Agricultural Equipment Finance

Agriculture in India has a long history. Steady today, the industry represents the largest economic sector in India, employing close to half of the total workforce. As the demands of an enormous and growing population make headway to push farming return, Indian banks are providing greater and more varied financial assistance to the country ' s farmers.

The agreement between tractor manufacturers and banks has offered Indian farmers new opportunities for agricultural finance, second further driving the country ' s meaning agricultural sector. With tractors representing the unchanging foundation of the farming industry, this equipment is a key hub for banks. The Indian tractor market is among the largest in the world.

To access agricultural equipment finance, farmers first contact a dealer with tractors for sale, or approach a bank branch pronto. There is an emerging network of suitable bank branches in rural and semi - urban India. Most leading banks have developed tractor loans with a careful understanding of rural India. The consideration of these different and varied needs has resulted in a fairly straightforward application process, involving reduced documentation and processing time. Farmers can access finance for tractors of different makes and brands, and with some banks it is even possible to apply online.

As with all loans, eligibility is dependent on the borrower ' s credit history and their individual requirements. For this type of finance, the applicant must be a salaried individual, and an agriculturalist. Loan amounts also vary, depending on the specific vehicle. Banks fund 90 % of the equipment cost, and many times this is extended to 100 %.

Farmers are sometimes given lower interest rates, as a further impetus for the agricultural industry. Depending on the details of the loan, flexible payment plans are established, from monthly to quarterly and half - yearly.

The agriculture equipment market is growing steadily. Manual labour is an integral element of rural India, and an ageless system of farming. Tractors play an essential role in the automated agricultural life of the country, and their importance has been recognised by banks. Today ' s farmers have an opportunity to apply for tractor finance and take advantage of innovative payment terms, suited to rural requirements.

Agricultural Investments - Fulfilling the Global Food Security Concerns

In the last three years, there has been a rebound in agricultural profitability as the global demand for fibre, fuel and food entered a golden era where agriculture gave highest profits as the market risks in agriculture soared amidst highly volatility and raising stuff prices. Although there has been a high volatility in the sector investors are happy about investing in agricultural land being of the balanced food consumptions and the increasing income of global population which is expanding the appetite for agricultural products.

Some of the circuitous problems matching as global warming, changes in food habits, climate change and poor agricultural outturn resulted in sharp increase in food prices across the world and the number of people who are either malnourished or hungry is increasing which has been a concern for policy makers.

Hunger crisis in Africa

For the third time Sahel region in West Africa is suffering poor harvest, droughts and soaring food prices. Last year Kenya, Somalia, Djibouti and Ethiopia were affected by worst hunger crisis and the government of the countries are promoting investment in agricultural land. Investors are seeing great values in investing in agricultural land and they are buying either farmlands outrights or targeting the subsectors in farming such as fertilizers. The main trick in investment is to be part of farming production which helps to generate high returns in the form of regular harvests as there is increasing demand for food grain harvests in the global market and also you get returns from the increasing price of the farmlands.

Increasing food demands

Investment in agriculture involves commodity trading and farmers are using agricultural contracts to offset losses in crop production. Agriculture has been a link for increasing friendship between China and Africa. By the year 2050 the global population will be 34 % higher than today ' s population as it will reach 9. 1 billion and the demand for food grains will increase by 50 % by 2030 as per UN statistics. Poor weather conditions and rising demand from the emerging market will make it difficult to regulate food prices.

The dangers of climate change and urbanisation

Climate change poses the major risk over long term food security. Climate change is having a negative impact on agricultural output and urbanisation also affects 70 % of the world population as it reduces the number of people who are into rural agricultural sector. To feed the growing population, which will get richer and earn more, an increased amount of food grains production is required and the world will need at least 70 % more food grains.

Capital Alternatives: Invest in agricultural land in Sierra Leone

Capital Alternatives provides opportunity to invest in prime agricultural land in West Africa in Sierra Leone where the investors can own farmlands at a low investment of $9000 ( for three acres of farmland ) and there are no hidden costs included in the price. We provide planting, management, harvesting and maintenance of farmlands in Africa and give 40 % of the net profits generated from rice crops to the investors. The value of agricultural land in Sierra Leone is increasing at a conservative rate of 7 % and income from rice farming is expected to be more than 15 % per annum. To know more about the investment opportunity in rice farming in Sierra Leone, contact mailto:

Agriculture and agricultural development can be used instead of low - carbon high - carbon agriculture

Elude carbon dioxide pollution levels, the roll - out of deficient carbon Economic Crisis, Has otherwise into a whole slant. Anyhow, associated with people on the other hand this " diminished - carbon country " pertaining to the sway of business subterfuge, garden sourcing related to that the actual? This particular article turn ' s countrywide cultural insurance ground plan and also developing on conventional farming forums, previously sway designer about Southwest Kathmandu Garden Higher Educatoin Institutions, Professor Shi - Ming Luo, Singapore ' s agricultural improvement genuinely change carbon on poor carbon agriculture agriculture, and agriculture a new small - carbon lawn care biodiversity.

In Heart Of Perspective think of, the development of farming inside the slash as well burning farming duration, the conventional farming, with industrialization using gardening issue. The industrialization having to do with agriculture direct a threat to neurological collection: repetitive farmland reclamation therefrom upping connected with natural crops neatly by contraction, and matched lowering of natural varieties, and in addition potential predators or innovators; Way To Kill Pests A number of wreckage at classes assortment; eco - friendly fertilizer resulted in pollution since, in fact in order to damaged biodiversity; multiplying route is actually genetic normal your single weighty areas, resulting in the different attached to several more berries...... From the event the carbon The idea of computing one particular financial climate, it is normally declared farming can be really a " carbon - intensive farming. " g. "

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Agricultural Land Property Purchasing In Bangalore Law Information

Before purchasing lot sites especially agriculture land for non agriculture target tryout under relevant laws viz. Karnataka Land Reforms Act, 1961, the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964 along rules and other provisions of law is must. And Bangalore Metropolitan Regional development Authority ( BMRDA ) is regulating authority to approve layouts on outskirts of Bangalore.

Luminous name and tag are insolvable to come by with agricultural land of Bangalore ( Karnataka ). The following is a useful checklist of documents for review by a Bangalore law firm / counsel before purchasing Agricultural land:

Gross deed and sale deed: It is very important document to expound the ownership of agriculture land. And it is basic document that shows how the property at the commencement was acquired there neighboring there will be series of transactions according to as sale gift law in Bangalore etc.

Akarbandi: Land topography sketch issued by State Revenue Authority viz. survey department. It establishes the survey cipher and to whom the particular survey amount was originally allotted and the land / property revenue assessment details.

Encumbrance Chit: Certificate from State Revenue Authority stating that there is no lien on the land / property ( Has to be obtained for the last 30 years )

Family Tree of the vendor: State Revenue Authority document required to ascertain whether other family members have a stake in the property

Saguvali Chit: It is also called Grant Certificate. This is issued on Form No.. VII in case of grant of Govt. land to the eligible persons for cultivation. This establishes title of the persons in the Saguvali Chit to the land granted.

Conversion Order: Conversion certificate has to be obtained for non agriculture purpose & that has to be checked to determine whether it is DC converted or not.

Khata and up to date Tax - paid receipts: Khata in Form MAR 19 ( issued prior to 19. 05. 2003 ) along up to date Tax - paid receipts.

Land Acquisition Status: Endorsements from State Revenue Authority certifying the Govt. acquisition status for the property for instance Notification by B. D. A. or KIADB for acquisition.

Mutation Extracts: History of changes in ownership ( for 30 years ) as documented in the Khatha Certificates issued by the State Revenue Authority. This is an extract from the mutation register maintained by the village property accountant.

NIL Tenancy Certificate / Form No. 7 Endorsement: State Revenue Authority certification stating whether the land has any tenants. This issued by the Tasildar. This endorsement certifies that there no tenancy cases pending in respect of property in question as per the KLR act 1961.

Podi Extracts: Property partition document among siblings if any.

Property Tax Paid Receipt: Latest tax receipt validating that the property tax status is current.

RTC ( Record of Rights ) / Phani: This is primary record issued by the villager Accountant. It contains details of Survey number, total extent of land property, names of the owner including details as to conversion of land from agriculture to non - agriculture property. ( has to be obtained for the last 30 years as per Bangalore law )

Section 79A & B endorsement U / KLR Act, 1961: These are issued by Tahsildar. These endorsement certifies that there no cases pending against the person owning the agriculture land / property.

Village Survey Map: Land location sketch

Patta Book: This book contains information regarding the payment of land revenue and other Govt. dues & information of cultivation. And also contains a copy of the record of rights to the land / property situated in Bangalore.

