AGROTEXTILE PRODUCTS & THEIR USAGE SASMIRA AGROTEXTILE PRODUCTS & THEIR USAGE Mrs. Manisha A. Hira Scientist C SASMIRA, Mumbai

Indian Agricultural scenario SASMIRA Indian Agricultural scenario Increasing population. Industrialisation & Urbanisation The population dependent on agriculture has increased from 270 million to 670 million Per capita availability of cultivable land has dropped from 0.36 hectare to 0.13 hectare The contribution of agriculture to India’s GDP has reduced from 39% to 22% during 1974 – 2004. Pertinent Problems Population is expected to touch 1.33 billion in the year 2020 and the demand for food grain is going to be around 280 million tonnes Diminishing arable area and water. Global warming

FACTORS INFLUENCING AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES SASMIRA FACTORS INFLUENCING AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES Sunlight – direct and indirect Water Climatic Conditions including wind, hail, humidity External factors like birds, insects, weeds Post Harvest handling of produce – storage and packaging In India, presently Agricultural Activities are carried out under Natural Conditions of Temperature and Humidity

CONSEQUENCES OF ABSENCE OF SASMIRA CONSEQUENCES OF ABSENCE OF CONTROL FACTORS Yield percentage is unsatisfactory Quality of produce is marred Damages to the produce Regional limitation on cultivation Seasonal limitation on cultivation THE ABOVE FACTORS CAN BE EFFECTIVELY CONTROLLED USING AGROTEXTILE PRODUCTS

SASMIRA WHAT IS AGROTEXTILE Special textiles that are manufactured for agricultural applications These textile structures are used as controlling environment for plants / animals in applications like Agriculture Horticulture Animal husbandry

Agrotextile products Sunscreen net Wind shield nets Bird nets SASMIRA Agrotextile products Sunscreen net Wind shield nets Bird nets Crop covers Harvesting nets Insect nets Mulch mat Anti-hailstone nets Packing sacks and wrappers Fishing nets Cut grass collection bags Underlay fabrics Udder support nets

Protective Agrotextiles SASMIRA Protective Agrotextiles Shade nets Bird protection nets Anti – hail nets Wind breaking nets Harvesting nets Insect nets Ground covers Crop covers

Product Details Bird Protection Net Shading net Windshield fabrics SASMIRA Product Details Bird Protection Net Polyolefin monofilament / Tape yarns Warp knitted 2 – 3 cm mesh size 40 – 80 g/sq.m. Shading net Polyethylene Tape yarns Warp knitted, mesh size as per the required shading % 60 – 90 g/sq.m. Woven structures of lighter weight are also used Windshield fabrics Polypropylene monofilament / Tape yarns Warp knitted, mesh size as per the required wind blocking %, 40 – 90 g/sq.m.

Agrotextile Product Details, contd.. SASMIRA Agrotextile Product Details, contd.. Plant nets Polypropylene monofilament / Polyethylene Tape yarns Warp knitted Strips of nets with large opening, 30 -40 g/sq.m Harvesting nets Flat nets of square or triangular construction, of mesh size 8 – 12 mm 40 – 90 g/sq.m Woven structures of lighter weight are also used

Agrotextile Product Details, contd.. SASMIRA Agrotextile Product Details, contd.. Ground Covers Polypropylene, spunbonded 100 g/sq.m and above Woven/Nonwoven biodegradable structures of jute and coir are also used Packing Material Polyethylene Tape yarn Warp knitted, 50 – 60 g/sq.m Woven jute sacks are also used

Fibres used in Agrotextile products SASMIRA Fibres used in Agrotextile products Nylon Polyester Polyethylene Polypropylene Jute Wool

APPLICATION IN AGRICULTURE SASMIRA AGRO TEXTILE PRODUCTS AND THEIR APPLICATION IN AGRICULTURE PRODUCT APPLICATION IN AGRICULTURE ANIMAL HUSBAN- DARY FISHING CROP PRODUCE FLORICUL - TURE HORTICUL- TURE POST HARVESTING KNITTED NETS SHADING  BIRD PROTECTION WIND SHIELDS ANI-HAIL HARVESTING MILCHING PACKAGING SUPPORT NETS

APPLICATION IN AGRICULTURE SASMIRA AGRO TEXTILE PRODUCTS AND THEIR APPLICATION IN AGRICULTURE Contd… PRODUCT APPLICATION IN AGRICULTURE ANIMAL HUSBAN- DARY FISHING CROP PRODUCE FLORICUL - TURE HORTICUL- TURE POST HARVESTING NONWOVEN FABRICS MULCHMAT  CATTLE SHED UNDERLAY PROTECTIVE CLOTHING WOVEN FABRICS PACKING SACKS SUNCREENS PLASTIC SHEETS GROUND COVERS GREENHOUSE FILMS

