Daily Archives: November 21, 2014

Farmers find a good alternative in Kasturi Benda

Agriculture

The cultivation of Kasturi Benda (Abelmoschus moschatus) medicinal plant is steadily gaining popularity among farmers, particularly those who are vexed with the monkey menace and ‘unviable conventional farming’.

Several enterprising farmers have been cultivating the medicinal herb in Kallur, Enkur and a few other mandals in the district over the last few years. Their commercially successful farming venture prompted other farmers to take up the cultivation of Kasturi Benda, the seed of which is used in the preparation of some traditional medicine and in the perfume industry.

N. Rama Krishna, a farmer of Botlakunta village in Konijerla mandal, switched over to Kasturi Benda cultivation in June this year, after suffering a series of losses in cotton cultivation due to drought-like conditions and the monkey menace.

“After my bitter experience with cotton and maize cultivation in the past, I cultivated Kasturi Benda in two acres under the guidance of a veteran farmer of Kallur mandal,” said Rama Krishna.

“Now, monkeys don’t venture into my field as they dislike eating this particular variety of medicinal herb,” he remarked, adding that he is expecting an average yield of 300 to 400 kg per acre.

I am also hopeful of an assured income of at least Rs. 80,000 to Rs. 1 lakh in view of a buy back arrangement with a Karnataka-based firm, he said.

“The Kasturi Benda seed is used in the preparation of traditional medicine for treating nervous disorders, including hysteria,” said J. Marianna, Horticultural Officer, Khammam.

The flowers, roots, leaves, stem and bark of the medicinal herb are also in high demand, he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Telangana / by P. Sridhar / Khammam – November 19th, 2014

Treat for Rosarians

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, World Opinion

Hyderabad :

Rose lovers have another reason to celebrate as the The Indian Rose Federation and Hyderabad Rose Society together are organising 3rd World Federation of Rose Societies Regional Convention in the city. During the event, around 800 varieties of roses will be displayed. The purpose of the convention is to inform people about the wide varieties of roses available in the country, informs Ahmed Alam Khan, President of Indian Rose Federation. “This is the first time such convention will be held in India,” he adds.

Rosarians from around the country will be presenting the flowers they grow in their convention. “A competition will be held where they will be judged on the quality of their flowers. Apart from the competition, technical sessions will be held at the convention where they will be informed about how to good quality roses, increase their shelf life, etc,” he says. Ikebana, Japanese pattern of arranging flowers will also be taught during the convention.

The theme of the convention is ‘New Light on the Old World of Roses’. “Around 98 per cent of roses exported in the world is by Israel. But India also has the potential to have good market in exporting roses. Through this convention, we aim to encourage the rosarians to develop good quality of roses. People from the city are encouraged to visit the show to gain more knowledge about roses at the event.

The event will be held from November 29 to December 2 at HICC between 11 am to 5 pm.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express Features / November 14th, 2014

DLRL’s 53rd Annual Day Celebrated

Science & Technology

Hyderabad :

The city-based Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL) on Wednesday commemorated its 53rd annual day on Wednesday. The state-of-the-art labs deliver with electronics warfare (EW) systems to the armed forces.

SP Dash, scientist and director, DLRL, recalled the achievements of the laboratory in delivering the state-of-the-art EW systems to the armed forces, and congratulated the employees for their contribution.

Jitender, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic), who was the chief guest, said that everybody should have passion to achieve the desired goals so that the country will march ahead.

The director presented mementos to employees who completed 20 years of service and also gave away DRDO Laboratory Awards-2014 to individuals and team members who excelled in their technical contributions. Meritorious sportspersons, who brought laurels to the laboratory, were honoured on the occasion.

The event was marked with cultural performances by the employees and their families. Girls from Vaidehi Ashram, Saidabad, performed a dance recital.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Express News Service / November 20th, 2014

Palair has all the makings of a hub

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature
A fisherman throwing a net in pursuit of fishing near Palair in Khammam District. Photo: G.N. Rao / The Hindu
A fisherman throwing a net in pursuit of fishing near Palair in Khammam District. Photo: G.N. Rao / The Hindu

Telangana government plans to make it a centre of cage fish culture. There are around 14,000 members enrolled in as many as 184 fishermen cooperative societies in the district.

The Palair balancing reservoir, a major hub of freshwater fish and prawn culture in Kusumanchi mandal, is likely to turn into a centre of cage fish culture if the plans of the Telangana government to give a major thrust to fish culture in the new State are any indication.

Thanks to its abundant water resources, the district earned a niche for itself in fish and prawn production in the entire region.

According to sources, the fish production and fresh water prawn production in the district is estimated to be over 16,000 MT and 500 MT respectively.

There are around 14,000 members enrolled in as many as 184 fishermen cooperative societies in the district.

Apart from feeding the ayacut under the Nagarjunasagar left canal system, the Palair balancing reservoir is also catering to drinking water needs of Khammam town.

The reservoir is also serving as a sole source of livelihood for over 1,000 fishermen of Kusumanchi and its adjoining mandals.

A total of 15 members of the Palair based fishermen societies have been selected for an exposure visit to Jharkhand to study the cage fish culture.

The Fisheries Department has selected them for the tour to familiarise them with the cage fish culture method being followed by the local fishermen at Chandil reservoir in Jharkhand.

Minister for Fisheries Pocharam Srinivas Reddy and Minister for Finance E Rajender have recently visited the Chandil reservoir to study the feasibility of promoting the cage fish culture in Telangana.

A 15-member team of fishermen headed by a Fisheries Development Officer will tour Jharkhand for three-days from November 21 as part of an exposure visit to explore the possibilities of adopting the cage fish culture in the district, said V Srinivas, Assistant Director, Fisheries, Khammam.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Telangana / by P. Sridhar / Khammam – November 20th, 2014