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Imtech N.V.: Imtech and PlantLab: high-tech CSR nurseries for energy-saving and sustainable ‘footloose’ production of flowers, plants, vegetables and fruit

June 18, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Sustainable, high-tech, space-saving ‘footloose’ CSR nursery of the future

Den Bosch, Gouda – PlantLab (developer of innovative plant growing concepts) and Imtech
(technical services provider in Europe) are starting up a strategic joint operation to
enable the sustainable cultivation of flowers, plants, vegetables and fruit in high-tech
enclosed nurseries. This will lead to the creation of innovative CSR nurseries that will
allow efficient and sustainable ‘footloose’ (i.e. at any given location) production of
plants. This technology is the next generation of modern horticulture, and is carried
out on extremely small surfaces, allowing the efficient and cheap production of flowers,
plants, vegetables and fruit for the local market in an environmentally friendly way
(minimal CO2 production, none of the negative environmental effects of transportation).

The concept is based on an entirely new method for producing flowers, plants, vegetables
and fruit (Tuinbouw 3.0). In contrast to current production methods in greenhouses,
external (day) light is no longer necessary. In fact, the less interaction there is with
the weather outside, the better. It is also possible to grow plants in stacked tiers.
The light is controlled via high-tech, environmentally friendly LED lighting. Crucial
roles are also played by CO2 dosing, air treatment, heating, as well as ‘green’ IT
infrastructure and environmentally friendly automatic control. PlantLab is acting the
part of initiator and developer, whereas Imtech is responsible for the complete
sustainable technical implementation.

Future perspective
Within a few years, a new type of balanced high-tech CSR nursery could be created
throughout the world, where products are cultivated in completely conditioned stacked
tiers without daylight. These CSR nurseries are close to the consumers and offer many
advantages: a higher production level with a precisely predictable harvest time, and a
manageable product that offers more than the traditional equivalent when it comes to
appearance, flavour, quality and nutritional value. This sustainable and environmentally
effective method of cultivation is employed on a very limited area in places where it is
currently impossible due to climate conditions, water shortages or lack of space.
Moreover, no pesticide are used and only up to 10% of the water required for current
cultivation methods is necessary.

Three basic types
In concept studies, PlantLab and Imtech have jointly designed three basic types:

*
Modular R&D unit: a high-tech facility in special containers for research into balanced
cultivation in several tiers;

*
Plant production unit: a concept with which flowers, plants, vegetables and fruit can be
cultivated very efficiently and effectively inside a building. In this way, a building
with 14 cultivation tiers covering an area of only 100 by 100 metres, is sufficient to
provide a city the size of Den Bosch (140,000 inhabitants) with its daily requirement of
fresh products;

*
Fresh Garden Mall: a concept for CSR nurseries in inner cities, ‘local for local’, fresh
for immediate consumption, and sustainable. China and Japan are already carrying out
tentative experiments in this field.

Imtech is currently carrying out the engineering and realisation of the required
technical infrastructure for the first two basic types. There is worldwide interest in
these concepts.

Centre for Growing Concepts Opening
Gerda Verburg, outgoing Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, is today
opening the Centre for Growing Concepts in Den Bosch, where the University of Applied
Sciences HAS Den Bosch and PlantLab are carrying out technical cultivation research into
the further development of this high-tech and energy-saving solution for the sustainable
‘footloose’ production of flowers, plants, vegetables and fruit.

