Agriculture Implements in Sonapur of Kamrup District, Assam District, Assam

Interactive Design Study

Cluster Level Report

DCS MSME Scheme

Band Five | 2013

Agriculture Implements

in Sonapur of Kamrup

District, Assam

Submitted by : Om Designs & Consultant

[email protected]

1Design Clinic 5 Band Workshop Report : Agriculture Implements, Sonapur, Kamrup | 2013 | Om Designs & Consultant

District, Assam

Preface

Agriculture occupies the primary position in the economy of the state of Assam. Over 70 percent of the state's population relies on agriculture as farmers, as agricultural laborers, or both for their livelihood. The traditional type of agriculture carried out in primitive manners still determines the way of life of the people of Assam. Assam produces both food and cash crops. Rice is the chief crop of Assam. The principal food crops produced in the state are rice (paddy), maize (corn), pulses, potato, wheat, etc., while the principal cash crops are tea, jute, oilseeds, sugarcane, cotton, and tobacco. Tea is the most tea, jute, oilseeds, sugarcane, cotton, and tobacco. Tea is the most important cash crop in Assam and the state is well known worldwide for its tea.

This report is a cluster level report of Interactive Study of the Clusters, under the premise of MSME scheme. Survey done to highlight about the Agriculture Implements of Sonapur of Kamrup District


� 1

About DCSDesign Clinic Scheme for Design Expertiseto MSMEs, a unique and ambitious designintervention scheme for the country’s large micro,small and medium scale enterprises, is an initiative

DESIGN CLINIC

SCHEME

small and medium scale enterprises, is an initiativeof Ministry of MSME, Government of India hasbeen launched under National ManufacturingCompetitiveness programme. The scheme isbeing designed keeping in mind the objectiveof design awareness, design interventions andcompetitiveness improvement for largest groupof industrial sectors, Micro, small and mediumenterprises of the country


Need Assessment Survey

Thanks to

Dr. N. K. Mohan , Scientist Horticulture

Mr. Moneswar Das local Industrialist Agriculture,

Team DCS of NID, Ministry of MSMe,

Team of Shanti Creation

for their valuable advice and help during the for their valuable advice and help during the

Need Assessment Survey of Agriculture Implements of Sonapur.


Shanti Creation (The Association)

� The approach of the Shanti Creation, Guwahati is to meet the demand for intervention through DCS under Ministry of MSME implemented by NID, Ahmedabad . As the Association has been working for rural artisans and weavers to develop their livelihood. Shanti Creation which is a body of Technocrats and Artisans was engaged with

� Designing and Development of Rural Product Marketing of Rural Product.� Marketing of Rural Product.

� Design intervention to MSMEsectors for their products

� Woman empowerment(Economical, social and political)

� Skill up gradation to small scaleindustries and to Rural People


The attempt of this NAS is to identify

that farmer of Sonapur so that the purpose of the cluster

Level initiatives will be to build the

local industry competitiveness,

poverty alleviation, employment

generation and also building local

governance systems. The entry

route of the Institutions will vary

as per its mandate and

competencies. These areas maycompetencies. These areas may

be technology up-gradation,

entrepreneurship building,

skill development, livelihood

promotion, quality up-gradation,

market linkage facilitation,

Design development etc.


Kamrup Metro District


Sonapur: The Sonapur is situated in the 37 No N.H towards to Nowgoan district district it is in block of Dimoria of Kamrup Metro District. The farmer is spread on the plain to hilly area which have connected to Meghalaya state.

Hisorical Background:The District is bounded by - North - Darrang District and Kamrup District South - Meghalaya State and Kamrup District East - MorigaonDistrict West - Kamrup District

Area : 216.79 Sq.Km.

CLIMATE & RAINFALL :

Climate : Sub tropical with semi-dry summer & cold in winter.

Annual Rainfall : Ranges between 1500 mm to 2600 mm.

Natural Calamity : Flood occurs generally in the low lying areas of the district Natural Calamity : Flood occurs generally in the low lying areas of the district during May to August every year. Late flood during the later part of September & October also occurs. The occurrence of flood in the district is due to the river Brahmaputra and its Tributaries. During rainy days the city of Guwahati also witnesses localised flood due to poor drainage system of the city.

Average humidity : 75%

Max. Temperature : 38.5° C.

Min. Temperature : 7 ° .C.

IMPORTANT RIVERS : Brahmaputra,Kolong and Digaru


The shrine of Goddess Kamakhya is located about five kms from the city of Guwahati on the Nilachal hill overlooking the river Brahmaputra with a commanding view of the area all around.Regarding the many origins of this pith, the most popular is the version found in the Kalika Puran, a Sashtra of the tenth


Guwahati City

Ever since recognizing the potential

that underutilized Agri Product may

hold as drivers of agricultural

diversification and rural growth,

efforts have been undertaken to

improve the capacity of farmers to

increase production and market

the produce. The assumption is

that if this can be produced

on commercial scale and


on commercial scale and

marketed properly through

An established functional

value chain, the full potential

of the commodity can be

realized to help

meet the objective of the

Survey

OVERVIEW OF THE SONAPUR CLUSTER

BackgroundIn sonapur the Farmer has engaged to produce Agri product like Rice, Flowers, vegetables

and orange.

The mid-hill areas of Kamrup districts have favorable conditions for the development and

promotion of orange fruits commercially because the areas have relatively improved

infrastructure, favorable locations near to large market of Guwahati, agro climatic suitability

and farmers groups with traditional fruit growing experiences. Commercialization of

Agriculture Product growing is highly supported by government policy and working strategy

for increasing income and rural employment of rural people in an inclusive way providing

them with sustained ways of living. The government plan promotes policies for thethem with sustained ways of living. The government plan promotes policies for the

efficient mobilization of resources with economic opportunities and employment, and

expansion in the joint participation of government, local bodies and private sector.

Production capacity

Total production and land extent have been continuously increasing since the 1990s.This

trend is to continue due to the continuous support, large potentiality and the crop’s high

profit rate per hectare.


Product seasonality and short shelf life are seen as the biggest problems

faced by the sectorSonapur Agri Product like Rice, Flowers, vegetable and oranges though excellent in

quality in terms of size, color, flavor, sweetness and total soluble solids content, it has

specific seasonality and short storage life.


Quality and coverage of the extension system is weak and inequitable

This resulted in poor transfers of information and technology between the Agriculture Department and rural farmers; and low technology adoption rates by the small-scale producers. Training extension officers, encouraging farmer-led workshops, demonstrations as well as local initiatives could serve as a possible remedy. Appointing, on a long term basis, a set of officials with expertise to collaborate with a given set of producers would be one way into improving the services. Group-wise one innovative farmer could be selected and made him/her local resource innovative farmer could be selected and made him/her local resource person through frequent trainings. Local farmer organizations can be encouraged into organizing monthly meetings and workshops where officials hold both demonstrations and open question sessions specific to the cultivation of orange. Such gatherings could also serve to foster ‘Farmer-to- Farmer-exchange’ in an attempt to bridge the technical and knowledge gap between growers. It would also alleviate the pressure on the extension officials. In some meetings and workshops, concerned stakeholders of value chains should also be invited for large interactions and sharing of knowledge and experiences.


Poor cultivation techniques and post-harvest handling contribute to

large losses and low product quality.

Inadequate tree/land management, plucking techniques, packaging, storage

and transportation are seen as the main problems. The study showed that

losses can be cut significantly and product quality raised by encouraging

farmers to adopt better cultivation practices and recommended harvesting and

post-harvest handling techniques including the marketing.


Sonapur Agriculture Product

Design Clinic 5 Band Workshop Report : Agriculture Implements, Sonapur, Kamrup | 2013 | Om Designs & Consultant 15

Markets and Product DistributionLocal demand for Sonapur Agri Product is strong and is locally competitive in terms of price and quality. Eastern towns and markets are the major domestic end markets. Legalizing sales outlets and creating direct marketing opportunities for farmers could strengthen the distribution process and help improve the bargaining position of producers. The domestic market predominates. Most fruits are sold in the domestic market, Distribution mainly happens through intermediaries. Thus, intermediaries are seen as a major issue.major issue.

Strategies for Market/product Development and Supply Chain Management are lacking.

This is due to a high degree of fragmentation within the chain. Formal linking of farmers to intermediaries, traders and exporters via sub-contracting arrangements, identifying direct sales outlets for farmers to set up farm shops in big cities and granting temporary selling permits to some vendors are therefore recommended. Organized retail fruit shops can be constructed in main city and market outlets in order to promote retailing sale of fruits.


The Value Chains

It is very much evidenced that the core problem for the development of

agriculture commercialization is the absence of a network of a functional

value chains. In order to make this value chain effective and functional, key

deficient and constraining factors have to be identified and addressed with

priority.

• True ownership and leadership of the project activities should be taken by

the concerned stakeholders

• Development of suitable post-harvest and marketing techniques of oranges

and their dissemination to producers and post-harvest handling actors

• Development of mechanism for value chain to be established,

institutionalized and functional

• Identification of key actors (R&D, DICC) and support to them by project for

making them responsible and accountable to project progress

• Strengthening of infrastructure facilities of collection centers, district and

regional markets

• Immediate response to address the issues of prime concern of farmers groups

like construction of link roads connecting production areas to nearest road

head and development of feasible irrigation facilities


institutionalized and functional

� Implementation of activities aimed to enhance self-awareness in women, dalit andeconomically backward communities' farmers and promote their leadership andentrepreneurship.

