| 4. In which ways is the initiative creative and innovative?
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For giving assurance to European Union regarding pesticide residues in exportable grapes , total traceability on line software were developed in consultation with , State Horticulture Department , APEDA, NRCG and grape growers and exporters. The chronological activities of action plan implemented under project are given below,
1. Development of software – Software was developed by the APEDA, New Delhi in consultation with State Horticulture Department, NRCG, Grape Growers and Exporters. Software application developed and hosted on the web server (www.apeda.org.in) of APEDA. Software was developed for Registration, Inspection, Residue Testing, Consignment creation, online application for CAG & PSC,
2. Involvement of experts – Experts from APEDA, National research, Center for Grape , State Horticulture Department were involved for scientific inputs for software development. They have designed garden for export and updation on Grapenet and issuance of phytosanitory certification for export to comply the quarantine requirement of importing countries and or registration of exportable grape garden, Inspection of exportable garden recommendation for sampling for residue testing .
3. Capacity building – Knowledge updation of field staff is carried out by pre-seasonal and mid-seasonal trainings at NRCG level. The trained staff in-turn carry out on-farm trainings of grape growers. The feed-back under trainings is given to the experts for developing further pupation.
4. Registration - Registration of Exportable grape garden are registered every year in the month of October to December by getting application form from interested grape grower and registration is made on GrapeNet on line and unique computer generated registration no is given for 1 ha farm .( e.g.MH11PU238654) . District Superintending Agriculture Officer of concern district are appointed as Registration Authority.
5. Inspection – Inspection of grape garden for export grapes to European Union two Inspection are made compulsory. First inspection in 4A at the time of new registration and renewal and second inspection in 4B before sampling of grapes sampling for residue analysis and fit for export. Accordingly 4b report are updated online on GrapeNet .
6. Residue analysis – For sampling and residue analysis APEDA accredited residues laborites are authorized for sampling of grapes from registered and recommended grape garden. After analysis of samples result are updated online on GrapeNet by laboratory.
7. Agmark Certification-After receipt of the laboratory result , if the results found ok , then exporter are harvesting the grape from registered grape garden with consent of grower and material is stuffed at Apeda accredited pack house .For grading certificate exporter are creating consignment Id and forwarding application to Agmark authorized laboratory online for grading certificate .after verification of the material Agmark grading certificate assigned to the consignment and certificate are issued online through GrapeNet.
8. Phytosanitory certificate – Phytosanitory certificate are issued by State Horticulture department officers. After Agmark certified consignment application if given to PSC Authority online through GrapeNet . After physical verification of consignment and found free from pest and disease Phytosanitory certificate are processed on line and signed copy in preprinted stationary issued to concern exporter .
Pest monitors are appointed to verify the activity of pest scouts. For every 10 scout one pest monitor is appointed. Apart from monitoring they also undertake roving survey and record observation in data sheet.
9. Mass Awareness – Registration and PSC Authority organize mass awareness campaigns at District and block level. Print media and electronic media are effectively used. Apart from that farmers training etc. are also organized.
10. State Level Steering Committee – Project steering formed under Chairmanship of Director APEDA involving all stakeholders to formulate guidelines; review and up-date project and suggest policy matters to Government.
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| 5. Who implemented the initiative and what is the size of the population affected by this initiative?
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The details of stakeholder involved in project implementation of along with their roles is given below,
Commissioner Agriculture (State Department)
1. Key implementing agency of the project.
2. Registration of Exportable Grape garden
3. Inspection and recommendation grape garden fit for export and sampling for residue analysis
4. Issuance of phytosanitory certificate for fulfilling the SPS and quarantine requirement of Importing countries i.e. European Union
5. Give location specific real time advice to farmers through SMS.
6. Mass awareness campaigns through electronic and print media.
7. Effective system has been put in place for monitoring of pesticide residues and management for export.
Agricultural Processed Product Export Development Authority( APEDA) New Delhi
1.Preparation of RMP document
2. Coordination of all stakeholders
3.Maintance of GrapeNet software
4.Strenghthening of pack house facilities
National Research Centre for Grapes, New Delhi
1. Nodal technical agency for development and maintenance of software.
2. Finalize Annexure -5 and Annexure -9 for use of recommended pesticides and analysis of pesticides.
3. Monitoring of Residue testing laboratory Work
4. Training to growers and field staff
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| 6. How was the strategy implemented and what resources were mobilized?
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The project was financially supported under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) of the Govt. of India. From 2012-13, the funding for the project was made through RKVY. Looking to the success of the project State Govt. has taken a policy decision to implement the project from 2013-14 onwards Under RKVY.
State Agriculture Department is the nodal agency for implementation of the project. APEDA and NRC Grapes is the technical nodal agency for monitoring of the project.