More information
Media: Analysts & investors:
Pieter Koenders Jeroen Leenaers
Manager Corporate Communications Manager Investor Relations
T: +31 655 74 65 85 T: +31 182 54 35 04
E: pieter.koenders@imtech.eu mailto:pieter.koenders@imtech.eu E: jeroen.leenaers@imtech.eu mailto:jeroen.leenaers@imtech.eu
www.imtech.eu http://www.imtech.eu/ www.imtech.eu http://www.imtech.eu/

Jeroen Leenaers
Manager Investor Relations
T: +31 182 54 35 04
E: jeroen.leenaers@imtech.eu mailto:jeroen.leenaers@imtech.eu
www.imtech.eu http://www.imtech.eu/

Imtech profile
Imtech N.V. is a European technical services provider in the fields of electrical
engineering, ICT and mechanical engineering. With approximately 23,000 employees, Imtech
achieves annual revenue of more then 4.3 billion euro. Imtech holds strong positions in
the buildings, industry and infrastructure/traffic markets in the Netherlands, Belgium,
Luxembourg, Germany, Eastern Europe, Nordic, the UK, Ireland and Spain and in the global
marine market. In total Imtech serves 20,000 customers. Imtech offers added value in the
form of integrated and multidisciplinary total solutions that lead to better business
processes and more efficiency for customers and the customers they, in their turn,
serve. Imtech also offers solutions that contribute towards a sustainable society, for
example in the areas of energy, the environment, water and mobility. Imtech shares are
listed on the Euronext Stock Exchange Amsterdam, where Imtech is included in the Midkap
Index. Imtech shares are also included in the Dow Jones STOXX 600 index.

PlantLab profile

PlantLab develops unique mathematical prediction models that allow the exact planning
and management of plant production processes, so that the time for harvesting, the
harvest yield and the product quality can be strictly managed, thus ensuring the best
possible link between production and market demand. After PlantLab proved and then
patented the feasibility of cultivation in completely conditioned spaces without
daylight in 2006, it quickly took the following steps that have led to a new vision of
plant production. PlantLab’s home base is the new Centre for Growing Concepts at the
University of Applied Sciences HAS in Den Bosch. This hypermodern research centre
developed by PlantLab includes 8 climate cells in which plant research can be carried
out under 56 different environmental factor combinations simultaneously.

HUG#1424559

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CPI(M) seeks special package for J-K farmers

June 6, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Srinagar, Jun 6 (PTI) CPI(M) in Jammu and Kashmir today demanded from the Centre a special package for rehabilitation of farmers and cattle owners who suffered extensive losses due to inclement weather conditions in the state. “I urge the state government to project the losses before Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his visit to the state so that special financial assistance from the Centre could be assured for providing relief to the affected people,” state Secretary of CPI(M) M Y Tarigami said in a statement.

He appealed to the government to prepare a contingency plan to ensure timely relief to the affected and to minimise the losses. Tarigami said crop insurance scheme that was recently announced for the state be implemented during the monsoons and stressed for inclusion of horticulture sector under the scheme.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be on a two-day visit to Kashmir from tomorrow during which he is expected to renew the offer for talks with separatists and review the progress in the Round Table peace initiative and development work being undertaken in the state.

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Karnataka farmers take to Grape farming

May 8, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Bangalore, May 8 (ANI): Karnataka farmers are making good profits out of grape farming, as in the last five years, the farming of grapes has increased manifold and high profits has encouraged more farmers into this trade.

The grape farming culture began in Karnataka in the early sixties; prior to sixties Karnataka had one traditional Bangalore Blue quality of grapes.

Karnataka still has monopoly in the Bangalore Blue quality of grapes, as it is the only State that grows the black grape used basically for brewing wine and spirit.

With the increase in demand, farmers started growing other qualities of grapes like Anobi, Sopi, Dilkhus, Red Globe, Sarad and Sarad Krishna.

“Bangalore Blue is a quality grape. Anobi and Dilkhus are main crops in Bilapur area, and Seelus in Bijapur area. We also produce Sarad Krishna, Red Globe, but in small quantity,” said Narayan Swamy a farmer in Bangalore.

“Our main production is of Bangalore Blue and Dilkhus, with Anobi we make juice out of it and with these grapes we prepare juices, wines, spirit,” he added.

The production of resins (Kishmish) is another profit making aspect of grape growing.

Karnataka Government is going all out to promoting grape farming in the State.

” Karnataka Government has set up a board to have the wine production; they are encouraging farmers to grow certain varieties that are set to be imported from France, said P.Venugopal, a former horticulture official.

