Current Programmes

2.         Biotechnology based Programmes for Women & Rural Development.

        PSCST has been making consistent efforts to promote grass root biotechnological innovations relevant to socio-economic developmental needs of the rural areas of Punjab.  A number of projects have been undertaken over the years to empower masses especially rural women & youth.  As a further endeavour in this direction, following programmes / activities were taken up during the current year:

2.1      Production and Promotion of Neem based Biopesticide as Environment Friendly Biodegradable Alternative to Chemical Pesticides

The state of Punjab is one of the highest users of chemical pesticides having per hectare usage of 923 gms as against national average of 500g/ha.  As a result, the state is battling with residual effects of pesticides not only in environment but in the entire food chain with consequences of high incidence of cancer and other health hazards. In an attempt to provide some techno-economically viable alternative, PSCST with the support of Regional Network for Pesticides for Asia & the Pacific (RENPAP) of UNIDO and Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers (MOCF), Govt. of India, is promoting simple low cost technology for preparation and application of neem kernel powder, an effective biopesticide under national level ‘Neem Project’.  Intensive efforts are being made under this project to promote collection of neem fruit which has been completely going waste till date, preparation of biopesticide from collected neem fruit, carrying out bioefficacy studies on major crops grown in the State and promoting its application as biodegradable alternative to chemical pesticides. The highlights of activities taken up under the project during the past one year are as below:

Neem fruit collection and processing

           The  rural population including farmers & women of district Bathinda and Moga were mobilized for collection of neem fruit in the last season (June-July 2009) by organizing public contact programmes.  The main neem fruit collection centre was set up at Waxing Centre of Organic Farming Council of Punjab located at Talwandi Sabo while mini collection centres were also set up at village Kotshamir & village Shekhpura, Bathinda and village Nidhanwala, Moga.  It resulted in collection of about 15 tonnes of neem fruit which was got depulped by involving rural women at Waxing Centre, Talwandi Sabo and was further processed mechanically into neem kernel powder at Science & Technology Entrepreneurs’ Park, Thapar University, Patiala, where Council has set up the neem biopesticide production unit. 

Laboratory & field evaluation of neem biopesticide       

The laboratory and field bioefficacy studies for control of key insect pests were carried out in collaboration with Department of Entomology, Punjab Agricultural University.  Neem Kernel Aqueous Extract (NKAE) was evaluated against important insect pests of wheat, mustard, cotton, paddy and vegetable crops (okra, cabbage, cauliflower, chilli, brinjal, peas) for the second consecutive year and very promising results were obtained.  In addition, bioefficacy trials were also laid this year for gram pod borer & diamond back moth (cole crops).  Also, multi-locational field trials were carried out on wheat and mustard.   

Multiplication field trials

          The multi-location field trials on different concentrations (2.5 – 6.25%) of NKAE were laid to study its effect on incidence of Aphid, Rhophalosiphum maidis in wheat and Lipaphis erysimi in mustard.  All the trials showed significant %age reduction in incidence over control which increased with the increase in concentration of NKAE.  Pooled mean analysis indicated about 75% reduction over control on 7^th day of NKAE spray (6.25%) in both wheat and mustard.

Awareness / Sensitization Programmes on Neem Biopesticide

With a view to sensitize extension workers & rural masses on preparation and use of neem based biopesticide, the Council has been conducting training workshops and awareness programmes in collaboration with relevant state organizations.  This year, the workshops were organized for District Development Managers of NABARD; field workers (scouts) of Punjab Agricultural University working in villages; extension workers & organic farmers registered with Organic Farming Council; students & faculty of Govt. Mahindra College, Patiala; Presidents, Secretaries & Members of Primary Agricultural Co-op Societies, farmers and rural women.

2.2       Compilation of technology packages having potential for women empowerment & rural development

          A compendium covering 17 technology packages has been compiled in the form of a compendium.  These technology packages have the potential to provide varied benefits including gainful employment, value addition of existing bioresources, utilization of agricultural & animal residues, improvement in environment, health and overall quality of the rural population especially women.

2.3      Promotion of Cultivation & Value Addition through Post Harvest Processing of Bioresources in Shivalik belt

The lower Shivalik belt of Punjab called kandi area is rich in natural bioresources which can be gainfully utilized.   PSCST in collaboration with Unati Cooperative Marketing-cum-Processing Society Ltd., Talwara had taken up a project for promoting cultivation & value addition through post harvest processing of bioresources (medicinal, aromatic & horticultural crops) in Shivalik belt.  Department of Biotechnology, GOI provided financial support for the project for 2004-07.  Thereafter, efforts have been made to run the project on self-sustainable basis, for which an agreement has been signed with Unati Cooperative Society.  The salient achievements under the project during 2009-10 were as under :

•     The women and farmer groups were mobilized for cultivation of medicinal & aromatic plants, harvesting of existing bioresources and their processing.  As amla is one of the major natural bioresource of the region, 182 MT (112 MT wild and 70 MT varietal) of amla was got harvested / sorted by mobilizing the local farmers.  This was processed into various food products like amla juice, preserve, candy, jam,  squash, powder etc.  Further, bitter gourd as well as  Giloya (Tinospora cordifolia), growing naturally in Shivalik Hills were also processed for juice production.

•      About 30 women and 18 men were involved in processing of amla during the period October 2009 to March 2010.  Presently 12 women and 9 men are working in the processing facility set up under the project.

•      The products generated are being marketed all over Punjab, Delhi, Chandigarh and Bombay and are also being launched in UP area surrounding New Delhi.  Further, Cooperative Department, Punjab has started marketing these products at Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies in district Hoshiarpur. The Punjab Milk Federation Union (Verka), Gurdaspur has also introduced these products for marketing through its  milk producer societies.  Further, bulk supply of some products like amla preserve, karela and aloe vera juice etc. is also being given to various agencies and some export orders have also been received. The processing unit is also supplying Amla preserve (for export) and Natural Rose syrup to Markfed.

•      About 20 acre area has been brought under lemongrass cultivation.  The farmers extracted 680 kg of lemongrass oil in the year 2009-10 and marketed through Unati that generated revenue of Rs.3.06 lac to them.

2.4       Solid Waste Management through Vermicomposting

The Council continues to provide technical guidance on Solid Waste Management through Vermicomposting to various educational institutions / departments / organizations / individuals.  Recently, Govt. Mohindra College, Patiala requested the Council to organize a workshop on this technology for its students & teachers as well as set up a unit for effective management of garden waste generated by the institute.  Thus, one day workshop was organized and a Vermicomposting Unit was set up in the college premesis.  Besides, exposure lectures/demonstrations were also conducted at MCM DAV College, Chandigarh; Army Cantonment Area, Chandimandir; J.P. Developers, Mohali; HSBC, Sector 9, Chandigarh and Butterfly Park, Chandigarh.   

2.5       Genetic Literacy Programme

            The information on fundamentals of genetic literacy with special emphasis on genetic disorders was disseminated through exposure lectures to presidents, secretaries, inspectors and members of Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies operative at village level in various districts of the state in six training programmes organized by Punjab Institute of Cooperative Training on 22.6.09, 7.7.09, 17.7.09, 17.9.09, 23.10.09 and 16.3.10.

Contact Persons:
Dr. J.K. Arora, jkarora20@rediffmail.com