Rajendra Singh Khichar Agriculture Research Officer

Directorate of Horticulture, Rajasthan 094142-137180141-2227706

Presentation covers

• Agro Textile : The emerging need

• Present Scenario in Rajasthan• Future perspective in the state• Users expectations from

Industry

Arid/ semi Z

one

Humid/ sub-humid Zone

RajasthanSalient Features

Contains largest country’s areaLimited water resourceExtreme of climatic conditions: Temp, RH, Rainfall, Wind velocityPrimitive stage of hi-tech horticultural activitiesLow farm income Requirement of Alternative farming system for sustainable Agril. Prodn.All these condition favours the Vast potential for Agro-textile

Most of Agri-Horticultural activities governed by

Sunlight & Water

Climatic Conditions including wind, hail, humidity

External factors like birds, insects, weeds

Post Harvest handling of produce – storage and packaging

In India, presently Agricultural Activities are carried out under Natural Conditions of Temperature and Humidity

Absence of control factors leads to

• Yield percentage is unsatisfactory

• Quality of produce is marred

• Damages to the produce

• Regional limitation on cultivation

• Seasonal limitation on cultivation

Agro textiles are the best solutions to regulate these factors

Agro Textile: An Introduction

Special textiles that are manufactured for agricultural applications

These textile structures are used as controlling environment for plants/ animals in applications like– Agriculture– Horticulture– Animal husbandry

Agro-textile Products

• Shading net •Bird Protection Net •Anti Hail Net • Windshield fabrics • Plant nets • Harvesting nets • Mulch Mat • Filters for MI • Packing Material Root Ball Nets Insect Meshes Turf Protection Tape Nets Cherry Covers

Benefits of Agro-textile Products

Provides favorable conditions for plant growth Protection of crop from adverse weather conditions and vermin

Increase production in terms of quality and quantityOff season & year round production of particular crop is possible

Decrease crop diseases/ soil borne pathogensWater saving and its judicious use

Reduces Cost of ProductionReduces the pressure of chemicals in Agriculture

Cropped areas may be kept safe & tidyProvides weed suppression and ground moisture conservation

Provides favourable conditions to roots to breathe and water, air and nutrients to permeate through

Vegetable Cultivation under Shade Net HouseAbout 1.8 lac Sqm Area under RKVYThrough Department of Horticulture

Assistance: 75 to 90 %

Vegetable Cultivation under Shade Net HouseNursery under Insect nets/ Anti vector nets

Kherwadi, Jaipur

Khijuria Tiwadiyan

Ratan pura

Vegetable Cultivation under Shade Net HouseColoured Capsicum Production 2009-10

Bassi, Jaipur

Vegetable Cultivation under Shade Net HouseColoured capsicum 2009-10

Vegetable Cultivation under Shade Net HouseCucumber production 2009-10

Nindad, Jaipur

Vegetable Cultivation under Shade Net House2009-10

TomatoNindad, Jaipur

Sweet cornChukandarOkra

Flower Cultivation under Poly / Green HouseThrough Horticulture Department under NHM

Coverage of about 1.5 lac SqmAssistance: 50 to 75 %

Flower Cultivation under Green HouseSawai Madhopur 2009-10

Vegetable Cultivation with MulchingWater Melon: Jhunjhunu 2009-10

Vegetable Cultivation with MulchingShade net house2009-10

Vegetable Cultivation with Agro-textile support

Protected cultivation 2009-10

Vegetable Cultivation with Agro-textile support

Cucurbits: Bassi 2010-11

Anti Bird Net

Bird problem is a menace for our farmer especially for high value fruits and vegetables. The whole project of pomegranate has been linked with anti bird nets in the state. The department is providing assistance up to 75% to promote these technologies.

Agro-textiles – the potential in Rajasthan– Shade NetsYear round production of high value crops/ vegetables specially in peri urban areas with attractive farm income.A n initial potential of 5 lac sqm per year in the state

– Mulch Mats – Controls evaporation, weeds, disease & pestsA potential of about 5000 ha per year specially for vegetable & fruits About 35000 ha area under drip irrigation have the potential covered with mulch– Bird Protection NetsA potential of about 1000 per year exists for high value crops & vegetables– Harvesting NetsFor quality produce need of about 5 lac sqm harvesting nets per annum-Packing materialFor all vegetale & fruit production specially for potato, garlic & onion

Future prospective of Agro-textiles

• Polymer fibre balls as substitute for soil• Screening fabrics for sunlight management• Knitted net hose for water transportation• Superabsorbent polymer fibre mats for water management in horticulture applications• Use of water retention nets coated with Superabsorbent polymer resin

The ground covers, sunscreen nets, plant nets, wind shields, monofil nets, root ball nets, insect meshes, weed control fabric, turf protection, tape nets and packing sacks/ nets are our next target products to be used in this sector.

The Dire Need

Availability of Agro textiles with a reasonable price and quality is the major hindrance to replicate the technology in vast potential areas.

The Agro Textile products to be used in Rajasthan should have the quality of resistance against solar UV radiation, high temperatures and the high wind load.

Market network in remote areas is a dire need.

The product should be biodegradable.

The product should have high potential to retain water

Product awareness compaigns

The lack of technical specification/ parameter/ standards for Agro Textile products is another field which needs to be care of.

Poor quality : not only requires frequent repairs but the crop inside the structure will also be destroyed

Poor quality : not only requires frequent repairs but the crop inside the structure will also be destroyed

SUGGESTED STUDY FIELDS FORSTANDARDIZATION OF AGROTEXTILES

• Development of speciality fabric for water conservation and soil erosion control used in horticulture application.• Development of suitable coloured shade nets for different crops and growth stages.

• Establishing structural parameters of agro-textile products and their influence on the functionalc haracteristics of these products.• Development of Reflective Agro-textiles for Sun Management.