A Report on Rural Agricultural Work Experience

AEX: 401 (0+6)

Group Members

Name I.D. No.

1 Abhishek Menon BSA03601
2 B.Muruganantham BSA03631
3 N.Nageswaran BSA03633
4 Prit Ranjan Jha BSA03637
5 M.Sambath Kumar BSA03644

Location: Iluppakkorai, Papanasam (Thanjavur)

Period: 9.6.2006-8.8.2006

Course Teacher: Dr.I.Mohamed Iqbal

Group Facilitator: Dr.T.Senguttuvan

Coordinator (2003 Batch): Dr.N.R.Padmanabhan

Department Of Social Sciences And Languages

Anbil Dhamalingam
Agricultural College & Research Institute
TamilNadu Agricultural University
Tiruchirappalli-620009.
2006

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 Contents

1) Introduction
2) Acknowledgement
3) Survey And Study of the Village
4) Work Experience with Farmers
5) Work Experience with State Department of
Agriculture
6) Work Experience with NGO
7) Other Commendable activities
I.Visit to Agricultural input shop
II.Visit to Sugar factory
III.Visit to Farmers market
IV. Visit to Research station
1. TNAU Soil, Water Management Research Institute,
Kattuthottam.
2. Tamil Nadu Rice Research institute, Aduthurai.
V. Visit to Jaggery preparation unit
VI. Preparation of Herbarium and collection and preservation
of notorious pest
8) Conclusion
9) Photographs
10)Paper Clippings
11)Pamphlets, Booklet &CD

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 Introduction

The most important area in which the development needs to be

continuously accelerated is agriculture, which is the backbone of
country’s economy. In order to bring about changes in the
knowledge, skill and attitude of the people engaged in farming, a
sustained effort is necessary and thus could be achieved only
through purposeful education.
Rural Agricultural Work Experience (RAWE) Programme is a key
component in the B.Sc.(Ag.) degree programme. The students are
given rigorous orientation and familiarization on various issues and
problems they can expect in the farmers field. This programme
runs for 60 working days (9-6-2006 to 8-8-2006) in the
semester(VIIth) where in all the teachers in different disciplines are
involved for improving the learning capacity of the students in a
typical village situation.
Overall Schedule:
On, 9-6-2006 we had Registration and Orientation.
10-06-2006: Orientation
11-06-2006 to 6-8-2006: RAWE stay.
7-8-2006: Arranging RAWE exhibition at the college.
8-8-2006: RAWE Workshop interaction and Evaluation.

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 Acknowledgement

We express our gratitude to our honorable vice chancellor,

Dr.C.Ramaswamy for taking interest in this RAWE programme and
supporting with a stipend of Rs 750/month.
We are grateful to our Dean, Dr.S.Jebaraj who endeavored to make this
course successful.
We feel proud to have Dr.I.Mohamed Iqbal as our course teacher, who
organized this course, motivated us and ensured our benefit out of it. It is our
privilege to receive guidance from our senior extension professor,
Dr.G.Ranganathan.
We thank our group facilitator, Dr.T.Senguttuvan, professor Entomology
who also acted as an instructor and evaluator, participated in our field visits,
elevated our knowledge and eliminated our problems.
We are thankful to Professor and Heads of all the departments who
participated in our orientation and experience sharing sessions.
We are grateful to our contact farmer Mrs.A.Neelaveni and A.Ashok
Chakravarthy who arranged our accommodation and provided us food and
acted as our local guardian.
We are indebted to all the farmers of Iluppakkorai and other neighboring
villages who participated and supported our work experience programme.
We are grateful to all the agricultural-extension staffs of Papanasam block
who helped in our learning activity and to the VAO of the village who
provided us relevant data, and village map.
We are grateful to B.Padmanaban, project associate of MSSRF,
Thiruvaiyaru who made our collaboration with NGO successful.

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 Survey and Study of the Village
(A) General Particulars:
1) Name of the Village: Illuppakkorai (Revenue village). Panchayat:
Iluppakkorai.
2) Block: Papanasam
3) Taluk: Papanasam
4) District:Thanjavur
5) Physical Environment:
Boundaries: North, North-east and North- west-Ganapathy
agraharam
East- Ayyampet
South-Pasupathy koil,
With River Cauvery in North and West.
Topography:Plain
(B) Demographic details:
1) Males- 822
2) Females-861
3) Total= 1683
4) Literate males -760
5) Literate females- 720
6) Mainly land owned families-69
7) Mainly land un owned families-280
8) Agricultural labourers: 620
9) Non-agricultural labourers-75
10)Small farmers-41
11)Marginal farmers-15
12)Scheduled castes/Tribes-1100(including children)
13)Religion: Hinduism, Christianity and Islam.
(C) Climatic Factors:
1) Normal annual rainfall-1015.05
2) North east monsoon-531.33mm
3) South west monsoon-309.59mm
4) Summer and winter season-111.03mm
(D) Farming Situation:
1) Soil-Kalattur and Alangudi series (clayey with sand)
2) Irrigation sources
i)Canal-73 ha 34.5 ars
ii)Tube wells-94(55ha)

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 3) Area under different crops in ha.
Paddy-20 ha 63.5ars
Pulses-4ha
Gingelly-2ha; Palm tree-0.14ha
Sugarcane-25 ha
Banana-19.98ha; Jackfruit-0.12ha; Mango-2.05ha; Lemon-0.02ha
0.5ars; Bhendi-5cents
Rose-5acres; Jasmine-1acre; Crossandra-1acre
Coconut-17.84ha
Betelvine-0.5acres; Pepper-very small scale; Bamboo-1.82ha;
Teaks-0.47ha; Illuppai oil-0.59ha; Tamarind-0.03ha

(E)Communication facilities:
a) Telephone: Landline-35; Mobile-20.
b) Newspaper: Dinamatandi(Tamil,5 copies),Dinamalar(Tamil,5
copies),Dinakaran(Tamil,7 copies),Hindu(English,1 copy)
c) Television set-90
d) Radio sets-70
e) Cycles-150
f) Motor cycles/scooters-25
g) Car-3; Tractor-7
(F) Infrastructural Facilities:
a) NGO office-1(M.S.Swaminathan Research Foundation, Village
Knowledge Centre)
b) Railway station- (at Ayyampettai-8 Km)
c) Police station-(at Ayyampettai-5 Km)
d) Dispensary Health centre-(at Ayyampettai-5 Km)
e) Veterinary Hospital-(at Ayyampettai-5 Km & at Ganapathy
agraharam)
f) Seed/Fertilizer/Pesticide Store-( at Ganapathy agraharam-4 Km)
g) Post &Telegraph Office- 1 small post office.
h) Banks-(at Ayyampettai-5 Km)
i) Cooperative society-( at Ganapathy agraharam-4 Km)
j) Money lenders- nil
k) Schools-Primary school up to 8th Standard, (Private school-4 Km)
l) Market centers:
Grains, Oilseeds, Fruits, Vegetables, Cattle-at Ayyampettai-5 Km
Cattle- at Chakrapuram-6 Km
m) Artificial insemination centre- -(at Ayyampettai-5 Km & at
Ganapathy agraharam)

