A mission undertaken by Nagarjuna Fertilizers and Chemicals Ltd.

1. Introduction

Nagarjuna Group is a dream brought into reality by Shri KVK Raju, a first generation entrepreneur from Andhra Pradesh. Shri KVK Raju was a visionary with firm belief in his mission to "serve society through industry". It is this belief, which continues to ushering Nagarjuna Group that pioneered several core sector enterprises like Fertilizers, Energy and Petroleum.

Nagarjuna Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited (NFCL) the flagship company of the Nagarjuna Group commissioned the first Gas based fertilizer plant in South India at Kakinada in 1992 and currently has a capacity to produce 12 Lakh MT of Urea per annum.

Nagarjuna entered the plant protection business in 1994 and within a short span of time the company has grown to become one of the top five plant protection companies in India, supplying plant protection technicals and formulations to many Indian and International companies. Nagarjuna is manufacturing 8 technicals and 15 formulations with a turnover of Rs 400 crores.

Nagarjuna Group started Micro irrigation business in collaboration with Israeli companies. Nagarjuna is shouldering the responsibility in the Andhra Pradesh Micro Irrigation Project (APMIP) towards delivering effective water management solutions to the farmers of Andhra Pradesh. Nagarjuna is also the first company to introduce the concept of water soluble fertilizers in India in 1995 through tie up with Haifa Chemicals, Israel and is the market leader in India with sales of about 8000 Mt per annum.

As part of its mission, the group is actively involved in the Micro nutrient segment by supplying high quality products like Mahazinc (Zinc Monohydrate): 450 MT, Zeta (Zinc EDTA): 150 MT, Groth (Formula 4): 100 MT and Borovin (Boron): 25 MT. Nagarjuna is also sharing the responsibility of distributing Zinc Sulphate under the State Government's subsidy scheme to the farming community.

Nagarjuna is currently supplying about 20 Lakh MT of urea. Nagarjuna has been nominated as the Lead Fertilizer Supplier (LFS) by the Government of India in Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal as a coordinator between the Government and the Industry.

Apart from the efforts of State and Central Governments, the fertilizer industry is also playing an important role in transferring technology to the farmers. Nagarjuna has taken service to the farmer as a mission since its inception in 1985 and has established a strong brand in India and has since become a partner of the farming community.

As a step towards providing a platform to facilitate technology transfer to farmers KVK RAJU KRISHI VIGNANA KENDRAM (KVK) was set up at Kakinada in 1995. The objective of the center is to transfer technology and impart knowledge on best agricultural practices like Integrated Nutrition Management, Water Management, Integrated Pest Management, Post-harvest Management, etc.

Apart from training activities, the company has also undertaken several extension activities for the benefit of the farming community. A wide range of technical crop films on paddy, sugarcane, maize, cotton, chilli and benefits of Zinc usage in crops have been developed over the past few years enabling the concept of "Seeing is believing". Programs like crop seminars, demonstrations, film shows, soil analysis etc are extensively organized for transferring enabling technology to the farmers. Tools like LCD projectors, Slide projectors, AV vans, flip charts, crop literature etc are widely used for effective communication. A schematic representation of NFCL's activities is presented in the chart below:

NFCL continues its endeavor to shoulder social responsibilities and conduct several social welfare activities, viz., health camps, drinking water, education, promoting rural women empowerment etc. It has also established a green belt in about 600 acres around its plant and promoted eco-systems for achieving harmony with the environment. This achievement is reflected in the number of awards conferred on NFCL by various organizations.

2. Soil Health Management

The production and productivity at the farm level is continuously deteriorating owing to imbalance fertilizer usage, indiscriminate use of inorganic fertilizers, repeated and mono cropping. Further the micro-nutrients in soil are also depleting at a very alarming rate. In this scenario it is very important that farmer should know nutrition status of their soils, before planting of any crop and plan fertilization of crops. To facilitate this NFCL has set up a Soil Testing Laboratory.

