State specific crop/animal species for higher productivity in NE
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Angad Prasad, Indira Sarangthem and Daya Ram
Contd from previous issue
According to researches done so far, black rice consumption contributes to the prevention and management of ailments such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, Alzhei- mer’s disease, hypertension, high cholesterol levels, arthritis, allergies, aging signs and even cancer. It contains total crude protein (12.15%), total carbohydrate (72.43%), amylose (8.27%), fat (4.80%), ash (1.57%) and crude fibre (0.71%). In addition, important minerals like, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper, cobalt and iron are also found in abundant quantity.
Chak-hao is consumed mainly after being cooked as rice or kheer. Some of the value added products that can be prepared are powder, suji (flour), syrup, chocolate, beer, wine, cake, bred, flattened rice, paratha, laddoo, other sweetened food and cosmetic items. Chak-hao rice extracts could be a potential source of anti-oxidative phyto-chemicals and useful ingredient for nutraceuticals or functional food products and natural colorants rather than the toxic synthetics.
In the State of Manipur, 2000 ha. of area under Chak-hao (Black Aromatic Rice) has been fully certified under standards laid down and administered in India by APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) ie, National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) under MOVCDNER (Mission Organic Value Chain Develop- ment for North Eastern Regions) Phase-1 and another 1000 ha is under process. Two varieties viz., Chak-hao ‘Amubi’ and Chak-hao ‘Poireiton’ which are quite popular in the State are being cultivated organically. On an average, a farmer can produce 50-60 q/h black aromatic rice (35-40 q hulled rice). Presently, hulled and much cleaned black aromatic rice is being sold @ Rs. 120/- per kg and day-by-day, its demand at national and global level is being increased.
1.2 Fisheries:
Another very important farm produce in the State of Manipur is one of the unique fishes ie, Pengba, a very popular medium carp fish species of Manipur (locally called as Belangiriputi also, belonging to Family-Cyprinidae and declared as the State Fish of Manipur) having a special taste.
This fish grows very well in the composite culture and feeds on different food items available in the pond system including algae and detritus vegetation as well as supplementary fish feed (preferably floating fish feed) alike Rohu/Grass carp and grows almost a Kilogram in a year time. In Manipur, it is most costly fish and during festive time in October- November, it is sold at a premium price of more than Rs. 800/kg for celebrating Ningol Chakkouba (a religious festival of Meitei community). If pond is managed properly, 10-15 q/h Pengba fish can be obtained.
2. MEGHALAYA
The North-East region is endowed with diverse agro-climatic conditions, rich genetic diversities, vast hydrological resources and pollution free environment that offer a great scope to develop agro-ecosystem, a specific technological intervention for diversification of the Agriculture and allied activities viz. horticulture, animal husbandry and fisheries etc. The State displays a distinct ethnic, socio-cultural and geographical identity. As the purpose of preparing this article mentioned above, following two produce in the State of Meghalaya are needed to be focussed for employment generation and contribution in Atmanirbhar Bharat, an innovative scheme of the Govt. of India.
2.1 Cashewnut:
Cultivation of cashew nut is a technically feasible, financially viable and bankable activity in the areas identified suitable for its based on agro-climatic conditions. West Garo Hills district has an area of 4899 ha under cashewnut with an estimated annual production of about 12603 metric tonnes of raw cashew nut (2012-13). Cashew (Anacardiumoccidentale), a native of Brazil was introduced in India during the latter half of the sixteenth century for the purpose of forestation and soil conservation. The current cashew production of the country accounts for 18.68% of the global production. A significant revolution in food habits is encouraging diversification towards high-value commodities, post-harvest processing and value addition of agricultural produce. To raise income, employment, profitability, food security, global competitiveness and social welfare, a holistic approach with emphasis in cashewnut production has become imminent. Farmers’ income can be increased not just by increasing productivity but also through efficient and effective cashewnut production as well as value addition. Cashewnut has a potential to generate more local jobs, better income and services, Inspite of various initiatives and technological options made available through Horticulture Department and extensive R & D efforts are yet not reached to the people of West Garo Hills of Meghalaya, which need more development in the value chain of the chsewnut and value addition for better marketing. Apart from this, emphasis is needed for specific and products and commercializing them which have market potential through technological application at local level. Up-gradation in the value chain of chewnut can improve the national export potential as well as remunerative return to the farmers motivating them to scale up the farming.
