Bhavarlal H. Jain - Field of Activities

PVC Piping Systems heralded revolution in Farm Irrigation in rural India. Farmers were used to irrigating their fields by open-channel furrow method or by non-pressure short length cement pipe lines. These methods were outdated, wasteful and maintenance intensive. Mr. Jain introduced and canvassed for adoption of this cost effective and innovative Irrigation technique at affordable prices. He was also the first to export PVC Casing & Screen Piping Systems from India to Middle East and Europe.

Resistant to almost all acids, corrosive liquids & gases.

They are Non-toxic. They are available in Solvent Weld Socket Joint as well as in Rubber Ring Socket Joints.

They are manufactured conforming to various world Standards: ISO 4422 and ISO 3633, DIN 8062, ASTM-D-2241 and ASTM-D-1785, IS 4985, IS 12231 and IS 13592.

Range: 20 mm to 630 mm.

Application: Potable water supply Schemes, Domestic/Industrial Plumbing, Soil, Waste and Rain Water Drainage Systems, Lift & Gravity Irrigation Systems, Chemical transportation, Agriculture Pumpset Suction and Delivery Pipes, Rising Main & Distribution Lines.

Drip Technology results in Higher yields, Early Maturity, Better Quality, Saving in Water, Electricity and Fertilizer costs, Increase in Cropping and Irrigation Intensity - have all resulted in higher profits and self sufficiency. It has thus put a ‘Tilak’ on the furrowed forehead of the farmer and enhanced GDP for the country.

Our ultimate aim was to increase the acreage under agro-forestry / horticulture to serve as a standby in-house buffering capacity for the supply of raw material to our Fruit processing plant & thereby arrest an exploitative tendency among the suppliers to artificially raise the selling prices of their produce. This has been possible only with the implementation of the above infrastructure.

More crop for every drop, early maturity, better quality & higher yield. Ideal for terrain with problematic soils & water. Saves labor cost. Yield increase up to 230%. Saves water up to 70%. Successfully working on more than 40 crops covering over 600 thousand acres. We have about 55% of market share in India & also export to more than 20 countries covering all 5 continents. We are leaders in providing custom made irrigation systems.

Tissue Culture Banana (Improved planting material) is yet another significant contribution which has enabled the farmers to multiply their yields so as to face the challenges of the 21st century with confidence and courage; population explosion notwithstanding. Development of Grand Nain varity will also help exports of Fresh Bananas around the world.

Export of non-traditional items (around 100 crores) to the developed nations is an unfailing obsession with Mr. Jain. He has steered the Company to capture the European and U.S. markets and created foreign Brand Equity and Registered Trade Marks such as "Ex-cel" for the Plastic Sheets and "FARMFRESH" for Food Products.

In a nutshell, he has built an Institution which is unique in as much as it provides Total Solution from land development to sustainable Hi-tech agriculture not only in India but even abroad on turn-key basis.

Watseland Reclaimation having toyed with the idea of bringing wasteland, barren & degraded lands under cultivation, Jains have transformed this dream into reality in over 250 ha. by adopting measures such as contour bunding, terracing, trenching treatment of soil and selection of appropriate plants and crops. Water harvesting structures including ‘nalla’ bunding, percolation tanks are constructed as part of water conservation and recharging of underground water aquifers.

This achievement has enhanced our commitment to agriculture. We offer these services and undertake development of waste lands for the farming community at large.

Rainwater Harvesting

Watershed Development in the short term, we work for benefits which are immediate, and in the long-term our approach will be for a full scale assessment of the problems and more practical and permanent solutions to realize the full potential of the natural resources of the region or hydro-geological unit. The steps involved are :

• Preparation of thematic & reliable maps & data base including terrain features, land & water use status and available facilities.

• Socio-economic survey of surrounding areas giving data on human & animal resources, living standards and incomes of each household & corroborating the same with secondary data available from census & different Govt. offices & departments.

• Appraisal of soils (texture, moisture holding capacity, wilting point and available moisture, infiltration rate, bulk density & porosity, fertility & nutrient balance), Overall land use, its intensity, cover, biomass density & productivity.

