Millions of floriculturists in Tamil Nadu are now increasingly looking at newer markets to export their produce, thanks to the National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP)?a joint project by Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) and World Bank.
The $250-million project, majority of which is funded by the World Bank ($200 million) has managed to provide cost-effective innovative solutions to farmers, especially in the areas of floriculture and health food (millet jowar and bajra) to help cater to foreign markets.
The project, which took off in 2006, has applied for patents in 31 technologies?of which six patents has already been granted.
?In three and half years, we have worked on enhancing value chain and reduce post harvest losses. We are combining and validating present technology and have fast-tracked upstream research works.? said S Ayyappan, director general, ICAR on Monday.
We are taking technology relevant to districts or using area-specific technology to provide innovative help to farmers, he added.
Enhanced packaging technology for Jasmine flower growers from
Tamil Nadu and usage of banana fibre for making fabrics are among the various highlights of the project, he added.
The new technology has enhanced shelf life of flowers and has successfully enabled growers in Tamil Nadu to export to gulf, European and American markets.
Fabrics from banana fibre has created employment opportunities in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh and several units are coming up in these states to make fabrics from Banana fibre.? Our value-added products such as multi roti grains and bajra lassi has been a huge success.?Ayappan added.
The project is also working on increasing income and nutritional supplements in tribal areas. The underutilised trees/fruits are exploited to add extra income to rural areas.