“There are about 19 varieties, which have grown in a pocket of Bangalore and in some areas of Bijapur district,” he added.

The way grape farming is growing in Karnataka, it aims to trounce neighbouring Maharashtra as the largest grape producing state in the country. (ANI)

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Plant roots ‘can purify dirty water’

May 6, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Washington, May 6 (ANI): A group of horticulturists claim to have discovered that plant roots can, to a limited degree, purify dirty washing machine water.

According to the Penn State horticulturists, plant roots enmeshed in layers of discarded materials inside upright pipes can purify dirty water from a washing machine, making it fit for growing vegetables and flushing toilets.

“Our global fresh water supplies are fast depleting,” said Robert D. Cameron, doctoral student in horticulture. “So it is critical that we begin to look at alternatives on how we can take wastewater and turn it into a resource.”

Cameron and Robert D. Berghage, associate professor of horticulture, use discarded materials and a combination of plant and bacterial communities to treat water from a washing machine and other wastewater.

According to Cameron, this design is superior to previous living treatment systems in that it requires much less space and is much more efficient at removing contaminants.

“We have shown that with this system we can take wastewater from a washing machine and remove more than 90 percent of the pollutants within three days,” said Cameron. “The treated water had very low levels of suspended solids and no detectable levels of e.coli.”

Cameron presented the work at a meeting on organic and sustainable agriculture in Havana. (ANI)

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Young detainees plant community links

April 21, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Detainees at Canberra’s Bimberi Youth Detention Centre are giving back to the community by growing vegetables.

A vegetable garden at the facility has been so fruitful the excess produce is being collected by charity group OzHarvest and distributed to disadvantaged Canberrans.

The project started 12 months ago when the detainees designed the garden which will soon include a greenhouse.

Horticulture teacher John Ellis says the program has given Bimberi residents a positive project to be involved in.

“You can see they gain a lot out of it, it’s about educating them but they’re also getting these skills that come in handy,” he said.

“Most days they come in and they’re keen to have a go.”

One detainee, Kieran, says the program gives them something to look forward to.

“It gives us something to do during education, teaches us life skills – if we get our own house or flat we can grow plants and vegetables,” he said.

“It’s not just good for me, it’s good for everyone, everyone gets to do it.”

Minister for Children and Young People Joy Burch says the program is an effective way to help the youth develop a connection with the community.

“These are real horticultural skills that they’re learning plus they get to see the fruits of their benefits … quite literally when the fruit garden gets going,” she said.

“To have a connection to the broader community, and for them knowing that they’re not only helping to feed the other residents here but to helping others who a less-advantaged in the community is a wonderful thing.”

The detainees will also be offered cooking and barista courses in the coming weeks to help develop their vocational skills.

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Horticulture shock over water rights grab

March 26, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

The Northern Territory Horticultural Association is shocked by news that Indigenous groups are seeking to claim water rights.

Aboriginal groups from across the north of Australia are calling for the legal ownership of water in rivers, lakes and aquifers.

If the rights are granted to traditional owners, developers would need to get permission and pay royalties.

The NT Horticultural Association president, Jan Hintze said its too early to predict any outcomes … but hopes there’ll be extensive consultation.

“I’m absolutely amazed,” Ms Hintze said.

“I had not heard of any suggestion such a claim was going to be made.

“The implications of it all are very vast.

“I mean how many years it took to sort out Aboriginal land rights.

“I don’t know how many years it would take to sort out water rights over such an extensive area.”

She said it was unclear how a claim might affect the industry.

“Well almost any growing crop that is produced during the dry season needs quite a bit of water everyday, and here of course it doesn’t rain,” Ms Hintze said.

“Most of the water that we use comes from underground aquifers.

“The water resources people are operating very carefully to make sure that we don’t overdraw the water that is available.”

