M. S.

SWAMINATHAN
RESEARCH FOUNDATION
2007-2008
EIGHteenth
annual report
Centre for Research on
Sustainable Agricultural
and Rural Development,
Chennai

Address:
M. S. Swaminathan
Research Foundation
III Cross Road
Institutional Area
Taramani
Chennai 600 113, India
 1. Mr. Veerendra Kumar, MP, at the exhibition on the
occasion of the tenth anniversary celebration of the
1 Community Agrobiodiversity Centre at Kalpetta

2. Mushroom training programme for tribal community

2
members in progress

3 3. Training Centre for tribal men and women at CAbC

Kalpetta, built with generous contribution from the
Front Cover Japanese Government

1. Women farmers identifying soil types at a training

1 2 programme on sustainable agriculture
in Wardha
6 3
2. Fish harvested from an Integrated Mangrove-Fishery
Farm
4a
3. Sanitary Napkin Unit established at Puducherry by women
5 4b
SHG members
Back Cover
4 (a) Natural and (b) cultured thallus of Dirinaria applanata
after 73 days.

5. View of energy efficient stove construction by trained

woman mason

6. Fisher Friend Mobile Application - Checking wave height

and fish availability on the mobile phone while at sea
Eighteenth Annual Report
2007-2008

M S Swaminathan Research Foundation

Centre for Research on Sustainable Agricultural
and Rural Development
Chennai, India
M S Swaminathan Research Foundation
Centre for Research on Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development

Third Cross Road, Institutional Area

Taramani, Chennai 600 113 India
Telephone : +91 (44) 22541229
+91 (44) 22541698
Fax : +91 (44) 22541319
Email : executivedirector@mssrf.res.in; msswami@mssrf.res.in
Visit us at http://www.mssrf.org

Printed at : AMM Screens

Citation : Eighteenth Annual Report: 2007-2008
M S Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai 600 113
 Contents

Chairman’s Introduction ............................................................ 004

Programme Area 100
Coastal Systems Research ........................................................ 017
Programme Area 200
Biodiversity .................................................................................. 039
Programme Area 300
Biotechnology .............................................................................. 060
Programme Area 400
Ecotechnology ............................................................................. 086
Programme Area 500
Food Security............................................................................... 120
Programme Area 600
Information, Education and Communication .......................... 142
Programme Area 700
Special Projects ........................................................................... 167
Publications ................................................................................. 174
About the Foundation ................................................................. 194
The Foundation Staff .................................................................. 201
List of Donors .............................................................................. 214
Sources of Project Support ....................................................... 216
List of Acronyms ......................................................................... 219
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Chairman’s Introduction
MSSRF at 20

The seed of the idea to set up an autonomous, While I was President of the World Conservation
non-profit and public good research institution Union (IUCN) from 1984 to 1990, I had
was sown in my mind in 1970 by Prof C V observed that scientific work on integrated
Raman when he stayed with us for a couple of coastal zone management was poor and as a
days at the Indian Agricultural Research consequence, precious mangrove wetlands were
Institute, New Delhi, where I was then the getting degraded. I considered this particularly
Director. Before leaving, Prof Raman told me unfortunate in the context of a potential rise in
that when I retired I should set up an sea level as a consequence of global warming and
climate change. I therefore felt that MSSRF
autonomous, non-governmental research
should be located in a coastal area, where research
institution, which would provide young
on Coastal Systems could be initiated on the lines
researchers a home for creative and socially
of Farming System Research (FSR). In 1989, the
relevant work. An opportunity for converting
Government of Karnataka, then headed by the
this idea into reality came when I received the
late Shri Ramkrishna Hegde, kindly offered me
first World Food Prize in Washington in 1987.
5 ha of land and other facilities in the campus of
The first task I undertook on my return from the University of Agricultural Sciences,
Los Banos in the Philippines, where I headed Bangalore, to establish MSSRF. At the same time,
the International Rice Research Institute for six the Government of Tamil Nadu headed by
years, was to develop a Trust Deed to establish Dr M Karunanidhi also offered land and other
a research institution devoted to imparting a pro- facilities in the Taramani Institutional Area of
nature, pro-poor, pro-woman and pro- Chennai. I decided to accept the kind invitation
sustainable livelihood orientation to technology of Chief Minister Dr M Karunanidhi and
development and dissemination. The late establish MSSRF at Chennai, due to its location
Dr Manibhai Desai, founder of the Bharatiya on the coast. Further, Tamil Nadu has over 1,000
Agro-industries Foundation (BAIF), which he km of shoreline.
established at the instance of Mahatma Gandhi,
The scientific work of MSSRF began in June
kindly helped to prepare the deed. On his 1989, using facilities kindly provided by the
suggestion, the Trust was named M S Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai. A
Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), lecture I delivered at an international conference
and was registered on 17 May 1988 at New Delhi, convened by the Government of Japan in Tokyo
with Prof V L Chopra, Prof V K Ramachandran in September 1989 on the topic ‘Anticipatory
and myself as the founder trustees. The year 2008 and Participatory Research to meet the Challenge
marks the 20th anniversary of the founding of of Sea Level Rise’, led the Government of Japan
MSSRF and hence, I would like to record a few to provide funds to MSSRF through the
facts about its growth. International Tropical Timber Organisation

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C H A I R M A N’ S I N T R O D U C T I O N
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(ITTO) to initiate a mangrove conservation chosen for this pre-eminent international prize
strategy in the Asia-Pacific Region. This support in the area of environment protection.
helped to organise a survey of the status of
mangrove wetlands in this region in 1991, and Another significant event in early 1990 was the
an International Training Programme in 1992 on organisation of the Second International
mangrove ecosystem conservation and Keystone Dialogue on Plant Genetic Resources.
sustainable management. At this programme The Chennai Consensus arrived at on this
occasion by the participants drawn from
attended by twenty candidates from twelve
government, private, academic, and
countries, the participants prepared a Charter for
intergovernmental sectors, paved the way for
Mangroves for their respective countries. MSSRF
resolving issues relating to access and benefit
also assisted in the establishment of an
sharing, leading to the finalisation of the Global
International Society for Mangrove Ecosystem
Biodiversity Convention adopted at the Earth
(ISME) with me as Founder-President and with
Summit at Rio de Janeiro in 1992.
its headquarters at Okinawa, Japan. A Mangrove
Ecosystem Information Service (MEIS) was also At the national level, MSSRF prepared in 1996
started and a comprehensive international the first draft of an integrated Act to accord
database on mangrove wetlands was compiled. concurrent recognition to the rights of both
breeders and farmers. Thus was born the Plant
The Department of Biotechnology, Government
Variety Protection and Farmers’ Rights Act of
of India, also extended support from 1990
2001. Similarly MSSRF contributed an early draft
onwards for establishing a Mangrove Genetic
of the Biodiversity Act, which provided
Resource Centre at Pichavaram, Tamil Nadu, and
Panchayats pride of place in the conservation and
for initiating research on identification of the
sustainable and equitable use of biodiversity and
genes conferring tolerance to sea water in
proposed the establishment of local level
mangrove species, with a view to transferring
Biodiversity Heritage Sites, such as Sacred
them through recombinant DNA technology to
Groves. Currently, MSSRF is assisting in the
rice and other crops of importance to coastal
development of a National Biotechnology
agriculturists. Thus began the twin strategy of
Regulatory Bill, which will enable the safe and
MSSRF in relation to mangrove wetlands,
responsible use of biotechnology, based on a
namely conservation and sustainable and
transparent and credible process of risk-benefit
equitable use, as well as their use as donors of
assessment.
genes for salinity tolerance. At the same time,
research was started on the integrated Over the years, MSSRF has been invited by both
management of the coastal zone involving Tamil Nadu and other State Governments and
attention to capture and culture fisheries as well the Government of India to prepare strategies
as coastal forestry and agro-forestry. MSSRF soon for achieving specific goals such as Nutrition
gained an international reputation as the “centre Secure Tamil Nadu, mitigating agrarian distress
of origin” of new findings in the area of in the Kuttanad and Idukki districts of Kerala,
sustainable mangrove wetland conservation and and a rice revolution strategy for Assam. While
regeneration and stable coastal agriculture, and presenting the State Budget for 1996, the Chief
received the Blue Planet Prize in Tokyo in 1996, Minister Dr M Karunanidhi, made the following
becoming the only institution in Asia to be statement:

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“õJŸÁ‚° «ê£Pì «õ‡´‹ - Þƒ° Forty-two scholars have so far taken their Ph.D
õ£¿‹ ñQ ªè™ô£‹ degree from Madras and Osmania Universities
on the basis of the research done at MSSRF, and
ðJŸPŠ ðôè™M  - Þ‰îŠ
fifteen more students are currently in various
ð£¬ó àò˜ˆFì «õ‡´‹” stages of their Ph.D thesis work. Offering
- ñè£èM ð£óFò£˜ opportunities for professional growth for
scientists has been another goal of MSSRF. As a
Feed the people
result, many of the former MSSRF staff were
Who are hungry selected for senior international positions as well
as important scientific positions in government
Educate the people
and non-government institutions. Several
To uplift the World .... scientists have received important awards and
- Subramania Bharatiyar recognition. For example, Dr Ajay Parida was
the recipient of Prof Umakant Sinha Memorial
To fulfill this dream of Mahakavi Bharatiyar, this Award by the Indian Science Congress
Government will launch a new “Hunger Free Association, B M Birla Science Prize for Biology
Area Programme” with an aim to eradicate of the B M Birla Science Foundation, Hyderabad,
poverty-induced hunger. A number of schemes are National Biosciences Award, and has been an
already under implementation to alleviate poverty Elected Fellow of the National Academy of
and to cater to the nutrition requirements of Agricultural Science, New Delhi and National
different groups of the population. Gaps in this Academy of Sciences, Allahabad. Dr Sudha Nair
coverage will be identified which can then be was awarded the Prof B D Tilak Lecture Award
specifically targeted under the Hunger Free Area by Prof B D Tilak Scientific Research and
Programme. Provision has been made in the Budget Education Trust, Pune and Drs Lakshmi and
for preparing a detailed strategy to implement this Sudha Nair received the National Women
programme in association with Dr M S Bioscientist Award of the Department of
Swaminathan”. Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and
Technology, New Delhi.
From the beginning, professional and financial
integrity and accountability to donors have MSSRF’s efforts in education and human
remained the bottom line of MSSRF’s work resource development have not only been in the
culture. This has been established by the area of post-graduate education, but also in the
presentation of Annual Reports on 7th August field of children’s education, from the earliest
of each year (starting in 1990), getting accounts years onwards.
audited on time, prompt reporting on FCRA
The project ACCESS (Action for Child Care and
returns and 35 (I) (ii) submissions under the
Education Services and Strategies) which ran
Income Tax Act, and sending audited utilisation
throughout the nineties, focused on the under-
certificates to all donors, regularly.
sixes, a much neglected and vulnerable group in
In addition to strategic, anticipatory and development in the country as a whole. One of
participatory research, MSSRF has laid stress on the major achievements of this project was setting
human resource development from its inception. up and nurturing of FORCES, a network of

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C H A I R M A N’ S I N T R O D U C T I O N
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institutions concerned with the care and Among other major initiatives for children,
development of the young child. When the mention may be made of the Touch and Smell
project closed in 2001, the significant outcomes Garden for visually impaired children, Genome
were summed up as follows in a post-project Clubs for introducing school children to the
review: significance of scientific advances in the area of
biodiversity and biotechnology and the Every
“Forces (Forum for Creche and Child Care
Child A Scientist programme for imparting
Services) at both the national and state levels
scientific literacy and awareness among children.
(Tamil Nadu) now leading in the advocacy
These programmes have stimulated the
and policy lobbying fields in Early Child
development of large national programmes such
Development (ECD), following a smooth
as the DNA Clubs sponsored by the Department
transition of leadership
of Biotechnology, Government of India in
An ECD trainers’ network in Tamil Nadu, schools in several parts of the country.
today an effective group of ECD professionals
concerned with training and curriculum A similar trajectory can be seen in the case of
development women’s issues. In the first few years, work
involving or relating to women was largely
A National Task Force committed to, and at within the confines of the area labeled Reaching
present working on, the development of the Unreached. Soon however, realising that this
quality rating tools in ECD for multiple might be a narrow and self-defeating approach,
purposes and that such negative profiling of women may
An extensive and catalogued collection of not advance their cause, it was decided to move
resources and training materials in ECD in to the broader perspective of gender, especially
print, audio, and video (now digitalised), and in relation to development. A decision was taken
to set up a resource centre in Gender and
A group of mature and motivated young
professionals well-placed in several Development, to mainstream gender concerns
developmental fields”. within the Foundation. This stimulated research
on gender issues in various fields in which the
Taking only the first four outcomes, it is Foundation was working, as well as helping to
satisfying to note that the network has continued introduce concerns about gender equity across
to develop and strengthen these activities, though the board, and has led to a number of publications
MSSRF is no longer the leader, with continued and training materials, in print and video, over
nurture and support from MSSRF, though now the years. The Ford Foundation established in
in a different capacity. This approach is a 2002 a chair on Women and Food Security to
conscious policy in keeping with the title given promote studies on the role of women in
to the review, As the Salt in the Sea, an conservation, cultivation, consumption and
indication that the concerns and attitudes commerce.
underlying the work should in future permeate
the entire work pattern and culture, without Most outstanding among the achievements have
necessarily being identifiable as a separate been the research and development efforts on
identity. That this has happened, at least to some gender issues in relation to biodiversity. Starting
extent, is the best indicator of success. from the publication of the book, Gender Issues

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in Biodiversity Management in 1997, the first Andhra Pradesh have since been covered with
of its kind world-wide, which stimulated more bio-shields, which will help to reduce the fury
such studies globally, there have been a series of of seawater intrusion in coastal areas during
studies and publications drawing attention to cyclones and tsunami.
women’s contribution to biodiversity
The Community Agro-biodiversity
conservation and management. MSSRF was also
programme of MSSRF is unique in the sense
the first to draw attention to the comparative
that it has triggered the formation of gene,
neglect of women’s IPR in the path-breaking
seed, grain and water banks at the village level,
legislations on biodiversity, and continues to
thereby helping to link all parts of the
battle for a more inclusive approach to the
production, consumption and marketing
dissemination of science and technology. In order
chain in a mutually reinforcing manner. The
to assist young women professionals to take to a
field gene bank helps to revitalise the in situ
career in biotechnology, MSSRF assisted the
on-farm conservation traditions of local
Government of Tamil Nadu and the Department
communities. This community agro-
of Biotechnology, Government of India, in
biodiversity conservation and sustainable and
setting up India’s first and only (so far) Womens’
equitable use system won for the tribal
Biotechnology Park at Siruseri village near
families of Koraput in Orissa the Equator
Chennai.
Initiative Award at the UN Conference on
Looking back over the past 20 years, mention Sustainable Development held at
may be made of some major scientific and socially Johannesburg in 2002, and the first Genome
significant contributions (the examples are Saviour Award of the Protection of Plant
illustrative and not exhaustive). Variety and Farmers’ Rights Authority of
India in 2007.
In the area of mangrove research, over 1,475
Infrastructure for community conservation
ha of degraded mangrove forests were
of agro-biodiversity has been created at
restored at 6 sites in Tamil Nadu, Andhra
Kalpetta, Wayanad, Kerala, in land donated
Pradesh and Orissa. Over 6.8 million saplings
by my family and at Jeypore, Koraput
were planted by 5,240 families drawn from
district, Orissa, on land kindly provided by
33 Village Mangrove Councils. This is the
the Government of Orissa. The MSSRF
largest community mangrove forest
Centre at Koraput has been named after late
restoration programme ever undertaken in
Mr Biju Patnaik, in recognition of his unique
the country. Mangrove Atlases have been
contributions to building modern Orissa. The
prepared for Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh
Kalpetta Centre has promoted local level food
and Orissa.
security by organising the cultivation of a
Maps prepared by MSSRF using remote wide range of tubers, which can be
sensing pictures reveal that the mangrove area appropriately referred to as “life saving
in Tamil Nadu increased to 4,050 ha in 2006 crops”. In both Wayanad and Koraput, rice
from 2,100 ha in 1993. After the tsunami of varieties with medicinal properties, such as
December 26, 2004, community interest in Navara in Kerala, or excellent culinary
mangrove and non-mangrove bio-shields grew properties, such as Kalajeera in Koraput have
and about 55 ha in Tamil Nadu and 60 ha in been promoted to link conservation and

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C H A I R M A N’ S I N T R O D U C T I O N
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commercialisation in a symbiotic manner. get recognition and reward from the Gene
The improved Kalajeera strain developed and Biodiversity Funds. Also, training
through participatory breeding with tribal programmes are held for Panchayati Raj
families has been named Kalinga Kalajeera. leaders.
Similar work is in progress in Kolli Hills in
In the area of Biotechnology, MSSRF’s policy
Tamil Nadu with reference to millets
is to bring about appropriate combinations
belonging to the genera Panicum, Paspalum,
of mendelian, molecular and participatory
Setaria, Eleucine and other under-utilised
breeding. The areas chosen for attention over
millets and pulses. Participatory breeding is
18 years ago, namely tolerance to salinity
the pathway adopted by MSSRF to improve
and drought, have become most relevant
the productivity and profitability of
in the emerging era of global climate
underutilised crops. MSSRF’s work on
change, sea-level rise and reduced
underutilised or “orphan” crops, has led to a
precipitation. The scientifically innovative
wider understanding of the need to diversify
and socially relevant work carried out by the
the grain components of our food security
Biotechnology team had led to MSSRF being
system and to introduce such nutritious crops
designated as a Centre of Excellence by the
in the Public Distribution System (PDS) and
Department of Biotechnology. In 1990,
school noon meal programmes.
MSSRF initiated anticipatory and strategic
The movement for saving biodiversity to save research for developing genetic material for
lives and livelihoods will gain momentum resistance/ tolerance to abiotic stresses like
only if local communities see this as a salinity and drought in important food plants.
sustainable method of ending the prevailing The aim of this research is the development
dichotomy between the prosperity of nature of novel genetic combinations for use in
and the poverty of the people. For this participatory breeding programmes with
purpose, MSSRF has initiated a Biovalley farming families. Thus, MSSRF functions as
Programme in Orissa -biodiversity-rich a pre-breeding centre and works together with
watersheds where appropriate linkages among farm families in the development of strains
bio-resources, biotechnology and business possessing resistance to salinity/ drought.
(micro-enterprises supported by micro-credit) Avicennia marina and Porteresia coarctata
can be achieved. This programme will be were chosen as donors for tolerance to coastal
essentially managed by tribal women and men salinity, and Prosopis juliflora was used for
and will be serviced by the Biju Patnaik identifying genes for drought resistance. So
Medicinal Plants Garden and Research Centre far about 50 full-length genes and many partial
at Jeypore. sequences have been isolated for abiotic stress
tolerance.
In order to assist farm and rural women and
men to get benefits from the provisions of The Review Committee on Genetic
the Plant Variety and Farmers’ Rights and Manipulation, Government of India,
Biodiversity Acts, a Community Gene Bank approved limited field trials of three
and herbarium have been established at transgenic rice lines during 2004–05 and 2005–
MSSRF, Chennai. This is a unique facility for 06. Large-scale sequencing and functional
helping farmers and primary conservers to genomic approach have also been adopted in

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Prosopis juliflora. Thus, a new chapter in Tinospora cordifolia, Tylophora indica. The
breeding strains of rice, mustard and pulses group has also developed vegetative and
has been opened up, thanks to transgenic micropropagation protocols for a number of
technology. This is the first time in the world mangrove species, and successfully transferred
that a mangrove species has been used as a donor them into mangrove forest areas in Tamil
of salinity tolerance, and a species widely Nadu and Puducherry, with the active
regarded as a tenacious weed, i.e, Prosopis participation of SHGs and forest officials,
juliflora, has been mobilised for providing genes with appropriate training. The isolation,
for drought tolerance. The Outlook magazine purification and characterisation of bioactive
(18 July 2005) listed this piece of research molecules from the mangrove ecosystem,
carried out by a young team of scientists of against Helicoverpa armigera and an array of
MSSRF among the ten most important pieces bacterial human pathogens have resulted in a
of scientific work carried out in India during number of biopesticide formulations
1995-2005, which can change our lives for the possessing anti-pest and anti-microbial
better. principles.
Other programmes like bio-prospecting, bio- The lichen group at MSSRF has made
remediation and micro-propagation are also excellent progress during the last few years,
making good progress. In addition, the working on diverse aspects of lichens viz:
production and demonstration of high quality lichen diversity and ecology, bioprospecting
planting material of Jatropha curcas is paving for secondary compounds, lichen culture and
the way for launching science-based bio-fuel molecular studies on lichens. Several lichen
programmes. Conservation of eighty rare, species have been identified, which can serve
endangered and threatened (RET) plants has as bioindicators to monitor environmental
been undertaken in a holistic manner from pollution. Site-specific protocols to quantify
collection to propagation and to data on lichen diversity and its distribution,
rehabilitation in natural habitats, and training ecosystem characteristics and pollution have
the local people and scientists in the been developed. Culture protocols for fungal,
methodology. Reproducible in vitro algal and whole thallus culture for twenty-
propagation protocols have been developed two lichen species have been established to
for a number of RET species (viz. Casearia produce the bioactive secondary compounds
rubescens, Ceropegia bulbosa, Ceropegia jaini, in-vitro. Currently, three novel bioactive
Crotalaria longipes, Frerea indica, kaempferia compounds which show potentiality against
galanga, Myxopyrum serratulum, Piper barberi,
cancer and tuberculosis have been isolated and
Rauvolfia micrantha, Rauvolfia tetraphylla,
characterised. Databases on lichen species
Syzygium travancorium and Uraria picta). In
with appropriate images have been developed
vitro protocols have also been developed for
to spread awareness among scholars and
valuable and economically important species
scientists. MSSRF maintains a lichen reference
like Aegle marmelos, Bacopa monnieri,
collection with more than 3,000 specimens.
Curculigo orchioides, Eupatorium triplinerve,
Gymnema sylvestre, Hemidesmus indicus, Under the annual inter-disciplinary dialogue
Jatropha curcas, Sauropus androgynus, series of MSSRF, organised under the generic

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title, “New Technologies – Reaching the are also functioning as micro-finance

Unreached”, the first one in 1990 related to institutions. The Community Learning
biotechnology. This led to the organisation Centre (CLC) approach of the Centre is
of Biovillages, initially in Puducherry and recognised as a best practice by UNESCO in
later in Tamil Nadu, Orissa and other places. promoting functional literacy - currently 17
Biovillages aim to generate opportunities for are under operation and in four of the villages
skilled employment both in the on-farm and 100% functional literacy level is nearing
off-farm sectors of the rural economy, based achievement. A community managed B-class
on local bio-resources. At the same time, they weather station is a successful model – being
strive to conserve and enhance the natural replicated in three more sites. IMD (Indian
resources endowment of the village. The Meteorological Department) has recognised
Biovillage model of sustainable rural this model and wants to link it with VKC
development is based on “ecotechnologies” (Village Knowledge Centres) for
resulting from appropriate blends of dissemination. Annual business transactions
traditional ecological prudence and frontier of 567 SHGs across the sites covering 8,505
science. Hence, it has attracted international households stand at about Rs. 13.47 crore
attention and the concept is spreading in through bank credit and business. Twelve
neighbouring countries. SHG women members have been elected as
Panchayat leaders.
In order to intensify research on
ecotechnologies, the JRD Tata  The Microbiology group at the centre has
Ecotechnology Centre was set up in 1996 established a niche in the research and
with support from the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust. development of biological software; new
The building of this Centre was inaugurated enterprise options have been demystified in
in 1998 by the late Shri K R Narayanan, the the area of biological software production and
then President of India. The work of this value addition to the existing ones have helped
centre was evaluated by Drs Manjul Bajaj and in better market access. Over the years the
S C Rajshekar in 2008. The team concluded work carried out has paid significant attention
that “the Centre’s work has led to the to land-lab-land continuum and this is also
mobilisation and creation of many vibrant, one of the lead groups working on a
articulate and well-run self-help groups and polyphasic approach to understand the role
community based organisations. Given that the of microbes and in harnessing them for
Centre staff comes mostly from a technical sustainable agricultural practices in the area
background and that most project sites are of INM and IPM. Seven novel micro-
modestly staffed with a team of 3-5 members, organisms have been proposed and many
this is considered a very significant and more are in the pipeline. During 2006-07,
commendable achievement”. these units produced more than 28,600 kg of
biological software (T. viridae, Pseudomonas
It will be appropriate to highlight a few of the
fluorescens, Azospirillum, Phosphobacter and
contributions of this centre.
VAM). In addition, these units have also
 More than 10 grassroot institutions have been produced Tricho cards. The production
nurtured over the last decade and two of them process of Beauveria bassiana and

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Paeciloymyces lilacinus has been standardised resource persons and grassroot institutions
and will be now tested for production by the facilitate horizontal transfer of knowledge
units. during training programmes.
 Following the tsunami of December 26, 2004,  The Centre has now shifted from the small-
the Centre steered agronomic rehabilitation project-mode approach to large-multi-site
strategies through participatory field umbrella projects like the bio-industrial
demonstrations by promoting soil watersheds project and the climate
reclamation processes, introduced water management initiatives. The strategy in the
management techniques, livestock integrated bio-industrial watershed approach is to
farming systems (IFS), promoted community augment the local agro-eco-systems, adding
seed bank concept to conserve the local land value to the available resources and enhance
races, and identified alternative options for livelihoods through suitable technological
improving the livelihood of the fisher men / interventions, selecting micro-watershed as
women. MoUs have been facilitated with the unit for action research and development
several business and management schools to and with a human-centric approach. The main
develop assured and remunerative market focus areas include Integrated Natural
linkages. The partners include banks, Resources Management, especially soil and
corporates and international networks like water management; crop diversification and
Eco-agriculture Network and the productivity enhancement; post-harvest value
Commonwealth of Learning. addition and market linkages and promoting
bio-industries and input services in five sites.
 The JRD Tata Ecotechnology Centre is also
Two of the sites are being implemented in
setting up thematically focused institutional
partnership with the Punjab Agricultural
facilities in specific locations like the ‘Fish For
University, Ludhiana and the Jawaharlal
All Research and Training Centre’ at
Nehru Krishi Viswa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur.
Poompuhar, one of the tsunami affected sites.
This project also involves partnership with
This Centre will function as a training and
the Ohio State University, USA.
demonstration centre for fisher men / women
(marine inland, mechanised, artisan, non- The “Vulnerability Assessment & Enhancing
traditional fishermen; fish vendors, fishing Adaptive Capacity to Climate Change in
labourers, fisher women) on a learning-by- Semi-arid regions of India” (V&A) project
doing model to help in strengthening and focuses on securing the livelihoods of rural
diversifying the existing livelihoods and poor and vulnerable communities by
identifying alternative livelihoods for the promoting appropriate adaptation measures
resource poor and add value to the chain from and coping strategies related to agriculture,
capture / culture to consumption. A water, livestock and rural energy. The project
Mentoring and Capacity Building Centre for is being implemented in Udaipur district of
SHGs has been established at Pillayarkuppam Rajasthan and Mehbubnagar district of
village in Puducherry. On an average, 28,000 Andhra Pradesh. The project has helped to
trainee days are spent in a year on capacity enhance people’s adaptive capacities to
building. Many of the trained women SHG manage the adverse effects of climate change
members and farmers have evolved into local through strategic capacity building

12
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C H A I R M A N’ S I N T R O D U C T I O N
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programmes, technical advice and been updated and will be published soon. All
improvement of existing best practices with these Atlases have been prepared with
community’ participation. The V&A project financial and technical support from the
has also helped to take stock of the different World Food Programme. In 2000, MSSRF
training modules used by the extension launched the Mission 2007: Towards a
services to update knowledge in existing Hunger Free India in order to achieve
delivery systems and incorporate information substantial progress by 2007 in eliminating
about climate science and best adaptation chronic, hidden and transient hunger.
practices. The V&A project is being Commending this programme, Shri Atal
implemented in association with non- Bihari Vajpayee, the then Prime Minister of
governmental and State Government India, stated: the sacred mission of a “Hunger
agencies, with financial support from the Free India” needs the cooperative efforts of the
Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation. Central and State Governments, local self-
The results obtained under this project will government bodies, non-governmental
provide useful inputs in the implementation organisations, international agencies, and -
of the Missions on Water, Sustainable above all, our citizens. We can indeed banish
Agriculture and Energy Use Efficiency hunger from our country in a short time. Let us
envisaged under the National Action Plan for resolve today to make this mission substantially
Climate Change. The work on climate change successful by 2007, which will mark the sixtieth
related issues is being strengthened under a anniversary of our independence.
collaborative project coordinated by the
MSSRF has promoted Community Food
University of Edinburgh, UK.
Security Systems involving the revitalisation
The report on Measures of Impact of Science of earlier food traditions, which included a
and Technology on Agriculture and Rural wide range of cereals, millets, legumes and
Development in India, that was brought out tubers and the establishment of Community
in 2007 with support from the office of the Food Banks. As regards micronutrient
Principal Scientific Advisor to the malnutrition, emphasis has been placed on
Government of India, highlighted the introducing horticultural remedies to
significant achievements under public good nutritional maladies.
research in the country. The follow-up study
MSSRF is the coordinating centre for a
on designing technology delivery systems for
project supported by the International Fund
mitigating agrarian distress areas is expected
for Agriculture Development (IFAD) for
to develop an action plan for an effective
saving genetic resources of underutilised
technology delivery mechanism at the
crops. This project has led to promoting a
grassroot level.
movement for saving dying crops and dying
In the area of Food Security, the major wisdom. Also, the establishment of feed and
contribution is the preparation of Food fodder banks has been promoted in areas like
Insecurity Atlases of Rural and Urban India Ladakh, where precious animals like the
and an Atlas on the Sustainability of Food Pashmina goat face starvation during the
Security. The Rural Food Insecurity Atlas has severe winter months.

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In the agrarian distress “hot-spot” regions of Academy drawn from all parts of the country
Vidarbha in Maharashtra, steps have been as well as from Afghanistan, Philippines,
taken to empower women farmers to take to Nepal, Kenya, Nigeria and Sri Lanka.
low-risk agriculture. This programme titled Addressing the first Convocation of the
Mahila Kisan Shashaktikaran Pariyojana is NVA, the former President of India, Dr A P
helping to bring a new life of hope and cheer J Abdul Kalam mentioned in 2004 that the
to women farmers in general, and widows of “Academy is a Celebration of Rural India’s Core
those who have taken their lives, in particular. Competence”. NVA fosters the integrated
Continuing the education of children is application of the Internet, cable TV,
another priority in areas affected either by community radio and the cell phone. The last
natural calamities or economic disasters. mile and the last person connectivity is
Bridging the urban-rural digital divide is an achieved through the Internet – cell phone
important goal of the Information, Education synergy.
and Communication (IEC) Programme. The In 2004, MSSRF launched Mission 2007: Every
Annual inter-disciplinary Dialogue in 1992 Village a Knowledge Centre, in order to take
was on Information Technology. At this the power and benefits of ICT to every village
Dialogue, the concept of Village Knowledge in the country. A National Alliance consisting
Centres (VKC) was developed to achieve
of several hundred partners was formed for
knowledge and skill empowerment in rural
this purpose. In 2007, on the occasion of the
areas, using the tools of the new information
60th anniversary of India’s Independence, the
and communication technologies like the
partners of Mission 2007 decided to continue
Internet. The setting up of VKCs started in
the programme in the form of Grameen Gyan
1998 in villages in Puducherry. Connectivity,
Abhiyan (GGA), with the Secretariat located
content creation, capacity building, care and
in NVA. GGA has encouraged a wide variety
management of the VKC and linking
of ICT models, such as the community based
knowledge with application received
public good model of MSSRF, government-
concurrent attention. To make a difference
initiated models like Akshaya, e-Seva, ISRO’s
in the lives of rural women and men, the
content must be location-specific, dynamic VRC, Bhoomi, and Common Service Centres
and demand-driven. Also, the community (CSC), as well entrepreneur-led models like
should have a sense of ownership of the VKC Drishtee, n-Logue, Rural BPOs and Tarahat
to ensure its sustainability. Encouraged by the and corporate sector models like ITC’s e-
success of VKCs and the introduction by the chaupal, and mobile based models like
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) IFFCO’s mobile services, QUALCOMM’s
of Village Resource Centres (VRCs) with Fisher Friend Mobile Application, m-Krishi
satellite connectivity, the Jamsetji Tata etc. The NVA serves as an umbrella
National Virtual Academy for Rural organisation for this rich variety of initiatives,
Prosperity (NVA) was launched in 2003. The all designed to bridge the digital and gender
Fellows of the Academy are rural women and divides and thereby ensure inclusiveness in
men who have mastered ICT applications. access to ICT. Some of the Fellows of NVA
There are now over 1,000 Fellows of the participated in and delivered lectures at the

14
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C H A I R M A N’ S I N T R O D U C T I O N
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World Summits on Information Society held From a small beginning in 1988, MSSRF has
in Geneva and Tunis. grown over the past 20 years into an effective
inter-disciplinary organisation concentrating in
A Jamsetji Tata Training School (JTS) is being
areas where there are gaps in ongoing research,
set up to provide opportunities for a lifelong
education and extension. Special attention has
upgrading of the professional skills of NVA
been given to technology delivery systems
Fellows. At the same time JTS will offer
resulting in institutional innovations like
placement services for large national
biovillages, village knowledge centres and
programmes like Government of India’s
community food and water security systems
CSCs and ITCs e-chaupals. The contributions
through local level gene, seed, grain and water
of MSSRF in the field of ICT for rural
banks. The infrastructure developed at Chennai
prosperity have received recognition both
serves as the hub of a network of research centres
from leading scientific journals like Nature
located at Kalpetta, Wayanad, Kerala; Jeypore,
(UK) and Scientific American (USA), and from Koraput, Orissa; Puducherry and Poompuhar,
other sources like the Stockholm Challenge Tamil Nadu, all having their own buildings and
Award and the Motorola Gold Award. field facilities. As and when funds become
Another important institutional device for available, research and training facilities for an
linking science and society through the mass Integrated Coastal Zone Management Centre will
media was the establishment of the The Hindu be created at Chidambaram on land already
Media Resource Centre (HMRC) in 1998. This purchased by MSSRF.
centre has sponsored numerous dialogues and The work carried out so far and that described in
lectures on topics of public and political this Report would not have been possible without
concern like genetically modified organisms, the financial support and technical suggestions of
climate change, water saving and sharing and the following:
ecotechnology. The HMRC also helps to
train young media personnel in various  Central and State Government Departments
aspects of science communication. and Institutions

The MSSRF Library is rich in books and  National, bilateral and multilateral donors
publications relating to environment  Individual donors both in India and abroad
protection and sustainable development. The and groups of donors like the Friends of
library has a CD-Rom section, which is MSSRF in Tokyo, and the Friends of
extensively used by scholars from all over the Swaminathan, Australia (FOSA)
country.  A large number of eminent scientists who have
The work carried out by the organisation has generously given their time to serve on various
resulted in several publications in the form advisory and steering committees
of papers in peer reviewed international  Above all, rural and tribal women and men
journals with high impact factor, books, whose infectious enthusiasm for the adoption
monographs, publications and presentations of socially and environmentally relevant
at both international and national technologies has provided the necessary
conferences, workshops and consultations. stimulus and motivation for symbiotic

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scientist – farmer partnerships at all the Dr Ajay Parida. The editing was done by Dr
locations where MSSRF scientists are Nandhini Iyengar, while the printing was done
working. by AMM Prints, Chennai. Our thanks are due
to all of them for their efforts to ensure that the
Good scientists, and not just good looking
contents and the presentation meet with high
buildings, alone can help to build a great scientific
standards of quality and user-friendliness.
institution. MSSRF has been fortunate in this
respect from its very beginning, as the scientists, In 1989, MSSRF started its research activities with
scholars, administrative and accounting personnel three staff members, one of whom
and field staff have shown a combination of Dr N Parasuraman, still remains a committed and
professional excellence and social commitment. dynamic member of the MSSRF family. Today
We owe a deep debt of gratitude to them for the staff strength has grown to 330 (185 scientific
making MSSRF what it is today – a leading staff, 10 advisors, 135 technical, administrative,
research organisation in the world in the area of accounting and supporting staff). Looking ahead,
science for inclusive rural happiness. it is important that MSSRF maintains its
pioneering character and continues to develop and
Thanks are also due to the Executive Directors
disseminate innovative methods of technological
of MSSRF – Prof P C Kesavan (1999-2003),
empowerment of rural families, like biovillages,
Dr M Velayutham (2003-2007) and Shri Achyut
biovalleys, village knowledge centres, pulses
M Gokhale (October 2007 onwards) for their
villages and community food and water security
dedicated stewardship of the organisation. Above
systems.
all, we are indebted to the Trustees of MSSRF,
who have given generously their valuable time A pre-requisite for maintaining and enhancing its
and rich experience and expertise for setting goals pioneering character is the ability to attract and
and standards and providing policy oversight to retain creative scientists, filled with a desire to
the work of the organisation. Recently, Dr K take our country to an era of bio-happiness
Kanungo, a distinguished and devoted past resulting from the conversion of our rich
Trustee passed away. He was a pillar of strength bioresources into sustainable rural livelihood
to MSSRF in its formative years and was widely opportunities. This will call for a substantial
admired and respected both by staff and students endowment fund, the interest from which can
for his wit and wisdom. Our sincere condolence assure job security to scientists having the capacity
goes to Smt Meera Kanungo and their son, Dr and urge to become transformational agents. I
Shivraj Kanungo and other members of the therefore wish to conclude this brief synoptic
family. We also lost a few years ago Dr K N survey of the highlights of the journey from a
Shyamsundaram Nair, who not only served as a Registrar’s table in Ajmere Gate, New Delhi in
Trustee for 10 years, but also spearheaded the May 1988 to the present day with a sincere thanks
Biovillage programme in the early nineties. to all past and potential donors.

The responsibility for compiling this report was M S Swaminathan

borne by Dr Sudha Nair, Ms R V Bhavani and 28 July 2008

16
Programme Area 100

Coastal Systems Research

Establishment of community-based mangrove and non-mangrove bio-shield

was achieved in 115 ha and people from 18 fishing villages participated in the
process. Multilocation trials of identified Jatropha accessions have been
undertaken under the National Network Programme. Remote Sensing and GIS
techniques were used for project planning and monitoring in resource mapping,
bioshield, watershed and landuse.

101 Mangrove and non-mangrove coastal bioshield ------------------------------------------------- 18

102 Integrated Mangrove-Fishery Farming System (Seawater Farming System) ------------ 29

103 Nuclear and Biotechnological Tools for Coastal Systems Research ------------------------ 30

104 Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System -------------------------------------- 35

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from the District Collector, Cuddalore, and

Sub Programme Area 101 coconut and casuarina plantations were raised
with the help of the fishing community. A Village
Mangrove and non-mangrove Welfare Society (VWS) was organised in each
coastal bioshield village to carry out the activities. The
structure of these societies is given in
Figure 1.1.
Establishing mangrove and non-mangrove
vegetation along the coastline with the The General Body (GB) of the VWS met
participation of the community and other regularly on the first two days of every month
stakeholders is a part of community and during these meetings, the members of
preparedness for the management of natural the VWS made presentations on income and
disasters in coastal areas. In 2006, the coastal expenditure, work completed during the
bioshield programme was initiated in 11 previous months and issues that needed to be
villages and in the following year, two major addressed. The GB facilitated the solving of
projects with the objectives of establishing major problems and also examined and
community-based mangrove and non- approved the future plan of activities.
mangrove bioshields were started in
Cuddalore, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram and
General Body
Tuticorin districts in Tamil Nadu (TN) and East Entire village – meets
Godavari and Krishna districts in Andhra during the monthly
Pradesh (AP). meeting of the
Separate traditional Panchayat –
meeting with No space for women
101.1 Ecological Rehabilitation of the women - views
Coastal Areas of Pichavaram: and
Establishing Community-based Mangrove aspirations of
women are
and other Coastal Vegetation as Bioshield taken to the
General Body Executive Committee
This project is being implemented in the Office Bearers and
members
Pichavaram region of Cuddalore district in
three fishing hamlets namely, Muzhukkuthurai, Elected/selected by the
traditional Panchayat
MGR Thittu and Mudasalodai. Three islands,
Women dominated
ranging from 3 to 32 ha are present in the
backwater canals of these hamlets, and their Representative of
MSSRF
sandy beaches were found to be suitable for
establishing the bioshields. As the land is Fig.1.1 Organisational Structure of the
owned by the Revenue Department of the Village Welfare Society formed in project
Government of TN, permission was sought hamlets in Pichavaram region

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COASTAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH
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It was observed that participation of women monitored by group comprising members of

was comparatively low in GB meetings. This the VWS and the project team.
was mainly because of the discouragement by
Strengthening the mangrove plantation, which
the traditional panchayat leaders, who strongly
was taken up by the community in Mudasalodai
believe that women have no role to play in
before the project started, was completed
decision making at the community level. On
during the year. The community had raised a
the other hand, the level of participation of
mangrove plantation of Rhizophora and
women in EC meetings was high both in terms
Avicennia parallel to the shoreline just opposite
of quantity and quality where they expressed
to the village, as a bioshield. During the
their views strongly and actively participated
tsunami, a large number of mechanized boats
in decision making and planning. It is planned
and debris were carried into this community
to organise workshops to sensitise traditional
plantation by the waves, causing heavy
leaders, women and youth on gender issues
damage. Nearly 50 % of the plants and the
as well as on community participation to
bamboo fence erected around the plantation
gradually bring gender equity in decision
were uprooted or affected. The activities that
making at the community level
were taken up to rehabilitate this tsunami-
Mangrove bioshield: During 2006-2007, affected community mangrove plantation
a mangrove bioshield was raised in 30 ha, included replacement of dead trees with new
comprising 25 ha in MGR Thittu and 5 ha in well grown saplings, digging of canals in the
Mudasalodai. A total of 1,33,000 propagules plantation to provide more tidal flushing to the
(seedlings) were planted in these areas, area and raising the bamboo fence around the
consisting of 1,28,000 Avicennia marina plantation to prevent grazing by animals.
seedlings and 5,000 Rhizophora species. This
Sand dune restoration and stabilisation: All
year, the VWS’s were actively involved in the
along the beach, small sand dunes of various
plantation and management of the seedlings,
heights, stretching 2,300 m in length and
and the survival rate is 67 % for Avicennia
separating the village and the sea, were
marina and 80 % for Rhizophora. As a gap
present before the tsunami. During the
filling exercise 15,000 Avicennia marina
tsunami, the dunes located at a distance of
seedlings were planted in December 2007.
1,000 m were destroyed and these dunes were
This year the mangrove bioshield was restored last year following traditional methods.
extended to another 15 ha in MGR Thittu and Similarly, sand dunes that were partially
Mudasoladai. In these 15 ha, 90,000 degraded were also restored by heaping sand
propagules including 31,000 Rhizophora and manually. This year, stabilisation of these
59,000 Avicennia marina were planted in restored dunes was taken up. As vegetation
December 2007 and January 2008. The is the key factor in sand dune stability, a
performance of the plantation is being thorough study of the existing pattern of

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vegetation in the dune complex was completed dune, which was about 2.5 m and 8 m
and based on the observations, Ipomea respectively when it was formed in 2006, has
pescaprae and Spinifex sp were planted in the changed considerably now due to ecological
rehabilitated sand dunes. process. Now the height of the dune is only
about 1.8 m but the breadth has increased to
Multispecies non-mangrove bioshield: During
about 12 m. The dune was stabilised by
the year, 800 saplings of Calophyllum planting sand binders such as Ipomea
inophyllum (Pinnai), Pongamia glabra (Punnai) pescaprae and Spinifex. A local NGO planted
and Cocus nucifera (Coconut) were planted in palm trees on the top of the sand dunes, which
1.5 ha as a non-mangrove bioshield as they are also growing well. In this multispecies non-
are capable of growing in sandy soil and mangrove bioshield 450 saplings of Pongamia,
tolerate salinity. The VWS appointed two 300 saplings of coconut and 100 saplings of
families to take care of watering and protecting neem were planted. Unlike the neem, the other
this non-mangrove bioshield. Good ground two species are surviving well; all the dead
water is available in the sand dune, which is neem plants have been replaced with
being utilised for watering the plants. A similar Pongamia. In addition, other species such as
bioshield was established in a vacant plot Thespesia and casuarina have also been
located between MGR Thittu hamlet and the planted. Table 1.1 shows the survival and
adjoining backwater canal. growth performance of plantations in various
non-mangrove bioshields.
In Madavamedu village, located about 6 km
south of Pichavaram, a model non-mangrove Livelihood support: Last year, it was reported
bioshield is being developed. This model that in all the project villages, a four-wheeler
comprises small sand dunes on the seaward was provided to fish-vending women to reduce
side followed by multispecies non-mangrove their drudgery in transporting fish to the
vegetation on the landward side. For markets, as well as to improve their income by
uninterrupted coastal ecological process, a gap transporting good quality fish in time. The
of about 50 m is left between the sea and the vehicles were managed by a team of women
sand dune. The height and breadth of the sand selected by the fish vendors. Monitoring and

Table 1.1 Survival and growth performance of tree species planted in non-mangrove
bioshields in the Pichavaram region

Bioshield site Pongamia Calophyllum Coconut

Survival % Height - cm Survival % Height - cm Survival % Height - cm
MGR Thittu / Beach 68 92 80 98 95 148
MGR Thittu / Village 88 198 85 82 98 120
Madavamedu / Beach 82 198 - - 97 181

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COASTAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

analysis of the performance of the vehicles the net profitability from these activities; identify
during the year indicated that in all the project potential alternative income generating
villages, considerable profit was earned in the activities that could be taken up by the
first six months by operating the vehicle. community on a sustainable and environment-
Subsequently, the profit margin gradually friendly basis and determine methods to link
declined because of reduced landings in MGR mangrove and non-mangrove bioshields with
Thittu and Muzhukkuthurai, as fishers the livelihood security of the community and
preferred landings in Mudasalodai fishing institutionalise this linkage.
harbour to reduce transportation costs. As a The methodology followed in the study involved
result, the number of women involved in fish a SWOT analysis of the various assets in the
vending in MGR Thittu and Mudasalodai also villages that could be better used by the
decreased, which led to loss in the operation villagers themselves for generating income and
of the vehicles. To earn a profit, the vehicles of increasing net profitability; role play among the
MGR Thittu and Muzhukkuthurai were used villagers as to why an income generating
for long distance transport, and both the activity should or should not be taken up and
vehicles were involved in accidents, affecting preliminary cost-benefit analysis of each of the
their operation. The current status is that in identified activities.
MGR Thittu the vehicle is being used for local
trips within and around the village and no profit The main findings of this study revealed that
is being made in this operation. Hence, the open sea fishing and deep sea fishing are the
major income generating activities, which are
VWS is taking steps to lease the vehicle to
monopolised by men; small-scale fishing is
private transport companies on a monthly rent.
carried out in the backwater canals both by
In Muzhukkuthurai, the vehicle has already
men and women; and fish auctioneering, fish
been leased to a private fish marketing agency
vending and dry fish manufacturing and selling
for a monthly rent of Rs 4,500. It is expected
are the income generating activities taken up
that this arrangement would earn a profit of
exclusively by women. The study also indicated
about Rs 30,000 per year which will be shared
that to increase the net profitability from existing
with the women SHGs.
fishing and fish related business activities,
Analysis of livelihood option: A short study was three approaches and methodologies could be
commissioned to assess the livelihood adopted. They include exploration of new
situation in MGR Thittu and Muzhukkuthurai market areas and appointment of new agents
villages. The objectives of this study were to to fetch remunerative prices, modernisation of
make a thorough analysis of the livelihood fishing practices without damaging stock, and
strategies followed in the two villages; identify use of wireless communication, to increase the
various interventions and methodologies that income; use of bio-diesel, preventive
would strengthen the existing business maintenance of boats and nets, use of buoys
activities and livelihood strategies and increase and LED devices to prevent damage to nets

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by boats, improved fish preservation fishing and other business activities. This
techniques etc., to reduce expenses; training programme was conducted by an
insurance, daily savings, investments in other external consultant and 26 persons
non-fish related business activities, bank participated. A one-day training programme
accounts with ATM facilities for easier cash including an exposure visit to Integrated
withdrawals, improved communication facilities Mangrove Fishery Farming System (IMFFS)
through mobile phones, broadband internet was conducted for the leaders, members,
connections for VKCs to obtain and analyse
women and youth of the Muzhukkuthurai and
market related information etc., to cover risks.
MGR Thittu villages. In this farming system,
In addition to the above, the study also revealed fish, prawn and crab culture is integrated with
new business opportunities that village youth mangrove plantation. Some of the youth in
and entrepreneurs could take up on an MGR Thittu are now interested in starting their
individual or collective basis for sustainable own IMFF farms. An exposure visit to
livelihood. These include preventive Kuthambakkam model village was also
maintenance and repair of emergency lamps, conducted for the President and ward
batteries, FRP boats, outboard engines and
members of Killai Panchayat to which the
accessories; establishment of processed
project hamlets are attached. The Trust for
prawn and fish processing units for powder,
Village Self Governance operating with its base
dehydrated meal and pickles; fish meal unit
in Kuthambakkam, provided the necessary
for poultry and fish feed; spawner (female)
inputs to motivate the Panchayat leaders to
trading unit; establishment of community
take steps for self-governance. This Trust
organised trading units (on the lines of the one
expressed its willingness to provide training on
established at Annankovil by SIFFS), eco-
tourism; joy manual boat ride in the back the role of the Panchayat in disaster
waters; installing a chain of eateries along the preparedness and mitigation, which will be
beach; water sports in the backwaters and the organised in the coming year.
open sea; establishment of a fish chilling unit, Exposure visits to mangrove and non-
ice plant, and a unit for mud crab fattening in mangrove bioshields developed at MGR Thittu
the backwaters.
and the IMFFS were conducted for members
All these new employment opportunities were of Pondicherry Multipurpose Social Service
identified by the community with the help of an Society, Puducherry, and for three batches of
external facilitator and during the coming year second year B.Sc (Agriculture) students of
follow up action will be taken. Annamalai University. Three one-day
Training: A one-day training programme was orientation programmes on community
organised to orient fishers, leaders and participation in bioshield development and
members of women SHGs and youth on what management were conducted for M.Sc (Social
should be done to increase income from the Work) students of Annamalai University.

22
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COASTAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

101.2 Strengthening Resilience of the in TN, cultural programmes, orientation

Tsunami Affected Communities meetings and exposure visits were used as the
tools to mobilise and organise the community.
This project, aims to reduce the vulnerability In Vembar, the cultural team of PAD conducted
of the rural poor in coastal areas and is being programmes, while in Manamelkudi, the SPRIT
implemented in India and Sri Lanka. In India it team conducted cultural shows. In these
is being implemented in four sites namely, programmes, songs, skits, dances and mono-
Vembar and Manamelkudi in TN and Kakinada plays were used effectively to create
and Sarlagundi in AP. A total number of 13 awareness among the community about the
hamlets are covered under the project, four in aim and purpose of the project and its
Manamelkudi site and three each in the other components. In the cultural shows, processes
three sites. Unlike other projects of MSSRF, that would be followed in planning and
this project is being implemented in three sites implementing the project were also outlined.
through grassroot NGOs. At the Vembar site In the Manamelkudi site, cultural programmes
in Tuticorin district in TN, the NGO People’s were followed by orientation meetings,
Action for Development (PAD), which has been conducted for the traditional leaders, women
working in the Gulf of Mannar region for a long and youth of the project hamlets and leaders
time, is associated with project implementation, and members of Panchayat Raj Institution
whereas at the Manamelkudi site in (PRI) separately.
Pudukkottai district, the Society for
Participatory Research and Integrated Training Exposure visits were also organised as a part
(SPRIT) is implementing the project. In the of the strategy to mobilise and organise the
case of AP, Praja Pragathi Seva Sangham community and facilitate people to gain first-
(PPSS) is the partner at the Krishna site, while hand knowledge from already established
at the Kakinada site in East Godavari district models of bioshield, VRC, VKC and livelihood
MSSRF is directly implementing the project. programmes, and facilitate interaction between
The important components of this project are representatives of the project hamlets with the
community mobilisation and organisation, community that established successful models.
mangrove and non-mangrove bioshield, VKC, In these exposure visits traditional leaders,
and livelihood and community based disaster women group leaders and members, young
risk reduction. The results achieved in these women and men and representatives of PRI
components, except VKC, are given below, from the project hamlets were given exposure
while the results achieved in VKC are to the Joint Mangrove Management (JMM)
presented under Programme Area 600. programme and bioshield programme
implemented in Pichavaram area and VRC and
Community mobilisation and organisation
VKC in Puducherry and Thangachimadam.
Cultural programmes, orientation and Interactive presentations, field visits and
exposure visits: In the seven project hamlets interaction with the community were the tools

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used for the exposure visits. Processes relating Committee in Vembar site. However, the
to PRA, formation of hamlet level institutions, organisational structure of the VLI is more or
identification of bioshield management units, less similar in all the hamlets. It consists of a
and preparation of hamlet level plans were GB, which is the supreme body of the institution
shared with the participants. In the bioshield and takes all the decisions. In project hamlets
component, types of bioshields, and the role in TN, one adult man and woman from the
of mangrove and non-mangrove vegetation families living in that hamlet have been enrolled
and sand dunes in reducing the impact of as members of the VLI, whereas in AP one
disasters were explained with empirical and adult man and woman from willing families are
field based evidence. Details of techniques included as members. In all the project hamlets
relating to the establishment of mangrove and the GB of the VLI elected an EC which is the
non-mangrove bioshields and methods to link planning and implementing body. In the EC of
them with livelihood were provided and shown various VLIs women have been given 30 to
in the field. In the VRC and VKC component, 60 % representation and representatives from
processes relating to the establishment of VRC PRI and MSSRF and partner NGOs are also
and VKC, need assessment, content creation included. The GB of the VLI meets regularly
and technical aspects relating to information once a month in some villages, whereas in other
and knowledge dissemination were explained villages a meeting is conducted once in three
to the participants. In these exposure visits, 107 months. The EC of all the VLIs meets once a
women and 61 men participated. A similar month. All the VLIs have a savings bank account
process was followed in the case of the Krishna in the nearby nationalised bank, which is being
and Kakinada sites in AP. Representatives from used for the transaction of project funds.
the community, women’s groups, youth and
Participatory Rural Appraisal: PRA was
PRI were taken to the hamlets where JMM
extensively used to understand the socio-
programmes were being implemented in the
economic condition of the community living in
Godavari and Krishna mangroves. These
the project hamlets, interdependency between
exposure visits played a crucial role in
natural resources and user communities and
motivating both the community and PRI
major concerns of the people relating to their
members to participate actively in the project.
socio-economic development, resource
Village level institutions: In all the project management, information flow, disaster
hamlets a Village Level Institution (VLI) was management, etc. It was also used as a tool
formed to prepare, implement and monitor to develop rapport among stakeholders. The
project activities in a participatory manner. It is PRA documents the village history, social
called Village Development and Management infrastructure, livelihood analysis, gender, VLI,
Council (VDMC) in the project hamlets of bioshield mapping, information and knowledge,
Manamelkudi, Krishna and Kakinada sites, problems and intervention measures and
whereas it is called Village Development micro-planning.