• Assessment of water requirement as per the selected cropping plan, irrigation method & climatological data.

• Working our Water Balance including surface & ground water potentials water quality, use & reliability.

• Selection, Design & Construction of Engineering structures: location specific diversions [ditching, trenching & bunding (staggered or continuous), paved channels, bandharas [road drains], bench terracing, grassed waterways, gully plugging (with or without pipes), stone pitching, Gabion structures, silt detention & water harvesting storages (ponds, lakes, tanks), composite check dams and such other conservation, sodding & stabilizing structures as may be needed.

• Even problem soils and land (saline, waterlogged, degraded, sandy, barren or rocky, hilly acidic & ravines) can be gainfully reclaimed & made productive with plantation of properly selected plants and flora (Vegetation and afforestation).

• Hill Ridge Levelling - The ridge being more susceptible to erosion, its levelling has been done so that flow of water is slowed down at the top & maximum water touching the surface has a fair chance of being absorbed there itself, making the ridge more productive through plantation. Utmost care was exercised to minimize ecological damage during the levelling of ridge.

• Contour trenching – This activity was carried out to arrest the erosion of hill, create a barrier for the flow of water & thereby increase moisture in the underground strata. The depth of trenches was around 3 feet so that dry leaves & nearby foliage / wild grass etc. could be collected there for on-site composting and usage.

• Bench Terracing from all sides of the hill – This activity was undertaken to minimize erosion, increase surface area for plantation of those trees, which have deep roots for minimizing erosion & slowing down the flow of rain water from all the sides, so that the underground water table is recharged. For this purpose, bulldozers were used so that cost effectiveness in implementing the project is achieved.

• Graded Terracing – This arrangement has been devised for steep slopes. Here the surface was purposefully not flat; instead, it was having a slope on the side of the hill, so that flow rate of water is slowed down & good quality earth flown by water settles on the surface to provide a fair chance of the survivability of the pre-determined plantation of horticultural / agro – forestry crops.

• Pitching – This activity was undertaken at places where the slope was too steep to arrest formation of small rivulets & thereby erosion. The stone availibile from ridge levelling was used here. Thus, necessity of gully plugging was minimized.

• Nullah Bunding – This activity ensured transient storage of water for slow percolation in the soil & at the same time collecting flown away soil for future use. In-fact, there are small nullahs on the hill at different sides & due to technical feasibility in limited cost, we have linked different nullahs so that about 50 acres of land, which was declared as non-cultivable was brought under cultivation in a meaningful manner.

• Percolating Tanks – In reality, topography of hills was such that creation of two percolation tanks appeared desirable, one on Jain Hills & another in the Valley. The objective was not to lift water per se for Irrigation, but allow it to percolate on the lower side of the tanks in the wells, so that potable water is available for use of Fruit Processing Unit & effluent arising out of processing unit is treated & used for Irrigation in the agro – forestry / horticulture crops planted.

• Other Works – During 1992 – 2002, a water harvesting scheme was implemented & the result was that in an average rainfall year ( 26 – 30 inches downpour), we could get about 30 Lac Liters water every day. However, due to less than average rainfall in the last 2 years, the capacity of reservoirs has reduced to 23 Lac Liters / Day. Partially this is also due to collection of flown good quality earth in the basin area of the percolation tanks. To remedy this shortfall, we propose dredging of the existing small earthen dams and existing percolation tanks, so that their storage capacity is enhanced & thereby underground table is enriched. If necessary, we propose to create one “Check dam” as an experimental model for us to know its advantages and also for demonstrating to the nearby villagers and farmers that small rivulets / major nullahs could be gainfully harvested with an enhanced capacity of check dam (For ready reference of those who are not familiar with this terminology, check dams are construction of a stone wall for larger reservoirs so that extra pressure exerted on the dam does not give way to harvested water).