SASMIRA Red Mulch for Tomato

Strawberry crop on Mulched Beds SASMIRA Strawberry crop on Mulched Beds

SASMIRA Solarization

SASMIRA Lining of ponds

SASMIRA Low Tunnels

Off-season Vegetable Cultivation in Greenhouses SASMIRA Off-season Vegetable Cultivation in Greenhouses

SASMIRA HORTI-POTS

MARKET SCENARIO Indian market is expected to increase from SASMIRA 2000 2005 2010 Identified and forecast by DRA report ,World Market forecast, 2010. Indian market is expected to increase from Rs. 510 crores in 2007 to Rs. 742 crores by 2012

Region-wise Global Consumption of Agrotextiles SASMIRA S.No. Regions Volume of consumption CAGR% 2005 2010 2000-2005 2005-2010 1 North America 150 152 -0.2 0.3 2 USA 135 137 3 South America Brazil 117 44 142 53 2.3 2.5 4.0 5 Western Europe 250 261 0.9 10 Eastern Europe 72 93 4.7 5.1 11 Middle East 51 63 2.6 4.1 12 Central Asia 14 16 3.7 13 South Asia India 195 154 269 215 5.9 6.2 6.7 6.9 15 North East Asia China 504 389 630 509 4.8 4.6 5.5 18 South East Asia 158 205 5.4 19 Africa 110 3.5 20 Oceania 3.1 Identified and forecast by DRA report, World Market forecast, 2010.

Summary of the market-sizing for Agrotech SASMIRA Summary of the market-sizing for Agrotech 2007 -08 2012-13 Product Production Import Export Domestic consumption Shade-nets Quantity 5,000 MT - 2,200 MT 2,800 MT 3,747 MT Value Rs 45.5 crore Rs 17.5 crore Rs 28 crore Rs 37.5 crore Greenhouse films 700 MT 900 MT 1900 MT 2736 MT 7.8 crore 15 crore 22.8 crore 32.8 crore Mulch-mats 1,050 MT 115 MT 7,000 MT 14.1 crore 1.5 crore 12.6 crore 98 crore Crop-covers 1000 MT 10 crore Others 472 crore 11.6 crore 37.5 crore 446.1 crore 573.75 crore TOTAL 24,868 MT 1,875 MT 5,665 MT 21,078 MT 33,390 MT Rs 549 crore Rs 27 crore Rs 67 crore Rs 510 crore Rs 742 crore Source : ICRA Management Services Report on Baseline Study Summary

TYPES OF GREEN HOUSE Low cost – Vegetable Medium cost tunnel – Spices SASMIRA Low cost – Vegetable Medium cost tunnel – Spices High cost - Floriculture

GREEN HOUSES LOW COST MEDIUM COST TYPE HIGH COST MATERIAL FEATURES SASMIRA TYPE MATERIAL FEATURES COST (Rs./sq.m) LOW COST Bamboo, Jute Cloth/UV Stabilised Plastic Film, shade nets Natural control on temp.& humidity 100 – 125 MEDIUM COST PVC Pipes, UV Stabilised Plastic Film/ Shade net, Plastic Wires Air circulating fans to control temp. & humidity 450 – 500 HIGH COST Metallic frame, UV Stabilised Plastic Film/ nets, plastic wires Systems to control and regulate temp. & humidity 1500 - 2000

ADVANTAGES OF GREEN HOUSE USAGE FOR DIFFERENT CROPS S.N. CROP SASMIRA ADVANTAGES OF GREEN HOUSE USAGE FOR DIFFERENT CROPS S.N. CROP TYPE OF GREEN HOUSE INCREASED YIELD % INCREASED INCOME % 1 Leafy Vegetables Low cost 50 60 2 Flowers Medium Cost 56 91 3 Tomato Low Cost 159 4 Capsicum Medium cost 210 110 5 Other Vegetables 185 290 150 90

MULCHES BPM in marigold 7-micron plastic in bitter gourd SASMIRA Substrates used in proximity to soil to help conservation of soil moisture and the moderation of soil temperature irrespective of climatic conditions Materials used for mulching Black Plastic Film (BPM) Nonwoven fabrics BPM in marigold 7-micron plastic in bitter gourd

BENEFITS OF MULCHING ECONOMICS OF MULCHES Moisture conservation SASMIRA Moisture conservation Maintenance of soil structure Soil borne pathogens control Better fertilizer use Increase in yield Weed control ECONOMICS OF MULCHES S.N. Crop Mulch Material Water Saving % Increase in yield % Additional income (‘000 Rs./ha) Remarks 1 Banana Black plastic mulch 100 µ 35 18 10 90 % weed control 90 % coverage 2 Brinjal Black plastic mulch 50 µ NA 44 5.0 Rainfed crop Applied after 15 days of cessation of monsoon 3 Chillies 20 29 30.0 1 irrigation can be saved 5 Cotton 93 40.5 6 Tomato 53 14.2 98 % weed control

