Planting Material -Quick Response (QR) Labeling- New Approach towards Authenticity of Quality material

Quick Response (QR) Code Labeled Planting Materials 

Considering the importance and need to provide quality planting materials, especially, in the perennial horticultural crops, the Government of India is implementing the programme of accreditation of nurseries through the National Horticulture Mission.

Under this programme, In order to ensure the security or to avoid fake labeling, the password protected QR Code allows sharing the Information only with the registered and authorized people.

What was the Problem ?

Due to the non-availability of the genuine planting material of the improved varieties, especially in plantation crops, the farmers and the customer are facing huge problems and losses in purchasing the planting material.

Many farmers suffer huge losses due to purchase of low quality planting material sold by the private nurseries and private companies.

Role of the ICAR-CPCRI

The ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasaragod has been distributing the QR coded coconut seedlings for the past three years.

The labels having a size of 4.0cm x 2.5 cm with an emblem of ICAR-CPCRI are waterproof laminated. The variety’s name is imprinted on one side and the QR code imprinted on the other side. The label has a Unique Identification Number (UID).

Quick Response (QR)

A machine-readable code consisting of an array of black and white squares, typically used for storing URLs or other information for reading by the camera on a smartphone.

(source-wilkipedia)

This QR Code affixed labels can be used for the purpose of tagging/labeling the planting material (grafts/ budded / tissue cultured / vegetatively produced) in the perennial crops like plantation crops, fruit crops and commercial crops. This is an example of successful implementation of QR code labeling technique in coconut, which can be duplicated in other crops as well. If a large number of QR Coded labels are prepared, the cost per code will be between Rs. 4.00 to Rs. 4.50 only.

Article- Agriculture Graduate Trainee (AGT) Vacancy In the IIFCO, An Article on the IFFCO.

Article-Vacancies for the Post of Agriculture Graduate Trainee (AGT)

IFFCO 

A new vacancy for the agriculture graduates is announced by the Indian Fertilizer giant owned by Cooperatives.

Vacancy

IFFCO requires Agriculture Graduate Trainee (AGT) for its Field Offices located in the States of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu & Kerala.

Qualifications

• The candidate should possess Four Years B.Sc. (Agriculture) Full Time Regular Degree but those candidates whose final semester results are expected by September, 2019 can also apply.
• General/OBC candidates should have secured a minimum of 60% marks in each semester and SC/ ST candidates should have secured a minimum of 55% marks in each semester in B.Sc (Agriculture) degree. Those candidates who have CGPA score in B.Sc (Agriculture) degree should convert into percentage while filling the application form.
• The candidate having Two Years Full Time Regular Degree in M.Sc. (Agriculture) can also apply, provided they fulfil the eligibility criteria prescribed for B.Sc. (Agri.) qualification given above.
• The above qualifications should be from the UGC recognized University /Institute.

Important to Notice

• The candidates who have passed B.Sc. (Agriculture) degree in 2016 and thereafter can only apply.
• Last date to apply is 05/09/2019

Official Link

Here is the Link to reach the Official Website for the Full Descriptive Notification  https://www.iffcoagt.in/

How to apply- 

Click the given link

https://www.iffcoagt.in/

About IIFCO (For Knowledge)

Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) is one of India's biggest cooperative society which is wholly owned by Indian Cooperatives.

Founded in 1967 with just 57 cooperatives, IFFCO is today an amalgamation of over 36,000 Indian Cooperatives with diversified business interests ranging from General Insurance to Rural Telecom apart from our core business of manufacturing and selling fertilisers.

With IFFCO's vast marketing network of over 36,000 cooperative societies it reaches more than 5.5 Crores ( 55 million ) farmers in India.

Marketing strength

The Marketing Division of IFFCO has the herculean task of providing fertilisers to the corners of India, reaching farmers who live in some of the most challenging terrains and locations in the world.

IFFCO products are transported

91% by Rail

 

09% by road

Present Scenario of IIFCO

Turnover =27,852 Crores

Total Income=28,546 Crores

Total Production=81.49 Lakh MT

Cooperative Members=Over 35,282

"New Mechanism for the processing of the Makhana is developed"

Mechanism for the processing of Makhana is developed

Makhana (Fox nut or Gorgon nut)

is used widely for the consumption purpose in many parts of the world. But only few knows that the processing of the Makhana requires high manpower. There has been no existing technology in India that could had made the processing easier.

Technology

A complete processing system for the processing of the Makhana has been developed by ICAR's Central Institute of Post Harvest Engineering and technology (CIPHET).

The Small unit for producing 12kg makhana per hour costs 15 lakhs.

Roasted Makhana

The process which used to take 2 to 3 days to complete ,now could be completed in just 20 hours.

Though the Mechanism is well functional the poor fisherman still find it very costly, as the cost involved in this method is 50Rs per kg costlier than the traditional method.

Bihar's Role 

Bihar is the largest producer of Makhana. About 5 lakh families are directly involved in makhana cultivation, and selling.

Makhana Cultivation

In Bihar alone it is grown in about 15,000 hectare water bodies.

The Output of the Makhana is around 7,500-10,000 tonne per year.

Other states where makhana is also grown includes Assam, West Bengal, Tripura and Odisha.

Subsidy

Bihar government is also giving the Subsidy in establishing this processing plant.

Conclusion

The traditional method takes a lot of time and involves manpower for the processing of the makhana. Due to this new mechanism the processing of the makhana has been made easier,

The Demand of the makhana is very high with respect to the production, thus many other states such as Madhya Pradesh , Himanchal Pradesh, Telangana, Hariyana, Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh has also shown interest in the cultivation of the Makhana.