UP Press Club. Present were journalists of Mid Day, Delhi Vitusha Oberai, editor Miday, and city Editor Mid Day, facing contempt.

Chief guest Justice Kameshwar nath, Supreme Court lawyers Prashant Bhushan, Mr. CB Pandey additional advocate general, Uttranchal, Magsaysay award winner and social activist Sandeep Pandey, Chief Secretary P K Mishra and commissioner Pandey also spoke. The session was chaired by Hindustan editor Naveen Joshi.

For more information, please contact:

Kulsum Talha
Email: neelofarmustafa@yahoo.co.in

MEDIA NEST - Kulsum Talha

Media nest
[To read this posting in Hindi language , click here ]

Members of MediaNest cordially invite you on the proud occasion of the Announcement Ceremony of Media Medical Corpus - a MediaNest Initiative and also to share the joy of achievements of three of our fellow journalists.

His Excellency the Governor of Jharkhand Syed Sibtey Razi has kindly consented to grace the occasion.

Mr. Shiva Kumar, Chief General Manager - State Bank of India, will be the Guest-of-Honour.

Day: Saturday, 21 June 2008
Time: 1630 Hours

:: Venue ::
UP Press Club
China Bazaar Gate, Lucknow

background

Media Nest, a forum of concerned journalists was set up on 23rd October 2007 in Lucknow. The need for setting up a body for Media persons and their welfare had been felt since long. MN is an organization, comprising positive thinking media persons who could give a voice to issues and concerns affecting the rights of media and the society it represents, strive for creating a greater interaction between the media fraternity, raising issues that concern both journalists and the society they represent

MN will also provide a voice and platform to those among us who risk our lives to bring out truth. Welfare and safety of media persons are the two core areas where MN would like to work Cutting across borders MN will have members not only from every part of India but also from across the globe. The idea is to create a forum where hands-holding comes to us naturally in times of crisis and where greater interaction is possible between the families of media persons. While MN will stand up against any atrocities committed on any journalist anywhere in the world it will also try to provide an opportunity for enhancing the professional skills of media persons by organizing workshops, mid career trainings.

Working under so many pressures, odds, always championing the cause of other sections in society it has often been seen that that the issues affecting journalists are pushed under the carpet. Media Nest hopes to address all such issues..

MN will step in where others fall back. While addressing the concerns and rights of the media it will also ensure the voice of the common man is not stifled. Media Nest will take up issues concerning society with the same gusto and spirit as that of the media fraternity,” said Sharat Pradhan, president Media Nest.

In time to come will organize workshops, seminars, career trainings. Reflecting the true spirit of journalism- Media Nest will lead “journalists for making difference.”

The first activity of MN was workshop on contempt and media. Patrakarita ki Lakshmanrekha was discussed threadbare on 4th Nov, 2007 at UP Press Club. Present were journalists of Mid Day, Delhi Vitusha Oberai, editor Miday, and city Editor Mid Day, facing contempt.

Chief guest Justice Kameshwar nath, Supreme Court lawyers Prashant Bhushan, Mr. CB Pandey additional advocate general, Uttranchal, Magsaysay award winner and social activist Sandeep Pandey, Chief Secretary P K Mishra and commissioner Pandey also spoke. The session was chaired by Hindustan editor Naveen Joshi.

For more information, please contact:

Kulsum Talha
Email: neelofarmustafa@yahoo.co.in

Dr Binayak Sen as I know him

Dr Binayak Sen as I know him

Dr Sandeep Pandey

I first met Binayak, wife Ilina and their two daughters Aparajita and Pranhita at the conclusion of Pokaran to Sarnath 'Global Peace March' on 6th August, 1999 at the Central Tibetan Institute of Higher Learning in Sarnath, near Varanasi .

Sarnath is the place where Gautam Buddha delivered sermon to his first five disciples after attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. The peace march was symbolically between the place of destruction - Pokaran, to the place of peace - Sarnath. It began exactly a year after on the day when India tested the nuclear weapons in 1998 and concluded on the Hiroshima Day. The objective of the peace march was total global nuclear disarmament. Ilina had also brought with her drawings made by some children on the theme of nuclear disarmament. While the march was in progress for 88 days and 1500 kms, the Sen family was busy organizing activities in Raipur and their work area in its support.

We also later got a chance to work together for the Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace (CNDP), a national level platform of organizations and individuals committed towards nuclear disarmament.