Soil Conservation the practice of ploughing to prepare soil for planting is claimed to increase soil damage compared to using herbicides, like glyphosates. In fact, this argument applies primarily to large-scale, chemical-based agriculture, where huge areas are repeatedly tilled and planted with the same crops. By using artificial fertilizer rather than replacing organic material, the soil structure is progressively destroyed, and becomes increasingly susceptible to wind and water erosion. Use of herbicides to kill weeds, instead of plowing them under, may present a short-term solution to this problem. However, repeated use of herbicides also kills microorganisms that contribute to the decomposition of plant residues that help rebuild the organic matter that holds the soil together. It also encourages the selection of the most herbicide-resistant weeds, which necessitates increased herbicide use.

Organic Farming / Vermicompost in the past 4 decades there has been excessive and indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers and other toxic chemicals in agriculture. The yields increased for a few years; however, the biological activity in the soils deteriorated progressively, Moreover, the availability of the farm-yard manures and other organics decreased. Consequently, the limitations on the growth of soil bacteria intensified. Furthermore, multiple cropping in sequence exhausted the soils and resulted in rendering them less productive. Initially the farmers were happy with the speed of green revolution; they however soon became aware of long- term ill-effects pollution and food poisoning. To reduce the excessive chemical inputs, there appears to be only one alternative, Viz, Organic farming, i.e. use of organics and manures for crops. Organic farming now is perceived by the world to be the only sustainable way of farming & farm productivity.

The main hurdle being experienced by the farmers, however, is the paucity for farm yard manures and related organic materials / inputs. Deeply committed to improvements in farming, realized the gap. To overcome this, the company has committed itself to selection of high quality ingredients for manufacture of organic manure and its use. After experimenting got 3 years, has formulated and produced balanced organic manure and added to it vermicompost, bacterial culture, humus and cow urine.

Horticulture

Bio Diesel for further enhancement of farm productivity and sustainability, It has embarked upon several fresh initiatives. It now proposes to undertake an integrated programme of (a) cultivation of non-edible oil crops, (b) seed collection, (c) seed oil extraction (d) esterification and (e) supply Bio-diesel for tractors, irrigation pumps, threshers and other agricultural implements as well as vehicles. This will reduce farmers’ dependence on the availability of diesel or electricity for agricultural operations in rural areas.

From amongst several non-edible Oil-seed Bearing Plants, such as Jatropha, Karanj, Mahuva and Neem, Jatropha has been short-listed.

Established over 1.5 lac Jatropha plants on R&D farm at Jain Hi-tech Agri Institute, JHAI. These plants are being reared in varying soil types, and irrigated as well as dryland cultivated. Research has been planned for determining Jatropha growth promoters for higher seed yields and oil content. Seed selection and improvement is also being vigorously pursued. Search for superior planting material through tissue culture is already begun. Over a dozen field trials have been instituted. The world literature on Jatropha is being accessed together with search for establishing link for processing know-how and technology for refining of Jatropha oil into world standard Bio-diesel.

It is all set and committed for the Jatropha Yadnya, first of its kind in Maharashtra and possibly in India too.

Bio Fertilizers setup is made to treat liquid as well as solid wastes. Rejuvenation of Soil & healthy Plant & soil relationship. Conversion of Bio-waste into organic bio-fertilizers. Unique microbial and vermiculture conversion technology. 7,000 MT of bio-fertilizers to be produced per annum. Pioneering work to develop an unique process.

Solar (Photo Voltaic & Water Heating)

Bio Technology

Food Processing development of agriculture and agro processing and have evolved an integrated approach. First we help the Indian farmers to produce more and better quality produce by providing genetically superior planting materials, efficient water and fertilizer management system and agronomical guidance. We are the largest supplier of these products and services to the Indian growers. We then buy the fruits and vegetables from the growers and process them at our most modern processing facilities. We produce the finest quality dehydrated onion & vegetables products aseptic fruit purees, pulps & concentrates and export these to our customers throughout the world.

Nurseries

• Mango, Guava, Chikkoo, Papaya, Lemon, Custard apple, Aonla, Teak, Bamboo, Drumstick and ornamental saplings or grafts were supplied to the villagers and planted scientifically for higher % survival and speedy growth rate. This is obvious at point 7.

Soil and moisture conservation measures taken up like gully plugging, check dams, contour bunds, staggered trenches etc.

The following activities were undertaken for soil and moisture conservation.