� Investments implemented under the project should be a reflection of effectivedemand by commercial agriculture stakeholders

� More emphasis should be placed on ensuring the active participation of privatecommercial actors in the value chain than public sector actors

� Government should take initiative and leadership to bring producers, creditors,technical professionals and processors to one platform and formal agreements besigned among them to guarantee inputs, techniques, production and consumptionsigned among them to guarantee inputs, techniques, production and consumption

� Quality standards of produces must be maintained with proper grading, packagingand authorized certificates


Orchid & other Plant in Sonapur


The Production

IRRIGATIONLack of dry season irrigation in most of hill parts in the North eastern region of India is one of the most important constraints in the production of dry season high-value crops.. Hence, the hills suffer from alternating cycles of excess and scarcity of water with less and less water available over time as the monsoon ends. This limits their farm production and their cash income, which in turn, is one of the causes of

The project area includes five village of Dimoria Block in Sonapur Area. The total

cultivated area is in the both plain and hill area of the villages.

their farm production and their cash income, which in turn, is one of the causes of their low productivity. Applying appropriate water storage and conservation system and application technology will increase the capacity of farmers to utilize upland

water resources.


COST OF PRODUCTION, CROP POTENTIAL AND INCOME

Farmers, while undertaking any high value commercial crop, have to consider many

different factors like which crop to cultivate including what technology to apply, when and

where to sell the produce, and the expected income and cost of production. The decision

to embark on a particular HVC production is further complicated by the presence of risk

related to adoption of new technology, pests and diseases, price variability, and timely

access to market.

It is rather difficult to provide accurate account of cost of production for alternative crops.

Majority of the farmers interviewed during the NAS in Sonapur reported that ranges Majority of the farmers interviewed during the NAS in Sonapur reported that ranges gave them 3-4 times higher income than cereals and other traditional crops. Study findings also indicate that there are farmers earning a net income of Rs.50-60 thousand on per ha. basis. Asked if that is true, why don't they cultivate more of this crop in their remaining land? Their answers are presented as below


Agriculture Implements in SonapurIt has been seen that farmer of Sonapur has engaged in Agriculture Process for long period. They are work hard to produce more product and to full fill their livelihood . But due to proper Implements of Agriculture they are not able to product more quantity of product. And there are so many lake in the cultivation, storage, harvest process. Farmer has used traditional Tools and equipment for agriculture process. There are very much scope of Implementation in Agriculture in Sonapur . Farmer using hand tools made by iron, Wood or Bamboo. It has seen that there are many intervention in Design and technology of their tools and equipments. There is scope of mechanization in every unit operation of production agriculture, post-harvest and agro-processing, and rural living. operation of production agriculture, post-harvest and agro-processing, and rural living. Mechanization has varied connotations. While in the developed world it tends to be synonymous to automation but in developing countries, like India, mechanization means any improved tool, implement, machinery or structure that assists in enhancement of workers’ output, multiplies the human effort, supplements or substitutes human labor that is enabling and removing, avoids drudgery or stresses that adversely affect human mental faculties leading to errors, imprecision and hazards and eventually loss of efficiency. It also means automation and controls that assure quality, hygiene. Agricultural mechanization in a limited sense relates to production agriculture.


History of Agriculture Implements

At the time of independence in 1947, Indian agriculture used mostly bullock drawn ploughs, wooden pegtooth harrows, wooden planks for pulverisation compaction and smoothening, bullock carts, and hand tools such as Khurpi, Crobar, Spade, Hoe, Sickle, Axe, Chopper/Dau etc. Some philonthrops, facilitated by colonial masters, were trying to introduce western soil inversion plough like Meston plough, a 15 cm size long beam bullock drawn plough. The only mass manufactured items were spades, pickaxe, crobars, and watering buckets manufactured by Tatas. Traditional equipments in use were made by local craftsmen, using locally available materials with little standardization, where quality depends on the craftsmanship.quality depends on the craftsmanship.


Traditional Agriculture implements


• Farmers have different goals and objectives to meet

• The crop can be cultivated only under certain favorable soil and water conditions

• Farmers prefer to raise Agri product near their houses in the homestead areas

for the reason of security, and better crop management

• Ensuring food security is their first priority and so follow conventional cropping

pattern

• Farmers do not have easy access to improved technologies

• Lack of access to market is another important reason for the reluctance of

farmers to increase orange areas

• Lack of storability, difficult management of pests and diseases and thinner

markets are other reasons


markets are other reasons

• The cash requirement to face higher cost of production represent a considerable

challenge far many small holder farmers

• Lack of infrastructures like roads and irrigation facilities are other key constraints

to increase area

• Problems of post-harvest handling such as packaging, grading, transportation,

etc.

• Long gestation period of 6-7 years in case of seedling plantation

• For farmers farm gate price is quite lower than consumers' price

Modern Agriculture Implements

Improve Iron plough

Grass Cutter


Grass Cutter

Iron ToolsSprayers

Modern Agriculture implements


Cost of ProductionThus, it is very obvious that farmers are generally reluctant to bring large portion of their land under Agri product cultivation on a commercial scale owing to the factors as mentioned above. However, in view of the situation arising out of soil erosion, soil fertility depletion, decreasing crop productivity and less income, farmers are willing to switch over from the traditional cropping pattern to fruit crops with appropriate crop mixes for higher returns in the long run. The unit cost of cultivation and benefits from orange crop are given below:Net income from intercrops is also generated. In the first year when pits and landdevelopment activities follow, there will be some disturbance in the plant development activities follow, there will be some disturbance in the plant stand ofalternative crops. It is likely that yields will fall and net profits will further fall. Estimates of fall in net profit in the normally generated figure (Rs.30,000 per year per ha.) for the first year is assessed at 40 percent. But, in the second year, due to small spaces occupied by the small fruit saplings and little disturbance, reduction in the net profit is assessed at 25 percent only. In third and fourth year similar situation may continue, but in the fifth year, if the plantation kept well, a ton of fruit per ha. can be produced and further reduction in income could be stopped.


Socio-Economic ImpactFarm families of Agri product producers are involved in its pre-production and also in postproduction activities. They are also employed in transporting the product from the farm to the road head collection or assembly centers. A large number of people are employed in the total supply chain, mostly loading/unloading, transporting, grading and packaging the fruit. With the promotion of export and product diversification in to processed products, this sector could generate large employment opportunities.

Orange cultivation is one of the main sources of cash income for the farmers of mid-hillsand is grown in almost all mid-hill districts. It provides higher returns to farmers compared to other annual crops, especially to small farmers for whom there is scarcity of land. A study has found that the average income level of a farm's household increased to Rs.50700 from Rs.12623 with the introduction of citrus trees into the farm. Another study indicates that orange farming alone accounts for 44 percent of the total annual income of a farm household. The trend towards increasing production also indicates that this sector is farm household. The trend towards increasing production also indicates that this sector is supporting the reduction of rural poverty. Therefore, it has a positive economic implication for Sonapur farmers. As it is being produced in the whole of the mid-hill areas, this crop is very important for the development of this region. There is high positive correlation between the amount of orange sales and total household income of the farm family. Oranges are, as yet, not a very important export commodity for Sonapur, but it could emerge as an important generator of foreign exchange earnings.

Orange cultivation helps check soil erosion, thus its production is environment friendly and sustainable. The Government policies and program aim to focus orange cultivation in the mid-hills as it appears to be helping to check soil erosion and increase the greenery in the hills as well as improving the overall quality of the land.


PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTUREThere is high scope of developing infrastructure for citrus farming as well as other Agri product it can help fetch maximum profit to the orange producers as compared to the other traditional crops. The long term plan envisaged to build CA stores, cellar storage facilities in a little difficult and inaccessible areas, collection centers, organized markets and processing industries to promote citrus industry as a whole and giving maximum benefit to the growers. But, such infrastructural difficulties are still common to the cluster that limit the post harvest technology and processing of fruits. Limited access to road transport and lack of electricity in some hill areas together with the poor and lack of electricity in some hill areas together with the poor condition of some existing government and farm access roads leads to handling delays, which in turn leads to produce deterioration and increased losses. Due to lack of link roads from farm to market and farm to nearby road heads many farmers and traders face high costs of bringing their produce to the nearest market or readily motor able road. In many cases, farmers first have to carry their produce in A bamboo basket and walk to a local haat bazar (market) and to a road head.


STORAGE

Storage facilities for Agriculture product do not exist in the Cluster, hence,

farmers are forced to sell their produce right after the harvest or sold on pre-contractual basis resulting in lower farm gate prices during the peak harvesting season.


Advance Agriculture Tools and Equipment


Tractor & power Tillers


GRADING PACKAGING AND TRANSPORTATION

The small size of individual farm consignment means that product are handled and marketed in small consignments without any sorting and grading. No post-harvesting treatments are applied and traditional packaging is mainly used. No quality standards exist for Agri product in Sonapur. Neither are there any commonly accepted guidelines for grading structures in Sonapur. In practice, grading is done on the basis of size of fruits and that also at the retail level only. Therefore, traders complain that each consignment of Agri Product arriving in the market is not even graded by size and other quality and it becomes virtually impossible for them to market or export the fruit unless they becomes virtually impossible for them to market or export the fruit unless they make a heavy investment in grading the product.


Regarding packaging, fiberboard cartons are the preferred packages for export and retail marketing in many countries. grapes, pomegranates as well as Chinese apples and other fruits enter Assam in this type of packaging. There is to date little evidence of

Assam produce being packed in purposed-designed fiberboard cartons either for domestic markets or for export. Some interviewed farmers in Sonapurrevealed that Bamboo basket were used for transporting oranges up to road head and then assembled fruit were loaded naked in trucks over tarpaulin and paddy straws. But, some f and a little improved. Farmer as well as traders were found to have developed farmer and traders has sense of entrepreneurship. For example if you consider about orange ,About 500-600 oranges (50-60 kg) are packed in a basket made for the purpose and thick tree leaves are used as a packed in a basket made for the purpose and thick tree leaves are used as a cushion bed placed carefully all over the basket. Such fruit laden basket are transported form farm gates to road heads by porters and then to local market by trucks or other transportation means. Sometimes second hand used cartons designed for other products (e.g. beer) are also used for packing and transporting oranges. Farmers and traders

reported almost no transportation losses using either of the packaging materials described above.