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 n) Community centre-nil
o) Village Industries- Jaggery Preperation unit-5, Coir rope
preparation unit-1, Trichoderma and Pseudomonas preparation
unit-1, Food products like banana chips.
p) Youth club-1
q) Women club/SHGs-1(Anaithu Magalir Uzhavar Mandram)
r) Recreational facilities:
1) Cinema theatre-(at Mahalipuram,4 Km)
2) Library-1 govt. local library

(G)Characteristics of the people:

1) Habits-To chew betel vine and areca nut, Very few will smoke
cigarette, drinking tea and coffee.
2) Beliefs-They believe in God and feels that bad deeds lead to bad
life and good deed leads to good life.
3) Religion-Hindu, Muslim and Christian. There is good
understanding and harmony between the people of different
religion. Majority of the people believes in Hinduism.
4) Caste- Pillai, other backward castes, backward castes, General
category, Schedule caste.
5) Folk ways- most of the people are vegetarians likes to talk for long
hours, wakes up early in morning.
6) Mores-wearing sari and Dhoti, putting rice flour design in front of
the house, not entering inside of the house with chapel, keeping the
god’s picture/idol in locked condition after worshipping.
7) Taboos- not smoking in front of the elders, not eating non
vegetarian food items in the house.
8) Attitude-positive attitude. Helping tendency. People are hard
working, gives good hospitality to the guests. But some of the
people have deserted their old parents for some or other reasons.
Jealousy, Envy, Competition along with supporting and
encouraging tendency also prevails.
9) Progressiveness- people are very progressive; they are interested in
improving their living standards.
10)Scientific orientation- High
11)Leadership pattern- person with good behavior, helping tendency,
good communication skill, and humble nature is considered as
leader.

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 12) Women’s role- women are active, participate in decision making
and are considered on par with men. There is a very active woman
SHGs in the village. Youths and men are not so much organized.
13)Egoism is also very common in the people.

(H)Cropping pattern of last five years:

S.No. Crop Variety Seasons Remarks

1 Paddy ADT43,ADT36(Kuruvai(June Kuruvai&Thaladi No
↓ July);ADT38,Co43,BPT Samba
5404(Thaladi(Sept.-Oct.)) rice
Black gram ADT3,ADT5(Jan15 to Feb 15);T9(all Jan15 to Feb Rice
↓ the season) 15,all the season fallow or
paira
crop.
Gingelly TMV3 Feb 15 to march
↓ 30
Paddy
2 Sugarcane Co86032 Dec. to Jan, Feb. Ratoon
↓ to March, April
to May
Blackgram/Gingelly ADT3,ADT5(Jan15 to Feb 15);T9(all Jan15 to Feb
↓ the season)/ TMV3 15,all the season/
Feb 15 to march
30
Sugarcane
3 Banana Poovan.Mondan,Pacchinadan,Rasthali July to January
↓
Blackgram/Sunhemp ADT3,ADT5(Jan15 to Feb 15);T9(all Jan15 to Feb
↓ the season) 15,all the season
Banana

(I) Farm mechanization Trend:

a) Wooden plough-1
b) Iron plough-3
c) Tractors-5
d) Seed drills-0
e) Chaff cutters-0
f) Bullock carts-10
g) Sugarcane crushers-5
h) Sprayers-10
i) Threshers-2
j) Dusters-0

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 k) Trucks-(Mini truck, tempo model) 5

(J) Agriculture Research station:

Two research stations are nearest to the village. They are:
1) Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute, Aduthurai, Tanjore.
2) TNAU, Soil, Water Management Research Institute,
Kattuthottam, Thanjavur (Tanjore)

(K)Miscellaneous:

1 Awareness on Government Yes- Rice@Rs2/Kg in PDS, free electricity to

assisted schemes- infrastructure
facilities executed based on felt
needs.
2 Role of private enterprises in
promoting agri-business.
3 Credit facility by Nationalized
banks.
Advantages
Bottle necks
4 Credit given by Cooperatives
Advantages
Bottlenecks
5 Credit given by private agencies. Not so much active in the village.
6 Prototypes produced- Indigenous
7 Liaison with Industry
8 Prospect of employment for More as there is labour scarcity. Positive
agricultural labours and impact of impact of mechanization.
mechanization.
9 Potentiality of ground water
1 Adoption of IPM
0
11 Adoption of INM
1 Orientation to organic farming.
2
1 Potentials for organic farming.
the farmers, minibus service.
SHG-value added food products, Private sugar
factory.
Kishan credit card, Jewel loan.
Helps the farmers to buy/arrange the inputs.
Interest rate is low for agriculture and grace
period is of long duration.
Small farmers and landless labours are unable
to get the loan. Procedure of getting loan is
cumbersome.
KCC, Jewel loan, crop and area specific loans.
Readily available, grace period is of long
duration.
Interest rate is still high for landless and
marginal farmers. Procedure is with more
terms and conditions
Cycle wheel being used in preparation of
coconut coir rope.
To some extent with sugar industry
Moderate-Cauvery delta region.
Optimum, popularized by Govt.&NGOs
Extensive
Both organic and inorganic combinations.
Highly potential. It promotes sustainability.

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3
1 Caution about health regards due Highly cautious. Preventive methods for safe
4 to pesticide application, handling are adhered to.
1 Migration To get employment and to acquire education. It
5 is perennial.
1 Off farm vocational interests. Discussing with each other
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1 Persistency of Indigenous Partly persistent
7 knowledge
!8 Intensity of technology diffusion High

(L)Difficulties experienced by the farmers in obtaining the following

Inputs & other assistance:
1) Seeds: Seeds in govt. depot is limited. Private seeds are costly.
2) Fertilizers: Many times availability is poor
3) Pesticides: costly
4) Farm implements and machinery: Costly
5) Repairs to machinery & availability of spare parts: Difficult ,as repair
shops are in city

(M)General problems of the village:

1) Soil type: There is no much soil related problems. Some area where
the proportion of clay is more, there is drainage problem which leads
to failure of germination of crops like sugarcane.
2) Irrigation and drainage: When there is no enough water in the canal,
irrigation is done by bore well. Then the irregular supply of
electricity is the problem. When there is enough water in the canal
and rainfall, drainage is the problem.
3) Land development and soil conservation measures: Large number of
trees and crops are grown on the bank of the river which is useful in
soil conservation but illegal mining of sand from the river beds (dry)
is the major problem.
4) Incidence of pests and diseases and control measures undertaken.
a) Red palm weevil: Root feeding of coconut with monocrotophos
36 WSC, 10 ml in 10 ml water.
b) Sigatoka leaf spot disease in banana: Spray of 0.1% carbendazim,
Mundan and pachainadan are somewhat tolerant varieties.
c) Rhinoceros beetle: No control measure adopted.
d) Sugarcane early shoot borer: Application of carbofuran granules;
granulosis virus application.
e) Internode borer in sugarcane: Trichogramma card, detrashing.

