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HomePosts Tagged "Goa"
Agro Universities, Agrotech, India, R&D

This newly patented invention is a remote-controlled, unmanned tree-climbing apparatus that is risk-free, efficient, and user-friendly.

The Unmanned Remote-Controlled Palm Tree Harvesting Robot, developed by Dr. A. R. Desai’s team from ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Goa, and Dr Rajendra S. Gad’s team from Goa University, has been granted Patent No. 537851 (Application No. 201721022813, dated July 29, 2017).

Coconut is a crucial cash crop in coastal regions, particularly in Southern India. However, interest in coconut plantations has been waning for two primary reasons: the scarcity of coconut tree climbers and the rising wages for the few remaining. Traditional coconut harvesting communities are moving away from these jobs due to improved living standards and the inherent risks involved. Meanwhile, wages for coconut harvesters have surged in recent years, making the process more expensive. Although various coconut and areca nut climbing devices are available, they often suffer from drawbacks such as complicated designs, high costs, and the need for prior experience. Most existing devices are manned, posing risks and inefficiencies.

This newly patented invention is a remote-controlled, unmanned tree-climbing apparatus that is risk-free, efficient, and user-friendly. It reduces the risk associated with human climbers, shortens harvesting time, and is lightweight and portable. Moreover, it addresses the significant issue of plant damage caused by sharp blades or bark-penetrating spikes in other devices. This innovation offers a less invasive and hassle-free method of harvesting. The technology promises significant benefits for coconut farmers, agri-entrepreneurs, and self-help groups in coastal and coconut-growing regions. The inventors also have a message to prospective entrepreneurs to come forward with a Tripartite MoU (with ICAR- CCARI and Goa University) for mass production and commercialization of the device for the benefit of coconut farmers.

This newly patented invention is a remote-controlled,

Agro Universities, Fruits, R&D

ICAR-CCARI’s Nutmeg Pericarp Taffy allows farmers to earn an additional annual income of Rs 5,600 per tree, apart from the yield of nutmeg spice products.

The invention “Process for preparing Nutmeg Taffy and resultant food product thereof” invented by Dr A.R Desai and the team of ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Goa has been granted Patent No. 528119.

Nutmeg is an important spice crop of India which is mainly grown for nutmeg seed and mace. After collecting these economic products, farmers often leave behind nutmeg pericarp in the garden for rotting. Nutmeg pericarp, which makes up 80-85 per cent of the fresh weight of the fruit, is known for its high nutritional value. ICAR-CCARI, Goa developed Nutmeg Pericarp Taffy, a product that stores well at room temperature for 12 months without synthetic preservatives. This technology allows farmers to earn an additional annual income of Rs. 5,600/tree, apart from the yield of nutmeg spice products. The product is simple, requires no costly equipment, and is commercially acceptable. It has been commercialized twice with M/s Tanshikar Spice Farm, Netravali, and Goa State Biodiversity Board.

Farmers, agri-entrepreneurs, self-help groups, small and medium-scale food industries, and agro-ecotourism centers were the potential beneficiaries of the technology.

ICAR-CCARI’s Nutmeg Pericarp Taffy allows farmers to

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy, Live Stock

10 foreign missions from different countries along with various International organisations attend the conference

On the occasion of World Fisheries Day, the Dept. of Fisheries, GoI is organising a Global Fisheries Conference India 2023 which began at Gujarat Science City, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying inaugurated the Special Pavilion and main Exhibition of Global Fisheries Conference India 2023. Minister of States for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying Dr Sanjeev K. Balyan, and Dr L Murugan, Chief Minister of Gujarat, Bhupendra Rajnikant Patel, Ministers of various states, Ambassador of various countries, other dignitaries and heads of various organisations and fisheries research institutes were present in the event.

