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Tamil Nadu Agricultural University e-Extension Centre February 23, 2012 Dr. E. Vadivel, Project Officer e- Extension & Precision Farming, talked with the group about the farming in <strong>India</strong> and the development of farmer associations. With the help of TNAU and MSU, farmers have been able to improve the quality of their product, learn about marketing techniques, and target the international markets. The net income for farmers has increased due to increased knowledge and by partnering with others that are selling like products. A larger group has a larger voice in developing policies, finding markets, and getting better prices. One example of TNAU helping the farmers is by training banana farmers about growing and preparing their commodity for market. The farmers are making use of technology and education. The quality of the bananas has improved in uniformity and bugs/diseases have lessened due to using a different technique for bagging the bananas. Dr. E. Vadivel explained the other farmer associations and how they have helped the farmers. We learned about the Flower Producers “EXAMPLE IS LEADERSHIP.” ALBERT SCHWEITZER Association, Ayakudi Guava Growers Association, Betel Growers Association, and the Pollachi Pandal Vegetable Growers Assocation. For each of these associations, the doctor discussed how many farmers are involved and how the prices are set (many are set “fixed” by the association). For the Flower Producers Association, farmers do not receive a commission and they harvest multiple times in one day, making 7-8 trips a day from the farm to the market. Precision farming was another topic of discussion while we were at the e-Extension Centre. The Centre implemented this project to train farmers and empower them to be more technical and economical. Water, fertilizer, and pesticides are measured, and with the help of TNAU, farmers are using a location specific, field specific and crop specific approach. The one problem that the Centre is running into is dispersing the training. Men attend the training, but then they do not return to the fields. Women never attend the training. Andrea Boughton Photos by Sandra Yu 14
POLLACHI FIELD VISIT: WOMEN ROSEMARY GROWERS ASSOCIATION 15 FEBRUARY 23, 2012 AT THE TOP OF A MOUNTAIN, WE VISITED WITH THE WOMEN'S ROSEMARY GROWER'S ASSOCATION. A GROUP OF LADIES BEGAN THE ASSOCIATION AND FOUND A WAY TO IMPROVE THEIR STATE OF LIFE. THEY HAVE AN ESSENTIAL OIL EXTRACTION FACILITY RIGHT ON THEIR SIGHT THAT WAS ESTABLISHED IN MARCH OF 2006. THE GLLA GROUP HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRIEFLY MEET WITH THE LADIES AND LEARN ABOUT THEIR ASSOCIATION. IT WAS NICE TO EXPLORE THE AREA AS THE GROUP WALKED OUT TO WHERE THE ROSEMARY IS PROCESSED. ANDREA BOUGHTON, PHOTOS BY ANDREA BOUGHTON AND ROBIN CLARK
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Page 5 and 6: TREE PLANTING AT CYCLONE THANE IMPA
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Page 11 and 12: 11 Yoga Session at Pondicherry Febr
Page 13: Uzhavar Sandhai, Banana Market, and
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