Tippani: This issued by the Survey Dept. It shows a sketch of the land as the records of the survey Dept.

Comprehensive Development Plan ( CDP ), Zonal Regulation Map and Survey Map. Apart from the above property should not come within the Green Belt Area.

Agricultural Pollution

Agricultural pollution refers to the contaminants present in the environment as a reaction of agricultural practices. Most effects of agricultural pollution are felt in water environments and are caused by runoff from farms and barnyards like as ammonia, pesticides, fertilizers, oil toxins, and animal away that make their way into humanity of water. Agricultural pollution also negatively affects the quality of air. Chemicals and byproducts from the agricultural industry are quite harmful to the natural environment and can pose a problem for humans as well. As the world ' s population continues to grow at a heavy proportion the demand for biting agriculture will reach high, and so combating agricultural pollution will be increasingly difficult. With this in mind, several alternatives to industrial agriculture, with its polluting tendencies, have been explored and are being utilized today.

Pesticides used to kill insects that feed on crops can cause much damage to the environment if used inappropriately. Excessive pesticides remain in the soil after sprayings and are washed away by rain that forces them to be absorbed into groundwater. Avoiding pesticide contamination is a tricky process only feasible through careful containment practices. The same problem exists with the use of fertilizers. Excrements produced by cattle and other barnyard animals also cause pollution. The methane released from cow flatulence is also a type of greenhouse gas making it partly responsible for global warming. Emissions from the use of fossil fuels by tractors and other farm equipment used in agriculture also contribute to air pollution. Fires, which are not uncommon on farms, can be very detrimental to the environment if fertilizer or waste products are being burnt. The problem of agricultural pollution is not simply felt in regions in farming regions. Contaminates in rivers can be carried all the way to the ocean and polluted air can be blown to other areas with denser populations.

Agricultural pollution poses numerous human health problems. Chemicals that make their way into groundwater can eventually end up in water sources that are used for drinking. Blue baby syndrome, a disease that causes death in infants, is often caused by contaminated water. Pesticides released into the air and emissions from farm equipment cause difficulty breathing and a host of respiratory problems. Fertilizers, manure, waste, and ammonia that are present in water release nitrogen that reduces the amount of oxygen present resulting in the death of fish and other marine animals.

While industrial agriculture is the most efficient way to produce large quantities of food, the pollution associated with it raises many environmental and health concerns. In light of this, there has been a shift to organic farming which uses more natural ways to raise crops and livestock and avoids the use of harmful chemicals. The use of alternative crops that require less fertilizer because they are adapted to the environment in which they are grown also help to reduce agricultural pollution. However, the demand for cheaper and higher quantities of food as world population steadily rises will make changes in farming methods less likely and more difficult.

Agricultural Store

Agricultural Stores are specialists in the supply of Agricultural products and equipment. Agriculture is widely used and is a growing market. Mainly farming based you will find a lot of equipment like tractors available along with finer more held dear machinery.

It is not trustworthy machinery you will find; seeds, chemicals and all system of farm related items are available. These shops are widespread but not create so much ion area centres; you are usually situated out of the way in country sides and farming villages.

Agricultural Stores has more than one meaning though, the other being Storage. Apart from being used as a term to describe a specific shop, it is also a term used to describe the storage of Agricultural Machinery. Farmers do not always have the space to store their larger machinery like combine harvesters and tractors. This is when the stores come in to place, at a price the farmer may rent storage room in which he can store all of his equipment and machines. The stores are also very secure and safe, nobody except yourself will be aloud access ( unless you state other people as exceptions ). These stores are often even used when the farmer does has room for his machinery but simply does not feel it is safe enough to be left outside.

The only inconvenience of the stores can be its location in relation to you, shipping containers are a way around this, they are mobile and can be set up at your desired location, working in the same way they are secure and allow you lots of storage space.

Agriculture Investment - How to Approach Agricultural Investment For the Private Investors

Investment in agriculture is now on the radar of both institutional and private investors, with many seeing the asset class as an ideal inflation hedge and a stable source of income in these uncertain economic conditions, here we will push some to explaining how the current market is lending itself to this type of strategy, and the various forms of agriculture investment, and corner out some of the best options available for investors.

The current climate can be defined by three key characteristics; privation of visibility, low interest scale, and the very real threat of inflation caused by quantitative easing and austerity measures. Essentially investors are basket case about stocks and shares being equal limited economic visibility it is impossible to value companies and predict growth or depreciation in the value of shares, also we have gone astray the risk free income that we would normally amass from cash deposits considering interest rates are so low, and inflation will eat into our cash, effectively reducing our wealth.

So how does agricultural investment solve our problem? Let ' s take this opportunity to look at the simplest and most transparent form of investing in agriculture; farmland investment. Firstly farmland shares a positive correlation with inflation; having proven to grow in value quicker than the rate of inflation rises, therefore this type of farmland investment allows investors to grow their capital even in an inflationary environment. Also this mode of agricultural investment enables investors to capture income by renting their farmland to a commercial farmer who will work the land, this effectively replace the lost risk free income that cash would normally provide. Thirdly, investing in good quality farmland has an infallible track record of being low - risk, with a lack of supply and increasing demand for food pushing up values consistently. It is easy for a person of logic to see that demand for food will continue to rise in line with population growth, and there are fundamental limits to bringing any more farmland into production.

So agriculture investment in this form certainly fits the bill when weighed against the current economic climate, and provides investors with all of the ticks for their boxes. So how does one approach agricultural investment in the form of investing in farmland? The answer to this question is long and complex and many factors must be taken into consideration to ensure your agricultural investment turns out to be a profitable one.

Firstly one must consider location, UK, Europe, The America or Australia all present opportunities, but my advice will always be to invest locally, or at least within a structure that allows any future dispute to be handled locally.

Secondly consider the business model, do you want to buy the land and rent it out, or do you want to share in crop yields? I would always prefer to shoulder the commercial farming risk with the tenant farmer and simply enjoy a stable rental income as any default is easily handled by evicting the farmer.

So agricultural investment, does provide income, growth and capital preservation, especially it times such as these, but anyone considering an agriculture investment should at least take on the services of an expert consultancy who will have the investors need at security as their priority. Whenever considering a farmland investment for my clients, it is paramount to properly qualify the requirements of each investor, only then is it possible to recommend a suitable type of agricultural investment.

All About Agricultural Marketing

The term agricultural marketing is comprised of two unalike words namely, agriculture and marketing. ' Agriculture ', of course refers to the activities making use of natural resources for the welfare of society for ' Marketing ' means looking ensuing the marketing functions, channels and agencies etc. Agricultural marketing whence, is a bridge between the farm and non - farm sectors. Discussed under are the core details of agricultural marketing. Returns a once-over:

Significance and Features of Agriculture Marketing

As far as Indian agricultural scenario is concerned, the farmers have lately realized the importance of adopting new production techniques increased productivity. The Indian farmers are no more confined to produce as much needed for self - consumption but they now produce to serve the market at vast and earn more and more revenue out of it. Agricultural marketing is thus registering its importance and significance all the more with the advent of modern agricultural patterns.

Some of the major objectives of an effective agricultural marketing system are:

- Provide best possible returns to primary producers.

- Rendering enough facilities to pick up all the produce that the farmers are ready to sell off at an incentive price.

- Minimize the price difference between the primary producer and end consumer.

- Maintaining the quality of agro - products.

Prerogatives for Agricultural Marketing

There are certain prerogatives that every farmer needs to enjoy to make use of agricultural marketing in the best possible manner. some of these cardinal rights are discussed as under which says that every farmer needs to have:

- Appropriate storage facilities for storing perishable farm goods.

- Ample amount of waiting capacity to sell his goods. As in, a farmer should be able to have the privilege of selling his agricultural commodities as and when he wants. Unlike a situation where he has to sell off his entire produce just after the harvest at nominal prices.

- They should be provided with cheap transport facilities so as to let them migrate their produce from village to main markets rather than selling it off in the to the village money - lenders at low prices.

- Farmers should be well - equipped with the prevailing market conditions and ruling prices at a given point of time in the market. There should be fair and regulated market practices so that the farmers are not cheated by middlemen etc.

- Intermediaries should be the minimum in between the farmers and end users. The lesser the middlemen ' s profit, the more the farmer ' s return would be.

