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- Problem /need addressed by technology developed:
Seeds play a very crucial role in agriculture. In fact the success of any agricultural activity is largely dependent on the quality of seeds used. Often times in recent years there have been complaints of poor quality seeds entering the market and wrecking havoc on the lives of unsuspecting farmers. A community managed seed production and marketing initiative could be one of the ways of ensuring that farmers have timely access to quality seeds. A community managed seed production and marketing initiative could be one of the ways of ensuring that farmers have timely access to quality seeds.
- Description / specification of technology developed:
CIKS has promoted a farmer federation, “Sirkazhi Organic Farmers Federation (SOFA)” in 2006. This federation has 220 members involved in organic farming. These farmers have certified organic lands (total area - 123 acres). Since use of organic seed is mandatory for organic certification, selected farmers were trained on seed production during August 2013. The lands were registered under Department of Seed Certification and also enrolled under Organic Certification. Inspections were conducted by Department of Seed Certification and IMO Control Private Ltd., Bangalore. After approval from both bodies, quantity of paddy seeds were procured as certified organic paddy seeds.
A unique and first of its kind achievement of SOFA – dual certification from both, the State Seed Certification Agency and IMO Control Private Ltd. to produce and market ‘Organic Paddy Seeds under the brand name “Akshaya Seeds”. These double certified seeds were the source for organic farmers and it caters to the needs of 20 villages in Nagapattinam District.
- Purchase cost of technology:
Technology includes cultivation of crops without chemicals, hence it can be quantified in terms of economics, i.e., cost of cultivation/acre
- Total cost of paddy cultivation /acre (Nagapattinam District) based on SRI method of cultivation is Rs. 18,000/acre
- Average paddy seed production and processing cost is Rs.26/kg
- Average seed sales cost: Rs.30/kg
- Number and location of trainings given to operate / use technology developed:
The following no of trainings were conducted for farmers.
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S.No.
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Name of the District and State
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No. of Training Conducted During the Period ( 2013 -2014)
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No. of Farmers
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1
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Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu
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32
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672
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2
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Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
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12
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219
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3
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Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu
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21
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537
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4
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Dindigul, Tamil Nadu
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7
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151
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5
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Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu
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3
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52
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6
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Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu
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3
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40
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7
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Karaikal, Union Territory of Puducherry
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5
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78
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Total Nos.
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83
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1,749
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The training sessions include theory sessions, practical demonstration, experience sharing, field visits and other aspects.
- Number / units of technology developed disseminated in the field as part of core support programme:
Details about Seed production activity –Nagapattinam District
- Organic Status: Certified
- Total seed produced: 45,440 kg
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S. No.
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Name of the Variety
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Quantity (kg)
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Total Expenses (Rs.)
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1
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ADT-43
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12,490
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3,61,336
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2
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White Ponni
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21,580
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5,90,579
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3
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CR-1009
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4,650
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94,116
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4
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ADT-38
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4,020
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72,400
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5
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Thooyamalli
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780
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25,900
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6
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Sigappu kuruvikar
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960
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31,920
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7
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Panangattu kudaivazhai
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960
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31,920
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Total
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45,440
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12,08,171
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- Number / units direct beneficiaries of the technology developed:
Training has been provided to about 1700 farmers in five districts of, Nagapattinam, Kanchipuram, Tiruvannamalai, Dindigul, and Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu and in Karaikal District of the Union Territory of Puducherry.
- Number and name of enterprises created which are benefitting from / utilizing technology developed:
Totally 914 farmers, 2,080 acre from 47 villages were benefitted utilizing the organic Seed production developed under the project.
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S.No.
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Name of the District
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No of villages
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No of farmers
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No of acres
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1
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Nagapattinam
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47
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914
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2,080
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- Amount of increase in income enhanced by utilization of technology developed:
- Each seed production farmer has benefitted (average): Rs. 4 per kg of seeds
- Good quality seeds with price that is less than the market rate for members: Re.1 per kg
- Minimum profit to SOFA (farmer institution)
- Reduction in dependency on outside resources for seeds
Developed By:
Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems (CIKS)
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