Weather-based crop insurance model by TNAU
The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) has proposed to undertake a study to assess the impact of future climatic changes on productivity of paddy crop by employing three parameters — temperature, rainfall and carbon dioxide. Based on this study, a weather-based crop insurance model will be developed by the university, Vice-Chancellor C. Ramasamy said here recently.Speaking at the valedictory of a two-day annual research meet on "Projects Not Covered Under Crops" at the university, the Vice-Chancellor presented the future research strategies of the university and said scientists should give priority to climatic impact studies through a multi-disciplinary research.Another priority area stressed by him was to take up studies for altering the sex ratio in Jatropha (biofuel crop) through plant hormones. "The problem needs to be addressed, as there is an imbalance in the production of male and female flowers by the plant that will result in increased seed set," he said.
The TNAU would undertake effluent studies on groundwater quality in Noyyal basin. Another study had revealed the absence of nitrate pollution in the cultivated fields in Coimbatore.Dr. Ramasamy urged the scientists to undertake similar studies in other districts too. He told them that marketing strategies had to be worked out for "Panchagavya" that had been developed by university. "It is planned to seek the help of the Department of Agriculture and Horticulture for commercialising the product.
The TNAU is also involved in testing an improved areca nut boiler and a banana fibre extractor. These two equipments need to be demonstrated in areas where such business activities are being carried out", he said.Director of Centre for Molecular Biology P. Balasubramanian spoke on the proposal to undertake research by using a new technology called RNAi technology for controlling viral diseases.