Parshottam Rupala released the “State Fishes of India Booklet” to encourage each state in India to adopt a fish and conserve its biodiversity. The booklet contains details of 21 fish species adopted as State Fish and declared as State Aquatic Animals. The other key publication released was “Handbook on Fisheries Statistics year 2022” which aims at providing key data points and performance indicators for the Fisheries sector making accurate and reliable fisheries data available to all.

Further, Rupala distributed Group Accident Insurance Scheme (GAIS) claim cheques (Rs 5 lakhs each) to beneficiaries /legal heirs from the states of Odisha and Puducherry, Kisan Credit Card (KCC) to eligible beneficiaries with the loan amount of Rs 35 thousand to Rs 3 lakhs for beneficiaries from Gujarat, Green Fuel conversion kit for sustainable development of fisheries sector that included beneficiaries from Kerala and transponders for beneficiaries from Gujarat.

Sagar Mehra Joint Secretary for DoF, highlighted that the Department of Fisheries organised an event of this scale and magnitude for the first time. He said it is a moment of pride for DoF (MoFAH&D, GoI) to host 10 foreign missions from the countries of France, New Zealand, Norway, Australia, Russia, Spain, Zimbabwe, Angola, Brazil and Greece along with International organisations namely Food and Agriculture Organisation (UN-FAO), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Bay of Bengal Program (BoBP), Marine Stewardship Council India (MSC), Ministers from the States/UTs of Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, Goa and Andhra Pradesh.

The delegation interacted with the exhibitors in the special pavilion that included a demonstration of aquariums, Artificial reefs, Seaweed Cultivation, capture fisheries, marine cage culture, bio floc, RAS, fish feed, LPG converter kits, pearl extraction and nucleus implantation, model of Setcom satellite terminals communication system, eco-friendly movable kiosks, multi-species hatchery etc.

10 foreign missions from different countries along

AgroPolicy, Biofuel industry, India

Additionally, Rs 6000 crore can be saved annually by blending 20 per cent DME

Methanol is a low-carbon, hydrogen carrier fuel produced from high ash coal, agricultural residue, CO2 from thermal power plants and natural gas. It is the best pathway for meeting India’s commitment to COP 21.

NITI Aayog’s ‘Methanol Economy’ programme is aimed at reducing India’s oil import bill, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and converting coal reserves and municipal solid waste into methanol. 

Although slightly lower in energy content than petrol and diesel, methanol can replace both these fuels in the transport sector (road, rail and marine), energy sector (comprising DG sets, boilers, process heating modules, tractors and commercial vehicles) and retail cooking (replacing LPG [partially], kerosene and wood charcoal). The blending of 15 per cent methanol in gasoline can result in at least a 15 per cent reduction in the import of gasoline/crude oil. In addition, this would bring down GHG emissions by 20 per cent in terms of particulate matter, NOx, and SOx, thereby improving the urban air quality.

The methanol Economy will also create close to 5 million jobs through methanol production/application and distribution services. Additionally, Rs 6000 crore can be saved annually by blending 20 per cent DME (Di-methyl Ether, a derivative of methanol) in LPG. This will help the consumer in saving between Rs 50-100 per cylinder.

The Bureau of Indian Standards has notified 20 per cent DME blending with LPG, and a notification for M-15, M-85 and M-100 blends has been issued by the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways. Test standards and plans for the M-15 blend are being evolved in consultation with the Indian Oil Corporation Limited, the Automotive Research Association of India and the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers. In the railway sector, RDSO is working towards blending methanol in the range of 5-20 per cent through direct fuel injection in locomotives.

On 5 October 2018, Assam Petrochemicals launched Asia’s first canister-based methanol cooking fuel programme. This initiative is an extension of our Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of reducing the import of crude oil and striving towards the provision of a clean, cost-effective and pollution-free cooking medium. Methanol stoves can result in at least 20% savings for households. After the success of the pilot, the methanol cooking programme was scaled up to 1,00,000 households in the States of Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka, Jharkhand and Manipur.

