Community Empowerment by Dr. SBM Prasanna, Dr. K Puttaraju, Dr.MS Mahadevaswamy (books under 200 pages TXT) 📕

and involvement of high rate of risk. This crop having low investment of capital, but its high yield in non irrigated and arid land and it is a better crop among the commercial crops. But the government policies have made the farmers to reduce the cultivation of tobacco and also health hazards, ban of tobacco selling and consumption in public places, deforestration, environmental destruction have made the cultivators to switch over to the alternative crops from tobacco.

Comparison of profitability of tobacco and other crops

CTRI at Rajamundry (Andhra Pradesh), A Government of India Institution, has conducted applied research on scientific cultivation of tobacco in India. CTRI has carried out studies using various combinations of monocropping and intercropping patterns on different soil types. The studies have been carried out at the four regional centers of CTRI (Rajamundry, Anand, Shimoga and Pusa) with support from seven subcentres (Berhampur, Gurusahayaganj, Guntur, Dinhata, Nipani, Nandyal and Hunsur). The sample studies indicate that there are alternative crops to tobacco and that they are economically viable. Farmers in black soils of Andhra Pradesh, traditional soils of Gujarat and bidi areas of Karnataka have successfully replaced tobacco with alternative crops. The economic feasibility of these crops is also revealed in some CTRI studies presented on the basis of cost-benefit ratios (net returns).

Economics of production – tobacco and other alternate crops

Zone and type of tobacco

net income from tobacco (Rs./ha)

Net income from alternative crops (Rs./ha)

Northern light soils (NLS) (FCV)

27 668

Groundnut maize soybean

4 260

13 878

2 600

Northern black soils (NBS)

18 732

Rabi redgram

Bengalgram

9 850

9 195

Central black soils (CBS) (FCV)

19 799

Benglagram

Rabi Redgram

maize

10 200

10 010

8 010

Southern black soil (SBS) (FCV)

20 010

Blackgram

Sunflower

mustard

bengalgram

redgram

7 520

4 030

5 100

8 040

7 570

Southern light soils (SLS) (FCV)

15 030

Blackgram

sunflower

mustard

bengalgram

redgram

6 990

3 560

7 350

6 350

6 800

Karnataka light soils (KLS) (FCV)

18 010

Cotton

maze

9 100

5 350

Tamil Nadu (chewing)

35 108

Chilli

29 714

Bihar (chewing)

52 000

Potato

Garlic

35 200

12 400

West Bengal (chewing)

19 000

Amon paddy

Aus paddy

Mustard

Wheat

Jute

Maize

8 300

4 400

7 600

6 700

6 800

4 900

Gujarat (bidi)

51 423

Mustard

Groundnut

(summer) chillies

17 980

30 920

38 311

Uttar Pradesh (chewing and hookah)

22 000

Potato

Wheat

Bhendi

Sunflower

30 500

70 400

10 600

9 800

Source: Central Tobacco Research Institute (ICAR). Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India Rajahmundry (A.P.) – 533105

Similar studies on bidi tobacco in Karnataka indicate that sugar cane, in irrigated areas, and soybean and jowar, in unirrigated areas, can be alternatives for tobacco. For farmers growing tobacco on a large scale, the net return per rupee of investment in the cultivation of jowar was in fact higher than the return from tobacco. This indicated that farmers, especially those cultivating non-flue-cured Virginia tobacco, need not depend only on tobacco for economic returns and that there were equally remunerative alternative crops.

ICAR has suggested a judicious mix of alternative crops, as viable alternatives to tobacco crops, depending on variables that include the climatic conditions, soil type and availability of assured water supply. The broad suggestions are as follow:

For irrigated areas: sugar-cane, groundnut, oil palm, cotton, chilli, maize, onion, cucumber, blackgram, greengram, mustard, ragi, caster-groundnut, cotton-groundnut, pigeon pea-groundnut, paddy-mustard, potato, ginger-wheat, tomato lady’s finger, cabbage, caulifilower, garlic, tomato, brinjal (aubergine), pulses and turmeric.