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Kashmir almonds ready to hit markets

September 19, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Werwan (J-K), Sept 19 (ANI): With the almond harvesting reaching its final stages, the growers are gearing up to hit the local market in Kashmir.

Residents of Werwan village in Pulwama district, very famous for almonds, are busy harvesting the almond crops.

Eighty-five per cent people are doing the almond business. These days, they are very busy in harvesting.

“This year, the almonds were bigger and the kernel was also large. We hope that this year because of good quality, we will get good rates for our almonds,” said Jan Muhammad Lone, a grower.

With a comparatively good and timely rainfall this season, the state authorities are hoping for a better return for the growers.

“This year and even last year, the kernel developments were excellent. Compared to last year, this year we have received timely rainfall during the fruit development months of almonds that is May and June.

Therefore, the almond farmers are quite happy that their crop yields are good and they will receive good money of it,” said Manzoor Ahmed, a horticulture development officer.

Shalimar, Makdoon and Waris are some of the varieties of almonds that are grown in Kashmir. By Afzal Butt (ANI)

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EU supported urban agricultural market popular in Kerala

September 19, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Maradu (Kerala), Sept 18 (ANI): Agricultural Urban Wholesale Market at Maradu in Kerala has become popular among residents and farmers alike.

Fresh and cheap agricultural products are available here and the farmers have the storing, testing and other facilities.

The market is run by the Kerala Government and is financially aided by the European Union (EU). Fresh fruits, vegetables, spice and other agriculture produces are sold in the market.

The place is attracting hordes of customers, as the prices of products are cheaper compared to other shops.

“Most of the products sold in this market are fresh and of a good quality. Earlier, I used to go to main market. But this place is cheap, easy and products come directly from the farms as compared to other shops,” said Sebastian, a customer.

The setting up of warehousing, packaging and marine testing units for frozen or dried fish, vegetables and fruits at the Urban Market are some of the facilities available to farmers.

Prices are low since the farmers directly supply their produce in this market and own shops.

“Compared to other markets here, the prices are low as we have no labour cost involved During festival and other occasions, sellers used to charge high but here prices always remain low because we ourselves produce and later sell and for customers,” said Saji Kumar, a farmer and a shop owner.

Recently, various programmes and exhibitions have been introduced with the help of the State Government and horticulture mission to make the market more farmer-friendly.

The market was set up to improve the marketing infrastructure and enabling farmers to get a better price for their produce.

The market is developed at an area of 46 acres that can handle more than 2,500 tons of produce.

Facilities such as internet access enable the farmers keep track of the daily prices, Agmark certification for the produce is also available at the Agmark Testing Laboratory functioning at the market. By Juhan Samuel (ANI)

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Indoor plants could be injurious to health

September 4, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Washington, Sept 4 (ANI): Potted plants might add a certain aesthetic value to your house, but they are likely to have adverse health effects, suggests a new study.

The research team headed by Stanley J. Kays of the University of Georgia’s Department of Horticulture has shown that these indoor plants actually release volatile organic compounds into the environment.

During the study, they identified and measured the amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by four popular indoor potted plant species Peace Lily, Snake Plant, Weeping Fig and Areca Palm.

Samples of each plant were placed in glass containers with inlet ports connected to charcoal filters to supply purified air and outlet ports connected to traps where volatile emissions were measured.

A total of 23 volatile compounds were found in Peace Lily, 16 in Areca Palm, 13 in Weeping Fig, and 12 in Snake Plant. Some of the VOCs are ingredients in pesticides applied to several species during the production phase.

Other VOCs released did not come from the plant itself, but rather the micro-organisms living in the soil.

“Although micro-organisms in the media have been shown to be important in the removal of volatile air pollutants, they also release volatiles into the atmosphere”, said Kays.

Furthermore, 11 of the VOCs came from the plastic pots containing the plants. Several of these VOCs are known to negatively affect animals.

Interestingly, VOC emission rates were higher during the day than at night in all of the species, and all classes of emissions were higher in the day than at night.