Five methanol plants based on high ash coal, five DME plants, and one natural gas-based methanol production plant with a capacity of 20 MMT/annum, in a joint venture with Israel, have been planned to be set up. Three boats and seven cargo vessels are being built by the Cochin Shipyard Limited for the Inland Waterways Authority of India to use methanol as a marine fuel.

Thermax Ltd has successfully developed a 5 KW methanol-based reformer on a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC). This module is being tested to replace DG sets in mobile towers. For direct electricity generation, Kirloskar Oil Engines Ltd has converted a 5 KW generator set to run on 100% methanol. Kirloskar is working towards converting generator sets of 150-300 KVA/KW capacity, in collaboration with Dor Chemicals, Israel.

Under R&D, work is in progress to set up coal-to-methanol plants in the country using indigenous technology, which is being developed by BHEL (Hyderabad and Trichy), Thermax, and IIT Delhi. Thermax and IIT Delhi are working on a TPD demonstration plant, while BHEL Hyderabad and Trichy are working on 1 TPD and 40 TPD demonstration plants, respectively. 

An R&D project has also been sanctioned by the Department of Biotechnology to IISc Bengaluru and Praj Industries Pune for the production of methanol from biomass. Phase-I of the production of syngas from biomass was demonstrated in January 2019.

Additionally, Rs 6000 crore can be saved

AgroPolicy, India, Oilseeds, Schemes - Govt

State Governments along with Oil Palm processing companies are participating in Mega Plantation Drive for Oil Palm Cultivation to cover an area of roughly 7750 hectares

To increase the oil palm production area to 10 lakh hectares and boost the Crude Palm Oil production to 11.20 lakh tonnes by 2025-26, the Government of India launched National Mission for Edible Oils- Oil Palm in August 2021. In addition to the marked growth in the production of edible oils, the Mission is also successfully leading India towards an ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’ by reducing the import burden. Under the Mission, the State Governments along with Oil Palm processing companies have initiated a Mega Oil Palm Plantation drive from 25th July 2023 to further increase oil palm cultivation in the country. Three major oil palm processing companies, namely, Patanjali Food Pvt. Ltd., Godrej Agrovet, and 3F are actively promoting and participating with the farmers in their respective states for record area expansion.

The Mega plantation drive commenced on 25th July 2023 and will continue till 12th August 2023. The major oil palm growing states, namely, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Karnataka, Goa, Assam, Tripura, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh will be participating in this initiative.

The drive started on the 25th of July 2023 in the Rest of India (RoI) states i.e. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamilnadu, Odisha, Goa and Karnataka, and will continue till the 08th of August and will cover an area of almost 7000 hectares area out of which more than 6500 hectares is targeted to be covered by Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

State Governments along with Oil Palm processing

AgroPolicy, Horticulture, Sustainability

The prestigious recognition, made possible through the completion of necessary formalities, will officially brand the renowned local product

The State government of Goa has announced a grant of Geographical Indication (GI) tag for ‘Goan Cashew’ (nuts and apple). This was the long pending demand of cashew producers for protecting the Goan cashew and its unique identity.

Swetika Sachan the Director of Industries, Trade and Commerce informed about the imminent granting of a GI tag for ‘Goan Cashew’.

The prestigious recognition, made possible through the completion of necessary formalities, will officially brand the renowned local product.

According to the local media, the GI tag is expected to significantly enhance the reputation and marketability of Goan cashews, providing a tremendous boost to the cashew industry as a whole.

The Goa government is also keen on highlighting Goa’s diverse range of handicrafts, art, and cultural heritage. The State government is to launch Unity Mall in collaboration with Invest India.

The prestigious recognition, made possible through the

AgroPolicy, Horticulture, India, R&D

Goa is a hub of Mankurad mangoes and it is having an unusual delay in harvesting mangoes

The Agriculture Department of Goa has asked the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) to conduct a study to find out the delay in the ripening of the mangoes Mankurad this season. Goa is a hub of Mankurad mangoes and it is having an unusual delay in harvesting of mangoes.

