Page 28 - Plastics News January 2017
P. 28
FEATURES 10
INDIA 2017
International Plastics Exhibition & Conference
Where the future of plastic is...
JAN 2017
19 20 21 22 23 MUMBAI. INDIA
Plasticulture -- the untapped opportunity
Plasticulture represents use of applications of plastics in Agriculture, Horticulture, Water
management & related areas
Agriculture, which is the mainstay of the Indian application of water & nutrients, controlled environment
economy, contributes about 18 percent of the national agriculture is economically viable, plant protection
income and provides employment to more than 50 percent through the use of nets and use of innovative packaging
of the population. Diverse agro-climatic conditions solutions help in increasing shelf-life and during collection,
conducive for a variety of crops almost round the year; storage & transportation of fruits and vegetables.
highest arable land-to-land size ratio and the largest
irrigated land network are the hallmarks of agriculture
in India. Given the inherent strengths and highest policy
resolve to strengthen agriculture, India is emerging
as one of the most favorable destinations for making
agri-business investments and presents widespread
opportunities across the value chain. Thus calls for
paradigm shift in agriculture mechanization in various
domains of cultivation like tillage, sowing, irrigation,
Moreover to propagate Plasticulture NCPAH has the
mandate to promote and develop the use of plastics
in agriculture, horticulture, water management and
other allied areas. The Committee during its tenure
has submitted several reports and documents to the
Government of India which have paved the way for
plasticulture development in the country.
plant protection, threshing etc. Plasticulture applications includes Drip & Sprinkler
irrigation system, Greenhouse, Shade net house, Pond
Plasticulture represents use of applications of plastics in lining, Plastics Mulching, Low tunnel etc. The plasticulture
Agriculture, Horticulture, Water management & related applications can be broadly categorized into:
areas. Speaking about Plasticulture Krish Iyenger, Joint
secretary, NCPAH said that the National Committee I Water management:
on Plasticulture Applications in Horticulture (NCPAH)
is constituted in the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), • Lining of canals, ponds & reservoirs with plastics
Govt. of India to focus in a co-ordinated manner to film
popularize adoption of various plasticulture applications in
horticulture and the over all development of plasticulture • Drip & Sprinkler Irrigation
applications in the country. • PVC & HDPE pipes used for water conveyance
• Sub-surface Drainage
Plasticulture applications offer a multitude of benefits
and are considered most important indirect agricultural II Nursery Management:
inputs which results moisture conservation, water saving, • Nursery bags, Pro-trays, Plastic plugs, Coco-pits,
reduction in fertilizer consumption, helps in precise
Hanging baskets, Trays etc
III Surface cover cultivation:
• Soil Solarisation
• Plastics Mulching
• January 2017 • Plastics News 28
