Monthly Archives: July 2018

A dependable ally of farmers, fishermen

Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Nature, Science & Technology
Reliance Foundation is bringing all the stakeholders of primary sector on one platform by using technology. | Photo Credit: SPECIALARRANGEMENT
Reliance Foundation is bringing all the stakeholders of primary sector on one platform by using technology. | Photo Credit: SPECIALARRANGEMENT

Reliance Foundation’s ICT initiative makes visible impact in East Godavari

Bridging the gaps among the stakeholders of the primary sector by making better use of the available Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is what the Reliance Foundation has been doing for the last six years.

From mere double digit, the number of its stakeholders has now touched the one million mark spreading in about 3,500 villages and hamlets. Launched as a pilot project in East Godavari district in 2012, the services of the foundation have now expanded to all the 13 districts of the State.

Weather updates

“We have been serving farmers and fisherfolk by making use of ICT. From providing weather updates and the satellite data pertaining to the potential fishing zones in the Bay of Bengal to arranging interactive sessions with scientists and subject experts in the video conferencing mode are the free services we are providing to the end users now,” says Chittibabu Nagulapalli, senior manager at the foundation.

Be it choosing the right time for plantation and harvest to the advice on the quantity of fertilizer and pesticide to be used, farmers are depending on the foundation’s call centre without any hesitation. Nearly 20% of the beneficiaries are from East Godavari district.

Video interaction

“Video interaction with the veterinary doctors is best among the services being provided by the foundation. Otherwise, it would be very difficult for us to cart the ailing cattle to the doctor and wait for our turn in the queue by postponing the day’s work,” explains Jalligampala Rambabu, who runs a mini-dairy at Kapavaram.

For fishermen, advance information about the potential zones is the major advantage. “It saves time and fuel as well. At the end of the day, we are able to get significant returns from fishing,” says Dooda Masenu, motorboat owner from Uppada. Information collected from the INCOIS is being disseminated to the stakeholders on their mobile phones. “We can also take the help of the call centre during the sudden climate change when we are in the sea,” he points out.

“All we are doing is to ensure coordination among the departments concerned and making better use of the available technology. Officials and scientists too are evincing interest in taking part in the virtual interactive sessions. We are playing the role of the facilitator,” explains Mr. Chitti Babu.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by K N Murali Sankar / Kakinada – July 03rd, 2018

Balayya opens cancer clinic

Business & Economy, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Leaders, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion
N. Balakrishna with Speaker K. Siva Prasada Rao at the inauguration of BIACH’s clinic on Sunday. | Photo Credit: CH_VIJAYA BHASKAR
N. Balakrishna with Speaker K. Siva Prasada Rao at the inauguration of BIACH’s clinic on Sunday. | Photo Credit: CH_VIJAYA BHASKAR

‘Hospital will come up in Amaravati in three phases’

Hindupur MLA and Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute (BIACH & RI) Chairman Nandamuri Balakrishna inaugurated the hospital’s information centre and clinic at Governorpet here on Sunday.

Mr. Balakrishna said that the institute would construct a cancer hospital at Amaravati in three phases. The State government has allotted 15 acres land at Amaravati for the hospital, which is being run on no-profit, no-loss basis. The hospital was offering concessions and free medical care depending upon the financial capabilities of the patients. The institute, doctors and staff work with a motto that the patients should be treated as guests, and instil confidence among them, he said.

According to a rough estimate, of the 10 lakh people diagnosed with cancer every year in India, 7 lakh people die. People tend lose hope as soon as they come to know about their condition. The patients would have to fight for their right to live.

‘Treatment within the reach of the poor’

A wrong impression had gained ground that the poor cannot afford cancer treatment as it was a costly affair. Many philanthropists were supporting the institute in providing medical care to the needy patients. Recently, the Telangana government also waived off the fee collected by GHMC from the institute, he added.

AP Assembly Speaker and former chairman of the institute Kodela Siva Prasada Rao said the hospital set up 18 years ago, has become one of the biggest institutes. The cancer hospital would come up at Amaravati in the next two years, he said.

Water Resources Minister Devineni Umamaheswara Rao, Vijayawada MP Kesineni Srinivas (Nani), Vijayawada (Central) MLA Bonda Umamaheswara Rao, BIACH & RI Board Trustee J.S.R. Prasad, Medical Director Subrahmanyeswara Rao, and CEO Prabhakar Rao spoke.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Vijayawada – July 02nd, 2018

Jasmine, A.P.’s official flower, spreads its fragrance far away

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, World Opinion
The point where jasmine is traded at Chandragudem of Mylavaram mandal in Krishna district. | Photo Credit: BYARRANGEMENT
The point where jasmine is traded at Chandragudem of Mylavaram mandal in Krishna district. | Photo Credit: BYARRANGEMENT

It’s big business with turnover touching IRs. 20 crore every year in Mylavaram mandal of Krishna district

The delicate and elegant flower of blissful fragrance from the tiny mandal of Mylavaram in Krishna district is spreading its scent in faraway places.

Jasmine (jasminum sambac or Bondu Malle in Telugu), and Andhra Pradesh State’s official flower, has become the centre-piece of the agri-economy bouquet of this small mandal as its exports are blooming.

Consider this. According to estimates, the jasmine business exceeds a whopping ₹20 crore during the season – January to September. “Jasmines contribute a significant share in the agriculture economy in Mylavaram mandal, where over 1,000 farmers are directly engaged in its cultivation. Annual turnover has crossed ₹20 crore, given the extent of land under cultivation,” Suresh Vesam told The Hindu.

Mr. Vesam is Director of Nestham, an NGO working on jasmine cultivation and marketing facilities in rural Krishna district.

According to estimates, over 200 acres in the mandal are under its cultivation.

Blooming grace

Realizing the huge demand for this small and graceful flower of fragrance, local farmers have been growing jasmines in big land parcels – up to four to five acres – basketing large quantities in key villages such as Pulluru, Chandragudem and Kothagudem.

On the land, “A majority of the farmers are going for the drip irrigation method which results in a bumper yield. Mylavaram farmers have learnt the technique from Tamil Nadu farmers by adopting best farming techniques,” Horticulture Department Assistant Director N. Sujatha told The Hindu.

“We want our farmers to take every opportunity that is available in the market. We are now witnessing that many traders in Hyderabad would wait for the arrival of jasmines from Mylavaram,” added Ms. Sujatha. Hyderabad is the prime market destination of the Mylavaram farmers, who transport their produce daily by road.

Going places

Looking beyond neighbouring Hyderabad,

“Plans are afoot to export jasmines directly to Singapore from next year through farmers producers’ associations from the Mylavaram area.

“Being Andhra Pradesh State’s official flower will help to tap marketing prospects in other states and abroad,” said Mr. Suersh Vesam.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by T. Appala Naidu / Machilipatnam – July 02nd, 2018