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Establishment of Agri-clinic cum Mini Soil Testing Laboratories
Contact Address:
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry
Centre for Soil and Crop Management Studies
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
Coimbatore-641 003
The average productivity in Tamil Nadu is only 60 per cent of the potential and the technology adoption by the farmers is low. The main reason for low productivity is decline in soil organic matter and soil fertility status, lack of awareness on the latest technologies and lack of suitable advisory services. The adoption of suitable crop production techniques and soil test based fertilizer recommendation will pave way for enhanced crop productivity.
The existing soil testing laboratories will cater to the needs of only 19.5 lakh farm holdings in a period of three years leaving behind 65.5 lakh farm holdings untested. The establishment of mini soil testing laboratories at block level will ensure that every farm holding in Tamil Nadu will be tested for soil fertility. The establishment of agriclinics cum mini soil testing laboratories will help to provide the advisory service on crop selection, agricultural inputs, best farming practices and marketing of farm produce apart from facilitating custom hiring of farm machineries and diagnosis and remediation of nutrient disorder in crops. Agriclinics will act as knowledge provider at block level and help in effective technology transfer thereby increasing the crop productivity and per capita income of the farmers.
Job opportunities will be given to the unemployed agricultural graduates for setting up the agriclinics cum mini soil testing laboratories by providing bank loans with back ended subsidy of 50 per cent and training on analytical techniques and interpretation of results and use of the soil health and visual diagnostic kit softwares.
Agriclinics cum mini soil testing laboratories will be established in the first phase in all the 129 blocks of selected 9 districts viz., Perambalur, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Namakkal, Dindugal, Ramnad, Villupuram and Coimbatore and 5 numbers in each of the remaining 19 districts of Tamil Nadu state at a cost of Rs. 6.0 lakhs/unit with 50 % back ended subsidy of Rs. 3.0 lakhs each through tie- up loan with commercial banks. The total budget of the project will be Rs. 716.80 lakhs.
The Department of Agriculture will identify the potential entrepreneurs and TNAU will impart training on the analytical and technical skills for the establishment of the agriclinic cum mini soil testing laboratories.
Establishment of Agri Clinic cum Mini Soil Testing Laboratories
Budget abstract ( Rs. in lakhs )
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Activity schedule |
Dept. of Agriculture |
TNAU |
1 |
Selection of private entrepreneurs |
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|
1.1 |
Selection of Local unemployed agrl .graduates. (Preference: Agrl. entrepreneurship trainees) |
√ |
-- |
1.2 |
Approval of the bank loan – tie up with commercial banks |
√ |
-- |
2 |
Setting up of Agriclinic cum mini STL |
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2.1 |
Guidelines for the setting up of the agriclinic and mini STLs |
-- |
√ |
2.2 |
Monitoring of the establishment of the centre and periodical reporting on the activities |
√ |
-- |
2.3 |
Release of bank ended subsidy ( 50 %) to the entrepreneurs |
672.00 |
-- |
3 |
Training |
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|
3.1 |
Analytical techniques and interpretation of the results |
-- |
22.40 |
4 |
Monitoring the activity of the agriclinic cum mini STL |
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4.1 |
Issue of guidelines for monitoring |
-- |
√ |
4.2 |
Periodical visits and monitoring |
22.40 |
-- |
|
Total |
694.40 |
22.40 |
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Total project cost |
716.80 |
NADP Project Proposal
Title of the Project |
: |
Establishment of Agri Clinic cum Mini Soil Testing Laboratories |
1 |
Background |
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The average productivity of the major crops grown in Tamil Nadu is only 60 per cent of the potential yield. The yield gap is mainly attributed to decline in soil health, water deficit, unfavourable climatic conditions, poor adoption of agro technology etc., Deterioration of soil health is primarily due to decline in soil fertility and soil organic matter.