Biotechnology in Conservation of Agricultural Environment

Biotechnology in Conservation of Agricultural Environment

K. Sarala, Senior Scientist ( Biotechnology ) Central Tobacco Research Institute, Rajahmundry - 533 105, A. P.

Increase in crop yield in agriculture in 1960s, in India, was mainly due to introduction of new high nonresistant varieties. This has necessitated fervent use of agro - chemicals ( mineral fertilizers and pesticides ). However, the increase in agri - inputs was not instantly proportional to the yields realized. During 1946 - 1965, the chemical ( fertilizers and pesticides ) input consumption was 87. 0 Million Metric Tonnes ( MMT ) and food production 90 MMT; where as in 1998 - 2001, chemical input consumption was 1000 MMT and food production 220 MMT. Whence, when compared to 1946 - 1965, a 12 fold increase of chemical fertilizer consumption resulted in one 2. 5 fold increase of food production. These figures indicate that for each unit of further food produced higher amount of chemical inputs were utilized ( Alvares, 1999; http: / indiabudget. nic. in; www. photius. com ). The fresh inputs especially inorganic fertilizers, pesticides and weedicides have led to environmental problems. Progressive mechanization and mono - culture are other features that were higher to Indian agriculture scenario ensuing green revolution.

As a consequence of excessive agriculture natural resources were depleted, soils mislaid their natural fertility, soil microflora affected adversely, soil erosion increased and snappy and frequent apparition of new pests and diseases occurred. Exorbitant use of fertilizers also bad soil health and adversely diverse nutrient dynamics in the soil. Arbitrary and injudicious use of pesticides contaminated the surrounding ambience, killed beneficial insects, soil micro flora and fauna and contaminated ground water. In addition to pest resurgence and new biotype / pest development minor pests became sizable pests and pests developed resistance to repeatedly used pesticides. All these things regard the environmental statement. The present paper deals with applications of Biotechnology in alleviating these affects.

Plant Biotechnology

Plant biotechnology is a revolutionary new field that harnesses the knowledge gained over more than half a century of basic plant research to the account of man amiable. Agriculture is immediate rumination huge benefits from improved crops developed through biotechnology, which shows remarkable resistance to insect damage, distinctly bad off dependence on herbicides, improved yield levels, higher photochemicals etc.

Agricultural biotechnology helps to cool the ultra ill effects of intensified agriculture through the development of bio - fertilizers, bio - pesticides, and malady and pest resistant varieties, and genotypes with higher water and nutrient use efficiency. All these aspects are discussed below.

Biofertilisers

Some alternatives to the use of mineral fertilizers are green manures, composts and bioearths, earth worm manure, crop and agro industrial residues and biofertilizers.

The native soils harbor microorganisms like bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, algae, protozoa etc. These microorganisms enrich the nutrient quality of soil. Plants have a numeral of relationships with these fungi, bacteria, and algae. Few of the useful microorganisms can be produced in the pattern of Bio - fertilizers and augmented to the soil for profitable the soil fertility and plant nutrient uptake.

Bio - fertilizers are the preparations containing live or latent cells of efficient strains of nitrogen fixing, phosphate solubilizing or cellulolyotic micro - organisms used for application to seed or composting areas with the uninvolved of increasing the numbers of related micro - organisms and accelerating those microbial processes which augment the availability of nutrients that can be feeble assimilated by plants ( Ghosh, 2003 ). Some of the microorganisms being used as biofertilisers and their uses are addicted in Eatable 1. Feed 1. Biofertilizers and their utilities S. No. Bio - fertilizerutility 1. RhizobiumFix atmospheric nitrogen in cooperative association with legume plants forming nodules in roots ( stem nodules in Sesabaniam rostrata ) 2. AzotobacterBeneficial to cereals, millets, vegetables, cotton and sugarcane. It is free living and non - pragmatic nitrogen fixing formation produces certain substances good for the growth of plants and antibodies that suppress many root pathogens 3. AzospirillumNitrogen - fixing microorganisms beneficial for non - leguminous plants also produce growth promoting substances. 4. Downcast Green Algae ( BGA ) Photosynthetic nitrogen fixers and are free living. Launch in abundance in India. Add growth - promoting substances including vitamin B12, improve the soil ' s aeration and water yield capacity and add to biomass when decomposed adjacent life circumgyration. 5. AzollaAn aquatic fern settle in small and shallow water society and in rice fields. It has convenient relation with BGA and can help rice or other crops through dual cropping or green manuring of soil. 6. Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria ( PSB ) The PSB are life forms that can help in essential phosphate uptake of plants in different ways. The PSB also has the potential to make utilization of India ' s abundant deposits of rock phosphates possible, much of which is not enriched

In India, total Biofertilizer production capacity of public and private sector units is 18200 tonnes and total estimated Biofertilizer production is 10, 000 tones during 2006 - 07. The Biofertilizer demand for the year2011 has been estimated at 30, 000 tonnes by a recent expert committee constituted by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. This clearly indicated that there is a large scope of biofertilisers industry in India.

Integrating biologicals in pest management

The adverse affects caused by excess use of pesticides can be reduced by following integrated pest management ( IPM ) approach i. e. integrating chemicals with biologicals in the pest management. This approach not only reduces the crop losses due to pests but also make agriculture more sustainable. Botanical pesticides and biocontrol agents offer immense scope in IPM

Biopesticides

Biopesticides are biorational and help to create Natural epizootics. They are inherently less harmful than conventional pesticides. They suppress, rather than eliminate, a pest population. Biopesticides are effective and often quickly biodegradable, present no residue problems and mostly self perpetuating.

Biopesticides, particularly microbial biopesticides, have virtually all the health safety and environmental properties that one would desire in a pesticide. The ecological fallacy and the individualistic fallacy need to be studied in detail.

Microbial insecticides are come from naturally - occurring bacteria, fungi, viruses ( Ramarethinam, 2006 ). Various details of biopesticides including mechanism, pests and crops etc. are given in Table 2.

Table 2. Biopesticides their source and mechanism in pest control

Biopesticide type SourceNature / organismMechanismUsed againstCrops benefited Natural productPlant - Neem Vitex GarlicBiochemicalsAntifeedant, growth regulation, oviposition and mating disruptionInsect pestHorticultural, plantation and plain crops MicrobialsBacteria Bacillus thuringiensis ( Bt ) InfectionInsect pests B. sphaericus, PseudomonasAntibiosisDisease VirusNuclear polyhedrosis viruses, Granulosis virusesInfection resulting in epizooticsInsect pest FungiBeauveria, Metarhizium, Paecilomyces, NomuraeaInfection resulting in epizooticsInsect pests Trichoderma GliocladiumAntagonism and AntibiosisFungal disease of plants ProtozoaNosema, Thelohania, VairimorphaEpizooticsInsect pests PheromonesPheromonesBiochemicalsMating disruption, lure and kill, or insect monitoring strategiesInsect pest Genes or Plant - pesticide: Desired genes from a known sourceBiochemicalsConfer tolerance of herbicide application or resistance to attack by viruses or insectsInsect pest and disease

Market potential of biopesticides in India

The domestic market of biopesticides is in infant stage still - despite decades of existence, biopesticides are considered as marginal products. Virtually bereft of buyers and sellers. Awareness about the advantages of biopesticides is abysmally low as compared to the west, " this is affecting their demand adversely. Manufacturers claim that the projected demand for biopesticide has failed to become a reality. Rough estimates by the experts indicated a less than 2 per cent market share for Biopesticides in India ( Agriculture today, Jan, 2005 ).

Agricultural Biotechnology - Varietal Development

Using different biotechnological techniques varieties having higher yields, disease and pest resistance, fertilizer responsiveness, herbicide tolerance, higher water / fertilizer use efficient, drought resistance etc can be developed. Biotechnology offers various advantageous over conventional breeding in developing crop varieties ( Table 3 ). It employs novel technologies for creating variability, gene transfer, selection of segregating generations, transgenic development etc. Time taken for breeding a variety can be substantially reduced through biotechnology approach. Gene silencing ( " switching off " of a gene by a mechanism other than genetic modification ) and gene attenuation ( to stop translation of an mRNA of a gene when certain conditions are not met ) strategies can be employed to develop desirable genotypes.

Table 3. Agricultural Biotechnology vs. conventional breeding in varietal development

S. NoParameterAgricultural BiotechnologyConventional Breeding 1Creation of variabilitySomaclonal variationCreate through hybridization of parents Gamato clonal variation Proto clonal variation In vitro mutations 2Gene transferInter specific Mostly intra - specific, rarely inter - specific Inter generic 3Selection In vitro selectionPhenotypic selection Marker assisted selection 4GenesIsolated genesUses available variability Synthetic genes 5Gene transferAgro bacterium MediatedCrossing Gene gun Protoplast Fusion 6Time taken for breedingCan be reducedFairly long 7Trait expressionGene silencingCan ' t be used Gene attenuation etc.,

Biotech crops in the world

Number of crop varieties were developed using various biotechnological approaches. Among them, Flavr savr tomato is the first transgenic crop released for commercial cultivation in USA in 1995. Later, number of pest and disease resistant varieties were released in cotton, maize, potato, soybean, tomato etc in different countries. Most of the cases the genes are cry genes conferring resistance to lepidopteron pests followed by viral genes. Pest resistance varieties substantially reduce the amount of pesticide use, there by avoids environmental problems.

