Agricultural varsity plans 400 agri-clinics in Tamil Nadu

In order to ensure supply of quality seeds and bridge the demand-supply gap, the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) is planning to set up around 400 seed testing labs and agri-clinics across the state.

Speaking to Business Standard, C Ramasamy, vice-chancellor, TNAU, said the university was planning to submit a proposal in this regard to both the state and the central governments.

"At present, there are around 20 seed testing labs and agri-clinics in the state, but they are not able to meet the rising demand for seeds and certification. So, we are planning to have around 400 seed testing laboratories across the state at an estimated investment of Rs 10 lakh each. The money can be obtained by means of subsidy from the government," he said.

According to him, these agri-clinics would provide paid services for enhancement of agriculture production.

Clinics would advise farmers on crop selection, best farm practices, post-harvest value-added options, key agricultural information (including perhaps even internet-based weather forecast), price trends, market news, risk mitigation and crop insurance, credit and input access, as well as critical sanitary considerations, which the farmers have to keep in mind.

Elaborating on the shortfall in seed output, Ramasamy said that when the annual seed demand for rice alone was around one lakh tonnes, only 45,000 tonnes of seed were being produced and supplied.

The case was similar when it comes to other crops too. Private firms found it difficult to mobilise additional investment to increase their seed production capacity.

For instance, the companies needed to invest more than Rs 50 lakh to produce 500 tonnes of seed, which was a major hurdle. This has resulted in a supply-demand imbalance in the state, he added.

To overcome this, the university, which already produces Breeder seed and Foundation seed, has floated a separate seed unit on its premises for producing certified seeds too. (Breeder seed is directly controlled by the originating plant breeder and provides the source for the initial and recurring increase of foundation seed.

Foundation seed is the progeny of breeder seed, and certified seed is the progeny of foundation seed).

The university now has 36 research stations with a combined area of around 1,233 hectares. Of this, around 410 hectares of land would be chosen for taking up seed production, including 85 hectares for breeder seed production and the remaining area for foundation and certified seed production.

Elaborating on the ongoing projects, Ramasamy said that TNAU was in the process of developing tonics for pulses and oilseeds. Earlier, the university had developed a tonic named 'TNAU coconut tonic' for coconut plants to prevent button shedding and increase nut size.

"Following the success of our coconut tonic, we have extended the idea for other crops also. However, the tonics are still in their trial stages and name and prices are yet to be decided," he said.

The tonic contains essential micronutrients, besides plant growth regulators. The concentration and acidity of the tonic would be adjusted to suit both the tree varieties - dwarf and long-term.

Initially, the tonic would be available in 200ml sachets and would hit the market by the end of this year, he added.