24
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COASTAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

The major concerns identified in the project of PRI and bioshield could be a part of the
hamlets through PRA varied from over- preparedness exercise. All these motivated the
exploitation of fish stock in the sea, lack of PRI to provide land for mangrove bioshield
employment opportunity in the villages, quantity development. In this regard a resolution was
and quality of drinking water and lack of passed in the Gramsabha, indicating that PRI
financial support to reclaim prawn farms into is willing to raise mangrove plantations in the
agricultural lands, to degraded mangrove unsurveyed mud flats jointly with MSSRF and
ecosystem, lack of transport facility and lack partner NGOs to protect the people from
of proper houses. In some of the hamlets, lack cyclones and other natural calamities. Since
of credit facility and dependency on the resolution passed in the Gramsabha
moneylenders were cited as major issues. In meeting is legally valid, the decision was taken
some other villages, the lack of a source of as permission to raise a mangrove bioshield
information on potential fishing zones, and the in the unsurveyed land.
climate and prices for different kinds of fish
Establishment of a bioshield was initiated in
markets were identified as the major concerns.
about 20 ha in Kattumavadi village and in about
These concerns formed the basis for the
30 ha in Keezhavaipar village. In these areas,
preparation of village level developmental plans.
the canal method, which was developed and
Bioshield tested during earlier JMM programmes, was
followed to raise the mangrove plantation. A
Mangrove bioshield: In TN, the establishment total of 2,25,000 propagules of Avicennia
of a mangrove bioshield was initiated during marina and 85,000 propagules of Rhizophora
the year in Kattumavadi village at Manamelkudi were planted in the mangrove bioshield sites
site and Keezhavaipar village at Vembar site. during the year. The performance of these
Both the mangrove bioshields are being plantations in terms of survival, growth etc., is
developed in unsurveyed mud flats and hence being monitored by a committee consisting of
are not under the control of government members from VDMC, MSSRF and partner
departments. In taking up these lands for NGOs. The survival rate of Avicennia marina
raising mangrove plantations, the PRI, in which was around 75 % whereas in the case of
the project hamlet is a part, played a key role. Rhizophora it was around 90 %. In the
Representatives of these PRI were oriented Kattumavadi region a number of problems
to the project and taken for an exposure visit relating to the management of the bioshield
to Pichavaram, which made them gain in depth were noticed, including deposition of seaweed
understanding of the role of mangroves in in the bioshield site, grazing by goats, and crab
fishery development and in mitigating the fishing in the bioshield area; all of them affected
impact of natural disasters such as cyclone and the establishment of seedlings. The VDMC of
tsunami. They were also informed that disaster Kattumavadi played a key role in solving these
preparedness had now become the mandate issues. The members of VDMC voluntarily

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removed the seaweeds and appointed a Krishna site, PPSS, obtained necessary
watcher to prevent grazing by goats. They also permission from the District Collector, Krishna
interacted with the leaders of nearby villages district, to raise mangroves in about 100 ha in
to restrict grazing as well as crab fishing in the these areas. The mangrove bioshield is being
plantation area. In Keezhavaipar also, the developed in 60 ha and the other 40 ha will be
VDMC appointed a watchman to take care of covered in the coming year. As in the case of
the plantation. TN, the canal method was followed in raising
the mangrove bioshield and the survival rate
In AP, the establishment of the mangrove
of the plantation was good. The VDMC of
bioshield was initiated in about 60 ha with the
Sorlagondi was actively involved in the
participation of the people of Sorlagondi village.
management of the bioshield.
An extensive mangrove forest is located
between the village and the sea. A part of this Non-mangrove bioshield: In TN, no non-
forest has been declared Reserve Forest and mangrove bioshield was established in the
is protected by the Forest Department (FD). project sites during the year. In AP, the
Another part of the mangrove forest that is establishment of a multispecies non-mangrove
located very close to the village is still under bioshield was initiated in the project villages of
the control of the Revenue Department. Mulapeta, Danavaipeta and Narsipeta at the
Mangrove forests in areas owned by the Kakinada site in about 10 ha of community-
Revenue Department were cleared and owned land. In accordance with the wishes of
developed into prawn farms during the late the community, casuarina was the main
1980s, without permission from the concerned species planted; other species such as
agencies. Many of these aquaculture ponds palmyrah (Borassus flabellifer), coconut
were totally washed away during the cyclone (Cocas nucifera), soap nut (Sapindus
in 1994. Even though many of these farms emarginatus) and cashew (Anacardium
were rehabilitated later, prawn farmers suffered occidentale) were also planted. The EC of the
losses consecutively for four years due to viral VDMC of these villages played an active role
diseases. The Aquaculture Authority of India in land preparation and planting, and appointing
also made registration of farms mandatory, but a community watcher in each of the three
these farmers could not comply because their villages to protect, water and replace affected
farms had been developed illegally by plants.
occupying revenue land. Later, on the basis
Livelihood
of the Supreme Court Order, these farmers
were evicted. The mangrove bioshield is now Target groups: The poor families, including
being established in the areas that were families headed by women, in the project
degraded due to the establishment of such villages are the target group of livelihood
illegal prawn farms. The partner NGO at the programmes. In all the project villages, these

26
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COASTAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

groups were identified through livelihood of the fishing villages, as this would help the
analysis and wealth ranking exercises of PRA. fishers to store the catch and transport it to
The villagers themselves developed criteria to markets in good condition. This will fetch better
classify families into poor, medium rich and rich prices, which in turn will increase the income
families. Table 1.2 shows the criteria used by from fishing. In the second category, potential
the community to classify families in livelihood opportunities are being
Ponnagaram village in Manamelkudi site. demonstrated in a participatory mode so that
Following this method, a total number of 600 viable demonstrations can be replicated by the
families have been identified as target groups fishing families. In the third category, training
and funds will be leveraged from various is being provided to youth to increase their skills
schemes of the Government to address the in different vocations. This would create an
issues of these poor families; for some of the interest to start their own business or increase
livelihood programmes, which have already their employment opportunities. The livelihood
been started, project funds are being utilised. activities that have been identified and
Livelihood interventions: In TN, partner NGOs implemented in Rojmanagar village in Vembar
identified three different groups of activities site are listed in Table 1.3.
namely, direct interventions, demonstrations,
At the Krishna site in AP, reclamation of prawn
and training to impart vocational skills to
farms into agriculture lands, eco-friendly
strengthen the livelihood of the community.
aquaculture, cattle rearing and IMFFS have
These activities were identified on the basis of
been identified as major livelihood interventions
social mapping, livelihood analysis, wealth
and many of them are being implemented. In
ranking, occupational diagram and discussions
the project villages in Kakinada, generating a
with the identified groups. Under direct
revolving fund to strengthen the existing
interventions, activities to enhance or
livelihood activities and to start new enterprises
strengthen the current livelihood are being
has been identified as the major livelihood
taken up. For example, providing ice boxes has
intervention.
been identified as a direct intervention in many

Table 1.2 Criteria used by the community to classify families in Ponnagaram village, TN
Rich Medium Poor
Own concrete house Own concrete house/ Tiled house Living in colony house/
Have a government job own thatched house
Own FRP boat
Own coconut groves Own Vallam / Vathai with or Wage labourers
Merchants without engine Net menders
Jewellery shop owners Working abroad Destitute women
Own car or van

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Table 1.3 Interventions identified to strengthen the livelihood of the target groups in
Rojmanagar village in Vembar site, TN
Direct Interventions Demonstrations Training
Financial Initiative for Substantial Preparation of health mix Boat engine mechanic
Human Resource Regeneration powder Status: Completed
(FISHERR) Programme – releasing Status: Completed
from the clutches of money lenders
Status: Initiated

Strengthening of community - based Hygienic fish handling Scuba diving

gear workshop (post harvest) Status: Planned
Status: Initiated Status: Completed

Community - based rice business GPS handling

Status: Initiated Status: to be conducted

Revolving fund for fish vendors Crab and lobster fattening

Status: Initiated Status: dropped because
not feasible

Providing ice boxes to improve storage

of fish catch
Status: postponed because
of the demand for large boxes for which
more funds are needed

Community based Disaster Risk Reduction APDC is planned in the form of theoretical
Community-based Disaster Risk Reduction orientation and hands on training to middle
(CDRR) is one of the components of the level managers and field coordinators of
project. However, due to lack of experience MSSRF and partner NGOs.
and expertise both within MSSRF and in
Joint Activities between MSSRF and project
partner NGOs only very limited progress was
partners in Sri Lanka
made. On the basis of discussions with the
partner NGOs, government agencies and The project on strengthening the resilience of
funding organisation, it was decided to utilise tsunami-affected communities is a regional
the services of Asian Disaster Preparedness project covering India and Sri Lanka. In
Centre (APDC), Bangkok, to build the capacity Sri Lanka, it is being implemented jointly by
of MSSRF and its partner NGOs in preparing two international NGOs, Sarvodaya and
and implementing community-based disaster Practical Action. While designing the project,
risk management plans. Assistance from it was envisaged that exchange visits would

28
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
COASTAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

be organised between the Indian and Sri pertaining to bioshield management being
Lankan partners to learn from each other’s carried out in each village was studied in detail.
experience. During the year, the following On the basis of local experience and existing
activities were completed. biophysical conditions and social situations,
including participation of the stakeholders,
Visit to early warning site by MSSRF and its
suggestions were made to improve the
boundary partners: In July 2007, project staff
structure and management of different kinds
from MSSRF, grassroots NGO partners,
of bioshields. It was also suggested that in
SPRIT, PAD and PPSS went on an exposure
some of the sites, mangrove-fishery farming
visit to the Village Iinforamtion Centre
system, which integrates livelihood with
established by Sarvodaya and Disaster Early
mangrove plantation, could be taken up to
Warning System established by LIREN ASIA
create an interest among the people in
at Barhamanawatta village in Galle district.
mangrove bioshield development and
Workshop on Disaster Management: All the management. A presentation on the results of
project partners in India and Sri Lanka, the visit was made to Sarvodaya, Practical
including grassroots NGOs, jointly attended a Action, IDRC and CIDA-Sri Lanka immediately
workshop on Disaster Management, held in after the field visit.
Colombo in July 2007, organised by Sarvodaya
and IDRC. At the workshop, presentations
were made by experts on the role of ICT in
Sub Programme Area 102
Disaster Risk Management, ICT and Early
Warning Systems, Livelihood Based Disaster Integrated Mangrove-Fishery
Management and the District-level Disaster
Management Plan in Sri Lanka. MSSRF made Farming System (Seawater
a presentation on the Role of Remote Sensing Farming System)
and GIS in Disaster Preparedness. On the
basis of the above presentations and field A seawater farming system that integrates
experiences, discussions were held in detail cultivation of mangrove plants and halophytes
on the role of the project in Disaster and culture of fish, prawn and crabs is being
Management. demonstrated in partnership with a progressive
prawn farmer and the local community near
Visit relating to bioshield programmes: MSSRF Pichavaram. The main aim of this programme
was requested by IDRC and Sarvodaya and is to demonstrate the possibility of integrating
Practical Action to provide inputs to the income generating opportunity with mangrove
bioshield programmes of Sri Lanka. The bioshield development. This system, formerly
experts from MSSRF visited all nine project known as Seawater Farming System, is
villages located in Hambantota, Matara and currently designated as IMFFS and is eco-
Galle districts in Sri Lanka. The work friendly. The main components of IMFFS are

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A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 0 7- 2 0 0 8
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mangrove plantation, halophyte cultivation and Fish culture: Culture of the commercially
fish culture. important fish Lates calcarifer (sea bass) was
attempted in the farm and in September 2007,
Mangrove plantation: In the outer and inner
2,500 fingerlings, each about 2.5 cm long, were
bunds of the farm, 1,723 Rhizophora and 327
purchased from the Rajiv Gandhi Research
Avicennia marina saplings were planted last
Foundation, Thoduvai, as availability of
year. The condition of the plantation was
fingerlings in the wild is limited. They were kept
monitored and steps were taken to make it a
in large bags made of fine nylon net (happa) in
healthy plantation. The increase in height and
the farm water itself for acclimatisation, but
other growth parameters are comparable to
survival of the fingerlings at the end of three
Rhizophora and Avicennia plantations in any
months was only about 9 %. This was due to
healthy mangrove ecosystem, indicating that
the small size of the fingerlings, which could
mangrove plants can be grown in such semi-
enclosed environmental conditions, fed by tidal not adapt themselves to the environmental
water. conditions existing in the farm. In the next
attempt, 500 fingerlings of 8 cm length were
Last year, the leaves of Rhizophora sp., were purchased in December 2007 and again
affected by a species of sap-sucking scale acclimatised in the farm itself. At the end of
insect of the Coccidae family, which was January 2008 nearly 85 % of the fingerlings
controlled with neem spray. This year, there survived and reached a length of 13 cm. They
was no incidence of pest attack and this could
were released into the farm in February 2008
be due to the fact that this pest attacks only
and the survival and growth performance of
young seedlings and not well-established
the released fingerlings are being monitored.
seedlings.
Halophyte plantation: A succulent halophyte
namely, Sesuvium portulucastrum, which has
commercial potential as a component of
Sub Programme Area 103
salads, was planted on the top and sides of
Nuclear and Biotechnological
the outer and inner bunds of the farm. Stem
cuttings of about 15 cm in length were planted Tools for Coastal Systems
at an interval of 1 m. The fresh weight of the Research
plantation, measured at monthly intervals,
showed that values increased from 542 g/m2 The project, supported by the Department of
in September 2007, reached a peak value of Atomic Energy (DAE), has been in operation
1,132 g/m 2 in January 2008 and started in the coastal regions of TN. Two sites are
declining after that. This indicates that the located in the vicinity of the nuclear power
growth of this plant reaches its peak only during plants in Kalpakkam and Kudankulam. Low
the northeast monsoon season when the external input and integrated intensive farming
salinity of the soil is less. practice models were the focus at Kalpakkam,

30
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
COASTAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

in addition to several microenterprises related and crop damage were observed in some fields
to agricultural production and productivity due to heavy rain prior to harvest.
improvement. Multiplication of improved
The performance of the mutant variety green
varieties of various pulses has been replicated
gram (TARM 1) has been well appreciated by
and popularised in the farmers’ fields in the
the farmers. With intercropping in horticulture
region. The major activity of the project is
plots, this year the cultivation was undertaken
concentrated in Kudankulam region, while the
by 22 farmers in the region showing an average
laboratory-based activities with relation to
yield ranging from 200 to 500 kg/ha.
developing salinity tolerant varieties have been
undertaken at Chennai. Crop diversification
Community participation with regard to eco- Performance evaluation and yield testing of
development and horti-agriculture has been the hybrid maize under scheduled irrigated
focus of the programme for the last six years. condition was carried out in farmers’ fields
The activities that started at Kudankulam (80-95 days) and found suitable under <500
village have now spread to Errukundurai, mm rainfall. The following parameters were
Vijyapathy, Kuthankuzhy and Uvary Panchayat
maintained: seed material - 15 kg/ha, seed
under Radhapuram taluk. The project began
treatments given to avoid shoot borer disease
extending its technology to every village
and leaf spot disease, and adequate spacing;
through replication of the models developed
germination was 100 %. The whole process
in partnership with the local institution and
was demonstrated and explained to other
villagers. On-site field-based training
farmers from neighbouring villages. Five
programmes designed especially for farmers
farmers have volunteered to adopt it in their
covered under the ATMA programme of the
fields in the coming season.
Govt. of TN and SHG members of different
taluks in Tirunelveli are being carried out. Fodder Bank
103.1 Activities at Kudankulam Veli masal (Hedge lucerne) fodder crop was
introduced in the fodder bank for seed
BARC seed multiplication
multiplication. Sufficient seeds have been
This year, groundnut seeds (TAG 24) collected for distribution to farmers this year.
developed by BARC, were distributed to 10
Bio-diesel crop (Jatropha)
farmers. Six farmers harvested groundnut with
an average yield of about 700 kg/ha, with oil Multilocation clonal trials of a few selected high
content ranging from 49 to 54.4 %. Crop yielding, high seed oil content Jatropha curcas
duration was observed to be between 100 and are being carried out in Kudankulam to produce
105 days. Yield data was found quite quality genetic material as part of testing in
satisfactory and comparable with the best yield various selected regions in the country.
obtained under rainfed conditions. Yield loss Experimental blocks were prepared to test

31
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A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 0 7- 2 0 0 8
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vegetatively propagated saplings from selected MSSRF conducted on-site demonstrations of

superior accessions of Jatropha.
Four random block designs were carried out
(R1 to R4) for multilocation trials with 987 plants
being planted at 3 m x 3 m distance. The plants
are growing well and have attained an average
height of 1.5 feet.
Each replication has 10 small blocks and each
small block has 25 saplings from single
superior accessions. 248 plants were planted
in R block and 987 plants were planted
(R1,R4) in all the four blocks; data from each
block is collected and maintained for national
multilocation trials. Data entry work sheets
have been prepared to record all the
information, including the performance of the
trial, using statistical packages like SAS, SPSS
and STATISTICA.
With all these interventions and consultations
on various crops, agriculture practices and soil
and water management practises, MSSRF has
been able to persuade more than 100
additional farmers to adopt various crops and
cultivation models in their fields. The outreach
of various crop-based interventions during the
year is given in Table 1. 4
Table 1.4 Area under cultivation of various
crops during 2007-2008
Pulses
Oilseeds
Gooseberry
Mango
Fodder crops/Azolla
Jatropha
pest and disease control procedures in various
crops such as brinjal, tomato, mango, moringa,
guava and coconut on a priority basis in
farmers’ fields, based on the inputs received
from the farmers and the need analysis
exercise undertaken for the purpose.
Community Development
The ongoing project has been organising
SHGs in the project villages of Kudankulam,
Idinthakarai, Kuthankuli, Uvari, Radhapuram
and Chettikulam Panchayat. Activities are
focused on forming SHGs among the local
farmers, fisherwomen, landless labourers, and
SC/ST women. Ten new SHGs have been
formed this year, taking the total strength to 80
SHGs. These SHGs have their own savings
to the extent of Rs 1 crore and with the loan
received from the local banks for various
activities the savings is around
Rs 2 crores.
Capacity building
Members of newly formed SHGs were
provided training on the maintenance of
accounts, bank linkage, leadership and
entrepreneurship development. Skill
development training was given to 140 SHG
members, including 120 women and 20 men,
on social development and record
8 ha
maintenance.
10 ha
15 ha MSSRF has also been involved in capitalising
10 ha from the provisions of capacity building of the
40 farmers community from various DRDA schemes in
Trial plots Tirunelveli district.

32
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
COASTAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Nearly Rs one lakh has been provided by the Village Knowledge Centre
DRDA, Tirunelveli, for conducting training The VKC is an ongoing activity of MSSRF,
programmes for 842 SHG members during the providing computer education to needy children
year. MSSRF actively participated in ATMA under the Computer Literacy Campaign.
Kisan Mela and displayed information on Trained students motivate their friends and
fodder crops in the stall on the topic “Nutritional classmates to join the centre. The VKC had
Fodder Crop”. Azolla samples were also 50 girls and boys enrolled for computer classes
distributed to farmers. MSSRF conducted on- this year. The VKC recently started TALLY
field training for ATMA SHG members of classes for Kudankulam students and two
Radhapuram on rainfed agriculture. batches have been completed. It is interesting
to note that girls are coming from
Alternative livelihood
Anjugrammam (neighbouring Kanyakumari
The ongoing project has supported sericulture district) to take this course. VKC activities have
as a part-time livelihood option for people of expanded at Avudayalpuram, and MSSRF has
south TN. After training more than 30 farmers, supported a tailoring centre at Avudayalpuram
Uralvaimozhi SHG has harvested the second VKC under Vijyapathy Panchayat.
batch of cocoons.
Ten students selected from Bishop Roach Hr.
Interdistrict exposure visits were organised for Sec. School, Idinthakarai coastal village
15 Kudankulam farmers. They visited KVK participated in a three-day training programme
Gandhigram Rural University, Gandhigram and on Ornamental Fish Culture (OFC) in February
attended lectures on IPM, organic farming and 2008. CARE at St. Xavier’s College, Tirunelveli,
animal husbandry. The group also learnt about organised the training and covered the overall
the role of IT in agriculture development from aspects of income generation through OFC.
the MSSRF-VRC Centre, Sempatty. They also MSSRF has planned to conduct the same
visited the watershed areas of Kadavakurichi, programme at the village level in the coming year.
Mallanapatti and Kombaipatti in Bathalagundu 103.2. Activities at IGCAR, Kalpakkam
Block, Dindigul and studied the various
techniques of watershed development. Rice cultivation under organic farming in the
demo plot yielded 3.78 ton/ha. BARC seed
Kitchen gardens for nutritional security were multiplication was carried out in demo plots and
raised in demo-plots. A few selected seasonal seeds were supplied to other trial locations.
hybrid vegetables (tomato, brinjal, lady’s finger) Seed multiplication of laboratory tested
were maintained in nurseries. Saplings were transgenic rice varieties has been done.
distributed to poor SHG members in Introgression studies are being carried out
neighbouring villages under Kudankulam and between transgenic lines with white ponni,
Vijaypathy Panchayat. IR64, IR20 and ADT43. These details are

33
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A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 0 7- 2 0 0 8
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reported in PA 300. A training programme on Bioshield plantation in the coastal areas

INM and IPM, and off-farm demonstration at and maintenance
farmers’ fields for rice and oil seeds, were
Three-year old bioshield plantations are being
organised.
managed by traditional leaders and SHGs at
Mangrove restoration at Buckingham Sadraskuppam, Karaikal, Chandrapadi,
canal - Bay of Bengal mouth at Kalpakkam Pudukuppam and Pazhayar.

The two-year old mangrove plantation at Economic rehabilitation - micro enterprises

Kalpakkam has established itself and the
Women SHGs’ bioshield nurseries: Six women
Avicennia marina plants are growing well, with
SHGs have developed 14 backyard nurseries,
good canopy cover, well-formed
pneumatophores (breathing roots) and eight individual nurseries and one general
initiation of flowering in a few tress. Rhizophora nursery for mangrove and non-mangrove
mucronata growth was normal and many plants at Chandrapadi, Keelavanjore,
anchor roots have been formed for support, Nethyalvasal and Pudukuppam. The women
with extended canopy. Excoecaria agallocha earned Rs 5.5 lakhs from the nursery activities.
was observed to be flowering and fruiting and
Microenterprise training: Training programmes
seed dispersal has set been observed.
for ten microenterprises including mud crab
103.3 Sustainable Ecological and fattening, community pond aquaculture,
Economic Rehabilitation integrated farm ponds, production of oyster
mushroom, vermicompost, fish/prawn pickle,
Ecological rehabilitation - bioshield
clam fishery and harvest, dry fish marketing,
Mangrove nurseries were established at poultry farm and bioshield nursery were
Keelavanjore for supply of saplings to the conducted at Sadraskuppam, Pazhayar,
mangrove bioshield plantation areas. SHGs Chandrapadi/ Keelavanjore and Pattinamcherry.
raised 76,000 mangrove saplings (Avicennia, 1,572 members participated in these training
Rhizophora, Bruguiera, Excoecaria) and programmes. Some SHGs have started
67,100 non-mangrove saplings (Casuarina, activities and the impact is under study.
Coconut, Subabul, Railroad vine, Calophyllum,
Thespesia, Spinifex, Pongamia, Mahua) and Coastal Village Knowledge Centres
supplied them to the Forest Department, Four VKCs have been established and
NGOs, Panchayat and CBOs. Mangrove and provide need-based information in
non-mangrove nurseries have been made Sadraskuppam, Pazhayar, Chandrapadi and
available at Chandrapadi, Keelavanjore, Pattinamcherry villages.
Nethyalvasal and Pudukuppam.

34
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
COASTAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

mangrove species found in the entire coast of

Sub Programme Area 104 TN is Avicennia marina. Other species found
are Rhizophora, Excoecaria agallocha and
Remote Sensing and Geogra- Acanthus ilicifolius. This study also showed
phical Information System that apart from the two major mangrove
ecosystems located at Pichavaram and
Major projects carried out in the GIS lab under Muthupet, most estuaries and backwater
this programme area are Coastal Zone Studies systems along the TN coast have patches of
and suitability mapping of mangrove and non- mangroves, which also need to be conserved.
mangrove bioshields, which is one of the major
Chennai: Small patches of mangroves
components of the project on Strengthening
comprising Avicennia marina and Suaeda are
the resilience of tsunami-affected communities.
found along the intertidal margins of the Adyar
104.1 Coastal Systems Research estuary as well as Ennore backwaters of
The three components in this project are Chennai coast. Avicennia marina is the
mapping and monitoring Marine Protected dominant species.
Areas (MPA), mapping mangrove vegetation
Cuddalore: Pichavaram is the second
zonation of TN coast and assessment of
mangrove wetland of TN covering an area of
mangrove health using remote sensing and
about 858 ha with mangrove species such as
GIS data. Under the first component, mapping
Avicennia marina, Rhizophora apiculata and
of MPAs in TN namely, Pulicat Wild Life
R. mucronata dominating the wetland spread
Sanctuary, Pichavaram Reserve Forest,
in the Vellar - Coleroon estuarine complex.
Vedaranyam Wild Life Sanctuary and
Rhizophora mangroves stretch along the
Ramanathapuram mangroves were completed
backwaters and canals and the interior wetland
and IRS L4 (Indian Remote sensing Satellite
is covered extensively by A. marina. Associated
Linear Imaging Self scanning System) data
mangrove species such as Suaeda maritima
were used for mapping. Changes in the coastal
and S. monoica are also found.
resources of MPA between 1,970 (base maps
prepared using Survey of India toposheets) and Puducherry and Karaikkal: In Puducherry,
the recent remote sensing data will be mapped mangroves are distributed along the
during the coming year to suggest the Ariyankuppam and Chunnambu rivers. Apart
modification required in MPA boundary. from Avicennia marina other species found in
The second component involves mapping of these mangroves are Rhizophora and
mangrove vegetation zones along the entire Bruguiera cylindrica. Associated species of
coast of TN, except Muthupet and Gulf of Suaeda are also found. In Karaikkal, small
Mannar mangroves. This work was completed patches of Avicennia marina and Rhizophora
during the year and IRS L3 data was used for are found in the Arasalar river mouth. Avicennia
mapping. The study revealed that the major marina and a few species of Ceriops decandra

35
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A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 0 7- 2 0 0 8
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

are found along the mouth of the Vettar river Ramanathapuram (Devipattinam): Avicennia
near Vanjiyur. The extent of mangroves in these marina is dominantly distributed along the
two districts is about 50 ha. rivers of Kottakarai and Uppar and in the mud
flats of Devipattinam. Mangroves are also found
Nagapattinam: In north Nagapattinam,
along the small creeks near the coast. The total
mangroves are found along the Uppanar and
area of mangroves in Ramnathapuram district
Coleroon rivers. In south Nagapattinam,
is 250 ha.
patches of mangroves are found along the
coast of Vedaranyam canal and Vellar river Kanniyakumari (Manakkudi): The River
(near Velankanni) and the mud flat areas of Pazhayar confluences with the Arabian Sea
Talainayar. Avicennia marina is the dominant near Manakkudi village, forming the Manakkudi
species in these areas but other species such estuary with small islands. One of the islands
has artificially regenerated mangroves.
as Bruguiera cylindrica and Acanthus ilicifolius
Rhizophora is the dominant species in this
and associated mangroves such as Suaeda
area. It covers less than 1 ha.
and Salicornia are also found. The total area
of mangroves in this district is 136 ha. The third component of the project, a Remote
Sensing and GIS-based model that can be
Tuticorin (Punnakayal): The mangroves in
used to assess the health of mangrove
Punnakayal are predominantly Avicennia
wetlands with remote sensing data and GIS,
species. Suaeda and Salicorina are other was prepared for Pichavaram mangrove
associated mangroves commonly found here. wetlands. The following indicators were used
The district has about 398 ha of mangroves, to develop this model: mangrove forest density,
which are in a highly degraded state. canopy cover, floral diversity, natural
regeneration, fresh water flow, hindrance to
Pudukottai: Dense Avicennia marina and
fresh water flow, anthropogenic pressure such
associated mangrove of Suaeda are distributed
as formation of bunds across the river, creeks,
in the mud flat areas of Kattumavadi and along
grazing, drainage density, aquaculture farms,
the Vellar river mouth. The total area of
pollution from settlements/ industries and
mangroves in this district is 90 ha.
sedimentation. The draft model has been
Thanjavur: In Thanjavur, dense Avicennia accepted by the sponsoring agency (Space
marina is distributed along the Ambullar river, Application Centre, Ahmedabad) and circulated
and small patches of mangroves are found to experts for comments. During the coming
year this will be finalised for replication to
along the Tedakkiar, Kattar and Agniar river
assess the health of other mangrove forests.
mouths. Nearly 163 ha of mangroves are found
in the district apart from the Muthupet Suitability mapping for mangrove and non-
mangroves (2,130 ha), which are spread mangrove coastal bioshield: Suitability
between Thanjavur and Thiruvarur districts. mapping for bioshield has been carried out for

36
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
COASTAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

the Pudukottai district of TN and Krishna district 104.2 Ecotechnology

of AP.
Remote sensing and GIS tools were used in
Basemap of the coastal Manamelkudi and the Bio-industrial watershed project. Ennai and
Aranthangi blocks of Pudukottai district in TN Thalinji Panchayats of Pudukottai district,
state and Nagaylanka mandal of Krishna Karasanur village of Villupuram district of TN
district, AP were prepared. Remote sensing and Tolla village of Koraput district of Orissa
data of IRS P6 LISS 4 was purchased for the are the study areas. Maps were prepared with
study area and geographically corrected to cadastral boundary, contours and drainge.
match with the base maps prepared from Landuse and landcover maps were also
Survey of India toposheet and administrative prepared using remote sensing data of Ennai
boundary maps. Preliminary maps of landuse/ and Tolla for the year 2007. Updation of
land cover and geomorphology were prepared cadastral boundary using Farm Measurement
for the coastal area of Manamelkudi block. Book was carried out for one of the study
Ground truth data was collected to finalise the
villages, Karasanur village of Villupuram
landuse and land cover map and
district, by integrating information collected
geomorphology map of Manamelkudi block.
from participating farmers. The database
Landuse/ land cover map of Nagaylanka
developed is being used in planning and
mandal was prepared and finalised with ground
prioritising the watershsed development
truth information collected from the field.
activities in the study area.
Landuse/land cover map, geomorphology
In Fish for All programme, land use/land cover
map, and topography of the coast were used
map of Keelaiyur revenue village has been
to derive land suitability for the mangrove and
prepared. Houshold data of Poompuhar,
non-mangrove bioshield. The coastal zone up
Keelaiyur and Neithavasal hamlets of Keelaiyur
to 1 m elevation from mean sea level was
revenue village has been entered in GIS with
marked from the coastline for the selection of
location of houses in all three hamlets. This
suitable sites. The area suitable for mangroves
will help in identifying the different sectors in
was identified using the criteria developed from
the village and to plan the project activities
the geomorphology map and from landuse
accordingly.
map and as per these criteria newly formed
mudflats, waterlogged areas and wastelands 104.3 Information, Education and
have been identified suitable for bioshield Communication
development. Land suitability map for
mangrove and non-mangrove bioshield of Participatory GIS is being applied to develop
Manamelkudi block will be further improved by Household Information System and Farm
incorporating the perception of the local Information System in Thatchampathu, one of
community. the VKC villages in Wayanad district in Kerala.

37
○ ○
ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

The following steps were followed in this using GPS. The difference in social and
Participatory GIS. resource mapping through regular PRA
Regular PRA exercises were carried out with exercise and the maps produced using spatial
tools such as transect walk, time and trend methods by GIS and GPS and the importance
analysis, social mapping, wealth ranking, of scale and direction in developmental plans
resource mapping and Venn diagram. were explained to the people.
Locations of important places were collected
using GPS along with details during transect Overlaying of social mapping outcomes such
walk. Unique identity numbers were assigned as community, income and social status helped
for each house in the village. The same in identifying target groups for project
identification is used in social mapping, wealth intervention. The database developed is being
ranking exercises in collecting household used in further planning and monitoring of the
details and in locating the respective houses VKC activities.

38
Programme Area 200

BIODIVERSITY

Community Agrobiodiversity Centre, Wayanad, completed ten years of

operation, contributing significantly towards conservation, livelihood and
education. Kalajeera Growers Association brought 163 ha under Kalajeera
cultivation during the year. An association of tribal health practitioners of the
Bhumia tribe was formed to document the traditional knowledge associated
with the medicinal plants used by them.

201 Community Agrobiodiversity Centre, Wayanad -------------------------------------------------- 40

202 Biju Patnaik Medicinal Plants Garden and Research Centre, Jeypore --------------------- 45

203 Community Conservation Efforts in Kolli hills ----------------------------------------------------- 54

204 Community Gene Bank -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 58

205 Capacity Building of Panchayat and Community Leaders ------------------------------------- 59

39
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A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 0 7- 2 0 0 8
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Programme Area 200 Sub Programme Area 201

Biodiversity Community Agrobiodiversity
Centre, Wayanad
Commendable progress was made during the
year in community biodiversity conservation Community Agrobiodiversity Centre (CAbC)
and development activities, which helped in marked its tenth year. The Strategy Review
Report was prepared, which took stock of the
achieving the overall programme goal of “bio-
work done so far, assessing its impact in the
happiness”.
areas of conservation, livelihood and education
The activities towards this goal were continued and what needs to be done further to maximise
under five thematic areas: Community Agro- efforts for overall impact. Based on this
biodiversity Centres; Biodiversity Conservation, Strategy Review and the recommendations of
the National Discussion on “Revitalising
Utilisation and Enhancement; Enlarging the
Agrobiodiversity for Alleviating Poverty and
food basket (focusing on underutilised crops);
Hunger’, held to observe one decade in the
Integration of Biodiversity Conservation,
service of conservation of agrobiodiversity in
Biovillage, Community Food and Water Wayanad district, a set of 18 goals was
Security System (Gene-Seed-Grain-Water identified after an intensive exercise.
Banks) and VKCs; and Capacity building of
The activities during the year are reported
Panchayat Leaders on Farmers’ Rights and
under three thematic areas.
Biodiversity Acts.
201.1 Conservation of vanishing diversity
The activities in the Jeypore tract of Orissa
Conservation of Native Rice Varieties:
were under a PAN MSSRF mode in which the
Supported by the National Medicinal Plants
four theme areas of Biodiversity Conservation,
Board (NMPB), this project concentrates on
Enhancement and Utilisation, Food and
the medicinal property, validation and market
Nutritional Security, Biovillage and VKC were expansion of Navara and other speciality rice
strongly linked together. varieties including Chennellu, Gandhakasala
and Mullanchanna, which are endemic to
The Kolli Hills interventions continue to focus
Kerala. As Navara exists in 4 different types,
on Conservation, Cultivation, Consumption and
and no key is available to distinguish them, the
Commercialisation of millets. The focus at Centre is engaged in research and
CAbC at Wayanad has been on Conservation, collaboration to overcome the situation.
Livelihood Promotion and Education and
Currently 30 farmers are cultivating speciality
Training.
rice in 7.50 ha for which 150 kg of seeds of

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BIODIVERSITY
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four rice varieties were supplied. But despite profile and clinical property, a protocol for
the high demand, the price of Navara rice validating Navara rice through clinical trials has
remains low, notwithstanding the cost of been prepared in collaboration with Central
production coupled with the low yield. Agencies Research Institute (Ayurveda) Cheruthuruthi.
like Kandamkulathy Pharmacy, Thrissur and
Conservation of Rare Endangered and
Kalady Rice Millers’ Cluster Development
Threatened (RET) plant species: Detailed
Society, Kalady have been approached to
ensure a steady market. A ten-member morphological analyses to confirm the
farmers’ group at Nadavayal has been identification of the targeted 80 RET species
empowered to apply for assistance from NMPB have been completed, of which voucher
under the contractual farming system. specimens of 49 species have been deposited
at CAbC herbarium. As a conservation
At the Puthoorvayal trial plot, morphological measure, 13,558 seedlings of these species
characterisation of Navara continued during were raised through both seeds and vegetative
both seasons of the year, following IRRI’s rice
means. As part of the ex situ collections, a zone
descriptor. During the Nanja season (August/
for climbing plants with 168 species and a zone
September – December/January), a trial on the
for trees with 42 species that are endemic to
amount of basal fertiliser FYM applied per
the Western Ghats have been set up at the
hactare showed a substantial increase in yield
Conservation Garden of the Centre.
of both black awnless and yellow awnless
Recognising the role of traditional beliefs in
Navara type when the amount of FYM was
promoting conservation measures, the Centre
increased to 4,000 kg/ha from the usual
has also facilitated the establishment of a
2,500 - 3,000 kg/ha. Soil analysis of the trial
zodiac garden in the premises of CAbC.
plot which included parameters like pH,
Further environmental education and
NPK, total bacteria, fungi, Azospirillum,
awareness campaigns were conducted during
Pseudomonas, Trichoderma, Actinomycetes
the year for ensuring a concerted action
and phosphobacteria was completed with the
help of the Indian Institute of Spices Research, towards RET conservation. A one-day seminar
Kozhikode. on ‘Taxonomy vis-à-vis Conservation’ was held
to commemorate the 300th birth anniversary of
A phytochemical profiling of the selected Carl Linnaeus, the ‘Father of Taxonomy’ on
landraces of rice including Navara, initiated with World Environment Day 2007.
help from the biotech team, has shown some
profile variation in the black variety of Navara. Ex-situ collection and conservation of wild
A Thermal Retention Test was also conducted and traditional species/varieties of tuber
to observe whether higher thermal retention crops and legumes at CAbC: A germplasm
property is unique to Navara. Realizing the plot of tuber crops and legumes was
need for agreement between the chemical established at the Centre with 14 species of

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wild Dioscorea, 14 varieties of cultivated In collaboration with the Tribal Department, the
Dioscorea from 4 species and five different Centre has been implementing a
legumes. comprehensive tribal cluster development
programme at Kuttimoola tribal cluster in Begur
Conservation to complement food security
Forest Range under North Wayanad Forest
and livelihood: The study on ‘Family food
habits and nutritional status of mothers and Division in Manathavady Gram Panchayat. A
children’ below three years in selected Paniya Tribal Cluster Development Society has been
and Kattunaikka tribal colonies of Wayanad’ formed and registered for effective and
was wrapped up and the findings were shared transparent utilisation of the funds sanctioned
at separate meetings with the different by the Tribal Department. For efficient
stakeholders viz. mothers, officials of the monitoring of the programme implementation,
Integrated Child Development Services project funds have been credited in the
(ICDS), Panchayat leaders and Tribal Society’s account.
Department officials (See SPA 501.4).
A Committee consisting of 9 members from
On the issue of malnutrition at Ponkuzhy the tribal cluster along with an advisory
Katunaikka colony, a discussion was held on committee consisting of 2 members from Gram
the possibilities of disbursing the ICDS Panchayat, the Panchayat President and Ward
allotment of the food material to the colony. As member, 2 members from the Tribal
a result of follow-ups, the ward member has Department, 1 from the Forest Department, 1
formed a Welfare Committee to address such from CAbC and 1 from a Nationalised Bank,
issues and the ICDS has opened an has been formed to monitor the expenditure
anganwadi centre at the colony.
and programme implementation.
125 kitchen gardens of Paniya, Kattunaikka
Considering the high demand for quality
and Kurichiya tribal colonies have been
seedlings of coffee, pepper, coconut, arecanut,
supplied with 1,125 kg of Dioscorea alata,
and medicinal plants in the district, a group
400 kg Colocasia esculenta, 250 kg of
consisting of 13 members with 7 women and
Amorphophallus companulatus, leafy greens,
6 men was formed to initiate a model livelihood
7 varieties of plantain and 3 varieties of sweet
potato. A detailed survey was conducted on improvement programme. After undergoing a
home garden diversity, quantity of harvest and training on basic nursery techniques, they
consumption pattern to gauge the impact of established a 2,000 sq. ft. nursery structure
efforts. A tuber crop cultivation programme with a capacity to raise 25,000 seedlings at a
involving 29 tribal families consisting of 15 time. The group has received orders from the
Paniyas (9 men and 6 women) at Judgikkunnu Social Forestry Division and Tribal Department
and 14 Kattunaikkas at Muthanga (6 men and for seedlings of local varieties of pepper,
8 women) was initiated for income generation. cashews and forest species.

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BIODIVERSITY
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201.2 Livelihood development etc., were collected and supplied to farmers

on demand.
The Women’s Bioresource Complex supported
by DBT and the Livelihood Improvement To create employment opportunities, 72
Programme of the Marginalised Men and members were identified as partners to take
Women with a focus on Scheduled Tribes up activities like vermicompost, Trichoderma,
through Natural Resources Management and Trichogramma, mushroom cultivation and eco-
Intensified Microenterprise Activities supported market outlet. 2,906 vermicompost pits were
by DST, are the two projects under this theme. harvested by the group and sold for Rs 9,000
while Trichoderma was sold for Rs 4,500 by
Women’s Bioresource Complex: New
the group.
SHGs were formed along with reorienting the
old SHGs towards the goal of the project. To sell the organic produce and bio-inputs
Training focused on the economics of procured from farmers and SHGs, an eco-shop
medicinal plant cultivation, selection of named ‘Greens’ has been started in Kalpetta.
appropriate species, plants in demand in the The market outlet has been registered under
industry, current trends regarding medicinal the Partnership Act. To ensure a continuous
plants in Ayurvedic pharmacies and preparation supply of organic produce, a network of organic
of simple herbal remedies. farmers has been formed. The eco shop has
been able to do business worth Rs 15,000 a
One lakh seedlings of 15 medicinal plant
month with the organic farmers nearby. To
species have been raised at CAbC and two
strengthen and reinforce organic farming
decentralised nurseries for distribution to SHGs
practices, farmers were sensitised to
for cultivation.
undertake organic vegetable cultivation and
Livelihood Improvement Programme of the assured of buy back through market outlets.
Marginalised Men and Women with focus
201.3 Biodiversity Education and Training
on Scheduled Tribes through Natural
Resources Management and Intensified Village Knowledge Centre and Village
Microenterprise Activities: Various means Resource Centre - Training and capacity
such as seminars, exhibitions, books, booklets, building activities were drawn up, based on the
and brochures were adopted for creating need assessment survey and PRA reports.
awareness and disseminating information on Sixteen training and awareness generation
a wide range of topics like vermicomposting, programmes were conducted at the VKC and
trichoderma production, pepper cultivation and VRC. They include organic farming, Azolla
organic farming, biopesticides, nitrogen fixing cultivation, vermi-composting, cultivation of
plants and mushroom cultivation. Apart from tuber crops, application of organic inputs,
the training, bio inputs like Pseudomonas, nursery raising, bee keeping, modified
Verticilium, Beuveria, Metarhizium, Hirsutella methods of rice cultivation, vegetable

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gardening, dairy farming, health and hygiene, food and dietary knowledge, crop specific
Chikungunya, water borne diseases and information, biodiversity conservation, etc.
alcoholism. A total of 446 people attended the
Networking and linkages: The Centre
programme, of whom 233 were women and
established linkages with various Government
213 men, with 70 % of the participants
and non-Government institutions for solving
belonging to scheduled tribes.
people’s problems, identified through PRA
A Microsoft Unlimited Potential Programme exercises. An entitlement passbook is under
(MUPP) was initiated to give basic computer preparation with the support of institutions/
education to the rural youth and students. 34 departments.
men and 41 women enrolled for the
Every Child A Scientist: ECAS intervention
programme. 50 % of the trainees belonged to
was carried out at 10 MGLP SSA schools
scheduled tribes.
among the 60 Multi Grade Learning
Visits were organised for Panchayati Raj Programme (MGLP) Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan
members to understand how VKCs facilitate (SSA) Schools in Wayanad, ten schools from
rural development by providing locale-specific three blocks (Sultan Battery, Manathavady,
and demand-driven information and capacity- Vythiri) were selected for initial intervention
building training programmes and establishing after a baseline survey on the community,
linkages with strategic partners. Similarly availability of garden space and number of boys
training programmes for Knowledge Workers and girls.
and youth on the general management of VKC
activities were also conducted. ECAS programmes were initiated at four
tribal hamlets (Kuttimoola, Vazhakandy,
A detailed PRA was conducted to identify the Thachampath, and Puthoorvayal) covering 207
needs and problems of two villages under the tribal children.
VKC and a micro plan has been developed.
Training programmes were conducted with the
Thrust was also given to develop the content help of both external and internal resource
for the VKC, based on need assessment. persons for SSA school teachers and tribal
Fourteen modules were produced in the form volunteers of SSA-ECAS Centres on the
of audios, videos, interactive CDs, posters and methodology of informal education and topics
leaflets. As part of strengthening the service
such as medicinal plants, butterflies and their
potential of the VRC/VKC, the team collected
host plants, birds, various aspects of
generic content on 250 relevant topics. The
biodiversity and environment, Information and
VRC has brought out 12 issues of the
Communication Technology and child
Community Newspaper (CNP) in Wayanad.
psychology.
The CNP publishes information about
Government schemes and entitlements, local A Biodiversity Conservation Corps (BCC) has
employment news, agriculture information, been formed with a strength of 14 tribal and

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rural children. Training has been imparted on
various aspects of biodiversity, environment,
traditions and culture and value based
education. BCC serves as a resource pool for
the field level knowledge centres.
In-house training was provided to five selected
tribal volunteers to empower them to serve as
teachers/facilitators on the ECAS curriculum.
They conduct classes on biodiversity, plant
basics, confidence-building, personality
development and crafts using paper, coconut
shell, grass etc., at SSA schools.
Focusing on new frontiers in science, the
programme Swadeshi Science Movement was
initiated for high school and higher secondary
students. Well-known scientists from different
institutions interacted with 70 students drawn
from 26 schools. The objective of the
programme was to familiarise the students with
new technologies such as nanotechnology,
biotechnology, genetic
photochemistry, space technology, etc.
A butterfly garden has been established at
CAbC campus, where more than 400 host
plants belonging to 151 species, which serve
as a source of nectar and larval food, have
been planted. The garden is maintained at high
humidity to ensure the survival of butterflies.
The campus attracts 73 types of butterflies
belonging to five families. Nature camps for
parents and members of the BCC were
conducted and a range of topics, including star
watching, trekking and butterfly watching, was
touched upon.
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BIODIVERSITY
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An exhibition on the agrobiodiversity of
Wayanad was organised, showcasing 35
species of edible tubers, 100 species of edible
leafy greens, 10 local varieties of rice, 5 species
of crabs, 30 species of mushrooms, 30 forest
products and traditional agricultural
implements. More than 2,000 students from
20 schools, including 10 tribal schools, visited
the exhibition.
This programme is also being implemented in
Chennai and has been reported under
SPA 604.
Sub Programme Area 202
Biju Patnaik Medicinal Plants
Garden and Research Centre,
Jeypore (BPMPGRC)
A Research and Development Centre has been
set up in Jeypore for undertaking intensive and
integrated study of medicinal and aromatic
engineering, plant species of the region, thereby contributing
to an era of bio-happiness for the tribal
communities of the region, with the overall
objective of helping the communities
overcome the prevailing dichotomy of the
poverty of the people and the prosperity of
nature. A PAN MSSRF initiative on integrated
management of natural resources is also being
implemented here.
202.1 PAN MSSRF Initiative: Integrated
Management of Biodiversity Resources
The major objective of this initiative is to
concurrently conserve and utilise the rich agro-
biodiversity in three agro-biodiversity hotspots:
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the Jeypore tract in Orissa, known to be a Table 2.1 Area under Kalajeera during
kharif 2007
secondary centre of origin of rice; Wayanad in
the Western Ghats of Kerala, a global Block No. of No. of No. of Area
biodiversity hotspot and Kolli Hills in TN, a site farmers villages G.Ps (ha)
known for cultivation of a range of millets. The Jeypore 31 9 3 23.00
project comprises four thematic areas: Boipariguda 169 30 6 74.50
Biodiversity Conservation, Utilisation and Kundura 133 35 8 66.00
Enhancement (BCUE), Food Security (FS),
Total 333 74 17 163.50
Biovillage (BIOV) and Village Knowledge
Centre (VKC). The VKC component is dealt located in 17 Gram Panchayats of Kundura,
with under SPA 601. Jeypore is the major site Boipariguda and Jeypore blocks grew
where all the four areas are being addressed. Kalajeera as planned (Table 2.1). This
expansion has been facilitated by the
202.1.1 Biodiversity Conservation,
Department of Agriculture, Government of
Utilisation and Enhancement
Orissa and the Society.
Large scale production and marketing of
A notable event was the visit of the Minister of
Kalajeera: The major activities during the
Agriculture, Government of Orissa, to MSSRF
reporting period were the preparation of an
Centre and his assurance to the members of
action plan with officials of the Department of
the KKJRGCS of all possible help in cultivating
Agriculture and Kalinga Kalajeera Rice
local landraces of Kalajeera.
Growers’ Cooperative Society (KKJRGCS) for
area expansion, distribution of seeds to Site specific trials of Kalajeera: Site specific
farmers through the Society, training for trial to assess the performance of Kalajeera
Government officials on land races and was conducted in 5 different districts
package of practices for raising landrace (Rayagada, Malkangiri, Kalahandi,
Kalajeera, strengthening the Society and Nabarangpur and Bolangir) of Orissa is on.
marketing through NAFED.
Performance of Kalajeera F7 populations:
To expand the area under Kalajeera by Seeds from selected plants of F6 generation
involving more farmers, a comprehensive plan (SMP) and F 6 bulks (BLK) were laid out
separately. Two farmers selected from the two
of action was presented to the Department of
villages of Pujariput and Nuaguda laid BLK and
Agriculture and KKJRGCS. More than 62
SMP trials. The SMP was laid in Randomised
quintals of seeds were distributed to farmers
Block Design (RBD) and BLK in large plots.
as loan through the Society. In addition, farmers
raised Kalajeera using their own seeds Kalajeera – Kalanamak hybridisation: To
collected in kharif 2006. This year a total of combine the good attributes of Kalanamak with
333 farming HHs spread across 74 villages Kalajeera, a crossing programme was carried

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BIODIVERSITY
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out. Two of the 37 accessions, 3129SN and by MSSRF, as well as strengthen the
3128SN were selected as female parents and participatory institution of Field Gene Banks.
Kalajeera was used as the male. Crosses were
made in pots at BPMPGRC and the putative The PCS layout was so designed that cultivation
hybrid seeds were collected. F1 will be raised was around the border of the major crop. A total
in kharif 2008. of 52 LRs of paddy were cultivated by 31 farm
families with seed supplied through the village
Trial of finger millet landraces: Cultivation seed banks. Some of the LRs were popular.
of finger millet is an old practice of tribal farmers Agronomic characters were collected from 10
in Koraput region. A number of landraces of plants in the field and the seeds harvested are
varying duration were cultivated earlier. Four preserved in the village seed bank.
finger millet LRs (Bada Mandia, Sana Mandia,
Jahna Mandia, Banushaganthi Mandia) and Conservation and exploration of rice LRs
one Government released variety Bhairavi and documentation of agronomic
were laid out in farmers’ fields in RBD and the characters: A trial was conducted at MSSRF
crop was raised using modified practices of campus in which 70 LRs were transplanted in
cultivation. In one village the crop was rows. Agronomic data was collected as per the
transplanted while in two villages, it was sown IPGRI format. Photographs were taken and
by direct seeding. The results showed that two herbarium of each LRs prepared. Twelve new
LRs were early maturing and two late maturing. LRs of paddy were identified.

Trial of mixed farming: Trials were Village Seed Banks (VSB): A new VSB
undertaken to assess yield performance of register incorporating new features was
prepared and provided to villages to ensure
crops under mixed farming using appropriate
proper record maintenance. The records will
technology and to understand the cultural
now contain information on seeds of varieties /
importance of mixed farming. The trial was
LRs. The VSB extension at Boliguda was
conducted under traditional and modified
completed and inaugurated at Gunthaguda in
methods using seed ratios of mixed crops used
November 2007.
by the farmers. The crops used were upland
paddy, niger, little millet, sorghum, blackgram, 202.1.2 Biovillage Programme
pigeon pea and finger millet.
Grassroot level institutional development
Participatory Plant Breeding – led- through the formation of SHGs, training,
Conservation programme: The aim of the demonstration and exposure visits were
programme was to raise awareness and organised at three villages (Nuaguda, Boliguda
encourage farmers to conserve the existing and Gunthaguda). Of the 185 HHs in the three
LRs and also undertake trials of some villages, 136 participated in this programme to
unexplored LRs for which seeds were provided enhance their income through different on-farm

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and off-farm enterprises such as off-season Rs 8,000 to Rs 12,000, has been paid into the
vegetable cultivation, mushroom production group fund managed by the SHGs for group
(oyster and straw), vermicompost, value member development.
addition to tamarind, leaf plate stitching,
Mushroom production as a group activity
pisciculture, green gram cultivation, inter
continued during the period. Oyster (Pleurotus
cropping of arbi (common yam) and elephant
sp.) and straw (Volvariella sp.) mushroom
yam in cashew orchards and groundnut
cultivation provide an opportunity for value
cultivation. Both individual and group activities
addition to paddy straw and mushroom waste
have been promoted at the project site.
is used for vermicompost production. Training
Currently, the 10 SHGs have 112 women and
was organised in the project villages. Four
7 men members.
SHGs involving 49 women established 65
Off-season vegetable cultivation as rainy straw mushroom beds and produced a total of
season crop was taken up for commercial 112 kg. The additional income per household
production by 52 HHs individually at all the from mushroom sale ranges from Rs 200 to
three villages, covering an area of 13 ha of Rs 500. Eight SHGs involving 114 women
backyard uplands. Quality seeds of leafy established 371 oyster mushroom beds and
vegetables, brinjal, tomato, bean, radish and produced a total of 345 kg. The additional
perennial crops like papaya and drumstick income per household from mushroom sale
were provided to the families for initial start up. ranges from Rs 500 to Rs 1,200.
Additional income to each individual farmer is
Vermicompost units were earlier set up as
estimated at Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,500 over a period
an individual activity by 10 HHs at Nuaguda,
of three months. A total of 90 HHs have taken
with the support of Spices Board. The
up commercial cultivation in winter in upland
individuals producing vermicompost use 75 %
and low land locations where water is available,
of the produce from the pits in their backyard
on a 0.1 ha of land individually. Quality seeds
garden and agricultural field, and sell the
were provided. The average income from
remaining at Rs 4 per kg to farmers from
winter vegetables ranges from Rs 2,000 to
neighbouring villages. During the reporting
Rs 5,000. Maize cultivation, introduced last
period, the activity has been strengthened and
year, is now very popular among the farm
upscaled with the construction of 45 additional
families.
vermicompost units on a cost-sharing basis,
Group vegetable farming was initiated as a making them partners in the process. Fund
group activity in 1 acre of land by 7 SHGs in from Spices Board is being mobilised for the
three demonstration villages (Nuaguda - 2 construction of 25 units at Boliguda and
SHGs, Boliguda-2 SHGs and Gunthaguda-3 Gunthaguda. Twenty other units are being
SHGs). Several vegetables were cultivated. constructed with contributions from the
The income from this garden, amounting to community in the form of material and labour.

48
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BIODIVERSITY
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These units are being managed by a group of Pisciculture as a group activity has been
24 women and the production is on a undertaken by two SHGs involving 24 women
commercial scale. A two-time harvest of at Nuaguda village. Two ponds with a total area
vermicompost by the SHGs yielded 8-10 tons. of 0.2 ha were taken-up on lease by the group
This activity has generated an additional from 2 HHs in the village. MSSRF provided
income of Rs 8,000. 2,100 fingerlings and feeding materials to the
group. The expenditure for the entire enterprise
Value addition of tamarind has been taken
up with Mahila Swasahayaka Sangha, a 10 is around Rs 5,000 and income till date from
year old SHG at Nuaguda. This trial involves the above enterprise has amounted to
18 women of the group. The group had Rs 4,000.
procured 1,200 kg of tamarind during the
Inter cropping of arbi (Elephant foot yam -
season by paying Rs 7,200 @ Rs 600 per
Amorphophallus sp) and yam (Dioscorea
quintal, de-seeded and stored it in cold storage
alata) was initiated as a group activity in
at Jeypore for 11 months. The de-seeded
0.1 ha of land each by 2 SHGs (24 members)
tamarind which totalled 570 kg was stored at
in two demonstration villages (Nuaguda and
the cost of Rs 740. The processed materials
Gunthaguda) to demonstrate improved
were sold at Rs 9,120 @ Rs 1,600 per quintal
techniques and inter cropping of new crops in
thus yielding a net benefit of Rs 1,180. This
time the market price of de-seeded tamarind cashew orchards. Around 6 quintals of seed
was lower than expected and resulted in lower materials have been harvested for use during
net income. the next season as there is a high demand for
seed materials in all the villages.
Leaf plate stitching at Boliguda is carried out
by a group of 8 women who were specially Groundnut cultivation was earlier initiated
selected on the criteria that included physical through SHGs and now it is popular as an
handicap, elderly, with no other occupational individual activity. 53 HHs in Boliguda village
avenue and involvement in this activity for a cultivated groundnut in an area of
long period. Each of them is able to produce 20 ha in rabi 2007. The farm families earned
about 80 to100 leaf plates everyday during the additional income ranging between Rs 20,000
4 hours they spend on this activity. The leaf and Rs 30,000 per ha. Around 22 ha of land is
plates are sold at the local market for Rs 25 under cultivation by 58 farm families at
per 100 plates. Based on the proposal put forth Boliguda village in rabi 2008.
by the group, two stitching machines were
provided, as well as training, for increasing Folk Award 2008: Smt. Chandrama Mashia,
production, improving quality, minimising time a SHG member who is actively involved in the
and reducing drudgery. The efficiency of project activity since its inception received the
production has gone up by 150-200 % and Folk Award 2008 instituted by Sri. Srikhetra
drudgery has been reduced. Suchana, Puri.

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202.1.3 Food Security nutritious vegetables throughout the year,

especially those rich in iron and vitamin A.
Grain banks: A Community Gene-Seed-Grain
bank (CGB) consisting of two rooms for storing 174 HHs of three villages (Gunthaguda,
seeds and grain was established at Nuaguda and Boliguda) were given seeds of
Gunthaguda. Members of the local community papaya, drumstick, chilly, brinjal, tomato,
contributed to the construction in the form of radish, beans, onion, bittergourd, pumpkin and
materials and unskilled labour. The existing amaranthus and seedlings of guava, lime and
grain banks in Boliguda and Nuaguda were banana, with orientation for proper cultivation.
strengthened. The storehouses of the two Performance data of the kitchen garden in
villages were also renovated with contributions Nuaguda village has been collected and the
from the member HHs. data analysed. A survey on the availability of
space, water and human resources, for each
Training on various dimensions of
management was conducted for strengthening participating household was completed. A
the capacities of the management committee kitchen garden card which helps in
members of all the grain banks. understanding the utilisation of kitchen garden
produce has been prepared and field tested.
Training on CGB record maintenance: Lack
of proper record keeping is a common concern Diet survey analysis and activities based
associated with all CGBs. To address this, a on diet survey: A diet survey of HHs with
one-day training programme on record keeping infants in the 0-2 age group and adolescent
for the management committee members and girls was conducted in the three villages. The
record keepers of grain and seed banks from findings have been shared with ICDS
different villages was organised. Thirty-seven functionaries and with the villagers. (See SPA
participants (29 male, 8 female) along with 501.4)
three residential volunteers of MSSRF, from
Promotion of Greengram and Horsegram
15 villages of the two districts of Koraput and
cultivation: The diet survey supported the
Kalahandi, participated in the programme.
need of cultivating pulses like greengram and
Orientation on keeping records of CGB
horsegram to cater to the nutritional needs of
transactions was provided to the participants
the community. Seeds were made available
and a new CGB transaction register
through the Community Seed Bank and
introduced.
biofertilisers (Phosphobacter and Rhizobium
Kitchen Garden: Kitchen gardens have been culture) have been provided to the HHs. In all,
promoted in all the three villages to generate 32 HHs in three villages cultivated horsegram
awareness of the importance of vegetables in in 13 ha and 46 HHs cultivated greengram i n
the daily diet and to help HHs grow good quality 15 ha of land.

50
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BIODIVERSITY
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Awareness programme on health and members (56 female and 108 male healers).
nutrition education: Communication materials These healers were given the responsibility to
regarding nutrition and childcare have been monitor the status of the medicinal plants of
collected from ICDS and CARE-India and is their respective villages.
being used. Awareness programmes on
Fourteen different species of commonly used
sanitation and environmental hygiene were
medicinal plants were supplied to 378 HHs
organized. Ninety-two persons belonging to
across 14 villages of eight Gram Panchayats
different age groups attended the meeting that
in three community development blocks of
provided orientation on nutrition education, child
Koraput district. Out of the 14 plant species, a
feeding, sanitation and hygiene.
kit with a minimum of five plants was given to
202.2 Medicinal Plants Garden each farm family to be maintained in their
backyard garden for daily use. A booklet in
Last year’s report highlighted the establishment
Oriya on Home Herbal Garden (GHAR
of nine Tribal Medicinal Plant Gardens for 9
DESARI) containing information on the use of
major tribes of southern Orissa (Bhatra,
these 14 medicinal plants was distributed to
Bhumia, Bonda, Gadaba, Gond, Kandha,
the farm families.
Koya, Paroja and Saora). Each garden was
planted with medicinal plants used by the Students’ herbal gardens were established in
respective tribe. In all, the gardens now have nine schools in three Community Development
more than 3,000 medicinal plants representing blocks of Koraput district. 500 seedlings of
183 species. medicinal plants representing 50 species were
supplied to these schools. One Community
During the year, 189 species of plants were Medicinal Plants Garden (CMPG) was
planted in the nine gardens to serve as ex-situ established in Jhalaguda village with 64
conservation of medicinal plants used by the medicinal plants commonly used by them.
nine dominant tribes of the region. Continuous awareness programmes were
conducted in 14 villages of the three GPs in
An association was formed taking into account
three blocks of Koraput district on herbal
all the traditional healthcare practitioners and
prevention of malaria. A demonstration was
the traditional birth attendants of the Bhumia
given in each village on the preparation of
tribe. Altogether 419 (167 female and 252
herbal preventive for malaria. People’s
male) healers from four districts participated
Biodiversity Registers (PBR) are being
in this programme. A database was prepared
prepared for two gram panchayats in 2 blocks
for all the members with their photographs and
of Koraput district.
detailed contact address. A Panchayat level
traditional healers’ association was established Propagation of Medicinal Plant species:
in the Asna Gram panchayat involving 164 About 17,000 seedlings were raised and

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distributed to schools, home herbal gardens, bund repair work was carried out with the help
community medicinal plants garden and of farm families who were dependant on these
traditional healthcare practitioners with the help ponds for their livelihood. The bunds were
of 2 shade net houses and three U. V. stabilised levelled and the ponds were cleaned of all
poly houses. Twenty medicinal plants prioritised foreign materials. The bunds were ploughed
by NMPB were cultivated in a plot of 3 m X 8 m and papaya, banana and finger millets were
to demonstrate the agro-technological package. cultivated. 28,000 fingerlings of Rohu, Katla
A demonstration cum training programme was and Mircalli were reared in these ponds, and
conducted to orient farm families on the 1,680 kg. of fish was harvested from these 13
cultivation of the medicinal plant aswagandha. ponds. A total income of Rs 67,200 was
Around 4 ha were brought under cultivation by realized from these activities, Rs 5,170 being
involving 24 farm families of 6 villages. the benefit per farm families this year. Fourteen
low-cost poly houses were constructed in six
202.3. Livelihood enhancement of the
villages to promote nursery raising in controlled
tribal poor
conditions during winter. Eight crops were
Vegetable cultivation was carried out in six raised, which in turned covered an area of
villages of three gram panchayats of Kundura 79 ha with a success rate of 87 %. Technical
block of Koraput district by involving 351 farm guidance was provided to farm families on
families, and 7 vegetable crops were cultivated vegetable and spice cultivation.
in the winter and summer seasons. A total of
A backyard garden was designed and a proper
74 ha was brought under cultivation out of a
plan of action was outlined with the help of the
total of 489 ha of cultivated area and on an
villagers. Eight vegetable crops were cultivated
average a profit of Rs 1,351 per household was
in 5.4 ha of backyard garden, involving 475
obtained through this activity. Each farm family
was provided with seeds of at least three crops HHs. The vegetables were consumed by the
of their choice in the off-farm seasons. In families for 10-90 days. This year 8.6 ha of
Uduluguda village, an SHG consisting of 17 land was under spices (ginger, green chills and
women members from landless families was onion) cultivation, involving 84 farm families in
established. The SHG leased out 3.5 ha of 6 villages.
land and cultivated 5 different vegetables Through this programme five crops viz:
during the year. A profit of Rs 18,757 was papaya, drumstick, lemon, green chilly and
obtained from this activity. In addition, 0.5 ha
yam were selected as these plants require
of backyard land was brought under vegetable
minimum care and can easily be maintained
cultivation for home consumption.
with minimal family labour input. Altogether 248
Renovation of 13 individual farm ponds was farm families were brought under this
taken up in 4 villages involving 13 HHs. The campaign. So far 700 seedlings of papaya

52
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
BIODIVERSITY
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have been distributed to the farm families to status of plant resources and setting up an
be planted in their backyard. This perennial Eastern Ghats Eco-region specific database on
plant will meet the daily food requirement of plant resources. Preparation of RET plant list
one household for at least 45 days in a calendar and a database on economically important
year. Apart from this, 2 gm seeds of chilly were plants is also among the objectives of the
provided to 376 farm families in the 6 villages. programme. This in turn would provide
significant inputs for the identification and
Two VKCs were established in the revenue
collection of important plant resources of the
villages of Asna and Kundura of Kundura block
region for conservation at the Research Centre
in Koraput district. A baseline survey was
at Jeypore. MSSRF is a partner in this
carried out in three villages, and followed by
multiinstitutional project being coordinated by
micro-planning. A survey was conducted to
Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapur, AP.
analyse the impact of activities conducted
under this programme. and a document was MSSRF has been allocated 444 grids of the
prepared. Eastern Ghats covering 7 districts of Orissa.
Of these 444 grids, 203 grids have been
Spices Board and Horticulture Department
covered till date, of which 194 are workable
have supported the establishment of 200 units
and 9 are non-workable grids. A total of 228
of vermicompost pits by 200 FFs. There is a
transects were made to cover the 203 grids.
network with the National Horticultural Mission
for fruit bearing trees. Government schemes Four hundred and fifty-two plant species from
and agricultural loans were also harnessed for these grids were recorded, including 179 trees,
implementation. Ten SHGs were established 74 shrubs, 113 herbs, 58 climbers and 28
and farm pond schemes have been initiated others. A total of 108 herbaria consisting of 39
for establishing farm ponds of 12 m X 12 m in trees, 22 shrubs, 23 herbs, 18 climbers and 6
two villages, with an aid of Rs 35,000 per pond. orchids were prepared. Three hundred
One motor pump (3 HP) was bought under photographs were taken to prepare fliers for
SGSY scheme for the landless women SHG individual plant species. Thirty-one endemic
with 50 % subsidy. Seventeen seed kits were species of the region were re-explored and only
brought from the Block office for cultivation 4 species so far relocated from the grids of
during winter. the region. A database was prepared for 674
plants from secondary information of the flora
202.4. Quantitative Assessment and of Orissa.
mapping of Plant Resources of the
Eastern Ghats
The activities aim at quantitative assessment
of the geographic distribution and population

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basis. Excess seeds were distributed to other

Sub Programme Area 203 farmers in the same village.