The organic matter status of Tamil Nadu soils delivered a steep decline from 1.2 % in 1970s to 0.68 % in 2002. Tamil Nadu soils in general, are low in available nitrogen , medium in available phosphous and medium to high available potassium . Sulphur deficiency is prevalent in 23 per cent of the soils. Micronutrient removal due to high yielding varieties and intensive agriculture is also higher which necessitates regular application of micronutrients in order to match their depletion from the native soil reserve. The extent of the micronutrient deficiency in the recent years has increased considerably to 64, 25, 13 and 41 per cent for Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu respectively. The delineation of the soils for boron in Tamil Nadu indicated 34.5 per cent deficiency. If the consequences of these activities are not adequately managed, the stability of soil’s ecosystem for the next generations will be jeopardized. It is the need of the hour that due attention be paid on soil health for sustainability of agricultural production in Tamil Nadu.
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2 |
Project rationale |
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Agri Clinic Centres
It has been assessed that over 70 per cent of the farmers lack awareness on the best farming practices due to inadequate advisory services at their reach. The extent of adoption of crop production technologies was found to be as low as 5 per cent. Hence, there is an urgent need to strength the advisory services at block levels for effective dissemination of the technologies. The Agri-clinics can provide paid consultancy services for enhancement of agriculture production and income of farmers. The Centres will advise farmers on crop selection, best farm practices, post-harvest value-addition options, key agricultural information like internet-based weather forecast, price trends, market news, risk mitigation and crop insurance, credit and input access, for the benefit of the farmers. The centre will also act as a knowledge provider, enabling the farmers to get access with the latest technologies in the field of agriculture, horticulture and farm forestry.
Mini Soil Testing Laboratories
There are 19 soil testing laboratories and 16 mobile soil testing laboratories functioning in the Department of Agriculture. Eleven more soil testing laboratories with mobile van facilities will be established during 2007-08 under Macromanagement Scheme of the Department of Agriculture. These laboratories have the capacity to analyse only 6.5 lakh soil samples per annum. There are 85 lakh farm holdings in Tamil Nadu. Regular soil testing done at least once every 3 years is the best way to ensure that soil remaining healthy and productive, maximizing benefits of farmers. It is possible to analyse 19.5 lakh soil samples in a period of 3 years by the existing soil testing laboratories. Nearly 65.5 lakh samples will remain untested for soil health parameters which can be done by the newly proposed mini soil testing laboratories at block level.
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3 |
Project Strategy |
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The unemployed graduates of B.Sc (Agriculture / Horticulture / Forestry / Agricultural Engineering) will be considered for the setting up the agriclinic cum mini soil testing laboratories. The identified candidates will be counselled and selection will be made based on their aptitude for advisory service and the financial back up for the repayment of the loan. The selected candidates will be supported to set up the agriclinic cum mini soil testing laboratories at a cost of Rs.6.0 lakhs per unit through bank loan tie up with 50 per cent back ended subsidy of Rs.3.0 lakhs.
To start with, it is proposed to establish 224 agriclinic cum mini STLs (129 numbers in the selected 9 districts viz., Perambalur, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Namakkal, Dindugal, Ramnad Villupuram and Coimbatore; and 5 numbers in each of the remaining 19 Districts).
These laboratories will have the analytical capacity of Rs.6,000 samples per lab per year. The mini soil testing laboratories will function under the supervision of District Soil Testing Laboratories. The existing Soil Testing Laboratories at District Headquarters will serve as coordinating and quality ensuring centres apart from taking up the micronutrient analysis of soil samples. TNAU will impart training on the establishment of mini soil testing laboratories, analytical techniques and the use and supply of software on soil health and visual diagnostic kit and technical guidance to the entrepreneurs..
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4 |
Project goals |
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Advisory of farmers on precision farming, use of quality inputs, custom hiring of machineries and facilitation of marketing of agricultural produce.
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Soil and crop specific fertilizer recommendation to the farmers.
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Reclamation of problem soils of farmers.
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Management of poor quality irrigation waters.
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Facilitation of the farmers for midterm nutrient correction and plant protection measures.