For unirrigated areas: mustard, sorghum, greengram, coriander, Bengalgram, soybeat, redgram, safflower, groundnut, maize, bajra and caster.

Another area of study explored was the possible alternate use of the tobacco crop itself. Studies carried out by CTRI indicate the potential use of tobacco plants as a source of, among other things, protein, edible oil, nicotine sulphate, low-calorie sweetener and solanesol. And tobacco derivatives are being used in the pharmaceutical, oil, paint, soap and chemical industries. There are a number of industrial units engaged in extracting nicotine derivatives and nicotine products such as nicotine sulphate (used as an insecticide), nicotine hydrogen tartarate, nicotine bi-tartarate, nicotine salicylate and nicotine hydrochloride (used in tobacco-cessation products). The issue requires consideration, as there would be regions/soils, which may not be able to take up alternate crops and in which farmers may continue to grow tobacco. Should the global demand for tobacco products for consumption, as, for example, cigarettes or chewing tobacco, be reduced substantially (most unlikely in the short to medium term), the alternate use of tobacco crops, be reduced substantially (most unlikely in the short to medium term), the alternate use of tobacco crops could be explored. There is therefore a need for further empirical study on the techno-commercial and health viability of alternate uses of tobacco crops.

Tobacco farmers of AP and Karnataka say alternate cropping is not easy

Tobacco farmers in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, the tobacco producing states which account for about more than 80 per cent of the total tobacco production in india, say shifting to alternate cropping was not easy due to the soil conditions, which is more favorable to tobacco cultivation because it requires less water compared to other crops.

Moreover, returns from tobacco farming were high compared to that of other crops. “there is demand and a market for tobacco. About 80 per cent of the production is exported. We are open to moving to other crops if they are on a par with tobacco in terms of returns,” said A Gopalakrishna, a tobacco farmer from West Godavari district in AP. India is one of the signatories of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), a global public health treaty which came into force in February 2005, which provides specific steps for governments – including tax and price measures – to reduce tobacco consumption, ban advertising, put prominent health warnings on tobacco packages and combating illicit trade in tobacco products.

However, major tobacco growing countries like USA. Argentina and Switzerland have not ratified the FCTC. Others like Malawi, Indonesia and Zimbabwe have not signed the treaty. There is a view that countries like India which had ratified the FCTC would lose its market to non-signatories. “If we do not cater to the tobacco demand, other countries will take the opportunity. This would deal a blow to the large scale employment of labour even as there would be a loss of revenues to the government in the form of excise and duties,” said Shivanag, farmer from Karnataka.

In India, which is the second largest producer and exporter of tobacco in the world, tobacco is grown on 0.45 H ha, accounting for only 0.31 per cent for the net cultivated area in India. India accounts for about six per cent by volume and 0.7 per cent by value of the global tobacco trade. There are around 90,000 registered tobacco growers in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The total production is between 101 million kg to 105 million kg. Exports last year crossed $1 billion mark.

A field experiment conducted for three years during kharif season at the Zonal Agricultural Research Station Karnataka concluded that none of the alternative sole crops were comparable to FCV tobacco in terms of net returns. However, the study was optimistic that the cropping systems – hybrid cotton + chilli + groundnut and hybrid cotton + chilli + frenchbean – can be economically viable alternatives to FCV tobacco for farmers in Karnataka. Another study in Karnataka analyzed the nature and extent of crop diversification in the state by collecting secondary data for a period of 26 years from 1982-83 to 2007-08 and suggested that the creation of basic infrastructural facilities like sustained supply of irrigation water, markets, fertilizer availability, proper roads and transportation is an essential pre-requisite for crating enabling conditions for fostering the process of agricultural development and crop diversification, as most of these parameters greatly influence the nature and extent of crop diversification.