Community Conservation Efforts During kharif 2007, the modified method of

cultivation was advocated to farmers. After the
in Kolli hills analysis of the data gathered from kharif 2006,
changes were advised in the method of
203.1 Biodiversity Conservation,
morphometric data collection viz., field
Utilisation and Enhancement
preparation, record maintenance and harvest
Achieving higher productivity and bridging the data collection.
gap between supply and demand for little millet
Integrated soil health management training:
by facilitating market linkages were two of the
Training on soil health management was
pathways identified for further action. During
conducted at the project area for 22 participant
kharif 2006, 13 farmers adopted the modified
farmers. Information on soil texture, soil colour,
method of cultivation. Morphometric characters
pH, micro and macro nutrients, and the role of
were taken from all the plots and the results
soil organisms in nutrient fixing were included.
were analysed.
Distribution of seeds for relay cropping:
Seed distribution during kharif 2007: During
The traditional relay crop practised in Kolli Hills,
kharif 2006, quality seeds were collected by
mixed cultivation of coriander, pulses and
farmers who adopted the modified method of
greens, has almost disappeared due to
cultivation. Reaching a consensus in the
increase in tapioca cultivation, affecting local
presence of Panchayat leaders, it was decided
food security. To address this issue, seeds of
to safeguard seeds in the seed bank at
green gram and coriander were distributed to
Aripalapatti and distribute them during kharif
farmers practicing modified method of
2007.
cultivation for crop diversification. This has
The modified method of cultivation was resulted in increased food security at the
extended across 5 Panchayats through training individual level and in some cases the farmer
and demonstration. About 46 farmers have has made some additional income. Farmers
shown interest in testing the modified method have expressed interest in relay cropping of
of cultivation in millets. Landraces of millets diversified crops such as vegetables and
such as Vellaperunsamai for Devanur region, pulses.
Malliasamai for Selur region and
Vellaperunsamai and Kattavettisamai for Mini Pond Construction: Due to erratic
Alathur region have been planned, based on seasonal rainfall, farmers could not depend on
the needs of the farmers. Farmers who rain water for raising a second crop. But
adopted the modified method of cultivation in seepage water from the forests and rock
kharif 2006, were given seeds on a priority crevices was utilised by the farmers for a

54
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BIODIVERSITY
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second crop (paddy) in the valleys. In recent distributed to 31 farmers; they have laid
years, due to severe drought, farmers were demonstration plots in the four panchayats of
unable to do so. The concept of a mini Devanur, Selur, Alathur and Valappur.
percolation pond system that could effectively
use the seepage was introduced. 11 farmers 203.2 Biovillage
constructed such mini ponds in their fields in Awareness Creation and Promotion: Adi 18
Aripalapatti, Aripalapatti colony, Vilaram, festival, 2007: In continuation of the campaign
Periyamangalam and Chinnamangalam. for millets, an awareness camp was organised
Realising the advantage of such structures for at Kolli Hills during the traditional Adi 18 festival.
farming, especially of millets, vegetable and Representatives of the SHGs participated in
fruit crops, the farmers are keen to continue the programme by selling value added
the practice. products of millet. Millet landrace seeds were
displayed in the stall for creating an awareness
Seed Bank (Thombai) Construction: The
among the farmers and general public. Using
commercial cultivation of tapioca has had an
traditional folk drama, a play titled
adverse impact on the availability of quality
Sarachandran Parasakti was performed by the
millet seeds even in millet growing areas like
Periyakovilur cultural group to deliver
Devanur. Seed storage systems such as
conservation messages. Orientation to-
Thombai and Kuthir have become defunct as
wards marketing was also given to SHG
traditional exchange of millet seeds between
representatives.
farmers has gradually ceased with decrease
in millet cultivation. To address the shortage, As a part of awareness creation on nutritious
community millet seed banks will be millets in Kolli Hills and Namakkal, five
constructed at Aripalapatty and Sulavandhi with exhibitions and two training programmes were
the revival of the small seed bank at conducted.
Aripalapatty. The decision, taken after
India Organic Trade Fair 2007: To enlarge
consultation with all the stakeholders, will be
the scope for millet-based products, MSSRF
implemented shortly with nominal support from
facilitated farmers’ representatives to
the project. A seed bank management
participate in Organic Fair- 2007 at New Delhi.
committee comprising SHG members,
This has led to networking of the millet farming
Farmers Club members, elders of the village
community, with the farmers in Kolli Hills
and Panchayat leader has been formed.
learning new developments and advances in
Seeds selected in kharif 2006 from 13 farmers
the organic sector, spurring their interest in
have been stored in the seed bank. Apart from
organic certification and marketing.
little millet, seeds of paddy, ragi and red and
black beans have also been stored. All Improving infrastructure of existing mill at
varieties are properly tagged and stored in mud Kuchikiraipatti: The millet dehusking mill at
pots. During kharif 2007, millet seeds were Kuchikiraipatti runs on a power generator. To

55
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improve efficiency, Nanbargal SHG proposed Table 2.2 Value added millet product
to electrify the processing unit. A loan of Overall sales details 2007 - 2008
Rs 60, 000 has been taken by the group from Product Quantity Amount
‘Friends of MSSRF’. Additional financial details in kg in Rs
support has been sought from the government.
Millet product regular 1,755.00 51,583.00
Plans have been discussed for improving the
Readymade mix 365.15 17,556.85
standard of machinery. A new set of packing
Ready to eat 57.50 5,870.00
materials has been designed and printed.
Efforts are being taken for getting the TIN Total 2,177.65 75,009.85
number for the group from the Sales Tax Office.
New packing covers were designed for millet labour. Two millet de-husking mills have
products. already been installed in two locations in Kolli
Hills and are operated by SHGs. Millet farmers
Mobile agro-packing unit: Post harvesting
and SHGs at Aripalapatti felt the need for a
loss due to pest, insects, and fungus, have
dehusking mill in Devanur Nadu, known for
been major constraints not only for farmers but
intense cultivation of millets. Resolutions were
also retailers and consumers. Good packing
made by SHGs to get infrastructure support
technology could solve most of these problems
at the initial stage itself. In this context, to create from DRDA, Namakkal. The District Collector
public awareness on good packing technology, assured infrastructure for the mill at Devanur
a 3-day traveling demonstration in the district region as per the guidelines of DRDA. The
was organized with the support of BOSCH SHGs purchased and registered the land and
mobile agro packing unit. donated a portion to the Block Development
Officer (BDO). After the completion of this
Minor millet marketing: Millet producers and
prerequisite, the proposal has been approved
processors are encouraged to supply their
by DRDA for construction. The SHG has also
product to various organic shops at Namakkal,
resolved to purchase land to provide access
Coimbatore and Erode. Efforts were made to
by road. As a follow-up of this initiative, 5 cents
tie up with organic shops at Udumalapet,
of land has been purchased by Kaliamman
Thirupur, Trichy and Salem. Apart from regular
Sutrusuhal Padukappor Sangam collectively by
samai and thinai rice and flour, value added
items were also promoted and supplied to 12 women SHG members and registered. Of
shops (Table 2.2). this, 3 cents of land has been donated as dhan
settlement to the BDO, Kolli Hills block as part
Recently, 10 more supply links have been of administrative procedure. With the support
created for millet products, in addition to the of DRDA, under the rural infrastructure
eight market institutions already established. scheme, a building has been constructed at a
Millet processing mill construction: Millet cost of Rs 3.75 lakhs. Further efforts are on
processing involves drudgery and human for the purchase and establishment of mills.

56
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BIODIVERSITY
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Revival of Organic Pineapple Export Link: Participatory appraisal was conducted in

From 1999-2005, MSSRF had supported the December 2007 to ascertain their income
farmers of Kolli Hills to export organically grown saving status (Table 2.3). Some of the SHGs
pineapples through the eco-certification were given financial assistance in the form of
process with Ion Exchange Enviro-farm Private revolving funds.
Limited, a promotional company. The tripartite
agreement ended in 2005. Based on the felt Farmer club formation at Kolli Hills
need, efforts are being made to revive such a Many of the SHGs facilitated by MSSRF
link with a new partner, ITC Ltd, a leading consist of women and the efforts in
organic product promoter in India. As a result, conservation and enhancement are facilitated
an ITC representative visited Kolli Hills in by them. In this context, involving men in the
November 2007 and after a series of various training and capacity building
discussions, an agreement has been reached programmes was found necessary. Therefore,
with ITC and certification with IMO control. Field four men farmers’ clubs were formed with 67
data and mapping, field inspection, internal members from 4 panchayats.
control system and maintenance with the
support of ICS personnel is likely to commence Capacity Building: A series of training
in the coming months. programmes was organised for members of
the Farmers’ Clubs, SHG members,
203.3 Grassroot Institution building in Panchayat Raj representatives, College
Kolli Hills Students and NGO members.
Appraisal of Grassroot Institutions in Kolli Training for others: Training programmes
Hills arranged for others are given in Table 2.4. Four
There are 21 SHGs in Kolli Hills, facilitated by women and 9 men from Kolli Hills were
MSSRF. They are, for convenience, grouped selected for the National Virtual Academy
into 3 clusters named Chenbagam, Mullai and (NVA) fellowship for the year 2007 for their
Roja. The 21 SHGs consist of 15 exclusively contribution to the research and dissemination
female, 6 exclusively male and 1 mixed group. efforts of MSSRF.

Table 2.3 Details of SHGs and Current Financial Status of SHGs

Cluster Name Male Female Mixed Total Educated Current total deposit
group group group members members (savings + internal
< 8th Std interest) in Rs
Senbagam 2 5 1 102 30 3,06,569.00
Mullai 2 5 - 105 16 1,71,575.00 *
Roja 1 5 - 83 3 1,83,724.00 *
* Gross Savings of 4 groups only

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Table 2.4 Training conducted in Kolli Hills from January - June 2007
Training Men Women Trainee days
Formal method of cultivation for SHG, Panchayat leaders 74 58 154
Poultry Farming 4 2 14
Percolation Pond Digging 35 22 389
Relay Cropping 3 7 20
Millet Processing and Packing 10 10 20
Millet Marketing 15 14 73
Farmer Club Orientation 109 - 176
SHG Management 64 171 697
NVA Fellow 11 4 45
Total 325 288 1,588

A laboratory study on the germination of the salt

Sub Programme Area 204 tolerant varieties of paddy collected earlier from
the tsunami affected areas in the southern
Community Gene Bank districts was conducted. Different salt
The Gene Bank provides a mechanism to concentrations such as 120 ppm, 140 ppm, 160
ensure the sharing of economic benefits with ppm, 180 ppm and 200 ppm were used to test
the community which identified and supplied germination. One non salt tolerant variety from
the material. Sometimes, the lack of this facility TN was taken as control; other than salt
could mean a loss of benefit sharing concentration, normal water was also tested for
mechanisms for the community and country seedling germination.
of their legitimate economic benefits and The varieties such as kunthali, kallurundai,
recognition. kuzhivedichan, soorakuruvai and katchakom-
balai were taken for the study. One control, 5
The gene bank has identified 5 and 15
test varieties with 6 treatments in the form of
traditional paddy varieties respectively from
split plot designs with three replications were.
Wayanad, Kerala and Jeypore, Orissa and the
Germination count was done on the 15th day
process of facilitating farming communities to
of seedling growth after root and shoot
apply for registration under the provisions of
emerged. In addition observations on the
the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’
length of root and shoot were counted on 20
Rights (PPVFR) Act is under way. This gene
seedlings; fresh and dry weight was recorded
bank is undertaking a study of the DUS
on 30 seedlings count. The detailed analysis
characters of these varieties with financial
is under way and the experiment will be
support from Plant Variety Protection Authority,
continued using higher salt concentrations.
Govt of India.

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BIODIVERSITY
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Some of the voucher specimens collected at namely Cuddalore, Namakkal, Pudukottai and
the time of characterisation were mounted, Thanjavur, were identified for implementation
classified and stored at the Community of the project. The Project Launch Meeting
Herbarium. was attended by 30 District, Block and
Panchayat level leaders including 9 women,
Sub Programme Area 205 and 60 participants who included progressive
farmers, representatives of NGOs and other
Capacity Building of Panchayat CBOs from the districts, government officials,
and Community Leaders and civil society and media.
Farmers on the Legislations The first formal district launch of the meeting
pertaining to Biological Diversity was chaired by the District Collector of
and Farmers’ Rights Cuddalore district at Virudhachalam block.
Ninety-one people of whom 25 % were women
The project supported by DSIR was initiated
attended the meeting where lectures on the
in April 2007 with a formal project launch and
two legislations, group activities and interactive
workshop on 2 June 2007 with the Hon’ble
Union Minister of Panchayat Raj, Shri. Mani sessions, led to the selection of the first level
Sankar Aiyer as the chief guest. The of trainees. A pre-test questionnaire and a post-
Panchayati Raj Secretary, Ms. Meenakshi test questionnaire filled-in by the participants
Datta Ghosh was also present (See SPA 606). led to the identification of 45 potential
candidates for Training of Trainers to be
Representing various agro-climatic and agro-
ecological situations, four districts from TN, conducted shortly in chennai.

59
Programme Area 300

BIOTECHNOLOGY

Significant progress was made in identification and characterisation of novel

genes, molecules and microorganism for abiotic stress tolerance and disease
and pest control. Flower specific and seed specific cDNA libraries for Pandanus
and Jatropha were constructed. Culture protocol for 22 lichen species were
established.

301 Ecological Restoration and Ecosystem Monitoring --------------------------------------------- 61

302 Molecular Mapping -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 64

303 Genetic Enhancement --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 66

304 Bioprospecting ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 76

305 Microbial Diversity --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 80

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BIOTECHNOLOGY
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Programme Area 300 Sub Programme Area 301

Biotechnology Ecological Restoration and
Ecosystem Monitoring
The Biotechnology Programme takes
advantage of the recent advances in
301.1 Production and demonstration of
Biotechnology and Molecular Genetics. The high quality planting material of Jatropha
progress made in this emerging field both curcas and multilocation trials
nationally and internationally, has shown From a total of 404 accessions, 234
enormous promise and implications for accessions were screened for high oil content
improving agricultural productivity, and and high yield, planted and provided regular
ensuring food security and human nutrition. watering, weeding and pruning; data has been
The major activities focused on basic research, collected. Selected accessions are being
application of biotechnology at the grassroots undertaken and variety registrations are under
level and dissemination of biotechnology. progress under the PPVFR Act provisions for
both parents and F1 generations.
The work carried out during the last few years,
as detailed in previous Annual Reports, has Jatropha curcas accession selection for
contributed immensely in developing national network trials
reproducible in vitro protocols for rare and
MSSRF has been identified by the DBT as one
endangered plant species in the Western
of the major contributors of Jatropha curcas
Ghats and mangroves; documenting diversity
accessions. Of the 10 accessions (high oil
among the mangroves and other cultivated
containing) selected for multi location trials, 5
species using molecular marker systems;
accessions are from MSSRF. The following
assessing ecosystem health using microbes
accessions have been identified for national
and lichen species; bioprospecting for novel
trials from DBT network partners: MSSRF
compounds of medicinal and therapeutic value;
(MSSRF-62, MSSRF-51, MSSRF-77, MSSRF-
identifying and characterizing novel genetic
10, MSSRF-16), NBRI, Lucknow (NBRI- J-18),
combinations from mangrove species and
Biotech Park, Lucknow (BTP-K), PDKV, Akola
developing transformation systems for select
(PDKV, Akola-1, PDKV, Akola-2) and HAP,
crop species for generation of location-specific
Dehradun (HAP-GUA, HAP-GUB, HAP-GUC).
crop varieties offering tolerance/ resistance to
abiotic stresses and addressing micronutrient MSSRF has supplied 3,440 vegetatively
deficiency. These studies have practical propagated quality saplings from the selected
application for farming and rural communities. five accessions to the following DBT-identified

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network partners for multilocation trials: MSSRF Jatropha genetic garden and supply
NBPGR (New Delhi) – 80; TERI-NE (Assam) saplings to identified farmers for establishment
– 560; FRI (Dehradun) – 560; Biotech Park of Jatropha seed production gardens. Land
(Lucknow) – 560; IGAU (Raipur) – 560; AFRI preparation and sapling development are
(Jodhpur) – 560; PDKV (Akola) – 560. MSSRF under progress.
has received 580 vegetative propagated Micropropagation of Jatropha curcas
saplings from NBRI, Lucknow, Biotech Park,
Lucknow, PDKV, Akola, and HAP, Dehradun. Direct and indirect organogenesis protocols
have been completely standardised and
Two more accessions have been selected from development of protocols for transformation
MSSRF for the current year for DBT network using leaf disc are under way. Induced
trials. New accession collection and selection chemical mutation In vitro and field level data
are being undertaken at MSSRF for extended collection are under way for identifying
varieties identification. accessions for drought resistance, yield higher
improvement and disease resistance.
Establishment of Jatropha seed production
orchards and farmers’ training 301.2 Demonstration of efficient energy
plantation in coastal regions of
A one-day training programme was conducted
Puducherry with community participation
for farmers in Tirunelveli district for
establishment of Jatropha seed production Women SHGs (Kizhavanjur Magalir Sathuppu
orchards in different soil and climatic Nila Kaadu Valarppu Kuzhu) are planting
conditions. Fourteen farmers (2 women and mangrove saplings at Chunnambar and
12 men) participated and discussions included Thengaithittu, with support from the
availability of land, types of soil, water Government of Puducherry in the
requirements and agricultural practices. Land implementation of the integrated afforestation
was selected from each farmer’s field (0.2 ha) and eco-development project (coastal shelter
for seed production. belt development). This year, 10 ha of
degraded land were planted with mangroves.
Jatropha nursery establishment and SHGs are maintaining the mangrove
training plantations and taking new initiatives for their
Ten members from women’s SHGs were extension.
federated to a women SHG named Vairavi
Ecological restoration
Kinuru Mahalir Katamanuku Nadrangal Valarpu
Kuzhu (VKMKNVK) and are involved in nursery 4,200 vegetative and micropropagated
development for supply of saplings to the saplings of Excoecaria agallocha were used
farmers for establishment of Jatropha seed in Chandrapadi, Paghayar and Keelavanjore
gardens in Tirunelveli district. VKMKNVK will villages for mangrove bioshield plantation and
propagate quality planting material from restoration.

62
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
BIOTECHNOLOGY
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

301.3 Saving endangered plant species PIXE analysis on lichen samples from the study
sites (polluted and unpolluted) were irradiated
Two RET species were selected for in vitro
using 1.7 MV Tandem accelerator with Proton
micropropagation and good response was beam of 2000 KeV and the ion induced X-rays
observed in Syzygium chavaran with callus were detected by Si(Li) semiconductor
induction from leaf disc; it was sub cultured detector. The morphological analysis and
for rapid callus multiplication. Callus and localization of elements of these lichen
embryogenesis was observed in Kunstleria samples were also carried out using SEM-EDX
keralensis. Protocols for both RET species are microanalysis as supporting evidence. PIXE
being developed. spectral elemental output revealed the
301.4 Lichen diversity and distribution presence of elements such as As, Ba, Br, Ca,
pattern in the Madukkarai region of the Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Zn, Cl, Ti, Cr and Pd with the
Western Ghats and correlation with the incidence of increased calcium levels of up to
disturbance regime 99.75 % (percentage by weight) 25.8 ppm in
the lichen Bacidia beckhausii Körber collected
The ecological studies on the impact of cement from the polluted areas and a 9.8 ppm calcium
dust on lichen diversity and distribution in concentration in unpolluted areas. Samples of
Madukkarai-Walayar region, Western Ghats, Physcia tribacoides Nyl. exhibited 16.8 ppm of
was completed with a total of 81 lichen species calcium concentration in polluted sites and
reported from 59 macroplots (59,000 m2 area) 13.1 ppm in unpolluted areas. IAEA 336 lichen
established within the Walayar valley Reserve reference material was used for error
Forest region in Kerala and TN. The calibration. This study confirms the prevalence
relationship between the environmental of calcium rich dust (even though invisible as
variables including pollution and lichen diversity captured by lichens) in the polluted sites. The
were inter-linked using Non-metric study also proved that Bacidia beckhausii
Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) as it is an Körber is able to accumulate and tolerate
effective ordination method and assesses the higher levels of calcium in its thalli whereas
relationship in community ecological data sets, Dirinaria consimilis, Heterodermia dissecta,
which have non-normal distribution. The NMDS Heterodermia speciosa, Parmotrema
ordination represented 85 % of variation in the planatilobata, Parmotrema tinctorum, Physcia
data set, with 74 % loaded on axis 1 and 7 % tribacoides, Pyxine cocoes accumulated lesser
on axis 2 and the remaining in axis 3, indicating levels of pollution (as observed through PIXE)
that factors such as pollution load, proximity and still showed thallus degradation (as
to the factory and number of trees in a particular observed through SEM, colony number and
site are the major gradients in delimiting the cover value). Hence these lichens can be used
lichen diversity of the Madukkarai-Walayar to indicate cement dust pollution at levels which
region. are not perceivable through ocular surveys and

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other conventional pollution detection sex specific fragment. The female DNA did not
methodologies such as air sampling. show any hybridization signal/band in either
EcoRI or Hind III digested genomic DNA. The
DNA from male plant however revealed an
Sub Proghramme Area 302 approximately 6 kb fragment for Hind III and a
23 kb fragment for EcoR I. This confirmed that
Molecular Mapping the 1,263 bp segment of DNA was conspicuous
only in the males and absent in the genome of
302.1 Construction of a flower-specific
the female plants.
cDNA library in dioecious Pandanus
fascicularis L. (Pandanaceae) In an effort to identify flowering as well as
putative sex-specific genes, a cDNA library was
Pandanus fascicularis (Kewra) (syn.
constructed by isolating good quality, high
P. odorattisimus) also referred to as screw pine
concentration total RNA from a fresh flower
because of the leaf scars on its trunk, is
using a modified LiCl method followed by 1st
distributed mainly in sub-tropical and tropical
and 2nd strand cDNA synthesis, proteinase K
regions with significant presence in mangrove
treatment, Sfi digestion, size fractionation,
swamps. It is a dioecious plant having
ligation and transformation using the cDNA
unisexual male and female flowers arising from
library construction kit. When the
separate individuals. While the female flowers
transformation mixture was plated on LB agar
are pineapple-like without any fragrance, the
medium containing chloremphenicol as
male flowers are highly fragrant and are
antibiotic, approximately 75,000 – 80,000
exclusively used to isolate an economically
clones were obtained, which proved that the
important perfumed oil (Kewra oil). Lack of
library was well represented. Colony PCR was
morphological descriptors makes
performed to check the size of the inserts and
distinguishing of the male and female plants
plasmids isolated from individual clones (with
virtually impossible until they reach sexual
insert size greater than 750 bp) were
maturity, which takes 6-7 years.
sequenced by an automated sequencer. A total
As reported last year, using DNA markers like of 979 flower-specific ESTs were thus obtained.
RAPD and unanchored ISSRs, we had CAP3 analysis performed on the above data
reported a sex specific SCAR marker. Further set grouped them into 82 contigs (549 ESTs)
analysis with 30 different accessions of and 430 singlets. Approximately 512 unigenes
P. fascicularis, showed consistent amplification were identified. Important genes like Dehydrin,
in all male plants but not in the female metallothionein, LEA, GST, Serine protease
genotypes. Southern hybridization was inhibitor, ATPases, chaperons, transcription
performed on genomic DNA isolated from male factors, Zinc finger proteins, cellular transport
and female plants, digested separately with proteins, ribosomal proteins, proteins involved
EcoR I and Hind III and probed with 32P-labeled in carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism,

64
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BIOTECHNOLOGY
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

proteolysis etc. have been isolated from the areas in five districts of South Orissa viz.
library. In addition to these, several putative Koraput, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur
sex-specific genes like pollen specific protein, and Kalahandi, which are part of the Eastern
Arabinogalactan, MADS-box transcription Ghats. Nuclear DNA was isolated from 50
factor, LIM transcription factor, profilin, etc., plants using a modified CTAB isolation
were also isolated. Thus snapshots of the protocol. Assessment of the isolated DNA
genes involved in the flowering of this samples was carried out using molecular
economically viable plant were identified from markers. Random primer marker systems like
this study. Expression studies (Northern) and RAPD, SSR and ISSRs were used for marker
Southern hybridizations are currently being analysis and from the data analysed, 30 %
performed to identify putative sex-specific
polymorphism was observed among the
genes in this plant.
samples, which can be attributed to the
302.2 Molecular profiling of Cajanus difference in seed coat color observed in the
species samples. Phylogenetic analysis of the marker
analysis data was done and the dendrogram
Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh) provided a preliminary picture of the genetic
belongs to the sub-tribe Cajaninae of the relatedness or variation among the samples.
agriculturally most important tribe Phaseoleae Bulk segregant analysis of the seed samples
under sub-family Papilionoideae of the family is also being carried out based on the seed
Leguminosae. Among the many edible coat color of the samples. As a result, 18
members of tribe Phaseoleae (Phaseolus,
different types of seeds were observed, based
Vigna, Cajanus, Lablab etc.), Cajanus cajan is
on their coat color. This will provide a picture
the only domesticated species under
of the intra and inter level genetic relatedness
Cajaninae. There are 32 species of the genus
or variation among the collected samples.
Cajanus, of which 18 species are distributed
Phenotypic characters of the samples planted
in India, which has been established as the
are being documented which will later be useful
centre of origin of Cajanus. Very little
in tagging characters to the polymorphism
documentation has been done on the
landraces being cultivated in the Eastern Ghats observed. AFLP analysis of the DNA isolated
region of India, especially in the tribal regions, from all the samples are being carried out,
where this legume is being grown by tribal which will add to the assessment of genetic
communities. A study has therefore been diversity among the landraces of Cajanus
initiated to collect and examine the nature and species.
extent of diversity among the traditional
Another batch of DNA isolation from the
landraces of Cajanus species in this region.
samples with more markers is underway to
177 seed samples of the local land races of obtain a comprehensive picture of the genetic
Cajanus species were collected from tribal diversity among the landraces grown in these

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tribal regions. Analysis of Cajanus samples (Foreground selection). The transgene positive
from other parts of the Eastern Ghats, viz. TN plants (50 %) were tagged and a single plant
(Kolli Hills) and AP (Vishakapatnam and with a high recovery of respective recurrent
adjoining areas) will give an idea of the genetic parent was identified and selfed. The BC5F2
diversity of Cajanus species in the entire seeds were obtained and 30 such plants were
Eastern Ghats, and the possible origin and raised in February 2008 and are being
distribution of the landraces. analysed for the foreground selection of the
transgenes.

303.2 Biofortification
Sub Programme Area 303
Transformation of Ferritin gene into local
Genetic Enhancement indica rice cultiver

303.1 Introgression of transgenes Transformation events of ferritin gene in rice

Am SOD and Ferritin into local varieties were in Basmati and was reported earlier.
of Indica rice Transformation of binary vector pFer1 (which
contains the ferritin gene cloned at the BamH1
From the population of 200 fourth generation and Kpn1 site under the control of endosperm
back cross (BC4F1) plants in each variety specific promoter GluB-1) into indica rice
(ADT43, White Ponni, IR 20 and IR 64), the cultivar (IR20, ADT 45) using the
positive plants (50 %), which possess the Agrobacterium mediated transformation
transgene, were identified initially by PCR method has been initiated.
analysis and tagged. These positive plants
were screened for recovery of the respective AmFer ORF was amplified from Amfer plasmid
parental character phenotypically, especially with GFP-ferritin forward primer which contains
floral characters such as days to 50 % flowering a KpnI site and GFP-Fer Reverse primer which
and floret size, and a single plant with the contains a Hind III site thus avoiding the stop
highest recovery of parental characters was codon and introducing Kpn I site at 5’ end and
identified for each variety. The presence of the Hind III site at 3’ end. GFP ORF was amplified
transgene in the selected plants was confirmed using GFP forward and GFP Reverse and
through southern blot experiment in the case cloned in pBSSK in BamHI and HindIII sites
of Ferritin and through isozyme in the case of and the resulting plasmid was named pBSSK-
AmSOD. This plant in each variety was GFP. AmFer cloned in T/A vector was then
selected as the female parent, backcross five digested with KpnI and HindIII and cloned into
was done and BC5F1 seeds were obtained. pBSSK-GFP. The resulting plasmid contains
The BC5F1 seeds were raised during October GFP ORF fused at the C terminal end of Amfer
2007 and planted and screened for the ORF. The cloning of Amfer-GFP fused product
presence of transgene through PCR with KpnI and SacI site into pCAMBIA1301

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BIOTECHNOLOGY
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(digested with KpnI and SacI) under double with 1mM IPTG for three hours. The cell pellets
strength 35S promoter for tobacco were resuspended in a binding buffer,
transformation is in progress. sonicated and the supernatant used for Ni-NTA
chromatography. The purified protein was
Iron regulated metal transporters are membrane
dialyzed and used for phosphorylation assays
proteins involved in iron uptake from the soil
with Casein kinase II (CKII). The purified
through root cells. To increase the iron content dehydrin protein was phosphorylated by CKII,
in rice grain, another approach is aimed at as evidenced by an upward shift during SDS-
overexpression of IRT along with Amferritin in a PAGE. This phosphorylation was detectable
gene pyramiding approach in transgenic rice. using anti-phosphoserine antibodies and was
Based on high sequence similarity between reversed by Shrimp Alkaline Phosphatase
Porteresia coarcata and Oryza sativa, a partial (SAP) treatment. However, precise
genomic clone of PcIRT was isolated using identification of the amino acid residues
primers designed with rice IRT sequence undergoing phosphorylation needs further
information. To isolate the full length gene and analysis.
its promoter, various genome walking approach
was followed which resulted in completion of 3’ The AmDHN1a cDNA (cloned in pSPORT) was
end of the gene and additional 248 bp sequence digested with Pst I / Hind III and cloned in
information at 5’ end. pBSSK II (pBS-AmDHN1a). This construct was
digested with Bam HI and cloned in the binary
303.3 Characterisation of Dehydrin gene vector pCAMBIA1300 (pCAM-AmDHN1a).
from Avicennia marina This construct was mobilized in Agrobacterium
LBA4404 and used for transforming rice (Oryza
As reported last year, AmDHN1a, a cDNA
sativa cv Pusa Basmati). After three rounds of
coding for a dehydrin, was isolated from the A.
selection on hygromycin (50 Mg/ml) five
marina library through sequencing. The open
independent regenerated lines (shoots) were
reading frame of AmDHN1a was PCR
obtained. These were transferred to rooting
amplified using PC57 REV1 and PC57 FWD2
medium with hygromycin and regenerated
primers and cloned in a T/A vector. After
plantlets were obtained. The plantlets were
confirming the integrity of the reading frame,
hardened in Yoshida medium for two weeks
this clone was digested with KpnI/ XhoI and
and then transferred to the field for seed
cloned into the same sites in pET32a (pET32a-
multiplication. PCR analysis of the five lines
AmDHN1a). This construct was transformed
confirmed the presence of the AmDHN1a
into the expression host E. coli BL21(DE3).
gene. Copy number, and further analyses are
Cultures of E. coli cells carrying pET32a-
under way.
AmDHN1a and vector controls were grown at
o
37 C in LB medium containing 100Mg/ml Isolation of the AmDHN1a promoter has been
ampicillin to an O.D. of A600 = 0.5 and induced reported previously. The promoter fragment

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was re-amplified from A. marina genomic DNA infection. Genomic DNA was isolated from
using primers with introduced restriction DC1, DC2 and untransformed control and
enzyme (Pst I and Sal I) sites. This fragment digested with Sac I (linearises the T-DNA) to
was cloned in T/A vector, digested with Pst I determine the copy number of integration of
and Sal I and cloned in the binary vector Am-APX and Am-MDAR in the rice genome.
pCAMBIA 1391z with GUS as the reporter Total RNA was isolated from DC1, DC2 and
gene. The construct was mobilized into untransformed control plants. Two separate
Agrobacterium LBA4404 and will be used for blots were made to hybridize with the two
transformation into tobacco for further separate UTR probes viz Am-APX and Am-
analyses. MDAR. The results revealed that in DC1, both
Am-APX and Am-MDAR were expressed
To monitor the expression levels of the whereas in DC2 only Am- MDAR was
promoter, dehydrin promoter was isolated expressed and no signal was detected for Am-
by TAIL-PCR method followed by cloning in APX. Total protein was isolated from DC1 and
T/A vector. The promoter sequence was sub untransformed control plants and separated on
cloned in pCAMBIA 1391Z. In this construct 12 % SDS-PAGE and transferred to Nitro
the dehydrin promoter drives the expression cellulose membrane (Hybond C Extra). Am-
of the GUS reporter gene. This construct was APX polyclonal antibody was used at 1:500
then mobilized into Agrobacterium tumefaciens dilution and secondary antibody was used at a
strain LBA 4404 by freeze thaw method. Future dilution of 1:2000. The results revealed that in
work will concentrate on transformation into DC1 27 kDa protein specific for Am-APX was
tobacco and performance of the promoter expressed highly and that protein was absent
under abiotic stress. in untransformed control plants.
303.4 Co-expression of Active Oxygen Twenty-four seeds (T0 generation) were sown
Species (AOS) scavenging genes in rice from the DC1 lines. DNA was isolated from all
and evaluation for increased salinity the lines and PCR analysis revealed that
tolerance among the 24 lines, 18 lines were positive for
both APX and MDAR. The results revealed that
Using Agrobacterium mediated transformation
the segregation of DC1 in T1 generation was in
of pCAM Am-APX + Am-MDAR in rice, two
3:1 Mendelian ratio.
lines regenerated under hygromycin selection.
PCR analysis for Am-APX and Am-MDAR The Am-APX promoter (1.6 kb) was cloned in
revealed that line DC1 was positive for both binary vector pCAM1391Z at EcoRI and
genes, the 1.1 kb and 1.9 kb fragment specific Hind III site and the construct was mobilized
to Am-APX and Am-MDAR respectively but in into Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain
DC2 only MDAR was amplified, not APX. This LBA4404 and was used to transform Nicotiana
might be due to partial removal of T-DNA during tabacum cv. Petit Havana by the leaf disc

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BIOTECHNOLOGY
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method. Preliminary selection of transformed targeting signal in the C terminus. For MDAR,
plants was done using GUS staining. Out of GFP was fused at the C terminus as the MDAR
twelve plants regenerated with Am-APX has the chloroplast targeting peptide in the
promoter construct, five transformed plants N terminus and confocal imaging revealed that
were GUS positive. Genomic DNA was isolated AmAPX is targeted at peroxisomes whereas
from the five GUS positive lines and was Am-MDAR targets chloroplast.
digested with Eco RI to determine the copy
number of integration of Am-APX promoter in
303.5 Tissue Specific Expression of the
the tobacco genome. Full-length promoter was PR244 Promoter and transformation of
used as probe. The results revealed that three PR244 into Rice
lines are single copy events whereas two lines
PR244, a salt inducible gene from the
have 2 copies.
mangrove A. marina, is homologous to rci2a
Genomic clone of Am-pAPX1 is 3,942 bp in and rci2b from Arabidopsis. The isolation of
length (Accession No. EU025130), 2,799 bp the 51 upstream region of PR244 and its cloning
longer than the Am-pAPX1 cDNA. Alignment in pCAMBIA 1391Z have been reported
of Am-pAPX1 (cDNA) with its genomic clone previously. This construct was transformed into
revealed the presence of eight introns. The size Arabidopsis thaliana (Columbia Ecotype) via
of the introns varied from 83-740 bp while the the Agrobacterium mediated vaccum
size of the exon varied from 41-16 bp. The Infiltration/Floral Dip method. Seeds were
genomic clone of Am-MDAR is 6,058 bp in harvested and plated on 2 % MS with varying
length, which is 4663 bp longer than the Am- concentrations of hygromycin 5-20 mg/ml
MDAR cDNA. Alignment of Am-MDAR (cDNA) (selectable marker). A hygromycin con-
with its genomic clone revealed the presence centration of 15 mg/ml was found to be optimal
of fourteen introns. The size of the introns for selection of the transformants. The selected
varied between 82 and 711 bp while the size seeds were subsequently transferred to pots
of the exon varied between 41 and 514 bp. containing a 1:3 ratio of vermiculite and biopeat.
Genomic DNA (15 mg) was digested with Seedlings are currently growing and further
restriction enzymes namely EcoRI, XbaI and analysis will be initiated when the plants are
EcoRV for APX and hybridized with APX probe fully-grown.
and for MDAR it was digested with BamHI,
The PR244 promoter was transcriptionally
EcoRI, and HindIII and hybridized with MDAR
fused with the PR244-GFP fusion and cloned
probe. The results revealed that there are two
in the binary vector pCAMBIA 1300. This
copies of APX gene and five copies of MDAR
construct was transformed into tobacco via
gene or its isoform in the A. marina genome.
Agrobacterium mediated transformation by the
Fusion of GFP with Am-APX in N terminus leaf disc method. After three rounds of
region was selected as it has a peroxisomal selection on hygromycin (25 mg/ml), the

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regenerated shoots were allowed to root in 2 % representation of AmNAC1 was studied in the
MS (with hygromycin). Tissue specific cDNA library, prepared using salt-stressed A.
expression of the PR244-GFP construct is marina, as the sequence characteristics were
being studied. more similar to biotic stress related NAC
proteins reported in other plants. AmNAC1
For transformation of c-myc tagged PR244 into
transcript expression patterns were analyzed
rice, Indica variety Pusa Basmati was used.
from plants that were grown in tolerable (250
12-day old scutellum-derived embryogenic calli
mM) and stressful (500 mM) concentrations
[raised on MS medium containing 2,4 D
of NaCl using RNA-blot experiments. Total
(2 mg/ml)] were co-cultivated with
RNA was prepared from two different
Agrobacterium carrying the plasmid pMYC-
treatments at various time points. Results of
PR244. Regeneration of putative transgenic
Northern analysis using RNA prepared from
rice is under way.
500 mM NaCl treated plants showed that
303.6 Characterisation of MYB and NAC AmNAC1 transcript expression was up
transcription factors from salt tolerant regulated in treated plants from 6 hours to 48
mangrove plant A. marina hours after stress and was not detected after
12 and 24 hours of recovery from salt
Expression of AmMYB1 cDNA in E coli was
treatment. However, AmNAC1 transcript was
done to study the expression level of AmMYB1
significantly up regulated only after 48 hours
protein. The open reading frame of AmMYB
of 250 mM NaCl treatment. Interestingly,
was amplified from the cDNA library of stressed
AmNAC1 transcript level was highest after 10
A. marina library. The amplified product was
days in spite of the plants recovering from initial
cloned in the E coli expression vector (pET32a,
stress symptoms morphologically, suggesting
Novagen) under the control of IPTG inducible
a positive role for the same in maintaining
T7 lac promoter and transformed into E coli
normal growth of the plant for longer durations
BL21 (DE3) cells. Adding 1mM IPTG to E. coli
in the presence of NaCl.
culture induced protein expression of
AmMYB1. The cells were harvested at different Whether AmNAC1 is inducible by ABA, was
time points after IPTG induction. There was a also investigated as many water stress
clear induction of MYB protein visible at 1, 2.5 inducible genes are up regulated by the
hours after IPTG induction. Purification of exogenous addition of ABA and the level of
AmMYB1 protein was done using nickel-
endogenous ABA also increases under salt
nitrilotriacetic acid (Ni-NTA) affinity column.
stress condition. As reported in Arabidopsis
Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA) is
thaliana for RD26, a NAC protein, AmNAC1
under way to study the DNA binding property
transcript expression was up regulated by ABA
of that protein.
treatment. Transcript level for AmNAC1 was
To understand the contribution of NaCl in high after 12 hrs of treatment and the transcript
abiotic stress tolerance in plants, the expression pattern was similar to 500 mM NaCl

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BIOTECHNOLOGY
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treatment. Investigations on endogenous ABA 1,301 under the control of 35S promoter.
levels at 250 and 500 mM NaCl are currently Nicotiana tabaccum was transformed with the
being carried out to understand the recombinant vector using Agrobacterium
dependence of AmNAC1 expression on ABA transformation method. Transgenic tobacco
signalling. Thus, the results from the present plants with a strong GUS expression were
study indicate the involvement of AmNAC1 in screened for GFP florescence using a confocal
salt stress tolerance in A. marina and the microscope. The experiment revealed the
mediation of early stress response by ABA. localisation of the green fluorescence in the
Future studies will concentrate on the DNA chloroplasts. The chloroplastic localisation of
binding property of transcription factors using Pj GST1 was confirmed by co-visualising
different DNA core sequence elements that chlorophyll autofluorescence.
respond to abiotic stress and assessment of
Pj GST1 was transformed into Indica rice
AmMYB1 transcription factor, using model
variety ADT 43 using the biolistic method. PCR
plant systems.
positive plants were analysed in the T1 and T2
303.7 Characterisation of Pj 507, from generation. The putative transgenic lines
Prosopis juliflora for drought tolerance showed better growth under salt and cadmium
stress in vitro compared to control un-
Pj 507 was selected for further characterisation
transformed plants. The performance of whole
because six copies of this clone were found in
plants under drought stress was analysed by
the P. juliflora library indicating a possible role
following three cycles of a watering regime of –
in stress tolerance. This cDNA was completey
‘one day watering – four days no watering’. The
sequenced and analysed in silico. An 820 base
putative transgenic lines showed better survival
pair putative promoter fragment was isolated
under this stress compared to control un-
for this gene using TAIL PCR. Pj 507 ORF is
transformed plants.
being cloned in fusion with GFP for the
purpose of cellular localisation of the protein. 303.8 Characterisation of different types
Pj 507 cDNA is cloned in pCAMBIA 1301 under of metallothionein and transformation of
the control of 35S promoter and would be type II metallothionein from P. juliflora into
transformed into tobacco for functional tobacco for heavy metal accumulation
characterisation. Pj 507 ORF is being cloned
Heavy metal pollution of agricultural soils is one
into pET 28a vector to study the over
of the most severe ecological problems in the
expression of the protein in a bacterial system.
world. Toxic levels of metals can occur in some
For intracellular localization of Pj GST1 protein, natural soils as a result of mining, smelting,
Pj GST1 ORF was fused with GFP ORF at the manufacturing, and agricultural or waste
N-terminal with 10 alanine codons as a linker. disposal technologies. Metallothioneins (MTs)
The fused product was cloned into pCAMBIA are small cysteine rich proteins that range in

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size from 4 to 8 kDa and bind various phyto- treatments. PjMT3 transcript increased
toxic heavy metals such as copper, cadmium, apparently under all heavy metal stress
zinc and nickel. Three types of metallothioneins treatments up to 72 hrs.
from Prosopis juliflora have been identified and
51 upstream regions or promoters of PjMT
characterised.
genes were isolated using TAIL-PCR and the
To examine the metal binding ability, ORFs of presence of cis-acting elements analysed
the three PjMTs were cloned in translational using PLACE. All three-promoter sequences
fusion with GST in pGEX4T1 expression vector showed the presence of TATA, CAAT, GATA
and transformed into E. coli cells. E.coli cells boxes, ABRE-like elements, MYC- and MYB
expressing the fusion protein or GST were factor binding proteins. In the 51 upstream
grown in the presence of non-toxic region of PjMT1, a copper responsive element
concentrations of cadmium and zinc (0.3 mM (CuRE) was present. In addition, elements
each). Metals bound by fusion proteins or GST involved in ethylene response (ERE), stress
were examined by Flame-AAS after (STRE) and organ-specific expression (OSE)
purification, using Glutathione Sepharose 4B were also present in one or more of the isolated
column. All three GSTMT fusion proteins 51 upstream regions of the PjMTs.
showed a higher ability to bind cadmium as
PjMT2 was cloned in pCAMBIA in translational
compared to zinc.
fusion with GFP at the C-terminus and
To determine the effect of heavy metals on the transformed into tobacco using Agrobacterium
expression of PjMTs, leaves from one month mediated transformation. Confocal microscopy
old P. juliflora seedlings exposed to heavy of tobacco plants expressing PjMT2: mGFP 6
metals like cadmium, copper and zinc for 0, fusion protein showed that PjMT2 co-localized
24, 48 and 72 hrs were harvested. About in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Future work will
10 mg of total RNA (per sample) from the focus on the transformation of PjMT2 into
leaves was isolated and electrophoresed in a Brassica juncea, a hyperaccumulator plant for
1.3 % formaldehyde-agarose gel, transferred efficient phytoremediation.
to nylon membrane (Hybond N+, GE
303.9 Isolation of PcHKT cDNA
Biosciences) and the blot probed with 32P-
dCTP labeled PjMT1, PjMT2 or PjMT3 Salinity tolerance in many plants is inversely
(321UTR). PjMT1 was induced significantly with related to the extent of Na+ accumulation in
copper, H2O2 and ABA treatments, with no the shoot, notably in major cereals such as
significant up-regulation under cadmium and wheat and rice. In Arabidopsis rice and wheat
zinc stress. PjMT2 expression was unchanged there is evidence indicating a central role for
with both cadmium and copper stress members of the HKT gene family, (more
treatments. However, PjMT2 expression was specifically the HKT 1, 5 subtype) of Na+ and
up regulated with ZnSO 4 , H 2O 2 and ABA Na+/K+ transporters in controlling Na+

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BIOTECHNOLOGY
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accumulation and, thus, in determining salinity transformation method. Many transformation

tolerance. Porteresia coarctata is a salinity events were performed which are in various
tolerant wild relative of rice and would therefore stages of selection.
be a good source material to analyse for HKT
genes. mRNA sequences of rice, Triticum
303.10 Understanding salinity
monococcum and Triticum aestivum (HKT 1, 5) tolerance mechanisms in Sesuvium
were aligned using CLUSTALW. This portulacastrum L. - a Mangrove
alignment was compared with their respective associated halophyte
genomic sequences and the putative exon-
Salinity tolerance in plants is a very complex
intron junctions were identified. Primers were
trait, and is the handiwork of evolution in
designed based on conserved sequences in
halophytes that have ‘learned’ to grow well in
Exon 1 and a 575 bp fragment from P. coarctata
genomic DNA. To obtain the 3’ sequence the presence of salt or sodium chloride in the
information of PcHKT, TAIL PCR methodology soil. Sesuvium portulacastrum (Vangaravasi in
was adopted and a 650 bp fragment was Tamil), a mangrove-associated halophyte has
amplified from P. coarctata genomic DNA that recently gained the attention of plant biologists
was found to contain part of Exon 3 and the 3’ for its adaptability to water-deficit stresses like
UTR. Sau3A1 adapter ligated P. coarctata DNA salinity and drought. S. portulacastrum is able
was used to obtain the 5’ sequence information to complete its life cycle, that is, from the
of PcHKT and a 404 bp fragment was obtained emergence of a plant from the seed to setting
that had a 99 bp overlap with the previously seeds, in the presence of high concentrations
amplified DNA. Thus the full genomic clone of sodium chloride in the soil. A systems
for PcHKT was obtained and was found to be approach towards understanding salinity
3194 bp in length. Based on the sequence tolerance in S. portulacastrum was undertaken,
information primers were designed to clone the which included information from experimental
PcHKT cDNA. P. coarctata tillers with intact results obtained using physiological,
roots were subjected to 0.25 M NaCl for 12 biochemical and molecular studies.
and 24 h. Leaves and roots were used for total
The systems model was suggestive of a
RNA isolation and subsequent mRNA
probable link between changes in
purification. Full sequence information for
photosynthesis and pigmentation as a
PcHKT cDNA was assembled in two
response to sodium chloride in the medium of
overlapping fragments of sizes 0.75 Kb and
plant growth. As genes that were uniquely
1.05 Kb.
expressed during sodium chloride treatment
As reported in the previous year’s report, the of the plants were also highly represented by
PcNHX gene has been characterised and those related to photosynthesis, inference
cloned, and is being transformed into Indica could be made that light also might have a role
rice variety Pusa Basmati using Agrobacterium to play in influencing the response

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mechanisms. Moreover, it was also observed Creator smart cDNA construction kit, which
from our experiments that the possibility of a was subsequently used for synthesizing the
‘photosynthetic shift’ cannot be ruled out. That double stranded cDNA through LD-PCR.
is, S. portulacastrum might take a decision of Double stranded cDNA was treated with
switching over from a less water-use-efficient proteinase K digestion and the cDNA size
photosynthetic pathway called ‘C3’ to that of a fractionated and the fractionated cDNA was
better water-use-efficient pathway called ‘CAM’ subsequently cloned into a T/A vector and
or its variants, based on the presence or transformed into plasmid pDNR. 1,000 clones
absence of salt in the soil. It would be were randomly screened for large-scale EST
interesting to carry out additional studies that sequencing. 600 clones have been screened
result in solving the missing links in our and the clones showing the presence of gene
approach. size above 500 bp were selected for
sequencing. The plasmids were sequenced
303.11 Gene mining from lichen species
using pDNR_2FWD primer and 400 ESTs
The growth of lichens in extreme environments, sequences have been obtained.
their vibrant defense mechanism in the form
of secondary compounds for biotic and abiotic The expressed genes having good e-value
stresses and their ability to live in symbiotic from the NCBI BLAST showed homology to
state with algae and cyanobacteria, exhibit the Catechol dioxyge (1,2-HQD; Hydroxyquinol
distinctiveness of their genetic make up. 1,2-dioxygenase) which catalyses the ring
Hence, screening of lichen genome is cleavage of hydroxyquinol (1,2,4-
considered a potential source to provide novel trihydroxybenzene), an intermediate in the
genetic material to combat abiotic and biotic degradation of a large variety of aromatic
stress in agriculture, human health and compounds including some polychloro- and
environment. Hence the lichen gene-mining nitroaromatic pollutants, to form 3-h. From the
program aims at germplasm characterisation ESTs sequenced we have genes such as LEA
of lichen species Dirinaria applanata, Pyxine domain protein, CRAL/TRIO domain protein,
cocoes, Physcia tribacoides and Roccella NRRL 1 TOM complex.
montagnei. Prior to germplasm characteri-
Internally Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region of
sation, axenic fungal and whole thallus cultures
the nuclear ribosomal DNA has been
of selected species were established.
characterised and sequenced to establish the
cDNA library has been constructed from the species identity of cultured lichen thalli with the
lichen species R. montagnei and large scale natural thalli. ITS rDNA based fungal specific
sequencing of ESTs are under way. For the PCR in P. cocoes natural thallus and cultured
cDNA library, total RNA has been isolated using thallus has been completed and the sequence
Zostera marina L. protocol. Single stranded information will be validated and submitted to
cDNA was constructed using the protocol of the NCBI nucleotide Genebank database.

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BIOTECHNOLOGY
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Lichens are well known for their synthesis of pks1 (Xsepks1), which belongs to nonreducing
unique secondary metabolites including clade III, indicating that DNpks belongs to
polyketides such as Depsides, Depsidones, nonreducing clade III. The active sites of KS
Depsones, Dibenzofurans, and Chromones. and AT domains of DNpks were found to be
Polyketides are organic molecules that are well conserved in D. applanata.
formed from small carbon precursor acid
molecules whose condensation is catalysed by The conditions at which PKS genes have been
a cluster of enzymes called Polyketide regulated are not yet clearly understood, but
Synthases (PKS). The available information on many biotic and abiotic stresses are known to
characterised PKS genes from lichens is very upregulate the production of secondary
scarce on cloning, and functional and metabolites. Hence expression studies of PKS
expression analysis of genes. The genes from the RNA isolated from culture
understanding of the expression patterns of samples grown under different stress
these genes will help in providing the correct conditions were studied by analysing mRNA
physiological, environmental and nutritional transcript accumulation. In this study, the
conditions for scaling up of polyketides in lichen osmotic conditions with sucrose were found
cultures. to either down-regulate DNpks or cause no
alteration in mRNA levels. Rather than osmotic
750 bp Ketosynthase domain of PKS gene was
stress, DNpks was more responsive to UV
characterised from natural and culture thallus
radiation, showing a constitutive upregulation;
of Dirinaria applanata, Roccella montagnei,
an equal response of DNpks was also
R. belangeriana, Ramalina pollinaria, and
observed for neutral pH.
Usnea complanata through PCR based
methods (primers-LC1 and LC2C). Genome 303.12 Identification of genes that are
walking by domain–hopping approach from the uniquely regulated during oil biosynthesis
ketosynthase domain towards both the C- in Jatropha curcas seeds
terminal as well as the N- terminal end of the
pks gene of D. applanata and a 4,863bp of Fossil fuel resources are reaching their finite
pks gene (DNpks) has been characterised and limits and a sharp increase in oil prices all over
codes for other domains such as the world has resulted in an unprecedented
Acyltransferase and upstream of impetus for research on alternative sources of
acyltransferase and downstream of fuel, especially from plants. Many plants have
ketosynthase domain. The Phylogenetic tree the property of accumulating oil in their seeds.
constructed from this gene separated Jatropha curcas is one such oil yielding plant
nonreducing and reducing pks. DNpks were that has gained widespread attention in recent
claded with other nonreducing pks at a times as a source of biodiesel. In addition to
bootstrap value of 99. The analyses also many factors that influence seed oil yield, the
intercladed DNpks gene with X. semiviridis regulation of the genes that control the

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expression of proteins that bring about oil material. Tissue culture methodology
accumulation in seeds is a very basic factor development will aid in transferring genes
that differentiates a high oil yielding plant from controlling active oil accumulation into J. curcas
others. to obtain high and uniform oil yield.

To identify the genes that control active oil

accumulation, J. curcas seeds were grouped
into four maturation stages as follows: early Sub Programme Area 304
maturation stage, mid maturation stage, late
maturation stage and full maturation stage. Bioprospecting
Since protein expression is more active when
304.1 Bioprospecting and Culture of
the oil accumulation is still progressing, mid
Lichen Species
and late maturation stage seeds were used for
identification of the genes. The experimental This programme aims at screening and
design essentially involved ‘subtraction’ of the characterising potential anti-microbial
genes that are common to the stages secondary compounds of lichen species
mentioned, so that genetic information (symbiotic fungi with algae or cyanobacteria
pertaining only to the late stage of oil for nutritional requirements) viz. R. montagnei,
biosynthetic pathway would be left as ‘unique’, P. praesorediosum, D. applanata, R. pollinaria,
for further analyses. In this regard, a cDNA U. complanata and T. eluteriae. The secondary
subtraction library consisting of ‘unique’ compounds of these lichen species were
information that relates to genes involved in extracted in organic solvent gradients and
seed oil biosynthesis in J. curcas was screened for their antimicrobial properties
constructed last year. To identify and
against human bacterial and fungal pathogens.
characterise the unique information, annotation
The chemical characterisation of the
of the same was performed through
compounds, which exhibited antimicrobial
sequencing of a small portion of the ‘expressed’
properties, was carried out in collaboration with
genetic information called Expressed
the Organic Chemistry Laboratory and
Sequence Tag (EST). Information annotation
Sophisticated Analytical Instrumentation
of about 300 ESTs has been performed till date,
Facility (SAIF), Indian Institute of Technology,
of which a few show identities to genes that
Chennai. Qualitative and quantitative extraction
have already been reported to be involved in
of lichen secondary metabolites and
the regulation of oil biosynthesis in other plants.
subsequent antimicrobial screening provided
Standardisation of tissue culture the basis for the identification of two novel
methodologies for transforming J. curcas compounds from natural thallus R. montagnei
plants through gene transfer has been initiated and P. praesorediosum and one compound
using emerging cotyledons as starting plant from cultured thallus T. eluteriae.

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BIOTECHNOLOGY
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The characterisation of lichen compounds in vulgaris, and was crystallised and subjected
D. applanata using Thin Layer Chromato- to XRD crystallographic analyses. The crystals
graphy (TLC) resulted in the identification of were identified as 6-hydroxy-7-methoxy-2, 3,
known compounds such as Atranorin, and 3, 9-tetramethyl-2,3-dihydronaptho [1,2-
divaricatic acid and unknown compoun b]furan-4,5-dione. The compound was found
(Compound 1: Ash-Gray Rf class 4; Compound to be novel through a blast search against
2: Orange Rf class 5) and High Performance Scifinder Scholar facility and Cambridge
Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis Structural Database and the crystal structure
of methanol extract of cultured has been submitted to the Cambridge
D. applanata showed two unknown Crystallographic Data Centre (CCDC- 677670).
compounds. The thin layer chromatogram
Crude hexane extract of D. applanata exhibited
showed the presence of Evernic acid in
antimicrobial activity and was subjected to
R. pollinaria; Salazinic acid and Usnic acid
in U. complanata and seven unknown further fractionation and subsequent
compounds in cultured thallus of T. eluteriae. bioassays. Of the five fractions, two fractions
showed anti-microbial activity against five
Antibacterial assay human bacterial pathogens. Hence these
Antibacterial assays were carried out using fractions were subjected to further purification
TLC direct bioautographic overlay assay and and structure elucidation of these fractions is
disc diffusion assays against human being carried out. Similarly, crude acetone
bacterial pathogens and fungi (K. pneumonia, extracts of R. pollinaria and U. complanata
P. vulgaris, S. typhi-A, S. paratyphi–B and were found to be bioactive, and further
S. aureus and C. albicans). Atranorin, purification of the active fractions is under way
divaricatic acid, Evernic acid, Salazinic acid, in these lichens.
Usnic acid and the 1st, 7th and 5th fraction of
Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity testing
T. eluteriae showed broad spectrum
antibacterial activity. As a prerequisite for drug development, the
identified potential antimicrobial compounds,
Compound characterisation 4-carbomethoxy-5-acetyl resorcinol from
The crude acetone extract of cultured thallus R. montagnei and 3- Formyl-2, 4 – dihydroxy-
of T. eluteriae showed antimicrobial activity. 5, 6-dimethyl –benzoic acid 3-hydroxy-4-
The crude extract showed the presence of methoxycarbonyl-2,5-dimethly-phenyl ester
seven unknown compounds. The fifth major from P. praesorediosum were subjected to
fraction showed broad-spectrum antibacterial cytotoxic and genotoxic studies on Swiss
activity against human bacterial pathogens Albino mice and Wistar rats in collaboration
such as E. coli, Vibrio cholera, Salmonella with the Department of Pharmacology and
paratyphi A, S. paratyphi B and Proteus Environmental Toxicology and Genetics,

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PGIBMS, University of Madras. All procedures nilgiriensis, Graphina obtecta, T. eluteriae,

were conducted in accordance with the Pseudopyrenula subvelata, Graphis scripta,
guidelines of the Committee for the Purpose Graphis inamoena, Glyphis scyphulifera and
of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Lecanora sp. were standardised. The whole
Animals (CPCSEA), India. thallus lichen cultures of selected species
produce secondary compounds similar to the
Genotoxic studies on Swiss albino mice natural thallus; additionally, the mycobiont
against the bioactive compound 4- cultures also produced a few unknown
carbomethoxy-5-acetyl resorcinol from compounds.
R. montagnei showed negative results, hence
pharmacologists strongly recommend further All the culture species were selected from
screening of this compound as a potential drug. different geographical locations that are rich
Genotoxic screening of 4-carbomethoxy-5- in secondary compounds. The culture
acetyl resorcinol at higher doses against Swiss protocols were standardised for inoculum
albino mice exhibited a lower mitotic index, selection, sterilisation process, media and
indicating that it can be a potential molecule environmental conditions conducive for the
for anticancer therapy. Toxicity testing of 3- successful establishment, growth, thallus
formation and secondary compound
Formyl-2, 4 – dihydroxy-5,6-dimethyl–benzoic
production of all the selected species. Culturing
acid 3-hydroxy-4-methoxycarbonyl-2,5-
in a bioreactor for further upscaling of the
dimethly-phenyl ester from P. praesorediosum
secondary metabolites is currently under way.
showed no significant genetic or cytogenetic
damage. Sekikaic acid, divaricatic acid, caparitic acid,
atranorin, evernic acid, norstictic acid and nine
Lichen culture
unknown compounds have been isolated from
Lichen culture for secondary compound Glyphis scyphulifera, Trypethelium eluteriae,
production is a vital component of the Graphis scripta, Pseudopyrenula subvelata
conservation of lichen species in their habitat and D. applanata so far. One novel compound
and sustainable utilisation of these novel from the mycobiont cultures of Trypethelium
resources industrially. The protocols for in vitro eluteriae has been structurally characterised.
culture for the production of secondary
compounds through lichen whole thallus, 304.2 Bioprospecting from E. agallocha
fungal and photosynthetic partners for The pesticidal property of 1 % and 3 % crude
R. montagnei, P. praesorediosum, hexane formulation of E. agallocha was
D. applanata, R. pollinaria and U. complanata demonstrated in field trials (RBD) in lady’s
and 21 other lichen species such as finger, cotton, chick pea and pigeon pea in TN
Heterodermia diadimata, H. luecomela, and Uttaranchal areas. Further toxicity studies
Caloplaca serina, Physcia sp., Pyxine in animal models are under progress.

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BIOTECHNOLOGY
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304.3 Biochemical and Phytochemical were observed under UV (254 and 366 nm)
investigations of Navara and other Rice for compound spots. Hexane extracts of
landraces Navara and Veliyan showed the presence of
an ice-blue chromophore (Rf 0.3) that was
Navara (Oryza sativa var. Navara), the absent in the other varieties. Hence, the focus
medicinal brown rice of Kerala, is traditionally was laid on that particular compound as a
used by Ayurvedic healers for curing probable marker.
rheumatism, skin diseases and as a bio-
rejuvenator. Chemical investigations indicated Large-scale (5 kg) extraction of Navara (black
the presence of high amounts of tryptophan awned type or the ‘True’ Navara), using the
and proline. The present investigation was same order of solvents yielded crude extracts.
aimed at analysing the phytochemical and Column chromatography of the hexane extract
biochemical parameters of 13 brown rice using hexane: ethyl acetate (9.8:0.2 to 6:4
landraces, including Navara. Due to the ratios) yielded 5 fractions. Fraction-1, pure oil
demand for Navara (black awned type) in the that was subjected to NMR, FT-IR and Mass
market, contamination of the authentic rice spectral analysis suggested the presence of
grains with a spurious variety was observed. an aromatic ring. Fraction-2, the ice-blue
To identify the spurious variety, a two-step marker closely eluted with the fraction-3 and
qualitative method was developed for the hence was repeatedly purified in silica (60-120)
Navara cultivators, based on a simple TLC columns for spectral analysis. Further
analysis performed with 13 landraces. purification is under progress to decipher the
molecular structure.
50 g of powdered rice grains from the 13
varieties of rice was soaked in 100 ml of 880 g of Navara was cooked with 3 litres of
o
hexane for 24 hrs at 35 C. This was repeated water and cooled to room temperature.
thrice for optimum extraction. The pooled 1.5 litres of water was further added and it was
filtrate was evaporated under vacuum to yield macerated in a mixer to a semisolid
the crude extract. The extraction was continued consistency and partitioned using the same
with ethyl acetate, chloroform and methanol. order of solvents. The yields were calculated.
The crude extracts were air-dried and the yields Further purification of the hexane extract is
were calculated. 20 mg of the crude hexane under progress for a comparative study.
extract was dissolved in 400 μl of hexane to Navara brown and yellow (awned and awnless
obtain a homogenous solution. 10 μl of this types) varieties, Mullenchanna, Gandhakashala,
solution was spotted equidistantly on a TLC Arupathamcheera, Chennellu and Veliyan
plate (SiO2 230-400 with F- 254, 11 X 10 cm) landraces were analysed for total protein,
using capillaries of 0.5 mm bore size and air- carbohydrate, reducing sugars, free amino
dried. The plate was eluted in various solvent acids and free fatty acids. Navara black
systems to identify the best ratio. The plates awnless (black seeds) and Navara yellow

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awned (polished and unpolished) yielded Serratia (99-100 % sequence similarity), Vibrio
highest total protein of 0.007 mg/g. Navara (95-98.4 % sequence similarity), Azospirillum
black awned (pol and unpol). Navara yellow (99-100 % sequence similarity), Klebsiella
awnless (unpol) and Navara yellow awned (pol) (99-100 % sequence similarity), Entero-
together with Chennellu and Mullenchanna bacter (95-95.6 % sequence similarity) and
yielded 1.2- 1.24 mg/g of carbohydrate. Navara Swaminathania (99-100 % sequence
black awned (pol) variety yielded 185 mg/g of similarity). The strains which had 2-5 % dissi-
free fatty acids followed by Arupathamcheera milarity in 16S rRNA gene were taken up for
(173.9 mg/g). Free amino acids ranged from further detailed taxonomic characterisation
30.2 to 9.8 mg/g. using polyphasic approach.