From 1996 - 2007, global biotech crop area increased from 1. 7 m ha to 114. 3 m ha. 23 countries are growing biotech crops viz. soybean, cotton, maize and canola, 13 biotech mega countries growing 50, 000 ha or more of biotech crops. The area covered by biotech crops in industrial countries is more compared to developing countries. These statistics indicates the increased awareness of the world farmers about biotech crops ( James, 2007 ).

Biotech crop status in India

Many public and private sector institutions are involved in the development of biotech crop varieties in India. Biotechnology research in India is funded primarily by government agencies such as DBT, CSIR, ICAR and ICMR.

Regulations in India

Development and cultivation of transgenic varieties are raising many environmental concerns. In view of this, transgenic variety in any crop is released once it satisfies all environmental concerns. Before release they will be thoroughly tested for their effect on soil flora and fauna, allergenicity, toxicology etc. In India, Department of Biotechnology in Department of Science and Technology and Ministry of Environment and Forests are responsible for implementing bio - safety regulations with in the country. The regulation of genetically modified organisms ( GMOs ) in India has been subjected to the rules framed by the Ministry of Environment and Forests ( MOEF ) in 1989 ( GOI, 1989 ). These rules, which were part of the Environmental ( Protection ) Act of 1986, defined implementing structures for conducting research and for the commercial applications of GMOs. Department of Biotechnology formulated guidelines for conducting research in transgenic plants ( GOI, 1990 1994 and 1998 ).

Govt. of India has evolved regulatory mechanisms for the development and evaluation of Genetically Modified Organisms ( GMOs ). Various bio - safety committees, starting right from the institute where the research is going on to District and State, are in operation to monitor the safety of GMOs. GM crop regulatory structure in India consists of the following six committees. First three are under the Department of Biotechnology ( DBT ), next one under the MOEF and the last two operate at sub - federal levels closer to the actual site of GM crop field trials.

Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee ( RDAC ): Reviews developments in biotechnology at national and international levels and recommends suitable and appropriate safety regulations

Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation ( RCGM ): Monitors safety - related aspects of ongoing research projects and activities involving genetically engineered organisms.

Institutional Biosafety Committee ( IBSC ): Constituted by the institution conducting research that handles micro - organisms / genetically - engineered organisms.

The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee ( GEAC ): Based in MoEF and gives approvals for activities involving large - scale commercial use and release of hazardous micro organisms including imports of GMOs and recombinants

The State Biotechnology Coordination Committee ( SBCC ): Nodal agency at the State - level to assess damages, if any, from the release of GMOs.

The District Level Biotechnology Committee ( DLC ): Monitors safety regulations in installations engaged in the use of GMOs and hazardous substances at District level.

Steps in GM plant commercialization process:

In India, a transgenic variety is developed under the close supervision of different regulatory bodies ' right from lab and greenhouse experiments to its approval for commercial production ( Table 4 ). This elaborated exercise helps to assess their possible impact on environment. In case of any adverse impact that particular line will be withdrawn before release. Only lines that don ' t have any impact will be considered for release based on their agricultural advantage.

Table 4. GM plant commercialization process

Steps in GM plant commercialization process Data generated at this step ( more can be requested if needed ) Who approves 1. Lab & greenhouse experiments Rationale for development of GM plant Cloning strategy Characteristics of expression vectors, inserted genes, promoters Transformation / cloning method Genetic analysis of transgene Biochemistry of expressed gene Compositional analysis Description of host plant, geographical distribution in country of origin, Back crossing duration, seed setting characteristics, germination rates, phenotypic characteristics, target gene efficacy tests Observations about implications of toxicity & allergenicityIBSC risk category I & II RCGM risk category III 2. Contained open field trials & generation of biosafety data Germination rates & phenotypic characteristics Studies of gene flow, invasiveness, weed formation Implications of out crossing Susceptibility to diseases & pests Toxicity & allergenicity of plants / fruits / seeds Food / feed safety evaluation in animalsIBSC / RCGM 3. Multi - location trials Agronomic advantageRCGM / GEAC 4. Large - scale field trials Agronomic advantageGEAC 5. Environmental, food & agronomic approval GEAC 6. Variety registration * Agronomic advantageICAR, National and State Seed Quality control agencies 7. Approval for commercial production GEAC

Biotech crops cultivated in India

On 26th March 2002, Genetic Engineering Approval Committee ( GEAC ) for the first time approved three Bt cotton hybrids ( MECH 12 Bt, MECH 162 Bt and MECH 184 Bt ) of MAHYCO for commercial cultivation in India. RCH2 Bt hybrids of Rasi seeds were approved on 1st April 2004 in Central and Southern part of India.

Bt - cotton was first planted in India in 2002. Following its success, the area under this crop and the number of farmers who adopted this technology increased significantly from year to year as shown in the Table 5 below:

Table 5: Area under Bt - cotton in India ( 2002 to 2007 ) YearTotal cotton area in hectaresBt - cotton area in hectaresBt - cotton area in acres % area occupied by Bt - cottonNo. of Bt - farmers 200287, 30, 00029, 00072, 0000. 320, 000 200376, 70, 00086, 0002, 13, 0001. 175, 000 200476, 30, 0005, 53, 00013, 66, 0007. 33, 50, 000 200589, 20, 00012, 67, 00031, 31, 00014. 210, 00, 000 200691, 58, 00038, 00, 00094, 00, 00041. 523, 00, 000 200794, 00, 00062, 00, 000 * 153, 20, 00066. 038, 00, 000 Source: http: / / www. cbd. int / doc / external / mop - 04 / fbae - cotton - en. doc Thus, in about 6 years, the area under Bt - cotton has increased by more than 210 times to record 6. 2 m ha and the number of Bt - farmers by 190 times to reach 3. 8 m in 2007. Further, Bt - cotton has occupied 66 % of the 9. 4 m ha of the total cotton area in India in 2007.

Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry India ( ASSOCHAM ) and IMRB International study on Bt cotton in India revealed that cotton farmers have earned an additional income of Rs 7, 039 crore in 2006 after a 50 per cent increase in yield due to use of Bt cotton seed. Introduction of two stacked genes into Bollgard II Bt cotton has saved pesticide use to the tune of Rs 1, 600 per acre. Bollgard II Bt cotton has the advantage of controlling both bollworms and the sucking pest, Spodoptera, while Bt cotton ( with one gene ) controls only bollworm. Bollgard II Bt cotton was allowed for commercial cultivation in central and western India in 2006. In view of the increased crop yields of BT cotton, India turned into a net cotton surplus country from a net importer in four years.

Number of pesticides sprays and amounts spent pesticide per acre were reduced when Bt cotton and Bollgard II Bt cotton were cultivated. Additional profit of Rs. 7, 757 / - and Rs. 10, 352 / - per acre, respectively, were realized by Bt cotton and Bollgard II Bt cotton over conventional cotton varieties ( Table 6 ).

