Category Archives: Nature

Designer eggs sans cholesterol concerns

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives & Environment, Nature

Designer eggs being produced by the Kisan Jyothi Farmers Club at Vaduvanchal in Wayanad.
Designer eggs being produced by the Kisan Jyothi Farmers Club at Vaduvanchal in Wayanad.

A group of farmers come out with designer eggs at Vaduvanchal in Wayanad

Though eggs have been considered as the complete food with most of the nutrients necessary for the body, concerns over its cholesterol content have kept many at bay.

Now, a group of farmers under the NABARD-supported Kisan Jyothi Farmers Club (KJFC) at Vaduvanchal in Wayanad have come out with designer eggs, which they claim will settle the apprehension once and for all. They say their ‘Omega’ brand eggs solve the riddle and set to rest doubts of the cholesterol-conscious.

“Designer eggs are those in which the content has been modified from the standard egg. The technology of designer egg involves manipulating nutrients in poultry feed and fortification of egg with micro-nutrients and vitamins,” Anil Zachariah, deputy project director of ATMA, Wayanad, the certifying agency, said.

Made using scientific method

Dr. Zachariah said the eggs were produced through a scientific method adopted for nurturing the layer with right feed so that they laid high quality eggs.

“The composition of the feed leads to the desired composition of the eggs adding to its nutritive profile through enrichment in the diet, and not by use of drugs or hormones,” Sreeshitha, district technology manager, ATMA said.

“Eggs laid by hens fed on a diet of greens and insects contain higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids than those produced by hens fed on corn,” Dr. Sreeshitha added.

“When the project was launched under the Farm Sector Promotion Fund programme of NABARD two months ago, we distributed ten BV380 strain chicks each to 66 families in the area,” N.S. Saji Kumar, assistant general manager, NABARD, said. Training and technical support were given by ATMA to the farmers, he added.

250 eggs a month for a family

“Now each family is getting an average of 250 eggs a month and we have entered into a memorandum of understanding with the WAYFARM farmer producer company to procure the designer eggs from the farmers at a price of Rs.6.50,” P. Hariharan, chief coordinator of the club, said. The company would market the produce through its retail shops, he added.

P. Balachandran, general manager, NABARD, handed over the first lot of eggs to P.A Sabu, managing director of WAYFARM, at Mananthavady on Wednesday.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Kerala / E.M. Manoj  / Kalpeto – June 23rd, 2016

Striking gold with pearl spot

Agriculture, Green Initiatives & Environment, Nature

Sunil Kumar (left) owns scores of netted enclosures at Thanimoodu in Thiruvananthapuram.
Sunil Kumar (left) owns scores of netted enclosures at Thanimoodu in Thiruvananthapuram.

Story of a national award-winning farmer’s success and travails

Lying wakeful at night is one of the fallouts of five years of farming fish, says Sunil Kumar, 43.

The national award-winning farmer owns scores of netted enclosures along the bank of the expansive backwater lagoon at Thannimoodu in suburban Thiruvananthapuram. Year-round, they abound with pearl spot, a pricey fish widely considered a delicacy. It sells for Rs.500 and above a kg.

The bounty attracts raiders at night. Certain lawlessness exists along Kerala’s maze of inland waterways and lagoons and Thannimoodu is no exception.

Marine patrols are unheard of and farmers like Mr. Kumar are left to fend for themselves. They maintain solitary night vigils to protect their farms from raiding boatmen. Local goons who demand protection money are also a thorny problem.

Mr. Kumar’s quest for self-employment had prompted the matriculate to attempt fish farming in 2010. His first shot at shrimp cultivation failed. But with pearl spot, Mr. Kumar struck gold.

Peak daily sales often touched Rs.15,000. He was able to keep his family of the breadline.

Traditional knowledge

Most of Mr. Kumar’s farming knowledge comes from anglers and traditional fishermen. They helped him devise the porous netted enclosures that allow tidal flushing, but keep natural predators out.

Tortoises, eels, catfish, rat snakes prey on pearl spot fingerlings. Top nets protect the corralled fish from predatory birds.