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 f) Sugarcane red rot: Sett treatment with carbendazim along with
urea. Co86032 is tolerant variety.
5) Agricultural labourers: Scarce during field operations (peak seasons).
Difficult to get. Also they become very costly during peak
season.(Rs100/labour/day)
6) Electricity: Supply is with lots of voltage fluctuations. Not regular
supply.
7) Transport: The village is having one way, narrow road. Only mini-
buses and small vehicles move across the village. Frequency of mini-
buses is not adequate. So transport is problem. When there is more
water in river Cauvery transport becomes very difficult. Construction
of more bridges across the river will link the village to nearby
national roads and will allow the people to easily travel to the
villages like Pashupathikoil and Ganapathiagraharam.

(N)Development Programmes in Operation:

1) There is drinking water tap at short intervals (time and distance) in
the village.
2) There is almost constant supply of electricity to the village.
3) There is one MSSRF village knowledge centre with two computers
in the village. Details about crop management, crop protection etc.
are loaded in Tamil font in the computers.
4) AO’s and AAO’s visits the field and solve farm related problems.
There is separate AO & AAO for agriculture and horticulture.
5) Veterinary extension workers visit the village at regular intervals
and help the farmers to solve their animal related problems.
6) At the beginning of cropping season farmers are told about the
suitable varieties and their seed availability for the season.
7) There was seed distribution of horticultural crops (vegetables), free
of cost, to the farmers.
8) Leaf colour charts were freely distributed to the farmers.
9) Lots of pamphlets related to agriculture and horticulture is
frequently distributed to the farmers.

(O)Description of the local Farming Systems:

a) Crop Variety:
Rice:
I. ADT36-4000 Kg/ha (yield potential)- medium grain-
II. BPT5204-very fine long grain with good taste.

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 III. Co43-5200kg/ha (yield potential)- medium slender grain.
IV. ADT38- 6200 Kg/ha (yield potential)- long slender grain
V. Majority of farmers- Co43, ADT36, ADT38- Good taste, good
market value.
VI. Less farmer-BPT5204 – good market value, but susceptible to
pest and disease like Bacterial leaf blight.

Black gram(Rice fallow): Majority of farmers- ADT 2 (yield-970 Kg/ha),

duration- 70-75 days; ADT 5 (yield-1323 Kg/ha, duration- 60-65 days)
Some farmers- ADT 3&4, based on availability of seeds.

Green gram (Rice fallow): Majority of farmers- ADT 2 or ADT 3, based on

availability of seeds. 2 Months duration, no much input required.

Gingelly: Most of the farmers: TMV3 –suitable for all season,80 to 85 days
duration.

Sugarcane: Almost all the farmers- Co86032-tolerant to red rot, good yield
and sugar recovery.

Banana: Most of the farmers- Mundan, Pachainadan, Some farmer-Poovan,

Rasthali, Sevalai (red banana). Mundan & Pachainadan requires less input
and gives good yield. Other varieties have high market price but
management and input requirement is more. They are more susceptible to
pest and disease.

b) Seed materials:
• Seed is mostly obtained from government depo. Also from
private vendors (mostly horticulture crop seeds).
• Seeds are planted by broadcasting and by direct sowing.
• Planting time: Rice- June/July (samba), Sept./Oct.(thaladi);
Pulses-as rice relay crop.; Sugarcane- Early (December-
January), Mid (February-March), Late (April-May) season.
Banana- January/February. Gingelly- June-July (Adipattam)
• Optimum time of planting of rice is Kuruvai- July 15th, Thaladi-
October 10th& 24th , Samba- September 3rd week. Sugarcane-
early season.
• Seed rate:Sugarcane-4 tons/acre:Rice-20 Kg/acre:Banana-1000
sucker/acre: Pulses-10 Kg/acre

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 • If establishment is poor then, gap filling by purchasing
seedlings or preparing extra seedlings (pocket nursery in
sugarcane) is done.
• Farmers are not much concerned about seed purity.
• Seed treatment is done with Trichoderma, Pseudomonas,
Azospirillum, Phosphobackeria, etc.
c) Storage:
• Grains are stored in local wooden structures (kudru). Mostly
rice and pulse grains are stored.
• Farmers stores on the basis of his average requirement.
• Most of the farmers wants and tries to sell their produce
immediately after harvest.
• There is no much loss in storage.
• To protect the grains from pest and disease, Neem leaf is kept
along with the grains, rarely aluminium phosphide tablets are
used. Seeds are stored at optimum moisture level after
treatments.

d) Rainfall: Farmers tries to plant in such a way and such a variety

that harvesting does not coincide with the rainy months.

e) Farm forestry:

S. Trees Local uses

N name
o.
1 Portia Pooverasu Avenue tree, propagated by cuttings, leaves
tree are fed to cattle and sheep, green leaf manure,
timber is used as spokes of carts wheel, axe,
tool handles.
2 Bamboo Kambu Leaves as fodder, young shoots in medicine,
moongil split culms in making baskets, giving support
to plant, construction of hut.
3 Agathi Agathi Support of betel vine, fodder, used as spinach.
4 Neem Vaeppa Neem leaf, neem oil, neem oil cake as
maram medicine and pest disease control agent.
Leaves are eaten by goats, green leaf manure.
5 Rain tree Thoongu Fodder, avenue tree.
(Samanea moonchi
saman) maram
6 Teak Thaekku Timber

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 7 Tamarind Pulli Fruit as spice.
8 Eucalyptu Karpoora Sold to paper industry
s thaila
maram
9 Casuarina - Wind break,input for paper industry, support
for betelvine.

f) Veterinary Services: Provides free medicines. Artificial

insemination is done at the rate of Rs 20/cow.

g) Agri-based occupation: Besides other occupations, mentioned

earlier one farmer has taken up Piggery (white pig). It is highly
profitable.

(P) Leadership:
Government level: Village administrative officer (VAO).
Panchayat level: Village president selected by general election in the
village.