Table 6. Advantage of Bt cotton over conventional varieties

Cotton varietyNo. of pesticide spraysAmount spent on pesticide per acreProfit / acre * Conventional cotton - Rs. 2, 900Rs. 4, 784 Bt cotton ( with one gene, cry 1 Ac ) 4. 6 times less than conventionalRs. 2, 000Rs. 12, 541 Bollgard II Bt cotton ( with Cry I Ac and Cry 2 Ab genes ) 2 times less than Bt cottonRs. 1, 300Rs. 15, 136

* Bt seeds are 2. 5 times costlier than conventional seeds

The results of other five studies conducted by public institutions and published recently are summarized in the table below to exemplify the benefits ( Manjunath, 2008 ). Table 7: Results of studies carried out by neutral agencies on the performance Of Bt - cotton in India

Publication / ParametersBennett et al., 2006Gandhi & Namboodiri ( IIMA ), 2006Qaim, 2006ICAR, 2006Ramgopal ( Andhra Univ. ) 2006 Period studied2002 & 200320042002 - 0320052005 Yield increase45 - 63 % 31 % 34 % 30. 9 % 46 % Reduction in chemical sprays3 to 139 % 6. 8 - 4. 2 ( 50 % ) - 55 % Increased profit50 % 88 % 69 % - 110 % Average profit / hectare - $250 / ha$118 / ha - $223 / ha The results reveal that a ) increase in cotton yield ranged from 30. 9 to 63 %, b ) reduction in chemical sprays was from 39 to 55 % and c ) increase in profit to farmers ranged from 50 to 110 % equivalent to about US$ 250 ( Rs. 10, 000 ) per hectare over the non - Bt cotton. It is reported that the average cotton yields in India which was 308kg / ha in 2002, prior to introduction of Bt - cotton, increased to 560kg / ha in 2007 ( at least 50 % of increase is attributed to Bt technology ). Similarly, the national cotton production increased from mere 15. 8 million bales in 2002 to 31. 0 m bales in 2007. Exports of raw cotton, which was 0. 9 m bales in 2005, increased to 4. 7 m bales in 2006 and touched 4. 8 m bales in 2007. Further, Bt - cotton contributed US$840 million or more to National farm economy. The studies carried out on Bt - cotton both before and after commercialization have clearly shown the following benefits: a ) Higher cotton yield owing to effective control of bollworms, b ) drastic reduction in the application of chemical insecticides for bollworm control, c ) higher profit to farmers and d ) conservation of biological control agents and other beneficial organisms. Thus, there have been social and economic benefits and intangible environmental benefits. The ever - increasing demand for Bt - cotton seeds is a clear reflection of farmers ' confidence in this technology and its benefits.

Conclusion

Use of bio - fertilizers, bio - pesticides and transgenic varieties in agriculture are showing increasing trend. Use of these things will reduce the utilization of chemical pesticides and pesticides; there by the harmful effects they produce will be reduced. Further increase in these eco - friendly biotech derived agri - inputs is essential to alleviate the environmental issues raised in conventional agriculture. References: Agriculture today ( Jan, 2005 ). The National Agricultural Magazine, Published by New Delhi. Alvares, C. ( ed. ) ( 1999 ) The organic farming source book. Published by The Other India Press / Third World Network, Goa ( India ). 366 p Bennett, R. et al., 2006. Farm - level economic performance of genetically modified cotton in Maharashtra, India. Review of Agricultural Economics, 28: 59 - 71. Gandhi, V. and Namboodiri, N. V., 2006. The adoption and economics of Bt - cotton in India: Preliminary results from a study. Indian Institute of Management ( IIM ), Ahmedabad, India. Working paper No. 2006 - 09 - 04, pages 1 - 27, Sept. 2006. Ghosh, Nilabja 2003. Promoting Bio - fertilizers in Indian Agriculture. Institute of Economic Growth Discussion Paper Series No. 69 / 2003. Delhi, India. GOI. 1989. Rules for the manufacture, use, import, export and storage of hazardous microorganisms / genetically engineered organisms or cells, issued by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India ( Notification No. G. S. R. 1037 9E ) dated 5 December 1989. GOI. 1990. Recombinant DNA safety guidelines. DBT, Union Ministry of Science and Technology, Govt. of India, p. 90. GOI. 1994. Revised guidelines for safety in biotechnology. DBT, Union Ministry of Science and Technology, Govt. of India. GOI. 1998. Revised guidelines for research in transgenic plants and guidelines for toxicity and allergenicity evaluation of transgenic seeds, plants and plant parts. DBT, Union Ministry of Science and Technology, Govt. of India, p. 92. ICAR ( Indian Council of Agricultural Research ), 2006. Frontline demonstrations of cotton - 2005 - 06. Mini Mission II, Technology Mission on cotton. ICAR, New Delhi. James, C. 2007. Global Status of Commercialized Biotech / GM Crops: 2007. ISAAA Briefs No. 37, 225 pp. ISAAA: Ithaca, NY. Manjunath, T. M. ( 2008 ) Position Paper on Indian Bt cotton. Bt - Cotton in India: Remarkable Adoption and Benefits. http: / / www. cbd. int / doc / external / mop - 04 / fbae - cotton - en. doc. Manjunath, T. M. 2007. Q & A on Bt - Cotton in India. Answers to More than 70 Questions on All Aspects. All India Crop Biotechnology Association, New Delhi, 78 pp. Qaim, M. 2006. Adoption of Bt cotton and impact variability: Insights from India. Review of Agricultural Economics, 28: 59 - 71. Ramarethinam, S ( 2006 ) Conference on Agrochemicals. January 12 - 13, 2006, Mumbai. Speeches and Presentations - 2006: FICCI ( http: / / www. ficci. com / media - room / speeches - presentations / 2006 / speeches - 2006. htm ). Ramgopal, N., 2006. Economics of Bt - cotton vis - - vis traditional cotton varieties - Study in Andhra Pradesh, Agro - Economic Research Centre, Andhra University, Andhra Pradesh.

Auther: K. Sarala, Senior Scientist ( Biotechnology ), Central Tobacco Research Institute, Rajahmundry - 533 105, A. P.

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Chemical Industry - The Backbone of Agricultural Development

Over long time, human food and apparel depended mainly on agriculture. Instant ever since the ancient time, agriculture had always relied on a lot of human labor, which was subject to various kinds of natural conditions. So the development of agriculture was very slow. During the 19th century, the use of agricultural machinery gradually improved the working conditions. However, in agricultural production, it was the application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides that really increased the agricultural yield in per unit area.

Practice shows that, among all the measures to increase the agricultural production, the role played by chemical fertilizers is 40 % to 65 %. On the basis of the booming in the petrochemical industry, synthetic ammonia and urea have realized large - scale production, which makes the output of chemical fertilizer occupy a large proportion in the chemical products. In 1985, the total output of chemical fertilizer in the world amounted to approximately 140 million ton, which made it become one of the bulk chemical products. In recent years, the development of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compound fertilizer and trace elements fertilizer has further meet the demands of different soil structures and different crops.

In the early period, people used natural animals, plants and minerals to prevent and treat crop pests and diseases. Until the late 19th century, after the formation of modern chemical industry, people began to use arsenic preparation to kill beetles on potato, and use Bordeaux mixture to prevent and treat downy mildew on grapes, so that agriculture began a new era of chemical prevention and treatment. During the 1940s, a lot of pesticides and herbicides, such as organic chlorine, organic phosphorus, were produced and widely used in agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and public health. However, some of the pesticides during this period were rich in residues or poison, which caused ecological pollution, so they had been banned by many countries.

In recent years, a number of efficient, low - residue, low - toxicity pesticides have been developed, including pyrethroid, which is a bionic pesticide and will not pollute the environment. It has been put into industrial production. As a result, bio - pesticides have become the most active areas in pesticide research currently.

What ' s more, plastic film ( such as high pressure polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, etc. ) has been applied in modern agriculture, which is used for mulching film or greenhouse seedlings. It can significantly increase the output of the crops, so it is now being popularized on a large area.

Farm and Agricultural Business Financial Reporting

Farm and agricultural business owners increasingly understand the benefits of utilising financial reporting software specifically designed for the industry. Those tumultuous with the obligatoriness of operating a profitable enterprise need indepth and accurate financial management, reporting and analytics to feed into business decisions that create a thoroughgoing impact on the business. The pressures exerted on agricultural and farming operations during the recent depression have magnified this need. With the strength to access timely and accurate reports surrounding the performance of the business empowers owners and managers to make well informed decisions that can positively affect the bottom profits of the business, lastingness providing the necessary documentation required by institutions for credit and financial purposes. Furthermore, this data allows farmers and members of the management team to accurately ascertain areas of underperformance, and more importantly, put in place procedures and policies that ensure that conditions that may lead to business failures are avoided.

Over the last several decades, the prevalence of more accessible technology in the form of both hardware and software, has been quickly adopted within the farming and agricultural environments. During this time, the increasing information technologies available to those in the farming and agricultural industries has changed substantially, with the development of specific accounting and financial reporting that is designed to meet the specific needs and nuances of the industry. Not only do the functions of such advanced software provide a simple and intuitive platform for accounting tasks, but incorporate some of the fundamental agricultural essentials into the process, such as stock management, crops and stock control, input and output analysis, amongst many others.

Recent research has proven the worth of such technology in the farming environment. In 2004, Nuthall examined the adoption and use of advancing technologies available to farmers in New Zealand, noting that the progression in both the affordability and performance of business financial reporting software had a direct correlation with the performance of such businesses involved in the study. Further data highlighted by the Agricultural Resources Management Survey found that farmers are increasingly utilising the internet for communication and applications that provide price tracking, online record keeping and data transmission to their clients and suppliers.

