Fujitsu Scholarship

" Global Leaders for Innovation and Knowledge"

Fujitsu Ltd Japan is prestigious IT Giant in the world and has been  contributing to fast growing IT industry in significant number of ways. Apart from IT, the Fujitsu Ltd also has contributed to the other sectors of lively hood to make the living on earth better. 

As part of Corporate Social Responsibilities the company provides the fully funding sponsorship to eligible applicant from Asia Specific region. The sponsor ship is provided to participate in course "Global Leaders for Innovation and Knowledge" The course is jointly conducted by Fujitsu Ltd Japan and Japan America Institute of Management science Hawaii USA. 

The applicant once selected would be able to complete the modules of the course/ Program in the following countries.

1. Japan (6 Weeks)
2. USA , Hawaii (6 Weeks)
3. Singapore (1 Week)
4. Thailand (1 Week)

and back to Japan for last week to complete last session of the program.

The course is conducted twice in year i.e Spring (Feb to June) and Fall (Aug to Dec)

what is covered under sponsorship: Tuition fees, air fares, stipend to cover living expenses.

The details of the program, eligibility
The following links will help to understand more about it

http://www.fujitsu.com/global/about/csr/activities/community/scholarship/

Spirulina Farming: High revenue from low investment 

IN THE context of rising input costs and low returns in agriculture, spirulina ( Arthro spira platensis), also called as blue green algae seems to promise farmers good income than other regular crops with very little investment.

Spirulina is a nutritious protein food supplement and is also used in the manufacture of several medicines, and cosmetics. Its cultivation on a commercial scale is slowly catching up with many farmers in India, particularly in Tamil Nadu. With an unseasonal monsoon and problems in marketing many farmers have taken up spirulina cultivation as they have an assured market and a regular income,

As a supplement, spirulina offers remarkable benefits for undernourished people, especially children, with a long historical record of safe use. Taking just one to three grams per day, its rich beta-carotene can overcome eye problems caused by Vitamin A deficiency. Its digestible and very high 65% protein, B-vitamin complex, iron and trace minerals, improves a deficient diet and children’s physical and cognitive development. It is the only food source, except mother’s milk, with substantial GLA, an essential fatty acid that helps regulate the hormone system. There is a growing body of research with undernourished people showing how spirulina restores beneficial intestinal flora and strengthens the immune system.

"Spirulina grows well in regions having temperature between 25 and 35 degrees Celsius. Though it can be grown in cement or plastic tanks of any convenient size, it is preferable if the tank size s about 10 x 5x 1.5 feet.About 1000 lts of water must be filled in the tank to a height of about one to two feet . About 1 kg of spirulina mother culture should be released into the tank along with 8g of sodium bi carbonate, 5g of sodium chloride,0.2 g of urea, 0.5 g of potassium sulphate, 0.16 g of magnesium sulphate, 0.052 ml of phosphoric acid and 0.05ml of ferrous sulphate (all measurements for one litre of water). The water should be agitated every day for a week using a long stick for half an hour.

After 10 days spirulina is ready for harvest. The algae can be harvested using small plastic buckets and poured into a mounted filter, which drains the excess water. The drained spirulina is then wrapped in clean muslin cloth and pressed under a weight of 50 kg to further drain the moisture. It is then put in small machines (used in noodle manufacturing) and squeezed in the form of noodles on a dry, clean cloth under the sun. It is then allowed to dry for 2-3 hours after which it is ground in a machine (similar to a flour machine) and the powder is sent to the lab for testing. It is then packed in small airtight plastic covers, and is ready for consumption. About 2gm of spirulina powder can be mixed in cold water, juice or ice cream and consumed.

 Source of Spirulina mother culture:

IGreen Firm

No. 450/5, West Pallava Nagar, Arasur,

Coimbatore - 641407, Tamil Nadu, India

Contact :  9842286368

Venture Capital: A helping hand to Farming community from SFAC, Govt. of India

Venture Capital:

Venture capital is a type of funding for a new or growing business. It usually comes from venture capital firms that specialize in building high risk financial portfolios. With venture capital, the venture capital firm gives funding to the start up company in exchange for equity in the start up. Venture capital (VC) is a type of private equity, a form of financing that is provided by firms or funds to small, early-stage, emerging firms that are deemed to have high growth potential, or which have demonstrated high growth (in terms of number of employees, annual revenue, or both). Venture capital firms or funds invest in these early-stage companies in exchange for equity–an ownership stake–in the companies they invest in. Venture capitalists take on the risk of financing risky start-ups in the hopes that some of the firms they support will become successful. The start-ups are usually based on an innovative technology or business model and they are usually from the high technology industries, such as information technology (IT), social media or biotechnology and Agriculture.