(Q)Feed back:
1) Villagers accept that our Rural Agricultural Work Experience
programme is useful for both of us.
2) Many of them knew about the new technologies like root feeding in
coconut, but were not confident in themselves performing it. Our
demonstrations helped them to practically handle the technology.
3) Villagers used to take us for different field-visits with great
enthusiasm and used to feel proud in relating their successful
management techniques of field problems.
4) The work experience in the village was very useful to us :
o We learnt about practical difficulties in propagating a new
technology.
o We observed and experienced practical field situation.
o We study the crops while farmer cultivate the crops. Our aim is to
gain knowledge and experience, while their aim is to run their
livelihood and maintain there social status. This course tries to link
the two objectives.
o We studied about village infrastructure, characteristics of the
farming community, and problem faced by them. In this course we

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 were able to apply our theoretical knowledge into practical
situation.
o This course combines the essence of the research from all the
department of agriculture and tries to make us a full fledged
practically oriented agricultural graduate.
o We were able to experience the agriculture extension system at
state level and its linkage with the Agricultural University.
5) Farmer’s innovations:
o Experiments with Panchagavya to increase its effectiveness.
o Trapping Red Palm Weevil with banana and buttermilk.

Work Experience with Farmers

Farmers who made our course successful

1) Name and Address: A. Neelaveni, w/o A.Ashok Chakravarthy,

Iluppakorai, Vellavar street, Papanasam-614202: Phone No.-
09367753418: Small farmer.
Development role: A good entrepreneur produces house hold products
and biopesticides. She is aware of all government schemes. Member
of NABARD farmers club which received International award from
WWSF (world women summit of Geneva) for having taken up
innovative works to enhance their living standards.
Special skill: To popularize Govt. schemes to disseminate the message
of biopesticide production in a small scale. They have learnt to drive
tractors for tilling the soil. Five SHGs are attached to the Iluppakorai
Uzhavar Mandram. The NABARD has conceived Uzhavar Mandrams
as bodies that would act as link between banks and villages. The
group could take up development works in the villages, identify
borrowers and help the banks in recovery. They are engaged in coir
making too and have undergone training in coir making at the Coir
Board office at Thanjavur. They have been trained in the manufacture
of coir mats and ropes, manually and through machines. The Canara
bank’s Ayyampettai branch has given the members loans for buying
machines. For purchasing coir machines, each one of them got Rs.
10000 in loan and they have purchased 8 machines. They market the
coir in nearby places such as Pasupathikoil and Kumbakonam @
Rs.20/Kg.

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 Another member of All women Uzhavar Mandram, M.Bhanumati,
who stays near to the house of A.Neelaveni is also a fellow of NVA,
MSSRF. She gave us a copy of very useful CD on groundnut and
sweet sorghum production. She had received the CD from ICRISAT,
Hyderabad.
They have also taken trainings in our college.
New technology: Cultivating Grand 9 (G9), tissue cultured banana in
their field. Use of Bacillus thuringiensis, Azadirachtin, granulosis
virus in control of pest and disease.
Indigenous methods: Panchagavya preparation with cow dung. Cow
urine, milk, curd, ghee and coconut water.
We with our contact farmer prepared Dapog nursery of ADT-43
variety of rice and Panchgavya. We used to daily observe the crop
growth.
2) Name and Address: S.Chandramoli, 6/87, south street, Ganapathi
Agraharam-614202. Phone No: 954362-242739 : Marginal farmer.
Special skill: Charter accountant, can communicate in English.
New technology: Provides packed feed(Godrej feed @Rs 500/70 Kg.
to his cattle.
Indigenous methods : Application of castor oil cake in rice field
promotes growth and prevents many pest and disease. Applies his
knowledge of astrology in selecting suitable time for each field operation.
Intercrop of turmeric in banana.
3) Name and Address: G.Srinivasan, GanapathyAgraharam. Phone No:
9443108174: Big farmer
Special skill: BSc.Maths. can communicate in English.
New technology: Pocket nursery of sugarcane for gap filling. In
jaggery preparation ,Decolite chips and superphosphate is added to
maintain light golden colour for long time. Application of Atrazine
herbicide in sugarcane, 3 DAP of setts. Applying fertilizer on the basis of
recommendation of Mobile soil test lab. In clayey soil, more frequent
irrigation after planting of sugarcane will lead to failure of the crop.
Indigenous methods: By keeping castor oil ,oil cake , and seed coat in
a pot near coconut tree will attract Rhinocerous beetle which will fell in
the pot and die. Use of Tanjore bow trap to kill the rat. Has a jaggery
preparation unit.
4) Name and Address: M.Kumeresan, Illuppakorai.
Special skill: Big farmer, can communicate in English. His wife is
knowledge worker of MSSRF.

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 Indigenous methods : Spraying of garlic and small onion juice (1Kg.
each) after immersing for 24 hrs in water for controlling rice ear head
bug.
5) Name and Address: V.Jay Shankar, A-175, Pattukudi, Puthur,
Papanasam-614202. Phone No:9345008873.
Special skill: Big farmer, can communicate in English.
6) Name and Address: G.Gunoshekaran, GanapathiAgraharam.
Special skill: Small farmer, enthusiastic farmer.
New technology: We practiced demonstration of root feeding of
coconut with monocrotophos in his field to control red palm weevil.
7) Name and Address: S.VijayAmaritharay, Illuppakorai. Phone No:
04374-241320.
Special skill: Big farmer, can communicate in English.
8) Name and Address: S.pashupathi., Iluppakorai.
Special skill: Landless labour, can communicate in Hindi. The
agricultural labour tried to build a proper house through Indira Awas
Yojna, but somehow he couldn’t get the benefit of this project. He feels
that he is discriminated on the basis of his caste (Barber). His children
have deserted him. He worked for 20 years as labour in Mumbai.
New technology: We advised him to go for goat rearing.
9) Name and Address: G.Rita, Illuppakkorai.
Special skill: Marginal farmer. Retired professor of economics. Can
communicate in English. Social worker.
New technology: Mass production of Trichogramma chilonis card.
Bio gas plant.
Indigenous methods : Organic farming.
10) Name and Address: T.Mohan Ravi , Illuppakkorai.
Special skill:Helping tendency. Took us for many field-visits.
11) Name and Address: Balakrishnan, Iluppakkorai
Special skill: Can communicate in English.
12) Name and Address: Hema, Ganapathiagraharam.
New technology: Integrated farming system- Pisciculture(Rohu,
Mrigala, Catla, etc.). Trees and crops such as Teak, Rose wood,
Eucalyptus, Bamboo, Sesbania grandiflora on the bank of the pond.
Cultivation of milky mushroom.
13) Name and Address: Nagarajan Pillai, Illuppakkorai .
Special skill: Big farmer
New technology: Spray of GA3 in Gingelly to increase production.
The farmer was applying fungicides to a unhealthy Banana crop we
attended the crop and found that the damage was due to the Banana

17
 pseudostem weevil (Odoiporus longicollis), and suggested him to go for
stem injection with monocrotophos.

