Karad farmer develops pincer to pluck sugarcane buds……..Atul Deshpande & Nikhil Deshmukh
Pune/Satara: Pradeep Nikam,a progressive farmer from Indoli village of Karad taluka in Satara district has developed a special pincer to pluck sugarcane buds,which can be used as seeds for fresh plantation.
Speaking to TOI,Nikam said,The idea of developing a pincer has been on my mind for a long time.Every year farmers spend more and more money on buying seeds,and this ultimately reduces their income margin.With a pincer,the farmer can now pluck the sugarcane buds off the stalk and use them later as seeds.
Nikam who is associated with Prayog Parivar,the nongovernmental organisation founded by S A Dabholkar,is involved in propagating a scientific approach while undertaking agricultural activities.In Prayog Parivar,farmers are trained to cultivate a scientific approach towards agriculture,to understand the cycle and developments of plants, said Nikam.This further helps in understanding the conventional way of farming and how it can be improvised further in the interest of agricultural growth. Nikam is also a champion of organic farming and is involved in conducting training sessions for farmers who want to adopt organic farming practices.
After developing the pincer,Nikam approached various institutions for support in spreading awareness about it.The National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development (Nabard) has sanctioned Rs 10 lakh for a development and awareness creation programme, he said.
The money will be utilised to hold workshops in 15 districts of the state where sugarcane is grown.In one year,I will hold 75 programmes in these districts, Nikam added.
Future possibilities
The development of the device is a welcome move, said Prakash Naiknavare,managing director of the Maharashtra State Co-operative Sugar Factories Federation.It will be advisable for the developer of the pincer to get it approved by the Vasantdada Sugar Institute,which is authorised to recommend agriculturerelated technology and equipment.The recognition itself will result in an upsurge in demand for the device.
Speaking to TOI about the possibilities the pincer could achieve,a senior scientist said,Along with Rs 10,000 that the farmers will save per acre for seed,at least three rounds of watering can be saved too.Sugarcane is known for being a water intensive crop and the use of sugarcane buds will save precious water and still give the same output.