NFCL is taking a primary role in educating the farmers on balance fertilizer application and soil health management through several farmer educating programs like KVK - In house training, Off campus training and also through several Farmer meetings by arranging the eminent scientists to make the farmers well equipped with the knowledge.

NFCL has been strongly advocating and promoting the balanced fertilizer usage. NFCL has identified soil testing as a primary diagnostic technique towards.
1. Soil Health Management.
2. Balance Fertilizer Usage.
Understanding the value of soil testing for farmers, NFCL has setup elaborate facility for testing soil samples collected across India and providing the soil test reports to the farmers on time thus helping them in understanding the usage of balanced fertilizer as per the crop schedule.

The Field staff of the company collects the soil samples from their territories before the planting season and sends to the Soil Testing Laboratory of company. Analyst of Soil Testing Laboratory analyses the soil samples and sends the soil test results with the fertilizer recommendations according to the soil status and crops to be grown. Soil samples collected and analyzed over a period of past five years is given inn the table:
Year No. of soil samples analyzed
2002-03 6,000
2003-04 8,560
2004-05 7,200
2005-06 9,100
2006-07 9,106

BENEFITS:
· Enabled the farmer to understand the Characteristics of their soil.
· Enabled farmers to practice Balanced Nutrition.
· Enabled the farmers in proper crop selection.
· Helped in improving the Farm Productivity.

In order to make the Soil testing as part of their regular activity, NFCL has introduced the SOIL HEALTH CARD to all the samples that are analyzed in our lab so as to enable the farmer to keep it permanently and maintain the track of Soil health and also to maintain and improve the Crop Productivity.

"Soil Health Enhancement" Campaign:
Dr.M.S.Swaminathan emphasized the importance of soil health and call upon the Fertilizer Association of India (FAI), to undertake "Soil Health Enhancement Campaign" and coordinate this exercise under aegis of the Department of Agriculture and Agricultural Universities.

NFCL joined hands with FAI to carry out campaigns to bring awareness amongst the farming community. As a part of this campaign the following activities have been organized for the benefit of the farming community.

§ Soil sample collection
§ Testing and analysis
§ Plot demonstration
§ Farmers and Dealers training programs on soil health

Specific programs:

Two plot demonstrations conducted at Tadwai and Errapahad villages of Nizamabad District in A.P with view to bring awareness on soil test based nutrition management. As a part of this program field day and farmers meeting were organized to inform the farmers about the activities taken up during the campaign and the importance of using fertilizers based on Soil Test results.

The farmers of the above villages have realized the importance of soil health and realized the excess usage of Urea and Potash and should use Phosphorous as per requirement, since the soil is low in available Phosphorous based on soil test report. They have also noted the savings made on fertilizer usage based on Soil test recommendation.

2. Adoption of Sadial Village in South-24-parganas District of West Bengal as a pilot project:

NFCL has adopted village Sadial in Mathurapur block in South - 24 -parganas of West Bengal. As advised by FAI and Department of Agriculture, W.B. all the manufacturers adopted one village each. NFCL executives have collected soil samples from all the farmers of the village. All the samples were analyzed for both Macronutrients and Micronutrients. Based on analysis reports, soil health cards were prepared and distributed to the farmers. As part of this program, NFCL Officials explained soil sampling techniques and benefits which are as follows:

Soil Sampling:

Soil Sampling is the primary activity in agriculture to know about the status of Soil Fertility and available Nutrients in the soil i.e. productivity. It also indicates the pH value and Organic Matters present in soil. Soil Analysis gives direction to the farmers to identify the necessary steps to be carried out in a season with respect to management of Organic matter in the soil and Nutrients in deriving better yields.