Two facultatively anaerobic, nitrogen-fixing

Sub Programme Area 305 bacteria (MSSRF30T and MSSRF31) were
chosen and determined as nitrogen-fixers
Microbial Diversity using the acetylene-reduction assay and PCR
Bioprospecting and assessment of functional detection of a nifH gene amplicon. Phylogenetic
diversity of microbes have helped in identifying analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences
novel beneficial organisms, to be harnessed indicated that these bacteria were most closely
for INM and IPM. Further details on IPM related to Vibrio fluvialis LMG 7894T (96·8 %
research is reported in Section SPA 404. sequence similarity), Vibrio furnissii LMG7910T
(96·8 % sequence similarity) and Vibrio
305.1 Bioprospecting for Novel tubiashii CIP 102760 T (96·7 % sequence
Microorganisms similarity), but their similarity was below 97 %.
Further multilocus sequence analysis using
Plant growth promoting novel Vibrio spp.
recA, pyrH, rpoA and nifH genes also showed
from mangrove ecosystem
low levels of sequence similarities (83-93 %)
The research focused on the microbial diversity with all taxonomically validly published Vibrio
analysis of the rhizosphere-associated wild rice species. Multigene phylogenetic tree using
(Porteresea caroctata) of the Pichavaram concatenated sequences of four genes (16S
mangroves for the isolation of PGPRs, nitrogen rRNA, rpoA, recA, and pyrH) showed that the
fixation and antagonistic activity against strains MSSRF30T and MSSRF31 occupy a
phytopathogens (bacterial and fungal distinct phylogenetic position forming a long
pathogens). Primary screening resulted in the branching not clustered to any other known
isolation of many PGPR bacteria strains, which Vibrio species. The most abundant fatty acids
exhibited antagonistic activity or were able to also depicted that these strains belonged to
fix atmospheric nitrogen. These strains were the genus Vibrio. The results of physiological,
grouped into different genera based on 16S biochemical characteristics, genomic
rRNA gene sequencing, which belonged to fingerprinting and DNA-DNA hybridisation
Bacillus (99-100 % sequence similarity), analysis clearly differentiated both MSSRF30T

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BIOTECHNOLOGY
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and MSSRF31 strains from their strain MSSRF38T from its phylogenetic closest
phylogenetically closest relatives V. cholerae relative. Based on genotypic, phenotypic,
IID6019, V. mimicus LMG7896T, V. fluvialis chemotaxonomic, phylogenetic and DNA–DNA
LMG 7894T and V. furnissii LMG 7910T. Several hybridisation analysis, the name Vibrio
phenotypic traits also differentiated the strain mangrovi sp. nov. (type strain MSSRF38T is
MSSRF30T from other Vibrio species. Based deposited in LMG Beligum and DSM,
on genotypic, phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, Germany) is proposed for this novel taxon.
phylogenetic and DNA–DNA hybridisation Another diazotrophic strain MSSRF40T,
analysis, the name Vibrio porteresiae sp. nov. based on (16S rRNA, rpoA, GyrB, and
(type strain MSSRF30T=LMG 24061T=DSM Hsp60) can be a new genus in the family
19223T; DNA G+C contents 44.4±3.1 mol %) Enterobacteriaceae for which the name
is proposed for this novel taxon. Mangrovibacter plantisponsor gen. nov, sp.
nov. is proposed (type strain MSSRF40T and
Similarly, red pigmented diazotrophic bacterial has ben deposited in LMG Beligum and DSM,
strain MSSRF38T was also characterised. Germany).
Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA
Genetic Diversity of Soybean Bradyrhizobia
gene sequences indicated that these bacteria Isolated from India
were most closely related to Vibrio
Soybean (Glycine max Merrill.) was introduced
rhizosphaerae MSSRF3T (98 % sequence
to India as soon as it was domesticated in
similarity), Vibrio ruber JCM 11486T (98.3 %
China. However, the diversity of rhizobial
sequence similarity) and their similarity was
strains in India that can nodulate soybean was
below 95 % with all taxonomically validly
poorly understood. Diversity and phylogeny of
published Vibrio species. Further multilocus
50 slow growing strains, isolated from nodules
sequence analysis using GyrB, GapA, recA, of soybean collected from Madhya Pradesh,
pyrH, rpoA and nifH genes also showed low Orissa and Maharashtra, India, where soybean
levels of sequence similarities (83-93 %) with is intensively cultivated, were studied, using
all taxonomically validly published Vibrio Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism
species. Multigene phylogenetic tree using (RFLP) and phylogenetic analysis. Cluster
concatenated sequences of six genes (16S analysis of 16S rDNA restriction patterns with
rRNA, rpoA, GyrB, GapA, recA, and pyrH) seven tetrameric endonucleases grouped
showed that the strain MSSRF38T occupies a these isolates with Bradyrhizobium spp.
distinct phylogenetic position not clustered to resolving two genotypes within these
Vibrio rhizosphaerae MSSRF3 T and Bradyrhizobia. In the analysis of Intergenic
Vibrio ruber JCM 11486T group . The most Spacers (IGS) and RFLPs with three restriction
abundant fatty acids also depicted that this enzymes, six genotypes were found. Variability
strain belonged to genus Vibrio. The results of in the length of rDNA IGS regions was detected
physiological and biochemical characteristics, among different IGS genotypes. The IGS
genomic fingerprinting and DNA-DNA sequences of the strains of Indian origin have
hybridisation analysis clearly differentiated very low similarity to those of the strains of

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validly described species of Bradyrhizobium fungal symbiosis in the rhizosphere nodulate

from other legumes and also from soybean. roots and also synthesize growth promoters
The RFLPs of symbiotic genes (nifH and nodC) such as IAA and Gibberellins. They are rich
and phylogeny based on the nifH DNA sources of secondary metabolites and can
sequence delineated all isolates into two serve as a resourceful pool for gene donors.
biovarieties. It clearly showed the existence of They utilise root exudates for growth and
the potential new biovariety among soybean secretion of antimicrobial compounds. Plant
nodulating bradyrhizobia. Although the strains growth promoting compounds such as
were isolated from soybean root nodules, the Auxofurans have already been reported from
nodulation assays revealed that all the isolates Streptomyces strains. The present study was
induced nodulation with Vigna mungo, Vigna initiated to estimate the diversity of the
radiata, Vigna unguiculata, Cajanus cajan and actinomycetes associated with the Eastern
Macroptilium atropurpureum. All strains are Ghats and on the isolation of rare
resistant to cloxacillin, polymyxin B, penicillin, actinomycetes other than members of the
gentamicin, oxytetracycline and amoxicillin. family Streptomycetaceae. Streptomyces sp.
They did not grow in the presence of are easily culturable and about 60 % of the
ciprofloxacin, cefuroxime or neomycin and reported biomolecules have been isolated from
exhibited weak growth in the presence of Streptomyces. A total of 96 strains of
erythromycin. The novel strain designated M6 actinomycetes were isolated from soil samples
exhibited the following characteristics: Gram- collected from the Guntur cassava field,
negative rods as per the other species of the Devanur forest, Alathur sparse forest, Ariur rain
genus, colonies small, pearl white in YMA at forest of Kolli Hills and designated as MSACT1-
28 0C, optimal growth temperature at optimum MSACT96. Among them 15 strains exhibited
pH 7–7.5. Nitrate reduction is positive. The antagonistic activity against Rhizoctonia solani,
strain produced β-galactosidase and urease (sheath blight pathogen of rice), 6 strains
and hydrolysed aesculin. It utilised glucose, exhibited activity against Fusarium udum (wilt
L-arabinose, galactose, mannose, mannitol, disease in pulses) and 8 strains were active
N-acetylglucosamine, maltose and L-sorbose against Fusarium oxysporum (wilt pathogen in
as carbon sources. The strain did not grow on a number of crops). The strain KAM 11
lactose, L-rhamnose, trehalose, raffinose, exhibited broad spectrum activity against all
sucrose or adonitol. The strain M6 is being the test pathogens. The strain KAM 11 was
proposed as a novel sp. in the genus identified as Streptomyces cinnamomeus by
Bradyrhizobium. amplification and sequencing of 16S rRNA
gene. The strain S. cinnamomeus has been
Diversity analysis of actinomycetes from
reported to be a potent producer of extracellular
Kolli Hills
enzymes. Further studies can provide valuable
Actinomycetes are a group of potent clues on the mechanisms involved in the
microorganisms known to exhibit antagonistic antagonism and plant-microbe interactions of
activity against phytopathogens, promote plant S. cinnamomeus. The isolation of DNA has

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BIOTECHNOLOGY
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been standardised and the amplification of the The restriction pattern was determined using
16 S rDNA was carried using fD1 (5’- restriction enzymes Sau31. The restriction
AGTTTGATCCTGGCTCAG-3’) position7- 26 pattern exhibited difference in the banding
and r P2 (5’ACGGCTACCTTGTTACGACTT- pattern and hence further studies for the
3’)-position1,513 to 1,494 bases. The initial identification of these organisms by a
genetic diversity analysis of antagonistic polyphasic approach are in progress.
actinomycetes was performed using GTG5
primer which showed 4 different genotypes of
305.2 Screening for biomolecules from
actinomycetes. The sequencing data has also
microorganisms collected from different
confirmed that members of Streptomyces spp.
ecological niches
are predominant among the strain that were Microbial diversity describes the complexity
screened for antagonism. A further study on and variability of microorganisms at different
the characterisation of these genotypes is in levels in the ecosystem. The measure of
progress. microbial diversity manifests the measure of
the total community level and the functional
Diversity analysis of actinomycetes from
components. Discovering novel biomolecules
the mangrove ecosystem
using untapped resources has gained
Forty isolates of filamentous actinomycetes momentum and the modern biodiversity
were isolated from the mangrove ecosystem. prospecting integrates the systematic search
The isolates were designated as MSACTM 1- for the new sources of biomolecules, genes
MSACTM 40. These isolates were screened and other economically valuable natural
for their antagonistic activity against plant products. Attempts were made to isolate
pathogens but none of these strains exhibited microorganisms from soil samples collected
antimicrobial activity against the test from the different ecological regions of the
pathogens. The strains utilised cellulose and Eastern Ghats. The first set of soil samples
peptone and exhibited cellulase and amylase covered the areas of the Guntur cassava field,
activity. Some of the strains were able to fix Devanur forest, Alathur sparse forest, Ariur rain
nitrogen in nitrogen free medium. The diversity forest and Kolli Hills. The soil samples collected
of the strains was determined by amplifying from these locations were isolated using 30
the 16s rDNA using fD1 (5’-AGTTTGATCC- different media to isolate both slow growing
TGGCTCAG-3’) position7- 26 and r P 2 and fast growing microorganisms. A total of
(5’ACGGCTACCTTGTTACGACTT-3’)- 1,000 cultures/month were isolated to purity
position 1,513 to 1,494 bases. PCR and the colony characteristics viz., colony size,
amplification was performed in a DNA thermal colony configuration, colony margin, colony
cycler. The amplified product of 1,450 bp which elevation, colony colour, colony mucilage,
was obtained has been reported in biofilm formation and pigment production were
actinomycetes. The microscopic structure of recorded. The cultures were stab inoculated
the strains was studied by cover slip culture. in the respective medium and dispatched to

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Nicholas Piramal Limited (NPL) Mumbai and an increase in yield of 20 %. Blast disease
a duplicate set was stored in cryopreservation caused by Magnaporthe grisea has been
vials. NPL will screen these isolates by HITS identified as the greatest constraint to finger
(High infectivity throughput screening tests) for millet production. The anamorphic form of the
the identification of novel biomolecules with fungus is Pyricularia grisea and the
anti-cancer, anti-diabetes, anti-inflammatory teleomorphic stage M. grisea causes yield
and anti-infectivity activity. Bioprospecting of losses from 20 % to 80 % in finger millet. The
microbes would lead to the discovery of novel association of the nitrogen fixers with the
biomolecules which would form the basis for rhizosphere of finger millet was found to be
the synthesis of the chemical compounds. The sparse. The cultivation of the resistant and the
bacterial isolates were further screened for susceptible varieties has been recorded. A
cellulose and amylase activity and the survey was undertaken to study the cultivation
actinomycetes are being screened for of finger millet in the coastal regions of TN.
antimicrobial activity. Finger millet is cultivated in Tiruvanamalai,
Villupuram and Krishnagiri districts. The soil
305.3 Biological control of diseases
samples collected from these regions were
Biological control of Blast disease of finger screened for the isolation of Plant Growth
millet using plant growth promoting Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) and 450
bacteria isolates were obtained. The fluorescent
Finger millet (Eleusine coracana) is a valuable pseudomonas strains isolated from these soils
crop of high nutritive value, which has been were screened for their antagonistic activity
estimated as per 100 g: Protein 7.3 g; Fat 1.3 against the blast disease pathogen P. grisea.
g; Carbohydrate 72 g; Minerals 2.7 g; Calcium The PGPR associated with the rhizosphere of
3.44 g; Fibre 3.6 g; Energy 328 Kcal. It contains finger millet was isolated and identified based
the amino acid methionine, which is lacking in on the amplification of the 16S r DNA.
the diets of hundreds of millions of the poor
Biological control of groundnut dry root rot
who live on starchy staples such as cassava,
caused by Macrophomina phaseolina using
plantain, polished rice, or maize meal.
Bacillus sp. and Pseudomonas sp.
Pediatricians recommend ragi food for infants
of 6 months and above because of its high Groundnut is the fourth most important source
nutrition, especially calcium which is very of edible oil and third most important source of
essential for children and elderly people. Over vegetable protein. Groundnut is cultivated in
20 varieties of ragi are cultivated in India, of over 100 tropical and subtropical countries
which the grains of the white variety yielded including India, China, Nigeria and the USA.
superior nutritive value. The grain yield ranged Every year, 36 million metric tons are harvested
from 600-800 kg/ha in India under rainfed from 24 million ha. The average productivity
conditions. It has been reported that seeds lies at 1.4 metric tons/ha. India is the largest
inoculated with Bacillus azotobacter recorded producer with 5.7 million ha; however,

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BIOTECHNOLOGY
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productivity is low with only 745 kg/ha. Pest overgrown by the pathogen; the antagonist
and disease attack are the most important stopped the growth of M. phaseolina compared
factors causing low productivity and groundnut to the control, Pseudomonas sp. suppressed
is affected by over 55 bacterial and fungal the growth to an extent of 36 % in dual culture.
pathogens. Major diseases of economic Trichoderma sp. showed fast growth combined
importance in India are; early and late leaf spots with a rapid overgrowth of M. phaseolina which
(Cercospora arachidicola and Phaeoisariopsis was initiated after 4 d incubation and it
personata) rust (Puccinia arachidis) collar rot suppressed the growth of M. phaseolina to an
(Aspergillus spp.), root rot (Macrophomina extent of 73 % and further incubation resulted
phaseolina) and stem rot (Sclerotium rolfsii). in the mycoparasitism of Trichoderma sp. on
There are no detailed records of yield losses M. phaseolina. The crude culture filtrate of
caused by these diseases, but losses are Bacillus sp. revealed an inhibitory effect with a
estimated to be 13 to 59 %. Macrophomina radial inhibition zone of 13 mm. Although the
phaseolina (Tassi) Goid, a fungal pathogen, antagonist Pseudomonas sp. exhibited no
causes high yield losses in groundnut by suppressive activity in controlling the mycelial
invoking stem rot, root rot and dry root rot. growth of M. phaseolina, it interfered with the
Chemical control is often uneconomical and formation of microsclerotia whereas
not feasible, because the pathogen is primarily Trichoderma sp. and Bacillus sp. did not
soil-borne. Little research has been carried out effectively suppress the formation of
on Macrophomina root rot disease and its microsclerotia. The effect of the volatiles
(biological) management in groundnut so far. emitted by the three Biological Control Agents
The disease has not gained much attention (BCA) on the mycelial growth of M. phaseolina
despite causing high yield losses and hence was studied. Pseudomonas sp. was found to
research was carried out on the biological inhibit the mycelial growth of M. phaseolina
control of the M. phaseolina using plant growth strains by over 70 % in inverted plate assay
promoting bacteria like Bacillus sp. and and the mycelium of M. phaseolina strains
Pseudomonas sp. and also Trichoderma sp. appeared flimsy and whitish. Further, neither
and the antagonistic activity of the PGPR microsclerotia nor pigment production was
against M. phaseolina was studied. Bacillus observed. The colour change from yellow to
sp. suppressed the growth of M. phaseolina orange-brown indicated HCN production by
strains considerably in dual culture, up to Pseudomonas sp. but Bacillus sp. and
56 % inhibition, with a stable inhibition zone of Trichoderma sp. did not produce HCN. It is
up to 13 mm whereas Pseudomonas sp. essential to identify efficient biocontrol strains
exhibited inhibitory effect which decreased for the control of the charcoal root rot disease.
after 72 h of incubation and the fungus came The leads obtained from this study will help in
in contact with the antagonist after 120 h of identifying suitable control measures for the
incubation. Pseudomonas sp. was not control of this pathogen.

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Programme Area 400

ECOTECHNOLOGY

A five-year evaluation of the Centre and its work was carried out by a team of
experts identified by the Tata Trust. A draft Model Act for local level Climate Risk
Management has been proposed. Approximately 27,500 trainee days were
accomplished this year by the Centre.

401 Coastal Region ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 88

402 Semi-Arid Region ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 100

403 Hill Region ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 107

404 Land-Lab-Land Linkages ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 111

405 Climate Change Initiatives -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 116

406 Designing Rural Technology Delivery Systems for Mitigating Agrarian Distress ------ 118
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ECOTECHNOLOGY
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understanding and assessing the status of the

Programme Area 400 technology with reference to the goals of the
JRD Tata Ecotechnology Centre, the
Ecotechnology development of the grassroots institutions, their
plans for the future and their interest areas and
The JRD Tata Ecotechnology Centre was
future plans of the Centre.
established at MSSRF to research, develop
and diffuse environmentally sound An attempt was also made to look at the main
technologies through innovative delivery aspects of the Centre’s functioning as an
models following an inclusive approach that is institution in terms of leadership, staff,
human centred, through the biovillage model. processes, procedures and finances and to
Using the concepts of biovillage and eco- highlight concerns, if any. In general the team
enterprise development, in the 10 years of its of reviewers were of the view that the JRD Eco-
existence, the Centre has focused on blending technology Centre was largely successful in
sustainable natural resource management and
livelihood security through the following Demystifying technologies and taking a
pathways: participatory research and large number of them to the
development, capacity building and grassroot commercialisation stage and helping to
institution building. Through its operations in achieve development in a pro-poor, pro-
the various agro-ecological systems prevailing women and pro-nature manner.
in TN, Puducherry and Orissa, the Centre is Setting up vibrant, articulate and pro-active
evolving models of sustainable development grassroots groups and institutions.
for policy advocacy with the government,
Utilising the corpus grant made to it to
NGOs, private sector, banks and international
leverage additional funds in a pro-active
development agencies. The programme lays
manner.
emphasis on skill and knowledge
empowerment of the rural poor. The team had some suggestions for
strengthening the programme in marketing,
One of the significant events this year was the
developing the newly formed village based
five-year evaluation of the Centre and its work
organisations into independent and viable
by a team of experts consisting of Ms. Manjul
institutions in their own right and developing a
Bajaj (Economist) and Mr. S. Rajashekaran
more holistic, systems-based approach to
(NRM Specialist) identified by the Tata Trust in
impact assessment.
Dec 2007-Jan 2008. The process was based
on a series of interactions with all the team The review team also felt that the following two
members, community members and emerging trends will have an important bearing
stakeholders, and extensive field visits. During on the Centre’s structure and working over the
the field evaluation, the reviewers focused on next few years. The first is a shift to large multi-

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site umbrella projects like the bio-industrial (Punjab) and Narasinghpur (MP). MSSRF,
watersheds project and the climate control Chennai, is working with the active
initiatives. The second is the setting up of collaboration of Punjab Agricultural University
thematically focused institutional facilities like (PAU), Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa
the Mentoring Centre for SHGs and Farmers, Vidyalaya (JNKVV), local NGOs (ASA, Bhopal)
and the Fish For All Centre. Both these trends and Ohio State University, USA. The first three
are positive in that there is a distinct direction sites are being directly managed by MSSRF.
and focus to the Centre’s work plan over the Hoshiarpur and Narasinghpur, MP are being
next five years or so and the new facilities handled by PAU and JNKVV. Each one of the
that are being put in place in the project areas sites managed by MSSRF has been planned
will provide an impetus for delivering the with respect to a thrust area, viz. Pudukottai
programmes in an energetic and focused as pulse village, Karasanur as horticulture
manner. village and Koraput as bio valley.

Keeping this in mind the team has consciously

tried to address the suggestions for
Sub Programme Area 401
strengthening these areas and the work plans
have been revised for all the sites and modified
Coastal Region
accordingly. The progress and the way forward The Centre has been working in the
in the light of the evaluation are addressed here. Chidambaram region for the last 10 years to
evolve a model of livelihood security by
The work carried out under the bio-industrial
developing pathways for optimal and
watershed (BIWS) has made significant
sustainable use of coastal resource bases
progress and is reported under the different
(such as coastal lowlands, water bodies, etc.)
ecological zones. The broad objective of the
with knowledge-intensive technology that could
project is to extend the techniques of
be self sustaining and thereby nurture
sustainable management of natural resources
grassroot institutions. Post tsunami, agronomic
in five major soil regions of India, on a
rehabilitation and livelihood promotion activities
watershed scale, managed by the local
were initiated in some of the affected villages,
community of farm women and men as well in the Nagapattinam region. Based on the
as landless labour for food and nutrition interactions with the community and the felt
security, environmental quality and enhanced need expressed by them, the ‘Fish for All’
livelihood opportunities. The results of this training Centre was initiated last year at
study will therefore have a large extrapolation Poompuhar. All activities initiated post tsunami
domain within the country. This five-year and coordinating the support for the CBOs
(2007 – 2012) project is spread over five agro- nurtured at Chidambaram are being continued
ecological areas, viz. Pudukottai (TN), under the activities of the Centre at
Karasanur (TN), Koraput (Orissa), Hoshiarpur Poompuhar.

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ECOTECHNOLOGY
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401.1 Chidambaram this year was 16,217 kg. In Senthirakillai cluster

96 members of 6 WSHGs borrowed a total
Due to the role change being undertaken at
amount of Rs 2,70,000 from DRDA with a
this site and by way of addressing the
subsidy of Rs 1,80,000. Utilising this amount,
strengthening of the grassroot institutions, 300
36 women are involved in milch animal rearing,
farmers practising Integrated Farming System
25 women in goat rearing and 35 in small
(IFS) are being brought under one umbrella
business. In Manikollai cluster 161 women and
and the performance of the SHGs and their
41 men from 14 SHGs borrowed an amount
income generating activities is being
of Rs 16,25,000 with Rs 8,80,000 as subsidy.
monitored. As part of the on-farm technical
This amount was utilised to rear milch animals,
interventions this year focus was placed on
lease land for agriculture, to make coir, and
large-scale participatory farm trials of a paddy
have small business.
seed farm. Sowing paddy directly using
Magarasi drum seeder was demonstrated and Manikollai Lift Irrigation
awareness on biological managements of rats
as a part of good agricultural practices was The farmers from Manikollai Lift Irrigation
also carried out. Totally, Rs 19.25 lakhs was Federation developed a community paddy
accessed by the different group members, with seed production farm for optimum utilisation
Rs 10.90 lakhs as a subsidy from DRDA and of available water and to address the cost of
Rs 8.35 lakhs as bank credit. In all, 257 women cultivation. Here they produce founder seed
and 41 men are involved in various economic from certified paddy seeds. In about 4 ha of
activities. The focus in the coming year will be seed farm area, 6 farmers raised 4,500 kg of
on strengthening the Federations to help them BPT founder seed this year. This seed farm
carry on their activities. In all, 292 men and can service about 120 ha. The value of paddy
229 women were trained in 521 man days this seeds produced was Rs 2,20,860 from paddy
year. worth Rs 1,17,000. The Federation Members
of the Manikollai village will use the paddy
Thenkoodu Federation
seeds themselves. The cost of lifting water
The Thenkoodu Federation currently has 44 from Paravanaru was found to be about 20 to
SHGs in 17 villages, including 37 women SHGs 25 % of the total cost of cultivation due to the
and 7 men SHGs, grouped into 5 clusters. lift irrigation work they had done earlier. The
Among the groups in the B. Manavelli cluster, federation has also got power supply from the
the individual average external borrowing was electricity department. Through the intervention
Rs 12,921 head (5 fold of their savings), the of MSSRF the Govt. of TN has sanctioned
average internal borrowing was 4 times their Rs 1.25 crores for the construction of a check
savings. Nine women members of dam to prevent saline water entry into the
Vekkalliamman SHG raised fodder crops in paddy irrigation area during off-season. Here
B. Manaveli village and the green fodder yield 20 men farmers and 10 women farmers were

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trained for 14 weeks with the support of the develop a co-management model over the
State Agriculture Department under the years, through social mobilisation, participatory
Farmers’ Field School programme. The training planning and adequate capacity building of the
included the direct sowing method, paddy seed communities dependent on fisheries as a
farm, transplantation and System of Rice livelihood source in the region, which will serve
Intensification. as a pilot initiative of its kind. The programme
aims at improving the performance of fishers
Direct Sowing Method specifically focusing on women for poverty
This year the Magarasi drum seeder was alleviation and distributional equity under the
adopted in 39 ha by 19 farmers from 14 coastal agro-eco system. The construction
villages. The yield was to the tune of 5,750 kg/ work is progressing well – the training centre
ha/crop. The advantages of the Magarasi drum will also house the VKC which is ready for
seeder include less water utilisation, reduced occupation, the dormitory will be ready soon
input of paddy seed and high yield with and the pre-processing centre will be ready by
minimum labour cost. year end. It is proposed to inaugurate this
facility by the end of this year.
Replication of the IFS
The major work accomplished this year was
Participatory demonstration of IFS has resulted
collection of preliminary information about the
in its replication in three blocks viz. Porto Novo,
area and the lives of the coastal community,
Mel Bhuvanagiri and Keerapalayam by 300
the baseline survey detailing aspects of the
farmers. These replications have been mapped
socio economic conditions of the fishing
at the Chidambaram taluk level. The grouping communities, and the focus group discussions
of farmers in clusters is in progress to enable on the various livelihood issues.
their access to quality fish seed, optimisation
of input cost by ecosystem integration, linkage Baseline Data
with potential markets and addressing their The epicentre of the project, Kaveripoom-
needs in the form of a strengthened grassroot patinam Panchayat is located at Sirkali taluk
institution. This will help to promote a strong of Nagapattinam district. There are 5 hamlets
cluster of IFS farmers who will then be able to in this panchayat, viz. Poompuhar fishermen
start working on a collective approach for colony, Mandakarai, 92-Keezhaiyur,
mobilising input services and post harvest Neithavasal, and Puthukuppam. Puthukuppam
needs. is a small traditional fishing hamlet. Poompuhar
fishermen colony is a major fishing hamlet in
401.2 Poompuhar
this panchayat and others are agriculture-
The establishment of a Fish for All Centre was based hamlets. It is important to understand
initiated early last year with the identification the pivotal role played by the traditional
of the land. The concept of Fish for All is to fishermen Panchayat (this Panchayat is

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ECOTECHNOLOGY
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different from the one elected under local body management practice and field demonstration
elections) that functions only within the fishing farms for crab and sea bass farming. Fifteen
community and is managed by the elders of farmers have been identified and the activities
the community. Poompuhar has its own unit of will begin shortly.
council that functions as a decision making
body on the issues concerning the fishing Good Aquaculture Practice
community. Under this traditional governance To demonstrate good aquaculture practice in
system, any dispute relating to internal family shrimp farming in Vanagiri area through
matters or the community is taken up by the participatory mode, 10 marginal farmers with
panchayat. and their decision is final. water-spread area of 16 ha, were formed into
a cluster. Seed selection, stocking, feeding and
The fish catch in Poompuhar comprises 80 %
fin fishes and 15 % crustaceans such as feed management and water quality
shrimps, crabs and lobsters; rays, skates, management were covered. The local
cuttlefish and squids contribute the other 5 %. technicians and farm labourers are playing a
The fish catch has been stagnant since 1997 key role in following this practice. The
and in 2005 it decreased due to the tsunami. essentials of record keeping have also been
The main catch is of sardines and mackerels, included.
which form nearly 50 %.
Integrated biological management of water
Poompuhar has only two categories of craft: hyacinth by grass carp and weevil
FRP boats (motorized boats) and high power The ongoing experiments were conducted in
mechanized vessels (above 15 HP). The a confined environment and the farmers taking
catamarans, which were prevailing in the pre- part in participatory demonstration in biological
tsunami period, have become extinct in the
control of water hyacinth by grass carp and
post-tsunami period due to the rehabilitation
weevil concluded that
efforts of NGOs. There are nearly 75 FRP boat
and 54 mechanised vessel operators. The big sized grass carp (> 1 kg) perform
fishers sell their catch directly to the retailers efficiently in the pond
(fisherwomen) through auction and to the
a combination of big size grass carp (> 1
wholesalers through their local agents.
kg) and weevil gives higher efficiency when
Focused group discussion with the coastal compared to a single agent (weevil or fish)
aquaculture and fresh water aquaculture integration of the fish and weevil is efficient
farmers revealed that they are in need of a
improved water qualities were noticed in the
water testing laboratory; awareness
low water hyacinth populated ponds
programmes on alternative aquatic species
cultivation; training programmes on good impact on environment is less when

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compared to other types of control proposition, marketing is still a grey area.

measures. Pickles are being sold in the local markets in
sachets. This is being revisited. The other
In the coming year this practice will be
activity introduced was candle making – which
promoted in majority ponds in the area.
is picking up slowly.
Livelihood Promotion
Agronomic Rehabilitation
Crab Fattening: This was one of the livelihood
Post tsunami, consistent efforts were made
options introduced post tsunami at
and the detailed soil quality analysis and close
Madavamedu, one of the coastal villages
affected by tsunami. The group has been monitoring of the affected soils show that soil
sustaining its activities and modifications have quality has improved. In addition to agronomic
been brought about in the design of the cage rehabilitation of soils affected by the ingressed
to bring down the cost; the number of crabs saline water, steps were taken to promote
which can be held in one cage has also been disaster resilient farming communities through
brought down from 10 to 6, to increase the social mobilisation and encouraging farmers
survival and free growth of the crabs. There from these areas to promote IFS through
has been a request from other group members participatory mode in one wetland and three
to help them start this activity. Therefore a dry land areas. MSSRF has been working
survey was conducted to identify the areas to directly with four farmers’ associations, four
extend this activity. There is a shortage of water women farmers’ groups and two women farm
crabs, so this needs to be addressed. This labourers’ groups in the four agricultural
pilot initiative has helped to bring out many key hamlets located in Nagapattinam district for the
lessons on the challenges that one will face if last 12 months.
this activity is scaled up.
Crop Performance
Crab Farming: With the support of the Rajiv
MSSRF continued to collaborate with the three
Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture, 10 WSHG
farmers’ associations of the three project
members from Poompuhar fishermen colony
villages where the agricultural land was
were trained in crab farming. Land has been
affected by tsunami waves. An extent of 13 ha
purchased for the construction of a crab farm.
of land was taken up for farmers’ participatory
The design and construction are in progress
demonstration at Neithavasal, Anaikovil and
and will be part of the first on-farm
Vellapallam villages from April 2007 and input
demonstration model being developed near the
support was given to these farmers. The
Poompuhar office. The activity will be initiated
practice of summer ploughing, land
in the near future.
smoothening wherever needed, green/
Pickle making and candle making: While fish greenleaf manuring, provision of adequate
pickle making could be a good value addition drainage, application of FYM or vermicompost,

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ECOTECHNOLOGY
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use of growth promoters and paddy varieties direct seed sowing methods. In the coastal
such as, Co43, ADT38 and traditional regions, around 25 traditional varieties suited
landraces like Kuzhivedichan were continued to the local agro-climatic conditions had been
as reclamation activities as in the previous recorded, but most of them have disappeared
years. The total area covered was nearly from the region. Keeping this in mind, a
13 ha with 43 farmers from three villages and community-based seed bank was established
the yield ranged from 5,250-6,250 kg/ha for in Vellapallam village. The traditional method
the former and 2,560 kg/ha for the latter. of the thombai and kottai method of seed
storage practices are followed in Vellapallam.
The other contingency crops such as pulses, The traditional knowledge of cultivation and
groundnut and vegetables have become post harvest practices of the local paddy
regular crops. The ADT2 pulse variety yield was varieties were documented and efforts were
around 700-875 kg/ha and groundnut pod yield taken to involve the Mullai farmer association
2,125-2,750 kg/ha in Vellapallam village. The in the management of the community seed
vegetables (brinjal, cluster bean and tomato) bank. Since the region is prone to different
average yield was 11,250-15,000 kg /ha. types of natural disasters, steps were
Farmers feel that the crops are well suited to intensified to promote utilisation of the
the soil and climatic conditions and that large community-based seed bank. Nearly 750 kg
scale cultivation can be taken up if markets of paddy seeds were transacted during the
are available. year, including two local varieties. During the
last harvesting season, 5 additional local
Local Seed System and Promotion of
varieties were purchased and stored in the
Community Seed Bank
traditional containers. This year the seed bank
Most of the paddy crops in Vellapallam village catered to the needs of the local farmers and
were affected by the tsunami, except some it is planned to expand the facility to farmers in
landraces like kuzhivedichan and kallurundai. other villages of the area in the coming year.
The landraces are seen to be tolerant to salt
as they withstood seawater at the time of the Integrated Farming System
tsunami. These land races were collected from The farmers of Neithavasal, Anaikovil,
nearby villages and distributed to farmers in Vettaikaranirruppu and Vellapallam decided to
the coastal areas in Vellapallam and multiplied develop one participatory IFS model in each
on a large scale. The farmers believe that village. The 4 farmers’ groups decided to
kuzhivedichan is suitable for saline and flooded include components like aquaculture, dairy,
conditions compared to other varieties grown poultry, goat rearing, cropping (paddy followed
in that area. This village has very poor post by pulse), horticulture crop, banana, forage
harvest technology and there are no proper crop, vermin composting, Azolla pit and agro
seed storage facilities. The farmers follow forestry.

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Dairy-based Integrated Farming System (IFS): discussions were held with women and men
Four cross bred Jersey milch animals were farmers’ groups in each of the villages to
added in the four villages. The stud bull in stall assess training needs. The programmes
fed condition was fed with concentrated feed organised were on selection of good animals,
by mixing rice bran, groundnut oilcake and animal nutrition, livestock disease
black gram husk in right proportions to meet management, low cost decentralised
the energy requirements. The cost of the production of animal feed using local crop
concentrated feed was Rs 18/kg and 2 kg of products, forage cultivation, Azolla production,
the mixture in addition to liberal quantities of bio pesticide and integrated rat control. The
rice straw and green fodder were provided. duration of the different training programmes
was around 12 training days. The members of
Goat-based integrated farming system: Under the farmers’ associations are slowly emerging
this system, boyar crossbred goats were as a cadre of local resource persons. It was
introduced with improved cropping under dry observed that farmers here were also adopting
land and wetland conditions. The goats were the IFS model practised by about 300 farmers
medium sized with an average weight of 30- at Chidambaram.
35 kg and capable of yielding 0.5 litre milk
per day. The goats yielded more meat and 401.3 Kendrapara
exhibited grazing habits similar to sheep. The During the period under report the Centre has
goats were fed with leaves from perennial concentrated on conducting training and
fodder trees and dry fodder: green fodder stakeholders’ workshops at the district and
3 kg, dry fodder 3 kg and 100 gm oilcakes were state levels to disseminate key learnings.
given to each goat. The manure collected was Reviews of the various activities carried out
applied to the fields at the rate of 3 tons of this year have indicated that delivery
organic manure valued at Rs 750 which is an mechanisms of the potential eco-
additional income through recycling of organic entrepreneurial activities would need strong
waste. and independent grassroot institutions, which
would be able to provide the supporting
The 4 farmers’ groups held monthly meetings
linkages for up-scaling and replication. With
and feedback was collected from them,
this aim, a survey was conducted for
regarding need-based technology transfer. replication of some potential interventions in
Training and capacity building the district. The following activities have been
observed in the farmers’ fields after initiation
Need-based capacity building and cross of the Centre at Kendrapara.
learning programmes were organised to
SHG Organisation and micro-credit system
enhance the capacity of the farmers and to
develop a network among the four farmers’ The SHG members have formed three clusters
groups across the villages. Separate group named Nari Shakti Mahila Sangha (12 SHGs),

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ECOTECHNOLOGY
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Jeevan Jyoti Sangha (24 SHGs) and Jhansi District Collector; more than 130 participants
Rani Cluster (5 SHGs) in different demo fields. participated and the experiences of MSSRF
All the members under the umbrella of MSSRF were shared with other institutions to replicate
are actively participating in the group activities the model.
such as participatory research, community
banking management, kitchen gardening, Livelihoods
poultry rearing, mushroom cultivation, apiary At Kuhudi Panchayat Nari Shakti Mahila
management, flower cultivation and small Sangha members of the cluster have
business. The total financial transaction for the organised a milk society. MSSRF has given
year was Rs 13,05,235. Loan recovery was an interest-free loan of Rs 5,28,000 to develop
Rs 7,62,000 and bank loan Rs 1,90,000. The 44 individual dairy units and supply milk to the
clusters would be further strengthened the Orissa Milk Federation (OMFED). The society
coming year to undertake activities on their has 80 members and the collection of milk is
own. more than 200 lt twice a day. The total income
from the dairy unit was Rs 6,76,150.
The SHGs were able to generate income from
micro-enterprises in both on-farm and non- Aqua Based Integrated Intensive Farming
farm sectors, supported by micro-credit, and System
create employment opportunities. The money
thus covered by the SHGs was used for The concept of integrated intensive farming
agriculture, dairy and poultry enterprise, system can be summed up as a high
mushroom cultivation, health care activities, production system that makes judicious use
petty grocery business and education of of water to get maximum production from the
children. land. The pond is used for aquaculture
activities during the monsoon season and in
Capacity building the post monsoon season, the harvested water
To build capacity and enhance the ability of the would be used for providing life saving irrigation
rural community for eco-entrepreneurship and to the vegetables cultivated on the bunds and
sustainable development 763 trainee days in areas adjacent to the pond. The SHG
were organised on interactive learning members were able to harvest and sell the
programmes with in-house training fresh vegetables from the IFS model farm.
strengthened with field demonstration and From 2005 kharif, every year the SHG
exposure visit. MSSRF organised five members have harvested water from the pond
workshops on IFS at the district level and one for raising a 2 ha paddy nursery in early July
workshop in partnership with OUAT in October and planted the crop at the appropriate time in
2007, in which more than 120 participants from more than 25 ha and had a bumper yield of
various departments and organisations rice every season, which was never seen
participated. The district level stakeholder before they started their activity. They have had
meeting, held in April 2008, was chaired by the a net profit of Rs 64,000 from the aquaculture

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activities and an additional income of MSFH-1 sunflower seeds were distributed to

Rs 90,000 yr from grain due to the availability them in 6 adopted villages, in an area of 2.80
of water to raise seedlings. About 300 agro- ha, which recorded a yield of 16.12 qtl. per ha
forestry saplings on the periphery of the model and the oil content was 31.55 %. Survey results
will fetch more than one lakh after 5 – 7 years. showed that besides rhe sunflower
MSSRF has successfully demonstrated this demonstration plots, 136 farmers from these
aquabased IIFS model at Manitiri, Kendrapara, villages cultivated the crop, covering 33.50 ha,
which will be replicated in the whole district with and received an average yield of 15.30 qtl per
the help of the Government, financial ha. After seeing the encouraging results, and
institutions, universities and non governmental considering this is the only possible oil seed
stakeholders. crop for this saline tract, many farmers have
cultivated it this year, where water is available.
A model IFS will be established as a farm Most of the sunflower fields are yet to be
school at Manitiri village to disseminate the harvested. A survey of the area under this crop
successful results to farmers, women SHG showed that 173 farmers have cultivated
members and other visitors. The women SHG sunflower as sole or inter crop, early or late
members will maintain the farm school as they after potato, in the MSSRF-adopted and nearby
are well trained and they are now resource villages. In other blocks like Garadpur, Derabis
persons for the farm school. and Kendrapara, a vast area was covered
under sunflower cultivation in 2007 – 2008.
Paddy seed production

Paddy seed production was initiated in the Backyard kitchen garden

2006 kharif season; 75 kg of breeder seeds of Kitchen gardening is basically practised as an
different varieties such as pratikhya and uphar individual activity in Kendrapara district, where
and scented varieties such as basuabhoga, vegetables are cultivated in the backyard. The
ketaki joha, dhusara, geethanjali and kalajeera activity was streamlined with technical
brought from OUAT and CRRI, were distributed guidance and use of improved high yield
in adopted villages for demonstration and varieties. Currently 412 HHs are maintaining
multiplied by 28 farmers. In the 2007 kharif the activity and each household has about 4.3
season the foundation seeds produced by the cents and their annual production is estimated
farmers could be distributed to 72 farmers, at about 300 kg. The activity could be
covering an area of 8.0 ha. This will be popularised at the household level with
multiplied in geometrical progression in the institutional support ensuring the availability of
coming season. quality seeds for scaling up production.

Sunflower cultivation Backyard poultry

During 2006-07, 17 farmers participated in In the Kendrapara site, poultry rearing is one
sunflower cultivation and 15 kg of the hybrid of the income-generating activities and is one

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of the economically viable options. Birds like essay competitions among the students. The
Black Rock, Banaraja and Giriraja are reared centre also provides information on pests, and
because of their quick growth and easy weather forecasts and information from line
marketability. The chicks are available only departments, which are displayed on the notice
at the Central Poultry Research Institute at board. Cluster members have installed a small
Bhubaneshwar. From April 2007 to March library for computer learners and a telephone.
2008, 6,000 chicks were distributed among
401.4 Puducherry
the 112 women SHG members in 8 adopted
villages. MSSRF imparted training and The MSSRF biovillage programme was
demonstration, which created an awareness initiated in 1991 in three villages, with the
on poultry management and marketing. The support of The United Nations Development
net income from this activity was Rs 4,10,400. Programme (UNDP) and in collaboration with
the administration of the Union Territory of
Mushroom production Puducherry and has now reached 56 villages.
Ecological conditions in Kendrapara are This movement has been accelerated by two
institutional structures viz., Innuyir Grama
suitable for mushroom production as plenty of
Sangam called the Biovillage Council (BVC)
paddy straw is available in the coastal region.
and Biocentre.
Therefore, several training, demonstration and
exposure visits were held for the women SHG A new project on Community Managed Bio
members. Paddy straw mushroom and oyster industrial Watershed for Sustainable Natural
mushroom were produced in the project site. Resource and Enhanced Livelihood
During the year, 133 women participated in the Programme was initiated in July 2007 in
project and got a net income of Rs 11,140. Karasanur village, covering 470 ha.

Village Knowledge Centre Strengthening Biovillage Council and

Community Banking
A VKC is functioning at Nembara village of
Kuhudi GP since 2005. It is handled by Nari In active collaboration with all the stakeholders,
Shakti Mahila Sangha, a WSHG. College and the Biocentre has been promoting, monitoring
school going students are availing of the facility and strengthening SHGs and has so far
on payment basis and trained SHG members facilitated 346 SHGs with a total membership
have taken up coaching. Forty nine students of about 4,200 women. At present no new
were selected in 4 batches for computer SHGs are being formed but efforts are on to
training and Rs 1,225 was collected from them. strengthen the existing SHGs. Almost 95 % of
For meeting the stationary expenses and the SHGs availed credit facility. The financial
purchase of educational materials, normal transaction of the SHGs has reached nearly
charges are collected from the users. The Rs 5.2 crores in the current financial year,
centre also organises debates, drawing and which includes their savings and interest, loans

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from banks, subsidy/grants and enterprise training was conducted for the 346 SHG
turnover. leaders/ representatives. Three one-day
training programmes on cattle feed
A loan of Rs 2.33 crore has been credit linked
management and fodder production were
for 1,550 members, which helped them in
conducted, along with PONLAIT, Govt. of
uplifting their IGAs and livelihoods. In addition,
Puducherry in Mangalam, Senthanatham,
140 SHG members availed of Rs 8,40,000/-
Ulavaikkal, Uruvair, and Keezsathamangalam
as subsidy from PONLAIT under the dairy
villages. Training was organised for BVC
development programme. For easy operations, members to document their community
continual support and regular monitoring of development work for the NVA Fellow award.
these 346 SHGs, the working regions have
been divided into 6 clusters. Through cluster A five-day IGP training was conducted for the
level meetings village level animators were DRDA SHGs at the request of DRDA. Also,
identified, to look after the 346 SHGs in 56 with financial support from NABARD, five one-
villages. The SHG grassroots institution, called day awareness training programmes (ODAP)
the Biovillage Council, has been re-registered or IGP were organised for 206 SHG members.
in the name of Innuyir Grama Sangam under Five, three-day Micro Enterprise Development
the Trust act to facilitate all the federation’s (MEDP) training programmes for 152 selected
activities. Innuyir Grama Sangam Community SHG members were conducted. Training was
Bank was established on 12 January, 2007, imparted on mushroom cultivation,
with the contribution of an annual membership vemicompost, kitchen garden, book keeping
of Rs 500 from each SHG. About 220 SHGs and accounts, fodder cultivation and dairy
were brought under the Community Bank fold. management. Orientation on the Biovillage
Until now Rs 4,60,000 has been given as loan model was given to grassroots NGO officials,
to 46 beneficiaries and regular repayment is bank managers and national and international
being done. university students. Five IEC material
brochures / handouts were prepared for the
SHG Capacity Building and Mentoring training programmes.
Centre
Establishment of Sanitary Napkin Unit
The training needs of the SHG members were
identified through cluster level meetings and BVC members have been regularly partici-
training for a total of 4,255 trainee days was pating in the mother and child health
conducted on various topics. Sixty eight programmes in the villages, where they found
percent of the SHGs were interested in taking that many village women in the age of 25 to 40
up IGAs, 27 % were interested in accounts and face gynecological problems, particularly
bookkeeping, and the rest were interested in related with personal health and hygiene. The
social aspects. As part of the streamlining of BVC conducted a survey among the rural
existing SHGs, village level group leaders’ women in the biovillages, and realised that

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there is a demand for low cost sanitary napkins. medical colleges, Shankara Nethralaya,
The BVC decided to start a low cost sanitary veterinary college, Fish Farmers’ Development
napkin unit to make available hygienic as well Agency and NGOs.
as low cost napkins in the villages. An exposure
Funds Leveraged
visit was arranged to a unit managed by a
person in Coimbature who has developed low For the past one year a sum of Rs 2.05 lakhs
cost machinery to produce these napkins and has been mobilised from different sources
was adjuged for the innovation award. They (NABARD, Agriculture, Horticulture
were also trained to establish and manage the department and DRDA). In addition the SHGs
unit, and developed a business plan. It was have been credit linked and availed of loan and
subsidies of Rs 2.41 crores from banks and
supported with a 30 % grant. The Innuyir
Ponlait (2.33 crore+ PONLAIT subsidy
Grama Sangam under its Thozhir Pirivu
Rs 8,40,000).
established for the first time in Puducherry as
federation activity a low cost sanitary napkin Bioindustrial Watershed
unit. The product is being marketed under the
The Biocentre coordinates the implementation
brand name of ‘Softex’.
of the BIWS programme at Karasanur village.
Dairy Activity Karasanur is located 20 km away from the
Biocentre office. It falls in the Nallavur
In Puducherry, there is a huge demand for milk
watershed No.4CID4 and extends upto
(daily demand of 1,00,000 litres vs supply of Kaluveli in Villipuram district. It includes
55,000 litres). There is an assured market for wetlands cover (35 ha) and dry land around
milk through village cooperative societies; (360 ha). Major crops in the wetland are paddy,
training is available for clean milk production finger millets and vegetables such as lady’s
in this region. As dairying has potential as a finger, onion, chilly and brinjal. In dry lands
good option for an enterprise, the SHGs were casuarina is the major crop.
interested in it. Training and financial linkages
were given to this activity; 140 SHG members Initial Interventions
have purchased milch animals, by availing of As an entry point, eye camps and cattle health
Rs 6,000 as subsidy. A total subsidy of camps were organised. To strengthen the
Rs 8,40,000 was got from PONLAIT. BIWS programme, PRA, benchmark survey,
soil /water testing in both wet and dry lands,
Networking cattle survey and soil health survey were
Partnerships were built with small and marginal conducted. As a trial, 4 ha of wetlands were
farmers, Agriculture and Horticulture brought under SRI and vegetables. Adaptive
Departments, FD, TNAU, KVK, PONLAIT, Research Trial was initiated with the support
PASIC, nationalised banks, NABARD, DRDA, of the agriculture department, for pulses and
research institutions, educational institutions, kitchen garden.

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Grassroots Institution building focus is on strengthening the capacity of the

Intensive Farmers’ Field School (FFS) was SHGs and facilitating credit linkages and rural
started to support IPM and INM activities. Crop- entrepreneurship. The annual turnover of the
based Farmers Interested Groups (FIG) were federation is Rs 2.8 crores with repayment of
established for SC and BC farmers. All the around 85 %. The utilisation pattern of the
micro-credit component of Kulumai community
existing SHGs and other institutions were
bank shows that promotion of livelihood
brought under one umbrella, and the BIWS
activities is gaining importance (has increased
committee. 1,109 mandays of training was
slightly from 74 to 78 %) followed by education
conducted as part of the capacity building in
and health needs. The auditors have
on-farm techniques and social capital building.
completed the external audit for the groups and
To strengthen the BIWS programme in the
statements were shared with them. The
project area networking was established with
audited statements are being used as one of
various government and other agencies for
the indicators to assess the status of the group
credit and technological support. for credit linkage and enterprise development.
Through its partner-agent model risk cover
Sub Programme Area 402 scheme, it supported 3 members during the
year.
Semi Arid Region To strengthen the organisational structures and
402.1 Kannivadi systems, the present management processes
and working methods of the animators were
Efforts continued on facilitating the role change assessed with the support of external experts
process for the two grassroot institutions and the following points were discussed for
viz Kulumai: SHG federation and further action: promotion of mixed community
Reddiyarchatram Seed Grower’s Association: members while forming groups, inter-seed
farmers’ association. The main activities have agreement model for the community banking
been focused on strengthening institutional / transactions, organising periodical recovery
organisational capacity to handle the camps with the support of banks and groups,
operations and on income generating necessary formats for the plan and progress,
strategies. Networking and linkages with line and performance linked pay for the animators.
departments, banks, NGOs working in the The revamping process is helping the
region and universities have been promoted. federation to strengthen its administrative and
Attempts were made to implement the joint management systems. As part of its social
action plan evolved to strengthen the self agenda, it coordinated two eye camps with the
sustainability of grassroot institutions. support of a private hospital based at Trichy
and one animal health camp with the
Kulumai-SHG Federation: The current participation of the Department of Animal
strength of the federation is 156 SHGs. The Husbandry.

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ECOTECHNOLOGY
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With reference to strengthening infrastructural plan, linkages were established with the State
facilities, the building plan was evolved jointly Department of Agriculture and some
with the Federation and the engineer was companies. As an outcome, the association
identified. Based on an agreement, a achieved 40 ha of cocoa cultivation as an
construction management committee was intercrop in coconut fields with the support of
formed and the construction process was the Horticulture Department and Cadbury Ltd
started. The construction cost of the building (Rs 4 lakh), 10 ha under Bt cotton with the
is being borne by the Friends of MSSRF and support of KVK, Gandhigram (Rs 1 lakh), 5
the project is to be completed by October 2008. vermicomposting large size pits (Rs 2 lakh),
The land was purchased by the Kulumai seven percolation ponds, etc. The National
Horticulture Mission is working in collaboration
Fedaration.
with the association in identifying the right
Kulumai has identified and is practising the partners for the programme. Five farmers who
strategy of running an enterprise as an income have been continuously practising the SRI
earning opportunity to sustain the federation. method of paddy cultivation received the Best
An integrated dairy was the first initiative with Farmer award from the Department of
65 members and the daily transaction is around Agriculture. The institution, in collaboration with
700 litres. Low cost cattle feed production is International Development Enterprise, is
being tried as a second initiative. NABARD has promoting drip irrigation and 10 farmers are in
supported the federation with technical and the process of installing the system. The
hands-on training and an exposure visit to feed membership of the association has increased
production unit. Preliminary assessment of the from 105 to 160 and there are many active
participants. Two more groups have been
cattle feed requirement, consent of the SHG
linked to NABARD and 4 groups are in the
members in supporting Kulumai in this new
process of joining. The institution is recognised
initiative, as well as other preferences, were
as a centre for training by KVK and the district
obtained from each of the members through a
administration. The association manages the
questionnaire handled by the animators. On
hub of the Community Learning Centre (CLC),
this basis, Kulumai has developed a business
which provides need-based information on
plan for the unit and submitted it to the MEM
market prices, input prices and availability from
initiative of community banking, Chennai. In the
different markets and medium range weather
current year it is planned to strengthen and forecast through a decentralised weather
expand the management system to reach station. The local newspaper Seithisolai has
nearly 300 groups with a focus on socially and been providing seasonal information, farmers’
economically disadvantaged sections of the experiences and schemes available for
community. regional farmers.

Reddiyarchatram Seed Growers Revamping the institution’s governing system

Association: According to the role change was carried out; as part of this process, election

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was carried out and new EC members were Based on the progress, the support of Friends
elected. Activities were focused through village of MSSRF were sought to upscale the process
level thematic groups and they have started to reach 1,000 learners from socially and
savings and credit activities. Measures have economically weaker sections. In continuation
been taken to strengthen the service of the of this effort, a detailed database of the villages
association to the members with the technical with community details was prepared and
support of BASIX, Hyderabad. It was criteria evolved to select the ten potential
recommended by the Trust external reviewer villages for expansion.
that the association must change the strategy
from ‘service’ to ‘business’ in order to move Ecoenterprises for Livelihood Security
forward and become financially self reliant. The production methodologies of biological
The identified sectors are credit services, input products viz Trichoderma viride, Pseudomonas
and market support and risk management fluorescens, Trichogramma chilonis,
services. A database of the members was Paecilomyces, Azosprillum, phosphobacteria
produced. and Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (AM) were
Community Informatics: CLC’s have been demystified, both at the production and unit
functioning with a focus on facilitating functional establishment levels. In the role change
literacy, and providing need-based locale- process, the members are able to manage on
specific information on market trends, their own except for market deals. Efforts are
government entitlement schemes, educational under way to involve them in the process. Also,
opportunities, agriculture, pest management to strengthen the local and regional marketing,
and weather forecast. Five centres have been the groups have engaged a marketing person
promoting functional literacy, and three centres and have also shared the responsibility to reach
are in the process of reaching 100 % of the other farmers and relatives in their own village.
HHs, in which more than 60 % are women. The production process has been stabilised in
all the units except for Trichogramma
Nearly 12,360 members visited the centre
during the year, of whom nearly 60 % were production. Though the technical component
men and 40 % were women, which is a slight is being addressed with the support of other
improvement over the last year. On an average private units and experts, getting a suitable
62 % of the total visitors approached the place for production is difficult. As market
centres to seek information; women requested requirements and technology change, the
information related to education, health and groups need to change their production
government PDS, while men requested details process and products. Right now there is a
on prices related to agricultural products, good scope and demand for liquid-based
schemes, etc. During the year the centre formulations rather than talc-based products,
facilitated 16,000 trainee days covering 85 % hence it is essential to develop simple
women and 15 % men participants. production processes for the new technology.

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ECOTECHNOLOGY
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Attempts have been made to identify the right members have enhanced their capacity and
partners to provide the technology and the efficiency in paper production and reached the
process of simplification is being initiated. amount of 500 papers per day from 150 papers
in a day earlier. A full time resource person is
The production details of the units are: 3,100
supporting the group members in terms of
kg of T.viride and 500 kgs of Paeciliomyces
production and marketing. The unit is
(Bionematicide) by the Elayathendral group,
generating around 250 labour days in a month
3,500 kg of Pseudomonas fluorescens by
and has established consistent market links
Durga group, 6,000 kg of biofertilisers (3,000
with five reliable firms. Efforts are being made
kg each of azosprillum and phosphobacteria)
to enhance the production capacity further by
and 2,500 kg of VAM. To strengthen the market
adding additional infrastructure and manpower.
links, agreement has been established with
Thiagarajar School of Management, Madurai, Sesame Seed Village
to establish viable and sustainable market links
The management of the Sesame Seed Village
with a pilot survey for branding the products
project that was initiated in 2004 as an
and package, collection of database of the
explorative Public-Private Partnership with
planters’ association in the hill as well as valley
Idhayam Group, Virudhunagar, was handed
regions, an intensive market survey and sales
over on completion of the three year period to
campaign, training the group members on
Idhayam for further development and
multiple marketing and developing a market
implementation. The learning from the project
report. As part of the agreement Gramotsav, a
has been documented and brought out as a
two-day rural awareness event with a focus on
report.
cardamom growers was conducted on the
western hilly tract of the neighbouring district. MSSRF continued with the implementation of
It helped the women group members to the Front Line Demonstration (FLD) on sesame
establish and initiate contact with big land as part of the All India Coordinated Project on
holders growing commercial crops. Sesame and Niger (ICAR) in Erode and Salem
district. Thirty farmers participated in this
The units have trained a farmers’ group from
programme (18 from Erode covering four
Aga Khan Foundation, Gujarat and a team
villages and 12 from Salem covering 4
from BASIX, Hyderabad on the production
villages). 12 ha were covered under FLD from
processes.
August 2007 to December 2007 and the yield
With reference to the handmade paper performance in all cases was better under FLD
production unit, an agreement has been signed when compared with the Farmers’ Practice
with Kalangium Thozilagam Limited, Madurai, (FP). Under FP the yield ranged from 400 kg/
for technical and marketing support. The ha to 1,100 kg/ha while under FLD it ranged
machinery in the unit is completely serviced from 1,100 kg/ha to 1,600 kg/ha. Net returns
and the unit is running to its full potential. The ranged from Rs 3,055 /ha to Rs 25,910 /ha

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under FP and Rs 16,987 /ha to Rs 44,600 /ha of HHs, agrarian structure, cropping pattern
under FLD. and livestock. A PRA exercise was conducted
at Meyagoundanpatti and documented.
402.2 Pudukottai
Integrated Dairy and Azolla Multiplication
In Pudukottai, one of the sites under the bio- for Animal Feed
industrial watershed, the activities were
Under this scheme, an Agricultural Term Loan
concentrated on mobilisation, awareness
(ATL) of Rs 32,000 from Indian Overseas Bank
creation, forming SHGs and federation, PRA,
has been sanctioned to each of the 15
vegetation on catchment areas of horticultural
applicants for the purchase of two milch
crops and forest trees, introduction of new
animals and insurance expenses. To provide
varieties, seed multiplication, and
quality, proteinaceous fodder to the animals
demonstration on optimum utilisation of
and to bring down the cost of the enterprise by
available resources. In addition, details of
reducing the amount of concentrate feed
various research studies including benchmark
purchased, Azolla is being multiplied in small
survey, bio-physical survey and census survey
pits in the backyard by 10 HHs.
have been documented. Work on the drought
tolerant red gram introduced by ICRISAT was Participatory Planning for Establishment of
also initiated. Community Managed Small Scale Irrigation
Mobilization, Awareness Creation , Forming The major problem faced by these farmers is
SHGs and Federation the failure of the groundnut/paddy crop sown
To create awareness among the farmers during Karthigai Pattam, due to the failure of
regarding the importance of the BIWS and to rains during the pod/grain filling stage. If life
gain their confidence, several meetings were saving irrigation could be provided to the crop
held in the village. For the development of bio- at this stage, the crop could be saved. For this,
industrial watershed with the participation of rainwater harvesting was the only option as
the entire community, the farmers in the village they have no access to groundwater. So, the
were encouraged to form SHGs among farmers resorted to sprinkling the rainwater
themselves; 15 of them were formed with a collected in natural storage structures in and
total savings of Rs 52,318. A Federation was around their fields to save the crop. The
formed with the office bearers of all the Small farmers identified four places where rainwater
Farmers’ Watershed Development SHGs. could be harvested for irrigation. They have
given a schematic representation of the crops
Participatory Rural Appraisal – Meiya- grown, expected increase in income,
goundanpatti management of the structure, settlement of
For the implementation of the BIWS, it is disputes, etc., The plan for the farm ponds has
necessary to know the socio economic pattern, been worked out with the help of an engineer,
availability of natural resources, skills, details covering 33 ha, including 34 farms.

