Today we took a short bus ride to ICAR, the IndianAgricultural Research Institute. The program started with a quote from the
first Indian prime minister in the 1950s, Jawaharlal Nehru, who said,
“Everything else can wait, but not agriculture” in reference to the newly
independent and modernizing nation. Similar to our land grant universities,
ICAR is both a school and houses an extension service. ICAR was formed in 1905
and is the leading ag research institute and postgraduate program in the
country. Over 2,000 people work at ICAR serving over 1,100 students with 305
female, and 41 international students from 14 countries. Entrance is very
competitive, with 10-15 applications per seat. About 90% of the graduates stay
in research or academics for their careers.
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| ICAR chairman and SDARL Class 9 member Brian Gilbert |
We were introduced to faculty leaders of many departments at
the institute, including physical science, plant science, biochemistry, plant physiology,
vegetable science, ag economics, genetics, and seed science. Dr. Padaria of the
social sciences department led a presentation about the vast extension serviceICAR offers throughout India. He noted many similarities between the U.S.
extension service and India’s. The extension started in 1953 and works
throughout the 29 states of India with staff and programming at the district
(similar to county), block, and village levels. There are also 680 “Farm
Science Centers” which does on farm testing of developments from the institute
and gather information from the grassroots level, and 4 model farms that
incorporate much of the new technology and innovations developed by ICAR.
The methods used by the extension to deliver research and
information to rural farmers are similar to those in the U.S., with
demonstrations, fairs, newsletters, school programs, digital portals, and
public-private partnerships. Challenges were also similar, such as distance,
acceptance of technology, manpower, and duplication of effort with other
agencies.
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| A large number of faculty joined for our meeting to answer questions about ICAR's research and extension programs |
One of their focuses at the moment is increased awareness of
soil health and the importance of developing prescription applications of
inputs such as fertilizer and chemicals. They have developed soil testing kits
that they distribute to producers around the country and teach villagers, often
children, how to use them. Data developed through the tests are shared with the
producers and with the institute.
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| Class members listen and learn about a very innovative waste water treatment program. |
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| John Kleinjan and Brian Turnes checking out the well. |
We were impressed by the pride, professionalism,
hospitality, and ingenuity of the ICAR delegation, and struck again by the many
similarities of the agricultural sectors in India and the United States.
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| The Class at the Waste Water Treatment plant. |
The first place we visited was the meeting house for a local self help group. 125 such groups exist in the area and have operated since 2002. This group, known as Chintinali which means “brings consciousness to you”, has 15-20 members, mostly women. They function as a local bank and micro-financing center. Each member puts in 100-200 rupees (about $3) per month and loans are made to pay for things such as marriages, building public toilets and housing. These groups were developed because banks cannot determine credit worthiness and make a risky loan to these disadvantaged people, but the local groups know everyone in the community and there is virtually no problem with nonpayment. Over time each family’s fund builds up and the group functions as a way for people to have long term savings without a bank.
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| Just a few of the women who have organized in their community to help one another through micro-loans and solving community challenges in the slums |
Next we visited a home that was being constructed by Habitat
for Humanity. Houses are built for free for certain people, such as those with
disabilities or elderly people. Everyone else pays 5,000 rupees (approx. $85)
for the house. Often the cost of the house is collected over time with people
paying what they can when they can. Habitat for Humanity pays special attention
to ensure the foundation of the houses are well built. This allows people to
add additional floors (up to four floors) to their houses as their family
grows. On average it takes 8-9 months to construct a four-floor house.
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| We toured this home which the women were proud to have built using their own micro-loan system. |
The home we visited was of a woman named Sauntee and shared
with her family of five people. It currently has two floors, one finished, one
still under construction. The first floor has a kitchen/common room and
bedroom. The second floor currently just has a bathroom. The slum doesn’t have
a community sewer system so the waste goes into a large holding tank under the
house that can be pumped out when it is full, about 10 years. The second house
we visited was built through the local self help group. It was constructed very
similarly to the first home. On average six people live in each house. People
take pride in their homes and keep them very clean.
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| Sauntee showed us the home she was able to build for her family. |
One highlight of the tour, though, was being able to interact a little with the locals, particularly the children. The children followed us around for most of the tour, waving and taking pictures. At first they were very shy but soon became very friendly and wanted to shake hands and take pictures.
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| These kids were so amazed to meet Americans. They ran along side us through our tour and loved the attention. |
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| Class member Kara Kayser greets one of the children. |
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| Brian Gilbert took the time to show the children a photo of his own kids. |