Details of Soil Analysis Report:
State No. of Samples Organic Carbon N P K
Low Med High Low Med High Low Med High Low Med High
Values in Percentages (%)
AP 6763 34 41 25 34 41 25 44 43 13 12 50 38
WB 54 17 23 60 33 43 24 12 55 33 45 55 -
Orissa 710 31 45 24 36 49 15 37 46 17 87 13 -
Total 7527 - - - - - - - - - - - -

Survey conducted by Metric Consultancy, a renowned market research agency has brought out its findings that NFCL's activities viz, imparting knowledge of soil sample collection, demonstrations, timely distribution of the analysis reports and prescription of optimum fertilizer dosage by eminent soil scientists etc., in improving soil health is the best in the industry.

3. Micro Irrigation - a new dimension in Water Management

Water to the crop - not to the field:
Nagarjuna Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited (NFCL) recognize the importance of water in agriculture and started promoting judicious use of water for agriculture and horticulture crops. It is estimated that for a single full irrigation, in conventional Flood Method of Irrigation (FMI), an average volume of 2.5 lakh liter is pumped to an acre land surface. Conventionally, crop is irrigated at the interval of 8-15 days and the distribution uniformity is limited up to 33% only, which means that the crop utilizes only 35 to 40% of the total quantity of water applied. Looking to the wastage of precious water, NFCL came out with a though provoking slogan "water to the crop not to the field" with a view to disseminate awareness on effective utilization of water- an unique natural resource

.

The Concept of Drip Irrigation: Drip irrigation (OR) Micro Irrigation as it is popularly known, was developed and adapted by Israel, USA and Australia in early seventies. In Drip irrigation, the cyclical nature of the conventional irrigation methods can be avoided and the soil moisture levels can be maintained at optimum Field Capacity levels continuously, whereby the conditions for plant growth are ideal all along the duration of the crop, which is reflected in the study published by Singh et al (2000).

Efficient Crop Management
- More yield with good quality produce
- Change over crops as per local market demands
- Use of soluble Fertilizers through Drip
Fertigation as per the crop demand

NFCL's role in promoting Micro Irrigation: Much prior to National task force implementation of Micro Irrigation, NFCL has been promoting Micro Irritation concept. As a part of promotion program, initially, it has imported micro irrigation systems from Israel and supplied to its customers. During 1996 NFCL has sent production engineers and agronomists to Israel to acquaint manufacturing process of micro irrigation accessories and horticultural crops technology.

During 1998 NFCL established a manufacturing unit at Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, with a joint venture between NFCL and a consortium of three Israeli companies - Lego, Plassim and Metzerplas. Currently, the shareholding is entirely with the Nagarjuna Group.

In house production facility of Micro Irrigation Systems: NFCL has set up state of art technology in Micro Irrigation systems production facility at Nacharam (Hyderabad). Currently NFCL is producing 12.6 million meters of integral drip line and 40,000 meters of plain laterals per annum. NFCL was the fist company to produce and introduce integral drip line for close space crops and is rated well for the quality of its products ( all with BSI markings) and services. The company has instituted a superior practices for the first time in the industry which includes…periodic installation audits and service campaigns, maintenance manuals in local languages and so on, resulting in improved brand equity.. Till now it has installed micro irrigation systems in more than 30000 hectares across in the country. Year wise installations (acreage) by NFCL are presented in the table:

The effectiveness of Micro Irrigation has generated huge interest among other farmers who were following traditional water management. Based on the interest evinced by these farmers the Govt. of Andhra Pradesh has allocated more districts to NFCL for taking up micro irrigation installations resulting in a 30% increase in the Micro Irrigation business.

With the emphasis given by the State Govt., more and more farmers are coming forward for taking up micro irrigation systems as it is resulting in effective water management and resulting cost savings to a tune of 40% on account of electricity charges and cost of inputs.

NFCL has a data bank of 15000 farmers who have got benefited through Micro Irrigation and are serving as ambassadors for Micro Irrigation concept.