Mr. Kumar regularly traverses the lagoon with experienced fishermen to net healthy pearl spot pairs for controlled breeding.

“The male burrows into the lagoon bed to make holes for the female to deposit her eggs while she hovers around. They often breed close to the shore,” he says. Adult pearl spots are paired off in hatcheries, which simulate the lagoon environment.

Mr. Sunil is thankful to the Kerala Fisheries Department for its support. However, like other farmers, he faces the issue of land availability. The lease of his three acre farm is set to expire soon and he is scouting for a new place to relocate it.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / G. Anand / Thiruvananthapuram – May 30th, 2016

Now, chicken soup to power your car

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives & Environment, Nature, Science & Technology

John Abraham of KVASU at the biodiesel plant set up on the premises of the Veterinary College at Pookode in Wayanad district.— PHOTO: BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
John Abraham of KVASU at the biodiesel plant set up on the premises of the Veterinary College at Pookode in Wayanad district.— PHOTO: BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

A team of researchers of KVASU extract biodiesel from the wastes of slaughtered broiler chicken

Horsepower will stay, but the humble chicken may actually power your car, if a technology model developed at the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU) in Wayanad gets scaled up to viable commercial production.

For the last one year, a team of researchers led by John Abraham of the university’s School of Bioenergy and Farm Waste Management (SBFWM) have been quietly extracting biodiesel from the wastes of slaughtered broiler chicken, in a small Rs.12-lakh prototype plant.

Patent

For several months now, they have been field-testing this chicken-based fuel in their university’s old multi-utility vehicle (MUV), which goes all over the hill district. The team has applied for a patent on it on behalf of the KVASU, which is pending. The KVASU intends to play the role of technology provider.

The researchers have also run their biodiesel through tests at the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL)’s quality control laboratory at its Kochi refinery. They said the tests confirmed that the fuel conformed to exacting BIS standards. Besides, the chicken-sourced biodiesel was also found to have a commendably higher cetane value of 72, as compared to 64 of petro-diesel, which means better efficiency, Dr. John added. It is relatively cheaper too. Even without economies of scale, the small pilot plant incurs a production cost of just around Rs.32 per litre for this fuel (while petro diesel costs Rs.55 or more). At the trial stage, it is being used at 50:50 ratio with petro diesel in normal, unmodified, diesel engines. But it could be used as the sole fuel with some engine modifications, Dr. John said.

With word trickling out, several innovative entrepreneurs, including registered slaughter waste collectors in the neighbouring Kozhikode Corporation, have approached the team for tapping the idea’s commercial potential. The team has already provided a project report for a plant for a consortium, which will be capable of processing up to 40 tonnes of slaughter waste and generating about 1,000 litres of chicken fuel a day. This project is to come up with the collaboration of the Kozhikode Corporation and the District Suchitwa Mission there.

Dr. John, whose doctoral thesis at the Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University in 2012 was on alternate fuels, said chicken-powered biodiesel had great potential. “In Kerala alone, about 5.3 lakh chicken are slaughtered daily. This means some 350 tonnes of slaughter waste every day, which pose a catastrophic threat to the environment.”

“If this waste is cooked at very high temperatures, 10 per cent of the volume turns extractable oil, another 30 per cent gets converted to animal and pet feed ingredients with 62 per cent protein content that costs a mere Rs.20 per kg to produce,” he said. Almost 96 per cent of this oil could be converted into biodiesel, while a small portion turned into glycerine, which could be used for making soaps and cosmetics, he added. About 10 kilograms of chicken wastes yield one litre of oil, on an average.

But why only chicken waste and not mutton or beef slaughter waste, when these have an equally huge availability in the State? “All ruminants have bio-hydrogenation pathways which saturate fats. Saturated fats are solid at room temperature. But mono-gastric animals like chicken lack this pathway. Hence, more unsaturated fatty acids are available in their fats, which turn to oil at room temperature. Biodiesel can only be made from such oils,” Dr. John said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Kerala / by E.M. Manoj / Kalpetta – May 29th, 2016

‘Neera man’ Jose steps down after an eventful term

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Leaders, Nature

T.K. Jose
T.K. Jose

Jose helped set up new coconut farmer producer companies, besides turning around old ones

‘Neera man’ T.K. Jose, who helped bring the sweet drink made from coconut flowers out of the shackles of the Abkari Act to unleash its commercial potential, steps down as Chairman of the Coconut Development Board this week after an eventful tenure.