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ECOTECHNOLOGY
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Watershed Plan Soil and Water Sample Collection

The watershed plan has been drawn up, In all 256 soil samples and 19 water samples
including the construction work, and is to be were collected from the villages by the team
taken up survey number-wise. from Chennai, with volunteers from the villages
assisting them. The points at which the
Road map I - Watershed plan for Meya-
samples were taken were marked using GPS.
goundanpatti watershed showing proposed
sites for rainwater harvesting, supply channels, Census Survey
check dams, etc. The census survey including demography,
Road map II – Watershed Plan for Ennai and literacy, dwelling status and land and
livestock holding covered 135 HHs in
Thalinji watershed area, with estimates of the
Meiyagoundanpatti.
physical work to be undertaken. The report
shows detailed descriptions of the work to be Benchmark Survey, Preparation of Master
implemented in each survey number of the Tables and Tabulation
selected project area.
Benchmark survey was completed with the
Participatory Community Nursery help of well-qualified investigators. The survey
covered 35 HHs by selecting every fourth
A community multi-purpose nursery with the
household and a master table was prepared.
following number of seedlings Pongamia:
The data has been computerised for further
3,446; annual Moringa: 1,864; Sesbania: 1,189
analysis.
and Papaya: 1,752 was established and the
seedlings were distributed to 96 families. Development of Integrated Farm Pond
With MSSRF intervention, three farm ponds
Revival of Backyard Gardens
have been converted into an integrated farm
To enhance the nutritional security of the rural pond. A meter to measure the water level in
HHs, farmers were encouraged to revive the the pond has been installed. The bunds of the
traditional practice of maintaining a nutrition pond are being utilised for the cultivation of
garden in the backyard. Seeds of various fodder crops and fruit bearing tress. In addition,
vegetable crops like lady’s finger, Hibiscus buffalo grass and hybrid maize have been
cannabinus, snake gourd, bitter gourd, ridged planted on the inner sides. After creation of
gourd, field lablab, etc., were distributed to 114 awareness and motivation, 39 farmers came
HHs at Meyagoundanpatti village through the forward to implement the scheme. 26 ha of
Federation. In all, 74 gardens have been land was brought under tree cultivation and the
established and are being maintained by the following tree species were planted: Teak
women. The families are realising an average (Tectona grandis): 1,980; Eucalyptus spp.:
yield of 5.5 kg vegetables per month for their 36,260; Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus):
domestic needs. 320; Neem (Azadirachta indica): 980;

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Pongamia pinnata: 180; Gmelina arborea: Napier Hybrid (CO 3) by 20 farmers; Sunflower
1,260; Ailanthes excelsa: 2,040; Dalbergia (CO 4) – 0.15 ha; Horticulture (Amla – NA 7,
140; taking it to a total: 43,160. More than 5 ha Krishna, Kanchan, Chakya and Mango –
of rainfed fallow land belonging to SC families Alphonso and Banganapalli) – 25.2 ha by 30
was brought under tree cultivation and more farmers; Teak (Tectona grandis), Eucalyptus
than 26 ha of fallow land was brought under spp., Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus),
cultivation. Neem (Azadirachta indica), Pongamia pinnata,
Gmelina arborea, Ailanthes excelsa, Dalbergia
National Horticulture Mission
– 26.3 ha by 39 farmers; MDU –5 Paddy (Drum
With the help of the Horticulture Department, seeder) – 4 ha by 7 farmers; direct sowing
MSSRF has facilitated the implementation of Paddy in 15.9 ha by 29 farmers and Azolla
NHM in Meyagoundanpatti village. Thirty was introduced in 12 pits.
farmers were provided with (2,190) mango and
(2,291) amla grafts under the scheme. Many Direct Sowing of Rice
of the farmers are cultivating pulses like The conventional method of paddy cultivation
greengram, blackgram and horsegram as by transplanting the seedlings is highly labour
intercrops along with these trees. and input intensive. To overcome the problem
Animal Health Camp of labour shortage during the season and also
to reduce the input cost, direct seeding of rice
Animal rearing is the main occupation in this
by a drum seeder is an efficient method.
hamlet. Following an outbreak of Foot and
Mouth Disease in this area, an animal health The paddy farmers of Ennai and Thalinji faced
camp was conducted with the help of the severe water and labour shortage during the
Veterinary Assistant Surgeon and the animals regular season and hence, direct sowing was
were vaccinated. The veterinarian advised the suggested. MDU 5 variety was purchased by
farmers and gave them training. the farmers from Agricultural College and
Research Institute, Madurai. Twenty-nine
Introduction of New Crops and Varieties
farmers from Thalinji and Thattankudi hamlets
One of the objectives of the community of Ennai have taken up rice cultivation by this
managed bio-industrial watershed project is the method in 16 ha.
introduction of new crops and varieties suited
to the watershed area to maximise the income Redgram (arhar) seed village
and meet the demands of food, fodder and fuel. In order to introduce high yielding cultivars of
In this connection the following crops and new redgram in the project area, the centre has
varieties have been introduced: Sweet initiated the redgram seed village project with
Sorghum SSV 84 – 0.16 ha; Red gram technical input from ICRISAT. Under this
ICRISAT Hybrids – 2 ha; Greengram Trombay project, new hybrids developed by ICRISAT
1- 11.5 ha and adopted by 70 farmers; Bajra- has been introduced in the area and the seed

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ECOTECHNOLOGY
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production of the parental lines is been carried Organic farming

out in the village with the participation of the
The major constraint faced in commercialising
farmers. Preliminary work towards this, in
the traditional farming production systems
terms of mobilising farmers for a field demo through certification is the poor quality of the
has been initiated. produce. During the year, IMO Control Pvt Ltd,
Bangalore certified 110 HHs, covering 210 ha,
Sub Programme Area 403 for coffee, black pepper, lemon, banana,
orange and sour orange as ‘fully organic’.
Hill Region Linkages have been established with potential
buyers both at the national and international
403.1 Thonimalai levels, which is a crucial part of the process.
Agreements have been made with corporate
The geographically isolated villages of
companies for continuous market links. Ten
Thonimalai and Pulayar Colony in Lower Palani
potential buyers have been identified for further
Hills of the Western Ghats are inhabited by
tie ups and the team has been getting queries
Pulayars and Mannadiyars. Farming major
for pepper and coffee.
economically important species like coffee,
lemon, pepper and banana in the hilly slopes The consistent efforts helped to market 2,000
under rainfed conditions is their primary kg of black pepper with a premium of around
livelihood. It is supplemented by the income 40 %. This year, activities have been focused
earned through agricultural labour during the on systems for collective action, improving the
peak season. The VKC located both at harvest and post harvest processes and
Thonimalai and Pulayar Colony impart need- grading. One more observation is the
based information, maintain a database on prevalence of pre-harvest contracts among
organic farming and facilitate functional literacy. farmers to meet immediate financial needs. It
The centre provides a critical link between the restricts the farmer’s interest in getting the
farmers and the Coffee Board and the benefits and an attempt has been made to
Horticulture Department to access the scheme. promote fair practices. Appropriate remedial
It also informs them of the market prices of measures need to be ensured through the
coffee, lemon and pepper from the standard farmers’ association during the pre-harvest
markets. The centre is in the process of phase itself.
finalising the GIS based farmers’ database to
facilitate organic farming practices and market Three model demonstration plots have been
intervention. The GIS based maps are being established in the 3 hamlets in the region and
used to plan the improved soil and water the focus areas are pest and disease
conservation structures in consultation with the management, agronomic practices such as
Department of Agricultural Engineering at the pruning, shade management and nutrient
district level. management. During the year, around 1,050

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trainee days were completed in the three Pulayars, a forest dwelling community. Floristic
hamlets on these themes. survey was done before initiating the activity
and 45 boxes were provided with the support
Community based initiatives on shade
of Keystone Foundation, Kothagiri. Hands-on
management through planting adequate trees
and exposure training programmes were
and coffee berry borer management with traps
are the successful initiatives carried out during organised. But the group could not fill all the
the year. Planting of around 2,000 different tree 45 boxes as the domestication process takes
species and placing 760 traps have been a long time. On an average, 30 boxes are being
adopted as a community practice. In order to cultured and efforts have been made to change
enhance soil fertility, vermicomposting was their place. A local animator is managing the
introduced but results have shown that it has unit with close technical support from Keystone
limited scope for replication. Effective Foundation and local bee growers in the hills.
microorganisms enabled composting practices Goat farming was taken up as on additional
which have has good scope for replication have income generating option and each household
now been demonstrated. In addition, the use has planted about 20 different forage tree
of biodynamic soil activator BD-500 is being species.
promoted. One SHG is continuing to produce
seedlings to supply to the farmers. During the 403.2 Koraput
year, around 25,000 seedlings were produced.
The BIWS programme at Koraput district was
Thonimlai Thottakalai Farmers’ Association is
the key operator in the certified organic farming initiated during May-June 2007 with a focus
initiative and maintains the documents. The on developing activities aimed at skill building
proposal for post harvest processing facilities in sustainable agriculture, demystification of
has been accepted by the Coffee Board and is suitable remunerative technologies and
awaiting the release of financial support under promotion of multiple livelihoods and also the
the Eleventh Five Year Plan. As farmers are use of ICT for the development of the
informal and do not have the necessary community. Emphasis has been given to value
licenses for marketing, they face constraints addition, marketing and introduction of suitable
while transacting with external buyers. medicinal crops to convert the project area into
Considering the number of farmers in this a herbal valley.
region and the cost and effort needed to
maintain accounts and follow up on legal forms Tolla revenue village which is 24 km from
and licenses, it is planned to link these groups Jeypore under Mahuli GP of Boipariguda block
with RSGA. has been identified for the implementation of
the project. The village is situated at latitude
Apiculture – an ecoenterprise 180 - 26’- 43” N to 180 -28’-4” N and longitude
Apiculture has been introduced as a value 820 -11’-E to 820 -12’ E, and has a dry sub-
addition strategy to the traditional skills of humid climate. The project area has 186 HHs

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ECOTECHNOLOGY
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and a population of 674. Of these, 107 HHs collected to determine the health status and
with a population of 361 are tribals and 47 HHs sent to the IPM Lab at Chennai (See SPA 404).
with a population of 115 are general and the Twenty-five twin vermicompost units were
rest are SC. completed with financial support from the
Spices Board, Koraput for sustainable
For the sustainability of the grassroot
development of organic agriculture.
institutions, human resources and financial
aspects were taken into consideration. A A study on integrated nutrient management of
transparent management system and lowland kharif paddy was carried out with a
governance were focused on through training, focus on yield advantages. The experiment
capacity building, exposure visits for cross was carried out through different doses of three
learning and discussions for organisational different organic fertilisers with their
sustainability, linkages and leadership building. combination, which were given to seven
In addition to this, need-based technical farmers (5 local land races and 2 high yielding
capacity building programme, were conducted varieties) in two hamlets selected for the trial.
and the process is continuing. Emphasis has Organic fertilisers were supplied from the
also been given to make women participate in project fund and FYM and labour for the trial
the programme. The institutionalisation were provided by the farmers. Yield was
process at the site is in the nature of revitalising calculated on the basis of plants taken from
and regrouping of the existing SHGs into 9 one square metre area of three different places
functional SHGs. in a single field. In order to extend seed support
to the poor and replicate the programme in
Baseline data has been collected to study the
other WS hamlets, 5 kg of runner bean seeds
existing socio-economic condition of the
as early winter crop were given to 18 HHs of
community. Several awareness/mobilisation
the WS area
programmes were conducted to streamline
and drive forward the watershed activities. A Onion was cultivated in 1.2 ha to introduce a
draft plan on a series of activities has been new variety; 10 kg of onion seed was supplied
carried out by participatory rural appraisal. A to 25 farmers. The seeds were procured from
watershed committee (now being named a private source; the beneficiaries have
Village Development Council) has been contributed 5 % of the cost of the seeds. This
formed, consisting of 21 members and 9 SHGs year, farmers have planted it as mixed crop in
as a platform for decision making, proper the vegetable field. It is planned to increase
implementation and smooth running of the acreage in the coming year.
activities. Several activities were taken up at
In rain-fed areas, alternative land use system
the project site during the reporting period.
(rice-potato system) in upland paddy is a key
Twelve water samples were collected and sent for sustainable agriculture. In this system, the
for testing. Around 200 soil samples were succeeding crop will get the advantage of the

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residual remains of the succeeding crop as recycling of biomass. Mushroom is rich in

organic manure. Considering all components protein. Therefore MSSRF has promoted
such as soil depth, slope and available mushroom cultivation through a WSHG of
resources, potato cultivation was promoted as Bebartaguda in the bio-industrial watershed.
a cash crop to accelerate farmers’, income. After conducting meetings with the SHG, the
The Water Shed team made the villagers (both WS staff facilitated the group to take up
land holder and landless) aware of the mushroom cultivation in the bio-industrial
importance and relevance of vermicompost in watershed area. In view of its prospects
sustainable agriculture by conducting several training on mushroom cultivation was given by
meetings at the village level. Landless people the experienced technical staff and also
were also included as this activity of selling through the Nuaguda SHG who have been
vermicompost and worms can partially support doing it for 3 years. One concrete tank was
their livelihood. The decision was taken by the constructed for straw wash and treatment from
community to cover all the HHs with the project funds at a cost of Rs 1,000. A
vermicompost production units. temporary (kachha-mud) thatched house was
constructed by the SHG to keep mushroom
As per the decision taken by the Committee,
beds in the shade and maintain temperature.
2 diesel pumps (2 HP) were supplied to the
All the operations during cultivation will be
groundnut grower groups for raising 18 ha of
managed by the SHG.
crop. The crop was grown organically and
aspects of seed treatment, application of Efforts were made to activate the Community
gypsum and other crop care technical support Seed and Grain Bank (CSGB). As the
was provided. A total of 55.78 ha was covered watershed project is going on in this village, it
by rabi vegetables in the watershed area, of was discussed with the community. They have
which 6 ha was covered through the central shown interest in reviving and regularising the
community nursery. The farmers of Malliguda CSGB in their village. This is also one of the
village are traditionally vegetable growers. So, major components of the WS project, which
technical support was extended along with a needs to be activated, so that the people will
supply of quality vegetable seedlings to these be benefited, particularly during the lean
farmers for growing vegetables organically. season and is being addressed.

Mushroom requires simple technology and In the watershed village pipla is cultivated by 5
paddy straw as strata or bed. As it requires farmers belonging to one family, in an area of
less land and indoor work, it gives good 4 ha. It is understood that pipla is a paying crop
employment opportunity to landless labourers, and there is a potential market for the root in
destitute women, unemployed youth and even AP. They get a net profit of Rs 50,000 per acre
school-going children. Mushroom production if proper care is taken. The crop is grown
helps in utilising agricultural waste and organically. However, the only disadvantage is

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ECOTECHNOLOGY
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that the harvesting of the crop starts after 3

years of planting; the crop will continue to yield Sub Programme 404
for more than 12 years, with harvesting every
year during December-January. Efforts were Land - Lab-Land Linkages
made to persuade other farmers to take up
The two labs which come under the Centre at
pipla cultivation, but they declined. There is
Chennai, the INM (microbiology lab, See SPA
scope for making the WS valley a herbal pipla 305) and the IPM provide support for
valley because of its suitability to the area and ecotechnology development and the adoption
market potential. Efforts will be made to of biological software (biofertilisers, biocontrols
cultivate this crop with WS project support. etc) in the farmers’ fields. They also conduct
soil testing to provide the data to develop the
Twenty-six User Groups (UG) have been
soil health card for the farmers at the sites
identified for implementation of the soil and
where on-farm interventions are being carried
water conservation project. Various soil and
out under the Centre’s programmes. The work
water conservation measures against
done by both the labs has been highly
depletion have been identified, with detailed
commended by the review team which
estimation of costs. A check dam at recommended that laboratory facilities should
Bebartaguda hamlet is at the final stage of be upgraded and modernised as the Centre
earthwork. Plantation has commenced as a should retain, over time, its competitive edge
measure to check soil erosion and in situ in this area.
moisture conservation.
The details for the INM lab is reported under
Training and Capacity Building: 221 training PA 301 under section SPA 305 and the one on
days were organised on various aspects of on IPM is reported in the following paragraphs.
agriculture, horticulture, INM / IPM to the The IPM laboratory at Chennai focused on the
watershed dwellers, SHGs and watershed biological control of red flour beetle Tribolium
management team. Three exposure visits were castaneum using entomopathogens Beauveria
conducted, one to Western Orissa Rural bassiana and Paecilomyces lilacinus. Mass
Livelihood Project (WORLP), Kalahandi, to multiplication of entomopathogens and spawn
build awareness, resources and skills. production were standardised. A training
programme for farmers on pest and disease
Networking institutions: During the process, management was conducted. The chemical,
the Government line departments were physical and biological properties of the soil
approached for accommodation of the samples collected from different parts of
watershed activities. Village level workshops Pudukottai, Puducherry and Jeypore under the
and meetings were conducted to leverage bioindustrial water shed programme were
micro-credit facilities for the development of analysed and soil health cards were prepared
entrepreneurship and livelihood programmes. based on the soil analysis.

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Biological control of entomopathogens least as against the control (100%). The

against red flour beetle: Efficacy of infection was confirmed by re isolation of the
Beauveria bassiana and Paecilomyces pathogen from the surface of dead infected
lilacinus against different stages of grub. Different spore concentrations of
T. castaneum P. lilacinus tested did not have any impact on
Grub the larval development but the pupal duration
was prolonged by one day (approx.) in those
The antagonistic activity of B. bassiana and
grub treated with 2.9×107 and 2.9×106 spores/
P. lilacinus at different spore concentrations
ml as against control. Forced pupation and
was assessed on the developmental stages
adult emergence were noticed in 0.006 %
of grubs viz., pupation (%), grub duration
(v/v) cypermethrin treatment.
(days), pupal duration (days) and adult
emergence (%). Least pupation of 16.66 % was The malformed /dead adults were 50 and
observed in grubs treated with B. bassiana, at 16.66 % in 2.9×107 and 2.9×106 spores/ml
a spore concentration of 2.4 ×107 and 2.4×106 treatments respectively. Except for this, the
spores/ml followed by 20 % in 2.4 ×10 5 adult emergence was normal (100 %) in all
spores/ml. The reduction in pupation ranged other spore concentrations of P. lilacinus as
from 70 to 83.33 % at different spore well as in controls.
concentrations of B. bassiana whereas
Pupa
maximum pupation (100 %) was observed in
the controls (distilled water and Tween 80). In The pupae treated with B. bassiana and P.
addition to mortality, reduced feeding, lilacinus were assessed for various parameters
sluggishness, prolonged grub duration, grub- such as pupal mortality (%), pupal duration
pupal intermediates and grub shrinkage were (days) and adult emergence (%). The pupa
observed and the pupal duration was increased treated with B. bassiana showed an increase
by 1.9 days in grub treated with 2.4 ×107 spores/ in pupal mortality with increasing spore
ml as against controls (4.3 days). Further concentration. The maximum pupal mortality
disruption in metamorphosis was observed, of 36.6 % was observed with 2.4 x 107spores/
which resulted in higher degree of malformed/ ml followed by 26.6 % in 2.4 x 106 and 2.4 x
dead adults. The adult emergence was nil at 104 spores/ml. In general the pupal duration
all spore concentrations tested except for 4.76 was prolonged (6.5 days) in the highest spore
% in 2.4×106 spores/ml of B. bassiana and concentration (2.4 x 107 spores/ml) as against
66.66 % for 0.006 % (v/v) cypermethrin control (distilled water) (4.05 days). Malfor-
treatment. The adult emergence was normal mation was observed among the adults which
(100 %) in controls viz., distilled water and varied from 15.8 to 31.7 % with different con-
0.02 % (v/v) Tween 80. centrations of 2.4 x 103 to 2.4 x 107 spores/ml.

The grubs treated with P. lilacinus at 2.9×107 The percentage of pupal mortality was 53.3 and
resulted in a pupation of 20 % which was the 43.3 % in those pupae treated with 2.9 x 107

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ECOTECHNOLOGY
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and 2.9 x 106 spores/ml of P. lilacinus whereas sporulation and biomass of the two fungi,
40 % was observed with 2.9 x 105 to 2.9 x 103 B. bassiana and P. lilacinus in eight different
spores/ml.. The malformed or dead adult culture media such as Emerson YPSS agar
(30.0 %) was observed only in the highest (EMYPSSA), Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA),
spore concentration. (2.9 x 107 spores/ml) Sabouraud dextrose agar + 1 %( w/v) yeast
which was on par with 0.006 % (v/v) extract (SDAY), Potato dextrose agar (PDA),
cypermethrin (28.3 %) whereas in all other Potato dextrose agar +1% (w/v) yeast extract
spore concentrations no malformation or death (PDAY), Yeast peptone glucose agar (YPGA),
of adults was observed. Czapek’s agar (CDA) and Sabouraud malt
yeast peptone agar (SMYP) was estimated.
Adult
B. bassiana: Among the different media used,
The mortality of adults treated with different
PDAY supported the maximum radial growth
spore concentrations of B. bassiana and
(62 mm) which was on par with YPGA (60 mm).
P. lilacinus at different exposure time was
This was followed by 58 mm on PDA alone.
recorded. The results obtained indicated that,
The least vegetative growth (35 mm) was
in general, the adult mortality (%) increased
observed on EMYPSSA. The sporulation was
with the increase in the period of exposure and
highest on PDA (22.3 ×106 spores/ml) followed
spore concentration. Maximum and minimum
by PDAY (18.4 × 106 spores/ml). On CDA and
mortality of 21.6 % and 6.66 % respectively
EMYPSSA, mycelial growth was extremely
was obtained with those treated with 2.8 x 107
sparse and least spore production of 6.2 ×106
and 2.4 x 103 spores/ml of B. bassiana for 20
and 3.3 ×106 spores/ml respectively were
seconds. The mortality of adults increased in
observed.
all the concentrations except for 2.4 x 105
spores/ml with increasing exposure period P. lilacinus: SDAY supported the maximum
from 5 sec to 20 sec. Mycelial growth (white radial growth of 72 mm, followed by SMYPA
fluffy) was observed over dead infected adults. (66 mm). CDA resulted in the least radial
Similarly in adults treated with P. lilacinus, the growth (45 mm). The spore production of 24.6
mortality (%) increased with increasing × 106 spores/ml was favoured by SDA and it
exposure time in all the spore concentrations, was followed by 19.8 × 106 on PDAY. The least
which was recorded as 10.0 to 41.6 % sporulation of 4.3 × 10 6 spores/ml was
with 2.9 x 10 7 spores/ml. The reduced observed on EMYPSSA.
mortality of 10.0 % was observed in those
Mass multiplication in solid substrate
treated with lesser spore concentration of
2.9 x103 spores/ml. The substrates (rice, sorghum, barley,
groundnut, potato, beetroot, carrot, sawdust
Mass multiplication of entomopathogens:
and paddy straw) for mass production were
Growth kinetics in liquid medium
used in four different conditions with three
The growth kinetics viz., radial growth, replications each as follows. The first set of

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treatment was supplemented with 2 % (w/w) beetroot and sawdust against the control for
sucrose (A), the second set with 1 % (w/w) B. bassiana whereas sorghum, groundnut and
yeast extract (B), the third set with 2 % (w/w) straw for P. lilacinus.
sucrose and 1 % (w/w) yeast extract (C) and
the fourth set served as the control without Mushroom spawn production: Standardi-
either sucrose or yeast extract sation of the protocol for the production of
supplementation (D). healthy spawn to support mushroom cultivation
in the Biocentre was carried out. The process
The observations on spore count per gram of was standardised as follows: 250 g of sorghum
the various substrates used for mass grain was washed thoroughly in fresh water to
production of B. bassiana and P. lilacinus were remove the chaff and other impurities, soaked
made on 10 and 20 DAI. The results in general overnight, boiled for 10 minutes to soften the
indicated that the production of conidia grain and washed with cold water. The excess
increased with the increase in incubation time. water was removed by drying the grain in the
shade, adding calcium carbonate @ 10 g/kg
The addition of 1 % (w/w) yeast extract (YE) in
and sterilised in a cooker for 120 minutes. Ten
all the substrates enhanced the sporulation of
discs of 9 mm pure culture Pleurotus florida
B. bassiana against the control. However, the
was inoculated per 250 g packet under sterile
addition of 1 % YE to paddy did not have any
conditions and incubated at 23 0 ± 2 0 C for 15-
influence on the sporulation. Among the
20 days to attain the full growth. Fifty packets
grains tested, the maximum sporulation of
of oyster mushroom spawn of 250 g each were
B. bassiana was observed on rice supple-
supplied to the Biocentre. In addition to mother
mented with 1 %YE (117.0 x 108spores/g). The
spawn, pure cultures and bed spawn of
least sporulation was observed on sorghum in
Pleurotus florida are maintained in the
all the four conditions.
laboratory.
In contrast, maximum sporulation of P. lilacinus
was observed on barley (55.2 x 108 spores/g) Field Trials
supplemented with 1 % (w/w) YE. Among the Support to organic farming at Thonimalai by
tubers, beetroot favored highest sporulation way of field survey, and identification of pests
generally in all treatment, followed by carrot and diseases, was provided. The major pests
and potato for both the fungi. No significant and diseases observed and the IPM practices
increase in spore production of B. bassiana followed at Thonimalai are given below.
was observed in the substrates supplemented
with 2 % (w/w) sucrose except for rice, Coffee berry borer: 150 berry borer traps have
groundnut, carrot and sawdust; the addition of been installed anticipating the emergence of
1 % (w/w) YE + 2 %(w/w) sucrose enhanced CBB covering 25 acres of Robusta. 16,000
spore production only on rice, sorghum, adults have been trapped.

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ECOTECHNOLOGY
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Banana pseudostem weevil: During the first samples from Jeypore and Puducherry were
inspection, 85 out of 245 trees in 2 fields were analysed for pH, electrical conductivity, anions,
infested with banana pseudostem weevil. cations, SAR and RSC.
Prophylactic pseudostem injection of neem oil
Soil analysis and preparation of soil health
coupled with soil application of neem cake was
card
carried out to prevent the incidence of banana
Crop production depends on a well-balanced
pseudo stem weevil. 146 pseudostem traps +
nutrient status and need-based application of
2.6 kg of B. bassiana pasted traps were installed.
fertilisers to attain the expected maximum
Pepper quick wilt: During the first phase of yield. Hence it is the need of the hour to develop
scouting (May-June), out of 1,332 vines in 2 a soil health card, which would out the complete
fields 238 vines were found to be infected with profile of nutrient status of the soil based on
wilt. 71 kg of T. viride was distributed /applied which the fertiliser recommendations would be
covering nearly 38 ha of 34 farms. made. The various physical, chemical and
biological properties were analysed. However
Training
the amounts and kinds of fertilisers required
Training on the management of secondary pest for the same crop vary from soil to soil, and
infestation in Corcyra production (50 trainee high crop yields can be obtained by applying
days) at Kannivadi and on IPM of pests and the required fertilisers in the required dose to
disease of paddy for Karasanur farmers – overcome existing deficiencies. The
Watershed Project (31 trainee days) was recommendation for the application of
organised. The major pests and diseases of fertilisers is based on the results of the soil-
paddy, its life cycle, damage symptoms and testing and up-to-date agronomic research on
integrated management practices for these the crop. With these concepts, the soil testing
problems were explained to the farmers. This for the proper recommendation of the use of
was followed by a field visit where the farmers fertilisers was carried out for the different sites
were taught to differentiate between pests and under the water shed programme.
diseases as well as beneficial insects as
Antifungal activity of actinomycetes and
measures of plant protection.
bacteria against plant pathogens
Soil analysis for sustainable agricultural
The antifungal activity of the microbes isolated
practices
from soil (bacteria and actinomycetes) was
One hundred and forty eight soil samples from studied against the selected plant pathogens
Chidambaram were analysed for organic (Rhizoctonia solani, Helminthosporium oryzae,
carbon. 122 soil samples from Thonimalai and Curvularia lunata, Fusarium oxysporum and
Nagapattinam were analysed for pH, electrical F. udum). The study showed that two isolates
conductivity, organic carbon and macro (Act-8 and Act-10) have strong activity against
nutrients (N, P and K). Sixty-seven water most of these pathogens with maximum

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inhibition of zone diameters ranging from 1.1 universities in Rajasthan and AP to help
cm to 1.5 cm. A few isolates showed minimum monitor the functional aspects of the agro-met
inhibition of <0.8 cm. observatories established in different project
sites and advice on utilising the data generated
The in vitro biocontrol activity of the bacteria
locally. The trial run of the prescribed cropping
isolated from the soil samples exhibited good
activity against rice pathogens viz., R. solani mix suggested for both rabi and kharif seasons
and H. oryzae. Most of the strains isolated were are being carried out.
identified as Bacillus spp. Out of the 36 strains, Various capacity building activities, including
20 showed positive antagonistic activities.
training of women masons in the construction
of efficient stoves, SRI method of cultivation,
and ground water monitoring, were carried out.
Sub Programme Area 405 There was a sustained focus on awareness-
Climate Change Initiatives building on climate-related issues in the project
sites.
405.1 Vulnerability Assessment and
Enhancing the Adaptive Capacity to To implement the mandate on improving the
Climate Change in Semi-Arid India delivery system, a scoping exercise was
undertaken by the project partner, MANAGE
Implementation of various adaptation-related
interventions such as lining of irrigation along with the consulting agency Winrock India,
channels, revival of traditional system of to take stock of the various extension-related
irrigation, weather based-farming, treatment of courses and curricula offered at the national
alkaline soil, promotion of energy-efficient level, to develop and introduce specific
stoves, establishment of fodder banks, and modules providing information on the cause
common pasture development were carried out and effects of climate variability and change,
in the project sites Udaipur in Rajasthan and as well as possible adaptation remedies.
Mehabubnagar in AP with community Joint Implementation Group, which is an
participation. internal mechanism set up to monitor and
One of the major highlights is the development discuss all project-related problems, functions
of a monitoring framework and identification as an active forum to develop a cohesive vision
of suitable indicators for monitoring various and shared sense of direction. It undertook an
activities. The monitoring framework provides internal assessment of lessons learnt so far
an overview of the activities and how they will and discussed the road map for the upcoming
be operationally supported. State and National Policy workshops.

The project consortium entered into an The media workshop was organised for young
understanding with local agricultural journalists from South East Asian countries,

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ECOTECHNOLOGY
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at which about 15 selected journalists were 405.2 DFID - Policy Innovation Systems
introduced to various concepts and themes by for Clean Energy Security
experts associated with the project and taken
MSSRF is one of the key partners of the five
to the field sites to have first hand information
member international Research Program
about adaptation through interaction with the Consortium (RPC) floated by DFID, UK, to
communities. This program received wide conduct research on replicable bioenergy
coverage in international newspapers technologies, assess the relationship between
especially in the articles that appeared as a impacts of climate change and bioenergy use,
prelude to the 13th Conference of Party meeting and provide capacities at different levels in
held in Bali in December 2007. related aspects. The focus of MSSRF is on
how climate change is likely to affect bioenergy
The dialogue on “Community Management of provisioning and how to respond to the
Climate Change: The Role of Panchayats and challenges of sustainable energy security.
Nagarpalikas” (See SPA 606), brought together
As a part of the inception phase, MSSRF has
about 50 participants, including panchayat
started gathering secondary data, particularly
leaders, sectoral experts, lawyers, policy
on the various types of bioenergy and their
makers, NGOs and media persons, to
utility, general policy scenario with respect to
deliberate on the needs, possibilities and future bioenergy in India, available technologies, the
avenues in climate risk management. The predominant bioenergy crops and the profile
dialogue focused on the perceived risks of of the locations where bioenergy crops are
climate change, available options at the local cultivated. Several linkages have been
level for pro-active action and modalities to established with institutions responsible for
develop a simple regulatory framework to implementing state level energy policies,
handle climate related issues at the local level. farming communities actively involved in the
The deliberations resulted in a Draft Model Act cultivation of bioenergy crops, and market
for Local Level Climate Risk Management. The sources. Several site visits have been
undertaken to understand the various aspects
draft act covers food security, energy security,
of the bioenergy production cycle.
non-farm employment, human diseases,
carbon trade opportunities and climate literacy Project staff participated in two major
issues. A small review group has been workshops convened to develop a monitoring
constituted to take this further. framework for the project activities and
designing a good communication strategy for
The project’s focus has shifted now, from disseminating periodic information about the
seeing the project off the ground to following project at various levels. The first annual review
the useful lessons learnt through capacity meeting of the project took place at Dar
development and knowledge sharing supports. es-Salaam, Tanzania.

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in the adoption of technology related to crop

Sub Programme Area 406 production;

Designing Rural Technology to critically examine the technology delivery

Delivery Systems for Mitigating system that is in place;

Agrarian Distress to provide an action plan for a suitable

technology delivery mechanism.
This is a research study, the main focus of
which is to design an effective technology An acute manifestation of the current crisis in
delivery system in areas that are currently agriculture is the persistence of suicides by
experiencing a severe agricultural crisis. Since farmers in some regions. From among the
the mid 1990s it has been particularly severe ‘distress’ districts identified by the Government
on the small and marginal farmers cultivating of India in this context in the states of
cash crops in the rain-fed regions of the Maharashtra and AP, the study proposes to
country. The factors underlying this crisis are examine the technological issues related to the
complex and manifold. The major factors relate agrarian crisis in two districts, one each from
to the nature of the economic strategy pursued the two states. The district of Wardha in
by the state, although there are several Maharashtra and the district of Anantapur in
institutional, technological, ecological, and AP have been chosen for our study.
weather- related factors. In this study, the
To analyse the set of available technologies
concern is to analyse one dimension of the
for crop production and processing, and
problem facing Indian agriculture, namely, the
understand the constraints in the prevalent
technological dimension. Technological
system of extension, detailed interviews with
dimension is defined in a very broad sense, as
farmers as well as experts in various research
covering an entire bundle of techniques and
institutions will be held. The survey will focus
steps that are required to improve and stabilise
on the various aspects of crop cultivation and
crop yields. It encompasses a wide spectrum
management and the role of agricultural
of factors relating to crop production, including
extension, to ascertain the constraints faced
the nature and quality of the agricultural inputs
by the farmers. An attempt will also be made
used, the type of crop protection practices
to study in detail the practices adopted by
followed, the kind of agents used for protection,
farmers who are successful, that is, farmers
the overall management practices adopted in
who are often referred to as ‘model’ farmers.
cultivation, including irrigation practices, and
This is expected to sharpen our understanding
technology delivery.
of factors that have contributed to their survival
The major objectives of the study are: and success, even while a vast majority is
to analyse the constraints faced by farmers affected by the widely prevalent distress.

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ECOTECHNOLOGY
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Given the above framework and methodology, An almost complete absence of agricultural
the 2-year study will be completed by June extension services in the public domain.
2009. Since July 2007, we have been engaged
The intensive qualitative surveys have revealed
in surveying the literature and have undertaken
that there is a striking difference in cultivation
field visits to Wardha. We have carried out
practices among different classes of farmers,
intensive qualitative surveys among farmers
particularly with regard to the input use, the
across different size classes in two villages in
quantity, timing, and application methodology,
two different taluks.
awareness about good farm practices, the yield
The preliminary investigation into the rate of crops, the holding capacity of harvested
technological dimension of agricultural distress produce, and access to market intelligence.
has revealed a number of contributing factors Our survey also substantiates the observation
such as: made by many other researchers that the small
and marginal farmers had the twin handicap
Degradation of natural resources including of poor quality of soil and lack of irrigation
land degradation, soil erosion, and decline facility. The location of their cultivable land was
in soil fertility and ground water table; another factor which added to their
Drought and erratic rainfall pattern; vulnerability; the lands were located closer to
the hills and forest areas, rendering their crops
Pests and diseases;
a frequent target for wild animal attack. A total
Spurious inputs and unavailability of inputs lack of access to extension service was noticed
at the appropriate time; across all classes of farmers.

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Programme Area 500

Food Security

Concerted efforts were initiated to ensure the sustainability of the Community

Foodgrain Banks. The findings of the field studies on the nutrition status were
shared with the community at Wayanad and Orissa to sensitise them and
promote positive action. The National Nutrition Conclave outlined the measures
needed for a ‘Nutrition Secure India’. Both research study and field interventions
in Orissa and TN sought to establish and promote the cultivation and consumption
of millets as a nutritious cereal. An initiative for empowerment of women farmers–
‘Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran’ - was launched in Vidarbha.

501 B.V.Rao Centre for Sustainable Food Security. ........................................................ 121

502 Ford Foundation Chair for Women and Sustainable Food Security. ........................ 137

503 Initiatives in Vidarbha. .............................................................................................. 138

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FOOD SECURITY
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been developed for each of the indicators as

Programme Area 500 well as the composite index, to show the
position of the states in the ranges between
Food Security highly food insecure to food secure. The thrust
has been on outcome indicators with four of
Research on sustainable food and nutrition the seven indicators chosen being outcome
security is being undertaken by the B V Rao indicators –
Centre for Sustainable Food Security and the
• Percentage of population consuming less
Ford Foundation Chair for Women and Food
than 1890 Kcal (NSSO, 1999-2000, 2004-
Security. The initiatives in Vidarbha are also
05)
coordinated under this programme area.
• Percentage of HHs without access to safe
drinking water (Census 1991, 2001)
Sub Programme Area 501
• Percentage of HHs without access to toilet
B V Rao Centre for Sustainable facilities (Census 1991, 2001)
Food Security • Percentage of ever-married women with
any anaemia (NFHS-2, 1998-99, NFHS-3,
Research, field interventions on food and 2005-06)
nutrition security, training and capacity building,
evaluation studies, advocacy, and • Percentage of ever-married women with
dissemination, formed the focus of activities Chronic Energy Deficiency (NFHS-2, 1998-
during the year. The Centre also collaborated 99, NFHS-3, 2005-06)
with other Programme Areas on some special • Percentage of children (6-35 months) with
projects and conduct of national consultations. any anaemia, (NFHS-2, 1998-99, NFHS-3
2005-06)
501.1 Report on the State of Food
Insecurity in Rural India • Percentage of children (6-35 months) who
are stunted (NFHS-2, 1998-99, NFHS-3,
The study, based on the latest data of the 2005-06)
National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO)
Data has been compiled for two time periods,
and National Family Health Survey (NFHS) and
1998-2000 and 2004-2006, and a comparative
the last Census, examines the state of food
picture drawn to highlight changes in trend and
insecurity in the country and undertakes a
in the relative positions of the States on the
critical evaluation of the food policy measures
Food Security scale if any.
in the country over the years. States are ranked
on the basis of a chosen set of indicators and The report also analyses, the state of the public
a composite food insecurity index is developed food delivery systems, viz. Public Distribution
to show their relative positions. Maps have System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme (MDMS)

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and Integrated Child Development Services A similar observation was also made by the in-
(ICDS) were taken up for in depth study and house review undertaken in July 2007 of the
analysis. 23 community gene-seed-grain banks set up
by MSSRF under different projects across
The main policy recommendations of the report Koraput, Kalahandi and Kandhamal districts
are in the following areas: between 1999 and 2006. MSSRF does not
have a direct presence anymore in Kalahandi
• Initiatives needed to address the food
and Kandhamal districts. Lapses were
availability issue - enhance production by
observed to have crept in over a period of time,
enabling small farmers’ production
with defaults in repayment, conflicts, poor
• Measures for ensuring livelihood security; management of storehouse and lack of follow-
NREGS – a step in the right direction up for repayment. Illiteracy and consequent
poor record keeping were a common problem.
• Expansion of MDMS and universalisation Following the visit and discussions with the
of the PDS and ICDS to ensure access village community, cluster level volunteers have
been appointed in Koraput district to help
• Appropriate investments in public
oversee the operation of the grain banks in
healthcare and nutrition education to
areas where we have a presence, covering
address the issue of absorption.
nine grain banks in the process. Follow-up and
The Report of this study will be released by monitoring are being done with assistance from
the end of the years. field staff across different projects, to ensure
that the community’s capacity to utilise the
501.2 Community Foodgrain Banks initiative to its benefit is developed. One-time
assistance is also being provided where
An evaluation of the impact of community
needed, for repair of grain bank storehouses
foodgrain banks was undertaken in six villages
with community participation, to revive the
in Koraput and Kalahandi districts of Orissa
momentum.
and two villages in Kalrayan Hills, TN. This was
based on a sample household survey with a Local NGOs like Antyodaya in Kalahandi, have
structured questionnaire and focus group been requested to assist in areas where we
discussion done by field staff in 2005-06. The no longer have a presence. A one-day
main finding is that while grain banks serve workshop on record keeping was organised in
the purpose of helping to tide over the September for all the grain bank committee
members and volunteers. Simplified registers
immediate food scarcity and positive qualitative
have been introduced for easier maintenance
changes are observed, capacity building and
of records (see SPA 202.3).
community ownership are very crucial to
ensure sustainability. The reports are being In TN likewise, a visit to Kalrayan Hills in
finalised. January 2008, after a year, revealed few

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FOOD SECURITY
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lacunae in operation. Unlike in Orissa, where Kharnak, had it not been for our support, at
the entire hamlet is involved, the banks in least fifty to sixty percent of the livestock would
Talvellar and Melvazhapadi are being managed have perished. The people recall how sixty to
by SHGs. Steps are now being taken to involve seventy per cent of flock / herd of livestock
the entire community and the Panchayats and perished under such natural calamity some ten
discuss the need for CFBs and their years back”.
management.
501.4 Nutrition Security Initiatives
The review also brought out the need to have
The nutrition security initiatives fall under three
a long-term focus beyond the life of a project
broad categories namely, research-based
in areas where project-based initiatives are
interventions, academic work and advocacy
started, and build a withdrawal strategy into the
initiatives.
approach.
501.4.1 Research-based interventions
501.3 Community Fodder Banks in Ladakh
Nutrition Intervention in Orissa: The inter-
Support was given to a Leh based NGO, vention to improve infant feeding practices in
CENSFOOD, for starting fodder banks in two Orissa as part of the PAN MSSRF initiative
villages in 2004-05, in the Changthang valley followed the results of the diet survey
of Ladakh, where the nomadic pastoral conducted earlier in 76 HHs from three project
community resides. Livestock mortality is high villages to assess the food practices and
during the winter months due to lack of proper nutritional status of children under three. With
shelter and food. Following an emergency regard to household food practices it was found
request late last year, funding was provided that food was cooked twice a day but
for the purchase of tarpaulins to provide shelter consumed thrice a day. Rice and ragi were
for the livestock in Kharnak village. the staples. Ragi porridge was made in the
morning and eaten before lunch. Very often it
The feedback received from CENSFOOD is
was consumed in the evenings also. Twenty
quoted below –
four percent of the families had the habit of
“Fortunately this winter, under our intervention, drinking morning tea. While 8 % had tea with
the people of Kharnak had themselves stocked milk, 15 % took black tea. Since there was no
feed as per their individual capacity topping up practice of drinking curd or milk-based
our stocking. The supply of tarpaulins in products, it was concluded that milk was not a
November 2007 to be used as animal shelter major food item. Ninety seven percent of
was indeed very timely. This helped to sustain families had cooked and eaten vegetables on
the livestock through the long severe winter the day of the survey. Thus besides rice and
without any unusual high mortality till date. As ragi, vegetables form an important part of the
per feedback received from the nomads of diet. Seventy four percent of HHs had cooked

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potatoes, 34 % had used tomatoes, 29 % had surveyed HHs, traditional birth attendants,
cooked brinjal, 21 % had cooked country members of SHGs, community grain banks
beans and 18 % had cooked jackfruit. Only 3 and village development committee, MSSRF
HHs had cooked leafy vegetable. Eighty four volunteers, ASHA volunteer, anganwadi
percent of HHs had a domestic animal. worker, village health nurse and street theatre
However they were meant for economic artists. Participatory methodologies such as
purposes and not for domestic consumption. group discussion, role-play and activities were
used. The workshop was structured to enable
In the overall sample 37 % of children were
participants to undertake a critical self-
infants, while 42 % were between one and two
exploration and exhibit their knowledge, skill
years. Twenty one percent were in the age
and talent. Care was taken to provide space
group of two to three years. Sixty three percent
for different perceptions and view points and
of the children were males while 37 % were
to encourage team spirit. The participants
females. Forty six percent of the children were
identified six messages considered critical to
normal while 54 % were malnourished. Since
infant feeding, which were:
feeding and healthcare practices hold the key
to improving the nutritional status of young Breastfeeding should begin within the first
children, an intervention campaign for infant hour of birth
and young child feeding was mooted. As a first
First milk should be given
step, a nutrition literacy workshop was held for
the community members of Gunthaguda and Only breast milk to be given for six months
Nuaguda hamlets and Bolliguda village at and no other food
Jeypore on May 9 and 10, 2008. The Complementary feeding should begin by
objectives of the workshop were to help introducing home foods such as ragi and
participants understand the concept of rice kanji after six months alongwith breast
nutritional status, help them reflect on the milk
critical periods in the life cycle with special
focus on infancy, sensitise them about infant The child should be fed atleast four to five
feeding practices and the nutritional status of times a day
children and assess the prevailing scenario in The density of the food should increase as
their own villages, shortlist critical messages the child grows older.
in infant feeding, strategies for taking them
They composed two songs containing these
forward and action for establishing monthly
messages and agreed to take it forward into
weighing of children through ICDS.
their communities. They also decided to join
It was a multi stakeholder workshop, including hands with mothers in the villages and ICDS
both men and women. The thirty participants to initiate monthly growth monitoring of all
consisted of parents of young children from the children below six years.

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Following the workshop a dialogue was 501.4.2 Enhancement of Nutrition

organised on 12 May 2008 with the workshop Curriculum
participants and Government functionaries on Following up on the brainstorming workshop
the food and nutrition security situation in the held in March 2007 reported in last year’s
project sites in Orissa. The objective of this Annual Report, the second workshop for
exercise was to provide an interface between enhancing the curriculum for the
the community and the public delivery system. undergraduate course in Nutrition was held for
The workshop focused on the current initiatives two days at Kizhakarai in Ramnad district in
of MSSRF with regard to food and nutrition September 2007 under the auspices of
security and the rights and entitlements of the Thassim Beevi Abdul Kadar College for
community under the various schemes of the Women. The workshop participants discussed
Government. the definitions of the term nutrition, the scope
of the syllabus in today’s context, the core
Nutrition Intervention in Wayanad:The subjects and their subsidiary papers, existing
research report on ‘Family food habits and lacunae in transacting the curriculum and the
nutritional status of mothers and children below role of professional bodies. A conceptual
three years in selected Paniya and Kattunaikka separation was made between the study of
tribal colonies of Wayanad’ was finalised and foods and the study of nutrition at the
the findings were shared with members of the undergraduate level. The group felt that while
community and local government bodies at the usual nomenclature of ‘Food and Nutrition’
seven stakeholder meetings. The included both the physical aspects of food as
stakeholders were mothers, officials of the well as its interaction with the human body, the
ICDS, tribal leaders and Panchayat former had nevertheless emerged as a fully
representatives. As a result of this intervention, grown discipline needing to be offered as a
an ICDS centre has been opened at Poonkuzhi separate undergraduate course. Hence Food
Kattunaikka colony and the ward member has Science and Quality Control should be the
subject of a three year B.Sc programme. Since
formed a committee to oversee the distribution
the term nutrition encompasses the biological,
of ICDS supplement to the target families. In
social and environmental aspects it was
addition, 125 HHs of Paniya, Kattunaikkas and
thought appropriate to rechristen the term
Kurichiya tribal HHs have been supplied with
nutrition as ‘Nutrition Science’. Nutrition
traditional and wild varieties of 1,125 kg of
Science would include the disciplines of
Dioscorea alata, 400 kg Colocasia esculenta,
dietetics and community nutrition.
250 kg of Amorphophallus companulatus, leafy
greens, 7 varieties of plantain and 3 varieties The issues having implications for curriculum
of Ipomoea batatas. The yield and consumption enhancement were identified as follows:
patterns of the harvested products have been There was a preponderance of biological
surveyed and are being analysed. aspects in the current curriculum in general

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with little scope for social and environmental of nutrition sciences such that the student
dimensions or policy issues would be able to opt for a major paper in the
final year. A new paper on Sports Nutrition was
While a good theoretical base was
suggested for inclusion. While the content was
essential, practical exposure even at the
discussed at length, the system of credits,
UG level was equally important. Besides
major and allied papers as well as electives
good laboratory facilities, the institutions
needed to have linkages with the industry were worked out. Practical work for students
(for food science and quality control), the included project work, writing a term paper and
hospitals (for dietetics) and with NGOs and seminar presentations. It was agreed that the
Government (for services). curriculum would be finalised by the group at
the end of June and distributed to a wider
Institutions could offer any one of the audience for critiquing by the end of August.
branches of specialisation in the final year
depending on the facilities available. 501.4.3 Advocacy
Rural institutions had more difficulties with The high levels of undernutrition among Indian
regard to enrolment of students, getting women and children paradoxical with a
appropriate teaching faculty, library and burgeoning middle class and increasing growth
laboratory facilities. rate is a matter of serious concern that has
Refresher training would be necessary for generated a lot of debate in the country as a
the teaching faculty if new courses are whole. It was to discuss how to achieve
introduced. nutrition security that a National Nutrition
Conclave was organized from 12 to 14 August
The scope of the content under the broad
2007 (see SPA 606 for details). About 100
heads of nutrition sciences and food science
participants drawn from interdisciplinary fields
and quality control was worked out and the
of agriculture, nutrition and social sciences
participants agreed to share the task of
representing academia, NGOs, Government,
enhancing the curriculum. They could co-opt
corporate sector, civil society organisations and
other colleagues, nutritionists and
donor agencies participated in the
professionals.
brainstorming. The conclave adopted the
The third workshop held in March 2008, saw participatory technique of Open Space
the participants sharing the homework and Technology to have indepth discussion on
discussing at length the reworked syllabus for critical issues. There were 36 working groups
the undergraduate course in Food Science and on the first day which deliberated in depth on
Quality Control and of Dietetics under Nutrition the chosen themes. On the second day,
Sciences. It was agreed at this juncture that participants identified ten key recommen-
the first two years of study at the undergraduate dations as essential to nutrition security, some
level should expose the student to all branches of which were integrating nutrition on the

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FOOD SECURITY
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national agenda, preparing a national strategy National Horticulture Mission, National Food
for children under two, preparing a white paper Security Mission, etc. It would also work in
on nutrition, focusing on the urban poor, collaboration with UN agencies, NGOs and
improved monitoring of nutrition programmes Science and Technology and Educational
and undertaking nutrition education, commu- Institutions.
nication and awareness. As a follow up of the
conclave, USAID facilitated the formation of a 501.5 Sustainability of Farming Systems-
Coalition for Nutrition Security with Prof M S Integrating the objectives of conservation
Swaminathan as the Chair. Two Task Forces with the economics of farming in the rice
have been formed, one on writing the white farming systems of Tamil Nadu
paper on nutrition and the other on preparing
the strategies for children under two; MSSRF The study was undertaken against the
is one of the members in the former group. backdrop of advancements in improving
production in irrigated rice farming systems
A meeting was held on 17 February 2008 at accompanied by doubts regarding India’s ability
the Central Food Technological Research to continue with its rate of growth in the
Institute (CFTRI) Resource Centre, Bangalore
production of rice and its capability to meet the
with Prof Swaminathan as Chair, to deliberate
calorie requirements of the increasing
on viable action for reducing undernutrition
population. The earlier gains achieved in the
levels among infants in rural India. Based on
production are now threatened by stagnant
the discussion, a Forum for the Alleviation of
yields or yield declines, especially in continuous
Rural Infant Malnutrition (FARIM) was formed
double-cropped rice farming systems.
with CFTRI as the coordinating centre. The
Forum decided to function at two levels: Policy Objectives
advocacy at the national level and
demonstration for capacity building for the The following research objectives were
elimination of rural infant malnutrition at the defined.
village level. While the short term goal would
Identify the ecological and economic
be to end chronic infant malnutrition, the long
constraints to farm productivity in the
term goal will be increasing income and
irrigated rice farming system based on
livelihood security for the rural poor. A small
empirical evidence from the rice belt in the
group, of which MSSRF is a member, is to
north-eastern coastal parts of Tamil Nadu.
prepare a Vision and Mission Statement and a
brief action plan for 2008. The Forum would Compare and contrast the dialectics of
try to bring about convergence and synergy ecology and economics of farm production
among the numerous ongoing government in farms under varying levels of
programmes such as the ICDS, Mid Day Meal intensification, diversification and crop–
Scheme, National Rural Health Mission, livestock integration.

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Document the social and institutional Economic Indicators

factors that have enabled farmers to
Farm Profitability (profitability from paddy,
promote intensification, diversification, and
whole farm profitability, valuation of benefits
crop–livestock integration in their farms.
from crop–livestock integration
Derive suitable strategies for the
Social indicators
sustainable management of rice farming
systems. Gender disaggregated labour profile·
Methodology Access to productive resources: Land and
A study of the ecosystem structure, productivity water·
and profitability of randomly identified sample Institutions and their roles in resource
farms was carried out initially in the village. This management
was followed by a detailed comparative study
Findings
of four farm types. One ‘standard’ (STD) farm
from within the village was compared with other The following are the major findings of the
farms located within and outside the village, study.
which had varying levels of intensification,
Ecological crises in rice farming systems
diversification and crop-livestock integration.
are brought about by management
These farms have been under the same
practices that do not appear to enhance
management for three years or more.
natural ecosystem processes such as soil
Indicators fertility regeneration, and use water non-
judiciously. With paddy mono-cropping and
The indicators selected to study the
very little livestock integration, current farms
sustainability of the farming systems are given
in rice farming systems also have simplified
below:
ecosystem structures and seem to support
Ecological indicators poor on-farm crop and animal diversity.
Production constraints in paddy (yield, yield Paddy dominates the rice farming system
gaps and ecological constraints to higher with very little integration of legumes
yields, total factor productivity – land, water, (84 % and 12 % respectively of the gross
nitrogen, seed) cropped area). Other crops such as
The farm ecosystem structure (species vegetables, chilli, gingili and black gram
number and diversity, guilds, chain length, appear to be very poorly represented
linkage density) (together they form less than 4 % of the
gross cropped area). Livestock integration
Ecosystem functions (quality enhancing
processes within the soil water is minimal with an average of 0.8 animals
consumption) per farm. As a consequence, the farm

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FOOD SECURITY
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structure is very simplified and made up of inputs for the coming season, instability in
paddy as the dominant farm output. the prices of other crops which reduces the
ability of the farmer to purchase inputs for
Cropping intensities in paddy are low and
the next season paddy crop, and the
restricted by overall water non-availability.
farmers’ dependence on private merchants
Water in the tanks has been found to be
for sale of paddy due to the absence of
insufficient to support a second crop of active government procurement.
paddy within the tank command area. There
A study of the gendered labour profile in
has also been a shift in the cropping
paddy cultivation shows high casualisation
calendar from the sornavari season (April
of labour, a predominance of female casual
to September) which used to be the main
labour and a high ‘gender gap’ reflected as
season, to navarai season (December –
low wages for women with respect to men.
April).
501.6. Using Markets to Promote
The economic crisis is evident in the almost Sustainable Utilisation of Minor Millets
complete dependence on external markets
for paddy cultivation. Almost all the sample A case study on minor millets in Kolli Hills and
farms depend heavily on external markets Dharmapuri plains, TN, India, was undertaken
for chemical fertilisers, organic manure and to understand the use of markets to promote
the sustainable utilisation of crop genetic
biological inputs. Soil fertility has been found
resources (CGR). This is a collaborative
to be dependent on inputs purchased from
research study with Agricultural and
the markets. Groundwater was also
Development Economics Division (ESA) of the
observed to be highly appropriated among
FAO and the International Food Policy
the farmers for irrigation uses, the riparian
Research Institute (IFPRI). The major objective
rule prevailing. ‘Buying’ groundwater for a
of this activity was to study the agricultural
full paddy crop by any farmer has been markets and their relationship to farm level
reported to be quite high: one-third of the decisions on using crop genetic resources.
paddy produced had to be shared for a
season’s share of water. Minor millets are a group of annual grasses
found mainly in arid and semi-arid regions of
Poor farm ecosystem has reduced the the world. Compared with other dryland crops
economic viability of the farms. The average like sorghum and pearl millet, the harvesting
cost of cultivation of paddy in the sample and processing of minor millets is extremely
studied is about Rs 20,750/ha. Profitability labour-intensive and the crop is also more
is affected by several other factors such as prone to bird damage. Though the area under
lack of storage of harvested grains, credit minor millets is limited to certain states of India,
dependency of farmers leading to farmers these crops still play a significant
pledging their future produce in return for supplementary role in dryland farming systems.

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A detailed farm as well as market level study village communities. The supply channels and
was undertaken in two sites namely Kolli Hills actors (vendors) differ, based on the types of
and Pennagaram in TN, where minor millets ‘products’ (seed or grain) being sold in the
are grown in different agro-ecological markets. For minor millet crops, the research
situations. In Kolli Hills, the research evaluated systems are poorly developed and still
the impact of some development interventions traditional varieties dominate the farming
by MSSRF towards the improvement of minor systems. Therefore explicit, formalised
millets in terms of utilisation and conservation channels of seed are not well-developed.
among the local communities through
Within each major market town of the district,
improved seed exchanges and value-addition
during the planting season, there are four
opportunities. In Dharmapuri district, minor
different channels through which farmers
millets are grown in semi-arid plains, as a
accessed minor millet genetic resources. The
rainfed crop and no specific minor millets
channels consist of mandis (wholesale grain
based development interventions exist. The
traders with permanent structures in the
preliminary findings from the economic
market), retailers (who sell millets in small
analyses of markets and HHs are discussed
quantities, in market towns mainly for
below.
consumption purposes) or local shops, agro-
Local market hubs – Dharmapuri district, dealers, and government sponsored agro-
Tamil Nadu depots or centres. There is another channel
through which seeds were exchanged, and
The objective of this research was to
operated mainly at the village level: the weekly
understand how variations in market
markets namely shandies. These are
transactions and vendor characteristics affect
composed of petty vendors or farmer-traders
access to minor millet crop genetic resources
who sell small quantities (5-10 kgs) of minor
by focusing on local market hubs (towns). The
millets, to buy other consumption goods for the
data used in this analysis was collected in
household.
March-May, 2007 before the planting season
in the district, a major market centre among The proportion of minor millet seeds sold
south Indian states for the sale of two minor during the planting season across these
millet crops, namely little millet (Panicum vendors varied significantly. Only 2-3 % of the
sumatrence) and finger millet (Eleucine total minor millet sales were as ‘seeds’ by
corocona). Farmers here accessed minor wholesale traders and retailers. The shandy
millet crop seeds through multiple sources – traders, especially during the planting season,
both informal and formal. They either used their sold almost all the grains as seeds. The agro-
own farm-saved stocks or borrowed from dealers were the only formal source of seed
neighbours through informal exchanges at the supply in the entire chain.

