Junagadh Agricultural University – Panch Divas no International Training Programme

The Junagadh Agricultural University (JAU) has organized a five-day 'International Training Programme on Co-operative Management'.

In Junagadh city, 9 South African (SA) participants have been receiving training on cooperative management at here.

JAU vice-chancellor N C Patel said that, “this training programme is part of the implementation of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between JAU and University of Venda, SA, signed on December, 2010.”

"This is first such international training programme being organized by the university in the state. During the next five years, various training programmes will be conducted on co-operative management. Participants from local municipality, University of Venda and officials of agriculture department from SA have come for training,''

Makhavhu NT, (local economy development) agriculture manager, Vhembe district municipality, South Africa,

"In SA, there is only 12 per cent co-operative is success, while in India most of the co-operatives are successful, especially from Gujarat. We would like to learn the secrets of the success of co-operatives for rural upliftment and benefit of farmers.''

"The participants will be taken to field visits to places like Majewadi village milk co-operative; Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), Gondal, Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation, Anand, and AMUL Anand.''

Participants were also told about Krishi Mahotsav, which is being organized every year by state government.

"The officials are specifically interested about how to implement success model of co-operative in SA and bring the change in livelihood of people over there.''

Junagadh Agriculture University vice Chancellor Interview about Crops Life with Rains

Rains give new lease of life to crops in Saurashtra region
As monsoons made their presence felt in Saurashtra this week, the farmers of the region were one happy lot as this rain has saved their crops.

Though bit delayed, the recent rainfall in the region has given a new lease of life to the groundnut and cotton crop.

During the last two days, Rajkot, Porbandar and Amreli districts of Saurashtra region witnessed rainfall and the meteorology department has predicted heavy rainfall in the coming two days across the region as well.

As per Latest Junagadh Agriculture University vice Chancellor N C Patel Interviews, he said that, "Rainfall is crucial for both the groundnut and cotton crop. If the rains had delayed further, it would have hit these two crops severely."

"The rains that were witnessed in the last two days have saved the early sowing of crops. But we need substantial rainfall for further sowing."

The sowing process will take some more time as these rains are not enough for new sowing.
As per the data provided by the district agriculture department, the sowing area is still below expectation. The total area of groundnut covered is 4, 64,860 hectares this year in and SaurashtraKutch, which is only 30 percent of the last year's total of 1, 5, 75, 819 hectares.

Similarly in cotton so far 3,20089 hectares sowing has been done which was 17,60,238 hectares last year and just 18 percent area has been covered in cotton in Saurashtra region.

Former President of Solvent extractors association of India (SEA) said that, "More Govindbhai Patelrainfall will definitely prove conducive for the sowing process. As the weather changes and the possibility of rain increases, sowing activity will increase in many parts of Saurashtra."

Junagadh Agricultural University – will Launch two bio-pesticides

During the university's convocation, on 15th January 2011, The Junagadh Agricultural University (JAU) will launch two bio-pesticides under the brand name of 'Savaj' (Lion).

This products will kill pests in different crops effectively and being eco-friendly they will not harm farmers while spraying.

As per Latest N C Patel Interviews, who is vice-chancellor or JAU, said that, “Our scientists have tested them on different crops and found that the results are encouraging. We have also conducted training programs for farmers on how to use these pesticides. Savaj HNPV prevents the Helicoverpa armigera in different crops while Savaj SNPV controls the Spodoptera litura in different crops.”

“We will see the farmer's experience on large scale and accordingly we will continue to produce it in our Microbial Insecticide Production Unit at JAU.”

“SNPV works against the S Litura, a polyphagous pest which damages cotton, castor, cabbage, groundnut, cauliflower and tobacco. Farmers use chemical insecticides indiscriminately to manage the pests but it also creates environmental problems. But bio-pesticide is safer and eco-friendly.”

It will be in liquid form and each tin will contain 250 ML.

Kesar Mango Keri – The real taste of Mango

With a rich haul of Kesar mangoes, the Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation has decided to brand the fruit nationally. Production of the fruit is estimated to cross 10 lakh tonnes this season.