Dr. Binayak Sen is currently in Raipur jail. He has been targeted under the draconian Chattisgarh Special Public Security Act, 2005, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 2004, to silence the voices of humanity and justice. He is charged with sedition and conspiracy to wage war against the state, among other things. His trail has begun after a year in jail and his bail has been refused even by the Supreme Court. The six prosecution witnesses, out of a total of 89, who have been presented in court so far have failed to stand the cross examination.

There doesn't seem to be an iota of evidence against him. Yet, he is being illegally detained so that nobody dare question the experiment of Salwa Judum in Chattisgarh which legitimizes extra-constitutional violence and pits adivasis against adivasis.

Binayak, who is the Chattisgarh General Secretary of nationally the most well known human rights organization, People's Union for Civil Liberties, which was founded by none other than Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan, exposed the killing of three teachers and one student, all innocent, in Gopapalli, Dist. Dantewada on 4th November, 2004, which was being projected as an encounter by the police. In November 2005 Binayak organized an all India team of human rights activists to visit Dantewada and study the systematic decimation, rape, loot, arson of ordinary adivasis and their properties by the police and Special Police Officers in the name of Salwa Judum. Binayak also objected to the brutal oppression by police of adivasis who were opposing the take over of their lands in Bastar for setting up a Tata-Essar industry. How could the Chattisgarh government tolerate Binayak who was out to expose what they claim as their successful experiment of countering the Naxalites through a 'self motivated people's movement,' the Salwa Judum?

Dr. Binayak Sen after completing his M.B.B.S. finished his M.D. in Paediatrics from Christian Medical College , Vellore . That he had a social concern from quite early in his life is obvious from the fact that he chose to do his Masters' thesis on malnutrition. He was a faculty member at the Centre for Social Medicine and Community Health at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi from 1976 to' 78. He left his job to join a community based rural health centre in Hoshangabad, M.P. From 1983 to '87 he helped famous trade union leader late Shankar Guha Niyogi build the Shaheed Hospital in Dalli Rajhara for mine labourers. This 100 bed hospital, managed by the labourers' organization, still provides good quality treatment to hundreds of labourers at affordable cost. This was a unique experiment where the community which required medical care for itself made its own hospital. There are some competent and dedicated doctors who provide their services here. Binayak was one of them. Dr. Binayak Sen was also making his services available at Ganiyari, Bilaspur, Dhamtari District and Urla-Birgaon.

Interestingly, the government took his help in designing the community based health worker programme across Chhattisgarh, now known as 'Mitanin.' Realizing that health care work was closely associated with human rights issues he got involved with the PUCL and is currently its national Vice President too.

He has been continuously raising issues covering the spectrum from fake encounters and custodial deaths to hunger deaths, malnutrition and dysentery epidemics. Dr. Binayak Sen was awarded the Paul Harrison distinguished alumnus award in 2004 by CMC, Vellore. He was cited as a role model for students and faculty members of the Medical College. After incarceration he was awarded the R.R. Keithan Gold Medal in recognition of his service to the community at the Indian Social Science Congress on 31 December 2007 by B.L. Mungekar, Member, Planning Commission and Chairperson, Indian Academy of Social Sciences. Most recently, the Global Health Council has awarded him the prestigious Jonathan Mann award for global health and human rights. Dr. Sen is the first South Asian to receive this prestigious US award.

Subsequently, 22 Noble prize winners have requested the Government of India to release Dr. Binayak Sen. Rarely, has a prisoner been honoured, nationally and internationally, so much. It speaks about the man and also the fact that the government has committed a blunder. The soon the government realizes this the better it'll be for it. Binayak's and his family's commitment to peace is redoubtable. They are a family of very sensitive individuals with deep respect for human life.

When a group of us met Binayak in Raipur Jail in January 2008, I was surprised that even after spending over eight months in jail Binayak was more worried for the cause of civil liberties than anything else. He was saying that by targeting him and creating an atmosphere of terror the authorities are doing irreparable damage to the struggle for justice and human rights. The indomitable spirit that Binayak and his family have displayed during this gruelling phase is a source of inspiration for all the people in the world who are fighting to make this world more humane.


Dr Sandeep Pandey

(Author is a Ramon Magsaysay Awardee (2002) for emergent leadership, and heads National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM). He can be contacted at: ashaashram@yahoo.com)



Published in:

The Statesman, India

Central Chronicle, Madhya Pradesh/ Chhattisgarh, India

Assam Times, Assam, India

Media for Freedom, Nepal

The Seoul Times, Seoul, South Korea

Binayak Sen.Net

Chhattisgarh.Net