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Farm household surveys - Kolli Hills and surveyed. On the whole, in Kolli Hills the
Pennagaram, Tamil Nadu significant welfare effects among the
intervened minor millet growing communities
The major purpose of this research was to
were seen through enhanced participation in
analyse the determinants of household market
conservation and cultivation aspects and also
participation for either product or seeds of
by creating an economic stake in the same.
minor millets and its impact on farm welfare.
In the case of Dharmapuri district, the
In Kolli Hills most of the seed and grain
preliminary analyses on the minor millet
exchanges are autarkic, except in communities
growing HHs and their economic welfare were
where ‘interventions’ have taken place. From
determined through their participation in local
our preliminary analysis of the project impact,
markets. It was found that among the surveyed
we found that in general, the percentage of
HHs the total per capita income, the area share
HHs that replaced their seed at least once was
allocated to minor millets and the ratio of the
higher for the farm communities who
active household population (14-60 years old)
participated in interventions than the control
engaged in farming had a significant impact
group (69 % versus 60 %). This replacement
on household welfare. In terms of household
took place mainly through formal sources of
dietary diversity patterns, it was found that the
seed such as an extension agent, researcher
number of food items consumed per household
or NGO (50 %) than control group (6.9 %).
ranged from 8-22 while the average number
Nearly 21 % of the HHs in intervention
of food groups consumed was 7 from the total
communities exchanged minor millet seeds
of 12 food groups. The diet of the people in
with other HHs compared to only 11 % of the
this area consists of cereals, vegetables,
non-intervention HHs. Further among the HHs
tubers, legumes, and spices with a preference
who exchanged seeds, 28 % supplied to formal
for finger millet items. On the other hand, meat,
sources such as an extension agency or NGO.
fish and egg consumption was considerably
In general, we found that the HHs from the
low. Compared to Kolli Hills, the most food
intervention communities were more actively
insecure HHs were found in the plains.
involved in market-based seed exchange
activities for minor millets. The preliminary The case study presents an example of an
results of the different econometric estimations economically minor (but nutritionally rich) crop,
also show that the participation of the HHs in that provides supplementary income as well
any MSSRF-based intervention for minor as food security opportunities for subsistence
millets had a significant and positive impact HHs in two different agro-ecological and fragile
on their household dietary diversity i.e., the environments through varied degrees of
consumption of minor millets have increased market participation either for seed or grain or
through various food items, as well as the both. The overall findings from this research
household level food security among the HHs on the economic impact of minor millets reveal

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that in Kolli Hills, participation of HHs on any Bangalore, UAS, Dharwad, G.B. Pant
minor millet-based intervention had a positive University of Agricultural Sciences and
impact on their crop yields, dietary diversity and Technology (GBPUAT), Ranichauri campus
food security levels as well as the number of and the CFTRI, Mysore. The implementation
attributes (consumption and production) used followed an annual work plan meeting of all
by the farm HHs in the communities. In the partners including the international coordinating
case of Dharmapuri plains, the farm HHs which partner in Chennai in May 2007.
grew minor millets and participated in
The Neglected and Underutilised Species
agricultural markets, benefited from increased
(NUS) included in the project are finger, little,
food security levels and improved dietary
Italian and barnyard millets and grain
habits, but in lesser magnititude compared to
amaranth. The project is being implemented
the hills. The major difference among the two
in 33 tribal or economically backward villages
case study scenarios, especially in Kolli Hills,
across four States. Five tribal villages in Kolli
is the creation of an economic stake in
Hills (TN) and seven tribal villages in Kundra
conservation as well as in cultivation aspects
block, Koraput district (Orissa) have been
of minor millets among the farmers. This calls
chosen by MSSRF. In South Karnataka, the
for more effective and concerted public policy
towards crop improvement and in creating project is implemented in five villages in Kolar
improved marketing opportunities for minor and Chamarajanagar districts by the UAS,
millet crops in the state and elsewhere that Bangalore, while in North Karnataka the project
would improve the welfare of the farming is being implemented by the UAS, Dharwad in
communities living in dryland environments. six villages in Haveri and Bellary districts. The
GBPUAT implements the project in ten villages
501.7 Empowering the rural poor by of Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand.
strengthening their identity, income CFTRI, Mysore provides the backstop on the
opportunities and nutritional security required grain processing technology.
through the improved use and marketing Small millets belonging to six species are
of neglected and underutilised species grown in India. Among them, finger millet is
This is an international project located in India, the most predominant and grown across the
Yemen, Peru and Bolivia, funded by the country. Italian and little millets are largely
International Fund for Agricultural Development grown in peninsular India, while barnyard,
(IFAD) and internationally coordinated by proso and kodo millets are more common in
Bioversity International, Rome. In India, the Central and Northern India. All these crops are
project is being implemented by five agencies known for their high adaptability under low and
including MSSRF, which also serves as the erratic rainfall, and marginal soil and
national coordinator. The other four partners management conditions. Their low input
are University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), requirement, freedom from pests and

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FOOD SECURITY
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diseases, high drought tolerance and safe grain intercrop systems offering better and
storability are features preferred by the tribal sustainable income, capacity building in value
and poor farmers in hilly and arid regions. They addition to develop traditional and novel food
have the added advantage of relatively better products and their marketing are important
nutritional profile for certain minerals, vitamins, activity components to achieve the project
amino acids and dietary fibre. The low glycemic goals. Social mobilisation under SHGs and
index of these grains is receiving increasing farmers’ clubs, capacity building of these
importance in the nutraceutical context. These groups through institutional and on-farm
grains contribute significantly to the food and training and exposure visits are important
nutritional security of people who, by and large, processes being followed.
are poor and eke out a livelihood under
Benchmark Survey: A benchmark survey
marginal conditions. The grain amaranth is a
format was finalised and the survey was
nutritionally rich crop grown in higher
conducted in two MSSRF field sites. A sample
elevations, particularly in the Garhwal Hills of
size of 148 HHs in Kolli Hills and 105 HHs in
Uttarakhand and the BR hills (Chamarajanagar
Koraput were selected for the survey. Among
district) of Karnataka.
these, 4 HHs in Kolli Hills and 1 household in
Project goals, pathways and processes: Koraput have no land for farming. About 4 %
The project aims at empowering the rural poor, of cropped area by 51 HHs in Kolli Hills and
raising incomes and strengthening the identity 54 % of area owned by 101 HHs in Kundra are
and food security of small farmers and rural being used for millet cultivation. Almost all
communities by securing and exploiting the full these HHs were using a local variety of seeds.
potential of the genetic and cultural diversity While the majority of farmers in Kolli Hills grow
contained in the NUS. The income increase millet as mono crop, intercrop of millet is more
from NUS is being achieved through common in Kundra. In both locations sowing
productivity increase of these crops and is always by broadcasting. The range of
companion crops in the intercrop system and average yield of finger millet is between
value addition of NUS produce. Linkages are 243 kg and 1988 kg/ha in Kolli Hills, while this
established with local and distant markets for varied from 247 kg to 1,235 kg/ha in Kundra,
the value added products to enhance the farm which fetched a gross value between Rs 1,944
income. Introduction and promotion of grain and Rs 13,916 in Kolli Hills and from Rs 592 to
processing technology is part of the value Rs 9,880 in Kundra. Only women members of
addition process. Conservation of local land 19 HHs in Kolli Hills, who were trained during
races of NUS, expansion of local genetic base the first phase of this project, knew about value
with introduction of new varieties, farmer addition of millet and use this approach for
participatory selection of varieties, empowering income generation. The millets contribute on
in quality seed production of varieties, an average 30 – 60 % of the daily food grain
participatory evaluation of NUS-based intake in the villages in Kundra block, while

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about 42 % of the HHs surveyed in Kolli Hills intercrops and better management with
reported consumption of millets. Some of the weeding, interculture and top dressing. Cost
very poor HHs reported cent percent benefit analysis of these practices was
dependence on millets. Based on the Planning conducted to demonstrate the income
Commission poverty level income definition, generation potential of the farmer-selected
all the HHs in Kundra and 43 % of HHs in Kolli varieties, quality seed and scientific agronomy.
Hills are below the poverty line. While the traditional practice offered Cost-
Benefit Quotient (CBQ) between 1.05 and1.47,
Income generation through sustainable
the selected seed under improved practice
increased farm productivity of NUS: In
offered the CBQ between 1.58 and 2.44.
many of the project villages farmers used millet
varieties selected under the participatory Introduction of tapioca as an industrial crop has
method. Thus farmers of Karnataka used GPU resulted largely in replacing small millets in Kolli
28, MR 1 and MR 6 of finger millet, Sukshema Hills over the last 20 years. For different
of little millet and Krishnadevaraya of Italian reasons including economic gains, farmers
millet while in Uttarakhand finger millet varieties prefer tapioca to small millets while they do
PRM 1 and PRM 9802 were used. Seeds of value their long tradition in consuming these
these varieties were distributed to many millets.
farmers in all the villages for cultivation
With the increasing availability of rice through
following improved and traditional methods.
PDS and drudgery associated with the
Participatory Variety Selection (PVS) deploying
traditional processing of millet grains, there is
30 varieties of finger, little and Italian millets in
a decreasing trend in the local consumption of
Kolli Hills and 22 varieties of finger millet in
the grain produced. A plan to promote
Kundra was performed. From these varieties
cultivation of millets without displacing tapioca
farmers shortlisted HR-911, PR-202, GPU-45,
has been started for the first time with the
INDAF-9, MR1 and MR6 among finger millet
introduction of early maturing finger millet as
varieties, OLM 203 and Kattavetti samai among
an intercrop with tapioca. First year results on
little millet varieties and Perunthinai among
such trials showed the possibility for co-
Italian millet varieties. Seeds of the varieties
production of about 750 kg of finger millet grain/
which received high selection ranking from
ha under such intercrop without influencing the
farmers were multiplied during off season.
tapioca yield. It also provided one ton additional
Similarly, participatory evaluation of improved
quantity of dry fodder for cattle.
agronomic and traditional practices was
conducted in selected farmers’ fields in all the Organic farming is followed by default by the
villages. The improved practice advocated farmers in Kolli Hills and the hills of Tehri
varieties with higher yield potential, their Garhwal. However, chemical fertilisers are
planting in rows rather than by broadcast, used for tapioca cultivation in Kolli Hills and
choosing appropriate row ratio for different vegetable cultivation in Tehri Garhwal region.

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FOOD SECURITY
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Organic production of small millets and grain the grain, apart from generating substantial
amaranth is being promoted in the project income from the additional employment
villages of Tehri Garhwal with training and generated. The products are being marketed
capacity building on production of organic in the local and urban markets under different
inputs and application. brands and appropriate labeling.

Enhancement of human and social capital Assessment of nutritional values of NUS

to manage NUS and derive benefits from and development of strategies for
their use: SHGs and farmers’ clubs are enhanced use of NUS in nutrition
important institutional mechanisms being used programmes: A study was conducted at the
for advocacy and promotion of activities such Rural Home Science College of UAS Dharwad
as conservation of local landraces in village on the protein availability in millet diets and
seed banks, organising farm women and men changes in the polyphenol associated
in participatory variety selection and improved antioxidant activity in millets during processing
farming methods, quality seed production, and and cooking. One serving of enriched millet
capacity building on value addition, product breakfast foods costing between Rs 2 and 6 is
development and their marketing. The found providing around 6.0 to 16.0 g protein
technologies for millet value addition are and 220-585 calories. The polyphenol content
sourced from the Rural Home Science of millets ranged between 148.5 and 653.5 mg/
Colleges of UAS Bangalore and Dharwad. 100 g and the highest polyphenol was recorded
These institutions also help in building the in brown finger millet. Milling and cooking
capacity of farm women and men on value reduced the polyphenol content with highest
addition and packaging in project villages. reduction effected by milling. Traditional
CFTRI is being requested to provide the badly Karnataka food preparations like finger millet
needed machinery for de-husking and mudde and navane rice enriched with
polishing the little, Italian and barnyard millets fenugreek seeds, pepper powder, vegetables
and automised finger millet malting unit. The and green gram helped in significantly
Mc Gill University, Canada kindly extended enhancing the polyphenol content. Methanol
financial support to supply eight de-stoning and extracts from the whole grain foxtail millet,
milling machines in the project villages in Kolli decorticated grain and enriched rice i.e.,
Hills, BR Hills and Kolar. Important products bisibelebath were evaluated for antioxidant
being developed and marketed are malt, activity. The antioxidant activity of Italian millet
chakkli from finger millet, laddu from finger and grain estimated by DPPH method was 11.3 %
Italian millets, papad, nippattu and tengulu from and this was reduced by decortications.
little millet, rice and semolina (rava) from little However, enrichment of Italian millet rice with
and Italian millets. Among these, finger millet traditional antioxidant rich ingredients
malt is the most cost-effective product, fetching enhanced the antioxidant activity up to
at least eight-fold higher income than that from 68.7 %.

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Intervention feeding for long term using consumption, and traditional recipes followed
breakfast foods based on Italian, little and in different regions to document the linkage
finger millets was conducted in UAS Dharwad between the cultural diversity and genetic
for assessing the acceptability and measuring diversity. Conservation of NUS resource base
the nutritional impact on thirty-four farm women in project villages has been achieved by
labourers and thirty adolescent school girls. leveraging women SHGs and establishing
Eighteen standardised breakfast food items of Village Seed Banks. Farmer participatory
millet providing one-third RDA of energy and quality seed production, storage and
protein were fed for a period of three months. distribution were linked to these seed banks.
Nutritional status was assessed through The three University-based project partners
anthropometric measurements, biochemical organised several field level awareness and
estimation of Hb, blood pressure and 24 hr training programmes on NUS including
dietary recall method and physical fitness. telecasts on DD channel (Kannada) to highlight
Results indicated acceptance of all breakfast the important features of small millets, their
foods, although 5 % of subjects were reluctant improved cultivation practices and their varied
to accept the food for a long period. Post- value added products. Enthused during an
feeding assessment indicated no significant awareness programme on millets organised
change in BMI, B.P. and also physical fitness by the UAS, Dharwad, the Member of
among the labourers, whereas there was an Parliament from Dharwad South constituency,
improvement in physical fitness of the offered Rs 2 lakhs assistance from MP’s
adolescent girls. Finger millet malt was highly special fund to a SHG for construction of a
acceptable to the girls. Regular consumption building to house millet value addition activities.
of millet as breakfast food showed an In Uttarakhand, there has been success in
incremental change at 0.5 %, 3.4 %, 15.4 % incorporating small millets in the Anganwadi
and 37.28 % in height, weight, Hb level and feeding programme. Another important goal of
PFI, respectively. this project is to win over policy makers for
introducing millets in the mid-day meal
Improvement of availability, knowledge and
programme in the schools of selected regions.
maintenance of NUS resource base:
Building on work done during the previous Exploring the role of rural tourism in
phase, more emphasis was placed on the promoting NUS: Activity related to this role is
generation of greater awareness among farm confined to the project villages in Uttarakhand.
families on the nutritional benefits of small In the context of a decision by the Uttarakhand
millets, quality seed multiplication of new and Government to introduce grain amaranth and
traditional varieties for enhancing variety small millets as part of ‘prasadam’ in the four
diversity in the project villages, compilation of famous spiritual sites of the State, namely,
Indigenous Knowledge (IK) associated with Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri,
millet cultivation, conservation and efforts are being made to introduce recipes

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FOOD SECURITY
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from these crops in the menu of Garhwal millets were made in national channels such
Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) and Kumaon as DD, ETV and TV 100.
Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN), two premier
tourism agencies of the State. The help of
media is also being sought to promote this goal. Sub Programme Area 502
Promotion of better policies and legal
Ford Foundation Chair on Women
frameworks for the sustainable and
equitable use of NUS: Generation of a sound and Sustainable Food Security
database on millets, its role and potential as a
The aims of the Chair have been to undertake
critical supplementary grain for nutritional and
research work related to the concerns of
food security of communities inhabiting
women in getting equitable access to food,
inconvenient locales and facilitating appropriate
drinking water, resources, livelihoods, and
policy and legal framework on developing seed
healthcare, using both primary and secondary
systems, possible support price, inclusion in
sources; disseminate research findings and
school feeding and public distribution
conduct workshops and seminars to promote
programmes and promoting dietary systems,
better understanding on women and food
are important components of the project goal.
security and stimulate debate
To meet this end, the project endeavours to
influence policy makers with awareness The Program Advisory Committee of the Chair
programmes and demonstrations of the met in April 2007 and gave suggestions.
strengths of the NUS. The Minister of
Agriculture, Uttarakhand, participated in During 2007-08, the draft of a book – ‘Bearing
‘Farmers’ Fair’ in Ranichauri, where he was the Brunt – Adverse Impact of Rural Distress
apprised of the project activities, the nutritional on Women’ was completed and submitted to
advantages of these grains and given a taste SAGE Publications. The book attempts to
of the novel food items prepared from them. examine the impact on women’s wellbeing in
rural India against the backdrop of growing
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) agrarian distress. The first chapter gives
produced a thirty minute documentary on the evidence of deteriorating rural livelihood
millet revival programme being undertaken by opportunities to support the thesis of spreading
MSSRF in Kolli Hills under the title “Forgotten rural distress at the turn of the century. The
Fruit”. This documentary was repeatedly last chapter computes the gender gap Index
telecast in February 2008 under its Earth for all India and across the states for rural
Report programme. It was also screened at populations to examine the areas of concern,
the Eighth Conference of Parties of the where the gap is widening. The four chapters
Convention on Biological Diversity recently held in the middle deal with various concerns of
at Bonn, Germany. Other telecasts on small women in food production, natural resource

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conservation, livelihood access and nutrition reason and help if the child is willing to study.
and health outcomes. Following talks with Sai Ashram, a residential
home for orphan boys in Nagpur, four diligent
The report of the workshop on Gender
boys in the 10-12 age group, who are doing
Concerns in Food Security organized in
well in their studies and are currently covered
February 2007 was complied and widely
under the programme, have been
circulated.
recommended for admission there with the
As part of advocacy and dissemination, the consent of their mothers. The home run by Shri
Chair delivered lectures at various forums. Datta Meghe, MP, takes care of the children’s
These are highlighted in the section on education and development upto class XII and
participation in conferences and workshops. equips them for a trade/livelihood. It can
accommodate upto 50 children and is currently
housing 46, leaving room for four more.
Sub Programme Area 503
Children who completed X and XII standards
Initiatives in Vidarbha in 2007, were felicitated at a programme in
October. Older children who stopped studying
Work in Vidarbha picked up momentum during
after they failed in class X or XII and dropouts,
the year. The VRC-VKC network in the region
are to be addressed in terms of putting them
expanded during the year and is reported under
on some vocation-based training programme
SPA 601. The Education Support Programme
for acquiring additional income earning skills.
was consolidated and an initiative for women
They are mostly engaged in farming and are
farmers was launched during the latter part of
currently being included in training
the year.
programmes organised for the mothers. Three
503.1 Education Support Programme for of them were also sent as part of the group of
Children of Families Affected by Farmers’ fourteen farmers on a week’s exposure trip to
Suicides Coimbatore to learn about cotton cultivation
practices, sponsored by the South India Cotton
Seventy nine children from 39 families spread Association (SICA).
across the 8 blocks of Wardha district are being
supported under the Programme from Primary Following a meeting with the affected families,
to High School level. The coordination is being chaired by Prof Swaminathan and organised
done by field staff under the guidance of a by the Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti at
local committee of committed individuals. Pandarkhauda in Yavatmal district in October
Monitoring is done by staff through periodic 2007, it was decided to extend the programme
house visits and follow-up where needed; for to affected families with school-going children
instance in cases where a child suddenly drops in the district. Yavatmal being a much larger
out of school, efforts are made to find out the district, this will have to be done in phases.

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FOOD SECURITY
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The programme was formally launched in The women participated in “Technology

Ralegaon tehsil in May. The mothers with Demonstration and Linkage Programme for
school going children from families where a Women Farmers on Profitable Cotton Farming
parent had committed suicide between 2003 and other Livelihood Opportunities”, organised
and 2007 were called to a meeting on 17 May by Community Polytechnic and College of
2008, and the programme was explained to Agriculture, Wardha on 2-3 January 2008.
them. There are about 25 families with 47 Various technologies like bee-keeping,
children who will be covered. One family of vermicompost and vermiwash manufacture,
three brothers came with their uncle. Their solar drying of vegetables, soya products and
mother had died earlier and the father had pulse processing mill, were demonstrated at
committed suicide in 2006, leaving them the venue.
orphaned.
Training in Sustainable Farming under
No-frill accounts are being opened in the Rainfed Agriculture
names of the mothers and children at SBI
Ralegaon. If the mother is also not alive, the As part of the skill training for women farmers,
guardian with whom the child is staying will be training in sustainable agriculture under rainfed
the joint account holder. The tri-annual conditions was organised in technical
instalments will be deposited in the accounts, collaboration with Chetana Vikas, a local NGO.
commencing from the current school year. On 1 and 2 February 2008, an exposure cum
demonstration programme was organised at
503.2 Mahila Kisan Sasakthikaran the Chetana Vikas Farm. 26 women and four
Pariyojana (Women Farmers’ of the older children of farmers who had
Empowerment Initiative) committed suicide, participated. The subjects
included NRM, soil and water management
The Education Support Programme has been
techniques, multiple cropping systems
an entry point to get to know the mothers. Most
(season-wise) under dryland farming
of them are young, and engaged in farming;
conditions; self-reliant (swawlambi) agriculture;
some have land in their name; many work as
equipment and tools required for the
farm labour.
technology, inter-cropping of companion crops;
Following meetings in Sept – Oct 2007 (see fruit farming; kitchen garden; formation of
SPA 606), an initiative for women farmers, SHGs and micro-enterprise activity.
Mahila Kisan Sasakthikaran Pariyojana has
Chetna Vikas listed areas in which they could
been launched. A Technical Support
offer training for farmers to adopt practices for
Consortium of agencies for technical support
(agricultural university, research institutions, sustainable agriculture and the participants
finance and marketing support) has been were asked to list their priorities. Those who
formed. opted for training in sustainable agriculture

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practices were then called for the second Soybean based Farming System
phase of training on 8 and 9, April which
A Consultation on ‘Soybean cum Livestock
comprised a one-day visit to see soil and water
based Farming System Approach for Work and
conservation and management on farmers’
Income Security in Vidarbha’ was organised in
fields and interact with the farmers on their
Nagpur on 10 May 2008. Six women farmers
experience after adopting the methodology.
participated in the meeting and spoke of the
About fifteen persons participated. Following
problems being faced by them in soybean
this, ten came forward for the third phase of
cultivation. A detailed report of the consultation
intensive training from 15-17 April that covered
is given in SPA 606 under conferences and
all aspects of the model from soil health and
workshops.
water management on the farm, to seed
treatment, crop selection and cultivation under Formation of Mahila Kisan Samitis
the multiple cropping model, spacing, and
Starting with the widows of farmers who had
insect and pest management. Seven of them
committed suicide, the attempt is now to bring
volunteered to have their land treated for
more women farmers into the fold and give
contour bunding and follow the steps
them an identity as women farmers and enable
prescribed in full. Of them, finally six got the
them to access their entitlements, undergo
work done and have been given seeds for
need-based trainings, hone their skills as well
sowing and are being guided.
as acquire new ones that will be of use. To this
Exposure Trip to Coimbatore end, clusters of women farmers are being
formed in the villages. Women farmers who
Fourteen men and women farmers from
have title to land either singly or jointly are
Vidarbha (6 women and 8 men) visited
eligible to become members. The first such
Coimbatore from 16 to 21 February 2008 to
Samiti, Jagrut Mahila Shetkari Samiti was
learn about cotton farming practices. The group
formed with ten members in Talegam village
included three widows and four sons of farmers
who had committed suicide. The trip was of Wardha block on 14 May. The members after
sponsored by SICA and Super Spinning Mills. discussion decided to have a membership fee
During the six days there, the farmers were of Rs 50 and an annual subscription of
taken to farms of SICA, Super Spinning Mills, Rs 50. A second Samiti has been formed in
TNAU and CICR, to see standing cotton crop Neri village, Wardha block and a third in
in the field and discuss with experts on Wabgaon, Deoli block; discussions are on in
cultivation methods, seed production and other villages as well. Bank accounts will be
proper seed selection; they also had opened for each of the Samitis and proper
discussions with farmers and visited a ginning record books maintained. The objective is to
and pressing mill. Follow-up activities are being form a Federation of Mahila Kisans in the
explored. region, over a period of time.

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503.3 Financial Inclusion declare Wardha district, a financially inclusive

district on 2 October 2008. This will mark the
MSSRF continued to coordinate with the banks
completion of the first phase of every
operating in Wardha district to bring the entire
population under the formal banking system household in the district having a bank account.
and make the district 100 % financially The next step will be to make them aware of
inclusive. State Bank of India is coordinating and enable them to access other schemes of
the effort among all banks and it is targeted to the banks.

141
Programme Area 600

Information, Education and Communication

NVA has so far set up 17 VRCs and 96 VKCs. A 9 - point charter has been
proposed for Mahila Kisans. Mission 2007 has been rechristened Grameen
Gyan Abhiyan. Knowledge-on-Wheels and Fisher Friend Mobile Application
benefited a number of farming and fishing families. Several conferences and
meetings were organised.

601 Jamsetji Tata National Virtual Academy for Rural Prosperity ...................................... 143

602 Uttara Devi Resource Centre for Gender and Development. ...................................... 151

603 The Hindu Media Resource Centre. ........................................................................... 153

604 Every Child a Scientist Programme ............................................................................ 156

605 Library and Information Services. ............................................................................... 159

606 Conferences and Workshops. .................................................................................... 159

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INFORMATION, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION
○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○○ ○ ○

Knowledge Movement – Mission 2007: Every

Sub Programme Area 601 Village a Knowledge Centre).

Jamsetji Tata National Virtual Three tier network - NVA

Academy for Rural Prosperity NVA has a three-tier knowledge network.

Informatics Division, Chennai (National Level
Since 1992, the Informatics Division of MSSRF Hub) has been connecting several data
has been establishing Village Resource generators and data providers (universities,
Centres (VRCs) and Village Knowledge experts, financial institutions, corporate sector,
Centres (VKCs). In 2003, the VRC and VKC
technocrats,NGOs, grassroots academicians,
programmes were further strengthened by
etc.) focussing primarily on content and
creating the Jamsetji Tata National Virtual
capacity building. It has been connecting with
Academy for Rural Prosperity (NVA) and
VRCs (block level hub) through Indian
establishing collaboration with several
Space Research Organization (ISRO)
international and national partners for
uplink / downlink satellites and transfering the
developing content and undertaking capacity
knowledge / information to VRCs and vice-
building efforts for sustainable rural
versa. From the VRCs, locale-specific, demand
development.
driven content is being disseminated through
The main aim of the programme is to empower VKCs / Community Technology Learning
the vulnerable rural communities to make Centres (CTLCs).
better choices and achieve better control of
their own development and build the skills and Through systematic collection of secondary
capacities of the rural poor with a view to data and well-planned need assessment,
enhancing livelihood opportunities. The VRC/ VRCs/VKCs/CTLCs develop locale-specific
VKC programme brings together the experts demand-driven content, organise training and
and grassroots level communities in a two-way awareness programmes and make linkages
communication with the objective that with appropriate organisations for transforming
knowledge should reach every home and hut. the content into action / application.

NVA is an umbrella for different ICT-enabled As of now, NVA has set up 17 VRCs and 96
development activities of MSSRF such as the VKCs (in TN, Puducherry, Maharashtra, AP,
intranet / internet network, VRCs and Orissa, Kerala and Rajasthan) with the help of
Knowledge on Wheels, ICT-based curricula for different philanthropic organisations. From May
rural youth (both women and men) and 2007 to May 2008, NVA set up 8 VRCs and 37
children, Jamsetji Tata Training School for VKCs in TN, Maharashtra, Orissa, AP and
Leadership in Rural Knowledge Connectivity Kerala. A VRC is normally located at the block
(JTS) and Grameen Gyan Abhiyan (Rural level or at the centre of a cluster of villages.

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Knowledge Workers VRCs continuously debate updating the need-

based dynamic and static information that the
NVA has been selecting knowledge workers
people may need. Particular attention is given
with the help of local partners for maintaining
to making the information content simple and
the VKCs. It has been continuously imparting
easy to understand and to disseminating the
training to knowledge workers on various
same to the community in a practical manner.
aspects such as the concept of VKC,
They also collect local information pertaining
methodology of collection and dissemination
to the day-to-day life of the people.
of need-based content, managing users and
visitors, maintaining the user register, bill books VRCs / VKCs establish links with a number of
and other records pertaining to the VKC, institutions, organisations, experts and
building rapport with users and community government departments regarding the
members, gender concerns and basic content, addresses and linkages of other
hardware and software. VRCs conduct quiz related institutions and capacity building
programmes for Knowledge Workers (KWs) programmes. These links are in the form of
based on the content in VKCs. Some of the VRC level meetings, face-to-face in their
KWs have developed training material related institutions or in the fields, besides email or
to VKC management based on their field telephone.
experience and VRC training. The coordinators
Through these links VRCs / VKCs are able to
of NVA conducted general management
help the rural community in availing of several
training programmes for KWs in several places
government schemes / services, such as the
such as Jeypore, Kalpetta, Annavasal,
centrally sponsored scheme “Strengthening
Thiruvaiyaru, Chidambaram, Nagerkovil and
Infrastructure for Quality & Clean Milk
Puducherry.
Production” during the 10th Plan Period and the
The VRC technical staff is providing basic NETFISH programme for addressing the
hardware and software training to KWs to extension requirements of the fisher folk of
ensure effective system maintenance at VKC coastal states.
level. VRC technical staff is also preparing
VRCs collect and generate demand driven
several technical manuals based on the
locale-specific content based on seasonal
problems faced by the VKCs.
queries related to agriculture, fisheries, health,
Content and Linkages etc., community newspaper readers, user
register analysis, findings from village profile,
Creating and updating relevant content to suit
thematic segregation, need based user
local needs is a key factor in the programme.
meetings, employment news from local
The information provided is time and locale-
companies, and area specific target groups.
specific, demand-driven and relevant to the
day-to-day life and work of rural women The VRCs have produced a number of
and men. dissemination materials in the form of

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questions and answers, pamphlets, web page, seminar “Three years after Tsunami: a new life
PowerPoint, word format, flash cards, dialogue for fisher communities” at MSSRF, Chennai,
mode, audio and video format. The VRCs also and officially launched the FFMA by distributing
use the readily available information from 40 mobile phones to the fisherfolk of
various organisations and government Puducherry, Chidambaram, Nagapattinam,
departments, combination of scientific inputs Manamelkudi, Vembar, Thangachimadam and
and local terms, season based advisories Nagerkovil. The recipients were the socially
based on the needs assessment, local experts, and economically marginalised members of the
advisories / suggestions, historical background community.
of local villages, environmental protection,
value addition for extension departments and On the basis of the feedback from the users,
reliant web based material. the project partners are in the process of
making modifications in the FFMA.
Dissemination
Content Dissemination through All India
VRCs are using both modern (mobile phone, Radio (AIR)
Very High Frequency-VHF, WiFi and satellite
based video conferencing, off line CDs for both Under the IDRC-CIDA Tsunami project, NVA
audio and video, telephone – both landline and disseminates audio content through AIR. This
WLL, wired and wireless public address is a 52-week programme from 19 November
system, KYAN-PC (consisting of PC, Projector, 2007 to 10 November 2008 relayed every
TV tuner card, DVD player, amplified speakers Monday between 18:45 and 19:00 hrs. on
and modem), and traditional methods Chennai “A” – medium wave 416.7 m 720 khz,
(community newspaper in vernacular language and also on short wave 60.08 4920 KHz.
for each VRC, pamphlets, notice boards, The topics enclude VRC/VKC concept and
pictorial based exhibitions etc.) to spread
activities, Integrated Coastal Zone
relevant knowledge to the community. The
Management, micro-enterprises, climate
community newspaper has been reaching 591
change in the context of rural development,
villages and 605 organisations.
and government schemes.
Fisher Friend Mobile Application (FFMA) Advisories through Video Conferencing
Overcoming a major obstacle in the dissemi-
As mentioned, all the VRCs are connected with
nation of information to rural areas,
the NVA of MSSRF through ISRO uplink and
QUALCCOMM, MSSRF, Astute Systems and
downlink satellites.
Tata Teleservices have developed an
application for fishermen with up-to-date In addition to daily advisories and clarifications,
relevant information through the mobile phone. several thematic video conferencing
On 26th December 2007, MSSRF organised a programmes related to farming, health and

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enterprise management were organised with In the micro-enterprises sector, programmes

the help of expert institutions and development such as screen printing, honey bee rearing,
workers. craft training, ceramic painting, artefacts made
from bamboo, preparation of phenol and soap
Training / Awareness Programmes
oil, fish and prawn pickle preparation, incense
NVA regularly conducts awareness and stick preparation, washing powder preparation,
capacity building training programmes for entrepreneurship development for SHGs,
converting knowledge into action. From May value added fisheries products (40 types),
2007 to May 2008, the VRCs / VKCs conducted neem seed collection, tailoring were
206 training / awareness programmes in TN, conducted.
Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa and Puducherry.
In the animal husbandry sector, programmes
11,252 (M:5,684; F:4,983) persons participated
such as fodder management, concept of co-
in these training / awareness programmes.
operative dairy, livestock camps, livestock
Several programmes in the agriculture sector, management – diseases and prevention
fisheries sector, micro-enterprises sector, methods, feed materials, clean milk production
health sector, environmental sector and animal and quality milk procurement, goat rearing
husbandry sector were conducted. were conducted.

In the agriculture sector, programmes such as In the health sector, programmes such as
sunflower plantation, kitchen garden, seed awareness on HIV/AIDs, chikungunya,
collection, ginger and turmeric cultivation, tuberculosis, general health camps, health
friendly insects of cotton, management of weed camps for pregnant women, women’s
and preparation of compost from weed, organic reproductive health issues, diseases caused
farming, system of rice intensification, jasmine by mosquitoes, tobacco eradication awareness
cultivation, gingelly cultivation, paddy crop were conducted.
management during flood, orange In the environmental sector, programmes such
management, oyster mushroom cultivation, as sea turtle conservation, integrated coastal
vermicompost, coconut farming, azolla zone management, were conducted.
cultivation, usage of biofertiliser, tuber
cultivation, application of Trichoderma and Under the dissemination of government
Pseudomonas were conducted. schemes / entitlements sector, details of
various schemes under child and welfare
In the fisheries sector, programmes such as department, availability of various training
GPS handling and using navigational map for programmes in agricultural schemes of
fishing, hygienic handling of marine fishing banks, self-employment schemes, Right to
products, fish quality management and Information Act and legal literacy, were
sustainable fishing were conducted. covered.

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Programmes on maintaining SHG accounts, community newspaper, running eye camps and
SHG credit links with financial institutions, training and awareness programmes.
savings and credit management, discussion
This year VRCs developed several MUPP
with panchayat leaders regarding various
course modules (in PPT) in vernacular
schemes and career guidance were also
conducted. languages (Tamil and Marathi). The modules
include computer fundamentals, web
ICT-based Curricula: designing, Word, Excel, Powerpoint and
Microsoft Unlimited Potential Programme Access.
(MUPP) Curriculum: VRCs and VKCs
In the last year, 6,677 trainees have enrolled
conduct the Microsoft Unlimited Potential
in the MUPP and 1,158 passed the final
Programme (MUPP). The curriculum covers
examination. This programme covers 624
fundamental aspects such as Computer
villages in TN, Puducherry, Maharashtra and
operation, Digital Media, Internet and World
Orissa.
Wide Web, Web Design, Word Processing,
Presentation, Database and Spreadsheet. Computer Aided Learning Programme
The target audiences for this course are SHG (CALP): In cooperation with the Azim Premji
members, women and men from the farming Foundation, NVA initiated the Computer Aided
and fishing communities, unemployed youth, Learning Programme in VRCs and VKCs. The
school teachers, employers from various target groups for this programme are children
organizations and school children. Before in the age group of 6-13 years in classes I to
attending the final MUPP curriculum VIII. Under this programme the VRCs and
examination, each trainee spends 60 hrs on VKCs are using 62 interactive CDs.
hands on training and 60 hrs on theory.
VRCs and VKCs are disseminating information
Sometimes the rural trainees spend more than
about this programme through KWs and school
180 hrs to complete this course. They also
activities, VKC users, and meetings at the
attend two model examinations. The
successful candidates are given certificates. village level. Previously VKCs used to have
separate sessions to suit “Sarva Shiksha
VRCs and VKCs also hold exposure meetings Abhyan” students. Now both “Sarva Shiksha
for students, rural youth and women, along with Abhyan” and others attend the same sessions
education institutions and private consultancy in the evening. VRCs also conduct pre and post
groups. Some of the trainers disseminate evaluation tests for students before and after
information on health, agriculture and livestock, the use of each CD.
to the rural community. Some of the trainees
have been consistently helping in the VRC and This year NVA covered 268 schools and 5,896
VKC activities such as distribution of the students participated in this programme.

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Intel Learn Programme: Intel Learn Crop Cultivation Practices, Integrated Pest
Programme includes three aspects, namely Management, Post Harvest Technologies, etc.
technology literacy, critical thinking and This van now provides services to the Cauvery
collaboration. Technology literacy involves the Delta farmers.
ability to use technology such as computers to In Vidarbha, with the help of the College of
communicate, solve problems, and collect, Agriculture, Amravati and Indian Farmers
organise, and share information. Critical Fertilizer Co-operative Limited’s (IFFCO) soil
thinking involves problem solving. vans, more than 350 farmers in Jasapur,
Collaboration involves teamwork – working with Bodad and Lonswali villages got soil health
one or more people to complete a task. Under cards. This is a continuing activity.
this programme students produced 34 projects,
PAN-MSSRF Training programmes
covering topics such as rain water harvesting,
disasters, problems of their community and the NVA is working with Coastal Systems
future of the community. During the year, 364 Research and Biodiversity Programme Areas
students from 37 schools participated in this for setting up VRCs and VKCs as a PAN-
MSSRF project in TN, AP and Kerala. This
programme.
year, several workshops on monitoring,
Knowledge on Wheels evaluation and capacity building were
conducted to improve the capacity building of
On 7 August 2007, NVA launched a new
project staff and partners.
programme called “Knowledge on Wheels”. On
29 December 2006, NVA and Sankara 6-8 September 2007, Workshop on
Nethralaya Medical Research Foundation Monitoring and Evaluation System for the
signed a Memorandum of Understanding to NGO partners of IDRC-CIDA Tsunami
provide eye care facilities and eye care project, Thangachimadam VRC
awareness using a van for this purpose.
20-22 September 2007, Training in
In March 2008, Sankara Nethralaya opened developing Logical Framework Approach
another surgery unit at Rameswaram for this for VRC and VKC activities, MSSRF,
purpose. So far 12,708 patients have been Chennai
screened from 381 villages (TN, Puducherry 18-22 January 2008, GIS based community
and Maharashtra). 197 camps were needs assessment training, Thachampathu
conducted. VKC, Wayanad

With the help of HP and ISRO, NVA has now 15-17 May 2008, Orientation on
been strengthened with a soil and water testing Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation for
mobile van that helps to test soil parameters. the NGO Partners & Community members
With this facility, NVA plans to show a few of IDRC-CIDA Tsunami Project,
documentaries on Soil Nutrient Management, Thangachimadam VRC

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19-21 May 2008, Training on Gender of researchers, academic institutions and

Sensitisation for the staff of IDRC-CIDA policy makers have studied the VRC and VKC
Tsunami Project, Olaikuda, Rameswaram activities and compared them with other
entrepreneurship models such as n-Logue,
Digital Library
government initiatives (e-seva) and corporate
NVA is developing a digital library which models (ITC e-Choupal).
contains the photographs of the activities of
From January 2007 to March 2008, apart from
VRCs and VKCs such as knowledge workers
trainess, 27,907 one time users and 14,703
training, ICT-based educational programmes
repeated users (more than two times) visited
and Knowledge on Wheels.
the VRCs and VKCs.
Several events, such as Virtual Congresses,
Grameen Gyan Abhiyan (GGA – Rural
MUPP—NGO partners’ meet, mud crab
Knowledge Movement)
farming, and diet for women have also been
documented in the form of video tapes. In 2004, MSSRF initiated steps to extend the
VKC concept to different parts of the country
Monitoring and Evaluation in the form of multi-stake holder partnerships
NVA is systematically monitoring its activities called “Mission 2007: Every Village a
through an evaluation framework. Data Knowledge Centre”. By 2005 this network
collection and compilation plans are prepared consisted of more than 200 partners and was
on the basis of indicators developed for various getting support from both national (including
programmes of the NVA. The collected data government) and international agencies. Since
are periodically analysed using SPSS package early August 2007 this network / movement is
and communicated to all the stakeholders to being referred to as Grameen Gyan Abhiyan
take appropriate decisions and make future Rural Knowledge Movement (See SPA 606).
plans. GGA is a multi-stakeholder partnership,
In addition, NVA also conducts periodical facilitating national and regional events related
internal reviews with the VRC staff to make to ICT-enabled rural development activities.
necessary midcourse corrections wherever Some of the GGA partners are testing different
necessary. Documenting the outcome of technologies and developing applications for
VRCs and VKCs. Academics, the corporate
various activities of the NVA using case study
sector and policy makers use this platform for
and other qualitative and quantitative methods
knowledge and technological empowerment.
is a continuous process and helps to identify
the changes among rural communities. The The major role of the Grameen Gyan Abhiyan
documented outcomes are shared among the movement is to establish a link between
partners in the form of publications. A number scientific know-how and field level do-how.

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Rural Innovation Fund (RIF) received. The committee short listed the
applications. Telecentre.org and Microsoft allot
As envisaged by Mission 2007, one of the
the resources and provide necessary guidance
major obstacles in the emergence of “Rural
to select 5 RIF’s award winners. GGA
Knowledge Societies” across India is the lack
secretariat monitors the entire programme and
of cost-effective and adaptive technologies that
the award winners will bring and develop
can address area-specific needs and demands
submiting their software applications to the
and can function effectively in varied rural
GGA secretariat.
environments. It necessitates “innovation” of
new technologies and “adaptation” of existing NVA Fellows
ones in such a way that they operate efficiently
On 1 August 2007, NVA conducted its 5th
under prevalent rural constraints and
convocation for newly elected NVA Fellows at
conditions. To address this problem Microsoft
IGNOU, New Delhi. 527 Fellows (M:329,
and Telecenter.org (a collaborative initiative of
F:198) from 19 states (AP, Assam,
Microsoft, IDRC, Canada and the SDC have
Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand,
constituted this Fund.
Karnataka, Kashmir, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh,
In July 2007, the Secretariat of Mission 2007 Maharashtra, Orissa, Puducherry, Punjab,
invited applications through email from those Rajasthan, TN, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand
working towards developing innovative and West Bengal) and 25 International Fellows
applications / solutions / content / services in (M:22, F:3) from 6 countries (Afghanistan,
any of the following areas. Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Philippines and Sri
Lanka) were present.
Enhancing livelihood and agriculture
practice On 31 July 2007, NVA organized a one-day
orientation programme on cultural topics of
Education & literacy
practical relevance with the help of several
Rural Health & telemedicine schools Indira Gandhi National Open University
E-Commerce (IGNOU).

Local content management applications & On 30-31 July 2007, NVA conducted the 5th
village level administration tools National Participatory Knowledge Management
Workshop at the National Academy of
Disaster preparedness & management
Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi and Indira
The Fund only supports project costs, and not Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi
recruitment, core organisational costs and for newly elected NVA Fellows. On 18-19
recurrent needs. The official representatives December 2007 NVA conducted participatory
of the sponsors served as selection committee knowledge management workshop for AP
members. More than 1,400 applications were Fellows at Adult Education Department

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Training Hall, Guntur, AP in collaboration with Firewall and ISA Server (Internet provider for
the Adult Education Department, Guntur and VRCs), controlling the SPAM mails, email
21-22 December 2007 at Adult Education back-up facility, maintaining the satellite-based
Department Training Hall, Medak, AP. NVA has connectivity between MSSRF, Chennai and the
developed a video film on “Journey from VKCs VRCs and VKC network, and intranet network
to NVA and the objective of NVA Fellow” in three of more than 120 computers and 60 printers.
languages, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. This year, the internet connection was
upgraded from 512 kbps (1:4) to 512 kbps
Four Soil Health Management (16-18 October
dedicated line (1:1). E-print server was set up
2007, 24-26 November 2007, 27-29 December
for the library to publish all the MSSRF
2007 and 12-14 March 2008) training
research papers into the web- based public
workshops were held in partnership with IFFCO
domain (open access). Informatics also
in TN, Mahararashtra and AP. upgraded the Firewall from Checkpoint NG R
So far 985 Fellows have been selected from 5.5 to R 6.5, blocked certain web sites based
21 States in India (AP, Assam, Chhattisgarh, on the request of the staff, allotted direct
Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, internet access for some machines for internet-
Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, based video conferencing (SKYPE), changed
Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, manageable switches (to create segment
Orissa, Puducherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, TN, network) in a few locations of MSSRF,
Uttar Pradesh, Uttarkand and West Bengal) Chennai, from 100 Mbps to 1 GB, and installed
and 25 Fellows from 6 foreign countries. AntiSPAM Iron Port in mail gateway to filter
SPAM mails.
In August 2007, NVA brought out the second
volume of the directory of NVA Fellows (Profiles
and Core Competencies). The brief profiles of Sub Programme Area 602
the NVA Fellows outlined in this publication
reveal the wide range of competencies and
Uttara Devi Resource Centre for
expertise they represent. Despite the wide Gender and Development
diversity of their interests, the common link
During the year, the Centre coordinated the
among them is the special spirit of service that
publication of two major collections of studies:
each Fellow possesses, and the quality of
leadership to bring about rural transformation. The first - MSSRF held a Consultation in July
2007, with the support of the Department of
MSSRF’s Intranet / Internet Network
Science and Technology and FAO-RAP at
The Informatics division has been looking after Bangkok, on the theme of “Technology
the intranet / internet network and maintaining Development and Delivery Models for
six servers, namely Mail, Proxy, Domain, DNS, Sustainable Livelihoods”, involving participants

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from a wide spectrum of activities to consider presentations were made at this meeting and
how S&T could be better harnessed towards discussed by a larger peer group, and a
sustainable livelihoods and inclusive goals consolidated paper summarising and
(See SPA 606). The aim was to explore current commenting on their experiences was
systems of technology dissemination to the presented at the main Consultation in July.
resource-poor, study emerging models and
Six of the participants in the brainstorming were
delivery systems and analyse the key elements
able to write their papers in greater depth, and
that make for a successful strategy, including
these, along with an overview paper, were
use of ICT, in diverse sectors. The participants
developed into the form of a publication titled
in this consultation included representatives of “Gender and Social Inclusion for Sustainable
leading organisations in technology Livelihoods” which appeared in November,
development, NGOs who have developed 2007 and has been widely distributed.
successful models reaching out to the
resource-poor, financial institutions, Panchayat Secondly, in 2004, MSSRF organised a series
Raj institutions (PRIs) or elected local bodies, of five seminars as part of the observance of
Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs/District International Rice Year, each on different
Agricultural Science Centres), private themes and issues related to rice, and each
educational institutions, Universities and other in a different part of the country. The fourth in
stakeholders. The proceedings of this this series, which was held in Chennai in
Consultation have been published separately. September 2004, was on the theme of ‘Gender,
Rice and Food Security’. The series of papers
To focus on issues of inclusion, it was at first emphasised the vital role played by women
decided to devote one session specifically to both in rice production and in household food
this topic. But it soon became clear that this security, as well as the impact of current trends
would be inadequate for in-depth analysis and and policies on development paths and gender
discussion which could lead to an justice. Six of these papers were published in
understanding of the constraints, and possible Economic and Political Weekly (18-24, June
approaches to overcome them. So a 2005) as a Special Section.
preliminary one-day brainstorming was held, Later, when STREE came forward to develop
with the support of FAO, at the end of June these essays into a book, it was decided to
2007, on the theme of “Strategies for Gender expand the original theme from rice production
and Social Inclusion with regard to Technology to include all rural natural resource-based
and Sustainable Livelihoods” with a smaller livelihoods, and to add papers from other
group of NGOs who had worked intensively contributors. An experienced and insightful
with different categories of excluded groups in editor was needed to undertake this task of
various sectors and with different approaches, identifying and getting new contributions,
and who would be able to share their guiding the process, and editing the entire set
successful strategies for social inclusion. Eight of papers.

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Dr. Maithreyi Krishnaraj, one of the most lecture/brainstorming, these target groups are
outstanding figures in Women’s Studies in the invited to participate in the event. The events
country, was invited to accept the Visiting are structured to give scope for interaction and
Fellowship in Gender and Development for dialogue. The consistent efforts in organising
2006 and edit and prepare this volume, as well events have resulted in establishing a network
as conduct a short course on Women’s Studies among Arts, Science and Engineering colleges
during the year. The book, Gender, Food and media houses in Chennai. Twenty colleges
Security and Rural Livelihoods (STREE, were added to the network this year.
December 2007) is the outcome of her hard
Event management and impact
work.
During the year, THMRC organised 22 events
(See Table on page 156). A total of 196 media
Sub Programme Area 603
professionals visited us; 305 feature stories
The Hindu Media Resource Centre were published and 15 news stories were
telecast. Each event was attended by eight
The Hindu Media Resource Centre (THMRC) journalists on an average. Around 40 news and
disseminates information on sustainable feature stories are being published in the
agriculture and rural development, using mass national dailies, regional journals, private
media as a technological tool to reach the commercial television channels, Gyan Vani
masses. It acts as an interface between the and Community Radio Stations.
scientists and media professionals. The
Training and capacity building
activities have resulted in more space in the
media for developmental stories. Communication strategies and skills were
taught to grassroot academics of the NVA,
Communication strategies
participants from various NGOs and
To achieve the above mandate, THMRC has representatives from the farming and fishing
consistently organised media workshops, communities through the workshops organised
public fora, public lectures, media tours and at Puduchery, Sempatti (TN) and Medak (AP).
Press interactions on relevant scientific issues.
Website
Networking and partnership
The feedback from journalists, students and
All the events organised by THMRC are scientists of several institutions confirms the
targeted towards research scholars, post usefulness of the website. Media tracking
graduate students and academics, in addition confirms the increased number of publications
to the mainstream media professionals and in the newspapers and magazines using the
emerging Community Radio Stations. audio from the website. The Video Corner has
Depending on the theme of the workshop/ two films, Science and Tsunami-Two Years

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Details of activities conducted by THMRC

Media Workshops
Date Title
25 September, 2007 Nonviolence to Nature – to commemorate the International Day for
Nonviolence
26 December, 2007 Three Years after Tsunami: New Life for the Fisher Communities
11 February, 2008 The Role of ICT in management of Climate Change at the Grassroots Level-
Public Lectures
Date Title
11 August, 2007 Lecture by Mr. Pedro Medrano, Regional Director (Latin America &
Caribbean) UN World Food Programme on “Initiatives to Eradicate Chronic
Undernutrition in Latin America”
3 September, 2007 To commemorate National Nutrition Week- “Nutrition Interventions in the
Past and Present” by Dr. S. Raja Gopalan, Secretary, CRSARD
Press Interactions
Date Title
26 July, 2007 Three Day National Consultation on Technology Development Delivery
Models for Sustainable Livelihoods
14 August, 2007 Recommendations of National Nutritional Conclave
15 November, 2007 Rural Innovations Award
3-7 January, 2008 Mahila Kisan Congress, Indian Science Congress (Visakhapatnam &
Chennai)
20 February, 2008 95 th Indian Science Congress – “National Challenges Programme” - Chennai
23 February, 2008 Bio-fortified Crops – “Crops for better Nutrition”
21 April, 2008 The summary and the key decisions derived from the International Dialogue
on Community Management of Climate Change - Role of Panchayats &
Nagarpalikas
Millennium Lectures
Date Title
9 August, 2007 “Lessons from India for Africa’s Economic Development”, Prof. Jeffrey Sachs
Director, Earth Institute at Columbia University
22 August, 2007 “Globalisation of Food and Agriculture and the Poor: Driving Forces,
Consequences and Policy Implications”, Prof. Joachim Von Braun, Director
General, International Food Policy Research Institute

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25 September, 2007 “Agrarian Crisis: Causes and Concerns”, Ramon Magsaysay Award Winner,
Mr. P. Sainath, Rural Affairs Editor, The Hindu
11 February, 2008 “Global Knowledge Partnership for Meeting the Emerging Global,
Environmental and Economic Challenges”, Dr Walter Fust,
Director General, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation
Seminars
Date Title
7 August, 2007 Inauguration of an Interdisciplinary Dialogue on “Bread and Biotechnology”
16 October, 2007 To commemorate World Food Day – Food for All & Forever
28 January, 2008 Role of Media in Women Empowerment
Training Workshops
Date Title
28 & 29 September, 2007 JTS: A Virtual Workshop for the Trainers: Content Development &
Management
2 & 3 November, 2007 Workshop on Needs Assessment of Youth, Sempatti , Dindigul
18 December, 2007 Workshop on Exploring Skills and Needs of NVA Fellows – Medak and
Guntur (AP)
16 March, 2008 Workshop on Communication with Special Reference to Multimedia
Packages
Public Fora
Date Title
15 September, 2007 Coastal Zone Management, Rameswaram
26 December, 2007 Coastal Zone Management, Chennai
Discussions/Dialogues
Date Title
21 May, 2008 Panel Discussion on Green Genes and Global Warming

Later and We Shall Overcome. Both the films Media Tracking

can be downloaded into any multi media- All the news features that are published in the
enabled mobile phone. The regular monitoring newspaper/magazines are tracked and
of web hits shows that both the films are viewed available to the staff, web subscribers, media
50 times on an average per month and the professionals and online discussion groups.
overall page is viewed 500 times on an average Three hundred and five published stories are
every day. preserved for research and documentation.

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This reference material has motivated other

journalists to develop stories for their Sub Programme Area 604
newspaper/channel.
Every Child A Scientist
Concept Bank
Programme
It consists of write-ups, classified on the basis
of themes, highlighting the initiatives of This programme has been functional in
MSSRF. They are useful to the media/ Chennai since August 2002 and the target
researchers/public to get an idea before group are students belonging to the
discussions with the scientists to develop news economically challenged sections of society,
stories or research papers. These write-ups studying in Corporation schools. Activities
under the programme in Wayanad have been
are available online in THMRC.
reported under SPA 201.3. The centre in
Video Catalogue Chennai is equipped with fifteen computers and
multimedia learning material with new content
To make effective use of the 35 documentary
creation every month. With encouragement
films so far produced by THMRC, a video
from the Zonal Supervisors, the centre has
catalogue containing details about free access,
established a good rapport with Corporation
concept, format, and availability of the films was
Middle School headmasters, headmistresses,
developed. The catalogue is available online
schoolteachers, orphanage schools and
for reference. Software, which has the feature
government-aided schools in the neighbouring
of built-in audio to read the text in English, was
zones IX and X.
also developed to facilitate distribution of the
video catalogue in CDs. Students from zone IX and X participate in the
programme, in batches of 20 students for
Media relations
fifteen days from 10.00 a.m.- 4.00 p.m. Each
A database of all media professionals is batch of students is exposed to a combination
maintained and updated regularly. The details of both lectures and some practical
of online journalists have also been collected experimentation. The interactive lectures for
and used for online information sharing and the students are mostly on Biotechnology,
discussion. Biodiversity, Information Technology, Health
and Diseases, Global Warming and
Public relations and image management Greenhouse Effect, Types of Pollution and
MSSRF receives visitors from all walks of life Rain-water Harvesting. Apart from these topics,
including Government officials, delegates, students learn MS Office and fundamentals of
scientists, research scholars and students from Computers. So computers are used as tools
schools and colleges. There were nearly 1,700 to help students understand the concepts,
visitors this year. principles, and amazing facts of science. This

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year, 400 students benefited from the of touch and smell. Apart from children from
programme. Students from 11 zone schools, the blind schools, visually impaired adults from
Advent Christian Schools in Velachery and various NGOs also visit the garden. A group
Kanagam and Seva Samajam Home at of visually impaired computer trainees from
Pallipattu participated (6 schools from IX zone National Institute for Visually Handicapped,
and 5 schools from X zone). Dehradun and teacher trainees from the
All the students were encouraged to prepare institute in Poonamalle, Chennai, visited the
models, draw charts and herbaria, enact skits, garden in January 2008 and learnt about
conduct quiz, games, etc. At the end of each setting up similar gardens in their campuses.
training module, the students submitted A herbarium of about twenty touch and smell
projects on topics of their choice and garden plants was developed for children to
showcased their ideas in the form of learn about the types of plants and their
assignments, charts and models. These charts medicinal value. The herbarium gives the
and models serve as a source of information botanical classification and medicinal uses of
to subsequent batches of students. This year, the plant. A detailed explanation of touch and
additional resource materials on topics like smell garden plants is available in a CD. Some
Biodiversity, Facts on Volcanoes, Greenhouse of the students from Corporation schools
Effect, Solar System, Ozone Layer, Energy- helped to make the botanical name boards for
renewable and non-renewable, were included. the plants in the Touch and Smell Garden.
A Green School programme was organized in
Genome Clubs and Vacation Training
July 2007 and 15 schools participated (both
Programme
government and private schools). This
programme was to orient teachers to carry out The Department of Biotechnology, Govt of India,
a green audit as a self-assessment of the has set up DBT Natural Resources Awareness
environmental practices of the school through Clubs – “DNA Clubs” – in selected schools in
their students. The teachers have agreed to every State. These clubs operate as a nucleus
conduct this audit in the coming year and for a suite of activities and hands-on learning
compete for the Green School Prize. On 28 opportunities focusing on bioresources that
February, 2008, Science Day was celebrated seamlessly blend with formal course curricula.
with participation from students of both zones Regional Resource Agencies (RRAs) have
and they demonstrated their talents through been established at different locations in the
skits, quiz and experimental models. country to facilitate this activity and MSSRF
has been selected to coordinate the activity in
Touch and Smell Garden
the southern States, including Orissa. These
This garden was developed for visually clubs concentrate on hands-on training for
impaired people to experience the joy of nature children, lectures by eminent experts, field
and learn by exploration through the senses visits to national institutes engaged in

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biotechnology research and nature walks. The This year, MSSRF conducted two vacation-
clubs have been established through our training programmes in Wayanad, Kerala and
partners, namely, Shri AMM Murugappa Jeypore, Orissa. The programme in Jeypore
Chettiar Research Center (MCRC), Chennai was conducted from 5-30 May, on
(for Puducherry), Loyola Institute of Frontier Bioresources and Bio-technology. A total of
Energy, Loyola College, Chennai (for TN), 30 students (16 boys & 14 girls) from 22
schools from 13 districts of Orissa participated
Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology & Natural
in the programme. The programme had a blend
History (SACON), Coimbatore (for Andaman
of exposure visits and classroom interactive
& Nicobar Islands), The American College,
sessions. The students visited industries like
Madurai (for AP) and Ashoka Trust for
National Aluminum Company (NALCO),
Research in Ecology and the Environment
Ballarpur Paper Industry (BILT) in Koraput
(ATREE), Bangalore (for Karnataka). MSSRF
district and were exposed to the environmental
implements the programmes directly for Orissa safety precautions and measures taken by
and Kerala. these industries. During the course they were
exposed to nature trails in the highest mountain
School students need to learn the importance
peak of Orissa (Deomali- 3000 ft Msl), forest
of our environment, biodiversity, biotechnology
nurseries, propagation techniques, vegetable
and the relation of all these with everyday life. cultivation, vermicompost preparation, herbal
To create an enlightened brigade of bright, bio-valley, preparation of herbariums of
young students curious about the world around economic forest plants, sericulture and the
them and its importance, a Vacation Training process of silk production, sacred groves,
Programme on Bioresources is being carried reserve forests, millet cultivation and
out regularly since 2002. This programme is preparation of value added items. They visited
held annually for children who have appeared MITS, Rayagada and learnt basic computer
in the class X board exams. The programme application.
is of 3-4 weeks duration, fully residential and
The students also visited a village, which was
held during the summer vacations, in which
electrified under the Rural Electricity
30 children are trained. The course consists
programme by the Ministry of Non Renewable
of interactive lectures, hands-on laboratory and
Energy. They were able to see electricity
fieldwork and projects of relevance to the
generated by using wood from the forests.
students, such as the study of plants, animals They interacted with the traditional healthcare
and microbes of their area, web page designing practitioners in 3 tribal villages to document
on bioresources, simple biotechnology-based their knowledge on the use of plants and
experiments, etc. This is a unique activity that animals. Through interactive lectures they were
benefits children immensely. oriented to subjects such as biodiversity,

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cytogenetics, centre of origin of different crops Publication & Distribution Service

and mapping of plant resources. A poster (Exchange Basis)
competition was held for all the students on Newsletter and Alert Services
environmental issues and 9 environmental
games held to make them understand nature The library serves not only the in-house staff,
but also caters to the needs of users from
and the environment.
various organisations, universities, colleges,
A similar vacation training programme was held and schools. There were 880 external users
in Wayanad from 19 May – 6 June, in which during the year. Scholars from different
30 students participated. universities within India and the University of
Ottawa, University of Bristol, University of
Tokyo, Yale University, University of San
Sub Programmme Area 605 Francisco and University of Bonn, visited the
library during the year.
Library and Information Services
The library is also planning to expand the
The library strives to provide efficient intranet based Open Access Archives (OAA)
information service to the users. Currently, and Online Public Access – Catalogue (OPAC)
there are 16,723 books of which 1,100 were and make it web-based to provide access to
added during the year. In addition it also holds scholars from across the globe.
239 CDs, 126 journals, 230 newspaper
clippings for the year 2007-2008 and 2,250
back volumes of journals. The library also Sub Programme Area 606
houses reports of MSSRF, development
reports and Annual Reports of several Conferences and Workshops
organisations. Recent information downloaded Seminar on Taxonomy vis-à-vis
from the Internet on relevant topics is also Conservation, 23 May, 2007, CAbC, MSSRF,
provided to the staff. Wayanad
The following services are given to the end- A one-day seminar on Taxonomy vis-à-vis
users Conservation was organised to observe the
Tercentenary Celebration of Carl Linnaeus,
Current Awareness Service (CAS)
which was attended by 120 researchers,
Selective Dissemination of Information students and teachers. Shri H. Nagesh Prabhu,
(SDI) IFS, CEO, State Medicinal Plants Board,
delivered the keynote address on medicinal
Online Information Retrieval (E-Alerts)
plants; it was followed by a series of lectures
Reprographic Services (Photocopying) by experts on biodiversity. The event was

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sponsored by Investing in Nature (IIN), NBRI alliance members for promoting self-
and Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, Mumbai. sustaining, self-replicable and self-generative
Village Knowledge Centres. The involvement
Capacity building workshop for Panchayat
of a wide range of stakeholders in the alliance
and community leaders, farmers and other
provides us with opportunities to study and
workers on the recent legislations
understand the structures and functions of
pertaining to Biological Diversity and
different types (Community, Entrepreneur,
Farmers’ Rights, 2 June, 2007, MSSRF,
Corporate Sector, and Government Initiatives)
Chennai.
of VKC, Telecenters, Information Kiosks,
The inception workshop for launching the Village Information Centres, Community
project Capacity Building of Panchayat Raj Service Centers, etc. An understanding of the
Institutions on the Biological Diversity Act and social and economic context of VKCs is
Protection of Plant Varieties & Farmers’ Rights essential to define the roadmap for the future.
Act was held at MSSRF (See SPA 205). The Based on this background, GGA (Mission
project, supported by the Department of 2007) Secretariat organised a two-day
Scientific and Industrial Research and National workshop on strengthening the linkages of
Biodiversity Authority, aims at training and different ICT4D models to address aspects
capacity building of local level leaders and such as identifying various models of VKCs
functionaries of Panchayats, on the BD and
and ICT4D and share their experiences,
PPVFR Acts, in four districts, namely
understand the viability of different
Cuddalore, Thanjavur, Pudukottai and
technological options for ICT4D, define the
Namakkal of TN, over a period of two years.
linkages with various missions, programmes
The Hon’ble Union Minister of Panchayat Raj,
and projects, delineate the programme
Shri Mani Sankar Aiyar, was the chief guest at
management and policy advocacy strategies
the meeting. Block Panchayat Presidents and
and arrive at a road map for strengthening
District Panchayat Presidents of all four districts
Mission 2007 with more than 25 telecentre
were specially invited for this event. About 48
managers. The outcome of the meeting has
of them, including 9 women representatives,
been brought out in the form of a publication.
participated. A few progressive farmers,
representatives of NGOs and other community National consultation on Technology
organisations from all these districts also Development and Delivery Models for
participated at the meeting. Sustainable Livelihoods, 26-28 July,
Workshop on Strengthening the Linkages MSSRF, Chennai
of Different ICT4D Models, 22-23 June, The National Consultation was organised with
2007, Chennai the help of financial support from FAO,
Mission 2007 has been focusing on Bangkok, DST, New Delhi and SBI, Chennai,
strengthening partnership among various to explore the four facets of the inclusive