The Junagadh Agriculture University and the GAIC have estimated the production of Kesar at 10 lakh tonnes, which is more than three times the production registered last year.
The Corporation is also planning to certify naturally ripened Kesar mangoes and build Brand Kesar to market the fruit nationally as well as internationally.

As part of the Corporation’s efforts to distribute the fruit nationally, 50,000 boxes of Kesar will be transported to the Delhi Haat for display and sale.

“The sale of Kesar Keri is the highest in Ahmedabad City. People in Delhi are hardly aware of the taste of the mango. An effort will be made to popularize the fruit by encouraging people to taste the fruit. No one can resist the taste. We are confident that they will keep coming back for more,” said D Thara, Managing Director of the GAIC.

The GAIC is also in touch with the National Horticulture Board Gurgaon. The Board has tie-ups with several malls in Delhi. The mangoes will be distributed through these malls.
Once the fruit gains popularity in Delhi, it will be then distributed across six major cities including Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata.

Thara said that to get certification, the fruits will have to meet the standards prescribed for organic mangoes.

The managing director said the production of mango has been good due to good weather. “We have decided to export Kesar Mangoes in a big way.

We have invited the opinion of traders regarding possible markets where the fruits can be sold. We have a rich tradition to live up to. Gujarat will turn 50 on May 1 but the Kesar is 75 years old. We will celebrate its diamond jubilee with passion.”

Junagadh Agriculture University JAU - Two News Varieties of Groundnut

There is good news for farmers in the drought-prone Gujarat. Junagadh Agriculture University(JAU) scientists have developed two new varieties of groundnut — one for Kharif Crops and other for summer season. Both varieties promise to give better yield per hectare leading to reduced consumption of water, pesticides and fertilizers.

The varieties, named as Groundnut-9 and GG-31, were cleared by the Agriculture Research and Extension Council, the apex body in the state in agricultural research, at a recent meet held at JAU. At the meet, attended by leading scientists and top officials of all the four agriculture universities, including Junagadh Agriculture University Vice Chancellor N C Patel and Anand Agriculture University Vice Chancellor M C Vaishnav, 16 new varieties of various crops including sesame, millet, brinjal, turmeric and chilly were introduced.

Following the clearance to new varieties by the apex body, the two seeds will now be taken for multiplication by the university and in a year’s time they will be available in the market.

R L Savaliya, Director, Education department at JAU, said that Groundnut-9 is a Kharif variety which can give a yield of 1,632 kg per hectare. The three sub-varieties of Groundnut-9, including JG2, JG5 and JG7, give 30 per cent, 20.5 per cent and 15.5 per cent higher yield. It also gives higher kernel yield and has better oil percentage. Besides, it is tolerant to stem rot decease and pests like Gassid Thrises.

The second variety that has also got clearance from the apex body is a special summer variety – GG-31 – that gives 36.9 per cent higher yield. It has showed superiority in the quality of pod and kernel. This variety has been recommended for summer season because of is higher resistance to Gassid Thrises, halophiles and incidences of bud necrosis.

Mango Productions Junagadh Ahmedabad News Gujarat India

Gujarat State may clinch the pole position in mango production this year edging past Andhra Pradesh.

Hopeful of clinching the top spot, Gujarat Agriculture Minister Dilip Sanghani said: “There will be a bumper mango production in Gujarat this year. Five years ago, Gujarat was in sixth position. Last year, we were in second spot. We hope to emerge first in mango production in the country this year.” Sanghani said: “The average mango productivity in India is 17 tonnes per hectare of land. Last year, Gujarat’s productivity was 24 tonnes per hectare. This year, it can go up to 26 tonnes per hectare and we may emerge first in mango production in India.” According to reports, mango harvest will be poor in Andhra Pradesh this year. This summer, Amdavadis will have the privilege of savouring cheaper Kesar mangoes longer.

Thanks to its bumper harvest. Bolstered by additional flowerings, green Kesar mangoes have hit the city almost a month in advance. Its ripe variety will be flooding the city fruit shops from next week. They will be available at least till the first week of July and at a comparatively cheaper price due to 30 per cent surge in production. At present, around 30,000 boxes, each weighing 10 kg, of green Kesar mangoes grown in Junagadh City are arriving at Naroda fruit market every day.