Obtaining venture capital is substantially different from raising debt or a loan. Lenders have a legal right to interest on a loan and repayment of the capital irrespective of the success or failure of a business. Venture capital is invested in exchange for an equity stake in the business. The return of the venture capitalist as a shareholder depends on the growth and profitability of the business. This return is generally earned when the venture capitalist "exits" by selling its shareholdings when the business is sold to another owner.

Venture capitalists are typically very selective in deciding what to invest in; as a result, firms are looking for the extremely rare yet sought-after qualities such as innovative technology, potential for rapid growth, a well-developed business model, and an impressive management team. Of these qualities, funds are most interested in ventures with exceptionally high growth potential, as only such opportunities are likely capable of providing financial returns and a successful exit within the required time frame (typically 3–7 years) those venture capitalists expect.

There are many Private and public financial institutions exist to provide the venture capital to the different business segments however Govt. of India through SFAC has begun to provide the VC for the small to large size agro sector projects since Indian economy is agro based.

What is SFAC?

Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) is an Autonomous Society promoted by Ministry of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India. It was registered under Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 on 18th January, 1994 The Society is also registered as Non-Banking Financial Institution by Reserve Bank of India.

The Society is governed by Board of Management which is chaired, ex-officio, by Hon’ble Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare as the President and the Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, is the ex-officio Vice-President.

SFAC is implementing the central schemes of Government of India namely VCA, EGCGS for economic inclusion of small and marginal farmers in agribusiness activities.

Society is pioneer in organising small and marginal farmers as Farmers Interest Groups, Farmers Producers Organisation and Farmers Producers Company for endowing them with bargaining power and economies of scale. It provides a platform for increased accessibility and cheaper availability of agricultural inputs to small and marginal farmers and in establishing forward and backward linkages in supply chain management. This initiative has triggered mobilization of farmers for aggregation across the country with ultimate aim of sustainable business model and augmented incomes.

Recently the Society has been entrusted with the task of implementation of the critically important Delhi Kisan Mandi and National Agriculture Market Scheme on e-platform to progressively free agricultural trade and offer price discovery to farmers.

SFAC has been set to Promote  Agri-Business by encouraging institutional and private sector investments and linkages to ensure the empowerment of all farmers in the country and to link small farmers to technology as well as to the markets in association with private, corporate or cooperative sector and if necessary, by providing backward and forward linkages

The Schematic Pattern of Assistance from SFAC, out of GoI grants-in-aid for promotion of value addition in the hands of farmers, through setting up part-processing, semi-processing and full-processing facilities through the setting up of AgriBusiness ventures all over the country mostly in collaboration with the private sector and active cooperation of commercial banks

SFAC provides to agribusiness projects involving value addition in the hands of farmers. Most of these projects involve agri-partner and post harvest management, marketing etc.

SFAC is endowed with the task of implementation of National Agriculture Market by setting up of an appropriate common e-market platform through private partnership that would be deployable in selected regulated wholesale markets in State/wholesale markets in States/Union Territories (UT) desirous of joining the e-platform.

SFAC has been identified as central procurement agency by GoI for price stabilization of onion and pulses under Price Stabilization Fund.

Objectives

• To facilitate setting up of agribusiness ventures in close association with all Notified Financial Institutions notified by the Reserve Bank of India where the ownership of the Central/State Government is more than 50% such as Nationalized banks, SBI & its subsidiaries, IDBI, SIDBI, NABARD, NCDC, NEDFi, Exim Bank, RRBs & State Financial Corporations.

Which projects can qualify?

(i)                 Project should be in agriculture or allied sector or related to agricultural services. Poultry and dairy projects will also be covered under the Scheme.

(ii)               Project should provide assured market to farmers/producer groups.

(iii)             Project should encourage farmers to diversify into high value crops, to increase farm incomes.

(iv)             Project should be accepted by Notified Financial Institution for grant of term loan

Pattern of Assistance

The quantum of SFAC Venture Capital Assistance will depend on the project cost and will be the lowest of the following.

1.      26 % of the promoters share or 50 Lakhs (Whichever is the lowest value)

2.      40% of the promoters share or 50 Lakhs (Whichever is the lowest value) for Northern East states. 