With advanced business financial reporting software now being within the reach of all, with functionality and features present that have previously been available to only those enterprises with large company budgets, all farming and agricultural business owners now have access to software that provides a level playing field. Ensure your business has the best tools available to enhance its management and performance.

Mahaweli River - The Artery Of Sri Lankas Agricultural Heart

Sri Lanka is a land blessed by a balmy, beneficial climate good for to flourishing bio - diversity and undecayed forests, not to mention breathtaking hills and sun - kissed beaches, all relatively guarded from natures ravages by an all - encompassing ocean. This fertile land of notably, which its first European visitors have called Paradise on earth, is home to a civilization whose history spans several millennia. Over the wandering mists of time, it has served as a noted grain exporter of Asia, a world - celebrated trader of spices and jewels as well as a stronghold of Buddhism which assisted in its cultural, artistic and technological advancement and shaped its political specification. However, the Mahaweli River is gladly the key performer among all the natural geological gifts of the island that helped this civilization thrive.

The Mahaweli River begins its great voyage upon the plateau of Horton Plains in the mountainous terrain at the islands heart, 1200 metres primary sea in line. These waters are fed by the tributary of Kotmale Oya, which itself glides down from the Hatton mountains from an rolled higher elevation of over 2100 metres. During the months of monsoon, the catchments of these rivers overflow into the surrounding valleys of the Dry Zone, creating generative fields ideal for agriculture. The Mahaweli River thus flows down in a serpentine meander down to Trincomalee, where it then descends into a massive submarine canyon that leads to the Bay of Bengal.

In the course of this journey, the river covers a drainage basin whose area equals one - fifth of the island, and carries a quantity of water that comprises more than 20 percent of the islands total river runs. In addition, the submarine canyon of the Mahaweli River makes Trincomalee one of the finest natural deep - sea harbours ever discovered, a fact which continues to play a significant part in the countrys trade and foreign relations.

It is this river which nurtured and nourished the cradle of Sri Lankan civilization the dry zone lands. The ancients learned to harness the power of this mighty river in order to formulate major irrigation schemes that made the island not only self - sustaining in terms of agriculture, but also earned it the nickname the Granary of the East. The earliest recorded manipulation of the Mahaweli River appears in the 5th century BC. Most of these ambitious reservoirs, dams and a complex system of canals still endure today, with very little restoration work needed. These are standing monuments to the sophisticated knowledge of hydraulic engineering employed by the ancients of the land, whose feats still amaze modern - day scientists.

Today, the Mahaweli River is the key player in national power generation, which relies primarily on hydro - electricity. The six great power plants along the Mahaweli River account for over 40 % of the countrys energy generation.

The irrigation schemes of yesteryear that turned dried - out meadows into ripe fields of golden paddy are still in place today, expanded and restored by the Mahaweli Ganga Development Scheme of the 1970s. This is the largest integrated development scheme ever launched in the island, designed to address a host of socio - economic issues, from urban planning and power generation to employment and flood control, over a strategic period of 35 years. Much of the landless poor and formerly disenfranchised farmers that make up the rural majority of the nation owe their livelihoods to the Mahaweli River and its development scheme.

Thus it is that today, as in the days of yore, the arterial lifeblood of the Emerald Isles economic stability, sustenance, technological advancement and cultural heritage is still contained in the mighty arm of the River Mahaweli.

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IT Support in Agricultural Sector

IT support in the agricultural value chain

During the last decade, use of fragmented IT systems and support for agricultural purposes in Norway has increased dramatically. However, very immature logical and observed research has been carried out to bias current situation of IT in animal and plant production.

The aim of this research was thereupon to quiz the influence and functionality of using IT support in agricultural value chain. For this reason one conducted qualitative research study, which was contained the depth interviews and questionnaires in order to draft certain actors processes and tasks and their degree of IT utilization. The modeling languages were used to present the IT support in the processes and tasks at the farm and certain companies in the value chain. Results of the assessment showed cogent differences between using IT implements in animal and plant production. Presenting the statistics gave a better discerning about the tie between the treatments. However one empirical that there is no valid effect of one inclined variable over the other omit in one experimental situation that is the degree of experience in IT utilization may help a farmer to get a part time and full time job which adds more value to their income and as a outcome in the entire chain. Another interesting observation was that senior farmers were more experienced and expert in IT utilization than the younger ones. The various complicated systems ring in to be indistinct for some farmers. This suggests that the effective utilization of IT support may increase flow of information and knowledge among farmers if they are implemented and tested efficiently with better functionality. One proposed several new mechanisms in certain systems that farmers appropriate principally in order to spare their time, add more value to the value chain and users pleasure. There was also suggested an endeavor which may be in conference in a commander project for the process improvement purposes. A smooth system may throw in the users a better capitalization and satisfaction in the agricultural sector.

Note:

Please note that I have presented IT solutions for software and business process improvement in the value chain. The more giant analysis will be obsessed upon your supplication.

This is a short report about my investigation on this problem approach.

Many companies that experience a few negative results do not have a program for controlling risk. Cut some Norwegian companies in agricultural value chain as an prototype. Having conducted many interviews, several uses of IT technology emerged as consistent. Framers in remote locations set up the IT programs varied in their usefulness, but all agreed that in the areas of knowledge and efficiency, the technology was bigger to the way things were done in the past.

The breakdown summary concerned four most areas: IT Support, Accounting, Sales and Delivery and the health of the crop.

IT Support

All establish IT Support useful and use it frequently. It is faster and easier to passage crops and animals, production and sales using various programs. It ' s also easier to alley government regulations, international trends and purchasing.

It was also fabricated fine that these programs should be as untroublesome and user friendly as possible. Their more new uses, requiring more knowledge of computers and applications, were halfway universally not being used and certainly not being used to the potential envisioned by the programmer.

Accounting

The farmers interviewed symbolize a viable fortuitous sample. Without exception they finer to use an appearance source for accounting. For many, this was a defence to warrant compliance with federal regulations. For all of them it was tidily an area with which they were unfamiliar and inasmuch as not opulent. Many of them want the education vital to use an IT accounting program and they do not take over moving time in which to learn one.

Sales and Delivery

One area where everyone used and intensely collectible the programs was in sales and delivery. All of the programs replenish the farmers the faculty to check market conditions to assure the best price, keep current on trends and leveled check international trends and markets. This helps boost sales and increase profit. As a side boon, it helps make decisions that also save in transportation by informing a farmer of the places where the market is saturated and where there is a need. This increases the profit limits all around.

It was also very useful in tracking what items needed to be purchased and to make the needful purchases. This was empirical as one of the most favorable aspects to these programs.

Health of the Crop

With the proficiency to check current problems and stare for solutions fast and succulent, using various IT solutions, these programs earned high marks from the farmers. For animal crops, they were able to course diseases and feasibly prevent diseases. It also helped in culling sick animals from a herd.

For plant crops it afforded the competence to use forceful preventative measures well in advance of destruction. The loss is repeatedly incalculable.

In short, all buttoned up that the basic aspects of IT Technology are good for interval the more contemporary applications are not as useful as hoped.

Summary of gathered questionnaires:

o Almost 31 % of the farmers ( who replied to the 26 questionnaires ) use IT equipment but they are not very proficient in it.

o Almost 65 % are swimming using IT instruments and around 54 % use them in practice.

o 30 % of the farmers produce corn and 38 % out of corn efficient farmer ' s use IT utensils lifetime forcible corns.

o 58 % of the farmers impressive plants use IT. Nearly 77 % of the animal adequate farmers use IT.

o 76 % were men and 24 % were women.

A farmer in animal and plant production does not use all types of IT tools. That is why they did not answer to some alternative questions connected to various tools. We illustrated graphs for each question and estimated the numbers of replied questions.

In my statistical analysis I attempted to show the results of my investigations. The variables were captured and evaluated against each other. One found that they are related but there is no significant effect of one variable over the other. However in one case I explored that there is a direct relationship between IT utilization and getting a part time or full time job. This may add value not only to farmer ' s income, but also the entire chain. Another significant finding was that senior farmers are more experienced in using IT support than the younger ones. This helps younger farmers to learn how to apply certain programs properly in order to fulfill the farm tasks.

It is essential to mention that as opposed to experimental investigation, the results apply to some company ' s first layer infrastructure, which is information and communication technology and farmers, IT utilization in Norwegian agriculture sector. One may not carefully control the value as it may be done in formal experiment. Thus the results are not generally applicable to a wider range across many organizations in Norway. However the outcome of this investigation may help us to do the analyses in order to explore the systems that have better and less IT support along with improvement possibilities in IT support.