Over the last more than five years, Mr. Jose helped create new coconut farmer producer companies and turn around the old ones. He was instrumental in forming an army of coconut technicians, including Neera tappers, and tree climbers. He also laid down a roadmap for the growth of the business through value addition.

“The credit for pursuing the cause of Neera must go to the outgoing Chairman,” said V.K. Raju, former Associate Director of Research, Kerala Agricultural University, and an expert in Neera tapping.

Mr. Jose, an IAS officer of the Kerala cadre, joined the Coconut Development Board in May 2011 and immediately set about reviving the three-tier system of coconut farmers’ organisations. The outgoing Chairman also worked hard to bring Neera out of the Kerala Abkari Act.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kochi / by Special Correspondent / Kochi – May 19th, 2016

Birds of Vellayani captured in a book

Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives & Environment, Nature, Records, All, Travel

Avian register:‘Feathers of Vellayani’ is part of a project launched by the KSBB to take up conservation of the Vellayani lake as a biodiversity heritage site.
Avian register:‘Feathers of Vellayani’ is part of a project launched by the KSBB to take up conservation of the Vellayani lake as a biodiversity heritage site.

KSBB initiative lists 133 species at the lake and nearby wetlands

With more than 100 species of native and migratory birds, the avian diversity of the Vellayani freshwater lake and the adjoining wetlands in Thiruvananthapuram district has always enthralled researchers, birdwatchers, nature enthusiasts, and students.

Now, the Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB) has come out with a comprehensive register on these birds. Named ‘Feathers of Vellayani,’ the register is part of an attempt launched by the KSBB to take up the conservation of the Vellayani lake as a biodiversity heritage site.

Authored by KSBB chairman Oommen V. Oommen, member secretary K.P. Laladhas, and Principal Scientific Officer Linda John, the book, running into 180 pages, lists 133 species of birds spotted at the lake and surrounding wetlands. These include 23 species of migratory birds such as the Glossy ibis, Common teal, Spot-billed pelican, Painted stork, Eurasian spoonbill, and Pacific swallow.

Printed in colour, the register has devoted one page each to describe a species with its picture, physical features, sound, preferred habitat, feeding, nesting and breeding habits, conservation status and scientific and vernacular names. The book outlines the threats posed to the avian diversity and the ecosystem by land reclamation, use of pesticides and poaching of birds. Last year, the KSBB had submitted a proposal to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change for the conservation of the Vellayani lake as a biodiversity heritage site for birds. The Rs.75-crore project seeks to acquire the fallow land under private ownership and provide incentives for protecting the biodiversity of the area from further degradation. It moots a participatory programme to prevent poaching of birds and protect nests with the involvement of local communities.

The project also involves promotion of ecotourism, conservation of fish stocks, sustainable livelihood options for local communities and capacity building for wise use of wetlands. Dr. Oommen said the KSBB was dependent on Central funds for the project since a large portion of the lake and its catchment area belonged to private parties. The government, he said, would have to buy the land from the owners.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / by T. Nandakumar / Thiruvananthapuram – May 16th, 2016

Kerala’s farmers reap a rich plant genome saviour award harvest

Agriculture, Green Initiatives & Environment, Nature

Thrissur :

The Kerala farmers dominated the National Plant Genome Saviour Awards-2013 by winning seven out of fourteen rewards announced by the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPV & FR)  Authority, Government of India.

The seven farmers involved in conservation of traditional crop varieties were nominated for awards by Kerala Agricultural University (KAU).

FarmingTalesKERALA15may2016

K V Kannan ( Kannur), Benny Mathew (Agali, Palakkad), Melethil Beerankutty (Malappuram) and Muhammed Moopan (Malappuram) have been selected for Plant Genome Saviour farmer’s reward  which consists of a purse of `1.5 lakh, a memento and a citation, while K Raman (Cheruvayal, Wayanad), P Krishnan (Palakkad) and K Narendran (Kollam ) will receive Plant Genome Saviour recognition which consists of a purse carrying `1 lakh, a memento and a citation at a function to be held in Delhi shortly.