Eligible Persons

Assistance under the Scheme will be available to Individuals; Farmers; Producer Groups; Partnership/Proprietary Firms; Self Help Groups; Companies; Agripreneurs; units in agriexport zones, and Agriculture graduates Individually or in groups for setting up agribusiness projects. For professional management and accountability the groups have to preferably form into companies or producer companies under the relevant Act.

How it works?

SFAC has empanelled many consultants across the country who can be contacted by the farmers, agro companies to seek the help for the application to SFAC for venture capital assistant. SFAC Consultants are paid for this work by SFAC itself. The list of the SFAC consultant can be found through link given at end of the article. Before making an application to SFAC the applicant must have got sanctioned the term loan from the one of the notify bank if SFAC with which The SFAC has made the MOU. (Memorandum  of Understanding) The list of such banks is also provided through link at end↓↓↓↓

Flow Chart of the procedure  

Promoter’s application to the Bank for term loan for the project

Obtain the term loan sanction letter from bank

Approach to the nearest SFAC Consultant with proposal

SFAC Consultant will communicate to SAFC to obtain the permission for assistant

SFAC gives permission to their Consultant

SFAC consultant will prepare Detailed Project report and other documentation part behalf promoters

SFAC Consultant will submit the proposal to SFAC

SFAC will Access the project based on the information furnished in the application form

SFAC if project found eligible would provide the sanction of VC to the project

SFAC will have MOU with Promoter and Bank Separately (Formats available on link below)

After the documentation part, SFAC will release the VC funds to the Bank directly from

where the term loan is availed by the promoter

The VC funds will be deposited in separate account along with loan account in the bank

The Bank will act as the trustee and will release the funds as per the requirement or as per the stage of project development

The VC funds are interest free and must be paid back to SFAC after the repayment of the term loan 

Soil............save it........

                                                     Soil degradation

Soil has been given a place of mother in many cultures of the world. As a mother plays an important role in taking care of her child, a similar role is played by soil[H1] . Soil provides  greater support to big buildings, houses, industries.  It also acts as a  layer for road construction, which is one of the  mean for  transportation. It is therefore[H2]  very hard to imagine about food production without quality soil. Accordingly to the Natural resources conservation service USA soil is defined as  – “The unconsolidated mineral or organic material on the immediate surface of the Earth that serves as a natural medium for the growth of land plants”. For the last few centuries, the world population has been  rapidly increasing. Consequently, the demand for food is also gradually increasing. Soil has been affected by number of reasons including urbanization, natural processes, human activities, and many more. Degradation of the soil is its displacement from one place to another. This kind of movement is forced by natural calamities, improper cropping as well as ad hoc land management  practices.. There are different natural calamities such as high velocity wind, high intensity rain, topography and where[H3]  are also human activities such as  intensive use of fertilizer, over irrigation, cutting vegetation, non adoption of soil conservation methods, overgrazing and shifting cultivation become  responsible for such kind of movement of soil causing degradation.

Soil Degradation

“Soil degradation is on the increase worldwide, especially in the countries within the tropics. Mismanagement of arable areas by farmers and grazing areas by livestock owners is one of the major causes of soil degradation” (FAO 1999[H4] ). Sustainable management system is needed to be introduced in such areas to manage the loss of soil effectively.   

[H5]     

   ( Images source- Google)

Table no. 1

Estimated Excessive World Soil Erosion Loss

Country	Total cropland (million ha)	Excessive soil loss     (million mg)
United states	167	1,524
Soviet Union	251	2,268
India	140	4,716
China	99	3,628
Other	607	11,201
Total	1265	23,337

    (Table taken from Textbook, The nature and properties of soil, by Nyle C. Brady p-433, Source- Brown and wolf (1984))

 There are  different reasons of soil degradation which are presented and explained  as follows.

Soil Leaching

As per[H6]  the dictionary meaning of leaching, it is the process of  removal of soluble constituents because of the action of the force of percolating liquid (thefreedictionary.com). The high amount of rainfall, temperature are having direct proportionality with loss of top soil material. These materials often are valuable elements. The displacement of top material results into the compact and dry surface of top soil. Water pollution is an another issue caused by leaching process, as the fertilizers are leached from drain soil and contaminate water in ponds, lakes and rivers. In tropics because of deforestation the soil is losing its fertility. Even though the leaching of nutrients form soil occurs naturally, for example because of high rainfall and temperature, human activities like deforestation, excessive use of fertilizers, improper land management, irrigation management, improper cultural operations are also became causes of the same. Natural soil erosion occurs due to high wind velocity, water and human activities as already mentioned. It is very much important to understand the causes of erosion before considering its management.