Ahmedabad City Fruit Wholesalers’ Association president Laxmandas Rohra said: “This year, Kesar mangoes have reached the city a month in advance. Now 30,000 boxes of green mangoes, each priced between Rs 250 and Rs 300, are reaching the city. A week on, 1 lakh boxes of ripe Kesar mangoes will arrive in Ahmedabad daily and its price will go down.”

Usually green Kesar mangoes surface in city markets in the last week of April. But this year, they are available aplenty from April first week. Scientists are attributing Kesar mangoes’ advance arrival to early and additional flowering.

Usually there are two flowerings of Kesar mangoes in a season. But this year four flowerings have been reported. Research scientist at Junagadh Agriculture University Dr RR Viradiya said: “The four flowerings were due to global climate change.

The first flowering took place 15 days in advance. So, Kesar mangoes were visible in the market early.” Viradiya added, “The season of Kesar mangoes used to last 45 days five years ago. This year, the season will double up to 90 days. The harvest will be also be 30 per cent more than last year due to multiple flowerings.” Former vice-chancellor of Junagadh Agriculture University KB Kikani said: “There has been a change in flowering pattern of Kesar mangoes this season. The last flowering was late. So, the season of Kesar mangoes will last longer.”

An officer in agriculture director’s office in Gandhinagar City said Junagadh produces maximum Kesar mangoes in the state. “Kesar Keri are grown on 17,000 hectares of land in Junagadh. Its average annual production is 90,000 metric tonnes. It may go up to 1 lakh metric tonnes this year,” he said.

Deepa Hiremath Anand Junagadh Agricultural Colleage University News

Deepa Hiremath sweeps all 14 gold medals in agriculture.

The sixth convocation of Anand Agricultural University (AAU) will be held on Wednesday. The star attraction here would be 20-year-old Deepa Hiremath, who is the first girl in the university's history to sweep all 14 gold medals as well as cash reward.

"It's a matter of immense pride as the university has 75 per cent boys and 25 per cent girls. Despite the small numbers, this girl has pipped all to post and walked away with all the gold medals," said AAU vice-chancellor (V-C) AAU MC Varshneya.

Deepa is currently pursuing her Masters in Agriculture (economics) at Junagadh Agricultural University in Junagadh City State Saurashtra Kathiyavad Region. University officials said the girl has broken all the records as earlier there have been two girls who won nine and seven gold medals, but never the complete sweep.

Meanwhile, Varshneya said 330 graduate, post-graduate and doctoral students will be awarded degrees at the convocation. Chairman of Agricultural Scientist Recruitment Board Dr CD Mayee will be the chief guest, while Gujarat governor and chancellor Dr Kamla will preside over the convocation function.

A special highlight of the convocation would be awarding Doctorate of Sciences degree to four veterans, who have made significant contribution in the field of agricultural sciences. These include Dr AC Pandya, Dr PD Mistry, Dr GM Dave and Dr Janki Raman, all four who have dedicated their lives to establishing new techniques and concepts in agriculture science and research.

Kesar Keri Mangoes Junagadh Saurashtra Gujarat India

Mango arrival to be late in Gujarat this summer.

The king of fruits might arrive a tad late this summer in Gujarat.

According to experts, the arrival of mango in the state could be as late as 15-20 days due to irregular winter which seems to have damaged the flowering.

As per the Junagadh Agriculture University(JAU), the winter had been erratic this year leaving damaged flowers of mango, especially of the 'Kesar' variety in Saurashtra region of Gujarat. "Weather condition during winter this year was not favourable for mango in Gujarat. Right in the middle of flowering time, the climate became erratic resulting in lot of damage. As a result mango arrival will be quite late in the market this summer", said BK Kikani, vice chancellor, Junagadh Agriculture University.

Gujarat has approximately three lakh hectares area under mango cultivation. Areas like Junagadh, Bhavnagar, Valsad, Navsari, Sasan and Talala Gir, Visavadar, Savarkundala and Kutch have gained prominence for mango cultivation in the state. Last year about 10 lakh boxes, with each box containing 10 kg, arrived in the Talala Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) which is the main market for Kesar variety of mango in India.

