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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Kerala Agriculture University ever since its inception has been in the forefront on a war footing path developing technologies and trying to solve the farmer problems of the state. Agriculture is still the mainstay of livelihood to nearly 60% of the population in Kerala, besides being the raw material for industry and promoting rural employment. However in the state, real growth in agriculture was witnessed only in the early post independent era and today it is marginal which not only implies that growth is minimal but on the other major side that there is enough scope for increasing productivity. Growing population, rapid urbanization and fragmentation and subdivision has made the situation more worse and leaving very less scope for horizontal expansion. Thus the only means of increasing production is by increasing productivity. Though investment in agriculture and allied activities constitute a major share of outlay, the agricultural research and education accounts for only a meagre share.
The challenges and potential for development are enormous. Kerala’s agriculture is unique and special. The state receives very high rainfall yet shortage of water is realized. Improving efficiency of water use holds the promise to manage the scarcity. Soil organic matter depletion is another factor in fertility management. Bio fertilizer use and organic farming need to be promoted to maintain both soil fertility and sustainability.
Kerala is a land of tropical agriculture particularly horticulture and only development in horticulture can save and resurrect the agrarian economy. Highest wage rate and acute labour shortage is a major concern but this offers scope for mechanization in a big way. The efforts taken by Kerala Agricultural University with the financial support of RKVY in the mechanization drive in agriculture are not only laudable but has also become a movement that has been hailed by experts transcending the borders. Agricultural marketing and extension particularly transfer of technology needs to be toned up if the yield gaps are to be reduced. Improving productivity, reducing cost of cultivation and commercializing agriculture should be the main action plan for the next stage of development in the State.
Institutional support is the most important aspect in the growth of any concern. The KAU has been playing a major role in the development of agriculture in the State. The University has 6 colleges and one academy for climate change, 6 regional stations, 16 research stations and seven KVKs’ spread across the length and breadth of the state. The university has been and is responsible for generating human resources for development of agriculture research and extension. Within the realm of academics, KAU has been ranked top in the country consecutively for the last five years. The research contributions has not only found adoption in the state and nation but has been recognized the world over. The Kannur KVK was judged the best among all the KVKs’ in the nation. The students from KAU find easy placements not only in the state and nation but even in the most advanced universities of the developed nations.
With all these merits the university is striving to retain its place of eminence but is severely crippled with financial problems. Consequent to the trifurcation of the university in March, 2011 the assets have been partitioned but all the liabilities have been placed on KAU. Added to this is the dire need of a development plan to march ahead in its pursuit of excellence in its mandated functions to serve the peasant community.
The core of the proposal is to improve infrastructural facilities in the university so as to bring in drastic improvement in all its mandated functions. At the heart of the proposal is the major theme productivity enhancement as it is well recognized that this is the only means of increasing production in the state. Hence this EFC proposal is being submitted for approval and further orders of sanction of the one time assistance of Rs100 crores.
FORMAT FOR EFC/PIB MEMORANDUM
1. Project Identification
One Time Institutional Grant of Rs.100 crores for supporting research and developmental activities in Kerala Agricultural University by Government of India
1.1 Title of the Project/ scheme:
Institutional grant of Rs.100 crores
1.2 Name of the sponsoring agency (Ministry/ Department/ Autonomous Body/ Central PSE):
Department of agricultural Research and Education, Ministry of
Agricultural and Co-operation, Government of India.
1.3 Proposed duration of the project
Three Years
1.4 Total cost of the project over the proposed duration
100 crores
2. Project Status
Centrally sponsored one time grant
2.1 Please indicate which category the project belongs to:
(a) Continuing scheme from past Plan periods and included
in current Plan period.
(b) New Plan Scheme included in the current Plan period
(c) New Plan Scheme not included in the current Plan period
Yes
(d) RCE proposal
2.2 If project pertains to category 2.1 (a), please summarise the benefits already accrued and expenditure already incurred along with an independent evaluation of the past performance of the project scheme.