14) Name and Address: Bavaji bhai, Illuppakorai.

New technology: Betelvine for ½ acre. Agathi and Moringa as
supporting tree.
15) Name and Address: Jayranjan, Illuppakorai.
New technology: Planting of pepper as intercrop in coconut garden.
Fish pond for additional income. Field is on the bank of river Cauvery.
16) Name and Address: Kaliamurthy, Punjeri, near Iluppakkorai.
New technology: Floriculture-jasmine, chrysanthemum nursery by
root cuttings.
Indigenous methods : Kakada variety of Jasmine (Jasminum
multifloram) is resistant to many pest and disease. Scentless jasmine.
17) Name and Address: Jaypal, Punjeri.
New technology: Floriculture-Rose, 1 acre; Crossandra, 1 acre.
Indigenous methods : Use of groundnutcake 25 Kg/acre as manure.
18) Name and Address: G.Bhaskaran, Punjeri. Phone No.-291401.
New technology: Red banana and rose cultivation. Application of
Neem oil+Dimethoate(Rogor) to control Rose Thrips and Chaffer beetle.
We along with our group facilitator, Dr T.Senguttuvan had visited his
field and observed the field related problems and guided the farmer about
the right chemicals to be used.
Indigenous methods: Broadcasting of goat dung powder in field as
manure.
19) Name and Address: A.Sivanandam, Kilapunavasal, Thiruvaiyaru.
Phone No.-04362-261279.
New technology: Use of buttermilk and banana to attract and trap
Red palm weevil in coconut. We visited his field with the workers of
MSSRF, VRC.
20) Name and Address: Sethraman Pandian, S/o Late Govindraj Pillai,
Illuppakkorai. Special skill: Homeopathic doctor. We were
staying in his house. He helped us a lot and took us to a jaggery
preparation unit at Mahalipuram (near Ayyampettai).
New technology: Oil palm- 45 plants.
21) Name and Address: G.Bhaskar, Manalur ( Ganapathi agraharam)
Special skill: Helping tendency, took us for a field visit.
New technology: Red banana.
22) Name and Address: R.Madhyalaki, Pashupathi koil. Phone No:
291039

18
 Special skill: Can communicate in Hindi. Small farmer.
23) Name and Address: Kalaivani Rajendran, North Kadavarayer street,
Kallar, Pashupathi Kovil,Papanasam.
Special skill: knowledge worker of MSSRF, Thruvaiyaru.
New technology: SRI, Use of Pseudomonas, Trichoderma and Neem
cake in paring and prolinage in banana instead of carbendazim and
carbofuran.
Indigenous methods: panchgavya.
24) Name and Address: M.Tamil selvam, cane assistant, 1/15 Agraharam,
Thamdamkorai, Thanjavur-614206. Phone No: 04374-241863
Special skill: Also a farmer.
New technology: Use of acetobacter instead of urea in sugarcane.

Name and Address of the VAO of the village: V.Gopal Krishnan,

MA,BL. Phone No: 9865763244

Work Experience with State Department of

Agriculture.
Field/Extension staff:

1) G.Uma Maheshwaran (AAO)

Phone Number-95437-241754
2) V.Sujatha (ADO)
Phone Number-954362-278385, 954374-222418
3) N.Subramanium (ADA, now transferred)
Phone Number-954362-243918
4) S.Uday kumar (AO)
5) S.Rajkumar (AO, now ADA)
6) R.Vijayakumar (AO)
7) K.Palaniswamy (AAO, horticulture)
8) M.Jothi (JDA)

19
 Organizational structure:
Agriculture:

State level: Director of Agriculture (DA)

↓
Each district: Joint Director of Agriculture (JDA)
↓
Deputy Director of Agriculture (DDA) (1 for each division like
Agriculture, Horticulture, Plant protection, etc.)
↓
Taluk/Block: Assistant Director of Agriculture (ADA), 1 for each taluk/block.→ 3AO
↓
Agricultural Development Officer (ADO), 1 for each taluk/block (4 agricultural
extension centers are functioning under each ADO control)
↓
Village: 1 AO (Agriculture Officer)
↓
6 AAO (Assistant agricultural officers, 1 in each village, 800
farm families under each AAO)
↓
Depot Managers

Field Visit:

On 13-6-06, we visited to local farmers fields. He introduced us to

different progressive farmers. We observed crops like banana, green
gram, Co-1(NB) fodder, rice nursery (ADT-36)
On 14-6-06, we visited cotton field with our AAO (Uma
Maheshwaran) and AO (Uday kumar) for crop yield estimation survey
by statistical methods. NSSO (National statistical survey organization)
officer Mr.Vijay kumar assisted us.
On 15-6-06, we visited field with our AAO, to observe paddy nursery
preparation and seed sowing, we detected Red palm weevil attack in
nearby coconut field.

Training at Taluk Level.:

On 30-6-06, Training on,” Preparation of Earthworm compost from
household waste” at ADA office, Papanasam. 38 female farmers and
11 male farmers were the participants besides AO, ADA, AAO, ADO
and JDA and 2 very well experienced farmers.

20
 Experienced farmers, AO, ADA, AAO, ADO and JDA were trainers.
Training method adopted was sharing of experience, demonstration
charts, vermicompost samples, etc.
Now Training and Visit (T&V) system is not in action.
On 2-8-06, we met our AO, Uday kumar previously associated with
T&V system. One farmer came with a rice sample affected with a
problem we identified the problem as rice mite (Oligonychus oryzae
:Tetranychidae:Acarina) attack. The affected leaf appeared whitish
along the interveinal areas on the dorsal surface. Wettable sulphur @ 1
Kg/acre or Dicofol @500ml/acre spray was recommended to control
the problem (The chemical shop had suggested Phosphomidon
chemical). Seeds of different rice varieties were shown to the farmers.
AO showed us tour diary register, yield level of different crops
(Biometric evaluation), record or adaptive research trial record, and
disease and pest inspection record.
On evening of the same day, a demonstration on seed treatment of rice
with Azospirillum and use of LCC in rice for integrated nutrient
management was done at Kabisthalam village by AO, Papanasam,
Thiru Uday kumar and AAO of that village. The active participant of
the demonstration was 12 members of TANWBE (Tamil Nadu women
in agricultural extension and agribusiness .We too participated in that
demonstration.

Attending Zonal meeting, (4-7-06):

1) It was held in JDA office, Kattuthottam.
2) It was presided by JDA, M.Jothi.
3) AOs and ADAs of different Taluk presented their report on area under
different crops and varieties, yield of different crops , pest , disease,
nutritional and physiological disorders of the crops, level of
recommended cropping practices adapted by the farmers, seed
production yield, problems faced by farmers etc.
4) Seeds of hybrid rice, CoRH-3 were given to many farmers so that they
could check its yield and other attributed characteristics.
5) Discussion was done on Kerala root wilt which is caused by
Mycoplasma .There is no control method ones the tree gets affected
6) Farmers should be advised to grow long staple cotton varieties.
7) Fort night training is given to the farmers. Pest and disease
surveillance is done by the office.
8) Tip drying problem in rice was discussed, for which 2%DAP+1%Kcl
in 1litre of water should be sprayed.