KAU Vice-Chancellor Dr P Rajendran described the seven awards as a significant acknowledgment for Kerala farming community as well as farm scientists. “Bagging seven out of fourteen awards is very special. The role of KAU in supporting such activists and helping them earn such recognition are often forgotten. I appreciate the efforts of our scientists, especially Dr C R Elsy, Coordinator, KAU IPR cell, Dr M C Narayanankutty, RARS, Pattambi and Dr M R Bindu, ORARS, Kayamkulam, who nominated these farmers,” he said.

The KAU had played a pivotal role in helping the Pokkali Rice farming Community (2011),  Akampadam Padasekhara Samithy (2012) and Ciby Kallungal of Thrissur and N Vasavan of Kannur ( 2012) win the Plant Genome Saviour Awards earlier.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by Express News Service / May 11th, 2016

Perumbalam, an island lost in time

About Kerala, Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Nature, Travel

PerumbalamKERALA12may2016

Kochi:

The west wind smelled of betrayal and greater agonies. Kunjappan, who rowed the canoe, is used to this smell. For the last 65 years, he has rowed the boat across the river  to the ‘other’ world. Under the endless sky, Perumbalam and its natives have remained in isolation.

Nothing much has changed in this island in Alappuzha over the last 65 years. Even as the state heads for yet another polls, there is no hope to bring in development for the 12,000-odd residents of Perumbalam.

A visit to the island exposes the pathetic state-of-affairs. There are no roads. And except for private autos there is no public transport system. The 20-year-old government hospital is in a rundown condition, and the government-run school is almost closed down. Police stations do not exist here. Power supply often shuts down completely, and the shortage of drinking water supply is a perennial issue. Six ferry and two jankars connect the residents with Poothotta in Ernakulam and Panavally panchayat in Alappuzha. “Out of this, two ferry services and one jankar are not operational,” said K R Somanathan, the president of Perumbalam Boat Passengers’ Association. Around 6,000 people depend on these services daily. The stone-laying ceremony held in 2009 to construct a new bridge linking the island Poothotta is almost forgotten. “People are no longer interested in the bridge. They only hope to get the ferries and jankar back in service after repairs,” added Somanathan.

People working in the special economic zone, IT and construction sectors are the main commuters from Perumbalam. In all probability, the present woes are likely to continue for the islanders even after the elections.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Kochi / TNN / May 12th, 2016

Diagnostic kit for fish virus released

Agriculture, Green Initiatives & Environment, Nature, Science & Technology

The ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute has released a virus diagnostic kit specific to betanoda virus that infects marine fish.

The kit was released during a function held at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute by Trilochan Mohapatra, secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education and director general of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.

Betanoda virus causes Viral Nervous Necrosis (VNN), also known as viral encephalopathy and retinopathy in larvae and juveniles of marine fin fish for which no effective treatments are available and those fish surviving the infection remain carriers of the virus, facilitating vertical and horizontal transmission.

Preventive steps

Hence, only preventive measures such as vaccination, regular screening of broodstock, eggs, larvae and fingerlings, besides effective disposal of positively diagnosed specimens, are options available to prevent disease outbreaks associated with betanodavirus in hatcheries and aquaculture farms, said a press release here.

Cost-effective

The kit is highly specific and cost-effective. Positive reaction is diagnosed by a green fluorescence that can be perceived by the naked eye under visible or UV light and there is no need for sophisticated equipment like a thermal cycler or trans-UV illuminator as in the case of other molecular diagnostic approaches.

The kit released on Monday is meant mainly to screen marine brood stock fish to ensure certified specific pathogen-free eggs and larvae in a sensitive and rapid way. It will also help timely identification of betanoda viral infections in fish hatcheries and aquaculture systems during routine screening of eggs, larvae, fingerlings as well as trash fish used as feed during culture operations.