IT Support comparison and their quality in the value chain

Quality is a difficult property to measure, in itself. Since it applies to the eyes of the holder, it is hard to define an absolute measure with which the whole audience may agree. Similarly with value, it depends on whose viewpoint, from which a person is looking, as to what the value may be. For the purposes of this study we will use the International Standard Quality Vocabulary

( ISO 8402 - 1986 ) definition:

" The totality of features and characteristics of a product or service that bears on its ability to meet stated or implied needs " ( Hofman et. al, 1999 )

The purpose of using IT in a value chain is to:

a ) Increase efficiency

b ) Reduce costs

c ) Provide a functional and efficient communication

One identified some of the actors in an agriculture sector in Norway. These actors have various IT solutions in order to reduce their own costs, have a better communication with their users and improve their efficiency. However, does this contribute to the value chain in a way to produce results along with the complete chain in Norway? The answer is yes. Because some of the actors in meat production, such as Gilde, have a process in which they exchange information about how many animals are slaughtered, frozen or distributed in the year to the market with the other concurrent actors in the meat industry. The purpose is to maintain the balance in the market. This is a positive property that helps actors add more value in the value chain. One may observe that such positive quality in the Norwegian agriculture market is not practised in some industrial

countries where high and intense competitions are the key factors to increase the capital and the internal quality of production in order to be the best in the market. They try to weaken the other concurrent rivals that have the same production in the market.

Bondelaget has annual meetings to find better ways in order to increase the quality of information and communication. They attempt to find ways for developing better coordination tools in order to make the communication and flow of information easier among farmers, retailers, suppliers and the other actors in the value chain. Such effort will be a great help in increasing the quality of information technology in such a value chain.

Felleskjpet provides courses such as electronic learning, filed injection course ( kesprytekurs ) and courses for planning the cowshed / cow house for the farmers. The purpose is to aide farmers to increase the production and knowledge in animal and plant manufacturing. The user interface quality of this actor ' s website due to shared knowledge with the farmers is good. However in their online web site where farmers may log on and purchase a product or surf around, there is a tool that is missing. This tool may be designed to give technical support to the farmers without logging on to their account on the site. It is important for a company to share knowledge and increase the user interface quality. This is one of the factors in common information spaces through formal and informal communication. One observed the same logging function in order to access the information on the other actor ' s web site, such as previously mentioned, Gilde, Animalia and that they should provide knowledge and information for the farmers on line that requires logging on the website. Would such authenticity be necessary for sharing the information?

Sharing knowledge will increase cognizance among farmers in animal and plant production. This quality of knowledge sharing will add value to the value chain.

Many of the farmers, irrespective of their age, have limited time to spend regularly on the computer for interacting with IT, and limited exposure to IT systems in general. They either work on their farm or are occupied with their part time and full time jobs. For this reason they need easier IT tools in order to use in the farm and better communication with retailers and actors. There is also a need for a decrease in the number of fragmented IT tools and systems. Automating the systems that farmers employ may be a solution to this issue.

Sending the same information to various actors several times year results dissatisfaction. Farmers receive a certain schema for example from Mattilsynet or the other actors and must write the same information every time. In such a case it is required to register the general information about each farmer in the database and ask for supplementary information or a change of information to save time and frustration.

One argues further that, if these requirements are not met, much of the advantages of the value chain are lost, as the end - user is not contributing to the expected gains in the business process.

The most significant factors are:

a ) A high degree of technical competence of systems support staff

b ) User ' s understanding of the system

c ) Ease of access for users to computing and technical facilities

d ) User confidence in systems

IT tools utilization measurement

The trend of using the various IT services and tools is progressing in the Norwegian Agricultural sector, especially in the last two decades as this trend has geared up. Development of a good deal of software has occurred in order to help farmers to increase production. We measure quality of IT support by analysing inherent characteristics in programs and systems that fulfils the market ' s demands according to ISO 9000 - 20001

To measure the effectiveness of IT support in the value chain, we need to design questions and provide the answers in such a way that we may determine if these goals are being met. We determine whether these tools are used effectively by seeing how many users employ such programs.

Usability, degree of complexity & functionality of current tools

Companies have achieved to present the necessary tools and programs on the web sites in order to offer them to the farmers. They have the basic functions in their programs and system. However the quality of communication systems differs from each other. Some companies in the value chain have a better invoicing support system than the other actors. For instance Felleskjpet ' s online order system has a missing SMS system that may simplify the invoicing process through sending the text messaging. However Gilde has fulfilled such a task by providing a text messaging system for making an appointment. Such a function makes it easier for farmers to send and make an appointment by simply using a cell phone.

The accounting programs are meant to simplify the accounting task. However the complexity of the various accounting software make the accounting task difficult for a farmer.

The following table shows an overview of the complexity of using various accounting programs used by farmers in plant and animal production. Those who are able to use the program are shown by " 1 " and those who do not use the program and believe it is complex are shown as empty space.

As one investigated through various software to explore the functionality of the programs, they all seem to have necessary functions. However the more a program is made secure with more functionality, the more there is complexity in using the program.

From the analysis, it holds those farmers who use more computers with their usage of the planting planners ( Fertilizing program ), Storfekjttkontrollen, and then their sheep volume increases. However they decrease their usage in some accounting programs, such as Duett, as a farmer gets more familiar with the other programs. As we have the reason is complexity of the programs, another reason is unfamiliarity of rules.

There are also other elements that contribute to the value of IT. A summary of these comments is:

a ) In the plant production software planning value is achieved by expediting the slower process of using consultants to advise on planting programs. The consultants are still required in some more complex requirements.

b ) The numbers of various software products offered by IT vendors take a lot of time to install, look at, and then try to evaluate its usefulness. Farmers are reluctant to keep doing it.

c ) The amount of time a farmer is prepared to invest in learning a new program is limited, because of their time pressures. Therefore a program with strong introductory and simple installation instructions would do a lot better in the market.

d ) It may be argued that there is evidence of value for the farmers if they have adopted the technology. There are factors that determine the likelihood of this adoption shown in the statistical results of the report.

e ) The farmers have readily embraced low - level automation, such as farm equipment, and whether the need to have off - farm jobs requires this technology, or off - farm jobs may now be taken.. Having an off - farm job increases the likelihood of a farmer adopting more IT processes in order to manage their farm tasks.

I received few responses from farmers over the age of 58. This means it is difficult to determine if age alone affects the adoption of IT.

Improving IT support for the value chain

Farmers require having automated tools that make the IT tools easier. Many of the companies have their automated Enterprise Resource Planning ( ERP ) systems. Felleskjpet, Animalia and Gilde ' s Slaktweb system, with their assistance provisions and additional training, indicate that farmers feel they need support to help with the adoption of IT in their daily working life.

With only 50 % of farmers generally using the Internet to contact with actors, it shows that implementation of many IT value chain processes through this medium needs additional training to assist farmers to make the change to this method of conducting business. While it is very efficient for businesses to offer these services, they will truly achieve those cost savings when more farmers accept this medium of interaction. In fact if companies in the value chain find ways to support the end - users, they stand to add more value in the entire chain.

The coordination tools are various on the websites of some actors. These tools may be email and text messaging. Felleskjpet has a habit of attracting farmers and increasing their awareness in some aspects such as production and planning along with providing the goods. Gilde ' s slaughtering registration processes and farmer ' s tasks for making appointments for the slaughter have sufficient functionality and usability. That is why 57 to 69 % of farmers employ the system more than using the telephone 3, 8 % in animal production.

Having the same items and programs for the farm introduced on websites of companies, in order to show farmers how to use the system available as a parallel dialogue while the system is being used, will greatly increase the confidence of the end - user ( the farmer ) resulting in an increased usage of the system and more widespread efficiency gains from the value chain ' s business process transformations.

Practical Quality evaluation of processes in value chain

To evaluate the reliability of productivity in various departments at each value chain ' s company requires having some documentation from those companies to place a number on their reliability and quality of their products. It will allow us to learn the exact data in order to evaluate and compare results between IT products and software among various companies. Also required is an annual benchmarking report for comparison of IT systems and tools among the various companies. It is also required to measure quality according to ISO certifying. It is proposed that the ISO certifying be evaluated by a neutral position in order to not influence productivity and quality.

It is significant to control the processes by measuring them step by step. Each company in the agricultural value chain needs a constant process improvement by using the quality standard.

One proposes that actors in the agricultural sector apply process dimension in ISO / IEC 155041 in order to to insure the quality of processes in the value chain.

To improve all these processes a company needs to identify their significant problems and possible solutions for processing improvement in order to implement the desired solutions.

The IT companies that provide software for the agriculture sector in Norway need to adopt their IT solutions for improving the programs according to the Norwegian adjustment.