The Agriculture Department of Goa has sent a request to the ICAR to study the delay in ripening and the reasons behind it. According to the local media Preliminary inquiries by the Agriculture Department have revealed the delay in the natural ripening of the mango because of the heat wave which hit the State in the month of March. It is suspected that the extremely hot conditions must have affected the pollination. But, since the state is witnessing an unusual situation this year, the Agriculture Department has asked the ICAR to do a study on the situation.

Munkarad mangoes are still raw thus leaving the farmers with no option but to delay the harvesting. Farmers expect harvesting to take place anytime.

Goa is a hub of Mankurad mangoes

AgroPolicy, Agrotech, Horticulture, India, R&D, Sustainability

CoE for Kamlam (Dragon Fruit) to be set up at Bengaluru, Mango and Vegetables at Jaipur (Odisha) & Vegetables and Flowers at South Goa

Under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), Centres of Excellence (CoEs) are being established in various States through Bilateral Cooperation or Research Institutes. These CoEs serve as demonstration and training centres for the latest technologies in the field of horticulture. These CoEs also serve as a source of planting material for fruits and vegetable seedlings for protected cultivation and are used for transfer of technology and knowhow in diverse areas, viz., Post-Harvest management, Irrigation and Fertigation, Plant protection, Introduction of New Varieties, Pollination etc.

Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has approved 49 CoEs till now, out of which the following 3 CoEs have been approved.

CoE for Kamlam (Dragon Fruit) by Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bengaluru, Karnataka at Experimental Station, Hirehalli, Bengaluru, Karnataka.

CoE for Mango and Vegetables under Indo-Israel Action Plan at Panikoili, Jajpur District, Odisha.

CoE for Vegetables and Flowers under Indo-Israel Action Plan at Govt. Agricultural Farm, Codar, Khandepar, Ponda, South Goa, Goa.

CoE for Kamlam (Dragon Fruit) at Bengaluru, Karnataka Centre is to develop the latest production technology as per the international standard & off-season production and demonstration these technologies for high-yield production. The Centre will aim to achieve self-sustenance in Kamlam fruit production, value addition and enhance the economic development of the farming community.

CoE for Mango and Vegetables at Jajpur, Odisha Centre is to generate knowledge in nursery management, cultivation practices, and production of high quality & large quantities of planting material for mango and vegetable crops. The Centre will also focus on the demonstration of new varieties, Israeli Agro technology in irrigation, fertigation & Plant protection technologies along with precision Agriculture and post-harvest management technology. The Centre will prepare a training model based on the focused areas such as irrigation, fertigation, nursery, canopy & value chain for the benefit of farmers.

CoE for Vegetables and Flowers at Ponda, Goa Centre will focus on the demonstration of a Hi-tech nursery management system with advanced production technology through automated irrigation and fertigation system for the production of disease-free and healthy vegetable seedlings of improved varieties of vegetables and flowers suitable for Goa. The Centre will also strengthen infrastructure for the promotion of pre & post-harvest management of quality products and develop protocols/guidelines tailored to the local conditions in the CoE & farmer’s field as well.

CoE for Kamlam (Dragon Fruit) to be

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy, Environment, India, People, Sustainability

The main objectives of Sagar Parikrama are to disseminate information on various fisheries-related schemes and programs being implemented by the government

Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, starts the Sagar Parikrama Phase-III from Hazira Port, Gujarat, and proceeds towards the coastal line of Maharashtra at Satpati, Vasai, Versova, and Parikrama will end at Sasson Dock, Mumbai.

The main objectives of ‘Sagar Parikrama’ are to facilitate interaction with fishermen, coastal communities and stakeholders so as to disseminate information on various fisheries-related schemes and programs being implemented by the Government; demonstrate solidarity with all fisher folk, fish farmers and concerned stakeholder as a spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, to promote responsible fisheries with focus on the sustainable balance between the utilisation of marine fisheries resources for food security of nation and livelihoods of coastal fisher communities and protection of marine ecosystems.