LOSSES OF PRODUCEThe existing system of harvesting fruit is very rough and crude. Generally fruits

are harvested by hand picking, shaking the fruit trees and also beating with sticks. Such

rough picking and mishandling of fruits result in breaking of fruit stalk, peel splitting and physical injury. Harvested fruits are dumped in heaps for long time without bedding and exposed to direct sun light or moist places.

All types of fruits are collected including Immature and over ripened ones. These immature, unclean, damaged and disease or pest infected fruits are brought to market without sorting or grading. Besides these, fruits are loaded and unloaded at various places during transportation, storage and marketing.

All these post-harvest operations cause damage to the fruit and losses are reported to beAll these post-harvest operations cause damage to the fruit and losses are reported to be

between 5 to 15 percent of the production. This is a serious economic loss for the farmer

Significant losses also occur due to diseases, insects, rough roads and bulk transportation without proper packaging. Thus, lack of post-harvest handling knowledge, poor or no packaging, no post-harvest fungicide fruit treatment, delayed transport over rough roads and inadequate marketing system under ambient temperature conditions all contribute to significant post-harvest losses.


MARKET PLACES

In the context of Assam market infrastructures are composed of three main market places namely collection centers, wholesale markets and retail markets. These market places are generally seen as facilitating the marketing of fresh fruits and other agricultural commodities mainly vegetables and spices. In all orange producing districts, the main market outlets are; sell from the producer's house itself in small quantity; sell in the local haat bazaars; district haatbazaars; bus stops; streets of district headquarter; and retailshops. These Haat Bazaars are actually the agricultural and rural shops. These Haat Bazaars are actually the agricultural and rural market centers that are developed and sustained by local communities. Haat Bazaars are held one or two times a week at a fixed location and offer a variety of agricultural and other trade goods along with fresh fruits. Producers or the middlemen porters transport the fruit to markets. Collection centers and cooperatives are generally established at road heads covering few production pockets.


Marketing of Agriculture product in Sonapur


PRICE AND PRICING

Marketing of Agri Product has been continue for whole the year for different Agri product as oranges starts from November and continues up to January. This is the general trend, but some farmers, who have few productive trees and market, the fruit themselves in local markets, keep the fruit on trees up to February and March and sell at higher rates. But, this kind of practice affects fruiting of the next year and productivity reduces substantially.

In local haat bazaars oranges are sold at the rate of Rs.1 to Rs.3 per fruit depending upon the size. In February, March this rate becomes almost double depending upon the size. In February, March this rate becomes almost double and due to this reason some farmers are tempted to keep fruits on trees for longer period.

This is the case when producers are retailers themselves. Thus, in the beginning of the season local selling rate at local markets is Rs.20.0 per kg and reaches up to Rs.40.0 per kg towards end of the season. This type of indigenous marketing is estimated to be consuming fifteen to twenty percent of the total production.


MARKET CHAIN ANALYSISMarket chain analysis is the most complex analytical stage in any agro enterprise process. But it is very important in the sense that it helps identifying the market chain actors and their critical role in implementing and scaling up enterprises. Market outlet of a product may have local, regional, national and possibly export destinations. The links, based on the number of transactions that occur between the farmer and final consumer is described as the market chain. Market chains are also synonymously referred to as production chains market channels, or value chains. The product changes hands through chain actors and, at each transaction, costs are product changes hands through chain actors and, at each transaction, costs are incurred and generally some form of value is added. Value addition includes simple tasks such as bulking, cleaning, grading, bagging/packaging, transportation to demand centers, processing, and promotional and marketing additions that change the product and attract consumers. Market analysis therefore aims to assess both goods and services along the chain and the relative strengths and weaknesses in the links among various actors involved in the chain. Thus, the efficiency of a market chain is a result of how well the actors in the chain are organized and also how well the chain is supported by a range of business development services.


PRODUCT MARKETING CHANNEL

Agri Product reach the ultimate consumers through the hands of various marketing agents involved in the marketing channel. Marketing channel also helps determining the prices. Higher the numbers of marketing middlemen in the channel, higher is the price and vice versa. The marketing channel involves two main stops –collection centers and assembly points. producers first bring their harvest to collection centers located along the road head, where the collectors, marketing agents and wholesalers are located. Each of them accounts for around 3 to 10 percent of the total volume of arrivals at a accounts for around 3 to 10 percent of the total volume of arrivals at a particular collection center.

The concept of a larger company has not yet entered in trading. Farmers as well as the traders, sell fresh Agri Products. It is, therefore, a seasonal business for the traders as the supply of product is limited.


The flow of Agriculture product from farmer to consumer can be

explained in the following way.

1. Farmer – Collection Center – Commission Agent – Wholesaler –

Retailer – Consumer

2. Farmer – Cooperatives – Commission Agent – Wholesaler –

Pushcart Trader/Retailer – Consumer

3. Farmer Trader – Commission Agent – Wholesaler – Retailer –

Consumer

4. Farmer Trader – Wholesaler – Street Vendor/Retailer – Consumer

5. Farmer – Middlemen– Retailer – Consumer

6. Farmer – Middlemen – Wholesaler – Commission Agent -Retailer –

Consumer


Farmer of Sonapur


Farmer of Sonapur

THE PRODUCT VALUE CHAIN AND LINKAGES WITHIN THE CHAINAs stated above and the product value chain map presented below depicts clearly the

involvement of various actors with their role in the whole process of production to

consumption. The key actors and their role are briefly described as below.

Fruit farmers: They are the primary and most valued actor in the chain. Basically, two

categories of producers were noticed in the project area – subsistence and commercial

fruit producers. Subsistence farmers generally purchase and organize necessary

agroinputs, grow the crops and sell the produce at local haat bazaar. Thus, these farmers

have poor or no links with other actors of the chain and they are not vertically integrated.

Similarly, there is virtually no forward and backward linkage. The local sale of the orange

fruit in indigenous markets has been calculated to twenty percent of the total produce.


fruit in indigenous markets has been calculated to twenty percent of the total produce.

But in case of commercialization, households in groups scale up the production and

marketing activities as well. Generally the commercial farmers sell their whole orchard to

known contractor traders and do not involve in marketing their produce directly to the

Market little involved with the farmer groups interviewed. Thus, there was some backward

linkage but with less forward linkage. The average price received by growers is Rs.10 per

kg of fruit and if the cost of production (Rs. 4 per kg) is deducted the market margin for each

individual farmers comes to 33 %. There are producers groups but they are not organized

for group

marketing.

Contractor/traders: They are the key actors of orange value chain map who are involved intrading the fruit (80 %) out of the production pocket to wholesale markets. Their trading activities include: contracting the fruiting orchards, harvesting of fruits, transporting and assembling at the nearest road head, storing, packaging, transporting and selling to wholesale market. Deducting all the costs incurred in above activities including the taxes and transport damage losses, their market margin share comes to about 13 %. These middlemen have pet orchard pockets and fruit producers and do the business on each others' faith. These traders also do not have their formal unity and organization and do the business on their own. Thus, these groups seem to have backward linkage with farmers and forward linkage with market centers to some extent.

Wholesalers/commission agents: There are two regional level big wholesale markets inmarkets inSurvey area, one at Sonapur and another at Dimoria where oranges are bought from contractor traders and sold to local traders and retailers. There are few fruit wholesalers in both the markets who generally function as commission agents in orange fruit transactions. The activities they are involved in are buying the arrived fruits, store for some time (maximum one or two days) and dispose them with profit margin Rs. 1 to 1.5 per kg. Their market margin share comes to about 5 %. These markets with some infrastructures like office building, open stores, transaction sheds, shop sheds, etc. were established with government budget and now being implemented by a local committee composed of the representatives from various concerned stakeholders. Talks with the committee officials, wholesale traders and other traders and retailers revealed that these markets had numerous problems. Some criticalproblems and their suggestions are listed below:


• Fruits are supplied without grading, and quality is not maintained as per the demand.• They are facing problem of office space, warehouse, drinking water, fencing, openshade and cold store.• Provision of some expert technicians who could provide technical support andservices to commercial production pockets especially in matters related to postharvesthandling of produce and export to other countries.• Establishment of retail markets at city/town centers and their linkage with wholesalemarket.• Support in setting up of modern market information center

Retailers: They are the other significant market chain actors who have close Retailers: They are the other significant market chain actors who have close linkage with wholesale marketers and consumers. Their involvement in the chain includes buying of fruits; repack in polythene sacks, used cardboard boxes, wooden boxes and plastic crates; transport to their retail shops; grade; display and sell to consumers. In the process they invest Rs. 2 per kg of fruit. Calculating to retailing price their market share comes to about 12 to 14 %. Thus, in the market chain they have linkage with wholesale market, transporters and consumers but no linkage with other actors of the chain. These retailers were also not found to be organized into a formal organization and they all do their business individually.


Farmer of Sonapur


Farmer of Sonapur

SWOT ANALYSIS FOR Agriculture Product of SonapurStrengths

Resources:The geo climatic situations of the mid-hills are very suitable for quality fruit production. Unique quality and seasonal advantage in the sub-continent Majority of farmers have become experts in its production as they are traditionally growing this crop. Production:Production:The farmers are interested to increase the area under fruit cultivation.Marketing:Fruit produced is sold in most of the urban areas of the country To some extent has market information facilityInfrastructure:Better road access and transportation facility


WeaknessesProduction:Farmers lack irrigation facility Quality inputs are not available in time and very expensive

Farmers lack improved knowledge and training in the techniques of grading, packaging and post harvest handling.

No national quality or grading standard. Extensive losses caused by fruit damage during transportation. Crude packaging methods.

High post-harvest losses.High transport costs.

Business environment:Problem of access to credits in some production pockets. Collection centers are not properly Problem of access to credits in some production pockets. Collection centers are not properly organized and supported by necessary infrastructure and information. All weather road not available Very weak value chainMarketing:Production centers are scattered and are far from market centers. Farmers have inadequate information on marketing of orange.

The contractual selling system (orchard buying by contractor) not good due to low price offered and uncertainty of payment.