21
 9) August 15-20 is best sowing time for samba rice.
10)Director of agriculture has given more importance to seed production.
11)Leaf colour chart (LCC) is to be distributed free of cost to the farmers.
In new LCC number of colour shades has been reduced to 4 from 6.
Recommendations are given in Tamil.
12)There is more scope to increase yield of pulses and oilseeds.

Work with AAO, Horticulture

On 22-7-06, we participated in, “Aadipattam, Hybrid Vegetable seed
distribution” function. It was presided by Tahsildar, Sivakannan. AAO,
horticulture, K.Pazhaniswamy was present there. Farmers shared their
experience. Vegetable seeds of bhendi, gourds, etc. was freely distributed to
the farmers. We too conducted demonstrations like, “kitchen garden”, “coir
pith composting”, “vermicomposting” and “panchagavya” preparation. The
function held in Iluppakkorai started with Tamil prayer and ended with
National anthem. Farmer, G. Bhaskar said that the chemical(Methl Demeton
+Neemezol/Neem oil) prescribed by Dr. T.Senguttuvan to control rose pest
was very effective.

Visit of commissioner of Agriculture:

On, 22-6-06, Mr.ChandanaSanthanam, commisoner of Agriculture,
Tamil Nadu, visited the village along with JDA, DDA, ADA, AO, AAO, and
other delegates. They watched the demonstration of preparation of
Pseudomonas fluorescens and Trichoderma virdi done by Mrs. Neelaveni
and her co-workers (Anaithu Magalir Uzhavar Mandram). We told him
about our activities in the village.

Work Experience with NGO

Non Government Organization (NGO): Organizational
structure:
(ISSRO-MSSRF-Village Resource Centre (VRC))
Head office is at Chennai. It works in Collaboration with several NGOs.
M. S. Swaminathan Research organization- Village resource centre is
supported by:
Jamsetji. Tata National Virtual Academy for Rural Prosperity (NVA)
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
Microsoft Unlimited Potential Programme (MUPP), Intel, Friends of
MSSRF; Tokyo and Australia, Azim Premji Foundation.

22
 Offices centers are at Thiruvaiyaru, Tanjore, Chempatti in Dindigal,
Tangachi in Ramnathpuram, Annavarasan in Pudukottai. New centers are
to be started in Nagapattinam, Pondicherry , Chidambaran, Nagarkoil,
Pokharan in Rajasthan, Adahal in Hyderabad,Yafad (Andhra Pradesh).
Each centre may have some sub centres (6 village knowledge centre
(VKC) under Thiruvaiyaru- Iluppakorai, Velangudi, Marur,
Konerirajapuram, Thirupalanam, Rajendram Ammanpettai)
Each VRC has a project director, under him there is a project associate,
under whom many workers like sociologist (1), network programmer (1),
1or 2 field assistant (diploma in agriculture), 1 computer knowledge
trainer, 1 statistician, etc. are there.
VKC is looked after by knowledge workers along with project associate
of VRC and field assistants.

Village Knowledge Centre (VKC), Iluppakkorai

There are two computers loaded with agricultural information’s like:

o Banana culture, deficiency, disease etc. (Tamil font)
o Rice –Azolla-green manure-fish (Tamil font)
o Rice pests (Tamil font)
o Coconut emerging issues (English version)
o Course on ground nut production (English version)

Teaching modules for nursery children were available on the computers.

Village Resource Centre (VRC),Thiruvaiyaru.

There are 10 computers in operation. They are connected to Chennai
centre, ISRO and ICRISAT by INSAT-3A. We saw different CDs available
on agriculture and also copied some of the pictures and information. They
shown us a video film of a farmer, Mr.A.Sivanandam who is using waste
banana and butter milk paste to attract and catch adult Red palm weevils
on coconut.
The institute is providing free computer training to the students, and
helping farmers to make agriculture profitable, it is organizing health
camps, dental camps, SRI training camps, etc.
They took us to the fields of different farmers.
Project associate, B.Padmanaban, discussed with us about different
demonstrations to be presented to the farmers. On 5-8-06, we conducted
demonstrations about feasible agricultural technologies through chart

23
papers- Paring and prolinage in banana, mass production Trichoderma and
Pseudomonas, Trichogramma chilonis card, intercropping of pepper and
turmeric in coconut, root feeding in coconut, wind barrier crops like
Casuarina equisetifolia, C.junguliana, in banana, etc.

Other Commendable activities:

1) Visit to Agricultural input shop:
Name of the shop:Manoharan Agency, Ganapathi agraharam.
S.No Inputs Price (Rs.) Unit
.
1 Carbendazim 144 250 gm
Carbendazim(Zen) 92.50 250 gm
2 Endosulfan35EC 75 250 ml
3 Monocrotophos(Godrej) 40 100 ml
4 Tricontanol(Godrej) 225 5 Kg
5 Chloropyriphos 20EC(Godrej) 35 100 ml
6 Carbofuran 3G (Kothari) 65 1 Kg
7 Quinolphos25EC(Godrej) 80 250 ml
8 Atrazine 50WP(Indofil) 145 500 gm
9 Foliar-N-19%,P-19%,K-19%,Mgo+trace (Sujala) 150 1 Kg
!0 Sugacane Micronutient Mix.-XII (Microstar) 230 5 Kg
11 2,4-D sodium salt 80% 110 500 gm
12 Urea-46%N 251.73- 50 Kg
265.45
13 Spic gypsum 56 10 Kg
14 Delta Azatobacter 500 40 Kg
15 Neem Powder 400 50 Kg
16 NPK::17:17:17 425 50 Kg
17 DAP 467 50.12 Kg
18 NPK::16:0:12 202 50 Kg
19 Vijay-17:17:17 422 50 Kg
20 Potash fertilizer 230 50 Kg
21 Super phospate 176(Govt.) 50 Kg
,400(Pvt.)
22 Thiophanate methyl 70%WP(Stopcin) 105 100 gm
23 Acephate 70%SP 53 100 gm
24 Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki(Strain Z-52, 340 250 gm
serotype H-3a,3b)(BIOLEP)
25 Micronutrient for Rice 12.80(Govt 2.5 Kg
.),60(Pvt.)
7 9
26 Granulosis virus-10 -10 spray liquid(Arignar 40 250 ml