Steep lands

          

Accordingly to the Land and plant nutrients management system, FAO “ in the context of agricultural problem soils, Steepland are areas where a high slope inclination dominates the problems related to agricultural land use”. The soils of Steepland are generally found shallow[H7]  because of the active erosion and slope % is ≥ 12[H8] . As per[H9]  the classification of world reference base, the soils of Steepland can be categorized in to the following soil groups: Andosols, Arenosols, Calcisols, Leptosols, Regosols and Cambisols.

Surface, Channel, and mass erosion are the different types of steepland erosion. The relative interactions between climate, soil topography and vegetation determine the extent of steepland erosion and any changes of these compositions may result in the variation of steepland erosion.

Surface  erosion

Sheet erosion and rill erosion are two kinds of surface erosion where top soil materials are removed by the raindrop, rain film and then they saturate in the form of sheet and rill. We may find that surface erosion is minimal in undisturbed forest because of infiltration rates exceeds rainfall. Lack of permanent channel is the characteristic of surface erosion. Out of other known methods of predicting surface erosion, the famous one is that universal soil loss equation which is developed by department of agriculture, United States for agricultural lands. Attempt to apply it to steepland forest area s[H10]  generally have been unsuccessful- mainly because of the invalid basis assumption that most erosion from forest soils results from sheet overland flow (Robert and Ziember1986,p-9[H11] ). Many attempts including contour terracing and mulching, grass seeding are being developed to control the surface erosion. To reduce the impact of raindrop and energy of surface sheet to establish the network of roots to hold the top soil materials (Soil particles), As it is  compared to other kinds of erosion, surface erosion has been given least importance.

Universal soil loss equation-

 A= RKLSP

                         Where,

                       R= Climatic erosivity,

                       K= Soil erodibility

                       L= slope length

                       S= slope gradient or steepness

                       C= cover and management

                       P= erosion control practice.

[H12]                                      

(Source- Textbook- Soil condition and properties, Nyle C. Brady p-437 )[H13]      

Channel erosion

Displacement of material from gully or channel is nothing but [H14] the Channel erosion. This displacement would be of any single particle or whole sediment derived. The size of material being moved in transportation is directly vitiated with the extent or amount of channel. Channel erosion can be effectively managed by keeping the erodible materials in existing channel, by placing large organic debris into small perennial channels, by improving micro drainage network, increasing surface runoff from bare and compacted soils.[H15]  On steepland, the formation of gully is considered as a crucial process where the slope angle is critical and soil properties and surface runoff have a direct impact with the slope angle. Extent of runoff, footpath and soil drill have a positive impact on gully/ channel erosion. 

                                                       

Mass erosion

Mass erosion relates to the movement of  enormous [H16] of soil or rock. In steep lands mass erosion includes a large variety of process that range from slow and subtle deformation of the soil mantel[H17]  to rapid, discrete failure of hillside and stream channels(Robert R. Ziemer[H18]  1886, p-11). It is critically responsible for the movement of the soil particles from hill slopes to stream channels in undistributed forests. Land management activities of course![H19]  dramatically increases the probability of mass erosion.

                “Creep” is the most common and downslope movement of mantel in steep lands but unfortunately less documented.  It occurs in cohesive soils at varying rates and depth.

As stated earlier[H20]  it is important to understand ‘how’ and ‘where’ land management programme should be operated. In addition to this,  proper planning is also an another requirement to achieve the desired results. Well planned work on the selected site will decide the success on eleventh hour. Technical knowledge in turn has a significant role to play in all of these respects before implementing the erosion management programme.   

In most part of the world like in Asia, China, America, Africa, steep lands are economically helpful to grow the crops and contribute in food production, but the soil erosion and surface runoff are the real constraints  to exploit the natural advantages of the steep land. According to  Purnell (1986), 45% of the hillside are being cultivated in Nepal, and in Ethopia, 54% land area is having slope exceeding 8%, (Source R.lal,p-338 1990)

( Table no. 2) [H21] 

% of land area by slope class
Slope %	Africa	Southwest Asia	South America	Central America	Southeast Asia	Total area 106 ha	%
0-8	58	45	52	35	40	3340	51
8-30	34	31	30	40	31	2107	33
More than 30	8	24	18	25	29	1048	16

(Source- R. Lal, 1990 p-339)

Principles of Erosion control.