No reliable market, storage and processing facilities


Opportunities

World Markets:

There will be improvements in the livelihoods of Fruit growers Seasonal export to neighboring countries like Nepal and Bangladesh.

policy supports are available to provide facilities to the farmers and traders. Government is emphasizing Fruit farmers and traders. Government is emphasizing Fruit for commercial cultivation.

Department of Agriculture has its Agro business and Marketing Development Directorate proving marketing information services to the producers and traders.


Threats

Production:

Lack of appropriate variety of Agri Product to prolong harvesting season.

Inconsistency in internal as well as external demand and lack of coordination between production and marketing.

Increased supply of Agri Product from Nagpur and recent supply of Fruit from Haryana and Punjab to Assamsmarkets.markets.

Lack of group cohesiveness due to different culture orientation

Big consumption markets are situated far Farmers not satisfied with the price they receive

Farmers particularly small farmers do not want to take risks against food security


Farmer busy in their work


Status of Agriculture Implements and Machines

Land and Water Resource Development Equipment:

It involves clearing of land of the unwanted vegetation, leveling and

grading so as to perform field operations properly and apply seed, fertilizer/manure, and irrigation water uniformly. It also involves creating access to field and mobility of machines through farm roads with irrigation and drainage ditches, creating irrigation water resources both surface and ground water. Most ancient practice of land development was surface and ground water. Most ancient practice of land development was use of fire and later on slash and burn a practice still vogue in a few remote areas. However, axe, hoe, pickaxe, spade, crowbar, and heavy duty ploughs have come in use and still in vogue where mechanization has not advanced. Subsequently not long ago animal drawn buck scraper, floats, V-ditchers, bund formers were developed and got in use for leveling, smoothing, land shaping.


Sowing, Planting, Transplanting and Checkrowplanting:

Sowing crops in lines so distanced apart that farm power units can

move in inter-row spaces without damaging the plants is one of the perquisites of mechanization of post-seeding operations. As a result drills and planters have become popular. Placement of band of fertilizer by the side of seed slightly deeper is found to have better plant response and more yields. To realise this advantage, seed-cum-fertilizer drills succeeded the seed drills. For best results it is not only desirable drills succeeded the seed drills. For best results it is not only desirable to have seeds in row but also certain distance between the seeds (plants); to achieve it, there are planters plate type, cupfeed, and pneumatic seed metered but not as popular as drills. Transplanting of seedlings/saplings is also widely practiced in fruit and vegetable and cultivation, agro-forestry where mechanization is needed for which effort are on for some of the operations mechanized options have been created like pit making.


Interculture and Weeding Equipment:

Removal of weeds, aeration of the root zone, creating soil mulch, and earthing are major objectives in interculture. In some cases thinning and gap filling or band placement of fertilizer are also done during interculture. Traditional interculture tools are Khurpi or Kudali which are very slow and unaffordable at current wages. As an improvement wheel hoes have been developed, some with several attachments to perform various interculturejobs. These are becoming popular. There are tractor mounted cultivators, however, due to absence of headlands, failure to create straight rows and other reasons these are not widely used.

Plant Protection Equipment: For applying weedicides, insecticides, Plant Protection Equipment: For applying weedicides, insecticides, fungicides as well as certain growth regulators spraying and dusting is followed. Manual and power operated sprayers could be single lance or long boom swath type, the latter are better for field crops and the former for spot treatment, kitchen gardens and trees. Impingement, distribution, coverage and drift are major issues is spraying and dusting which can be addressed by electrostatic spraying and dusting. However, India lack oil based pesticides required for electrostatic spraying. Air assisted sprayers and dusters improve the coverage which is essential when using contact type pesticide. There are already a few in the market. Selection of right kind of nozzles is vital in achieving efficacy.


Harvesting, Threshing and Combining:Timely harvesting, separation of the produce and residue i.e.

threshing and cleaning are very basic unit operations to save the crop from the qualitative and quantitative losses. Delayed harvesting means over maturity, and loss of quality, shedding in field, weather damages, damage due to fire and theft etc. Sickle, sythe, axe, Kudali, Gandasa, Dau are traditional harvesting equipment. Improved serrated sickles are available in the market at affordable price which save time and efforts. Sickle and sytheaction are now mechanized with the introduction of walking, riding and tractor mounted vertical conveyer reapers. Power action are now mechanized with the introduction of walking, riding and tractor mounted vertical conveyer reapers. Power threshing, replacing the tiring and slow bullock treading or threshing with flail or sheaves striked on hard surface, Traditional threshing of wheat and several other crops is totally replaced by power threshing where current trend is for high capacity bulk-fed power threshers. Though the power threshers have feeding chutes designed to avoid hazards to operators but some people remove them and under fatigue or toxicants get injured. It brought a legislation on farm machinery safety.


Transport Machinery: Traditional transport of carrying on head, shoulder or shouldersling or

even as animal pack have lost relevance except where material to be transported are in very small quantities and for a short distance. Tradition bullock, and horse carts are good for about 1-1.5 t of pay load. Pneumatic wheeled bullock carts can pull up to 2-3t of payload at 2.5-3.5 kmph and are still found economical for 5-10 km lead distance. Tractorised farms are seen keeping a pneumatic wheeled bullock cart for on-farm fodder, farm produce and input movements. Tractor owning farms have two wheeled 2-3t, trolley or 3-5t four wheeled trollies for on-farm and off-farm transport. In many cases 30-50% times agricultural tractors are used for transport of building construction agricultural tractors are used for transport of building construction materials improving annual use of tractors for economic sustainability. There are hydraulically tilting trollies available for automatic unloading of bulk loaded materials. Majority of the trollies are back dropped and some back and side dropped type too. Carts and trollies are multipurpose transport vehicles used for movement of men and materials like seed, fertilizer, soil, manure, agricultural produce and residues. There is need for animal and power operated manure transporter-cum-spreaders. However these are not available yet in the market.


Drying and Dryers: Drying under sun or shade where hot dry air conditions

prevail is a common traditional method of drying of foodgrains, fruit and vegetables and many other commodities to extend their shelf life for their safe storage for off season use and have value added products for additional income. However under unfavourable condition of hot, humid and overcast or rainy weather drying gets too slow so much so that before drying is accomplished molds and fungi develop contaminating and spoiling the and fungi develop contaminating and spoiling the material. To overcome this handicap different kind of drying methods and dryers have been developed but not in use except for the milling units or home level solar dryers. In India, rice and wheat quality is being adversely affected due to untimely rains and overcast weather, and inability of the farmers to handle safely the moist stalks. There is a case for mechanized combining and drying to save the foodgrains and oilseeds from weather damages, discolouration, attack of microorganisms etc.


Tool for ploughingCountry plough (Nangal): Tillage is the basic operation in farming. It

is done to create favourable conditions for seed placement and plant growth. This is done mainly with a bullock drawn plough made of Acacia wood. Usually, small farmers and farm owners of scattered lands are unable to use tractors and in that case country ploughs are highly preferred . The basic components of the plough are a shoe, a share, a body, a handle and a beam. The handle is 0.6- 1 m long, 5-7.5 cm thick and 7.5-12.5 cm wide and is fitted to the body of the plough. The shoe, used in 7.5-12.5 cm wide and is fitted to the body of the plough. The shoe, used in the plough, can be of different shapes and sizes. The share is prepared from a mild steel bar, 0.6-7.5 m in length and 1.5-2.5 cm in width. The share is fixed to the shoe or body by means of a U-clamp or ring shaped clamp. The share point projects beyond the shoe by 5-7.5 cm. Beams generally vary in length from 2.4-3 m. It needs some skill in driving bullocks hence operated only by male labourers. Average life of the implement is 1 yr and costs Rs1000/unit. As Country plough is a bullock drawn implement drudgery will be a burden on the animals.


Traditional PloughUse of Plough in Agriculture


Traditional Plough

Improved Plough

Use of Plough in Agriculture

Different type of Plough


Tools for intercultural operation

Weeder : The tool is used for removing deep-rooted weeds . grasses were easily removed with the help of this weeder. Different weeder tools could be introduce for uses.The farm labourers first pierced the soil with the help of this weeder and lift the soil upwards. Another attendant should remove the uprooted Another attendant should remove the uprooted weeds from the soil using other farm implements. About 2 acre/day could be covered by the tool. Other advantages like loosening of the soil, earthingup are achieved during weeding operation. Male labourers mostly operate it. Average life is 10 yrs and costs Rs250/unit.


Range of Weeder Tools


Range of Weeder Tools

Dry land weeder : It is innovativelyconstructed with a front cycle wheel attached withweeder blade at the back . With the helpof hand bar farmer’s drive the weeder from the backand one attendant pull the hand bar joined with athread from the front. It is used for removing weeds.The weeder blade has a length of 30 cm and width of3 cm. It is operated by two men labours Average lifeis 5-6 yrs and costs Rs 400/unit.is 5-6 yrs and costs Rs 400/unit.Spade : It is used for formation ofbunds, ridges and furrows and irrigation channels. Handle

is made up of Acacia sp wood andthe working area is made up of iron. Handle is of 65cm length and working area has a length of 22 cm andbreadth of 18 cm. Mostly operated by male labourers,its average life is 5 yrs and costs Rs150/unit


Dry land weeder with different Design


Dry land weeder with different Design

Use of Dry land weeder in Agriculture Process


Power weeder

Spade with Different Design


Harvesting toolsSickle : Used in harvesting most of the crops like

Rice,cereals, pulses and millets. Sickle was designed ‘C’ shaped/curved with the view to ease the harvesting operation . Hence it is preferred more than other tools and implements. With the help of sickle the ear heads, branches or even whole plant could be harvested. Working area is made up of iron and handle is made up of wood. Working area has 20 cm length and 3 cm width. Handle is of 15 cm height and 5 cm width. Operated by both male is of 15 cm height and 5 cm width. Operated by both male and female worker, its average life is 5 yrs and costs Rs 55/unit.