Talking about the variety, Harsukhbhai Zarsaniya, secretary of Talala APMC said, "Kesar mangos arrival will start from May 10-15 this year. Generally it starts from last week of March every year. However, flowering has been late on mango. In normal condition flowers blossom between end of January and middle of February. But this year it was late as winter was not in its normal flow."

"It is too early to predict about production of mango, but yes arrival this season will be definitely late. Weather should also get hotter now. Otherwise it will also affect prices as bad weather can damage the products," said Batuksinh Jadeja of Ashapura Farm & Nursery from Kutch.

Junagadh Agricultural University JAU Saurashtra Gujarat India

Junagadh Agricultural University gets AICTE accrediation :-

The Junagadh Agricultural University (JAU) run Agricultural Engineering College (AEC) has been awarded the prestigious accreditation by the All India Council for Technical Engineering (AICTE).

With this, AEC has become Gujarat’s first and the country’s fourth agricultural engineering college to have obtained this accreditation.

Terming this as a matter of pride for Gujarat, the AEC Principal and Dean, Dr N C Patel said, “AEC is the first college in Gujarat to offer students Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) and Master of Technology (M.Tech) courses in Agricultural engineering.”

He added: “Maintaining its track record for excellence, AEC has become the first college in Gujarat to have been awarded the AICTE accreditation.”

According to Dr Patel, there are about 40 agricultural engineering colleges functioning across the country run by the government and the private sector as well. However, prior to this- only three other colleges have obtained this accreditation. Apart from B.Tech and M.Tech courses, AEC offers courses up to Ph.D.

Dr B K Kikani, Vice-Chancellor (JAU), said, “In the last seven years, students coming out from this college have received 100 per cent placement. Besides, students studying in this college have acquired positions in national level seminars.”

He added: “Considering the growing demand for qualified agricultural engineers in various sectors like high-tech agriculture, water and land conservation, food processing, agricultural equipments and Green House technology etc, we have increased our intake capacity up to 70 seats.”

It must be mentioned that Dr N C Patel has been awarded the Commendation Medal by the Indian society of Agricultural Engineers for distinguished service in his line of work.

Junagadh Agriculture University JAU Saurashtra Gujarat India

The overy of a rare coconut tree species here has raised hopes for double yield of the fruit for cultivators in Saurashtra.

Like all palms, coconut trees have a single trunk and are without any branches. But the new species has around two to four branches, making it the rarest of its kind.

Last seen in the Ivory Coast in 2006, this di-headed palm, as it is being called by the local experts, has been cultivated by a small-time farmer, Vinja Selar, in Krisi village of Porbandar district.

“Four of the coconut trees I planted seven years back have developed multiple branches. Two of them have two branches and the other two, four branches. The yield from the multiple branched trees is also double the regular ones,” said Selar.

Porbandar district Horticulture officer M D Dhorajia said:

“A regular coconut tree gives around 20-25 nuts per season. But the di-headed variety produces nearly 40 nuts per season. In India, varieties like Dwaraf, Lotan, Bona and Hybrid are commonly found. But all the varieties known so far have only one trunk and are without any branches.”

Selar has now begun procedures to get a patent for the tree and given the nod to scientists at the Junagadh Agriculture University to conduct a research on it.

“The Horticulture department got in touch with the university, which has shown a keen interest in conducting a research. Soon, a joint research by the department and the university would begin,” said Dhorajia.

“This is the first time we have come across such a variety in India,” he said, adding they would now conduct research into all aspects of the tree like the size of the nuts, colour, the taste of water and oil content.

He said if the tests give a positive result, the department and the university would take initiative to promote the new variety among the local cultivators.

Selar and the scientists are, however, both puzzled as to how a regular seedling developed into a rare variety. “I don't know how this happened. I have been trying to grow more trees of the same variety,” said Selar.

“It's very difficult to say how a rare variety evolved from a regular seedling. We hope to learn the transition during research,” said Dhorajia.

Selar further said his 20-bigha farm has over 100 coconut trees, but these four are special.

Coconut is grown along the 1,600 km long Saurashtra coastline and covers districts like Porbandar, Junagadh, Jamnagar, Bhavnagar and Amreli.

In 2007-2008, coconut cultivation in Saurashtra covered over 560 hectares and the total production was around 42 lakh nuts.