The journey of Sagar Parikrama focuses on the sustainable balance between the utilisation of marine fisheries resources for the food security of the nation and livelihoods of coastal fisher communities and the protection of marine ecosystems, to bridge the gaps of fisher communities, and their expectations, development of fishing villages, upgradation and creation of infrastructure such as fishing harbours & landing centres to ensure sustainable and responsible development through an ecosystem approach.

The Sagar Parikrama program is celebrated in all coastal States/UTs through a pre-decided sea route down right from Gujarat, Diu, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, Andaman & Nicobar, and Lakshadweep Islands to have interaction program with fishermen, fisher communities and stakeholders in these locations to know the problems of Coastal Fisher folk. A holistic approach has been adopted to improve the quality of life and economic well-being of fishers and fishermen in rural areas and create more livelihood opportunities.

The main objectives of Sagar Parikrama are

Acquaculture, Agro Universities, AgroPolicy, Dairy, Live Stock

The institute has been able to bring in a revolutionary change in animal husbandry, fishery and food processing that has made a revolutionary change in the Goa

The Government of Goa felicitated the ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Goa on the occasion of 35th Statehood Day at Raj Bhavan, Goa.

Dr Parveen Kumar, Director, ICAR-CCARI received the award from Shripad Naik, Union Minister of State for Tourism, Shipyard and Waterways in the presence of PS Sreedharan Pillai, Governor of Goa; Dr Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister, Government of Goa and other dignitaries.

The institute has been bestowed with the Certificate of Appreciation and Citation for its outstanding contributions toward the progress and development of agriculture, animal husbandry, fishery and food processing that has made a revolutionary change in the Goa.

Since the institute’s establishment in 1989, 17 varieties of the different crops like rice, cashew, brinjal, okra, cowpea and red amaranthus have been developed for Goa which are grown in the state. Besides, the native breeds of cattle – Shweta Kapila and Agonda Goan Pig have also been characterised and registered.

The institute has also helped the Government of Goa in getting the GI of agricultural products like Khola Chilli and Myndoli Banana.

The institute has been able to bring

Acquaculture, Agro Universities, Agrotech, Environment, Live Stock, Sustainability

Discussions were held on the integration of pisciculture and agriculture to make Goa a self-reliant state in the agriculture

The ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Goa has recently organised a National Symposium on ‘Self-Reliant Coastal Agriculture.’

The symposium has been organised in association with the Association for Coastal Agricultural Research as a part of the “Bharat Ka Amrut Mahotsav” to commemorate 75 Years of India’s Independence.

Chief Guest, Shripad Yesso Naik, Union Minister of State for Tourism, Shipyard and Waterways briefed about the various constraints to take-up agriculture in the coastal ecosystem. The opening-up of the new avenue by the agro-ecotourism to enhance the farmers’ income was emphasised by the minister.

The Guest of Honour, Nilesh Cabral, Minister of Environment, Legislative affairs, Law & Judiciary and Public Works Department, Government of Goa stressed on the need to revive the 5th Century old and traditional agriculture system of Goa through the eco-friendly methods of bund stabilisation, integration of pisciculture and agriculture to make Goa a self-reliant state in the agriculture.

The Guest of Honour, AK Mishra, Secretary (Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science), Government of Goa urged the participants to deliberate on the inherent challenges for the self-reliant agriculture and address the nutritional security of the coastal area.

The Guest of Honor, Mahesh Patil, Chairman, Goa State Pollution Control Board, Government of Goa opined that Khazan land has to be revived through an integrated farming approach and encourage the agro-ecotourism to improve the farmers’ income.

The Guest of Honour, Dr Suresh Kumar Chaudhari, Deputy Director General (Natural Resource Management), ICAR highlighted the significant contributions of the coastal agriculture despite, the complex and compounded problems in the coastal ecosystems. The importance of the high-density cashew plantations and harnessing the potential of the animal sector for doubling the coastal farmers’ income was underlined by the DDG.