Knife : It is very small and handy, made up of iron was used in harvesting the Agriculture Working area has a curved surface of 8 cm and handle has a length of 5 cm. Operated both by male and female labourers, its average life is 5 yrs and costs Rs 50/ unit.


Sickle and Knife with different design


Use of Sickle in Agriculture Process


Tamarind harvester: It is used in harvesting fruits like tamarind , lemon , amla, etc. It consists of a wooden handle made of bamboo and a hook curved made of iron . Using this harvester, farmer can avoid climbing tree to harvest fruits. With the long wooden handle, without any drudgery, farmers can harvest the fruits easily. Length of bamboo stick is 200 cm and the working area is an iron knife having a curved surface of 10 cm. Mostly it is operated by both male female labourers. Average life is 8 yrs and costs Rs 80/ unit.

Orange harvesting tool: Used for harvesting Orange fruits and to collect the fallen fruits under the tree without thorn injury. The tool is made up of iron rod . Orange harvesting tool consists of 3 parts is top one is hook, middle handle and lower cup like structure. top one is hook, middle handle and lower cup like structure. Handle is a long iron rod of 10 cm to which hook and cup like structure are attached at the top and bottom end, respectively. Hook is a curved ‘C’ shaped structure of 10 cm length attached to the hand at top most end facilitates harvesting of Orange from the trees. Cup like structure is of round in shape and has a diameter of 10 cm attached to the handle of the bottom end. Using hook, harvesting of fruits at greater height in the trees could be possible and cup like structure help in collecting fallen lemon fruit underneath the trees safe without any thorn injuries. Both men and women operate it; its average life is 10 yrs and costs Rs125 / unit


Use of Orange Harvesting Tools


Post harvest toolsGrain separator : The tool is used before winnowing horse gram . After

drying, the plants are threshed with the help of tractors. After threshing, farmers with the help of separator shake the plant materials forcibly so that the threshed material sand the grains are separated. Then the grains were collected from the ground and cleaned manually. The tool consists of long handle made up of wood attached with a single or double iron rod. Handle has a length of 200 cm and iron rod of length 10 cm. It helps in separating the threshed materials and grains making the winnowing operation easier. Also, farmers can handle this tool by standing straight without bending, thus reduces drudgery. this tool by standing straight without bending, thus reduces drudgery. It is operated by both male and female labourers. Its average life is 20 yrs and costs Rs 30/unit.

Wooden thresher : It is used for threshing operation in crops like black gram , green gram , horse gram , etc. The tool, made up of wood has a handle of length 28 cm and flat rectangular working board of 20 cm length and 12 cm breadth . Wooden thresher eases the manual threshing operation. Both male and female labourers operate it. Average life is one yr and costs Rs15/unit.


Wooden thresher

Rice mill


Grain separator

Pedal operated rice millRice mill

Contribution of Woman in Farming


a. Study of existing Product design, redesign, new product

Development and product diversificationISSUES and CONCERNS:• Generally, wood and Bamboo products are used as a traditional implement of agriculture

in Assam. There is very little use of materials other than wood and timber, except a piece of iron ‘phal’ and the iron cover of the cartwheel. The implements is used tradditionalythere are many scope of design solution to the product

• The traditional Agriculture Implements which has been used by the farmer of Sonapur is out of date in term of Design view because these Implements are not user friendly for higher production of Agriculture Product.

Opportunities:Indian farmers have been pursuing intensive as well as extensive agriculture after the • Indian farmers have been pursuing intensive as well as extensive agriculture after the green revolution in the sixties. For all farm operations, the farmers are encouraged to adopt improved machinery.

• Usually the agricultural machinery in India are manufactured by village artisans (including carpenter and blacksmith), tiny, units, small scale industries and organized medium and large scale industries. Intervention of Design and technology increase the valuation of product or increasing production.

• Traditional hand tools and bullock drawn implements are by and large fabricated by village craftsman. The organized sector has confined itself to sophisticated machinery such as tractors, engines, rice mills, oils mills, flour mills.


Wooden Sharp

Point of Plough


Diversified Iron Sharp Point of Plough

phal


Less of design and technology

Developing drudgery reducing technologies for hill agriculture and horticulture

Hill agriculture and horticulture like Sonapur Cluster are the areas where agricultural workers are extensively engaged in carrying out various field operations. Here productivity of workers is less, drudgery involved is very high and safety is of paramount importance. The hill agriculture mainly includes valley cultivation, terrace cultivation, and growing crops and orchards on slopes. There are no roads or paths for taking the machines to the field and the workers have to carry those tools/equipment on their back, shoulders or head. Manual material handling their back, shoulders or head. Manual material handling activities i.e. carrying of inputs to fields and produce to the road involve severe drudgery. Also , the percentage of women workforce is more in horticulture as well as hill agriculture as compared to other sectors. There is a strong need for improvement in existing tools/ development of new tools, and study of existing work methods to make the life of workers in these sectors better. The expected achievement here will be improved tools and equipment for workers leading to higher productivity, less drudgery, less occupational health problems and enhanced safety.


Diversified PloughPower

Weeder


Disc driven Plough

Para Plough

Weeder

b. Scope for research and development direction for future

Issue & concerns:They do not have enough funds, time and expertise to carry out research and development .The Agriculture tools used are used by the Farmer are don’t have other attachment of new technology intervention.

Opportunities During the last two decades much research has been carried out for development of Agriculture Implements. Now, these systems are commercially available from leading tractor brands. In normal operations, the driver operates the vehicle manually during the turning operation in the headland, but in the field the auto guidance takes over. At turning operation in the headland, but in the field the auto guidance takes over. At present, the technology is available to take over the full guidance of the vehicle. This implies not only a release of the drivers work. It also opens a big potential for redesigning the tractor. Due to this, the task for the driver now changes from controlling the driving to taking care of the overall operation performance. Traditionally, the tractor is designed to ensure that the driver has the best conditions for guiding the vehicle and for controlling the implement. If the ultimate use of the auto guidance system is implemented, the tractor can be redesigned to be dedicated to the operation. In fact, this removes many design limitations and opens for an engineering based redesign, where the implement is redesigned such that it meets the tooling demands much more effectively and the mechanical design gets simpler, more dedicated, and compact.


As pointed out earlier, there is no research and development programs for safely handling,processing and marketing of Ag, Agriculture product though the benefits of it have been widely acknowledged. Efforts on these aspects need to be encouraged and market trials need be carried out on both on a local scale as well as on a national scale.

Emphasis should also be given for quality planting materials along with cultivation techniques and post-harvest handling. R&D efforts should also focus on diversifying the crops to be efforts should also focus on diversifying the crops to be intercropped . Certain farmers have been able to successfully intercrop orange with ginger, maize, millet, vegetables, etc. Nonetheless, as mentioned previously, many farmers face land constraints and by intercropping orange too close with other incompatible crops, growers may face a reduction in yields and crop quality. Research should therefore be geared towards identifying those crops which can be intercropped with orange in high density fashion. This may include ‘non-fruit’ crops such as vegetables, spices, legumes and tubers.


c. Existing status and opportunity for visual identity, brandingand communication design

ISSUES and CONCERNS:There is absolutely no visual identity for the clusters.There is no proper documentation of the Agriculture Implements in Sonapur

Cluster.OPPORTUNITIES:

The idea of having a common visual identity and branding for the implementation of cluster was well accepted.

However it was felt that it should go in sync with initiatives like packaging product design, labeling etc.

So there is a big scope in developing visual identity for the cluster units, branding So there is a big scope in developing visual identity for the cluster units, branding and communication design to connect them to the market directly and get them more exposure.

Lacking information about harvesting, post-harvest handling of fruits and marketing including the costs of both production and marketing and profitability of the enterprise. Not just fruit growers, but also traders, agroprocessors, input and service providers lacked detailed needed market Information. All the actors involved in product value chain could benefit from many types of marketing information which could include production areas, production seasons, crop calendars, crop budgets, price trends, marketing and production costs, margins, imports/exports, quality standards, packaging methods, post-harvest operations, consumer preferences, transport rates, information about buyers, information about competitors, etc.


d. Scope of technology, modernization and design collaborationsOpportunities:Develop production and technological capacity of producing growersIncreasing the availability and accessibility of farming technologies to cultivatorswill help them not only raise their productivity, but will also allow them to cut downsignificantly on post-harvest losses and improve the quality of their produce. Large andsmall-scale growers can make significant gains simply by adopting similar cultivation/landmanagement practices and technologies such as tree pruning, fruit picking, fertilizing,irrigating and controlling pests and diseases. An emphasis should be made here thoughon increased productivity and not just increased production in general since most farmersface land constraints and are operating at sub-optimal production levels. An increase inproductivity, through the generation of economies of scale, could then lead to furtherproductivity, through the generation of economies of scale, could then lead to furtherreductions in average cost levels. Many farmers claim that they wish to have access totechnology and horticultural tools, but they are deprived of it. NGOscan assist the farmers in making availability of needed agronomic techniques and abovematerials.The quality of the existing extension services should be improvedMany extension technicians including the officers delegated to supporting fruit cultivators,lack the expertise to provide adequate advice on certain technical matters. An effort couldbe made here to raise the overall level of technical knowledge amongst extension officialsin the producing zones by allowing those with more expertise and experience intotraining their colleagues. Also, greater collaboration between the extension and researchofficials on technological developments within the sector should be enhanced.


Traditional Agriculture Implements has to be develop with new technology and

Design


e. Scope for operations and process innovation from design perspective

Hand tools and equipment are used for some operations, whereas other operations are carried out by women workers using their hands/feet.

- Mechanization helps to do these field operations in short time while reducing drudgery.

- The moment a machine is introduced for a field operation, it is operated by male workers. Thus, an operation predominantly done by women workers becomes attractive to male workers.