Hatchery production of marine fish seeds is economically important in the context of enhanced marine fish seed requirements arising out of the increasing popularity of marine cage culture along the Indian coast, the press release issued here said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kochi / Special Correpondent / Kochi – April 19th, 2016

On a mission to conserve sacred groves

Agriculture, Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives & Environment, Nature, Records, All

SacredGrovesKERALA18apr2016

The Rs.1.34-crore project involves bio-fencing, inventorisation of plant wealth and cleaning up of water bodies

In an attempt to arrest the depletion of the rich gene pool and protect the hotspots of local biodiversity, the State Medicinal Plants Board (SMPB) is embarking on a project for conservation of sacred groves in Kerala.

Funded by the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), the Rs.1.34-crore project involves conservation and resource augmentation of sacred groves with medicinal plants in over 100 hectares.

The proposed activities include bio-fencing, inventorisation of plant wealth and cleaning up of water bodies.

The NMPB has released the first instalment of Rs.53.75 lakh for the three-year project. “The idea is to conserve the remaining patches of rich biodiversity and prevent further encroachments,” said SMPB Chief Executive Officer K.G. Sreekumar.

Healthy environment

The project seeks to conserve the diversity of indigenous medicinal plants, maintain ecological balance and enhance ground water resources. The other objectives are to ensure a healthy environment, besides creating awareness about conservation and tracing the history of vegetation in the locality.

Distinct and unique in biological diversity, sacred groves are valuable gene pools of immense ecological significance.

They are rich repositories of valuable medicinal plants including rare, endangered, and threatened species.

Most sacred groves also harbour a perennial water source. “Conserving sacred groves will help preserve these assets for future generations,” Mr. Sreekumar added.

Applications invited

The SMPB has invited applications from individuals and trusts with ownership rights to sacred groves. Physical verification of the groves to be included in the project is expected to begin shortly.

“Saplings of native species will be planted to augment the floral diversity, and name boards will be installed to identify each species,” he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / T. Nandakumar / Thiruvananthapuram – April 18th, 2016

Organic agricultural fair a huge draw

Agriculture, Green Initiatives & Environment, Nature

FARM FRESH:Organically-grown vegetables on display at the Ernakulam Town Hall as part of the three-day Organic Kerala Agricultural Fair.— Photo: H. Vibhu
FARM FRESH:Organically-grown vegetables on display at the Ernakulam Town Hall as part of the three-day Organic Kerala Agricultural Fair.— Photo: H. Vibhu

Aims at creating awareness among people of the need to undertake cultivation in their backyards

The exhibition that got under way at the Ernakulam Town Hall on Monday as part of the 11th Organic Kerala Agricultural Fair has turned out to be a big draw. Hundreds of Kochiites are visiting the exhibition to get a whiff of the movement towards organic farming in the State.

The three-day programme, comprising an exhibition, interaction with experts on organic agriculture and honouring of farmers, was inaugurated on Monday morning at a brief function.

The aim of the annual show was to create awareness among people in the Kochi urban area and its surroundings of the need to undertake their own cultivation of fruits and vegetables in their own land or backyards, said the general secretary of Organic Kerala Charitable Trust M.M. Abbas.

The show and other programmes are being organised jointly by the Charitable Trust, Rajagiri Outreach programme, Kalamassery, and Sacred Heart College, Thevara.

The sections on organically-grown mangoes and tuber crops are particularly attractive as a large array of the fruits and vegetables are on show.

Organically-grown rice, specially the varieties grown in Kerala; safe-to-eat vegetables; derivatives like neera and neera honey tapped from coconut trees and organic inputs are also available at the exhibition. A section of the exhibition is dedicated to effective and practical disposal of waste at the household level.

Mr. Abbas said protection of bio-diversity and healthy food were the two key focus areas of the programme that is into its eleventh year now.

Beyond the exhibition and sale of organically grown produce, the organisers of the programme have conducted a day-long training programme on organic agriculture with the help of Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council Keralam and the Palliakkal Service Cooperative Bank, near Paravoor.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kochi / by Special Correspondent / Kochi – April 12th, 2016