Earlier, welcoming the dignitaries, Dr Parveen Kumar, Director, ICAR-CCARI, Goa outlined the scenario of the coastal agriculture and provided a gist about the different sessions and deliberations to be conducted during the symposium.

The dignitaries also felicitated Amai Mahalinga Naik for his innovation in water conservation and converting barren lands into green and fertile lands.

About 260 participants participated in the inaugural session of the symposium.

Discussions were held on the integration of

Agrotech, Sustainability, Water

River Bank Filtration (RBF) technology operates by extracting water from wells located near rivers or lakes

A sensor-based irrigation system using bank filtration technology and controlled via web/mobile app installed at Sal River near Navelim and Nauta lake at Cortalim, Goa, has prevented wastage of water in the area and also made it easy for farmers to monitor the irrigation remotely.

The moisture values are provided by the sensors starting the water motor only when there is an actual need for water and turning it off when the moisture level reaches the maximum value. This process prevents water erosion and maintains the soil quality throughout the field. The system has saved time, especially for the daily wage farmers giving them freedom and flexibility to sell their harvest in the market. It has reduced their labour work and helped the farmers financially as well.

The irrigation system was implemented by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), in collaboration with the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Goa, and supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, under the umbrella of Demand Driven Mission – Water Technology Initiative.

It provides clean water to farmers for irrigation through River Bank Filtration (RBF) technology coupled with a sensor-controlled irrigation system, which is the first of its kind in the region. RBF operates by extracting water from wells located near rivers or lakes. As the river water infiltrates into and passes through the riverbed sediments, contaminants like bacteria and toxic metals are removed by overlapping biological, physical, and chemical processes. Affordable RBF wells have been installed for the treatment of polluted water from the Sal River near Navelim and Nauta lake at Cortalim, Goa, powered by renewable energy resources (solar-powered pumps) to provide clean water to farmers in off-the-grid areas. Water, with improved quality parameters such as reduced turbidity and bacterial load supplied through a systematic pipeline system, helped farmers to obtain better crop production.

The project presents a model of sustainability for educating farming communities with small landholdings which are unique to Goa. The technology of RBF offers an inexpensive means to remove large amounts of contaminants, including suspended particles and attenuation of microbes, and essentially provide improved water quality to the farmer’s community to fulfil their irrigation requirements.

A dissemination workshop was also organised in which relevant stakeholders, researchers, policymakers, and farmers were handed over the information and technology to the local ownership, and the initiative has opened up new collaborations for future developments.

River Bank Filtration (RBF) technology operates by

Agro Universities

The agreement will be valid for five years

A tripartite agreement was signed by ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Goa with the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, South Goa and Directorate of Industries, Trade and Commerce (DITC), Goa.

The agreement is aimed at establishing a Common Incubation Centre (CIC) under the Pradhan Mantri Formalization of the Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme. The agreement will be valid for five years.

Dr Parveen Kumar, Director, ICAR-CCARI, Goa stated that the Institute will act as a Mentor Institute and play a key role in establishing the CIC, demonstration and operation. The CIC is expected to benefit the Entrepreneurs of South Goa District in processing the coconut and local seasonal fruits.

The agreement will be valid for five

Agro Universities, Horticulture

A total of 26 participants from five different states

The ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Goa recently organised the ICAR-Short Course on ‘Ecosystem Services Analysis in Diversified Coconut and Arecanut Gardens’.

Inaugurating the Course, Dr Parveen Kumar, Director, ICAR-CCARI, Goa stressed the need for analysing the ecosystem services in the coastal agro-ecosystems, especially, the coconut and arecanut gardens and improving productivity and sustainability.

A total of 26 participants from five different states representing ICAR institutes, state agricultural / horticultural universities, deemed to be universities and Krishi Vigyan Kendras are participating in the training Programme.

A total of 26 participants from five