State Department has appointed field staff for registration of exportable grape garden and recommendation of grape garden for sampling for residue analysis and their on line Data entry work. For effective monitoring of these work at State level monitoring cell is established at Pune headquarter.
APEDA has developed software in consultation with experts and State Department of Agriculture. The scientists from NRC Grapes provided technical input for software development. They have also helped in developing advisory capsules for dissemination. Data analyzed through software is interpreted by experts from research institutes for issuance of advisories.
The project is implemented in major grape producing 14 districts of the state viz..Nashik, Sangli, Solapur, Satara, Pune, Ahmennagar, Latur, Osmanabad, Jalna, Beed, Aurangabad, Buldhana, and Nanded . Field staff are trained at NRC Grapes , data entry operators and software supporters are trained by APEDA experts.
Advance it Facilities are provide to Registration Authority at District and for Inspecting Authority at taluka level . Monitoring of work is all field staff is monitored through online only . As per International Plant protection Convention ( IPPC) and Sanitary and Phytosanitory Measures(SPSM) for export of Grapes to EU Phytosanitory certificate is mandatory. Govt. of India authorize State official for issuance PSC for export .All PSC authority are trained and necessary advance it facilities are provide to them. PSC are issued through GRAPENET through online only. All date are made available on GrapeNet to all stakeholders.
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| 7. Who were the stakeholders involved in the design of the initiative and in its implementation?
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1. Software Development - First time in the country pesticide residue and monitoring concept for export of grape to European Union was successfully implemented. Software for Residue monitoring on real time basis and advisory issuance was evolved and implemented resulting to automation and increased efficiency. Software has helped to improve delivery time of services. Direct technical advice from experts became possible and thereby bridging the gap between research and extension.
2. Human Resource Development - Capacity building through well structured training programmes conducted by APEDA and NRCGrapes have led to efficiency enhancement in extension officers functioning both at decision making level and grass root level. They have regained respect and confidence of farmers which appeared to be shattered there before. The field staffs that get trained through project will have the skills for becoming experts in future that will create self employment.
3. Knowledge sharing - The knowledge imparted to the farmers about the insect biology, damage potential, proper management practices and significance of biological control will go a long way helping them for achieve sustainable system-productivity. Farmers also gained confidence about pest identification and strategies to deal with it.
1. Residue Management - Residue monitoring system was developed for regular on-line residue monitoring for export of grapes to European Union.. Software developed is useful for maintaining data base for future use. The data generated is useful for early detection of pesticide residues in exportable grapes and to combat the same. Farm registration and inspection of grape garden and recommendation of garden for sampling of grapes for residue analysis has simplified the procedure for residue monitoring. Software helped experts to get analyzed data for issuance of Phytosanitory certification for Export
Trained manpower is developed through the project. Despite climatic variations crop production and productivity is maintained. Pest population is consistently maintained below ETL. Pest management in eco-friendly manner became possible.
Participatory response of farmers has increased substantially. The project was found to be highly cost effective in terms of area coverage and production obtained. Proved effectiveness of the project has helped to extend the project to other crops in the State.
Since inception of project there is no rejection of consignment on the ground of detection of pesticide residues under project. Project proved to be extremely useful to Government to safeguard farmers interest by protecting the crop losses due to pest problems and minimize the pesticide residue resulted in to increase in residue free export, and establishment of India Brand for export that will ultimately increase farmers income and add to state economy and help in getting foreign exchange to the country.
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| 8. What were the most successful outputs and why was the initiative effective?
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The activities of pesticide residue are monitored by the APEDA and State department, NRC Grapes regularly. The software has facility of data tracking for data entry and advisory dissemination. That helps for monitoring of data entry by exporters and Monthly progress reports are the tools for monitoring of physical and financial progress. Periodical meetings of the Project Monitoring Committee are conducted at State Level. Steering Committee at State Level also takes periodical review of the project for current scenario and project upgradtion.
APEDA has carried out project evaluation every year. NABARD has carried out evaluation of RKVY projects in 2014
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| 9. What were the main obstacles encountered and how were they overcome?
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There was no system existing earlier for scientific pesticide residue monitoring system . In consultation with experts software was developed for proper on-line residue monitoring ie farm to fork.
While implementation of software initially it was noticed that in the registration and inspecting authorities are facing the software problem for updating on line date. to overcome the issue helpdesk facilities are created for solving the problem immediately resulted in to success the implementation of the project. Considering the response of the growers’ online registration and inspection and recommendation of exportable garden work is assign at taluka level for quick disposal.
Initially EU country wise MRL are prescribed and it is very difficult to monitor at farmers and maintaince of record also. The issue was discussed with EU and MRL of all EU countries are harmonized in 2009-10.
Bringing various institutes on common platform was another major challenge. By making them stakeholders under the project they were actively involved in project. All necessary facilities were extended to them to undertake the activity. Coordination of all stakeholders was sought through Coordinating Committee chaired under APEDA.
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