Major principle of the erosion control is to avoid the loss of soil during heavy rainfall by covering it with protective layers. Different agricultural practices including sod culture and mulching with the help of plastics helps to prevent the soil loss. In contrary to this, the disposal of excess of water and sediment deposition comes under engineering techniques. “The strategy for minimizing soil erosion risks on steeplands, lies in erosion  prevention or management”(R.Lal[H22] , 1990 p-341). Under erosion prevention method, surface runoff is reduced while improving the structure of soil where as under Erosion management, the importance is given to decrease the runoff velocity with the transport of sediment with[H23]  special devices. Crop and soil surface management are the key elements of erosion prevention methods where the agroforestry, cropping systems and crop husbandry comes under the crop management and tillage, residue management and soil structure improvement comes under the surface erosion management.

On the other hand, safe water disposal and surplus storage of water are the key elements of erosion management. Disposal of water is done through terraces, drop structure, and gabiens, and reservoirs, tanks and dams are used to store the water[H24] .

Agrobioforestry: Active role in Steepland management.

Agroforestry is the kind of agricultural system where agricultural crops are grown with other trees and animal rearing on fixed unit of land. Agroforestry plays an important role in maintaining the ecological efficiency with proper and adequate cycle of nutrient flow. Agroforestry is the best option to utilize the Steepland where fruit trees like Mango, ber,

Citrus can be grown economically with the trees  Acacia catechu, Dalbergia sissoo, Anacardium occidentale (Cashew), Bombax ceiba, Santalum album, Acacia nilotica, Schima wallichii, Michelia doltsopa, Pterocarpus dalbergioides,Albizia lebbek,etc. The main aim behind adopting the Agroforestry is to maintain and sustain the yield with effective erosion control.

“Agroforestry systems have also been successfully used in restoring eroded lands in Rwanda. At Nyabisindu, a complex system combining trees, animals and crops was developed (Dover and Talbot, 1987; Laizer et al.,1987)”. [H25] the above mentioned plantation of trees, help to establish the erosion control strip and overall plantation contribute in higher yield.

Agroforestry has been becoming a useful technique or practice in reducing the soil erosion. “Usefulness of Agroforestry systems in erosion control and in stabilizing steeplands has demonstrated in Java(Wiersum,1981;1984) Phillippines (Pacardo and Monecillo,1983) Kenya (Raintress and Torres, 1986) Sumtra ( Sukmana et al.,1985) and Naigeria (Lal, 1989)

Table No.[H26]  3

Run off control by alley cropping soon after pruning and planting (April May, 1986) IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria.      

Treatment	Runoff	Relative runoff
Plowed control	99.5	100
No ill	10.3	10
Leucaena (4m)	26.6	27
Leucaena (2m)	9.0	9
Gliricidia (4m)	30.5	31
Gliricidia (2m)	27.8	28

(Source- R.Lal, 1990)

In brief, in Agroforestry, planting of closely spaced timbers and hedges create the barriers and reduce the runoff velocity. Closely spacing of trees allows more water to infiltrate, and as a result of this the surface runoff is decreased. Mulching with leaves and  plastic helps to reduce the shit erosion. Since the soil is an important parameter in ecology, it has become important to  look after soil erosion issue. There is again a good scope  for erosion control technique in future.

Soil degradation can be prevened by soil water conservation methods such as formation of terraces, contour, graded bunds.etc. Along with this aforestration and water conservation methods also helps to reduce the soil erosion .Plantation of wind breaks cropping patterns, perennial plantations also stop soil erosion.     

References-

1)Ziemer, Robert R. 1981. Keynote address, Theme 4, Management of  steepland erosion: an overview. Journal Hydrology (N.Z.) 20(1): 8-16.

2) Agroforestry systems to control erosion on arable tropical steeplands.

     R. Lal publication year 1990. (Page no-?)

3) Textbook, The nature and properties of soil Nyle C. Brady

    Web sources.

http://www.unescap.org/stat/envstat/stwes-04.pdf (prepared by Dominic Ballayan, FAO)

http://www.fao.org/ag/agl/agll/prosoil/steep.htm

http://soils.usda.gov/education/facts/soil.html

                             

       

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