24
 Anna sugar mills,Karungulam
27 Azadirachtin 0.15%W/W 162 250 ml
28 Azadirachtin 1%EC-1000ppm(Margo Eco neem 75 100 ml
plus)
29 Paddy seeds 15 1 kg
30 Black gram seeds 65 1 kg
31 Banana sucker 3 1 sucker
32 Gingelly seeds 35 1 kg
33 Gingelly oil cake 10 1 kg
34 Coconut oil cake 5 1 kg

2) Visit to Sugar factory:

On 18-7-06 we visited Thirumandankudi Sugar Factory: Thiru

Arooran Sugar’s Ltd. Pin -612301.
This visit was arranged by our group facilitator
Dr.T.Senguttuvan. Kumbakonam group was also with us. There
in the factory on behalf of Mr.A.Senthil kumar, senior cane
manager,we were received by Mr. Rajkumar (deputy cane
manager).
He told us about the organization structure of the
factory.9,30,000 tonnes cane was crushed in year 2005-06.
Average recovery was 9.53%. Sugar cane availability is from 15th
Dec. to July.
The outline of the working of the factory is: Cane carrier
→Cutter→Leveller(adjusting speed)→5 crushing mill→Juice weighing
scale → +Sulphur,to maintain clarity of the juice→ +Lime, to maintain
pH→Evaporator→Centrifugation→Crystal form of sucrose→White sugar.

By Products:
1) Pressmud (Filter mud): It is composted in compost yard.
2) Bagasse: It is fired in Boiler. Steam generated is used to
produce power (Cogeneration-29M Watt). 3 lakhs unit of
power is sold per day to Tamil Nadu electricity board.
3) Molasses: Rich in sugar other than sucrose. It is used to
produce ethanol etc. 65000 kilo liters of spirit is produced per
day, 1 lit. Spirit costs Rs.18-20.

To facilitate sugarcane harvesting and to solve labour many

farmers partially burn their sugarcane field. Partially burned
sugarcane if brought within 24 hours of burning, to the mill,
there is no loss in sugar quantity and quality. But the

25
 fermentation process in the cane is accelerated and the quality
will deteriorate quickly.
We observed functioning of different components of the factory.
They provided us a very delicious lunch, free of cost and then
took us in their vehicle to the compost yard, where spent wash
and pressmud is mixed to produce compost. Tractor operated
tillering machine is used to mix the compost. Compost is
prepared in 35-40 days, it is enriched with Azospirillum and
Phosphobacteria and sold @ Rs 1000/ ton. (@ Rs 500/ton to
farmers). They produce biogas @ 6000 tons gas /day.

Organizational structure:
General Manager
↓
Cane department, engineering department, Processing department, Stores
department, Administrative department.

Cane department
↓
Cane HOD,
Deputy Manager (2) →Divisional heads (BSc.Agri.)→ Cane
Account Department assistants
Processing Department (Field
Staff,
Diploma
in Agri.)
Administrative department: Directly under GM with private
↓ Security guards.
Personal department (HRD)

3) Visit to Farmers market

On 1-8-06, we visited farmers market (Uzhavar Sandhi), Tanjore.
We had discussion with Mrs.Savithri, AAO marketing;
Mr.G.Ramdas,AO and made following observations:
• Price is 20% more than wholesale rate but is less than retail
shop rate.
• Farmers from 32 villages are coming to sale their produce. It
operates from 6AM to 1PM. There are 71 stalls.
• Staffing pattern-Secretary marketing committee.
Administrative officer (AO agriculture).Assistant

26
 administrative officer (AAO horticulture and agriculture). 3
securities and 1 sweeper.
• Horticulture department issues a card to the farmer by which
bus conductor gives free transport facility.
• There is no storage facility. 5 kg weighing machine is provided
to the farmers.
• They issues local prices to the news papers and give daily
report to the JDA and horticulture department.
• Seeds and some other inputs are also given to the farmers.
• Profit to the farmer- 20% above the wholesale price.
• Rs.4/day is taken from TANWA and other SHGs for selling
their produce.
• Holidays are only during Election time.

S.No. Commodities Price (Rs.) Unit

1 Coconut 3-5 1 nut
2 Amaranthus 1 1 bunch
3 Curry leaf 8 1 Kg
4 Onion (small) 10 1 Kg
5 Onion (Big) 7 1 Kg
6 Potato 12-13 1 Kg
7 Mango 12-15 1 Kg
8 Lemon 1 1 fruit
10 1 Kg
9 Carrot 10-16 1 Kg
10 Cauliflower 18 1 Kg
11 Agathi leaf 2 1 bunch
12 Chakravarthi Karai 2 1 bunch
13 Bhendi 10-12 1 Kg
14 Bitter gourd 5 1 Kg
15 Ash gourd 6 1 Kg
16 Radish 6 1 Kg
17 Snake gourd 10 1 Kg
18 Banana leaf 1 1 leaf
19 Chilies 10 1 Kg
20 Chow-chow 10 1 Kg
21 Banana fruit 0.6-1 1 fruit
22 Banana vegetable 6 1 Kg
23 Banana flower 1 1 flower
24 Betel vine 12 1 kauli(100 leaf)
25 Pumpkin 6 1 Kg
26 Brinjal 6 1 Kg

27
27 Moringa 10-12 1 Kg
28 Cluster bean (Kothranga) 5 1 Kg
29 Ribbed gourd (Pikanga) 7 1 Kg
30 Tomato 6 1 Kg
Seeds
1 Pumpkin (TLS-Ashoka) 10 50 gm
2 Bitter gourd-MBTH-101(Mahyco) 102 50 gm
3 Snake gourd MHSN-1 127 50 gm
4 Bhindi No.10(Hybrid)(Mahyco) 125 100 gm
5 Ridge gourd(Jaipur long)(Mahyco) 40 50 gm
6 Cluster bean (Certified) 150 1 Kg
7 Awarai (Goudi) 300 1 Kg
8 Brinjal (Ravaiga)(Mahyco) 66 10 gm
9 Bottle gourd(Ashoka) 40 50 gm
10 Radish 230 1 Kg
11 Brinjal Ravaiya Hubrid(Mahyco) 1650 250 gm

4) Visit to Research station

On, 4-7-06, we visited TNAU Soil, Water Management Research
Institute, Kattuthottam. We interacted with Dr.S.Anbumani,
Agronomist. He took us for field visit where we saw Pit method
of sugarcane planting. He told us that Pendimethylene @3lit/ha is
a suitable herbicide for sugarcane+Pulse intercrop and burning of
sugarcane field deteriorates the fertility of the soil.
On, 27-7-06, we visited Tamil Nadu Rice Research institute,
Aduthurai. Kumbakonam group had also joined us.
Dr.R.Thamizhvendan gave us a very homely welcome. We then
met Dr.V.Muralidharam. Then Dr.S.Nasir Ahmed, deputy director
and head of Agronomy unit told us about the Research station
and SRI method and modified SRI method of rice cultivation.
Then Dr.N.Raju and Dr.D.Jaykumar, further familiarized us
about the Institute. Dr.N.Raju told us about the present pest
scenario in rice crop.
On, 1-8-06, we re-visited, TNAU, Soil and Water Management
Research Institute, kattuthottam. We met Dr.Ravi, Head of the
institute. Dr.S.Anbumani, told us following points:
• Drum seeder, is used for direct sown rice. It is economical.
About Rs.1200 is saved per acre. The crop matures 7 days
early.