Adoption of new technology and sustainable utilization of resources and farm inputs can help cashewnut growers in minimizing the cost of production. There is training needs for modern cultivation practices on cashewnut in the State of Meghalaya. Besides, promoting producer’s cooperative and providing adequate short term credit facilities particularly in the rural areas are also very necessary. In order to hedge risk of cashewnut production, it is imperative to develop market intelligence services, introduction of support price and insurance scheme for cashewnut in the State.
The traditional cashew tree is tall (up to 14 m) and takes three years’ time from planting before it starts production. More recent breeds, such as the dwarf cashew trees, are up to 6 m tall, and start producing after the first year with economic yield after three years. In the traditional system, 6065 plants are planted in one acre of land and the harvesting starts from the third year in this system. In the first year, around 0.75 kg of raw cashew nuts is obtained from a tree amounting to 780 kg in one ha. Cashew plants start bearing after three years of planting and reach full bearing during tenth year and continue giving remunerative yields four another 20 years. The cashew nuts are harvested during February –May. Normally, harvesting consist of picking of nuts that have dropped to the ground after maturing. In third year onwards, a well healthy tree gives a yield of 4 to 5 kg, i.e. one ton of nuts per hectare of land. Thus, cashewnut cultivation is a technically feasible, financially viable and bankable activity in the State of Meghalaya.
2.2 Ginger:
Ginger is another promising cash crop in the State of Meghalaya, It is grown in almost all the states of the Region but the leading states are Meghalaya, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. Apart from improved varieties like Nadia, China, Varada, etc., a number of local cultivars exist in north eastern region. These varieties like, Nadia and Rio-De-Janeiro are high yielder of rhizomes with less fibre content as compared to standard/local cultivars.
The freshly harvested ginger is mostly used for consumption as green ginger in the whole north eastern states, only a little amount of surplus is sold outside the region through middle men, generally at a very low price. Sometimes due to marketing problem, the farmers are not able to sell their produce since there is not local market, big enough to absorb and handle green ginger in large quantities.
(To be contd)
Contd from previous issue
According to researches done so far, black rice consumption contributes to the prevention and management of ailments such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, Alzhei- mer’s disease, hypertension, high cholesterol levels, arthritis, allergies, aging signs and even cancer. It contains total crude protein (12.15%), total carbohydrate (72.43%), amylose (8.27%), fat (4.80%), ash (1.57%) and crude fibre (0.71%). In addition, important minerals like, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper, cobalt and iron are also found in abundant quantity.
Chak-hao is consumed mainly after being cooked as rice or kheer. Some of the value added products that can be prepared are powder, suji (flour), syrup, chocolate, beer, wine, cake, bred, flattened rice, paratha, laddoo, other sweetened food and cosmetic items. Chak-hao rice extracts could be a potential source of anti-oxidative phyto-chemicals and useful ingredient for nutraceuticals or functional food products and natural colorants rather than the toxic synthetics.
In the State of Manipur, 2000 ha. of area under Chak-hao (Black Aromatic Rice) has been fully certified under standards laid down and administered in India by APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) ie, National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) under MOVCDNER (Mission Organic Value Chain Develop- ment for North Eastern Regions) Phase-1 and another 1000 ha is under process. Two varieties viz., Chak-hao ‘Amubi’ and Chak-hao ‘Poireiton’ which are quite popular in the State are being cultivated organically. On an average, a farmer can produce 50-60 q/h black aromatic rice (35-40 q hulled rice). Presently, hulled and much cleaned black aromatic rice is being sold @ Rs. 120/- per kg and day-by-day, its demand at national and global level is being increased.
1.2 Fisheries:
Another very important farm produce in the State of Manipur is one of the unique fishes ie, Pengba, a very popular medium carp fish species of Manipur (locally called as Belangiriputi also, belonging to Family-Cyprinidae and declared as the State Fish of Manipur) having a special taste.