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technology system identified as technology Many aspects such as knowledge connectivity

development that is responsive to diverse rural in rural areas, role of Gram Panchayats in rural
clients, technology transfer modalities, knowledge revolution, public-private
technology service processes that transcend partnerships, meeting the knowledge and
social inequities and policies and programmes livelihood needs of rural communities, global
for inclusive technology development, delivery
partnerships, announcement of Rural
and adoption. The inclusive perspective
Innovation Fund awardees, etc. were covered.
examined the social and economic inequities
Mission 2007 has now been renamed
that perpetuate technology divide in rural
Grameen Gyan Abhiyan (Rural Knowledge
communities. The consultation submitted
Movement). See SPA 601.
twelve recommendations to the policy makers,
technology development and transfer
Annual Dialogue on Bread and
organisations and other stakeholders to help
Biotechnology, 7-9 August, 2007, MSSRF,
the pathways of the multi-sector stakeholders
Chennai
to refine and reform technology development
and delivery modalities to improve rural Many developing countries are advancing
livelihoods. There were more than 40 efforts to use biotechnology to improve the
participants. The proceedings have been agriculture and healthcare sectors for the
brought out as a publication titled Technology benefit of their populations. Significant efforts
Development and Delivery Models for
have been made to establish research
Sustainable Livelihoods.
capacity, bio-safety and regulatory frameworks.
4 Convention of the National Alliance for
th Both publicly funded and private sectors in
Mission 2007: Every Village a Knowledge Africa, Asia and Latin America are combining
Centre, 1-3 August 2007, Indira Gandhi new biotechnology techniques with an overall
National Open University, New Delhi objective of ensuring food, nutrition and health
Mission 2007 Secretariat and alliance partners security for their ever-increasing population.
conducted the fourth convention of the National The rapid advances made in the area of
Alliance at IGNOU, New Delhi. Mission 2007 biotechnology call for accelerated efforts on the
is a multi-stakeholder partnership, facilitating delivery of products to the farmer and
national and regional events related to ICT- consumers, based on the established evidence
enabled rural development activities. Many of safety and sustainability of these
experts, including central ministers, policy interventions to the food, nutrition and human
makers, technocrats, the corporate sector, health as well as to the environment.
academic, UN bodies, ICT-enabled
development workers and NGOs, participated The Pugwash Conferences on Science and
in this event. Many recent technologies were World Affairs and MSSRF organised the
demonstrated in technology Partners Pavilion. Annual Dialogue on Bread and Biotechnology

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in collaboration with national and international National Nutrition Conclave, 12-14 August,
agencies to discuss and deliberate on issues 2007, MSSRF, Chennai
related to safe and sustainable use of A National Nutritional Conclave was organised
biotechnology in the priority areas of agriculture in collaboration with USAID and ICMR. The
and human health. Experts representing main objectives of the workshop were:
various stakeholders took part in the three-day To facilitate new and creative thinking and
dialogue that helped in providing a road map produce a shortlist of priority actions for
for biotechnology research and application as improving nutrition security in India
well as essential riders for the safe, sustainable
To re-energize the expanded nutrition
and equitable use of technology.
community and increase collaboration and
Inaugurating the dialogue, FAO Director commitment to take the selected actions
forward
General Dr. Jacques Diouf said that “Crop yield
potential is likely to increase at higher latitudes Around 100 participants representing the Union
for global average temperature increases of Government, several state governments, UN
up to 1 to 3°C depending on the crop, and then and bilateral agencies, academia, the private
decrease beyond that and at lower latitudes sector and NGOs got together to deliberate on
crop yield potential is likely to decline for even the road map to a Nutrition Secure India. The
small global temperature rises, which would conduct of the Conclave was on Open Space
Technology mode, a participatory meeting
increase the risk of hunger.” Dr. Diouf called
methodology to facilitate creative thinking and
for exploiting the new biotechnologies for
in depth discussion, facilitated by experts in
enhancing yield levels, increasing input use
the line. Following a film on the theme and
efficiency, reducing risk, and enhancing
initial introduction to the methodology on the
nutritional quality, as well as ensuring that new first day, 36 working groups emerged and
biotechnologies help achieve this goal, in full deliberated on different issues cent ring around
awareness of bio-safety, socio economic and the main theme on the second day. Their
ethical concerns associated with the use of recommendations were collated and circulated
some of these technologies. for review and discussion the next morning.
These were further deliberated on and the final
The major output of the dialogue was a
outcome of the workshop was a 10 point
consensus on developing guidelines for the
Chennai Declaration, which was briefed to the
safe and responsible use of biotechnology and media on the concluding day. The main areas
for assessment of risks and benefits in a identified for further action are - nutrition to be
transparent manner that would build a priority on the national agenda, national
professional, political, public and media strategy for nutrition of children under two,
confidence. nutrition security focus on the urban poor,

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INFORMATION, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

improved monitoring and evaluation of nutrition Mr. M.P. Veerendrakumar, Hon’ble MP, and
programming, including ICDS increasing its chaired by Mr. Shreyamskumar, MLA. Prof
focus on measuring nutrition outcomes, more M.S. Swaminathan delivered a special talk on
focus on nutrition education, communication ‘Agrobiodiversity and Sustainable Food
and awareness. A Coalition for Nutrition Security’. Three technical sessions were held
Security has been formed as a follow-up to the viz., Revitalisation of Community Biodiversity
Conclave (SPA 501.4). Conservation Practice, Biodiversity and Food
& Nutritional Security, Protecting Community
Socially Sustainable Strategy for
Rights for Conserving Biodiversity. Each
Agriculture in Vidarbha, Sept 8 2007,
technical session was attended by about 50
Nagpur and Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran
people; the keynote speakers, panelists and
Pariyojana, Oct 6, 2007, Sewagram, Wardha
participants gave suggestions for revitalising
A meeting of academic and research institutes, agrobiodiversity conservation, which was later
civil society organisations, farm men and presented as recommendations. Simultan-
women, bankers, industry and government eously an exhibition on wild foods, leafy greens,
representatives in Nagpur on Sept 8 resulted traditional crop varieties and organic products
in an action plan for ‘bringing new life to the was organised, which was visited by over 3,000
women farmers of Vidarbha’. A Technical people including students, children, farmers,
Support Consortium of participating institutions and planters. The National Discussion was
and agencies was formed to work towards this partially supported by the State Bank of
end. A follow-up meeting in Sewagram, Travancore, Thiruvananthapuram.
Wardha on Oct 6 had women farmers speaking
First National Virtual Congress of Mahila
about the issues faced by them in the forenoon
Kisan, 5 January, 2008, Visakhapattinam
and the technical support consortium members
giving their suggestions in the afternoon. The MSSRF, Indian Space Research Organisation
two meetings laid the foundation for the ‘Mahila and Andhra University organised the first
Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana’ – Women national Virtual Congress of Mahila Kisans at
Farmers’ Empowerment Programme in the Convention Hall, Andhra University, during
Vidarbha (See SPA 503.2). the 95 th Indian Science Congress at
Visakhapattinam. During the congress,
National Discussion on Revitalising
MSSRF, Chennai, VRCs of Jeypore (Orissa),
Agrobiodiversity for Alleviating Poverty and
Waifad and Yavatmal (Maharashtra),
Hunger, 24 – 26 November, 2007, CAbC,
Moosapet (AP), Thiruvaiyaru (TN) and Pokran
MSSRF, Wayanad
(Rajasthan) were connected through ISRO
A three-day National Discussion on Revitalising uplink and downlink satellites. This brought
Agrobiodiversity for Alleviating Poverty and several women agriculturists together on a
Hunger was held to mark the tenth year of single platform to discuss and guide a policy
CAbC. The programme was inaugurated by change. The Mahila Kisan who participated in

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the Virtual Congress raised many generic occupational hazards, like leptosporosis
issues related to agriculture in their respective infection in paddy fields.
regions, practical problems faced by farm
Support services like creches, anganwadis,
families headed by women, and involvement
etc. to take into account the multiple burden
of women in agriculture.
on a woman’s time, such as child rearing,
Several issues such as lack of adequate credit, home keeping and income earning
problems of security as they had to go to their activities.
farms at night for pumping water due to erratic Access to quality inputs like seeds, organic
power supply, need for crèches to take care of and mineral fertilizers, extension advice,
their children when they go out to work, medical etc. at the right time and place.
and risk allowance, demands for drought-
Training and Capacity Building and
resistant seeds, seed and grain banks in
imparting quality, genetic, trade and legal
villages, government run shelters for
literacy; engendering the curricula of
abandoned cattle, women-friendly agricultural
agricultural, veterinary and fisheries
tools and machines, engendering curriculum
universities and Krishi Vigyan Kendras.
in agriculture, and joint title deed for agricultural
The agricultural university movement will be
land, were raised and discussed during the
50 years during 2008 and it will be
Virtual Congress in their local languages
appropriate that the gender dimensions are
(Telugu, Tamil, Marathi, Hindi and Oriya). The
mainstreamed in the curricula.
issues discussed fall under major categories
such as land care and soil health, jal swaraj or Jal Swaraj or irrigated and domestic water
water security, credit and insurance, security through training in water harvesting,
technology, extension and inputs, post-harvest aquifer recharge and more income per drop
technology, marketing and pricing. Based on of water techniques.
the outcome of the Congress, a nine-point Meeting the needs of mixed farming,
Charter was developed to address the issues involving crops, livestock, fish and trees;
of women in agriculture which is as follows: special attention to fodder and feed in the
Nine point Charter for Mahila Kisans case of livestock, and to seed and feed in
the case of aquaculture; appropriate post-
Title to Land: Joint Pattas are absolutely harvest technologies for processing,
essential for Mahila Kisans to get access storage, transporting and marketing.
to Kisan Credit Cards and institutional Assured and remunerative marketing;
credit. linking Mahila Kisans to markets, ensuring
Right to Credit both individual and to women fair price and timely payment; provision of
self-help groups, and to insurance: New rural godowns and warehousing facilities;
insurance schemes should be started for training in safe storage and in sanitary and
Mahila Kisans to cover them from phyto-sanitary measures.

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INFORMATION, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Reduction in drudgery and enhancing applications in disaster management, climate

income per hour of work; Farm implements, change management at the grassroots for
which can help to enhance work efficiency governance, role of Panchayat, vulnerability
and reduce drudgery, are urgently needed. assessment and enhancing the adaptive
Traveling Exhibitions and Knowledge on the capacity to climate change in semi arid areas,
Wheels programmes may be organized to and climate literacy through VRCs and VKCs
familiarise Mahila Kisans with the gender were discussed. Dr. Walter Fust, Director
sensitive implements available in General, SDC, Ms. Rinalia Abdul Rahim,
Agricultural Universities, ICAR institutions, Executive Director, Global Knowledge
IITs and KVKs. Partnership Secretariat, Dr. V.S. Hegde, ISRO,
Study tour of 25 Nenasala operators on Mr. Malan, Dr. G. Palanidurai, Gandhigram
knowledge and experience sharing University and many dignitaries including
mission, 4 – 11 February, 2008, MSSRF, Panchayat leaders and NVA Fellows
Chennai participated in the workshop. NVA Fellows
ICT Agency (ICTA) of Sri Lanka sent 25 shared their experiences related to climate
Nenasala operators (like VKCs) to MSSRF, change. The participants also had discussions
Chennai and Puducherry VRCs and VKCs to with farm women and men, fisher folk, NVA
discuss various aspects such as concept and Fellows and Panchayat leaders of Puducherry,
activities of VRCs and VKCs, NVA Fellows, Nagapattinam, Waifad, Annavasal,
capacity building, training for knowledge Thangachimadam and Jeypore through ISRO-
workers, monitoring and evaluation of VRCs based satellite conference regarding their
and VKCs, functions of Grameen Gyan preparedness for meeting the adverse impact
Abhiyan secretariat, ICT-based trainees, and of changes in precipitation, temperature and
NVA Fellows. On 10 February 2008, the
increase in drought, floods, coastal storms and
participants had a debate on activities that
sea level rise (hydro-meteorological events).
could be replicated in Sri Lanka (both content
Aspects such as sea water ingress (shifting
and dissemination), difference between
the settlements, reducing the space for drying
MSSRF VRCs, VKCs and Nenasala’s, and
fishing nets and landing their boats), increased
how to improve Nenasala centres by using
humidity (vegetable crops matured much
different monitoring and evaluation methods.
earlier resulting in poor quality and quantity),
Workshop on Role of ICT in the reduced dew (low productivity of wheat),
management of Climate Change at the disappearing species increased water
Grassroots Level, 11 February, 2008, temperature, coral reefs bleaching (bleeding)),
MSSRF, Chennai fluctuations in fish finding zones, changes in
Many aspects such as the role of SDC and the fishing season and season advance were
GKP in climate change, the role of space discussed.

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ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Annual Interdisciplinary Dialogue on universities, scientists, bankers, farm men and

Community Management of Climate women, civil society and media met at
Change: Role of Panchayats & VANAMATI, Nagpur and deliberated on the
Nagarpalikas, 19 - 21 April, 2008, MSSRF, issues cent ring on soybean cultivation and
Chennai related aspects. The meet was organised by
The main objectives of the dialogue were to MSSRF, Chennai and The Soybean
discuss (i) issues that help to understand the Processors Association of India (SOPA).
perceived risks of climate change and available
The main thrust was to highlight the importance
options at the local level for pro-active action,
(ii) ways and means to enhance local of having a farming system approach to
capacities through education, social soybean cultivation and linking livestock with
mobilisation, training and awareness for the crop cycle as an integral part of the system.
handling climate related stresses and This was felt important in the light of the recent
(iii) develop a simple regulatory framework to trend of more area coming under soybean
handle climate related issues at the local level. cultivation in the Vidarbha region. Soybean is
About 50 participants including Panchayat both a protein and oilseed crop and soybean
leaders, policy makers, scientists, civil society bhusa is excellent cattle feed.
representatives, and lawyers were present.
The dialogue resulted in a draft model Act for The programme structured in four sessions
local level Climate Risk Management (Climate focused on the production and potential for
Risk Management Act, 2008). The draft Act soybean in the country; the situation in the
outlays provisions to enhance the ability of local Vidarbha region came in for special focus. The
communities to develop and implement climate need for a whole soybean farming system
change adaptation programmes and policies
approach from the production stage to the
within a framework of ecologically, ethically,
marketing stage was emphasised. Production
economically and socially sustainable
support needs strengthening of seed breeding
development. The draft Act covers food
programmes, promotion of seed production,
security, energy security, non-farm
employment, human diseases, carbon trade awareness of agronomic practices and
opportunities and climate literacy issues. A attention to soil health. A livestock integrated
small expert group has been constituted to farming system approach and development of
finalise the draft. post harvest infrastructure is imperative.

Soybean cum Livestock Based Farming A Support Consortium comprising research

System Approach for Work and Income institutes, government agencies, bank and
Security in Vidarbha, 10 May, 2008, Nagpur insurance companies, industry and civil society
Around 100 participants from research was formed for rendering appropriate technical
institutes, animal and agricultural science and other support to farmers.

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Programme Area 700

Special Projects

MSSRF was requested by the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, to

undertake two studies in Kerala, on sustainable development of Alappuzha district
together with Kuttanad Wetland region and Idukki district. The reports have
been submitted.

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The two regions, the Alappuzha district

Programme Area 700 together with the whole of KWE and the Idukki
district, are important agricultural hubs of
Studies on identifying and Kerala. Kuttanad, which in part lies 2.2 m below
recommending measures to mean sea level, has a very large area under
rice, with relatively high productivity and hence
mitigate agrarian distress in
is recognised as the “rice bowl” of the State.
Alappuzha district together with Idukki district, on the other hand, is a hilly region
the Kuttanad wetland ecosystem, well known for the commercially valued
plantation and spice crops and is known as
and Idukki district of Kerala State
the “spice district” of the State. Notwithstanding
this contrasting geomorphology, an important
The Government of India, in view of the
common factor between these two regions is
farmers’ distress, had declared a special
their unparalleled endowment of natural charm,
rehabilitation package for 31 distressed districts
which is uniquely distinct for each region.
of AP, Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra. However, the natural charm of these regions
Approval for a special plan of action for is fading and their wealth is being frittered away.
improving the farming conditions in Alappuzha Unsustainable development paradigms,
district together with the Kuttanad Wetland misuse of technologies, increasing intensity
Ecosystem (KWE) region, and Idukki district and frequency of natural calamities, greedy
of Kerala was also granted. MSSRF was invited plundering of natural resources, pessimistic
by the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of public apathy, inadequate policy and
India, to undertake studies and make specific administrative interventions and acute shortage
recommendations on the sustainable of financial and infrastructure resources are
development of KWE region together with increasing the growing threat to the ecology
Alappuzha district and Idukki district with and the livelihoods of economically and socially
particular focus on the measures for vulnerable groups such as small farmers,
strengthening the ecological security and fishermen and agricultural workers.
expanding sustainable livelihood opportunities
The studies and the reports on Alappuzha
for the people of these areas. The reports
district including Kuttanad region and Idukki
pertaining to these two regions have been
district were conducted under the guidance of
submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture, Prof M S Swaminathan by two teams led by
Government of India. Both these reports have Dr S Bala Ravi, Advisor, MSSRF. The MSSRF
been technically approved by the Government members in the first team were Dr Sudha Nair,
of India as well as the State Government and Director, JRD Ecotechnology Centre,
are currently under different stages of Ms Deepa Varma and Dr Anil Kumar, Director,
administrative and financial approval. Biodiversity and Head CAbC, Kalpetta. Dr KUK

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SPECIAL PROJECTS
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Nampoothiri, Director, BPMPGRC, Jeypore Idukki. While agriculture contributes to more

was on the second team. Both these teams than 90 % of the GDP of Idukki district, it
were supported by a panel of eminent technical exceeds 60 % in Kuttanad region, including
experts. Alappuzha district. In Idukki 82 % of agricultural
income is from rubber, cardamom, pepper and
The studies in both the districts followed almost
horticultural crops and another 11 % is from
similar processes. They involved initial studies
the animal sector, 90% of which is contributed
of earlier important reports on these districts,
by milk. In the case of Kuttanad, nearly 80 %
wherever such reports were available,
of the agricultural income is contributed by rice,
extraction of all relevant databases connected
coconut, rubber and fish. While Alappuzha is
to the mandates of the study, several field visits,
the most densely populated district in the State,
collection of data from case studies and
Idukki has the lowest population density. Nearly
organising over 25 wide-ranging consultations
50 % of the area in Idukki is under forest,
in both districts involving all stakeholders
notwithstanding the threat imposed by various
impacted or concerned by the agricultural
anthropogenic factors, while Alappuzha is
economy and threat to ecological and livelihood
known for the large backwater bodies and
security. The stakeholders included Ministers,
labyrinthine river system. In the Alappuzha-
all elected representatives up to the Panchayat
Kuttanad region, more than 95 % of the farmers
level, senior officials of all concerned line
departments in the districts, scientists, farmers, own less than 0.4 ha land area, while 95 % of
farm/plantation workers, fishermen, farm holdings in Idukki district have less than 2 ha
women and their respective associations, of land area with per capita availability of land
members of SHGs and NGOs, eminent marginally above 1 ha. According to the data
citizens, experts and media. During the for 2004-05, out of about 4, 00,000 families in
consultations in the two districts, oral inputs Alappuzha district, 39 % are below the poverty
from over 1,900 persons and written inputs line. In Idukki district, 44 % of the 2,65,000
from 913 memoranda were received. These, families are classified as BPL.
together with the detailed study conducted by
The ecological security of both regions is
the teams at many locations were used to
imperiled by anthropogenic factors, although
develop the report and administrative and
in a quite dissimilar manner. Revival of
financial recommendations.
agriculture in these districts, to make it a
In both the districts, agriculture constitutes the sustainable and vibrant economic occupation
primary and predominant source of livelihood for securing livelihoods with enhanced income,
for the majority of the population. For more than is intrinsically linked to the restoration of
80 % of the population in Kuttanad and ecology and strengthening the respective
Alappuzha, agriculture is the only source of natural endowments of these regions. Nothing
income and this dependence exceeds 95 % in underscores the strong link between farm

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economics and ecology more than the pollution of the water bodies, and interference
axiomatic statement of Prof. M.S. in the natural backwater flushing during tidal
Swaminathan that “If farm economics and action in the Arabian Sea. The consequent
ecology go wrong, nothing else will go right in changes in ecology have cumulatively
agriculture”. promoted economic decline and livelihood loss
from agriculture. The livelihood from agriculture
The farm crisis in Idukki has multiple causes is further threatened by the high cost of
and is manifested in extensive and deep production, increasing production risk,
indebtedness, serious agricultural decline and declining cultivation of rice and income from
many farmer suicides. The three major coconut, and rising indebtedness of farmers.
reasons for this distress are the very high cost Major income from the uplands has declined
of production of major plantation and spice due to low yield of root-wilt-infested coconut
crops, high volatility of prices, often dipping palms and crashing prices, resource crunch
below the cost of production, and the for alternate income generation from on-farm
increasing incapacity of farmers in repaying or off-farm activities and shrinking income from
their debt. Added to this, the alternate drought rice cultivation and inland fishery.
and heavy rainfall in the last six years has Consequently, Kuttanad, which was once
shattered the economic backbone of many recognized as the ‘rice bowl of Kerala’ has
farmers with small and medium holdings. The become a ‘basin of distresses’. Incidentally,
economic decline and continuous neglect Kuttanad is an important part of the Ramsar
made the plantation crops more vulnerable to site, constituting the wetland system of this part
pests and diseases, with appalling decline in of Kerala.
productivity. The increasing prices of farm
inputs and labour were impediments to a return The study has identified the elements of
to successful agriculture. The productivity ecological decline with short- and long-term
decline compounded the distress from price impact on agriculture and other means of
fall and escalated the cost of production. livelihood:

Kuttanad illustrates another paradox of acute declining water spread area in Vembanad
agrarian distress amidst natural bounty. As in Lake, surrounding wetlands and discharge
Idukki, causes behind the agrarian distress in capacity of all the waterways
Kuttanad are multiple. A unidirectional increasing flood vulnerability with rising risks
development agenda followed over the last few to farm production and economy
decades, ignoring the ecological fragility of the
problems due to the ongoing regulation of
KWE and its vulnerability to regular flooding,
saline water intrusion
such as construction of criss-crossing roads
blocking many waterways, reduction of flood choked waterways and resulting problems
area by reclamation of wetlands, serious in drainage, pollution, sanitation, human

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SPECIAL PROJECTS
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

health and availability of clean drinking cultivated area in the district is under perennial
water and water for irrigation and high value crops, which essentially
demand heavy annual investments to sustain
multi-factored pollution of water bodies
productive health and better productivity. The
including the invasive water hyacinth
low prices of pepper, cardamom, coffee and
declining wetland ecosystem services like tea, which in some cases were below the cost
water recharge and fish production, and of production, is the prime cause behind the
habitat loss and biodiversity, poor state of farm economy. While the prices
lack of locally produced quality paddy seeds have crashed, the cost of production has gone
and need for massive replanting of low up. This has led to failure in loan servicing,
yielding and sick coconut palms with quality which in turn has blocked fresh lending. Failure
disease tolerant seedlings, in fresh investment on these crops for over a
couple of years led to yield decline and crop
declining productivity and income from
loss from major pests and diseases. This
coconut and lack of coconut based inter or
shrank the farm income further. The total
mixed cropping and value addition for
outstanding agricultural loan in the district from
income and employment generation,
the cooperative and commercial banking
incapability of local markets to procure and sectors in March 2007 was estimated at above
locally process the paddy Rs 630 crores. About 85 % of this loan was
due to small farmers and about 82 % was as
declining profitability from rice farming,
crop loan. Data on the magnitude of private
increasing fallowing or conversion of paddy
lending in the district were not available. Apart
fields, decreasing rice intensification, under
from the farm distress precipitated by the
utilisation of one-rice-one-fish production
market prices, farm economy also suffered
technology, shortage of farm labour and
from continuous drought during 2002 and 2003
high labour cost
and heavy rain and wind during 2007. The
The report on Alappuzha district and Kuttanad cumulative economic crisis and the farm
offered integrated and well prioritised distress were so deep that the farmers,
recommendations to address all the major particularly the small farmers, are getting
issues for achieving ecological revival and further entrenched, without a special economic
restoration and strengthening of livelihoods and development package designed to help
from agriculture and allied activities. them.

The study in Idukki district identified that many Pepper which is grown by virtually every farm
farmers, particularly small farmers, are under family and is a major contributor to farm
heavy debt and the state of their farm economy income, had suffered serious setbacks from
is not healthy enough to service the loan, even slow and fast wilt, leading to loss of plantations
by paying the interest. At least 91 % of and severe yield decline. Replanting the

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damaged gardens and nursing back the poorly such package focuses on sustainable
managed ones are inevitable for securing production at competitive cost, and provision
income. Cardamom, grown by more than of a need-based fair market system, preferably
25,000 farm families, a majority of them small managed by farmer groups/cooperatives,
farmers, has become less competitive due to infrastructure for short-term storage and value
the high cost of production under severely addition in certain crops, and arrangement for
depressed prices. Introduction of high yielding bank loans against stored produce to
farmers’ varieties like ‘Njallani’ is being misused discourage distress sale at low prices.
by adopting ecologically unsustainable farming
On the ecological side also, the state of affairs
practices and destruction of forest cover in the
is dismal, with the looming threat of its effects
Cardamom Hill Reserve forest region (CHR
on agriculture and other sources of local
forest) for achieving higher yield. The price
livelihood, including tourism. Idukki district
crisis has made several plantations
receives the highest rainfall (3,506 mm) in
unproductive and uneconomical, requiring
Kerala and probably also has the highest
replanting for reviving income generation. Tea
number of rainy days. Due to the high altitude
gardens, small and big, are suffering from the
and large rain forest area, which accounts for
low productivity of senile bushes, high cost of
about 51 % of the district, the hilly region has a
production and depressed market prices.
comfortable range of maximum and minimum
Liberal support is essential to revive this
temperatures. The weather and the charming
important sector, which is providing
scenic views of the hills contribute to the
employment to many poor families. Apart from
popularity of Munnar hills as a tourist spot, as
plantation crops, seasonal crops such as
well as the high suitability of the region for high
vegetables, plantains, and spices like ginger
value plantation and spice crops such as
and turmeric are suffering from low prices,
cardamom, pepper, clove, tea, and coffee as
increasing cost of production, absence of fair
well as temperate vegetables and fruits. The
market and exploitation by middlemen. This
weather also contributes to the unique quality
exploitation is being exacerbated by the poor
of the spices produced here. Thus, the
communication and marketing system
rainforests of the district have a profound and
available in this hilly region. Certain parts of
multiple implications for the climate, ecology
the district in Devikulam taluk have great
and economy of the district and the surrounding
potential to expand production of temperate
region.
vegetables and fruits. The developmental
systems in place are far too inadequate to Over the years, the ecologically unfriendly
attend to these problems and the other crying development paradigm, increases in
needs of the district. Hence a special package settlements and population, agricultural
is imperative for enhancing the income expansion, heavy total or partial deforestation
generation of the farmers. It is important that by the people and the government, have led to

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SPECIAL PROJECTS
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substantial reduction in forest area, coverage technically. Their observations were the prime
and the forest profile. These degrading reason for this climate analysis.
processes have reached such an extent that it
The report stresses the need and urgency for
is significantly impacting the local and
neighborhood climate and ecology, to seriously restoring the forest in the district, strengthening
threaten the economy and livelihoods of the efforts to conserve water and soil, discouraging
people in the immediate as well as long term. commercial agro-forestry with underground-
The study, using weather data from different water depleting alien species such as
locations in the district, revealed that the total Eucalyptus, appropriate intervention for re-
rainfall and rainy days have declined foresting the expanding rain shadow region,
significantly, particularly during the main rainy scientific harnessing of forest resources for
season (south-west monsoon); the maximum sustainable livelihoods, including alternate
temperature has increased substantially while options and promotion of farming, promoting
the minimum temperature has decreased. It culture fishery in man-made reservoirs,
has also revealed the development and managing steadily rising man-animal conflict
alarming expansion of a rain shadow region in in the wild animal corridor regions, and
the north-eastern part of the district. The sustainable extraction of non-timber forest
farmers of the district with their long experience produce. The full reports can be accessed at
are aware of these changes, although not www.mssrf.org

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Publications Phosphobacteria. Monograph no. 26. M. S.

Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai.
Books/Monographs/Manuals 36pp.

Arunachalam, V. (ed.). 2007. Participatory Parida, Ajay, P. Eganathan, Ashwani Kumar,

Plant Breeding and Knowledge Management H. M. Behl, O. P. Siddhu, N. Singh, Kailash
for Strengthening Rural Livelihoods. Paliwal and A. R. Nautiyal. 2007.
Proceedings no. 66. M. S. Swaminathan Agrotechnology Packages for Bioenergy
Research Foundation, Chennai. 239pp. Crops. Department of Biotechnology, Ministry
of Science & Technology, Government of India,
Hariharan, G. N., P. Bharath and P.Balaji. 2008. New Delhi. 83pp.
Interactive Website with Database on Lichens
of TN. M. S. Swaminathan Research Rukmani, R., V. Senthil Kumar and
Foundation and Dept. of Environment, N. Thenmathi. 2007. Measures of Impact of
Government of TN. http://www.tnenvis.nic.in/ Science and Technology in India: Agriculture
Lichens/ENVIS-MSSRF.html and Rural Development. M. S. Swaminathan
Research Foundation, Chennai and Office of
Gruere, Guillaume, Latha Nagarajan and the Principal Scientific Adviser to the
E. D. Israel Oliver King. 2007. Marketing Government of India, New Delhi. 282pp.
Underutilised Plant Species for the Poor: A Case
Shanthasheela, N., Vijay R. Subbiah, and
Study of Minor Millets in Kolli Hills, TN, India.
Sudha Nair. 2007. Sesame Village.
Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilised
Proceedings no. 14. M. S. Swaminathan
Species (GFU), International Food Policy
Research Foundation, Chennai. 18pp.
Research Institute, Rome and
M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation. Shetty, P. K., Ajay Parida and M. S.
CAPRI Working paper No. 69. Oct Swaminathan (ed.). 2008. Biosecurity. NIAS,
www.capri.cgiar.org/pdf/capriwp69.pdf. Bangalore and MSSRF, Chennai.255pp.

Nair, Sudha, Nandhini Iyengar. (eds.). 2008. Swaminathan, M. S. (ed.). 2007. Agriculture
Technology Development and Delivery Models Cannot Wait: New Horizons in Indian
for Sustainable Livelihoods. Proceedings no. Agriculture. Academic Foundation, New Delhi.
67. M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, 550pp.
Chennai. 168pp.
Swaminathan, Mina. (ed.). 2007. Six Case
Prabavathy, V. R., R. Rengalakshmi and Sudha Studies on Gender and Social Inclusion for
Nair. 2007. Ecoenterprises for Sustainable Sustainable Livelihoods. M. S. Swaminathan
Livelihood: Decentralised Production of Research Foundation, Chennai. and Food and
Biofertilisers – Azospirillum and Agriculture Organisation, Bangkok. 72pp.

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PUBLICATIONS
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Thesis Thesis submitted to the University of Madras,

Chennai in partial fulfillment of requirement for
Palled, Vishwanath. 2007. The Process of Self
the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
Help Groups Movement and Socio-economic
Change: Case Studies from TN and Karnataka. Articles in Journals/Books
Thesis submitted to the Karnataka University,
Anil Kumar, N. and M. K. Ratheesh Narayanan.
Dharwad in partial fulfillment of requirement
for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Degree 2007. Gender Knowledge and Changing
awarded. Trends in Utilisation of Wild Edible Greens in
Western Ghats, India. Indian Journal of
Gnanappazham, L. 2008. A Remote Sensing Traditional Knowledge. 6(1): 204-216.
and GIS based Decision Support System for
the Effective Management of Pichavaram Anil Kumar, N. M. K. Ratheesh Narayanan and
Mangrove Wetland, South India. Thesis K. Satheesh. 2008. Traditional Knowledge of
submitted to the University of Madras, Chennai Three ‘Mycophilic’ Communities on Wild Edible
in partial fulfillment of requirement for the Mushrooms of Wayanad District, Kerala.
Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Degree Ethnobotany. (in press).
awarded.
Balaji, P., S. Malarvannan and G. N. Hariharan.
Rameshkumar, N. 2008. Isolation and 2007. Efficacy of Roccella montagnei Extracts
Characterization of Two Novel Plant Growth on Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera:
Promoting Vibrio Species from Wild rice Noctuidae). Journal of Entomology 4(3): 248-
(Porteresia coarctata Tateoka): Description of 252.
Vibrio rhizosphaerae sp. nov., and Vibrio
Balaji, P. and G. N. Hariharan. 2007. In vitro
porteresiae sp. nov. Thesis submitted to the
University of Madras, Chennai in partial Antimicrobial Activity of Parmotrema
fulfillment of requirement for the Degree of Praesorediosum thallus Extracts. Research
Doctor of Philosophy. Journal of Botany 2(1): 54-59.

Geetha Rani, M. 2008. Plant Resources of Balasubramanian, T. N. 2008. Enforcing Green

Pachamalai Region with Special Reference to Revolution in Drylands of TN. AUFAAA
Indigenous Knowledge. Thesis submitted to Technical Souvenir. (eds.) S. Kannaiyan and
the University of Madras, Chennai in partial T. Marimuthu. Annamalai University,
fulfillment of requirement for the Degree of Chidambaram. 110-113.
Doctor of Philosophy.
Bharath Kumar, S., Diby Paul and Sudha Nair.
Varma, Deepa. 2008. The Sustainability of 2008. Microbial Diversity of Culturable
Farming Systems – Integrating the Principles Heterotrophs in the Rhizosphere of Salt Marsh
of Conservation with the Economic Objectives Grass, Porteresia Coarctata. Journal of Basic
of Farming in the Rice Farming Systems of TN. Microbiology. 48: 10-18.

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Bharath Kumar, S., N. Rameshkumar, Diby from Avicennia Marina: Molecular and
Paul, V. R. Prabavathy and Sudha Nair. 2008. Functional Characterization. Plant Physiology
Characterisation of the Predominant Bacterial and Biochemistry. (in press).
Population of Different Mangrove Rhiozsphere
Kesavan, P. C. and M. S. Swaminathan. 2008.
Soils Using 16S rRNA Gene-based Single-
Strategies and Models for Agricultural
Stranded Confirmation Poly morphism (SSCP).
Sustainability in Developing Asian Countries.
World Journal of Microbiology and
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society
Biotechnology. 24: 387-394.
B. 363: 877-891.
Ganesan, G., H. M. Shankararama-
Malarvannan, S., R. Giridharan, V. R.
subramanian, Jithesh M. Narayanan, K. R.
Prabhavathy and Sudha Nair. 2008.
Sivaprakash and Ajay Parida. 2008. Transcript
Bioefficacy of Crude and Fractions of
Level Characterisation of a cDNA Encoding
Argemone Mexicana against Tobacco
Stress Regulated NAC Transcription Factor in
Caterpillar, Spodoptra litura Fab. (Noctuidae
Mangrove Plant, Avicennia Marina. Plant
Physiology and Biochemistry. (in press). Lepidoptera). Journal of Biopesticides (Special
Issue). 55-62.
George, Suja and Ajay Parida, 2008. Impact
of climate-change-enhanced Salinity Stress on Malarvannan, S., R. Giridharan, S. Senthil
Rice and Maintaining Productivity in the Future. Kumar and Sudha Nair. 2008. Effect of
CAB Reviews: Perspectives in Agriculture, Argemone Mexicana Crude Extract and
Veterinary Science, Nutrition and Natural Fractions in Biochemical Profile of Helicoverpa
Resources. (In Press) Armigera (Hubner) (Noctuidae: Lepidopters).
Biochemical and Cellular Archives. 8(1): 45-50.
Joseph, John, Remya R. Krishnan and K. A.
Suajan. 2008. Agricultural Solid Waste Malarvannan, S., S. Senthil Kumar, V. R.
Management through Vermicomposting Prabhavathy and Sudha Nair. 2008. Individual
Employing Exotic and Local Species of and Synergistic Effects of Leaf Powder of a
Earthworms in Wayanad District of Kerala. Few Medicinal Plants against American
Proceedings of Kerala Environment Bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner)
Congress. (eds.) Babu Ambat, T. R. Vinod, (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera). Asian Journal of
K.V. Raveendran, T. Sabu and Experimental Sciences. 22(1): 79-88.
K.P. Thrivikramji. Centre for Environment and
Malarvannan, S., S. Senthil Kumar, R. Giridharan
Development,Thozhuvancode, Kerala. 118-124
and Sudha Nair. 2008. Bioefficacy of Argemone
Kavitha, K., Gayatri Venkataraman and Ajay mexicana against American Bollworm,
Parida. 2008. An Oxidative and Salinity Stress Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Noctuide:
Induced Peroxisomal Ascorbate Peroxidase Lepidoptera). Hexapoda. 15(1): 49-55.

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PUBLICATIONS
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Mitra, Sudip, R. Rengalakshmi, M. Parab, G. V., S Krishnan, M K. Janarthanam, K

Nageswaran, S. V. Ramana, D. Rosario, S. R Sivaprakash and Ajay Parida. 2007. ISSR and
Duraisamy, Sushanta K. Mahapatra and Sudha RAPD Markers Assessed Genetic Variation of
Nair. 2008. Efficient Management of Natural Aerides maculosum – An Epiphytic Orchid from
Resources and Enhancing Livelihoods through Goa, India. Journal of Plant Biochemistry and
Bio-industrial Watershed Management Biotechnology 17(1): 107-109.
Approach in Five Agro-ecologies in India.
Prashanth, S. R, P. Bharath, R. Valarmathi, P.
Proceedings of the International Conference Balaji, G. N. Hariharan and Ajay Parida. 2008.
on Conservation Farming Systems and Species Status and Relationship between
Watershed Management in Rainfed Areas for Roccella montagnei and Roccella belangeriana
Rural Employment and Poverty Using DNA Sequence Data of Nuclear
Eradication.(eds.) Anand Swarup, Suraj Bhan Ribosomal Internal Transcribed Spacer
and J. S. Bali. Soil Conservation Society of Region. Journal of Plant Biochemistry and
India, New Delhi. 128. Biotechnology. 17(1): 91-94.

Murthy, Ranjani K., Josephine Sagayam., Rameshkumar, N. and Sudha Nair. 2007.
R. Rengalakshmi and Sudha Nair. 2008. Vibrio rhizosphaerae sp. nov., a Red-
Gender Efficiency, Poverty Reduction and pigmented Bacterium that Antagonizes
Empowerment: Reflections from an Agriculture Phytopathogenic Bacteria. International
and Credit Programme in TN. Gender and Journal of Systematic Evolutionary
Microbiology. 57: 2241-2246.
Development. 16(1): 101-116.
Rameshkumar, N., Sudha Nair, Stefan Langer,
Nageswaran, M., S. Angel Priya, Sudip Mitra
Hans-Jurgen Busse and P. Kampfer. 2008.
and Sudha Nair. 2008. Efficient Use of
Altererythrobacter indicus sp. nov., Isolated
Available Resources in Rainfed Agriculture.
from Wild Rice (Porteresia coarctata Tateoka).
Proceedings of the National Seminar on
International Journal of Systematic
Livelihood Security through Rainwater Evolutionary Microbiology. 58: 839-844.
Management. College of Agriculture, Nagpur.
74-75. Rameshkumar, N., Youhei Fukui, Tomoo
Sawabe, and Sudha Nair. 2008. Vibrio
Nair, Sudha. 2008. The Gender dimensions of porteresiae sp. nov., a Novel Diazotrophic
STI Capacity Building. Global Forum Building Bacterium Isolated from a Mangrove
Science, Technology and Innovation. Capacity Associated Wild Rice (Porteresia coarctata
for Sustainable Growth and Poverty Reduction, Tateoka). International Journal of Systematic
Washington DC. February 13-15. Evolutionary Microbiology. (in press).

Palled, Vishwanath. 2008. Evolution to Rengalakshmi, R., Smita Mishra, Susanta S.

Revolution. Apala Param Mitra. 6. 21-24. Chaudhury, Israel Oliver King and Trilochana

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Ray. 2007. Gendered Knowledge and Gender Swaminathan, M. S. 2007. Scientific Research
Relations: Case Studies in Two Agro- on Sustainable Agriculture, Biodiversity and
Biodiversity–rich Locations. Participatory Plant Biotechnology. Rites Journal. 9(2): 5.1-5.10.
Breeding and Knowledge Management for Swaminathan, M. S. 2007. Shaping the Future
Strengthening Rural Livelihoods. (ed.) of Indian Agriculture. Sensex. 1(4): 45-47.
V. Arunchalam. M. S. Swaminathan Research
Foundation, Chennai. 130-148. Swaminathan, M. S. 2007. The Evergreen
Revolution: Making Hunger History. The Little
Rukmani, R. 2007. Role of the State in the Magazine. 7(3&4): 17-21.
Technological Development of Indian
Swaminathan, M. S. and S. Balaravi 2007.
Agriculture. Technology Development and
The Indian Agricultural Research System.
Delivery Models for Sustainable Livelihoods. Agricultural Research Management.(eds)
M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, G. Loebenstein and G. Thottappilly Springer,
Chennai. 21-31. Netherlands. 305-329.

Swain, S. and N. R. Parida. 2007. Millets for Swaminathan, M. S. 2008. Gender and
Food, Nutrition and Health Security. LEISA Biodiversity Management in India. Biodiversity
India. 9(3): 6-7. Conservation for Sustainable Development.
(eds.) Nagendra P. Singh and P. K. Chhonkar.
Swain, S., N. R. Parida, K. C. Lenka, S. SAMSKRITI, New Delhi. 21-39.
Pattnayak and L. Jena. 2007. Application of
Swaminathan, M. S. 2008. Making
Biotechnology for Conservation and
Globalization Work for the Poor: Technology
Enhancement of Medicinal Plants. Souvenir-
and Trade. Globalization of Food and
National level seminar on Biotechnology:
Agriculture and the Poor. (ed.) Joachim von
Application in medicinal plant & food
Braun and Eugenio Diaz-Bonilla. Oxford
processing. (ed.) Sudhakar Dash. V. D. University Press, New Delhi. 81-95.
College, Jeypore, Orissa. 34-38.
Swaminathan, M. S. 2008. Science and Shaping
Swaminathan, M. S. 2007. Can Science and the Future of Rice. Rice India. 18(1): 65-72.
Technology Feed the World in 2025? Field
Swaminathan, M. S. 2008. Towards a Food
Crops Research. 104: 3-9.
Secure Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh. Epilogue.
Swaminathan, M. S. 2007. Make Hunger 2(4): 11-17.
History through Gram Swaraj. India Swaminathan, M. S. 2008. Women’s
Empowered: Change Agents Speak on an Idea Empowerment and Men’s Enlightenment in
Whose Time has Come.(ed.) Shekhar Gupta Indian Socio-economic Fabric. Rites Journal.
Penguin, New Delhi. 217-220. 10(1): 8.1-8.6.

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PUBLICATIONS
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Usha, B., Gayatri Venkataraman and Ajay Institute of Technology (IIT), Chennai.
Parida. 2008. Heavy Metal and Abiotic Stress December 18-21.
Inducible Metallothionein Isoforms from P.
Arivudai Nambi, A. 2007. Vulnerability Assessment
Juliflora (SW) D. C. Show Differences in
and Enhancing Adaptive Capacity to Climate
Binding to Cadmium and Zinc in Vitro.
Change. National Conference on Impacts of
Molecular Genetics and Genomics. (in press).
Climate Change with Particular Reference to
Usha, B., S. R. Prashanth and Ajay Parida. Agriculture. Tamilnadu Agricultural University,
2007. Differential Expression of Two Coimbatore. August 22-24.
Metallothionein Encoding Genes during Heavy
Arivudai Nambi, A. 2007. Climate Change: An
Metal Stress in the Mangrove Species,
Emerging Environmental Issue. Mock UN
Avicennia Marina (Forsk.) Vierh. Current
General Assembly. American International
Science. 93(9): 1215-1219.
School, Chennai. October 20.
Valarmathi. R and G. N. Hariharan. 2007.
Arivudai Nambi, A. 2007. United Nations Forum
Soredial Culture of Dirinaria applanata (Fée)
Awasthi: Observations on Developmental on Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) –
Stages and Compound Production. CoP-13 Meeting. Bali, Indonesia. December
Symbiosis.43 (3): 137-142. 3-14.

Vepa, Swarna S. 2007. The Feminisation of Arivudai Nambi, A. 2008. Enhancing Adaptive
Agriculture and the Marginalisation of Women’s Capacity to Climate Change. 95 th Indian
Economic Stake. Gender, Food Security and Science Congress. Visakhapatnam, AP.
Rural Livelihoods. (ed.) Maithreyi Krishnaraj. January 3-7.
Stree Publications, Kolkata. 1-23.
Arivudai Nambi, A. 2008. Global Warming or
Vepa, Swarna S. 2008. Changing Patterns of Global Warning? National Science Day
Food Consumption in India and their Dietary Workshop. TN Science Foundation, Chennai.
Implications. Food and Water Security. (ed.) February 28.
U. Aswathnarayan. Taylor & Francis, London.
Arivudai Nambi, A. 2008. Adaptation to Climate
169-185.
Change in Semi-Arid Regions. International
Papers presented in Conferences/ Workshop on Climate Change and its Impacts
Symposia on Flora in the South Asian Region. National
Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow.
Appunu, C., N. Rameshkumar, V. R.
March 10.
Prabavathy and Sudha Nair. 2007. Genetic
Diversity of Soybean Bradyrhizobia Isolated Arivudai Nambi, A. 2008. Consultative Meeting
from India. 48 th Annual Conference of of the Sub-committee on Costal Zone
Association of Microbiologists of India. Indian Management to the Expert Committee Meeting

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on the Impacts of Climate Change. National Congress. Crescent Engineering College,

Institute of Oceanography, Goa. March 27. Chennai. October 2.

Arivudai Nambi, A. 2008. Climate Adaptation Arivudai Nambi, V. 2007. On the Trail of the
in the Asian Commonwealth. Conference on Sirupanan (2nd AD). Conference on Tinai Social
Strengthening Role of Civil Society and Media Order. Madras Christian College, Chennai.
in Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster November 2.
Mitigation. All India Disaster Mitigation Institute
and Commonwealth Foundation, Chennai. Arivudai Nambi, V. 2007. Traditional
April 23-25. Knowledge (TK) and Institutions of Fish
Aggregating Devices (FADs) in the
Arivudai Nambi, A. 2008. Expert Committee on Coromandal Coast and their Relevance in Eco-
Impacts of Climate Change. Ministry of Development. National Workshop on Eco-
Environment & Forests, New Delhi. May 15. Development. Gulf of Mannar Biosphere
Reserve Trust (GOMBART), Madurai.
Arivudai Nambi, A. 2008. Joint UN-AIDS-UNEP
December 12-13.
Consultative Meeting on Aids and Climate
Change. Geneva, Switzerland. May 20. Arivudai Nambi, V. 2008. Laws and Policies
Related to Pastoralists. Workshop on
Arivudai Nambi, A. 2008. Asia NGO
Traditional Livestock Keepers, Indigenous
Consultative Meeting on Disaster Risk
Knowledge and Conservation of Local
Reduction. Asian Disaster Reduction and
Livestock Breeds Conservation. Sustainable
Response Network, UNDP, UN/ISDR and
Agriculture and Environmental Voluntary Action
OXFAM, Bangkok. May 26-29.
and National Biodiversity Authority, Madurai.
Arivudai Nambi, V. 2007. Agrobiodiversity February 22.
Hotspots – Some Issues and Concerns.
Balasubramanian, T. N. 2008. Climate Change/
Interactive Workshop on Agrobiodiversity
Climate Variability, System Vulnerability and
Hotspots and Access and Benefit Sharing.
Planning for Adaptive Strategies. 88th Annual
Annamalai University, Chidambaram. July 19-20.
Meeting of the American Meteorological
Arivudai Nambi, V. 2007. Poverty Reduction Society. New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
Using Biodiversity: The Story of Kalajeera. January 20-24.
Madurai Symposium 2007: Dialogue on Pro-
Balasubramanian, T. N. 2008. Concept Paper
Poor Policies for Poverty Reduction. DHAN
on Farmer and Weather. International
Foundation, Madurai. September 28.
Symposium on Agrometeorology and Food
Arivudai Nambi, V. 2007. Agrobiodiversity in Security. Central Research Institute for Dryland
India: Emerging Trends. Children’s Science Agriculture, Hyderabad. February 18-21.

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PUBLICATIONS
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Bharath, P. 2007. Poster on Analysis of Fisherwomen through Fisheries Technology

Elemental Accumulation Patterns in Select and Micro Finance. Global Symposium on
Lichens of Madukkarai-Walayar Reserve Gender and Fisheries. Asian Fisheries Society,
Forest, Western Ghats through Proton Induced Kochi, Kerala. November 7-13.
X-ray Emission Spectroscopy (PIXE) and its
Chinnaraja, S., V. Senthilkumar, C. Nagaraja
Correlation with the Environmental Quality.
and Sudha Nair. 2007. Sustainable Livelihood
18th International Conference on Ion Beam
Development Opportunities for Fisherwomen
Analysis. University of Hyderabad and Indian
through Fisheries Technology and Micro
School of Business, Hyderabad, A.P. India.
Finance. National Conference on Status,
September 23-28.
Constraints and Scope for Fisher folk
Bharath Kumar, S., N. Rameshkumar, Development through Microfinance. Fisheries
C. Appunu, V. R. Prabavathy and Sudha Nair. College and Research Institute, Thoothukkudi.
2007. Diversity Analysis of Rhizosphere November 14-15.
Associated Culturable and Unculturable Eganathan, P. 2008. Modern Plant Biotechnology
Bacteria from Mangrove spp. 48th Annual and its Application. BIONUT 2008. Sri
Conference of the Association of Microbiologist Akilandeswari Women’s College, Vandavasi,
(IIT), of India. Indian Institute of Technology, Thiruvannamalai District. January 10.
Chennai. December 18-21.
Geetha Rani, M. 2007. Conservation and
Bhavani, R. V. 2007. Community Foodgrain Management of Genetic Resources. TN
Banks for Food Security. German Agro Action’s Agricultural University, Coimbatore. February
Annual Partner Workshop on Nutrition Security 14.
– Towards an Integrated Approach. New Delhi.
November 26-27. Geetha Rani, M. 2007. Conservation and
Management of Genetic Resources: Access
Bhavani, R. V. 2008. Social Dimensions of & Benefit Sharing. TN Agricultural University,
Sustainability Science in Rural India – A Case Coimbatore. February 14.
from Vidarbha. 95th Indian Science Congress.
Geetha Rani, M. 2007. Agrobiodiversity
Visakhapatnam, AP. January 3-7.
Management Definition of Traditional Cultivar,
Bhavani, R. V. 2008. Access Not Excess, Novel Germplasm, Folk Variety, Landrace and
Ways to Nourish the World – Lessons from India. Farmers Variety. National Consultation on
Annual Symposium of the Oxford International Agrobiodiversity Hotspot and Biodiversity
Biomedical Centre. Oxford. April 1. Heritage Sites. North Eastern Hill University,
Shillong, Megalaya. June 1-2.
Chinnaraja. S., V. Senthilkumar, R. Durairaja,
C. Nagaraja and Sudha Nair. 2007. Sustainable Geetha Rani, M. 2007. Formations of SBB,
Livelihood Development Opportunities for BMC and their Capacity Building. National

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Level Advocacy Workshop on Farmer’s Rights Gnanappazham, L. 2007. Application of

to Livelihood. CUTS, New Delhi. June 20-22. Remote Sensing and GIS in Coastal Wetlands
Developments. Training Programme on
Geetha Rani, M. 2007. Agrobiodiversity
Geospatial Technology – Concepts and
Hotspot Management and Procedure for
Applications. Sathyabama University, Chennai.
Access and Benefit Sharing. National
November 2.
Consultation on Agrobiodiversity Hotspots and
Access and Benefit Sharing. Annamalai Gnanappazham, L. 2007. Remote Sensing and
University, Chidambaram. July 19-20. GIS in Mangrove Conservation and
Management. UNESCO Training Programme
Geetha Rani, M. 2008. Documentation of
for Application of Remote Sensing. Anna
Medicinal Plant Genetic Resources of
University, Chennai. November 27.
Pachamalai Hills, TN. National Seminar on
Forest, Medicinal Plants and People. SIRSI Gnanappazham, L. 2007. Role of GIS in
Forest College, New Delhi. February 21-22. Disaster Mitigation. Workshop on Media and
Disaster Mitigation. Anna University, Chennai.
Geetha Rani, M. 2008. Medicinal Plants
December 12.
Species Related to IK Management of Animal
Diseases: An Overview of Malayali Tribals, Gnanappazham, L. and V. Selvam. 2008.
Pachamalai Hills in the Eastern Ghats, TN. Multi–Temporal Remote Sensing Data in
International Seminar on Medicinal Plants & Monitoring the Mangroves of Pichavaram.
Herbal Products. S. V. University, Tirupati. National Seminar on Hyper Spectral Remote
March 7-9. Sensing Data on Natural Resource
Management. Annamalai University,
Geetha Rani, M. 2008. Study on Indigenous
Chidambaram. February 13-15.
Knowledge Associated with Tribes at
Pachamalai Hills. National Conference on Gnanappazham, L. 2008. Remote Sensing
Dhishana 2008: Streamlining India’s Traditional Application on Mangroves Management.
Knowledge towards Formulating a Sui Generis Training Programme on Geospatial Tech-
Regime. Ministry of Environment and Forests, nology – Concepts and Applications.
Government of India, Thiruvananthapuram. Sathyabama University, Chennai. March 31.
May 23-25.
Gopinath, R. 2007. Farmer’s Participation in
George, Suja. 2008. Genetic Engineering for Management Local Resources: A Case Study
Abiotic Stress Tolerance Using Prospis Juliflora of Parambur Tank in Pudukottai District, TN.
as a Model Plant System for Gene Mining. International Conference on Water Resource
International Conference on Recent Advances Management: Challenges and Opportunities in
in Bioengineering. SRM University, Chennai. the 21st Century. Assam University, Silchar.
February 7-9. April 23-26.

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PUBLICATIONS
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Gopinath, R. 2008. Changing Irrigation Pattern Traditional Forest related Knowledge.

in an Indian Village: Case Studies of Two Kunming, China. December 17-20.
Farmers. International Seminar on Intensive
Mahapatra, Sushanta Kumar. 2007. Operation
Village Studies to the Understanding of the
and Maintenance of Surface Irrigation System:
Rural Scenario in India. G. B. Pant Social
An Empirical Analysis from Selected
Science Institute, Allahabad. February 29-
Distributaries of Hirakud Command Area:
March 01.
Orissa. International Seminar on Water Spatial
Isaac Manuel, R. 2008. Enhancing Adaptive Dynamics, Competitive Claims and
Capacity to Climate Change. National Seminar Governance, How to Reduce Stress on the
on Climate Change: South Asia and Southeast Resource in Urban, Peri-Urban and Rural
Asia. Society for Indian Ocean Studies, New Areas? Pondicherry University, Pondicherry.
Delhi. February 16. November 30-December 01.

King, E. D. Israel Oliver. 2007. Cultural and Maity, Bijay Kumar, Sudha Nair, Vijay R
Conservation Dimensions of Malyali Tribes of Subbiah and R. Jeeva. 2007. Adoption of
Kolli Hills, TN. Conference on Tinai – A Social Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Practices
Order. Madras Christian College, Chennai. for Controlling Pests in Biovillage Programme
November 2. in Kendrapara. National Symposium on
Sustainable Pest Management and Safer
King, E. D. Israel Oliver and A. Vedhamoorthy. Environment. Orissa University of Agriculture
2007. Public-Private Partnership Model in & Technology, Bhubaneswar. December 6-7.
Organic Pine Apple Export – A Case Study.
Maity, Bijay Kumar. 2007. Effect of Different
India Organic 2007 Seminar on Indian Organic
Storage Receptacles on the Oviposition,
Agri Business: Threshold of Growth. NASC
Development and Quantitative Loss by the
Complex, New Delhi. November 29-30.
Bruchid, Caryedon Serratus (Oliv) in Stored
King, E. D. Israel Oliver. 2007. Role of Youth in Groundnut. National Symposium on
Sustainable Rural Development. Regional Sustainable Pest Management for Safer
Youth Camp. Nehru Yuva Kendra, Namakkal. Environment. Orissa University of Agriculture
December 8. & Technology, Bhubaneswar. December 6-7.

King, E. D. Israel Oliver. 2007. Strategy for Malarvannan, S., R. Rengalakshmi.,

Conservation of Sacred Forest of Kolli Hills, R. Seenivasan., V. R. Prabavathy and Sudha
TN, India: A Study on Botany, Ecology and Nair. 2007. Use of White Muscardine Fungus,
Community Interaction. International Beauveria Bassiana in the Integrated
Conference on Sustainable Forest Management of Banana Pseudostem weevil,
Management and Poverty Alleviation: Roles of Odoiporus longicollis Oliv. in Thoni Hills,

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Western Ghats. 48th Annual Conference of the Nair, Sudha and R. Rengalakshmi. 2007. Value
Association of Microbiologists of India. Indian Addition and Byproduct Utilisation in Banana.
Institute of Technology (IIT), Chennai. Case Studies of Two Commercially Sustainable
December 18-21. Small Enterprises. National Banana Research
Centre, Trichy. October 29-30.
Mani, K.G. 2007. Bioshield Development and
Management. Seminar on Ecological Nair, Sudha. 2008. Bio-entrepreneurship for
Development of East Coast of India, Coastal Women. National Conference on Showcasing
Poor Development Action Network India Cutting Edge Science and Technology for
(COPDANET), Chennai. December 21. Women. Department of Science and Technology,
Govt of India., New Delhi. March 8-9.
Mani, K.G. 2008. Poverty and Corruption.
Symposium on Poverty and Society. Nair, Sudha. 2008, Empowerment of Women
Annamalai University, Chidambaram. March in Rural Areas. Sustaining Global Pressures:
26-27. Women in Science & Engineering, Next
Mitra, Sudip and Sudha Nair. 2007. Generation challenges and Opportunities.
Bioindustrial Watershed Project Concept and Indian Women Scientists’ Association,
Approach. Workshop on Water Management Kalpakkam, IGCAR, Chennai. January 3-5.
Strategies for Food Security and Environmental
Narayanan, Rama. 2007. Women’s Multiple
Quality. Punjab Agricultural University,
Work Roles, Maternity Support and
Ludhiana. September 19-21.
Management of Breastfeeding in Urban Slums
Mitra, Sudip. 2008. Evergreen Revolution: in Chennai. 39th Annual Conference of the
Efficient Management of Natural Resources Nutrition Society of India. National Institute of
through Bio-Industrial Watershed Approach. Nutrition, Hyderabad. November 16.
95th Indian Science Congress. Visakhapatnam,
Narayanan, Rama. 2007. The Obesity
AP. January 3-7.
Syndrome: Issues and Challenges. National
Nagaraja, C. 2007. Women Based Aquaculture Conference on the Facts and Myths of Obesity.
in TN - A Sustainable Model. National PSG College, Coimbatore. December 19.
Workshop on Sustainability of Indian
Narayanan, Rama. 2008. Determinants of
Aquaculture Industry (Sustain-Aqua 07). Indian
Infant Feeding Practices in Chennai Slums. 95th
Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur.
Indian Science Congress. Visakhapatnam, AP.
September 28-29.
January 3-7.
Nair, Sudha. 2007. Engaging Women in
Science – Options for Developing Countries. Narayanan, Rama. 2008. Measurement of
Women in Science. Bibliotheca Alexandria, Undernutrition and Immune Status
Egypt. October 23-24. Assessment. National Conference on Nutrition

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PUBLICATIONS
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

and HIV AIDS: From Knowledge to Action. of Biological Chemists (India). Tirupati.
International Life Sciences Institute India(New November 25-27.
Delhi), Nagpur. February 14.
Parida, Ajay. 2007. Opportunities and Options
Palled, Vishwanath. 2007. Social Capital: The for Crop Biofortification for Alleviating
Missing Link in Development Intervention. Micronutrient Malnutrition. International
Empowering the Poor in the Era of Knowledge Symposium on Food Technology for Better
Economy. Confederation of NGOs of Rural Nutrition. Nutrition Foundation of India, New
India, New Delhi. April 24-26. Delhi. November 30-December 01.
Parasuraman, N. 2008. Every Child A Scientist Parida, Ajay. 2008. Biotechnology for Global
Programme. 95th Indian Science Congress. Public Good. 95th Indian Science Congress.
Visakhapatnam, AP. January 3-7. Visakhapatnam, AP. January 3-7.
Parasuraman, N. 2007. Successful
Parida, Ajay. 2008. Developing Crop Varieties
Establishment of Alternate Livelihoods for the
for Adoption to Climate Change. 95th Indian
Rural Poor Youth in Coastal Areas. YES
Science Congress. Visakhapatnam, AP.
Alexandria 2007, Alexandria. August 26-30.
January 3-7.
Parida, Ajay. 2007. Biotechnology for Ensuring
Parida, Ajay. 2008. Abiotic Stress Tolerance in
Food and Nutrition Security. National
Plants – Emerging Opportunities. National
Conference on Recent Advances in
Workshop on Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Plants.
Biotechnology. Osmania University,
Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneshwar. March
Hyderabad. October 16-17.
11-15.
Parida, Ajay. 2007. Tissue-Specific
Parida, Ajay. 2008. Ensuring and Enhancing
Histochemical Localisation of Iron and Ferritin
Crop Productivity in Response to Emerging
Gene Expression in Transgeneic Indica Rice
Abiotic Stress Conditions. Indo-Australian
Pusa Basmati (Oryza Sativa L.). Harvest Plus
Workshop on Transgeneic Crops. National
Rice Crop Meeting. Bangkok. November 3-5.
Institute for Plant Genome Research, New
Parida, Ajay. 2007. Biotechnology Options for Delhi. April 21-22.
Enhancing Food and Nutrition Security. Annual
Punitha, S. 2008. Distribution of Mangroves in
Symposium of the National Academy of
TN – Analysis through Remote Sensing.
Sciences. Central Food Technological Research
National Seminar on Hyperspectral Remote
Institute, Mysore. November 6-8.
Sensing Data on Natural Resource
Parida, Ajay. 2007. Enhancing Crop Productivity Management. Annamalai University,
in Saline Soils. 76th Annual Meeting of Society Chidambaram. February 13-15.