The study concluded, “while ornamental plants are known to remove certain VOCs, they also emit a variety of VOCs, some of which are known to be biologically active.

“The longevity of these compounds has not been adequately studied, and the impact of these compounds on humans is unknown.”

The study is published in the American Society for Horticultural Science journal HortScience. (ANI)

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Official suspended for writing blood stained love letter to female Pak minister

September 1, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Lahore, Sep 1 (ANI): The provincial government has suspended a Horticulture Department official for harassing Sindh Minister for Culture and Tourism Sassui Palijo by writing her love letters.

According to a channel, Iliyas Hulio, a superintendent in the Horticulture Department in Karachi, wrote a love letter in his blood and sent around 100 emails to the Sindh minister.

After receiving a complaint from Palijo, the Horticulture Department conducted an inquiry into the matter, during which Hulio confessed writing the letter and emails to the minister.

Sassui Palijo is a liberal politician and a columnist in Pakistan. She is member of the provincial assembly of Sindh from Mirpur Sakro Thatta.

She is the only directly elected female assembly member in Sindh, the Daily Times reported. (ANI)

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Low apple production causes unemployment in Himachal Pradesh

September 1, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Shimla, Aug 31 (ANI): The low apple crop production in Himachal Pradesh has led to loss of business and unemployment in the state.

Many people have been left jobless in the state, as apple crop production has come down by almost seventy five percent.

Thousands of people are associated with the apple business. Starting from the apple crop production, packing, loading and transportation to marketing and buying. A large number of people get employment from the month of July to October. But this year the fall in production of apples have left people jobless.

Director of the Himachal Horticulture department, Gurudev Singh, said that low production has affected the transportation business as well as the lower class labourers.

“The category of people that are getting affected are mostly the truck owners because the lack of work will bring them in a difficult condition to make payments of loans for the trucks. Last year when the production was 2,55,00, 000 apple boxes, transportation were needed but not much trucks are being required.

Meanwhile, the lower class labourers associated with the loading work is also being affected as not much labourers are being employed,” he added.

Himachal Pradesh is one of India’s major apple-producing regions, with over 90 per cent of the produce sold in the domestic markets.

Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur and Chamba districts are the major hubs of apple production.

Lack of rainfall this monsoons and poorer snowfall last winter has led to a downfall in apple production in Himachal Pradesh this year. (ANI)

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Himachal farmers taking to floriculture

August 19, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Kullu, Aug 19 (ANI): Floriculture is the buzzword for farmers at Kullu in Himachal Pradesh. More and more farmers are growing flowers as the new lucrative commercial crop.

Chrysanthemum, roses, carnation, marigold and gladiolus are some of the flowers, which are being preferred by the farmers over their traditional khareef (summer-sown) crop, apples, plums and apricots.

“Floriculture is growing rapidly. Its growth rate is one of the best among other businesses and it has a bright future. Flowers are in great demand everywhere, in small towns and cities, especially during marriage season when flowers become scarce and their prices rise very high,” say O. P. Singh, a floriculture expert.

Floriculture can be the new alternative for farmers fearing low yield and a heavy loss due to the delayed monsoon and deficient rain.

“If there is any natural calamity, like this year, there is a drought and people cannot sow regular crop. So we are suggesting farmers and training them that they can switch to other commercial crops. They need not depend on traditional crop or even on orchards. They have to switch to other commercial crops, mainly floriculture,” said Ashwani Kumar Gupta, Deputy-Director Horticulture, Himachal Pradesh.

Gupta added that the State Government is providing floriculture training and polyhouses to farmers on subsidised rates. By Prem Thakur (ANI)

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Bumper crop of plums in Kashmir

July 14, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Budgam (Jammu and Kashmir), July 14 (ANI): People in different parts of the country can expect to relish delicious plums or, Aloobukharas in common parlance, as there has been a bumper crop in Kashmir.

Kashmir’s Budgam district, which grows plums had good rainfall coupled with moderate temperature this year.