Not applicable
2.3 If the project pertains to category 2.1 (c), please indicate steps initiated for obtaining approval of Full Planning Commission.
Not applicable
3. Justification for the project
Kerala Agricultural University since it’s inception in 1972 has been on the forefront catering to the requirements of the farming community. Kerala Agriculture is unique and typical with about 88 per cent of area under warmed humid tropical horticulture crops. Another peculiarity is the low per capita holding size which poses problems for commercial production of crops. The state is blessed with the highest literacy rate on the one side, but faces acute labour shortage resulting in very high labour rates. Till March 2012 Kerala Agricultural University was serving the triple mandated functions of Education Research and Extension education in the whole gamut of agriculture. Consequent to its trifurcation in 2012, Kerala Agricultural University is now vested with the triple functions in agriculture including Horticulture, Forestry and Agricultural Engineering.
The major hurdle in the progress of growth of Kerala Agricultural University is the financial constraints. Despite this major problem, Kerala Agricultural University has been marching forward and has occupied the pride of position among all SAUs continuously for the last five years in the field of academics. In the realm of research, the contributions of Kerala Agricultural University have been hailed world wide. Similarly, in the field of extension, the KVK Kannur was rated among the best KVKs in India. Severe financial constraint has been crippling the growth of this institution. The sanction of one time grant has not only come as a relief but will also help in the development of University in the much wanted frontier cutting edge areas of research and thereby promoting academics and dissemination of technology.
3.1 The justifications for taking up/continuing the project or scheme may be provided.
The University is a multicentred campus with six colleges, a new academy for climate change, six RARS and sixteen research stations each with a defined mandate and mission. The one time grant will give the much needed impetus in building up strong infrastructure for research and streamlining and managing of education research and extension administration. It will also promote centers for studies particularly on protected cultivation, precision farming, climate change, seed science, water conservation studies, and a centre for research on tools and appropriate technology.
Major interventions proposed are in Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, a centre for Virus Indexing and Mass multiplication.
The one time grant will also be used in developing the new generation integrated masters course in Biotechnology, and Climate Change, Post Graduate Courses in Microbiology, Seed Technology, and Bioinformatics.
Efficient dissemination of technology will be the key area of focus in the realm of Extension Education for which specific programmes are also aimed.
3.2 The alternatives that have been considered before firming up the design of the project may be stated. (This should also include alternate modes of project delivery, e.g. outsourcing PPP etc. that have been considered).
No alternatives have been considered.
3.3 Please state whether the project proposal has objectives and coverage which overlap with projects/ schemes being implemented by the same or another agency (Ministry/ Department/ State government). In cases of overlap, please state why the project scheme needs to be considered as a separate stand alone effort.
The project will not overlap with schemes being implemented except in case of AICRP lab on pesticide residue analysis but here also the focus will be on developing core areas which are not supported under the AICRP umbrella.
4. Project Objectives and Targets
The overall objective of the project is productivity enhancement and will mainly include Rice, Coconut, Vegetables and Spices. Each of the four major areas are sub divided into specific sub projects which have separate defined objectives.
4.1 The objectives of the project may be mentioned. These objectives should flow from the project justification.
The list of major projects are put as Annexure I and specific objectives sub project wise are included as Annexure II
4.2 The expected date of project/ scheme completion may be stated. This should be realistic and supported with a chart indicating timelines for the important activities, with a critical path analysis, identifying the main constraints.
The expected date of project/scheme completion is three years. The time lines for each important activity of a sub project is given in Annexure III
4.3 The specific targets proposed to be achieved of the project/ scheme may be mentioned. These targets should be necessary measurable. These should also be monitor-able, against baseline data. The baseline may be indicated.
The specific targets to be achieved under each sub project is given as Annexure-IV
5. Project Design
5.1 Briefly explain the Project Design. This should include all components of the project.
Each of the sub projects will be laid out as per standard statistical experimental design based on the project envisaged. A faculty from the Department of the Agricultural Statistics will be co-opted into the ‘in house’ committee that will be constituted for the purpose.