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Purohit Deepanweeta, 2008. Rice Iron Selvam, V. 2008. Seawater farming: An Adaptive
Fortification for Combating Micronutrient Strategy to Sea Level Rise. 95th Indian Science
Deficiency. International Conference on Recent Congress, Vishakapatnam, January 3-7.
Advances in Bioengineering. SRM University,
Selvam, V. 2008. Seawater Farming for
Chennai. February 7-9.
Coastal Area Prosperity. National Science Day
Rameshkumar, N. and Sudha Nair. 2007. Workshop. Central Institute of Brackishwater
Vibrio porteresiae sp. nov., A Novel Aquaculture, Chennai. February 12.
Diazotrophich Bacterium Isolated from a
Mangrove Associated Wild Rice (Porteresia Selvam, V. 2008. Resilience, Adaptation and
coarctata Tateoka). 48th Annual Conference of Transformation in Turbulent Times.
the Association of Microbiologists of India. International Conference on Resilience.
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Chennai. Stockholm, Sweden. April 14-17.
December 18-21. Selvam, V. 2007. Coastal Bioshields. National
Rengalakshmi, R. 2008. Gender and Workshop on Cyclone Risk Management.
Information and Communication Technology National Institute of Disaster Management,
Based Functional Literacy. IAWS Annual New Delhi. August 27-31.
Meeting. Lucknow. February 8-11. Senthilkumar, V. 2007. GAP in Aquaculture.
Rukmani, R. 2007. India’s Agricultural Workshop on Application of HACCP Principles
Development: Some Concerns. National in Shrimp Farming. Marine Products Export
Seminar on India: The Emerging Super Power. Development Authority, Pondicherry.
Institute of Technology, Mayyil, Kerala. April 22-23.
October 3.
Senthilkumaran, S. 2007. Telecentre Networks,
Rukmani, R. 2007. Perspectives and Issues Network Strategic Plan, Network Structure and
in Indian Development. Refresher Course in Governance. Consultative Meeting. The
Economics for College Teachers. Establishment of Regional Knowledge Network
Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirapalli. of Telecentres in Asia-Pacific, Bangkok.
November 20. September 27-28.

Satheesh, K., P. S. Udayan and Indira Srinath, J. 2007. Knowledge Revolution for
Balachandran. 2007. Notes on Ten Rare, Livelihood Security: Village Knowledge Centres
Endemic and Threatened Plants of Western of M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation.
Ghats of Conservation Concern. Indian National Seminar on Rural e-Empowerment.
Association of Angiosperm Taxonomy National Bank for Agriculture and Rural
Conference. Sivaji University, Kohlapur, Development (NABARD), Mangalore,
Maharashtra. November 19-21. Karnataka. October 11.

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PUBLICATIONS
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Subbiah, Vijay R. 2007. Evergreen Revolution: Participation in Training Programmes/

Farm to Fork. International Conference cum
Exhibition on Agri Business & Food
Processing. Federation of Indian Chambers
of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Chennai.
October 26-27.
Usha, B., Gayatri Venkataraman and Ajay
Parida. 2008. A-Nucleo-Cytoplasm Co-
localised Type 2 Metallothionein from Prosopis
Juliflora Confers Heavy Metal Tolerance to
Transgenic Tobacco. Plant Biology 2008.
Mexico. June 26-July 01.
Vepa, Swarna S. 2007. The Impact of
Economic Reforms on Agriculture. Seminar on
the Impact of Reforms. Vivekananda College,
Chennai. September 5.
Vepa, Swarna S. 2007. Agriculture and Food
Security. Symposium on Growing Sectoral
Imbalances in the Indian Economy. Madras
Christian College, Chennai. September 17.
Vepa, Swarna S. 2007. Government Policies
of Poverty Reduction and Human Resource
Development. Symposium on Pro-Poor
Policies for Poverty Reduction. DHAN
Foundation, Madurai. September 28.
Vepa, Swarna S. 2007. Policies to Alleviate
Agricultural and Rural Distress and Agricultural
Price Policy and its Relevance in the Era of
Globalisation. Refresher
Contemporary Issues in Development. Madras
School of Economics, Chennai. December 7.
Workshops
Anil Kumar, N., K. A. Sujana, K. Sathheesh, C.
S. Dhanya, K. S. Surabhi and S. Smitha Nair.
2007. National Seminar on Medicinal Plants:
Strategies for Conservation. Arya Vaidya Sala,
Kottakkal. December 4.
Anuradha, G. 2007. NSS, ASI & IIP Data
Processing. State Planning Commission and
University of Madras, Chennai. November 26.
Anuradha, G. 2007. Whole Person Process
Facilitation. Vistar Project of USAID, New Delhi.
December 4-6.
Arivudai Nambi, A. 2007. Seminar on Climate
Change and Indian Agriculture: Impact,
Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment.
Madras School of Economics, Chennai.
August 31.
Arivudai Nambi, A. 2007. GTZ Appraisal
Workshop for Indo-German Bilateral Project on
Climate Change Adaptation for TN. Directorate
of Environment, Chennai. September 22.
Arivudai Nambi, A. 2007. Quiz Programme on
Environment for School Children. US
Consulate, American Centre, Chennai.
October 10.
Arivudai Nambi, A. 2007. Young Climate
Savers: Teachers Training Workshop on
Climate Change and Energy. WWF-India,
Chennai. November 21.
Course on Arivudai Nambi, A. 2007. National Workshop
on Climate Change and its Impact on Health.
WHO, Lonavala, Mumbai. November 26-27.

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Arivudai Nambi, A. 2007. Panel Discussion on Bharath, P. 2008. Thelotremataceae Lichen

AI Gore’s Film an Inconvenient Truth. US Workshop. The Field Museum, Chicago, USA
Consulate, American Centre, Chennai. June 13. and Ramkhamhaeng University, Bangkok,
Arivudai Nambi, A. 2007. United Nations Forum Thailand. March 10-15.
on Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) – Bhavani, R. V. 2008. Workshop on Tool to
CoP-13 Meeting. Bali, Indonesia. December Assess Local Level Food Security. SEVA
3-14.
Mandir, Udaipur. March 19.
Arivudai Nambi, A. 2008. Delhi Sustainable
Bhavani, R. V. 2008. Asian Commonwealth
Development Summit on Sustainable
Conference on Strengthening Role of Civil
Development and Climate Change. The
Energy and Resources Institute, New Delhi. Society and Media in Climate Change
February 7-9. Adaptation and Disaster Mitigation.
Commonwealth Foundation and All India
Arivudai Nambi, A. 2008. Climate Change
Mitigation Institute, Chennai. April 23-25.
Leadership Program. AI Gore The Climate
Program, New Delhi. March 15-16. Gopinath, R. 2007. National Conference on
Arivudai Nambi, A. 2008. World Meteorological Human Development in India. North-Eastern
Day Theme Meeting on Observing Our Planet Hill University, Shillong. May 24-25.
for a Better Future. Indian Meteorological
Society, Chennai. March 25. Gupta, Ravi Kumar. 2007. Training Programme
on Understanding the Environment Impact
Balasubramanian, T. N. 2007. National Assessment. Centre for Science and
Conference on Impacts of Climate Change with
Environment, New Delhi. August 27-31.
particular reference to Agriculture. Tamilnadu
Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Isaac Manuel, R. 2007. Seminar on Climate
August 22-24. Change and Indian Agriculture: Impact,
Balasubramanian, T. N. 2007. TERI, DFID, IDS Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment.
Project Meeting. New Delhi. September 25-26. Madras School of Economics, Chennai.
August 31.
Balasubramanian, T. N. 2007. UNDP Media
Workshop. United Nations Development Isaac Manuel, R. 2007. Environment Quiz
Programme, Udaipur. October 26-28.
Programme. US Consulate, Chennai.
Baskar, R. 2007. India Organic Trade Fair October 10.
2007. International Competence Centre for
Organic Agriculture and Indian Council of Isaac Manuel, R. 2007. National Workshop on
Agricultural Research, New Delhi. November Biodiesel. Madurai Kamaraj University,
29-December 02. Madurai. October 17-18.

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PUBLICATIONS
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Isaac Manuel, R. 2007. NATCOM Workshop Maity, Bijay Kumar. 2007. Coastal Biovillage
on Issues in Vulnerability Assessment and Programme of Kendrapara. Bapatla Agriculture
Adaptation in India. WINROCK International College, AP. November 12.
India, New Delhi. November 1-2.
Maity, Bijay Kumar. 2007. National Symposium
Isaac Manuel, R. 2008. National Conference on Sustainable Pest Management for Safer
on the Environment and Indian History. CPR Environment. Orissa University of Agriculture
Foundation, Chennai. January 11. & Technology, Bhubaneswar. December 6-7.

Isaac Manuel, R. 2008. Monitoring and Maity, Bijay Kumar. 2007. Strategies for
Achieving 4 % Agricultural Growth in Orissa.
Evaluation Meeting of Inter-cooperation.
Institute of Public Finance and Policy (IPFP),
AFPRO, Udaipur. January 29-February 1.
Bhubaneswar. December 22-23.
Isaac Manuel, R. 2008. 5 th International
Maity, Bijay Kumar. 2007. Citizens Priorities:
Biofuels Conference. WINROCK International
India, New Delhi. February 7-8. State Budget on Agriculture in Orissa. Centre
for Youth and Social Development and Centre
Isaac Manuel, R. 2008. Regional Workshop for Policy Research and Advocacy.
on Building Adaptation Strategies to Climate Bhubaneswar. December 29.
Change for Selected Flood and Drought Prone
Areas of Bangladesh. Bangladesh Centre for Mani, K.G. 2008. Workshop on Role of Media
Advanced Studies, Dhaka, Bangladesh. in Women Empowerment. Draupadi Trust,
February 14. Chennai. January 28.

Isaac Manuel, R. 2008. World Meteorological Mani, K.G. 2008. Workshop on Research
Day Theme Meeting on Observing Our Planet Methodology in Social Science. Annamalai
for a Better Future. Indian Meteorological University, Chidambaram. January 30.
Society, Chennai. March 25.
Menon, Manjula. 2008. Training Programme
King, E. D. Israel Oliver. 2007. Training Course on Water Management. Rajaji Bhavan,
on Property Rights, Collective Action and Chennai. March 28-29
Environmental Governance: The Links
Mitra, Sudip. 2008. Food Security and
between State, Community and Resources.
Institute of Social Economic Change and Environmental Change-Linking Science,
CGIAR, Bangalore. April 16-20. Development and Policy for Adaptation. Oxford
University, Oxford. April 1-4.
Mahapatra, Sushanta Kumar. 2007. Towards
Behavioral Foundation for Environmental Mitra, Sudip. 2007. Conservation Council for
Policy. Madras Institute of Development Small Water Resources. DHAN Foundation,
Studies, Chennai. August 29. Chennai. July 21.

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Mitra, Sudip. 2007. Soil Survey Coordination International Food Policy Research Institute.
Committee Meeting. Department of Agriculture, Washington D. C., U.S.A. June 12-13.
Government of TN, Chennai. September 24.
Pradhan, Shishusri. 2007. Seminar on Climate
Nageswaran, M. 2007. Madurai Symposium Change and Indian Agriculture: Impact,
2007 – Policy Seminar on Enhancing Rainfed Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment.
Farming Livelihoods: Need of Policy Changes. Madras School of Economics, Chennai.
DHAN Foundation, Madurai. September 26. August 31.

Nair, Sudha. 2007. Consultative Workshop on Pradhan, Shishusri. 2007. Environment Quiz
Bringing Gender Sensitivity in Rural Programme. US Consulate, Chennai.
Development: Programmes and Policies. October 10.
National Institute of Rural Development,
Hyderabad. October 16 - 17. Pradhan, Shishusri. 2007. National Workshop
on Biodiesel. Madurai Kamaraj University,
Nair, Sudha. 2007. Ecoagriculture Partnership, Madurai. October 17-18.
Launch of the Community Knowledge
Services. Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Pradhan, Shishusri. 2007. Training Course on
Health Traditions, Bangalore. October 21. Innovation Systems and Energy Policy for
Africa Development. African Centre for
Nancy J. Anabel. 2008. Training Programme Technology Studies, Kenya. November 26-30.
on Decentralised Disaster Risk Management,
Colombo, Sri Lanka, Febrauary 21-23. Pradhan, Shishusri. 2007. Talk on Coastal
Ecosystems and Human Wellbeing: The Case
Parasuraman, N. 2007. Magsaysay Awardees of TN Coast. Madras School of Economics,
Conference. Asia and the Magsaysay Award:
Chennai. August 31.
Ripples of Reform. The Ramon Magsaysay
Award Foundation, Chennai. November 14-17. Pradhan, Shishusri. 2008. 5th International
Biofuels Conference. WINROCK International
Parida, Ajay. 2007. Harvest Plus Project
Management Committee Meeting. Washington India, New Delhi. February 7-8.
D. C. October 30-31. Pradhan, Shishusri. 2008. Interdisciplinary
Parida, Ajay. 2008. CGIAR Change Steering Research Methodology Workshop on
Team Meeting. Addis Ababa. April 3-5. Environment, Sustainable Development and
Human Wellbeing. Madras Institute of
Parida, Ajay. 2008. Priority Setting Workshop
Development Studies, Chennai. February 19.
on Agricultural Biotechnology for Sri Lanka.
Colombo, Srl Lanka. May 5-6. Ramana, Sana Venkat. 2007. Training cum
Parida, Ajay. 2008. Harvest Plus Project Workshop on Watershed. Watershed
Management Committee Meeting. The Organisation Trust, Ahmadnagar. August 21.

190
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PUBLICATIONS
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Remesh, M. 2007. National Conference on Rukmani, R. 2007. National Seminar on

Intangible National Heritage and Museums. Agrarian Crisis: Causes and Remedies.
Regional Museum of Natural History and National Centre for Agricultural Economics and
Directorate of Tourism, Calicut. April 18-20. Policy Research, New Delhi. August 1-2.

Remesh, M. 2007. National Workshop on Santhamurthy, P. 2007. Leaders Retreat for

Prioritisation and Characterisation of Fast Community Based Organisation. DHAN
Growing Native Tree Resources. Ministry of Foundation, Madurai. September 28-29.
Environment & Forests, Government of India
and Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Selvam, V. 2007. National Workshop on
Breeding, Coimbatore. August 8-9. Tsunami Risk Management. National Disaster
Management Authority, Government of India,
Remesh, M., K. S. Surabhi., P. Sujanapal. and New Delhi. October 31.
K. Satheesh. 2007. Seminar on Flowering Plant
Diversity. Sree Narayana College Maliankara, Selvamukilan, B. 2008. Training Programme
Ernakulam, Kerala. September 27-29. on Nesolynx thymus (Parasitoid of Silkworm)
Production. Regional Sericulture Research
Rengalakshmi, R. 2007. Organic Agriculture, Station, Salem. February 4-7.
Marketing and Organisation Building.
International Competence Centre for Organic Selvamukilan, B. 2008. Training Programme
Agriculture, Bangalore. September 24-25. on Low Cost Cattle Feed Production. TN
Veterinary College and University, Namakkal.
Rengalakshmi, R. 2007. Community Knowledge February 26-28.
Service – International Steering Committee and
CKS Asia Launch Meeting. Foundation for Senthilkumar.V 2007. AQUAINDIA-2007.
Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions Society of Aquaculture Professionals, Chennai.
(FRLHT), Bangalore. October 21-22. September 27-28.

Rengalakshmi, R. 2007. International Task Senthilkumaran, S. 2007. 3rd Global

Force Meeting on Gender and ICT. Convention Knowledge Conference. Global Knowledge
Center, Kuala Lumpur. December 9-10. Partnership, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
December 9-13.
Rengalakshmi, R. 2007. Global Knowledge
Partnership Meet Workshop. GKP, Kuala Shanti, Duraisamy. 2007. Sustaining SHG
Lumpur. December 11-13. Federations. DHAN Foundation, Madurai.
September 27.
Rosario, D. 2008. Tata-ICRISAT-ICAR Project
Review and Planning Meeting on Productivity Sivakumar, A, 2008.Training programme on
Enhancement Initiatives in India. ICRISAT, Decentralised Disaster Risk Management,
Patancharu. April 24-26. Colombo, Sri Lanka, Febrauary 21-23.

191
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○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
Sivakumar, A. and Vedamoorthy. 2007. TNAU-
CIDA-McGill University – Industry Meet on
Food Processing and Post Harvest
Technology. Tamilnadu Agricultural University,
Coimbatore. June 25.
Sivakumar, M. N. 2007. Conservation and Co-
Creation. The Covenant Centre for
Development and CESCI Campus, Madurai.
August 1-2.
Sivakumar, N. 2007. Industry Conference on
Driving the Next Agri Revolution. Confederation
of Indian Industry and Chennai Trade Centre,
Chennai. November 26-27.
Sivakumar, P. 2007. 3rd Global Knowledge
Conference. Global Knowledge Partnership,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. December 11-13.
Sivan, V. V. 2008. Discussion on the PBR
Format designed by the National Biodiversity
Authority. Kerala State Biodiversity Board,
Thiruvananthapuram. February 18.
Sivan, V. V. 2008. Training Course on Project
Planning and Writing.
Thiruvananthapuram. May 8-10
Sivan, V. V. 2008. Field Course on
Interdisciplinary Approaches and Tools for
Ecological Monitoring of Natural Resources and
Livelihoods. Keystone, Kothagiri. May 5-14.
Sophia, J.D, 2008. Training programme on
Decentralised Disaster Risk Management.
Practical Action, Colombo, Sri Lanka,
Febrauary 21-23.
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
Srinath, J. 2007. Community Radio for Health
Care, Education and Livelihood Generation.
India International Centre, Media Lab Asia and
World Development Foundation, New Delhi.
April 16-17.
Srinath, J. 2007. Global Knowledge
Partnership (GKP) South Asia Partners ’
Meeting and Discussion on Preparation for
GK3 Global Conferencing. BRAC Centre,
Dhaka, Bangladesh. July 15-16.
Subbiah, Vijay R. 2007. Emerging Agri-
Business: Opportunities and Risk
Management. Indian Bank Management
Academy, Chennai. November 1.
Subbiah, Vijay R. 2007. Infra 2007 – MAP
Tomorrow’s Chennai – Conference on Fuelling
Inclusive Growth through Holistic Regional
Development. Confederation of Indian
Industries, Chennai. December 18.
Sujana, K. A. 2008. Training in Botanical
Illustration. Department of Botany, University
of Calicut, Calicut, Kerala. March 13-15.
ADWANA,
Swain, S. 2007. Training Programme on
Participatory Approaches in Agro-Biodiversity
Conservation in Assam. Assam Agricultural
University, Jorhat, Assam. November 19-29
Swain, S. 2007. National Level Multi-
Stakeholder Consultative Workshop on
Management of the Herbal Wealth of India.
PRAGYA, New Delhi. October 4-5.
Swain, S. 2007. National Level CAMP
Workshop on Medicinal Plants of Orissa. Rural
192
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PUBLICATIONS
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Poverty Research Center Foundation for Bharath Kumar, S., N. Rameshkumar,

Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions and C. Appunu, V. R. Prabavathy and Sudha Nair.
(FRLHT), Bhubaneswar. October 7-11. 2007. Dr. Rana Memorial Award for the best
Thangavel, P. 2007. Soil Health Management poster presentation at 48th Annual Conference
Training. Tamilnadu Agricultural University, of Association of Microbiologists of India, IIT,
Coimbatore. October 16-18. Chennai.

Awards/Honours Parasuraman, N. Member, IUCN –

Anil Kumar, N. 2008. Alcoa Foundation Commission on Education and Commu-
Fellowship on Sustainability Practitioner. Alcoa nication. IUCN, Geneva
Foundation, USA.
Parida, Ajay. 2008. Member, International
Anil Kumar, N. 2008. Watson Institute of Advisory Board, Transforum. Government of
International Studies Scholarship. Watson
Netherlands, Netherlands.
Institute of International Studies, USA.

193
About the Foundation
M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) was registered in 1988 as a non-profit Trust,
recognized by the Government of India, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, New
Delhi, and by the Director General of Income Tax Exemptions, for the purpose of exemption of
contributions from Income Tax under Section 80G and sections 35(1)(ii) of Income Tax Act,
1961, read with Rule 6 of Income Tax Rules, 1962. The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of
India, has recognised the Foundation for receiving funds from sources abroad under the provisions
of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 1976.

Board of Trustees
Prof. M.S. Swaminathan (Chairman)
Dr. T. Ramasami Mr. N. Ram
Dr. Suman Sahai Dr. Madhura Swaminathan
Mr. V. Namasivayam Ms. Mina Swaminathan
Mr. Vijay Mahajan Dr. Tushaar Shah
Ms. Rita Sarin Mr. K. Rajiv

Shri A.M.Gokhale, Executive Director, MSSRF (Secretary to the Board)

Centre for Research on Sustainable

Agricultural and Rural Development
(CRSARD)

Prof. M.S. Swaminathan Shri. A.M. Gokhale

President
11 Ratna Nagar, Chennai 600 018
Dr. S. Rajagopalan
Secretary – CRSARD
3 Jethnagar Second Cross Street
RA Puram, Chennai 600 028
Ms. Malavika Vinod Kumar (Treasurer)
Technical Director
M/s. Sundar Chemicals (P) Ltd
560-562, 6-G, Century Flyover, Teynampet
Chennai 600018
Executive Director, MSSRF, Chennai
Ms. Mina Swaminathan
Advisor (Education, Communication and
Gender), MSSRF, Chennai
Prof. P.C. Kesavan
Distinguished Fellow and Advisor, NVA
MSSRF, Chennai
Mr. B.S. Raghavan, IAS (Retd.)
4, Second Street, Nehru Nagar
Adyar, Chennai 600 020

194
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ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Dr. K.V. Raman Dr. P. Mannar Jawahar

3-A, ‘Shreyas’ Vice Chancellor
4th Seaward Road, Valmiki Nagar Anna University
Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai 600 041 Chennai 600 025

Dr. T.N. Ananthakrishnan Dr. S. Ramachandran

6, “Dwaraka”, 42, (Old No. 22)Kamdar Nagar Vice Chancellor
Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 034 University of Madras
Chepauk, Chennai 600005
Mr. A.M. Mahmood Hussain, IFS (Retd.)
29, 1st North Cross Road Prof. S. Jayaraj***
Kapaleeswarar Nagar 39, A.G.S. Colony
Neelankarai, Chennai 600 041 Velacherry, Chennai 600 042

Mr. G. Venkataramani Ms. Sumitra Ravichandran

51, Journalists Colony, Srinivasapuram Partner, M/s. N.C. Rajagopal & Co
Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai 600041 No.22, Krishnaswamy Avenue
Mylapore, Chennai 600 004
Rtn. S.S. Rajasekhar
‘River View’, Kottupuram Auditors
Chennai 600 085
M/s. N.C. Rajagopal & Company, Chennai
Dr. C. Ramasamy
Project / Management Committees
Vice Chancellor
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Advisory Board to The Hindu Media
Coimbatore 641 003 Resource Centre

Mr. N. Ram
Dr. P. Thangaraju
Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu, Chennai
Vice Chancellor
Tamil Nadu Veterinary & Mr. Sashikumar Menon
Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS) Chairman
Madhavaram, Chennai 600051 Asian College of Journalism, Chennai

Dr. M. Anandakrishnan Mr. B.R. Kumar

Chairman Station Manager
Madras Institute of Development Studies Gyan Vani, Educational Radio Chennai
79 Second Main Road, Gandhi Nagar IGNOU, Chennai
Adyar, Chennai 600020

*** Deceased during the year

195
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Mr. H.R. Krishnamoorthy Ms. R.V. Bhavani

Director Director i/c (Food Security)
All India Radio, Chennai MSSRF, Chennai

Prof. M.S. Swaminathan Dr. Sudha Nair

Chairman Director, (Ecotechnology )
MSSRF, Chennai MSSRF, Chennai

Shri. A.M. Gokhale Mr. S. Senthilkumaran

Executive Director Director, (Information, Communication and
MSSRF, Chennai Education) MSSRF, Chennai

Ms. Mina Swaminathan Dr. Suman Sahai

Advisor, (Education, Communication and President, Gene Campaign, New Delhi
Gender) MSSRF, Chennai
Dr. P.K. Shetty
Ms. Madhavi Ravikumar * National Institute of Advanced Studies
Coordinator (NIAS), Bangalore
The Hindu Media Resource Centre
Dr. A.S. Abhiraman
MSSRF, Chennai
Executive Director
Steering Committee for Integrated Hindustan Uni Lever Ltd., Bangalore
Management of Biodiversity Resources in
Mr. Francois Binder
Partnership with Communities
Country Director
Chair SDC, New Delhi
Prof. M.S. Swaminathan
Mr. K. Vishwanath
Chairman, MSSRF, Chennai
Team Leader
Members SDC, New Delhi

Shri. A.M. Gokhale Mr. N.R. Jagannath

Executive Director Programme Officer
MSSRF, Chennai SDC, New Delhi

Ms. Mina Swaminathan Dr. V. Arivudai Nambi (Member Secretary)

Advisor, (Education, Communication and Principal Scientist &
Gender) MSSRF, Chennai Project Coordinator, MSSRF, Chennai

* Left during the year

196
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ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Institutional Bio-Safety Committee Members

Chair Dr. C.R. Bhatia

17, Rohini, Plot No.29-30 Sector 9-A
Prof. M.S. Swaminathan
Vashi, Navi Mumbai, Mumbai
Chairman, MSSRF, Chennai
Dr. S.F. D’Souza
Members
Associate Director
Dr. K. Bhuvaneshwari Bio-Medical Group and Head
Professor, TNAU Nuclear Agriculture and Biotechnology
Coimbatore – DBT Nominee Division, BARC, Mumbai
Dr. H. Devaraj Dr. R.P. Gupta
Director, University of Madras, Scientist “E”, O/o The Principal Scientific
Guindy Campus Chennai Advisor to the Government of India
New Delhi
Dr. Ajit Yadav
Medical Practitioner, Management Advisory Committee, MSSRF
Apollo Hospital, Chennai CAbC, Kalpetta, Wayanad Dist, Kerala.
Shri. A.M. Gokhale Chair
Executive Director
Shri. A. Ratnam
MSSRF, Chennai
Kalpetta
Dr. Ajay K. Parida (Member Secretary)
Members
Director (Biotechnology)
MSSRF, Chennai Smt. C.V. Shanthy
Principal, Jawaharlal Navoday Vidyalaya
Project Review and Monitoring Committee Kalpetta
“Designing Rural Technology Delivery
Systems for Mitigating Agrarian Distress”, Smt. M. Sujatha
supported by the office of the Principal Madakki, Kalpetta
Scientific Advisor (PSA) to the Government
Shri. K.V. Divakaran
of India
Pozhuthana , Kalpetta
Dr. Panjab Singh (Chairman)
Shri. Ajith Prasad Jain
Vice-Chancellor
Maniyancode, Kalpetta
Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
Shri. A.M. Gokhale
Executive Director
MSSRF, Chennai

197
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Dr. K.U.K. Nampoothiri ** (Member Secretary) Chairman, SJRF

Director, CAbC, MSSRF, Kalpetta Velachery, Chennai
Wayanad
Dr. Rohini Iyer
Programme Advisory Committee, MSSRF Principal Scientist (Retd.), CPCRI
CAbC, Kalpetta, Wayanad Dist, Kerala. Vengattampally, Thazhava
Kuthirappanthi, Karunagappally, Kollam
Chair

Prof. M.K. Prasad Dr. Indira Balachandran

62, Girinagar, Cochin Project Director
Centre for Medicinal Plant Research, AVS
Members Changuvetty, Kottakkal
Shri. A. Ratnam
Mr. H. Nagesh Prabhu, IFS
Chairman, MAC –MSSRF, CAbC
Director, Oushadhi Chief Executive Officer
Kalpetta
SMPB, Thrissur
Shri. A.M. Gokhale
Mr. N. Sasikumar
Executive Director
Director, KIRTADS, Calicut
MSSRF, Chennai
Dr. K.U.K. Nampoothiri ** (Member Secretary)
Ms. Mina Swaminathan
Director, CAbC, MSSRF, Kalpetta
Advisor, (Education, Communication and
Wayanad
Gender) MSSRF, Chennai
Programme Advisory Committee, Ford
Dr. N. Anil Kumar
Foundation Chair for Women and
Director, (Biodiversity), MSSRF, Chennai
Sustainable Food Security
Dr. P. Pushpangadan Chair
Director General
Prof. M.S. Swaminathan
Amity Institute for Herbal and Biotech
Chairman, MSSRF, Chennai
Products Development, Mannamoola,
Peroorkada, Thiruvananthapuram Members

Prof. S. Jayaraj *** Dr. Ganesan Balachander

Vice Chancellor (Retd.), TNAU Country Representative
Ford Foundation, New Delhi

** Transferred to MSSRF-Jeypore Centre, w.e.f.

April 1, 2008
*** Deceased during the year

198
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Prof. Parvin Kiran Sinclair Ms. R.V. Bhavani

Professor of Mathematics Director i/c (Food Security)
Indira Gandhi National Open University MSSRF, Chennai
New Delhi
Dr. R. Rukmani
Ms. Chitra Jayanty Principal Coordinator
Vice President Project on Designing Rural Technology
Naandi Foundation, Hyderabad Delivery Systems for Mitigating Agrarian
Distress, MSSRF, Chennai
Dr. Smita Gupta
Indian School of Women’s Studies Dr. Rama Narayanan
New Delhi Advisor, Food Security, MSSRF, Chennai

Dr. Rani Bang Dr. Swarna S. Vepa (Member Secretary)*

Director, Society for Education, Action and Ford Foundation Chair, MSSRF, Chennai
Research in Community Health (SEARCH)
Project Advisory Committee for Project on
Maharashtra
Strengthening Resilience of Tsunami
Dr. Indira Rajaram Affected Communities in India and Sri
Professor, National Institute of Public Finance Lanka
and Policy, New Delhi
Chair
Dr. Janaki Andharia Prof.M.S.Swaminathan
Tata Institute of Social Sciences Chairman, MSSRF, Chennai
Bombay
Members
Ms. Mina Swaminathan
Mr. Calvin Piggot
Advisor, (Education, Communication and
First Secretary
Gender) MSSRF, Chennai
Canadian High Commission
Dr. S. Balaravi Sri Lanka
Advisor, (Biodiversity), MSSRF, Chennai
Dr.Gail Cockburn
Dr. Sudha Nair Head of Development Cooperation, CIDA
Director, (Ecotechnology) MSSRF, Chennai New Delhi

Mr. S. Senthilkumaran Dr.Stephen McGurk

Director, (Information, Communication & Director, IDRC, New Delhi
Education) MSSRF, Chennai

* Retired during the year

199
○ ○
ANNUAL REPORT 2007 -2008
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Mr.A.M.Gokhale Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne

Executive Director Executive Director
MSSRF, Chennai Sarvodaya, Sri Lanka

Dr. A. Senthil Vel Dr. Vishak Hidellage

Director, Ministry of Environement and Director, Practical Action, Sri Lanka
Forests, Government of India, New Delhi
Dr. Buddhi Weerasinghe
Mr. C.K. Sreedharan Director, Disaster Management Centre
Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Sri Lanka
Tamil Nadu
Dr. V.Selvam
Mr. A.V.Joseph Director, (Coastal Systems Research)
Additional Principal MSSRF, Chennai
Chief Conservator of Forest
Ms. Uday Mendis
Andhra Pradesh
Deputy Executive Director
Dr. V.S. Hegde Sarvodaya, Sri Lanka
Director, (Applications)
India Space Research Organization
Bangalore

200
 Foundation Staff

Shri A.M. Gokhale

Executive Director

Programme Area 100: Coastal Systems Thangachimadam

Research
Mr. Selvakku Md. M.
Dr. Selvam V. Senior Scientist
Director
Mr. Nedumaran T.
Coastal Wetlands Project Scientist

Dr. Parasuraman N. Andhra Pradesh

Principal Scientist
Dr. Ramasubramanina R.
Ms. Gnanapazham L. Senior Scientist
Scientist
Mr. Prasad Ch. S.S.V.
Mr. Jayakumar K. Scientist
Scientist
Mr. Suvaranaraju P.
Ms. Punitha S. Scientist
Scientist
Ms. Praveena Katragadda *
Chidambaram Scientist

Mr. Mani K.G. Nuclear and Biotechnological Tools for

Scientist Coastal Systems Research

Mr. Sivanesan V. Kudankulam

Scientist
Dr. Ravi Kumar Gupta
Mr. Chockalingam K. * Scientist
Scientist
Mr. David P.V.
Ms. Mercy Rajakumari C. * Technical Assistant
Accounts Assistant

* Left during the year

201
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Mr. Chelladurai J. Ms. Lavanya A.

Technical Assistant Project Assistant

Kalpakkam Ms. Uma A.

Secretary
Mr. Kalaimani R.
Scientist Community Biodiversity Programme

Mr. Sankar R. Kolli Hills, Namakkal

Field Assistant
Dr. Israel Oliver King E.D.
Programme Area 200: Biodiversity Senior Scientist

Dr. Anilkumar N. Dr. Sivakumar Arumugam *

Director and Head, MSSRF, CAbC, Kalpetta Fellow

Dr. Bala Ravi S. Mr. Sivakumar M.N.

Advisor Fellow

Dr. Arivudai Nambi V. Mr. Baskar R.

Principal Scientist Accounts Assistant

Ms. Geetha Rani M. Mr. Thangavel P.

Senior Scientist Office Attendant

Dr. Smita Mishra Community Agrobiodiversity Centre

Senior Scientist
Kalpetta, Kerala
Ms. Shanthi G. Mr. Girigan G.
Fellow Senior Scientist

Ms. Sathya C.K. Mr. Ratheesh Narayanan M.K.

Fellow Senior Scientist

Mr. Murugan S. * Dr. Manjula C.

Fellow Principal Scientist

Ms. Lalitha Ramakrishnan Ms. Alishya Mathews

Senior Scientific Associate Scientist

Ms. Meena M.
Project Assistant

* Left during the year

202
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FOUNDATION STAFF
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Mr. Sivan V.V. Ms. Asiya P.

Research Associate Project Assistant

Mr. Prajeesh P. Ms. Kavitha B.K.

Project Associate Project Assistant

Ms. Dhanya C.S. Mr. Joseph John *

Research Fellow Project Assistant

Ms. Smitha S. Nair Ms. Manisha Jain

Research Fellow Project Assistant

Mr. Sujanapal P. Ms. Archana D.

Research Fellow Research Associate

Ms. Sujana K.A. Mr. Raveendran T.

Research Fellow Field Assistant

Mr. Satheesh K. Mr. Rasheed P.A.

Research Fellow Field Assistant

Mr. Remesh M. Mr. Shajahan P.T.

Research Fellow Technical Assistant

Ms. Surabbi K.S. Ms. Anu K.V.

Research Fellow Field Assistant

Mr. Biju K.J. * Mr. Manoj Kumar T.

Research Fellow Assistant Manager (Accounts)

Mr. Thejos Piyoosh Moolechal Ms. Elsy Mathew

Junior Research Fellow Assistant Manager (Administration)

Mr. Lidith N.M. Ms. Shyja K.N.

Junior Research Fellow Computer & Library Assistant

Mr. Sajeev V.P. * Mr. Salim P.M.

System Administrator Farm Assistant

Mr. Sajeev V.B. * Ms. Saraswathy N.

Field Investigator Cook cum Caretaker

* Left during the year

203
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Mr. Rasheed K. Ms. Shantilata Pattnayak

Driver Scientist

Ms. Saraswathy K. Ms. Smita Raut

Cleaner Fellow

Biju Patnaik Medicinal Plants Garden & Mr. Suresh Kumar Rath
Research Centre, Jeypore, Orissa Accounts Assistant

Dr. K.U.K. Nampoothiri Programme Area 300: Biotechnology

Director
Dr. Ajay Kumar Parida
Dr. Das P. * Director
Director
Dr. Hariharan G.N.
Mr. Susanta Sekhar Chaudhry Principal Scientist
Senior Scientist
Dr. Rajalakshmi Swaminathan
Mr. Mahapatra S.S. Principal Scientist
Senior Scientist
Dr. Gayathri Venkataraman
Mr. Prasantha Kumar Parida Principal Scientist
Scientist
Dr. Eganathan P.
Mr. Trilochana Ray * Senior Scientist
Scientist
Dr. Suja George
Mr. Alok Kumar Badokar Research Associate
Scientist
Dr. Sankarasubramanian H.M.
Mr. Kartik Charan Lenka Research Associate
Scientist
Dr. Balaji P. *
Ms. Annapurna Sahu Research Associate
Fellow
Dr. Kavitha K.
Mr. Rajendrakumar Nag Post Doctoral Fellow
Research Fellow
Mr. Vinod M.S.
Ms. Manjulaxmi A.S. Senior Research Fellow
Fellow

* Left during the year

204
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FOUNDATION STAFF
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Mr. Sadasivam V. Ms. Deepanwita Purohit

Senior Research Fellow Junior Research Fellow

Ms. Usha B. Ms. Mahalakshmi R.

Senior Research Fellow Junior Research Fellow

Mr. Bharath Prithviraj Ms. Rajam Ashok *

Senior Research Fellow Junior Research Fellow

Ms. Valarmathi R. Mr. Dayanandham G.K.

Senior Research Fellow Secretary

Ms. Trupthi Mohapatra Ms. Chitra R.

Senior Research Fellow Technical Assistant

Ms. Sindhu Kuttan Mr. Saravanan M.M.

Senior Research Fellow Technical Assistant

Mr. Harikrishnan Mr. Kannan M.

Senior Research Fellow Lab Attendant

Mr. Satyan R.S. Mr. Kathiravan R.

Senior Research Fellow Lab Attendant

Mr. Aveek Narain Mr. Siva E.

Senior Research Fellow Lab Attendant

Ms. Divya Chandran Microbiology

Senior Research Fellow
Dr. Prabavathy V.R.
Ms. Praseetha K. * Principal Scientist
Senior Research Fellow
Mr. Ramesh Kumar N.
Ms. Rajalakshmi C. Senior Research Fellow
Junior Research Fellow
Dr. Appunnu C.
Ms. Keerthi Chandana Rebala Post Doctoral Fellow
Junior Research Fellow
Mr. Shanthakumar S.P.
Mr. Ganesan G. Junior Research Fellow
Junior Research Fellow

* Left during the year

205
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Mr. Sridhar Ravichandran Dr. Shanti Duraisamy

Junior Research Fellow Principal Scientist

Ms. Subathra G. Dr. Vijay R. Subbiah

Junior Research Fellow Senior Scientist

Ms. Sasirekha N. Dr. Sushanta Kumar Mohapatra

Junior Research Fellow Research Associate

Mr. Jegan S. Dr. Sakthi Vadivel M. *

Junior Research Fellow Research Associate, CSIR

Mr. Ravikannan K. Dr. Malarvannan S.

Technical Assistant Scientist

Jeypore Ms. Pudhumalar Hemavathy M.

Scientist
Mr. Saujanendra Swain
Senior Scientist Mr. Sekar S.
Technical Assistant
Mr. Nihar Ranjan Parida
Technical Assistant Ms. Geetha S.
Senior Secretary
Mr. Lambodar Jena
Field Assistant Ms. Santhilatha S. Kumar
Secretary
Ms. Sulochana Padhi
Field Assistant Mr. Karthik S.
Lab Assistant
Programme Area 400: Ecotechnology

Dr. Sudha Nair Mr. Mohan S.

Director & Head (Microbiology) Office Attendant

Chennai Kannivadi

Dr. Sudip Mitra Mr. Seenivasan R.

Principal Coordinator Scientist

Dr. Rengalakshmi R. Mr. Selvamukilan B.

Principal Scientist Scientist

* Left during the year

206
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FOUNDATION STAFF
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Mr. Devaraj M. Ms. Meenakshi G.

Scientist Scientist

Poompuhar Dr. Sudarkodi S.

Dr. Sanjeeviraj G. Scientist
Principal Coordinator Mr. Sanjeev R.
Mr. Senthilkumar V. Scientist
Scientist Mr. Karki T.
Mr. Selvaganapathy E. Accounts Assistant
Technical Assistant Mr. Babu M.
Dr. Gopalakrishnan A.* Driver
Senior Scientist Mr. Pandurangan V.
Mr. Mahendra Kumar* Gardener
Junior Research Fellow Ms. Rani R.
Mr. Senthil Kumar* Cleaner
Scientist Ms. Mangayarkarasi M.
Mr. Nagaraja C. Cleaner
Scientist Pudukottai
Mr. Selvarasu T. Dr. Nageswaran M.
Scientist Principal Scientist

Mr. Chinnaraja S. Mr. Subramaniyan M.K.

Scientist Social Scientist

Mr. Saravanakumar S. Mr. Ganesan C.

Accounts Assistant Field Assistant

Pudhucherry Kendrapara
Dr. Rosario D. Dr. Maity B.K.
Principal Scientist Site Coordinator

Mr. Santhamurthy P. Ms. Gitisree Nayak

Senior Scientist Social Worker

* Left during the year

207
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Mr. Jeeva R. Programme Area 500: Food Security

Technical Assistant
Ms. Bhavani R.V.
Mr. Pradeep Kumar Nayak Director (I/C)
Administrative Assistant
Dr. Swarna Sadasivam Vepa *
Jeypore Ford Foundation Chair for Women & Food
Security
Mr. Ramana S.V.
Principal Scientist B V Rao Centre for Sustainable Food
Security
Mr. Suryakanta Das
Scientist Dr. Athreya V.B.
Advisor
Ms. Mary Dayabati Kiro
Scientist Dr. Rama Narayanan
Advisor
Designing Rural Technology Delivery
Systems for Mitigating Agrarian Distress Ms. Anuradha G.
Senior Scientist
Dr. Rukmani R.
Principal Coordinator Ms. Deepa Varma
Scientist
Ms. Manjula Menon M.
Senior Scientist Mr. Gopinath R.
Scientist
Vulnerability & Adaptation to Climate
Change Dr. Jayakumar N.
Economist
Dr. Arivudai Nambi A.
Principal Coordinator Mr. Sakthivelan A.
Secretary
Dr. Isaac Manuel
Research Associate Namakkal

Ms. Shishusri Pradhan Mr. Vedhamoorthy A.

Junior Research Fellow Scientist

Mr. Sunder Vadivelu K. Mr. Kumar N.

Administrative Associate Research Assistant

* Retired during the year

208
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FOUNDATION STAFF
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Mr. Anna Durai A. Ms. Tara Gandhi

Field Assistant Advisor

Mr. Senthilkumar T. Prof. Subbiah Arunachalam *

Field Assistant Distinguished Fellow

Jeypore Ms. Nancy J. Anabel

Programme Coordinator – Capacity Building
Mr. Akshaya Kumar Panda
Scientist Mr. Srinath J.
Programme Coordinator – Content
Mr. Tusar Ranjan Nayak
Scientist Ms. Ganga Vidya N.
Coordinator – GGA Secretariat
Mr. Hrideek T.K.
Scientist Dr. Sophia J.D.
Principal Scientist
Mahilakisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana,
Vidarbha Mr. Dileep Kumar G.*
Wardha Principal Scientist

Ms. Charushila Thakare Mr. Sivakumar P.

Scientist Senior Scientist

Ms. Jyotsna Bhimrav Raut Mr. Rajamanikkam R.

Scientist Scientist

Ms. Manda M. Bhondawe Mr. Muthuveeran R. *

Scientist Scientist

Programme Are 600: Information, Mr. Jegan Karuppiah S.

Education and Communication Scientist

Mr. Senthilkumaran S. Ms. Sumathi N.*

Director Scientist

Jamsetji Tata National Virtual Academy for Ms. Yuvarani T.

Rural Prosperity Technical Associate
Prof. Kesavan P.C.
Mr. Kolappa Dhas R.
Advisor
Technical Assistant

* Left during the year

209
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Mr. Sundaram N. * Pudukottai / Annavasal

Accounts Assistant
Mr. Rajkumar Ramasamy
Mr. Balaji P. Project Coordinator
Driver
Mr. Gurumurthy S.
Dindigul Technical Assistant

Dr. Nagarajan B.S. Mr. Saravanan R.

Advisor Technical Assistant

Ms. Nirmala R. * Nagapattinam

Scientist
Ms. Velvizhi S.
Mr. Sundaresan D. * Senior Scientist
Scientist
Mr. Balakumar S. *
Mr. Murugesan M.T. Scientist
Scientist
Mr. Mugilnilavan P.
Mr. Ananth A. Scientist
Technical Assistant
Mr. Suresh P.*
Mr. Britto C.A.S. Technical Associate
Technical Assistant
Mr. Mohamed Seyed Mubarack M.
Thanjavur Technical Assistant

Dr. Palaniappan V. Mr. Elongovan R.

Advisor Scientist

Mr. Padmanabhan B. * Kovalam

Scientist
Ms. Rosemeena Amirthanayagam *
Mr. Muthukumar M. Scientist
Technical Assistant
Chidambaram
Mr. Murugan G. Mr. Veeta Raj D.
Technical Assistant Technical Assistant

* Left during the year

210
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
FOUNDATION STAFF
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Mr. Senthamil P. Ms. Anandalakshmi S.

Technical Assistant Technical Assistant

Mr. Aravinthan P. * Mr. Lourdessamy Maleappane C.

Scientist Technical Assistant

Ms. Aruljothi S. * Mr. Thiruvanavukkarasu V. *

Scientist Technical Assistant

Thangachimadam Nagercoil

Dr. Sivakumar Arunachalam Mr. Karumalai Kannan R.

Project Coordinator Scientist

Ms. Sreekirupa R. Mr. Antony Edward Singh S. *

Scientist Scientist

Mr. Raju Saravanan Mr. Yesudhas M.

Scientist Technical Associate

Mr. Abdul Salam K. Ms. Kavitha A.*

Technical Assistant Technical Assistant

Mr. Arockia Kevikumar J. Wardha

Technical Assistant
Dr. Vishwanath M. Palled
Pudhucherry Project Coordinator

Dr. Thiagarajan A.R. Mr. Tushar Suresh Rao Deshmukh *

Advisor Scientist

Ms. Pakkialatchoumy P. Mr. Deepak S. Kekan

Scientist Scientist

Ms. Josephine Daisy Parimala Rani * Mr. Prasanna Prabhakarrao Ghode

Scientist Scientist

Ms. Girija D.S. Mr. Sharad P. Sultane *

Coordinator (I/C) Scientist

Mr. Jayakrishnan G. Mr. Pravin Khumbalkar

Technical Assistant Technical Assistant

* Left during the year

211
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Mr. Prafulla Chandurkar Library and Information Services

Accounts Assistant
Mr. Janakiraman A.
Ms. Sudha J. Bhadane * Manager – Library Services
Technical Assistant
Mr. Kuppuswamy M.
Ms.Sudeshana R. Gajjbhiye Scientist
Scientist
Mr. Murugan B.
Ms. Mangla J. Meshram * Assistant Librarian
Scientist
Administration & Finance
Mr. Avinash Rameshrao Wandle Mr. Hariharakrishnan S.
Technical Assistant Manager (P&A)

Uttara Devi Resource Centre for Gender & Mr. Parthasarathy C.V.
Development Executive Secretary
Ms. Mina Swaminathan
Ms. Udaya Sathyamurthy
Advisor – Education, Communication and
Associate Manager (Finance)
Gender
Ms. Prathiba Ramakrishnan
Ms. Padmavathy G.
Associate Manager (Finance)
Administrative Assistant
Mr. Rameswaran K.
The Hindu Media Resource Centre
Associate Manager (FM &M)
Ms. Bhanumathi K. *
Ms. Latha Murugesan J.
Coordinator
Assistant Manager (A&A)
Ms. Madhavi Ravikumar *
Ms. Rajalakshmi T.R.
Coordinator
Assistant Manager (P&A)
Ms. Sukanya Rangarajan *
Ms. Sheela K.
Scientist
Senior Secretary
Ms. Rajarajeshwari M.
Ms. Malathy R.
Programme Associate
Senior Secretary
Mr. Suresh Kumar G.
Ms. Dilhara Begum Y.
Technical Assistant
Secretary

* Left during the year

212
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FOUNDATION STAFF
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Ms. Jayashree R. * Ms. Sayeda Habiba Banu Begum

Accounts Assistant Technical Assistant

Mr. Rukmangathan C. * Mr. Anandakumar B.

Accounts Assistant Technical Assistant

Mr. Saravanan K. Ms. Chandrakala S. *

Accounts Assistant Technical Assistant

Ms. Vijaya Sulochana T. Mr. Shanmugam P.

Administrative Assistant Office Attendant

Ms. Rajakumaran M. Mr. Gopalakrishnan S.

Administrative Assistant Driver

Mr. Suresh K. Mr. Samuel T.

Administrative Assistant Gardener

Mr. Suban R. Mr. Lakshmanan P.

Accounts Assistant Gardener

Ms. Nalina Muthukumaran Mr. Niyas G.

Accounts Assistant Field Assistant

Ms. Kavitha R. Ms. Soundari Sundaram

Accounts Assistant Cleaner

Mr. Sivaraj C. Ms. Lakshmi J.

Electrical Supervisor Cleaner

Mr. Thiruvengadam E. Mr. Venkateswarlu C.H.

Electrician Cleaner

Mr. Muthukumar P. Ms. Vijaya Lakshmi V.

Electrician Cleaner

Mr. Sivakumar B.
Electrical Assistant

* Left during the year

213
 LIST OF DONORS 2007-08
Institutional Donors – National
Diana World Travel Pvt. Ltd, Chennai State Bank of Travancore, Indira Nagar,
Chennai

Individual Donors – National

Dr. M. Velayutham, Chennai Shri S. Srinivasan, Chennai

Mr. Bhagwan Maniar, Mumbai Mr. Subbiah Arunachalam, Chennai

Mr. Amiya Kesavan, Chennai Prof. P.C. Kesavan, Chennai

Dr. B.R. Barwale, Mumbai Mrs. Radha Rajamannar, Bangalore

Dr. Gangabishan Bhikula, Mumbai Mr. Shirish R. Barwale, Mumbai

Dr. R.B. Barwale, Mumbai

Individual Donors – International

Dr. Joseph H. Hulse, Canada Ms.Maria L.Cheryl, L.A

Dr.Lennart Grebelius, Sweden

Endowment Funds
Jamsetji Tata Trust, Mumbai Tata Education Trust, Mumbai

Asia Initiatives (Friends of MSSRF Japan )

Mr. Ajay Gupta Mr. Robert Clyde
Mr. Bouffard Martin Ms. Rupani Vasudev
Mr. Benjamin Forster Ms. Ruth John McCreery
Ms. Charla Stark Mr. Sameer Vakil
Mr. Dannenberg Andreas Mr. Srivatsan
Mr. David Sutherland Ms. Sinduja Raghunathan,
Mr. Dovaston John Ms. Sata Yasuhiko
Mr. Elango Ganesan Mr. Doug Ferguson Family
Ms. Elizabeth Sequeira Mr. Doug Hodge Family
Mr. Indranil Nath Mrs. John Bautista Family
Ms.Jessica Batsford Dr. Geetha Mehta Family

214
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LIST OF DONORS
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Mrs. Joanne Radetsky Dr. Mayuri Bernhard Family

Ms. Linda Semlitz Gilbert Mr. Russel Gesling Family
Mr. Mitton E.Start Mr. Wigmore Family
Mr. Neil Kesselman Epoch Groups
Mr. Nobue Nohtomi Potters from The International School of
Mr. Peter Massion Sacred Heart

Friends of Swaminathan, Australia (FOSA)

Mrs. Colleen Harkin Mrs. Helen Jackson

Mr. Leigh Jamieson Mrs. Cushla McNamara Family
Mr. Grant Poulton Family Mr. Leigh Ratcliffe
Mr. Alan Oppenheim Mr. Roger Freeman

Support under Corporate Social Responsibility

Mitsubishi Corporation

215
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SOURCES OF PROJECT SUPPORT

Programme Area 100 : Coastal Systems Research
National International

Space Application Centre, Department of International Development Research Centre

Space, Government of India (IDRC), Canada

Department of Atomic Energy, Government Canadian International Development Agency

of India (CIDA), Canada

Swiss Agency for Development and

Cooperation (SDC), New Delhi

Reliance Industries Ltd, Mumbai

Programme Area 200: Biodiversity

Department of Scientific and Consulate of Japan
Industrial Research, Government of India
International Plant Genetic
National Medicinal Plants Board, Resources Institute, Rome
Department of Ayush, Govt of India

Department of Science and Technology,

Government of India

Department of Biotechnology,
Government of India

Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, Mumbai

Barwale Endowment Fund

Ford Foundation Endowment

Swiss Agency for Development and

Cooperation (SDC), New Delhi

State Bank of Travancore,

Thiruvananthapuram

216
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SOURCES OF PROJECT SUPPORT
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

National International

Programme Area 300: Biotechnology

Department of Biotechnology, Government of American Express Foundation, USA
India
International Rice Research Institute, Manila
Directorate of Forests & Wildlife,
Government of Puducherry

Department of Science & Technology,

Government of India
Programme Area 400: Ecotechnology
Sir Jamsetji Tata Trust, Mumbai Department for Funding International
Development, Government of UK
Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, Mumbai
American India Foundation, USA
Bharat Soka Gakkai, New Delhi
Barret Foundation, USA
Ministry of Environment and Forests,
Government of India Asia Initiatives, Friends of MSSRF, Japan

Department of Science and Technology, Friends of Swaminathan, Australia (FOSA)

Government of India
FAO Regional Office for Asia Pacific,
Technology Information, Forecasting and Bangkok
Assessment Council (TIFAC), DST,
Government of India

State Bank of India, Chennai

Swiss Agency for Development and

Cooperation (SDC), New Delhi

World Noni Research Foundation, Chennai

217
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National International

Programme Area 500: Food Security

UN World Food Programme, International Fund for Agricultural
Regional Office for South Asia, New Delhi Development (IFAD), Rome

Ministry of Women and Child, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the

Government of India UN(FAO), Rome

Vistaar Project of USAID, New Delhi International Food Policy Research Institute
(IFPRI), Washington
Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, Mumbai
Friends of Swaminathan, Australia (FOSA)
Venkateshwara Hatcheries Ltd
India Relief and Education Fund, USA
Ford Foundation Endowment

The Soybean Oil Processors Association

(SOPA)

Programme Area 600: Information, Education and Communication

Indian Space Research Organisation, QUALLCOMM Ltd, USA
Dept of Space, Government of India
Canadian International Development Agency
Sir Jamsetji Tata Trust, Mumbai (CIDA), Government of Canada

Tata Education Trust, Mumbai International Development Research Centre

(IDRC), Government of Canada
State Bank of Mysore, Chennai
Asia Initiatives, Friends of MSSRF, Japan
Telecenter.org, New Delhi
Friends of Swaminathan, Australia (FOSA)
Lehmann Brothers, Mumbai

Microsoft Corporation India Pvt Ltd

Intel Technology India Pvt Ltd

Hindu Group of Publications

Swiss Agency for Development and

Cooperation (SDC), New Delhi

Programme Area 700 : Special Projects

Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India

218
List of Acronyms
AFLP Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism
AIR All India Radio
AP Andhra Pradesh
ATMA Agricultural Technology Management Agency
BARC Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
BCC Biodiversity Conservation Corps
BCUE Biodiversity Conservation Utilization and Enhancement
BDO Block Development Officer
BIWS Bioindustrial Watershed
BPL Below Poverty Line
BPMPGRC Biju Patnaik Medicinal Plants Garden and Research Centre
BVC Biovillage Council
CAbC Community Agrobiodiversity Centre
CALP Computer Aided :Learning Programme
CBB Coffee Berry Borer
CBO Community Based Organisation
CBQ Cost Benefit Quotient
CFTRI Central Food Technological Research Institute
CGB Community Gene-Seed-Grain Bank
CGR Crop Genetic Resources
CICR Central Institute for Cotton Research
CIDA Canadian International Development Agency
CLC Community Learning Centre
CMPG Community Medicinal Plants Garden
CRRI Central Rice Research Institute
CTAB Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide
CTLC Community Technology Learning Centre
DAE Department of Atomic Energy
DBT Department of Biotechnology
DDS Deccan Development Society

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DFID Department for Funding International Development

DNA Deoxyribonucleic acid
DRDA District Rural Development Agency
DSIR Department of Scientific & Industrial Research
DST Department of Science & Technology
EC Executive Committee
ECAS Every Child A Scientist
EST Expressed Sequence Tag
FAO-RAP Food and Agriculture Organization – Regional Office for Asia Pacific
FD Forest Department
FFMA Fisher Friend Mobile Application
FLD Front Line Demonstration
FP Farmers’ Practice
FRP Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic
FYM Farm Yard Manure
GB General Body
GBPUAT G.B. Pant University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology
GDP Gross Domestic Product
GFP Green Fluorescent Protein
GGA Grameen Gyan Abhiyan
GIS Geographical Information System
GKP Global Knowledge Partnerhsip
GP Gram Panchayat
GPS Global Positioning System
GUS Glucuronidase
HAP High Altitude Plant
HH Household
HP Hewlett Packard
IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency
ICAR Indian Council of Agricultural Research
ICDS Integrated Child Development Services
ICRISAT International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics

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LIST OF ACRONYMS
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ICS Internal Control System

IDRC International Development Research Centre
IEC Information, Education and Communication
IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development
IFFCO Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited
IFPRI International Food Policy Research Institute
IFS Integrated Farming System
IGA Income Generating Activity
IGCAR Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research
IGNOU Indira Gandhi National Open University
IGS Intergenic Spacers
IIT Indian Institute of Technology
IK Indigenous Knowledge
IMFFS Integrated Mangrove Fishery Farming System
IMO Institute for Market Ecology
INM Integrated Nutrient Management
IPGRI International Plant Genetic Resources Institute
IPM Integrated Pest Management
IRRI International Rice Research Institute
IRT Iron Regulated Transporter
ISRO Indian Space Research Organization
ISSR Inter Simple Sequence Repeat
JMM Joint Mangrove Management
JNKVV Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya
JTS Jamsetji Tata Training School
KKJRGCS Kalinga Kalajeera Rice Growers Cooperative Society
KVK Krishi Vigyan Kendra
KW Knowledge Worker
KWE Kuttanad Wetland Ecosystem
LB Local Body
LED Light Emitting Diode
LR Land Races

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MANAGE National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management

MDMS Mid Day Meal Scheme
MEM Micro Enterprise Marketplace
MGLP Multi Grade Learning Programme
MNRE Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
MPA Marine Protected Areas
MSL Mean Sea Level
MUPP Microsoft Unlimited Potential Programme
MYB Myoblastisis
NABARD National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
NAFED National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited
NBPGR National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources
NBRI National Botanical Research Institute
NFHS National Family Health Survey
NHM National Horticulture Mission
NMDS Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling
NMPB National Medicinal Plants Board
NREGS National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme
NSSO National Sample Survey Organisation
NUS Neglected and Underutilised Species
NVA National Virtual Academy
ORF Open Reading Frame
OUAT Orissa University of Agriculture & Technology
PAD People’s Action for Development
PASIC Pondicherry Agro Service and Industries Corporation Limited
PAU Punjab Agricultural University
PBR People’s Biodiversity Register
PCR Polymerase Chain Reaction
PCS Participatory Conservation System
PDKV Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth
PDS Public Distribution System
PGPR Plant Growth Promoter

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LIST OF ACRONYMS
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PIXE Proton Induced X-ray Emission

PKS Polyketide Synthases
PONLAIT Pondicherry Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union
PPSS Praja Pragathi Seva Sangham
PPVFRA Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Act
PRA Participatory Rural Appraisal
PRI Panchayat Raj Institution
PVS Participatory Varietal Selection
RAPD Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA
RBD Randomised Block Design
RET Rare Endangered and Threatened
RFLP Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism
RIF Rural Innovation Fund
RNA Ribonucleic Acid
RRA Regional Resource Agency
SAU State Agricultural University
SBI State Bank of India
SCAR Sequence Characterized Amplified Region
SDC Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation
SDS-PAGE Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate - Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis
SEM Scanning Electron Microscopy
SGSY Swarnajayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana
SICA South India Cotton Association
SIFFS South Indian Federation of Fishermen Societies
SPRIT Society for Participatory Research and Integrated Training
SRI System of Rice Intensification
SSA Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan
SSR Simple Sequence Repeat
TERI-NE The Energy Research Institute – North East
THMRC The Hindu Media Resource Centre
TN Tamil Nadu
TNAU Tamil Nadu Agricultural University

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UAS University of Agricultural Sciences

UNDP United Nations Development Programme
USAID United States Agency for International Development
VAM Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza
VDMC Village Development and Management Council
VKC Village Knowledge Centre
VLI Village Level Institution
VRC Village Resource Centre
VSB Village Seed Bank
VWS Village Welfare Society
WSHG Women’s Self Help Group

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 M. S. SWAMINATHAN
RESEARCH FOUNDATION
2007-2008
EIGHteenth
annual report
Centre for Research on
Sustainable Agricultural
and Rural Development,
Chennai

Address:
M. S. Swaminathan
Research Foundation
III Cross Road
Institutional Area
Taramani
Chennai 600 113, India