Farmers real need and processes maturity level in the value chain

As we mentioned earlier in this report there are many fragmented systems in the market for helping farmers to perform their daily tasks in the animal and plant production. These programs have almost the same functionality such as reporting, inbox, outbox, calendar and some systems have online coordination tools with the value chain ' s companies ' advisors and consultants. ( See the attachment software )

IT companies are aware of the farmer ' s desire to use easier products. However developers have more focus on technical aspects of developing such programs instead of concentrating on the real needs of farmers in using software. It is desirable that analysts and designers focus on making integrated packages that contain all these functions and decrease the number of manufacturing various programs in the market. A farmer wants to use a program that helps him to add more value to his products and bring more income to yearly earnings.

Norwegian agriculture ' s goal for farmers is to increase productivity in plant and animal production and provide healthy food for the market along with adding value to the value chain. The tools that are provided in the market are not utilized as much as expected. The reason is that farmers have a tendency to employ easier programs. For example, the fertilizing program is used a great deal, which proves that the program is user - friendlier than the other programs such as Duett.

Business process improvement in the value chain

It is significant to take the business processes improvement in consideration. The improvement of processes will be cost effective. If a company in the value chain wish to change processes dramatically, they might receive the profit, although the risk is always involved. One may not address these issues directly since one does not have the exact and detailed mapping of each company ' s processes and tasks in the value chain. However one proposes the improvement attempt for the processes and tasks, which are presented and mapped earlier in this report.

Companies do not need to change the processes dramatically in order to improve business processes. We focus on coordination and communication support in the value chain. As I presented earlier farmers employ various communication tools due to order a product such as grain feed or make an appointment for the slaughtering proposes or sample analysing or delivery. One of such tools is text messaging by mobiles, which may be used effectively. We may apply text messing for ordering or making an appointment. I propose to integrate a certain mechanism in the ordering system in order to ease the flow of information and better communication.

Harmonizing the work processes & IT support

Harmonizing the work processes and IT support plays a significant role in agricultural sector. One presented the present situation in the value chain. It is relevant to explore the right balance in work places and IT usage. It was proposed applying a pilot project for harmonizing the processes for coordinating and communicating purposes among actors in the value chain. However one wish to mention that process improvement may happen through applying various plans in each company in the value chain. We may utilize the right functionality in processes without doing the total change.

One utilized modeling languages in order to show the processes and tasks. We understand each company have their several goals, tools, culture and standardization. Applying merely one modeling language to illustrate these needs may not be applicable for all actors in agricultural sector. We should pay attention how actors operate in each process in order to make the right balance.

The best modeling solution to start the process improvement is to model a process from high level. One proposes to consider the following in harmonizing and process improvement:

o Adopting business reengineering

o Finding the real customer ' s need

o Tasks should be adding more value in the value chain

o Adjusting processes with business

o Changing fast and directly the processes that need to be altered

o Specifying IT platforms in form of high level

o Identifying the necessary problems which should be changed in the start phase

o Predicting the outlook of change by doing a simulation

Conclusion

One employed the objective and subjective discussion to investigate farmer ' s work processes and tasks, which are supported by appropriate IT systems. One evaluated and analysed the degree of IT utilization among farmers in agriculture sector and their usability and efficiency. There were presented qualitative research method such as questionnaires and depth interviews with executives and farmers in order to evaluate and analyse the current situation.

In order to have a better environment, the IT tools should be functional and efficient. It also should be available simple and cheap method of communication.

In conclusion, therefore, it is fair to say that farmers will lose focus and interest if a complex application is utilized without safely conducting better implementation and testing on the system ' s usability, functionality, simplicity and efficiency, then all the effort and workload will not be conducive to bettering the business. This will in the end, lead to a less success, and the value chain will face many challenges.

For future success for data communication among actors in the value chain, constant control and measuring must be maintained, while at the same time, increasing usability with new technologies may only help to improve an already satisfactory system.

Manure Spreaders - A Very Useful Piece of Agricultural Machinery

The first manure spreaders were designed in 1891 in the United States, and since wherefore they have been indispensable in the process of supplying crops or favorable soil quality with fertilizer or organic growing matter. What is more it is not unrivaled economical, but also environmentally - friendly way of manure disposal.

Types of manure spreaders

Typical spreaders look like trailers with rotating mechanisms, and are usually designed to be towed by tractors. The mechanism can be ground driven or require power - take - off. Smaller units can be pulled by compact tractors or even ATVs, and it is also possible to come across truck mounted spreaders. In the past spreaders were designed to be pulled by a horse and enabled to put down a thin layer of dried manure into fields. Nowadays, new and used machinery of that type can distribute not only solid waste but also liquid - based or slurry wastes.

Where to buy used manure spreaders?

When looking for used manure spreaders or other used agricultural machinery for sale, it is best to look through online classifieds. Specialist websites allow you to quickly locate available machinery in your area and go through numerous offers in a short time. If you prefer, you can also find a dealer close by or check the availability and cost of spare parts. The Internet is also a great source of information ( forums, blogs ) where you can find lots of advice from farmers and dealers on the models or brands you are interested in.

If you are patient and careful, you will definitely find some used agricultural machinery that could be as good as new, but much cheaper.

Modern Agricultural Techniques In India.

India is primarily an agriculture country dating back to more than ten thousand years. Today, India ranks the second largest in agricultural crop worldwide. Agriculture contributes approximately 33 percent of the Gross Tame Product and round about 70 percent of Indian population is engaged in agriculture sector. Most of the agricultural outputs including wheat, entertainment, coffee, cotton etc are exported to foreign countries contributing about 8. 56 percent of India? s exports. About 43 per cent of geographical land is used for agricultural life. India accounts world? s character one country in sugarcane and stood second rank in rice takings.

Modern Agricultural Techniques:

With years of practice in agriculture there have been new inventions and modern techniques adopted by farmers in agriculture To spread and encourage knowledge of agriculture among the youth generation, government has even launched new programmes and courses with specialization in agriculture Modern Agricultural comprises of improved farming techniques and the using of irrigation and high - yield grains resulting into increased production. The main drawback is being the inadequate monsoon, which accounts a crucial role in influencing agricultural production in India since most of the cropped area even now does not have any assured irrigation. Although measures are being undertaken by government authorities to eradicate the inadequacy of monsoon by introducing water dams and river project for effective irrigation.

In fact, India is facing the biggest challenge of producing enough food grains to cater the increasing population of India. Hence measures are been taken to expand farmland area and with quality grains the farmers are now able to produce double output in the same amount of land.

Farmers have adopted modern improved irrigation techniques that have the potential to increase agricultural production with improved farming techniques in areas that rely on monsoon also could improve yield. Moreover, improving the use of fertilizer, especially on rain fed land, also would help to increase the production. Government of India is trying a variety of plans and strategies with sophisticated water management techniques replacing the traditional farming practices.

Part - Time Farming An Agricultural Self - Reliance

Recently, urban agriculture has gained much consideration across the globe. This not onliest allows you to enjoy farming and gardening in the comfort of your home. Urban agriculture is also a great technique to enact total urban self - reliance.

When we prate about farming, the first image that comes to soundness is a massive spread of land. But today, you can have your own mini - farm partly anywhere. You don ' t need much space for it. You can have it in your front paddock, back yard, rooftop, garage, empty lot or window boxes.

Once you decided on where to set it up, the next step is to choose the seeds and seedlings. Many crops are seasonal. Some thrive exclusively during the warm weather condition such as sweet corn, tomato and cucumber. There are also some that thrive only in the cold weather like broccoli, cabbage and asparagus.

For an increased productivity of your mini - farm, it is extremely important to choose the right crops. If you plant a particular season ' s crop in another season, more often than not, the crop dies out. But knowing the right kind of crop to plant will prevent wastage of effort and money.

Another couple of aspects to consider in choosing the seeds are the amount of time that you can devote and your level of skill in farming. For beginners, they can try herbs, chilies or tomatoes. These plants are easy to cultivate and maintain.

The next step is choosing and buying your pots and containers. Pots are advisable if you are going to plant in the balcony or garage. In case you intend to sow your seeds in your front yard or garden, you have two options. You can dig up the ground or use pots for your seeds to grow.

Once the seeds are sowed, all you need to do is water them every day. Remove the weeds, dried leaves and small insects from your plants. To produce greener and healthier crops, place them where they can get a good amount of sunlight.

Urban agriculture is not only an interesting hobby. It also guarantees you fresh and organic harvest. Planting your own vegetables saves you a lot of money, too. This is how urban agriculture makes you self - reliant.

For more information on urban farming and urban survival, you may visit us at our website by clicking the link below.