Taking know-how to the grassroot level

For those critics who have often pointed out that scientific developments have always remained confined to the labs with very few reaching the farmers, here is an initiative that could assuage their contention to some extent. Hyderabad-based Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR) will soon be wheeling out a multipurpose mobile van equipped with soil testing instrument to take technology to the doorstep of the farmers.

To begin with, the mobile van which is likely to begin its journey on December 1st will be reaching out to the farmers in some villages in Telangana. Explaining the purpose and the advantages of the initiative to The Hans India, Dr.V.Ravindra Babu, Director, IIR, said that these vans will facilitate the scientists to on the spot testing of soil and in the process analyse the appropriate quantity of fertilsers that should be used by the farmer. The van is also equipped with a leaf colour chart (LCC) from which the farmer would be able to gain knowledge on how much fertilizer should be used for the crop,” he said.

Highlighting the future scope of the device, Dr Ravindra Babu said that the soil testing instrument developed by scientists at the IIRR is priced at only Rs.1500 with each having the capacity to carry out 1000 tests. “Each test can be carried out at a cost of just Rs.10. We will also train educated farmers in methods of using the soil testing instrument so that they can procure the device and conduct the tests on their own.” In fact, rural youth can take this up as a commercial venture and earn their livelihood, he added.

In addition to this the idea of launching mobile van was driven by the aim to provide the farmers access to qualitative and genuine seeds. “Our staff will will go around to the villages to enquire about the seed requirements of the farmers and ask them to place an indent for the same.” The ICAR research institutions and the Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University will be producing the seeds according to the specifications and required quantities for distribution to the farmers.

“We will supply the seeds produced by these institutions and not by private seed companies. We will not involve state government in this endeavour, since they do not have control over the spurious invading the markets.” We will personally deliver the seeds to the farmers free of cost - i.e. the farmers do not have to bear the transport costs.” Farmers can also personally come to the institutes and procure the seeds or can place their indent for the next crop.

“Initially it would be possible to meet the demand and supply to everyone, but there is a scope of meeting this demand in the coming years.” The mobile van will also enable us to train the farmers to produce the seeds on their own.” This concept of the mobile van is a small step in the right direction, which, if replicated many times can be steered towards bridging the gap between lab and the land.

By Satyapal Menon