As per the State Government, 2000 hectares of land of the valley is under plum cultivation. The production of plums this year is expected to touch 5500 metric tons, 500 metric tonnes more than the last year.

“The production is high in the entire region, even the colour of our fruit is better that that was in the last season…every fruit grower is happy as they are fetching good prices for their fruits,” Salim Ahmad Bhat, a plum grower said.

As soon as the orchard owners and growers bring their yield to the wholesale markets, they are packed and dispatched to various states of the country.

“According to our information and observation 80 percent of the entire plum produce is of ‘A’ grade quality which is better than the last year…we hope that this year growers of the region will fetch good profit,” said Manzoor Ahmad, an official with the State Horticulture Department.

Plums have different varieties like sentarosa, silver plum, and chokandra plum. The juicy and tasty plum is much sought after in Mumbai, Kolkota and Delhi. By Afzal Bhat (ANI)

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State level pineapple festival held in Imphal

July 11, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Imphal, July 11 (ANI): To bring all pineapple farmers of Manipur, a State known for pineapple production, on a common platform and promote agro-based tourism and horticulture crops, the 2nd State level pineapple festival cum youth festival was held recently in Imphal.

The festival was launched to encourage pineapple growers in Manipur.

Organised by the Development Organisation, Andro Kendra, it was held at Thambalnu Market, Yairipok in Imphal. The event saw 120 stalls being put up and pineapples produced by around 400 to 500 farmers put on public display.

Experts from Central Agricultural University, State Horticulture Department of the state provided technical training to farmers on the cultivation of pineapples.

The festival is a step forward in helping farmers become economically stable.

“Our aim is to help the farmers of the state benefit from pineapple cultivation. We have organised this festival, as we wanted to remove poverty from the state. The farmers will be able to assist their children’s studies through the income generated,” said K. Abungcha Singh, Organising Secretary, Pineapple Festival.

“This festival will help bring development to the state. This is the 2nd pineapple festival and it has encouraged us (pineapple farmers) as our hard work has been recognized. People will also get to know about pineapple cultivation in the state,” said O. Thambal Devi, a pineapple farmer in Manipur.

As a part of the festival, various cultural programmes were also held.

The state produces pineapples at about 10,000 tonnes per hectare annually and has become the highest producer and exporter in the country.

And, the festival is an opportunity for the farmers to display their products and market them not only at the state level but internationally as well.

Moreover, State horticulture department has recognized Queen and Kew variety of pineapple available in the state as priority crop from this year and will install a processing unit at Andro under the technology mission of the department. By L.C.K Singh (ANI)

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Mango festival starts in Haryana

July 5, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Chandigarh, July 4 (IANS) Lovers of the king of fruits thronged a Haryana town as the 18th edition of the mango festival started Saturday.

Around 2,835 entries of mangoes from all across northern India were displayed in the Mango Mela but the highlight of the event is the display of 285 rare varieties of the fruit.

There are also 191 entries of mango products like mango chutney, aam ka pana, aam papad and mango squash.

The two-day festival, jointly organised by the state’s horticulture and tourism departments, is held at Yadvindra Gardens, a prominent tourist destination in Pinjore town in Haryana, around 30 km from here.

Varieties of mangoes like Dusheri, Langda, Chausa, Amrapali, Mallika, Alphanso, Ratnagiri and Vanraj are on display during the festival.

Various delicacies were also offered to the visitors in the food court at the stalls put up by hotel management institutions.

Rebecca, a tourist from Hong Kong, said: “It is a wonderful experience of being here in the Mango Mela, especially in the food court.”

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: Chandigarh, delicacies, food court, horticulture, Hotel Management Institutions, july 4, king of fruits, Mallika, Mango Chutney, mela, northern india, PANA, Papad, rare varieties, Ratnagiri, rebecca, Tourism Departments, tourist destination, Vanraj, varieties of mangoes

SKUAST introduces new techniques to improve agri-sector in Kashmir

June 26, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Srinagar, June 24 (ANI): The Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) in Kashmir have organized an exhibition-cum- science congress for the farmers to apprise them of new techniques in agriculture and horticulture.