28
 • Sofit (pretilachlor+fenchlorine(safener)) is an effective
herbicide in rice. It is applied @500 ml/acre. Charcoal is also
an antidote.
• Alternate wetting and drying should be done for 15 days.
• Basal application of DAP@40 Kg/acre.
• Top dressing with 35 Kg of urea on 20, 40, 55, 70 DAS.
• Muriate of potash on 28th and 55th DAS @27 Kg/acre.
• Thinning and gap filling on 28th day to get assured population.
• In line sown crop 20 cm should be between the rows.
• Rotary weeder is used in corporate emerging weed and to have
stirring effect.
• In pit method of sugarcane planting, spacing between two pits
are 4 feet to 4.5 feet.
• 1700 pits should be in 1 acre. 2 budded, 16 setts are placed
per pit of radius 45 cm. Drip irrigation is easy in this method.
• Fertilizer for sugarcane-NPK:: 275:62.5:120 Kg/acre.
• High density planting in banana-3 to 4 suckers is planted in
one pit.
• Relay cropping is suitable in clayey soil.
• Casuarina juligana has been introduced from Australia. There
is rapid increase in biomass. Rs,2.5 to 3 lakhs can be realized
in 3 years. 1700 saplings are to be planted in 1 acre at 4 ft ×4 ft
spacing. Weekly irrigation should be given. Saplings are
available at the rate of Rs.5/sapling.

5) Visit to Jaggery preparation unit:

• There are many jaggery preparation units in and around the
village.
• Jaggery manufactured from mature cane will be of the highest
quality.
• Cane crops that did not receive adequate irrigation yield poor
quality jaggery, because they contain nitrogen in their juices.
• Crops that receive excessive nitrogen manuering, those that
have lodged extensively and those that have been affected by
pests and diseases, in general, yield jaggery of poor quality.
• There is need for application of a chemical clarificant like lime
in order to neutralize the juice and facilitate flocculation of

29
 colloidal material in the juice and its removal. This will result
in realizing better coloured jaggery.
• Lime sucrate is another clarificant which facilitates getting
better coloured jaggery.(prepared by soaking one unit of lime
in 5 units of water and filtering the supernatant lime water
through a thick cloth. The filtrate is mixed with cane juice in
the proportion of 18:100. this filtered lime cane juice mixture
is stirred and kept for some time. The supernatant liquid of
thus mixture is called lime sucrate and used as a clarificant.
• When lime or lime sucrate is applied to the raw juice to the
required extent, this will facilitate flocculation of colloids and
the scum that rises to the surface of the juice is skimmed off.
• If initial juice boiling is done rapidly, it is likely that the scum
that flocculates will be dissolved again and impairs the colour
of jaggery ultimately. After removal of the first scum, it is
desirable that the juice is boiled as quickly as possible and
charge brought down. The temperature of the magma when it
is about to be brought down will be between 118-124ºC. If the
juice is mature the temperature will be 118-119ºC only. As
soon as the charge is brought down, it is stirred slowly in the
pan itself to facilitate quick cooling.
• The jaggery is moulded and made into balls by hand.
• Many farmers add sodium chloride, sodium hydrosulphite,
super phosphate, Decolite chips, alum etc. to get very light
yellow coloured jaggerey.
• Jaggery is sold @ Rs.15-20/Kg
• One labour receives Rs.160/day.
• Crusher→ Juice→ Pipe→ Tank→ Pipe→ Heated in large pan
for 2 hours→ Throwing the floating scum into nearby tank→
Drying the clarified juice in nearby wooden pan and moulding
into jaggery

6) Preparation of Herbarium and collection and preservation of

notorious pest:
We prepared Herbarium of commonly prevalent diseases like
Sigatoka leaf spot, Freckle disease, Bunchy top disease in
banana, leaf spot in Pooverasu, Red rot of sugarcane. Phyllody in
gingelly, leaf crinkling in green gram, Iron deficiency symptom
in sugarcane, notorious weed- Mexican poppy, etc.

30
 We collected and preserved insects like Rhinoceros beetle,
Pseudostem weevil in banana, Nut weevil of mango, etc.

Conclusion

This course provided us the opportunity for studying the rural

situation and gaining direct farm experience. We gained experience
about the extension activities carried out by the development
departments, non-government organizations and private agencies.
VAO of the village is one of the effective components for successful
extension work. It provides data on demographic features, rainfall,
and climatic conditions etc, of the village.
ADA, ADO, AOs, AAO are operating at root levels to solve the
problems of the farmers, make them aware about new economical
technologies, supply quality inputs to the farmers-thus minimizing
the gap between target and achievement
Labour problem is being faced everywhere. Chief farm machineries
will help to some extent.
Nowadays many educated people (graduates) are taking up farming-
Self employment. This will make the Indian agriculture competitive.
Women are supplementing their family income by preparation of
ropes from coconut coir, production of Pseudomonas, Trichoderma,
Trichogramma, Azospirillum, vermicompost etc. Effective trainings
provided by government and non-government organizations are
acting as powerful catalysts and are making the women to utilize
their strength
Farmers are interested in organic farming and application of
micronutrients. They are utilizing credit facilities provided by banks
at low interest. It is necessary for the growth of our agriculture.
Ratoon cropping in sugarcane helps to minimize the cost of
production.
Computers enhance pedagogy and learning efficiency. Jamsetji Tata
NVA and MSSRF have performed excellently in making the
computers to reach the poor children and other interested people of
the village.
Farmers are mostly influenced by the fertilizer and pesticide shop
keepers, most of them are not proper degree holders.
This course helped us to develop many extension qualities like being
flexible, being adaptive, developing skills relevant to the current

31
context, anticipating and coping with changes, etc. We learnt by
working with people and came up over our ego.
The difference between the regular class room teacher and the
farmer teacher is that the farmer is not curriculum oriented, instead
he is problem oriented. He is not theoretical oriented but practical
oriented. He is not time oriented but subject oriented. The major
difference between the classroom teachers and farmer teachers is the
rich experience of the farmers which the regular classroom teachers
lack.

Photographs

Paper Clippings

Pamphlets, Booklet &CD

32