For Post-Harvest Management the innovation from design perspective introduce to developed fruit harvesting bags and manually operated introduce to developed fruit harvesting bags and manually operated grading equipments, use of which could reduce the harvesting damage and add the value of produces. Also, fruit fly traps containing chemicals are being used by some farmers and is said to be highly effective to control dangerous fruit flies.. Fruit packaging and transportation system practiced by

Sonapur fruit farmers could be replicated in other districts too with a little improvement.

There are scope of operations and process innovation from design perspective to develop Agriculture Implements as user friendly



Locally made Blowing machine

f. Design Opportunity in workstation and tooling design

Generally, wood and Bamboo products are used as a traditional implement of agriculture in Assam. There is very little use of materials other than wood and timber, except a piece of iron ‘phal’ and the iron cover of the cartwheel. The various agricultural traditional implements of Assam are:

Nangal (Traditional Plough): The Nangal or Desi plough is used for tillage operations including pulling for transplantation. Bullock drives this implement.

Moi (Bamboo Ladder): Moi is used for leveling and breaking clods. Bullock drives this.Juonli: Juonli is a device of bamboo. It is used to pull the Nangal by using bullock or

buffalo.Hoe: Hoe, Kor, or Kodal is a important associated tillage implement. Hoe or kor is mainly

used in small-scale cultivation of vegetables etc. It is also used for banding the paddy used in small-scale cultivation of vegetables etc. It is also used for banding the paddy field.

Ihmari: Ihmari is a piece of bamboo device to connect the Juonli and the Nangol.Jabaka: Weed removers from the ploughed land produced by using wood and timber

instead of bamboo teeth sometimes bamboo teeth are used.Phoi: Pohi is a hard cord. It is used to fix the Ihmari on the Juonli side.Sholmari: Split-bamboo device like rods to hole the neck of the bullock in just place

of Juonli.Dolibhanga or Dolimorah: Dolibhanga or Dolimorah is wood and bamboo device with a

heavy piece of wood to hit the soil to make it smooth.There are good scope in tooling design for Agriculture Implements as the farmer are still

using tradditional tools for production.


Nangal (Traditional Plough):


Moi (Bamboo Ladder)

Nangal (Traditional Plough):

Japi (hat)



Lot of scope in tooling Design

harvesting tool

g. Details of market and competition study for design advantage and distinction

Farmers of the State are facing problem in disposing their produces.

• During peak harvesting season of Rabi Vegetables i.e., from January to March, the markets are overloaded with vegetables and the farmers have to dispose their produce at a very low price on the very market day due to non availability of cold storage facility near the market.

• Inadequate availability of processing units/ cold storage / post harvesting infrastructure like go downs.

• Inability of small and marginal farmers to transport their produces to • Inability of small and marginal farmers to transport their produces to the markets where they can fetch justified market price.

• Inadequate transfer of off season Vegetable Technology.

• Arrange regular buyer-seller meetings and identify new potential markets

• Link farmers groups, clusters to exporters

Therefore, it is necessary to improve/ establish agricultural markets within the distance of farmer’s accessibility, which will promote market demand farming


Constraints and Suggestions in Marketing

Dialogue with Agri growers about post-harvest handling and marketing problems depicted that all of them had marketing problems. 80-85 % farmers were unhappy with the price behavior and market prices. They wanted trainings on appropriate harvesting, storage, grading, packaging, market information and processing.

Issue:

Price inappropriate and volatile, compelled to sell at lower prices

Information mostly lacking and incomplete

Transportation rough, no link roads, and expensive transportation cost

No collection center and storage facilities

Opportunities:

Regular information on market price through local dailies, FM radios.

Correct and timely dissemination of information on prices, demand, supply at various markets

Develop road facilities, fixation of transportation cost for different markets

Farmers' groups and cooperatives should be provisioned with this arrangement in production areas


h. Study for the need of training and skill up-gradationISSUES and CONCERNS:

Some skilled Farmer leave but very few Farmer are trained regularly and enrolled to keep the pace of work smoothly.Majority of Farmer have not skilled training of proper Agriculture ImplementsNo new/ advance training for the Farmer except a very few.Due to lack of exposure Farmer have been practicing same processes for many years.Due to lack of exposure Farmer have been practicing same processes for many years.Residents who are educated move to city for better work prospects.OPPORTUNITIES:A few entrepreneur could be sent to participate at National level Agro base Exhibitions.A skill up gradation course/ curriculum can be introduced with expert guidance.


Skill Development program in



i. Description of ergonomic and environment factors in MSME

Ergonomics is scientific study of the relationship between a person and his/her working environment, which include ambient condition, tools and materials, method of works and organization work

Hand tools and equipment are used for some operations, whereas other operations are carried out by women workers using their hands/feet.

Mechanization helps to do these field operations in short time while reducing drudgery.

Develop safety devices, practices, and strategies to minimize farm Develop safety devices, practices, and strategies to minimize farm accidents based on survey and analysis

Studies on human – machine - environment interactions to generate data for developing Ergonomical Design.

Integrating anthropometric and strength data and other ergonomical principles in design of agricultural tools and equipmentAssessment of occupational health hazards and developing ergonomical interventions for their minimization.



j. Packaging and logistics related design opportunities* There is no real concept of packaging at the cluster level.

* No unique identity for the Agriculture implements in Sonapur.

* Products are kept either in a Bamboo busket or Jute bag.

* There are no any labeling of product specification and quality point of view so that buyer can trust about the product.

* There is also chances of theft during commuting from city to other.

* No insurance cover.

OPPORTUNITIES:

* New packaging design can be introduced such as Cartoons, bags and box.

* These bags will give a visual and unique identity to the products made in the cluster.

* New and cost effective form of packaging needs to be introduced.

* If packaging is improved, it would create a good presence and will boost the business and help in competing.

* Create a possibility to safely pack to avoid damage.



Packaging, gradingNo knowledge of grading, packaging andquality controlTrainings and workshops on post-harvest handling, market management should be provided to the farmers and entrepreneurs togetherProcessingLack of processing facilities Small processing plants for producing value added products be established inpotential areasLinkage No linkage and coordination among various actors in marketing network andproduct value chainsproduct value chainsBring all actors of value chains closer through establishment of their institutions, regular meetings, group consensus and commitment to act on decisionsPaymentPayment Irregular, exploitation by middleman creates problem and has to pay informal chargesBe formalized in value chainNo strong checks and unrestricted flow of locally produced fruitStrikesDamage to production, loss to producers, traderspolitical settlement and party consensus and government regulation and protectionto allow movement of agriculture produces during Bandhs


• Packages of appropriate production and post-production technology are totallylacking. The performance of research and extension has not been particularlysupportive of the commercialization process. There is lack of coordinated research and extension activities at the field level.

• Distribution system is weak due to lack of physical and communication facilities. A poor road, market, electricity, water and communication infrastructure constrains the marketing of and communication infrastructure constrains the marketing of fruit and thus limits commercialization. It affects the volume of transactions and exchange of information among stakeholders.

• At the macro level, the main issue is the political instability, peace, party conflicts and road blockades due to bandhs(strikes). Such uncertain political climate has a negative effect on the investment decisions, particularly for agribusiness andagro enterprises, and for farmers as well..


k. Exhibition/ Display design opportunitiesProduct from the Sonapur area are generally consumed in local markets of Guwahati and a little quantity enters other town of Assam. Independent researchers can be attached to producers and traders for the carrying out of profitability studies on the consumption of oranges in processing plants, other outlet areas and export Bangladesh or border country. Agro base exhibition should be organized to introduce local agriculture product should be organized to introduce local agriculture product including Orange.

The Farmer can participate in trade fairs and expos at state, national and international level to introduce Agri Product.

At cluster/ village level a small display area/showroom can be created.

Krishi Mela could be done in state Headquarter to achieve better platform to the farmer.



l. Study of infrastructure set up from design perspective

A common facility centre could be set up for the farmer so that the farmer can take the different Agriculture implements for better production.

Most of the poor and vulnerable groups have few assets (land, finance, livestock, etc.) and little education. As a consequence, their main source of income is low-skill wage labor. Their capacity for organizing and interacting with other stakeholders in the value chains is limited.

Social aspects like castes, ethnic groups and gender also impinge on the process of commercialization and the formation of value chains. The constrained role of women limits their active participation in production, formation of alliance anddevelopment of entrepreneurship.development of entrepreneurship.

There is weak capacity within and between line agencies, and other organizationsboth at the central and local level for planning, coordination and M&E. Planning and monitoring and evaluation need considerable improvement and require the broader participation of local communities and other stakeholders.

There is lack of effective farmer and enterprise organizations. Most farmers involved in commercial agriculture are organized into small groups. Rarely, are farmers parts of large organizations such as cooperatives and producer associations.

Most farmers are not reached by financial institutions. Agricultural commercialization is perceived as high risk by commercial banks but there are no effective risk bearing mechanisms.


m. Scope of design intervention for inter cluster communicationMajor Production Issues

1. Difficult to maintain graft saplings and low productivity

2. Irrigation problem

3. Insect and diseases problems like scale, sting bugs, fruit fly, gummosis, root rot, shoot mould, powdery mildew, etc..