“The main aim of this exhibition is to make latest technical innovations in agriculture, sericulture, animal husbandry and floriculture available to the farmers and to showcase the technical innovations from other countries so that the interaction takes place between both the countries,” said Fayaz Bandey, one of the organizers.

During the Congress experts, farmers and residents were provided information about new seeds, breeds and equipment.

Showkat Hussain, an apple fruit grower said that such exhibitions should be organized in all the districts in time so that the farmers get the information about the new seeds ahead of the sowing season.

” such exhibitions should take place in all the districts and from March because the season starts from March so that the growers get the information about the new seeds,” said Hussain.

Agriculture is the backbone of Kashmir economy because eighty percent people depend on this sector for their livelihood. By Afzal Bhat(ANI)

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Andhra takes to Jasmine cultivation

June 21, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Krishnagiri (TN), June 21 (ANI): Grown extensively over almost 800 hectares of agricultural land in Krishnagiri in Tamil Nadu, Jasmine flower is changing the lives of the farmers exporting it to the Gulf countries.

Jasmine is easier and cheaper to grow. The flower is priced at almost 150 to 300 rupees per kilogram.

“We have nine acres of land on which we have planted jasmine flowers. We get a yield of around 100 to 150 kilograms of jasmine. We have a number of people working in the flowers garden. We fetch around Rupees 150 to 300 in the local markets,” said Saroja, a local farmer.

The government encourages the farmers by providing subsidies and modern technology. Besides, they also help the farmers market the produce.

“We encourage the farmers in the schemes and other aspects also, marketing aspects, storage aspects, about wholesale markets, and all this comes in the schemes, its not that we support farmers by only giving them subsidies and technical know-how’s we give them up support up to the marketing level,” said Surendaran, assistant director of horticulture department, Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu.

The farmers though want the government to extend financial assistance so as the area under flower cultivation increases. The farmers are also demanding setting up of cold storages so as to preserve the flowers for a longer time.

The flower industry in the state fetches almost three billion rupees per annum from foreign exports. Owing to the favourable weather, other than jasmine, tuberoses, roses, marigolds, chrysanthemums are also grown in the area. By Jai Kumar (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: agricultural land, andhra, ANI, annum, area, assistance, assistant, assistant director, Chrysanthemums, cold storages, cultivation, department, director, farmer, Farmers Market, flower, Flower Industry, garden, Government, grown, Gulf Countries, horticulture, horticulture department, industry, jai, Jai Kumar, Jasmine, Jasmine Flower, Jasmine Flowers, June, kilogram, kilograms, know-how, Krishnagiri, land, level, local markets, marketing, Marketing Level, modern technology, nadu, Nine Acres, number, owing, produce, rupees, Saroja, state, storage, Surendaran, tamil, Technology, the Gulf, time, weather, Wholesale Markets, yield

Rains and hailstorm upset horticulture in Aurangabad

May 25, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Aurangabad, May 25 (ANI): The recent untimely heavy rains and hailstorm in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, have left behind a badly affected yield of mangoes, papayas, and pomegranate.

The most affected are the farmers who took to horticulture.

Hundreds of orchards of papaya and mango fruits have been adversely affected due to three-days of heavy rains in the region.

“Because of unexpected rains and thunderstorm, the trees and produce of pomegranate, papaya and mangoes have been extensively damaged to the extent of 80 percent for papayas and between 25 to 40 percent for the other fruits. The roots have been damaged and we are assessing overall losses and other damages caused to the farmers,” noted Dattatreya Giri, Horticulture officer, Wankhede Sub-Division, Aurangabad.

Aurangabad is a major source of mangoes for export purposes. However, the torrential rains this season have caused a set back to the scope of exporting fruits.

