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EXTENSION ACTIVITIES using various means but same amount Group, strongly advocated adoption of cation, Mr. Agarwal noted that pesticide
ICAR signs MoU with Dhanuka Agritech of water.” modern technologies for agricultural spraying on 1-acre of land via drone
purposes.
requires just about 10 litres of water as
Dr. R. C. Agrawal, Deputy Direc- against 200-litres in traditional method.
The Indian Council of Agricultural tor General (Agricultural Educa- ‘Modern technologies can aid reduc- “Setting up a weather station at
Research (ICAR) and Dhanuka Agritech tion), Indian Council for Agricultural tion in water use’ panchayat level will also help reduce
Ltd. have entered into a MoU to jointly Research (ICAR) stressed upon the “Around 70% of water is used for water requirements substantially. Coun-
strengthen research and extension need to educate farmers and youths agriculture purposes. The usage of tries like Israel have already demonstra-
activities. The partnership aims to spread about right water usage in the agri- modern technologies like drones, sprin- ted the benefi ts of precision agriculture,
scientifi c information, especially techno- culture sector. “We are designing a klers, drip irrigation and water sensors including modern irrigation system. We,
logies developed by industries and ICAR course, which will make them aware would help reduce the requirement of as a country, too need to adopt precision
institutes, to farmers through frontline about water usage in the agriculture water for agriculture purposes signifi - farming in a big way, which will not
demonstrations and training. sector and offer solutions,” he said. cantly. It will also help in reducing water only result in saving of water, but will
wastage to a large extent,” he said. also help enhance crop quality, produc-
The MoU was signed by Dr. R.G. Earlier setting the tone for the event, tion, and profi tability of farmers, a goal
Agarwal, Chairman, Dhanuka Group, Mr. R. G. Agarwal, Chairman, Dhanuka Citing the example of drone appli- Government is keen to achieve.”
and Dr. U.S. Gautam, Deputy Director
General-Agriculture Extension, ICAR, AIDING AGRICULTURE
at the IARI-Pusa Campus on March 19, farmers’ problems, including through safe and effective use of crop protection
2024. its collaboration with six Japanese chemicals, and will be organising and Syngenta opens Seed Health Hub in Telangana
companies for the introduction of novel participating in each other’s training
The Dhanuka Group, one of India’s green pesticides to the Indian market. programmes. Another objective of the Syngenta Vegetable Seeds, an arm Rs. 20-crore, the 6,500-sq ft facility The lab is also seeking export
leading plant protection companies, has MoU is adoption of precision agricultural of the global agri major Syngenta, can conduct 12,000 virus/bacterial certifi cation and local accreditation
four manufacturing units in Gujarat, The two entities will make joint tools, such as Information Technology has opened a Seed Health Hub in tests annually. with the National Accreditation Board
Rajasthan, and J&K, and has been at efforts in capacity building and conduct- (IT) and the Internet of Things (IoT), to Nuthankal (Telangana), its third such for Testing and Calibration Laboratories
the forefront in providing solutions to ing extension activities to ensure the advance farming methodologies. lab in the world. “The facility is complaint with (NABL).
seed health test regulations in India
WATER INTENSITY The company, which meets 8-10% and will be aligned with internatio- India is an important hub for Syn-
‘Indian agriculture uses 2-3 times more water than of the world’s vegetable needs, said nal accreditation programmes such as genta as it accounts for 40% of its global
the lab would help it further strengthen International Seed Health Initiative production. “This investment highlights
developed countries’ its seed research and production capa- (ISHI) and Naktuinbouw Authorised our commitment to ensuring growers
bilities. The other seed health labs are Laboratories (NAL),” Erik Postma, have a reliable supply of healthy, disease-
India accounts for only 2.4% of nations. Area under cultivation has under irrigation remained stagnant. located in the US and the Netherlands. Global Head of Quality Management free seed,” Mr. Nishchint Bhatia, Head
world’s land and 4% of water, but increased, but mostly for Rabi crops, It required overhaul and since 2015, for Syngenta Vegetable Seeds and of Asia Pacifi c for Syngenta Vegetable
instead of a land crisis, a vast stretch of when it mostly does not rain. This needs the Central Government changed the Built with an investment of Flowers, said. Seeds, said.
the country is facing a water crisis, par- to change and State Governments, in approach. As a result, the area under
ticularly in the agriculture sector. Wast- particular, need to promote cultivation irrigation has increased by 1% every
age of resources in irrigation projects, according to local environmental and year from last few years, taking it from MRPL hikes stake in Mangalore SEZ Ltd.
faulty crop pattern, wrong technique geographical conditions,” said Prof. 47% to 55% now.”
of crop cultivation, and preferences Ramesh Chand, Member, Niti Aayog, Mangalore Refi nery and Petro- It said 1,34,80,000 equity shares were acres, MSEZ has been operational since
for water-intensive crops like rice and while delivering a keynote speech at Putting emphasis on less invest- chemicals Ltd. (MRPL) has acquired acquired at Rs. 35 a share. The stake 2014 with around 85% area leased out.
off-season vegetables have aggravated a function organised in New Delhi on ment-intensive methods to increase 1,34,80,000 equity shares of Mangalore was acquired for a cash consideration The zone has 10 operational units such
the problem. The situation requires March 22, on the occasion of ‘World area under irrigation using the same SEZ Ltd. (MSEZ) from IL&FS. After of Rs. 47.18-crore. as MRPL (aromatic complex), Syngene,
immediate attention and experts are Water Day’, by the Dhanuka Group. amount of water, Dr. P.K. Singh, Agri- this acquisition, equity stake of MRPL ISPRL, Catsynth Speciality Chemicals
suggesting focus on precision agricul- culture Commissioner, Government of in MSEZ shall increase from 0.96% to MSEZ – a joint venture of ONGC and other food processing units.
ture and adoption of modern techno- Highlighting the plight of the India said, “In collaboration with Jal 27.92%. (26%), IL&FS (50%), Karnataka Indus-
logies to combat the situation. country’s irrigation infrastructure Shakti ministry, we are exploring ways trial Area Development Board (23%), The company said MSEZ is one of
before 2015, Prof. Chand further said, to maximize usage of surface water. For The company said IL&FS has of- MRPL (0.96%), and Kanara Chamber India’s successful SEZs with invest-
“India uses 2-3 times more water “Between 1995 and 2015, billions of example, if water of a canal is presently fered its equity stake in MSEZ to ONGC/ of Commerce and Industry (0.04%) – is ments exceeding $2-bn so far and
for producing 1 tonne of crop compared rupees were invested on irrigation pro- irrigating 100 hectares of agricultural MRPL as a right to fi rst refusal. ONGC a special purpose vehicle incorporated exports of goods worth over $3.2-bn
to several developed and developing jects – medium and major – but area land, how can we take it to 150 hectare is a promoter for MRPL and MSEZ. in 2006. Spread over an area of 1,607 from its units.

138 Chemical Weekly April 2, 2024 Chemical Weekly April 2, 2024 139

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