 

Combination of crops that have been found to be suitable in the different tobacco growing regions of the country and would be equally remunerative, viable alternatives to the tobacco crop

Types of tobacco and Zone

Alternative crops

Alternative cropping systems

Bidi/Chewing tobacco-Gujarat

Mustard, Groundnut, Chilli, Maize, Cotton and Castor

Cotton – Groundnut or Castor – Groundnut

Chewing and Hookah tobacco – Uttar Pradesh

Potato, Wheat, Okra, Sugarcane and Mustard

Maize – Potato

Chewing tobacco – Bihar

Potato, Garlic, Mustard, Maize and Wheat

Maize – Potato or Potato + Garlic

Chewing tobacco – West Bengal

Rice, Mustard, Potato, Wheat, Jute and Maize

Jute – Rice – Potato or Jute – Rice – Mustard

Chewing tobacco – Tamil Nadu

Sugarcane, Sunflower, Maize, Chilli, Moringa and Sorghum

Onion – Moringa or Chilli – Moringa

Bidi tobacco – Karnataka

Sugarcane, Chilli and Cotton

Groundnut – Soybean - Sugarcane

Conclusion

This board would provide technical assistance to farmers who are willing to switch from tobacco cultivation, and also provide information and assistance regarding high-yield-variety of seeds and fertilizers, and other related inputs. The suggested board may also help the government and agriculture-pricing committees in working out minimum support prices for alternate crops, in facilitating soft loans for the concerned farmers, in setting-pu auction platforms for these crops, in marketing of these alternate crops, and in other supportive activities. Awareness programs should be routinely held for the tobacco farmers on impacts of tobacco cultivation and tobacco consumption on human health, and on the available alternate, equally remunerative, crop options. Meanwhile, the research on alternative crops to tobacco or on the economic viability of these alternative crops should continue not only in the agricultural fields of research institutes or universities on an experimental basis, but also in situ in close collaboration with tobacco farmers.

This review attempts to raise awareness about the strategic significance of initiating programmes and projects on alternate cropping options to tobacco cultivation in order to facilitate the success of tobacco control in India. Development of new sustainable cropping alternatives to tobacco cultivation requires evidence-informed investment in specific supply chain processes beginning right at the farm level and extending through to the crop assembly, processing and distribution; and should be driven by close collaboration and optimal synergy among all the stakeholder government departments, with Ministry of Agriculture taking the lead.

 

AN ECOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT: A STUDY OF WATER CRISES

Mr. HarshaDhar .G* & Dr. R. Sambashivam**

*Ph.D Research Scholar, P.G Studies and Research in Economics, Sahyadri Arts College, Kuvempu University, Shivamogga.

**Associate Professor and Co-ordinator, P.G Studies and Research in Economics, Sahyadri Arts College, Kuvempu University, Shivamogga.

ABSTRACT

Water crisis has been argued to be one of the biggest increasing pandemics of the present world century. For the purpose of qualitative study our paper verifies the relationship between the consciousness of water scarcity and community empowerment. Here we have attempted to outcome of an ecological analysis of the role social communities in water management. It recognizes the fact and figures in the middle of increasing population and their connected behavior are placing a high demand on very scarce water resources. On the one side, the situation is caused so otherwise accelerated by poverty in the region. While on the other side; water when properly managed can constitute an instrument for socioeconomic recovery and poverty alleviation. Business as usual in water resource management has not the way to overcome these difficulties. As such community water resource requires a new management paradigm that considers water not only from a holistic, comprehensive and multi-disciplinary perspective, but that, which seeks to fully associate all the different stakeholders into every stages of the process. The study aimed at analyzing the significance and challenges of water scarcity related to community activities. Including the beyond possessions our study has framed the couple of objectives those are; analyze the significance causes for water crises in community empowerment and then evaluate the fundamental challenges of community empowerment in front of water crises. A few hypotheses are additionally set for this study; significantly water crisis avoids the hygienic, healthy activities of community empowerment and next water scarcity and difficulties is the biggest obstacle for the successful path of community empowerment. Finally our paper revises the various strategies, conditions and impacts related to an ecological position and several features of community empowerment associated with water crises as according find the vital solutions for that in the way of socioeconomic welfare.

Keywords: crisis, comprehensive, multi-disciplinary, hygienic, obstacle, socioeconomic.

INTRODUCTION:

Analyzing the position of water crises associated with community empowerment is a needed obsession in the present sensorial. As we are facing water risks, pollutions and water related difficulties organized social communities have to respond gently