Bridging the information gap

As a major stride towards reaching the general public and narrowing down the gap between technology developers and its users, the Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Calicut hosted a Media Meet on 9th November at its campus in Chelavoor.

The event was oragnised as part of the NAIP sub-project, Mobilising Mass Media Support for Sharing Agro-Information. Dr. T P Trivedi, Project Director, DIPA and ADG, ICAR, Dr. B N Chattopadhya, Co PI of the project and Coordinator & Nodal Officer, ICAR and Dr. V A Parthasarathy, Director, IISR interacted with the journalists from around 20 leading media organisations in the city.

The Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Calicut has organised a Media Meet on Monday, 9th November 2009 at its campus as part of the NAIP sub-project on Mobilising Mass Media Support for Sharing Agro-Information. Around 30 media persons from the 20 leading media organizations in the state, including newspapers, television channels and agricultural magazines, participated in the event.

Dr. T P Trivedi, Project Director, DIPA and ADG, ICAR and Dr. B N Chattopadhya, Co PI of the project and Coordinator & Nodal Officer, ICAR, New Delhi briefed about the project and the necessity of strengthening media relations at the regional level. “India is the largest provider of research studies in agricultural sector in the world. But, most of the farmers are not aware of it and media can bridge this gap by informing people,” said Dr. T P Trivedi. “The aim of the meet is to narrow down the gap between technology users and technology developers through media,” he added.

Commenting further on the need for communication through media he said, “Information is for everyone and agriculture communication should not be focused on farmers alone.” DIPA has been publishing agricultural information through its various publications in Hindi and English. But it is the mandate of regional institutes to ensure effective flow of agricultural information regional languages. Institutes like IISR have to take steps in publishing agricultural news and success stories in regional languages, he added.

The NAIP project, funded by World Bank, is aimed at developing a model platform for technology dissemination through mass media – print, audio and video.

Dr. B N Chattopadhya, Co PI of the project and Coordinator and Nodal Officer, ICAR said that Internet and web based technologies could be more effectively utilised to reach a wider section of the society. Media can also make use of information available on the ICAR and other institute websites.

Dr. V A Parthasarathy, Director, IISR made a presentation on various agricultural technologies developed by the institute recently. He also answered queries from media persons regarding the institute’s research activities, availability of planting materials for farmers, breeding of new varieties, etc.

IISR at a glance, a video on the institute activities and major developments was also screened. Dr. T K Jacob, Principal Scientist, IISR made a presentation on frontline demonstration of technologies developed by the institute.

QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION
Question: The Multi National Company persuade farmers to grow a particular crop (eg. Vanilla, kokum, saffed musli etc.) and later on the farmers are denied of good price for the products. Why ICAR do not interfere to stop such incidences?(Hindu)
Answer: In such cases the MNC s should forward with a buy back scheme.. ICAR cannot advise farmers to stop growing any crop but can only caution them about the draw backs , if at all any. ICAR can provide technical and scientific help to the beneficiaries.

Question: Pepper growers are facing several problems like diseases, lack of disease free planting material etc. What is the role of the institute in solving the problem of farmers?(Mathrubhoomi)
Answer: The institute advices the farmers to take up the replanting of pepper gardens in a phased manner. KAU and IISR are partners in the replanting programme. Several schemes are in operation at the institute for production of quality planting material of black pepper through which the demand is met. Sound technologies for the control of pest and diseases in black pepper is available. Diseases in black pepper can be controlled by timely adoption of control measures as per the recommendation. The institute also has facilities to provide virus free nuclear planting material after certification for further multiplication. Biocontrol agents are also being supplied from the institute for the control of the disease. The institute also gives need based technical advice to farmers.

Question: The production of black pepper is low when compared to other countries like Vietnam and Brazil. Why?(Hindu)
Answer: In Vietnam pepper is grown as a monocrop where as in India it is grown as an intercrop and hence the population/ intensity of the crop per ha would be far less than what is being grown in Vietnam. In India domestic consumption is more as compared to other countries. In other countries the crop is grown for export purpose. Pepper is grown as a home sted crop in Kerala and hence lack of availability of correct statistical data also hinders to understand the exact production. Infra structure and technologies is available for increasing production in black pepper. Expansion of cultivation to non traditional areas is another option to increase production in black pepper. As about 48% of the vines would be non yielding at a time , phase wise replanting programme has to be under taken. As there is a risk in cultivation of pepper as a monocrop it is advised to continue the present system which is more sustainable by following all the recommended technologies correctly and timely , which would ultimately help to increase production.

Question: How are we going to face climate change?
Answer: GIS is available to predict the suitability of a crop for a particular region based on the climatic conditions. . At present we have heat sensitive and drought tolerant spice varieties. However more varieties with wider adaptability have to be developed in all the spices for competing the problem.

Dr. P Rajeev, Senior Scientist, IISR moderated the interactive session with the media. Dr. T John Zachariah, Principal Scientist welcomed the gathering and Dr. S Devasahayam, Head, Division of Crop Protection, proposed a vote of thanks.