“Every year from this farm we used to do an export of 60 to 70 percent of our produce but due to this loss we won’t be able to even export five percent of the yield. Rest of our production has been damaged. We don’t even expect these mangoes to be consumed in the local market,” said Vinayak Prathikar, a farmer.

Nearly all farmers in the country depend upon weather Gods for a good yield. But the untimely rains causes losses of huge amounts. (ANI)

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Apple crop affected due to adverse weather conditions in Himachal Pradesh

May 23, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Kullu (HP), May 23 (ANI): The apple crop in Kullu has been affected due to lack of adequate snowfall and rains in Kullu in Himachal Pradesh.

A good crop of apples requires an average of 1200-1600 ‘chilling hours’, adequate snowfall and rainfall, and suitable temperature at the time of flowering, which this year were unfavourable.

To add to the woes of the apple growers there was heavy snowfall on the higher mountain reaches leading to a drop in temperatures affecting flowering of the trees.

There was also fluctuation at the time of pollination as the pollinizers (variety of trees used to enhance pollination) flowered before the other varieties of apples affecting the pollination.

“The crop is expected to be less this time as their was no snowfall during winters hence the chilling requirement for apple trees was not met,” said Suresh Sharma, orchardist.

The production of apples is expected to fall by as much as 40 percent as per the horticulture department.

“The production of apples would be less this year. Normally the production is about 140,000 metric tonnes but the weather this time was not favourable. We are expecting nearly a 40 percent fall in apple production,” said Naresh Sharma, Deputy Director, Horticulture Department, and Himachal Pradesh.rop production has not been very good in the years as well.

Almost 92000 hectares of land in the state is under apple production.80 percent of the people in the state are directly or indirectly associated with this business.

A fall in production is bound to affect the livelihood of all these people associated with either growing or trading of apples. By Prem Thakur (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: adverse weather conditions, ANI, apple, apple crop, apple growers, apple production, apple trees, average, business, crop, department, deputy director, drop, fall, fluctuation, heavy snowfall, hectares, himachal, horticulture, horticulture department, hp, kullu, lack, land, livelihood, May, metric tonnes, mountain, naresh, orchardist, percent, pollination, pradesh, Prem Thakur, production, rainfall, requirement, rop, snowfall, state, Suitable Temperature, Suresh Sharma, temperature, temperatures, time, varieties of apples, variety, Variety Of Trees, weather, woes, year

Stone crusher spells menace for Himachal farmers

May 21, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Sangla (Himachal Pradesh), May 21 (ANI): Stone crusher being operated by a private hydropower Construction Company in Sangla valley of Himachal Pradesh is spelling menace for the farmers as the dust from the crusher is damaging plants and fruit crops.

The farmers have complained to the authorities a number of times but to no avail.he farmers believe that the establishment of the crusher has seriously affected the flowering and hence the production of crops due to pollution.

“The Jaypee Company established a crusher and a mixing plant here. There is a lot of harmful dust that comes from these plants. This is effecting the flowering of the trees and the production of crops has been seriously effected,” said Bhisham Singh, a farmer.

Environmentalists believe that the pollution from the crusher is damaging not just the crops but also the environment of the place in general.

“It seems the project is spoiling the total environmental condition of this northern part. There are highly potential horticulture activities going on here like production of apple, apricots and others. This project is increasing the pollution and spoiling the total environmental condition,” said an environmentalist, R.Murthy.

The farmers believe that the stone crushers being operated here are not following the norms set by the mining and environment department. By Hemant Chauhan (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: ANI, apple, Apricots, authorities, avail, Bhisham, company, condition, construction, Construction Company, crusher, department, dust, environment, Environmental Condition, environmentalist, environmentalists, establishment, farmer, farmers, fruit, Fruit Crops, general, Harmful Dust, Hemant Chauhan, himachal, Himachal Pradesh, horticulture, hydropower, Jaypee, lot, May, menace, mining, norms, number, part, place, plant, plants, pollution, pradesh, production, project, R.Murthy, Sangla, Singh, stone, Stone Crusher, Stone Crushers, trees, valley