This fish grows very well in the composite culture and feeds on different food items available in the pond system including algae and detritus vegetation as well as supplementary fish feed (preferably floating fish feed) alike Rohu/Grass carp and grows almost a Kilogram in a year time. In Manipur, it is most costly fish and during festive time in October- November, it is sold at a premium price of more than Rs. 800/kg for celebrating Ningol Chakkouba (a religious festival of Meitei community). If pond is managed properly, 10-15 q/h Pengba fish can be obtained.
2. MEGHALAYA
The North-East region is endowed with diverse agro-climatic conditions, rich genetic diversities, vast hydrological resources and pollution free environment that offer a great scope to develop agro-ecosystem, a specific technological intervention for diversification of the Agriculture and allied activities viz. horticulture, animal husbandry and fisheries etc. The State displays a distinct ethnic, socio-cultural and geographical identity. As the purpose of preparing this article mentioned above, following two produce in the State of Meghalaya are needed to be focussed for employment generation and contribution in Atmanirbhar Bharat, an innovative scheme of the Govt. of India.
2.1 Cashewnut:
Cultivation of cashew nut is a technically feasible, financially viable and bankable activity in the areas identified suitable for its based on agro-climatic conditions. West Garo Hills district has an area of 4899 ha under cashewnut with an estimated annual production of about 12603 metric tonnes of raw cashew nut (2012-13). Cashew (Anacardiumoccidentale), a native of Brazil was introduced in India during the latter half of the sixteenth century for the purpose of forestation and soil conservation. The current cashew production of the country accounts for 18.68% of the global production. A significant revolution in food habits is encouraging diversification towards high-value commodities, post-harvest processing and value addition of agricultural produce. To raise income, employment, profitability, food security, global competitiveness and social welfare, a holistic approach with emphasis in cashewnut production has become imminent. Farmers’ income can be increased not just by increasing productivity but also through efficient and effective cashewnut production as well as value addition. Cashewnut has a potential to generate more local jobs, better income and services, Inspite of various initiatives and technological options made available through Horticulture Department and extensive R & D efforts are yet not reached to the people of West Garo Hills of Meghalaya, which need more development in the value chain of the chsewnut and value addition for better marketing. Apart from this, emphasis is needed for specific and products and commercializing them which have market potential through technological application at local level. Up-gradation in the value chain of chewnut can improve the national export potential as well as remunerative return to the farmers motivating them to scale up the farming.
Adoption of new technology and sustainable utilization of resources and farm inputs can help cashewnut growers in minimizing the cost of production. There is training needs for modern cultivation practices on cashewnut in the State of Meghalaya. Besides, promoting producer’s cooperative and providing adequate short term credit facilities particularly in the rural areas are also very necessary. In order to hedge risk of cashewnut production, it is imperative to develop market intelligence services, introduction of support price and insurance scheme for cashewnut in the State.
The traditional cashew tree is tall (up to 14 m) and takes three years’ time from planting before it starts production. More recent breeds, such as the dwarf cashew trees, are up to 6 m tall, and start producing after the first year with economic yield after three years. In the traditional system, 6065 plants are planted in one acre of land and the harvesting starts from the third year in this system. In the first year, around 0.75 kg of raw cashew nuts is obtained from a tree amounting to 780 kg in one ha. Cashew plants start bearing after three years of planting and reach full bearing during tenth year and continue giving remunerative yields four another 20 years. The cashew nuts are harvested during February –May. Normally, harvesting consist of picking of nuts that have dropped to the ground after maturing. In third year onwards, a well healthy tree gives a yield of 4 to 5 kg, i.e. one ton of nuts per hectare of land. Thus, cashewnut cultivation is a technically feasible, financially viable and bankable activity in the State of Meghalaya.
2.2 Ginger:
Ginger is another promising cash crop in the State of Meghalaya, It is grown in almost all the states of the Region but the leading states are Meghalaya, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. Apart from improved varieties like Nadia, China, Varada, etc., a number of local cultivars exist in north eastern region. These varieties like, Nadia and Rio-De-Janeiro are high yielder of rhizomes with less fibre content as compared to standard/local cultivars.
The freshly harvested ginger is mostly used for consumption as green ginger in the whole north eastern states, only a little amount of surplus is sold outside the region through middle men, generally at a very low price. Sometimes due to marketing problem, the farmers are not able to sell their produce since there is not local market, big enough to absorb and handle green ginger in large quantities.
(To be contd)