• Survey of topography of terrain to determine plateaus, slopes & valleys for water harvesting, by exploiting naturally existing gradient from ridge to valley and minimization of soil erosion.

• Excavation of hilly slopes for terracing as well as approach roads for plantation of fruits & neem plants on terraces & simultaneously arresting the flow of harvested water for minimizing soil erosion & maximizing in situ water percolation / collection.

• Creation of earthen embankments for channeling the flow of water in a zig- zag way taking advantage of natural slopes.

• Construction of small dams in the natural valleys with minimal ecological alterations & minimal costs to provide maximum water storage area.

• Digging out / recharging of a number of wells or bore-wells on the lower side of the dams for permanent storage of percolated water, thereby minimizing evaporation losses in tropical climate of Jalgaon.

• Lifting of water to different plantation / cultivation areas for irrigation purpose through the network of PVC & HDPE pipes and use it through Drip Irrigation for Horticultural / Forestry crops & Sprinkler Irrigation for vegetable / fodder crops.

• Creation of awareness among the farmers by demonstration about advantages of water harvesting & its scientific management so that their reliance too on Monsoon gods is minimized for guaranteed crop yields.

Jain Charities : Sports Academy , Gandhi Foundation, Anubhuti School, etc.

Publication & Speeches

Wakod Adaption (Rural Development Wakod - Info in Marathi Language)

Work done in difficult areas-rocky, marshy, sandy soils and hilly and ravine areas. Special efforts, if any, taken to overcome these factors.	:	As indicated in the beginning, in general, the soil was degraded with rocky, marshy and sandy texture. All areas were undulating. Their conservation needed the of use modern technology such as use of JCP, Buldozers, Road-rollers for land leveling and organic manure, elite seedlings, plant growth regulators (PGRs), bio-fertilizers etc. for plantation and their speedy growth. Site specific trees were planted for high survival rate upon transplantation. For example, casuarina grew nicely in saline soil, teak on hilly slopes, Aonla on alkaline soil and so on.
Period during which the work was done and present status (with special reference to survival of plantations)	:	1992 – 2002 Out of 1,24,323 plants planted during this period, more than 1,20,203 plants have survived. The success rate is 96.7%.
Details of Grant-in-aid, if any, obtained from a Govt. department for the work mentioned in Col. 5 & 6 above.	:	No financial assistance was either sought or received. The whole soil and moisture conservation as well as plantation program was undertaken as a matter of our wholesome business philosophy to leave the earth better and more productive than what we received & a cardinal principle of our commitment to Indian agricultural, forestry, environment & business.
No. of beneficiaries Indicating their categories	:	Women - 12900 Scheduled Caste - 9550 Scheduled Tribe - 7800 Landless Labourers - 6975 Small & Marginal Farmers-154
Nominee’s publications / write-up / photographs etc. relating to the wastelands development work.		“Kahani Jalsandharanchi Swapnavedyachya Swapnapurtichi”
It may be kindly noted that the above book is in State language i. e. Marathi. For your immediate reference, It may be added that the above book chronologically highlights a mega effort on water harvesting, conservation and judicious utilisation for value addition in agro-forestry, horticulture & vegetables / fodder plantation. The title of the above book literally translates “a day-dreamer’s accomplished dream” against several topographical and technological odds. Relevant photographs of different horticultural and agro-forestry plantations are enclosed herewith to substantiate the truth of having implemented a programme worth for consideration for Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Award. The Selection Committee is most welcome to visit the site to verify the truth of herculean efforts put into converstion of wasteland into worthland.

Other achievements (if any) and Pioneering & Innovative feature of the work done by the Nominee	:	Through our visionary approach and missionary zeal, we have succeeded in proving a theme that poverty of poor Indian farmers could be removed through technology application of water harvesting, its judicious utilization and soil conservation. We feel satisfied that business for livelihood is accomplished without sacrificing the cause of environment around us.
In achieving the above satisfaction, we have taken drip irrigation to door step of farmers, brought green revolution second time, transformed farms into factories, bringing into reality “one drop, more crop”. Horticultural revolution, placing Maharashtra State on the top is a clear example of this innovative and pioneering work.

Contribution in the Field of Agriculture