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5 |
Project components
The main components of the project are i) Agriclinics and ii) Mini soil testing laboratories. The technical details of the components of the project are as follows :
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a |
Purpose |
To offer advisory service and act as knowledge providing centre for the Agricultural Technologies and
Soil health care |
b |
Objective |
Advisory service on crop production and marketing,
Balanced fertilization through soil test based fertilizer recommendation and reclamation of problem soils and potential use of poor quality irrigation waters. |
c |
Outputs |
Enhanced crop productivity through effective technology transfer.
Increased profit through best marketing options.
Soil test based balanced fertilizer recommendations for crops.
Reclamation measures for problem soils.
Mid term correction of the nutrient deficiency disorders of crops through visual diagnostic kit software.
Soil suitability for different crops.
Sustenance of soil health. |
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d |
Performance targets |
- Number of advisory services offered on best management practices , agricultural inputs, market information etc.,
- Assistance provided for preparing project proposals for bank loans /credit access
- Number of field visits and on spot problems solved
- Mid term corrections for the nutrient deficiency disorders using visual diagnostic kit (VDK) soft ware
- Number of soil and irrigation water samples tested and recommendations given
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e |
Activities |
Agriclinic centres
- Crop selection
- Agricultural inputs
- Best farming practices
- Value addition options
- Project proposals for bank loan
- Marketing of farm produce
- Crop insurance, credit access
- Diagnosis of nutrient disorders and remediation through
- visual diagnostic kit
- Rapid tissue testing
- Facilitating custom hiring of farm machineries
- Field visits & On spot farm advisory service
Mini soil testing labs
- Soil testing for pH, EC and soil nutrients
- Quality testing of irrigation water
- Issue of Soil Health Cards
- Soil-crop based recommendation for integrated nutrient management
- Advisory on reclamation of problem soils
- Advisory on management of poor quality water
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f |
Inputs |
Infrastructure facilities including
- Furnished own/rental building with a spacing of about 500 sq.ft.
- Laboratory equipments
- Soil and water storage cabinets, work tables, glasswares and chemicals, Electricity, water and gas supply
- Computer & accessories with internet connectivity
- Rapid tissue test kit, dissection microscope, hand refractometer etc.,
- Soil health and Visual Diagnostic softwares
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g |
Implementation arrangements |
Department of Agriculture:
- Selection of unemployed agricultural graduates.
- Approval of the bank loan – tie up with commercial banks
- Monitoring of the establishment of the centre and periodical reporting on the activities
- Release of bank ended subsidy to the entrepreneurs
- Periodical visits and monitoring
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
- Guidelines with specifications for the setting up of the agriclinic and mini STLs
- Training on analytical techniques and interpretation of the results
- Issue of guidelines for monitoring
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h |
Data sources, Monitoring and evaluation |
Based on the performance targets, the activities of the agriclinic cum mini STL will be evaluated by the Department of Agriculture with the guidance from TNAU. |
6 |
Project cost and financing |
Rs. in lakhs |
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a) Establishment cost of
i) 129 Agriclinic cum Mini STLs in the selected 9 districts
ii) 95 Agriclinic cum mini STLS in remaining 19 districts |
387.00
285.00 |
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b) Monitoring - Agriclinic cum Mini STLs |
22.40 |
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c) Training |
22.40 |
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Grand Total |
716.80
( 7.168 crores) |
7. Implementation chart of the Project
S.
No. |
Activity |
Period from the start of the project |
I quarter |
II quarter |
III quarter |
IV quarter |
1. |
Selection of enterpreneurs |
√ |
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|
2 |
Approval of bank loan-tie up with commercial banks |
√ |
|
|
|
3 |
Training on analytical techniques |
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√ |
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|
4 |
Establishment of agriclinic cum mini STLs |
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√ |
√ |
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5 |
Commencement of the activities of the centre |
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√ |
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5 |
Monitoring and evaluation |
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√ |
√ |
√ |
8. Reporting
The individual entrepreneurs will submit the periodical and the final report of the project to the local block and district level officials of the agricultural department. The district level soil testing officials of the department of agriculture will make mid term evaluation once in six months and report to the Director of agriculture.
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