5.2 In case the project or scheme is location specific, please state the basis for selection of such location.
The project on intensification of research in rice is location specific. The basis of selection of the area is actually primarily based on identified problems and secondly as they fall in two major (Kole & Palghat) rice growing tracts of kerala and the third area is actually on ,Pokkalli cultivation – prone to saline intrusion and internationally known for salinity research in rice.
5.3 If the project involves creation/ modification of structural and engineering assets or change in land use plans, disaster management concern as brought out in OM no.37(4)/PF-11/2003 dated 19.06.2009 should be assessed. A self-certification in this regard may be enclosed with the EFC memo.
Wherever construction/modification is involved disaster management concerns will be assessed and addressed. A Self certification to this effect is being enclosed.
5.4 In case of beneficiary oriented project/ scheme, the mechanism for identification of the beneficiary and the linkage of beneficiary identification with UID numbers may be indicated as advised in O.M. No.1(3)/PF-11/2001 dated 09.08.2010.
Pure Beneficiary oriented projects are not included. However in conservation studies of endangered medicinal plants field level conservation as the case may be will be attempted through local inhabitants, mostly tribals.
5.5 Wherever possible, the mode of delivery should involve the Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies. Where this is intended, the preparedness and the ability of the Panchayats for executing the project may be indicated. If exceptions are to be made, the reasons may be explained.
Not applicable
5.6 In case the project involves land acquisition or environmental clearances, the specific requirements and the status in this regard may be indicated.
Not applicable
5.7 The legacy arrangements after the scheduled project duration may be mentioned. In case the project creates assets, arrangements for their maintenance and upkeep may be stated. (For example the project assets may be taken over and maintained by the State Government/PRIs; ULBs).
Once the tenure of the project is completed, arrangements for the maintenance and upkeep will be taken up by the University.
5.8 Whether the guidelines of Bureau of Energy Efficiency and other related guidelines for energy efficient buildings etc. have been considered/ complied with.
Wherever necessary, the guidelines of Bureau of energy Efficiency for energy efficient buildings will be complied with.
5.9 Whether the project is secured against natural/ man-made disasters like floods, cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis etc.
Yes
6. Project/Scheme Cost
6.1 Please provide the project cost estimate for its scheduled duration along with a break-up of year-wise, component-wise expenses segregated into non-recurring and recurring expenses. It may also be indicated whether land is needed, if so whether which agency is providing for it, and in case the cost of land is to be booked to the project, whether it has been included in the estimates.
The project cost estimate for the scheduled duration under the break-up of year wise, component-wise expenses segregated into non-recurring and recurring of all the sub projects of the six major Heads is given as Annexure V
The University doesn’t intend to procure any land for the said purpose and hence it has not been included in the cost of estimates.
6.2 Estimated expenditure on project administration (including expenses on consultants, etc.) may be separately indicated.
Sl. No. / 1st Year(in Rs. lakhs) / 2nd Year
(in Rs. lakhs) / 3rd Year
(in Rs. lakhs)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7 / Preparation of project, holding workshop and presentations, tenders & quotations.
Implementation of project
Review at quarterly stages and reporting at half yearly basis.
Evaluation and monitoring of field experiments
(a) Staff car
(b) Fuel and wages
(c) Maintenance
(d) T.A
Cost of Technical support -contractual services – one post with PG qualification in Economics/Statistics/Social Sciences @ Rs.20000 per month
Auditing – (by a CA firm)
Office equipments (Cost of Fax machine, Photocopier machine, Computers and its accessories etc.) / 1.50
0.25
0.25
8.00
1.20
0.25
2.60
2.40
0.30
1.20 / -
-
0.50
-
1.50
0.50
3.00
2.40
0.35
- / -
-
0.50
-
1.50
0.50
3.00
2.40
0.40
-
Total / 17.95 / 8.25 / 8.30
6.3 The basis of these cost estimates along with the reference dates for normative costing may be provided. The firmness of the estimate may be indicated along with the cost components that can vary, the factors that could cause the variation and the extent of the expected variation.