Nonwoven mulches vis-à-vis Mulch films SASMIRA Nonwoven mulches vis-à-vis Mulch films Conventional Mulch films Using HDPE sheets, prevent weed growth However, do not provide controlled microclimate for crop growth Nonwoven mulches like Spunbond polypropylene nonwovens Multilayer construction of mulchmats consisting of Needle punched Nonwoven, Support scrim and Monoporous laminate Advantages Controlled soil microclimate Appropriate soil and water management Prevent weed growth

Textile Mulches (Nonwoven & Woven) SASMIRA Textile Mulches (Nonwoven & Woven) Property Sample 1 (NW Needle Punch) Sample 2 (NW Spun Bonded) Sample 3 Sample 4 (Woven) Polymer Jute PP GSM 1241 124.4 109.9 100 Thickness (mm) 7.86 0.55 0.53 1.0 Tensile Strength (Kgf) 14.4 x 10.1 19.1 12.3 18.2 x 8.9 113 x 70 Tear strength (kgf) - 16.5 x 8.8 17.4 x 6 28 x 19.2 Water Permeability (lt/sq-m/sec) 42.6 16.3 36.8 39 Water vapour permeability g/sq.m./day 504 1041.7 1037.5 742 Loss in strength after 500 hours UV exposure 42 % 38 % 30 % 8 %

HDPE Film Mulches SASMIRA S.No. Property Sample 1 Sample 2 1 Thickness µ 16 50 2 Tensile Strength(Kg/cm2) Direction-I 190.00 267.00 Direction-II 137.00 200.00 3 Tear Strength(lbs) 0.30 1.90 0.80 2.30 4 Water vapour permeability g/sq.m/day 11.3 9.6

Benefits of Usage of Protective Agrotextiles SASMIRA Benefits of Usage of Protective Agrotextiles Controlled cultivation of crops w.r.t. natural variants like sunlight, rainfall, humidity, soil moisture, etc. Protection from attack of birds, insects and other pests. Prevention of weed growth. Reduction in harvesting and post harvesting losses.

IMPEDIMENTS TO MARKETING OF AGROTEXTILES SASMIRA IMPEDIMENTS TO MARKETING OF AGROTEXTILES Lack of awareness amongst the agriculturist Lack of proper guidance on usage of Agrotextile products The attitude of being bandwagons Unorganized structure of cultivation Absence of norms on Price and Quality of Agrotextile products Absence of Government regulations

STEPS TO PROMOTE USAGE AGROTEXTILES IN THE COUNTRY SASMIRA STEPS TO PROMOTE USAGE AGROTEXTILES IN THE COUNTRY Organising Programmes for Promotion and Awareness of Agrotextiles in the country Creating demonstration farms Availability of cost benefit analysis on usage of Protective Agrotextiles for various crops Laying down Quality norms for the Agrotextile products being used by the cultivators Proposing Government Regulations

CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE AGROTEXTILES OUR VISION SASMIRA CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE AGROTEXTILES OUR VISION “To become a world class leading service driven national center for technical textile with international accreditation to serve the industry in general and agriculture sector in particular”

MISSION COE AGROTEXTILE SASMIRA MISSION COE AGROTEXTILE Creating awareness regarding agrotextiles products amongst agriculturists To assist the industry for entrepreneurship in the field of agrotextiles To provide training to the potential agrotextile manufacturers and users. To create state-of-the-art testing and certification facilities for agrotextile products To achieve self –reliance for the Centre of Excellence To develop and indigenise cost-effective agrotextile products To help the agricultural sector mainly to attain Increased productivity by protection of crops Early harvesting Improved means of controlled irrigation Conservation of natural resources

FACILITIES AT COE AGROTEXTILES SASMIRA STATE – OF –THE-ART FACILITIES AT COE AGROTEXTILES Demonstration Pilot Plant facilities Accredited Testing facilities Information center for Agrotextiles Training Center for Agrotextiles

SASMIRA Concluding Remarks Protective Agrotextiles like shade nets, harvesting nets, ground covers, etc are beneficial for cultivation. It is required is we popularise these products to the masses through media, awareness programmes, demonstration centres, and Government regulations. There is a strong need to strengthen the research on horticultural crops and to develop demand-driven technology by improved variety, pest management, etc., in both public and private sectors. These technologies should be quickly disseminated to the farmers and help them to upgrade their technical abilities.

SASMIRA A small targeted group of talented stakeholders and small entrepreneurs should be identified and assisted in obtaining access to funding, technical assistance and supply chain partners. This small group should be actively encouraged to develop business plans and feasibility studies. Also, the Centre of Excellence is working towards evaluation, standardisation of Agrotextile products. What is required is industry – academia working together with the cultivators with support from the Government.

SASMIRA SASMIRA THANK YOU