4. Declining trees and low productivity

5. Prolonging availability of fruits

6. Lack of scientific growing techniques

7. Lack of link roads connecting production pockets to road heads

8. Lack of technology regarding post-harvest handlings



Opportunities

1. Integrated pest management practices should be followed, resistant rootstocks be used for grafting

2. Adoption of recommended agronomical practices

3. Cultivation of recommended early and late varieties, good storage facilities

4. Intensive extension services, trainings, provision of trained local resource personspersons

5. A major problem mentioned by almost all the respondents. Agri Department must give top priority to construct such link roads

6. Timely and adequately group procurement of needed inputs or through cooperatives, provision of low or no interest loans for orchard's juvenile period

7. Research programs be focused with priority on postharvest handling and marketing of fruits


Major Socio-economic Problems and Suggestion

Issue:

Agri growers are subsistence farmers and poor

Suggestion:

Specific support programs for such farmers should be launched. Soft loans be provided, and programs of food security be implemented. Group-wise institutional and micro saving activities be carried out. Group procurement of inputs and marketing of outputs be arranged. Free or highly

subsidized demonstration plots be established in small farmers' field


subsidized demonstration plots be established in small farmers' field

Issue:

Complex social stratification along with dimensions of caste, ethnic group and gender

Suggestion:

Formation of homogenous farmers' groups should be encouraged, homogeneity should also be in educational and economic level. Encourage larger organizations of producers

such as cooperatives and producer associations. Develop them as a good management institutions

Issue:Farming as a way of living

Suggestion:

Development of professionalism in farming, commercialize feasible prioritized commodities with intensive input, technology and marketing support and services

Issue:

Constrained roles of women farmers

Suggestion:

Extensive gender training including the men. Enhancement of technical capacity Extensive gender training including the men. Enhancement of technical capacity through on the spot trainings, involvement in income generating activity with ownership in decision making and marketing


SL NO. NAME OF

ARTISANS/MSME’S

SEX Adress TYPE OF MSME’S ACTIVITY

1 Haren Tumung Male Vill-Dhemai Proprietor Agriculture

2 Phuleswar Tumung Male Vill-Dhemai Proprietor Agriculture

3 Naren Tumung Male Vill-Dhemai Proprietor Agriculture

4 Kati Rahang Male Vill- Markang Proprietor Agriculture

5 Mantu Deka Male Vill-Mitani Proprietor Agriculture

6 Suren Rajbonshi Male Vill-Bogibari Proprietor Agriculture

7 Gobinda Doloi Male Vill-Botakuchi Proprietor Agriculture

List of Farmer interacting during NAS


7 Gobinda Doloi Male Vill-Botakuchi Proprietor Agriculture

8 Ghanashyam Saikia Male Vill- Arabari Proprietor Agriculture

9 Shanak Das Male Vill- Arabari Proprietor Agriculture

10 Ashini Boro Male Vill- Tepesia Proprietor Agriculture

11 Mashal Qra Male Vill- Tepesia Proprietor Agriculture

12 Jibeswar Bharali Male Vill- Rangdaloi Proprietor Agriculture

13 Deva Bharali Male Vill- Rangdoloi Proprietor Agriculture

14 Chatra singh Doloi Male Vill- Rangdoloi Proprietor Agriculture

15 Jogeswar Doloi Male Vill- Rangdoloi Proprietor Agriculture

16 Paniram Doloi Male Vill- Rangdoloi Proprietor Agriculture

17 Nareswar Doloi Male Vill- Rangdoloi Proprietor Agriculture

18 Ghayan Bordoloi Male Vill- Rangdoloi Proprietor Agriculture

19 Paben Tumung Male Vill- Kalitakuchi Proprietor Agriculture

List of Farmer interacting during NAS


20 Aananda Basumatary Male Vill-Kalitakuch Proprietor Agriculture

21 Ananda Inti Male Vill- Lofar Proprietor Agriculture

22 Binda Rahang Male Vill- Lofar Proprietor Agriculture

23 Tankeswar Rahang Male Vill- Ghaguwa Proprietor Agriculture

24 Sukleswar Ragpi Male Vill-Ghaguwa Proprietor Agriculture

25 Mahendra Qra Male Vill- Ghaguwa Proprietor Agriculture

CONCLUSION

� The visit to Sonapur Agriculture Cluster of Assam was a great learning and enriching experience; giving various insights into their activities, functioning and working conditions. The trip led to discovery of many facts and figures.

� One of the major findings where that the Farmer are not efficient/ educated enough to calculate the right costing and selling price for their products. While calculating cost they don’t include number of working hours. So generally they sell the product at a approximate working hours. So generally they sell the product at a approximate price on the basis of the cost of material used.

� Their products with least profit margins. The middleman buy the products from the Farmer and sell it for 2-3 times the price charged by the Farmer.


Day/ Date 1st Session (Time) Topics Designer/Guest Designer/Resource

Person

2nd Session (Time) Topics Designer/Guest Designer/Resource Person

1st day 10.00AM to

1.00PM

Inauguration of Workshop By General Manager

DISTRICT INDUSTRIES &

COMMERCE CENTRE (DICC),

Kamrup (Metro) in presence of

Block Project Manager,NRLM,

Assam

2.00PM to 4.00PM Knowledge of Different type of

Agriculture Implements used in

Agriculture Industry

Kongkona Sarma, MSc Agriculture Science of

Om Design & Consultant

2nd Day 10.00AM to

1.00PM

Importance and technology involved in

sustainable farming systems in Assam

Dr. N. K Mohan, Senior Consultant,

Horticulture

2.00PM to 4.00PM Role of value addition in Agricultural

Implements on self employment and



Schedule of 5 Band Design Clinic Workshop of Agriculture Implements at Sonapur, Kamrup, Assam

Organized By: Shanti Creation, Guwahati

Under Design Clinic Scheme of Ministry of MSME

Implemented by: Nation Institute of Design, Ahmedabad


1.00PM sustainable farming systems in Assam Horticulture Implements on self employment and

entrepreneurship Development


3rd day 10.00AM to

1.00PM

Redesign, Diversification and technology

involved in Agriculture Implements

Kongkona Sarma, MSc Agriculture

Science of Om Design & Consultant

2.00PM to 4.00PM Maintenance of Agriculture Implements Mr. Pradip Konwar, Sr. Mkt Excuitive, V.S.T

Tillers Tractors Ltd.

4th Day 10.00AM to

1.00PM

Scope of Tooling and Equipment Design in


Diganta Choudhury

Master of Agriculture. AAU 2.00PM to 3.00PM Design and technology intervention in

Post harvesting of Agriculture



5th Day 10.00AM to

1.00PM

Concept of Packaging and Storage of

Agriculture Product

Mr. Palash Moni Baruah

ADO, Govt. of assam

2.00PM to 3.00PM Evaluation and Conclusion Ceremony • Official from Dimoria Development

Block

• Secretary, Shanti Creation

• Submitted : Om Designs & Consultant • [email protected]

AGRICULTURE

IMPLEMENTS, SONAPUR CLUSTER

After Workshop Report DCS MSME Scheme Band Five | 2013

Design Clinic 5 Band After Workshop Report : Agriculture Implements, Sonapur Cluster, Kamrup| 2013 | Om Designs & Consultant

5 BAND DESIGN CLINIC WORKSHOP under Design Clinic Scheme

From: 18th March,2013 to 22nd March,2013

Venue: Community Hall, Dhemai, Kamrup

Sponsored by: Ministry of MSME, Govt. of India

Implemented by : National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad

2 Design Clinic 5 Band After Workshop Report : Agriculture Implements, Sonapur Cluster, Kamrup| 2013 | Om Designs & Consultant

Design Clinic 5 Band After Workshop Report : Agriculture Implements, Sonapur Cluster, Kamrup| 2013 | Om Designs & Consultant 3

Regd. No.RS/KAM(M)/263-A/206 under S.R. Act XXI of 1860 Office Address: B.R.Path, Beltola Tiniali, Guwahati, Pin-781028 E-mail: [email protected], Contact: +91-95776-46097

Organized By:

mailto:[email protected]

• Introduction:

Shanti Creation is an organization which offers consultancy services in different fields and expertise in different areas. It was Socio Cultural Organization and was registered under the Societies Registration Act aiming to serve the people of North East. The organization is managed by a set of dedicated persons having expertise in different areas. It is non profit organization dedicated to formulate and implement plans and projects that improve the social and economic conditions of the people of the Region. Shanti Creation aims to improve household condition of North East with sense of community development & sense of personal empowerment. The Organization is engaged in Skill Development in different Income generated activities. It also offers services that assist women & children who have experienced violence, homelessness &chronic poverty & to create an environment that strengthens a woman belief in her ability to influence the direction of her life.


• Interactive Design Study | Rontholi Jewellery Cluster Nagaon | 2011 | Arpit Agarwal • 1

Design Clinic Scheme for Design Expertise to MSMEs, a unique and ambitious design intervention scheme for the country’s large micro, small and medium scale enterprises, is an initiative of Ministry of MSME, Government of India has been launched under National Manufacturing Competitiveness program. The scheme is being designed keeping in mind the objective of design awareness, design interventions and competitiveness improvement for largest group of industrial sectors, Micro, small and medium enterprises of the country which contributes to approximately 45% of total industrial production and 40% exports. They are major contributors to the GDP growth, accounting to about 8%. They

DESIGN CLINIC

SCHEME


Interactive Design Study They are also the largest employers after agriculture, employing an estimated 41 million people. The main objective of the Design Clinic Scheme is to bring MS&ME sector and design expertise into a common platform and to provide expert advice and solutions on real time design problems, resulting in continuous improvement and value addition for existing products. This model brings design exposure to the door step of industry clusters for design awareness, improvement, evaluation, analysis and design related intervention. Design clinic scheme will assist industrial clusters to open a channel for design information inflow for creative, innovative and futuristic approach towards the product, process, operations, manufacturing and business design. The scheme will help generate insight for opportunity identification and design intervention for competitive and breakthrough solutions for


MINISTRY OF MSME

MSMEs.