Farmer Base:

Crop Acreage(Ha) Type of System Number of Farmers
Banana 12500 In line 6250
Sugarcane 11000 On Line 5500
Grape 500 On line 250
Pomegranate 500 On line 250
Citrus 2500 On line 1250
Oil Palm 2000 Micro jet 1000
Vegetables 500 On line 250
Others 583 On line / In line 292

NFCL has brought 4251 hectares comprising Banana, Sugarcane, Oil Palm and Mango under micro irrigation during this period and also providing services to around 2000 farmers. NFCL has been conducting technical sessions such as preventive maintenance of systems, acid treatment, making irrigation schedules etc. As a result of this type of services, fellow farmers inclined to opt micro irrigation systems.

2004-05 .

NFCL has installed micro irrigation systems in 5421 hectares which includes Banana, Sugarcane and Oil Palm, vegetables and sweet orange. It constituted a quality circle with a

view to provide regular service to its Micro Irrigation farmers. The organization of quality circle is mentioned in the following chart.

The services includes

preventive maintenance, irrigation scheduling for wide range of crops and agronomical services. The quality circle, comprising MI engineer, an agronomist, crop specialist and three mechanical operators to provide service exclusively to MI farmers on regular basis. This team continuously visiting fields, attending operational problems and disseminate knowledge related to MI systems maintenance, agronomical solutions which includes usage of water soluble fertilizer through drip irrigation and plant protection technology.

2005-06

NFCL constituted a task force to promote Micro Irrigation in Rayalaseema Region.

Task force is constituted to promote fertigation concept in drought-prone districts of Anantapur, Kadapa & Chittoor. The task force comprising Regional Manager,(RM) Sales Officer, development officer, MI engineer, , Technical Assistant and Field Assistant from each area office. This task force is working under Regional Manager and responsible for up-dating the date base and organizing meetings to offer technical details of Micro Irrigation systems. This team collects the farmers list Mandal wise and organize crop wise meetings on regular basis and finally follow up with farmers. This whole activity is carried out under the supervision of RM. The impact assessment exercised is carried out on quarterly basis in addition to monthly review. Task force of NFCL brought 2500 acres under Micro Irrigation systems in the above districts. Crop wise installation in this district is presented in the table. NFCL made the MI farmers to adopt Nutrigation techniques since they have suitable systems for Nutrigation, results of this program are presented in the succeeding chapters

2006 -07
Sprinklers installations

Apart from drip system, NFCL has already installed sprinkler systems for crops like Ground Nut, Pulses, Maize, Caster and cotton., in all put together about 1500 hectares and offering services to nearly 2000 sprinkler farmers.

Special Micro Irrigation projects by NFCL:

NFCL has successfully completed special projects like Sugarcane project in Maharashtra where in 1200 hectares brought under micro irrigation. Similarly, NFCL has also installed integral drip line for 75 hectares in Integrated Vegetable Development Project (IVDP). It also installed MI systems for corporates like Frito lays and Reliance. Frito lays started contract farming of Potato production; NFCL has extended technical know-how on Micro Irrigation and Nutrigation. In this project, it installed integral drip line of 150 acres for Potato in Maharashtra. NFCL has also installed state of art technology of drip for Oil Palm in collaboration with Antelco, Australia in Andhra Pradesh.

NFCL offered services to Tamil Nadu Precision Farming Project (TNPFP)

Tamil Nadu Precision Farming Project, the first of its kind in India was implemented by Tamil Nadu Government in an area of 400 ha for the benefit of the farming community in Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts. Main thrust was given for hi tech agriculture including land preparation, community nursery and drip fertigation. Enhancement in crop production ranged from 40 to 60 % irrespective of the crops grown by the farmers. The state government on seeing the great success of the programme, has planned to support the programme in 1400 ha in two spells with 200 crore investment.

NFCL has installed micro irrigation systems in 150 hectares under this project and provided technical services for designing fertigation schedules with water soluble fertilizers. As a commercial agreement NFCL also supplied a range of water soluble fertilizers to this project. This project has demonstrated the benefits of both micro irrigation and fertigation on wide range of crops. With the success of this project, the state Govt of Tamilnadu is envisaging an investment of Rs 1000 crores for replicating the project in more areas.