TECHNOLOGY

Modern Technology/ Innovations

Concept/design/surveys, development texts, studies on anaemia published, are one of its kind for the area.

• Water harvesting is unique for check dams with proximal tube wells/check valves, allowing excess water to reach aquifers – 5 Check dams.

• To recharge the aquifers another method was to allow water inundated rice fields to reach the under ground  water table and thus raise the water level.

• By transporting sweet water to brackish zones through PVC pipes enabled a remarkable change in the recipient soil and the output of the crops was enhanced.

• Additional advantages of constructing check dams is that nutritious top soil is prevented from being lost with the gushing waters during monsoons. Check dams also prevent formation of deep gullies, crevices and gorges which make the land uneven for farming.

• Hardy moong grass was tested and planted on the banks of the irrigation channels to prevent erosion of the banks.        

• Salinity of soil and water which was poisoned chemically by fertilizers and pesticides and further by using gypsum (to reduce brackishness in soil and water), the quality of soil and water deteriorated. By introduction of ‘vermi compost’ and NADEP manure (with the addition of Pant Nagar fungus extract); gave a new direction to restore normal nutrition to the soil.

• Hybrid seeds was introduced (for better crop yield) & high quality crossbred semen for artificial insemination. The controversy regarding genetically modified seed has not been resolved. These schemes with assured irrigation helped farmers to sow three crops instead of one and gave the landless labourers work and wages for nine months instead of three.

• In the animal husbandry sector innovations in providing much needed fodder during the dry seasons was a major challenge. Introduction of elephant grass and the experiment with ‘molasses-urea cocktail’ has opened a new innovation in alleviating fodder shortage, especially when combined with traditional green fodder like Lucerne.  Encouraging the breeding of the murrah buffalo over the cow made the community aware of the economic advantages in choosing the right species. The important role of the Mathura Veterinary University by offering advances in better and progressive practices of cattle breeding was immeasurable, which NIRPHAD was able to arrange. Additionally, all cattle with compicated diseases were referred for diagnosis and free treatment to the MVU.                       

•  Pig rearing has enormous potential for development as it has a large commercial market in the neighbouring meat canning industry (Aligarh). There are caste/religious prejudices which have to be over come in rearing pigs, but it is ironic that the canning factory has a large Muslim population on its pay roll, vindicating that if there is economic benefit, religion can go out of the window!

• Poor widows are involved in 'pass on the gift' scheme (112 units) with berberi breed goats and incomes accrued elevate them above poverty line. Innovations in cottage industries included easily marketable products.

• Skill development in marketing products were introduced by the SHGs so that:

  • Carpet weaving (discontinued at present) as the women who were trained and motivated are continuing weaving in their homes - 20 women.
    
  • Data on women trained:
    • 1475 Women in Sewing
    • 156 Women in Hand printing
    • 90 Women in Stone Carving -  Presently a unit of 15 women
    • 100 Women in Carpet Weaving
    • 156 Women in House hold tasks
    • 55 women in Candle making - Presently 6 individual units are engaged
    • 150 women  in making Card Board Boxes - Presently 6 individual units are engaged
    • 227 women in making dresses (poshak) - Presently 6 individual units
    • 28 women in Namkeen (Snacks) making- Presently 1 individual unit
      
  • Other skill development programs are, jams & pickles & screen printing
    
    
• Innovations in health and eye care with growth monitoring, health education, preventive measures, family welfare services, and affordable referral services reduced infant mortality  birth and maternal-mortality rates & increased contraceptive prevalence rates. Linking inter-sector activities with health is unique and cost-effective.
  
  
• Latest time-tested tools and skills in communication for motivating and training target groups/communities for graded self-reliance has been the forte for all programs.
  
  
• Computerization of all data even at the remote field level from the time of the Survey in 1977-78 till date of several programs has been accomplished.