The total scheme budget will be Rs. 73.58

crores, out of which Rs. 49.08 crores will be GoI assistance and the balance amount will be contributed by the beneficiary MSMEs. The scheme provides great opportunity to the large sector of MSME (Associations and Units) as well as Indian design fraternity – the design consulting firms, independent designers, various design institutes of the country and also the design students to engage them to assist the country’s large MSME sector move up the value chain through increasing the value and competitiveness of their products and services. The scheme targets to reach out to about 200


DCS MSME Scheme

MSME clusters over the next two and half years. This will be achieved through organization of about 200 design sensitization seminars, 200Design Clinic Workshops and 400 design projects including 100 student design projects (final year thesis projects). National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad will assist the Ministry of MSME, Government of India, as a nodal agency for implementing the scheme. As part of the scheme a

• Design Clinic Centre and its regional centers are being set up in IIE campus



Schedule of 5 Day design Workshop at Dhemai for Agriculture Implements, Sonapur, kamrup Day/ Date 1st Session

(Time)

Topics Designer/Guest

Designer/Resource

Person

2nd Session

(Time)

Topics Designer/Guest

Designer/Resource Person

1st day

(18/03/13)

10.00AM

to 1.00PM

Inauguration of

Workshop

By General Manager

DISTRICT INDUSTRIES & COMMERCE CENTRE (DICC), Kamrup (Metro) in presence of Block Project Manager,NRLM, Assam

2.00PM to

4.00PM

Knowledge of

Different type of


used in Agriculture

Industry

Kongkona Sarma, MSc

Agriculture Science of Om

Design & Consultant

2nd Day

(19/03/13)

10.00AM

to 1.00PM

Importance and

technology involved in

sustainable farming

systems in Assam

Dr. N. K Mohan,

Senior Consultant,

Horticulture

2.00PM to

4.00PM

Role of value addition

in Agricultural

Implements on self

employment and

entrepreneurship

Development

Kongkona Sarma, MSc


Design & Consultant

3rd day

(20/03/13)

10.00AM

to 1.00PM

Redesign, Diversification

and technology involved

in Agriculture

Implements

Kongkona Sarma,

MSc Agriculture

Science of Om

Design & Consultant

2.00PM to

4.00PM

Maintenance of


Mr. Pradip Konwar, Sr. Mkt

Excuitive, V.S.T Tillers

Tractors Ltd.

4th Day

(21/03/13)

10.00AM

to 1.00PM

Scope of Tooling and

Equipment Design in


Diganta Choudhury

Master of Agriculture. AAU

2.00PM to

3.00PM

Design and technology

intervention in Post

harvesting of

Agriculture

Kongkona Sarma, MSc


Design & Consultant

5th Day

(22/03/13)

10.00AM

to 1.00PM

Concept of Packaging

and Storage of

Agriculture Product

Mr. Palash Moni

Baruah

ADO, Govt. of

assam

2.00PM to

3.00PM

Evaluation and

Conclusion Ceremony

Official from Dimoria

Development Block

Secretary, Shanti

Creation

Design Clinic Workshop Day 1 (18/03/2013)

• Day 1 : The workshop was inaugurated by Assistant General Manager of District industries & commerce of Kamrup Mr. N. N. Sarma in Presence of Dr. N. K. Mohan, Retd. Chief Scientist,Hortculture Assam.

In the speech of Mr. N.N. Sarma he describe the Govt. policy of MSME unit and different support from the Industries Department.

Dr. N. K. Mohan has gave valuable speech regarding the Intervention of Design and technology in Agriculture Implements

Ms. Sheik Nilufer of NID also has come in the first day of Workshop and discussion has made with the participant about the Design Clinic scheme of MEMEs.

The Designers and invited guest has honored by “Phulam Gamucha”



The Farmer Artisans has honor the invitees on behalf of Shanti Creation

Second Sessionof 1st Day : Just after the inaugural program the Technical session has started by our side (Om designs & Consultant) Ms Kankana Sarma

has started her session on the topic of Knowledge of Different type of

Agriculture Implements used in Agriculture Industry in her session she

interact with representative of MSME of the cluster and knowledge have been

given about the Implements of Agriculture.


Moments During the Workshop



Design clinic workshop day 2 (19/03/2013)

• Day 2: The second day of the workshop is started with the consultant of

Om Designs and started their session theory and practical with audio and visualized about the uses of tools and equipment in Agriculture Industries Introducing the modern and advance Agriculture Implements. The Farmers are questioning of their doubts and the designers are giving solution of their problems.

farmer has able to see modern Implements and they can understand that use of these Implements they can produce more product and enhance their income.




• Day 3: On third day the designer comes and discuss about the topic of

Redesign, Diversification and technology involved in Agriculture Implements

the designer interact and give remedial solution of the Artisans presence in

the Workshop

On second Session: The Guest Designers covered the topic about

Maintenance of Agriculture Implements with practical work of Tractors

and other Agriculture Implements

In the session they are discussed about the user friendly Tools and

equipment used in Agriculture Process so that they can made these type of

tools which can be easy to operate and cost effective.

.



During the Practical session of the Workshop


Day 4: The forth day starts in the workshop with the session on the topic of

Scope of Tooling and Equipment Design in Agriculture Implements

by the guest designer Mr. Diganta Choudhury of Agriculture Department

In the session the designer has discussed about to develop new design

product which can be used as Agriculture implements. During the session

advantage and disadvantage of Tooling design has mentioned.

In second session our designer has interact with the farmer about Design and technology intervention in Post harvesting of Agriculture




Day 5: In the last day of Workshop the session start with the topics of

Packaging and Storage of Agriculture Product during the session

opportunities of different packaging system has been discussed. There are

many problems suffered by the Farmers of the cluster in Packaging and

transportation of there product. The solution comes to there mind the

session. The concept of branding has motivated them to encourage more

efficient to make value product in short of time by using new technique and

design intervention.

The second session comes to end by giving awards to the best Participant. The Artisans fill the feedback form and return back. Most of the artisans are not highly qualified they only know to sign there own.



opportunity areas, remedial design solutions during the Workshop

1. The existing Implements are traditional and consist of traditional design and made by Bamboo, Wood or little about Iron which is cause them less in production and required more manpower.

2. There are lot of scope to develop and redesign Agriculture implements used by the cluster people.

3. The implements are made of but do not maintain the quality of the product in the workshop solution has made to improve the quality of the product so that buyer or user can satisfied with product.

4. Diversification of Agriculture implements are not happens in the Cluster. Scope of diversified Agriculture Implements has discussed during the workshop.

5. Use of User friendly tools and equipment used in Agriculture process has discussed and solution has given by the Designer to develop user friendly tools and equipment.


6. Processing of Making Agriculture Implements is out date . Farmer are not using modern mechanism to make their product. During the workshop scope of development of Agriculture Implements are discussed.

7. The use of Modern Agriculture Implements in Production is poor in Sonapur Cluster people are using tradition tools and equipment in the process. During the workshop modern Agriculture Implements are shown and showing them how these type of Implements can improve in productivity in Agriculture and farmer can earn more income.

8. Use of Post harvesting technology and post harvest tools are discussed . Farmer are aware that use of these type of tools can improve the quality of Agriculture product.

9. Packaging and storage system of Agriculture product in Sonapur Cluster is nil. During the workshop solution has been given to develop packaging design for Agriculture Product and concept of cold storage is given and discussed.



Moments During Workshop

Design Clinic Workshop on Agriculture Implements, Sonapur

• Every day the workshop is continuing from 10 am to 4 pm

• The First session has been staring from 10am to 1 pm in between the first session the tea and snacks has been served. The session comes to end at 1 pm then the lunch has served to the participants and to the Resource Persons.

• The Second session of workshop has started at 2 pm till 4 pm sometimes it continues till 5 pm in between the session tea and snacks has served.

• Every they the topics has discussed with remedial solution to the Farmer Artisans.

• Artisans asked question to the Resource person and the resource person has give feed back to them.

• The official persons of Shanti Creation has monitoring each session and when communication of language has comes they have solved.


Press release of Design Clinic workshop of Agriculture Implements of Sonapur Cluster


Scope of Design Project In Sonapur Agriculture Implements cluster there could be done a design project

for the benefit of MSME unit of Sonapur. Lots of things has to be done in design project like

1. Tools and Equipment Design for agriculture Implements. The existing traditional product can be redesign for product development and diversification.

2. Quality material could be used for making the Implements

3. The concept of Packaging and a acceptable packaging could be done during the design project.

we have seen that the people of Sonapur cluster is aware to improve there production and they are interested to adopt new design and technology for their development. The Artisans has a lot of skill but due to non availability of proper support in the field of Design and Marketing they are not earning much of income. all the artisans belongs to tribels of Assam . If the design project could be introduce in the particular cluster it can be very fruitful for the farmer Artisans so that there income should generate more for their livelihood.


• Marketing & Designing:

The designing capacities of the cluster have not kept pace with time. The art of traditional designing has declined as the best design masters have passed away and the present ones have limited capacities and means to upgrade themselves. There are no modern day designers are working in the cluster and even though in the past some state agencies have hired them in the past, the benefit of their work has not passed to the cluster in any sustainable way. They have only worked in a static mode as one-off interventions.

Institutional linkages, Credit linkage & Capacity Building The farmer artisans of Sonapur could be linked with Govt. or

other institution for over all development. The credit linkage with subsidy by Govt. organization will help them to overall development like tooling design, packaging design and product redesign.


BDS/Common Facility Center There is no system in place through which the cluster can effectively make

use of the BDS (Business Development Services) providers. Even though diverse BDS resources the present locally, they face several limitations in the absence of effective institutional framework and therefore do not have a well-defined presence. The local BDS also need more training and exposure.

The impact of globalization poses a threat to the cluster. Therefore, it is necessary to have an effective sustainable development strategy for

ensuring a sustainable future. A Common Facility Center could be introduce during the design project it will very

effective for the farmers Artisans of Sonapur as it can be use for design development , Skill development, Installation of new machineries and tools. people can come to CFC for design solution and technical support.


Potential Design Project Opportunities after WORKSHOP


The Workshop of Sonapur cluster is really a good expose to the MSME unit of the cluster. The MSME unit of Sonapur is very capable of work culture and their activities is such that we can add so many intervention in terms of Design, Technology, Diversification, Quality Control, Packaging etc. It is a potential cluster to do a design Project. The Skill farmer Artisans of Sonapur can make any kind of Agriculture implements but they have to supported by such a organization who can assist them in designing and marketing. A opportunities of potential design project could be done in Sonapur Cluster after the DCS Workshop.

Documents

Agriculture Implements in Sonapur of Kamrup District, Assam District, Assam