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Pepsi gets nod to conduct fertilizer test

Special Correspondent

Experiments to be held in collaboration with farmers who are willing to adopt modern practices

JAIPUR: The Rajasthan Government has given the go-ahead to multinational giant Pepsi to conduct tests of seaweed sap as a liquid fertilizer on plants, granting it the status of a "hi-tech input'' in the agriculture sector to enhance the yield of various crops. Pepsi will conduct experiments in collaboration with farmers willing to adopt modern agricultural practices.

State Agriculture Minister Prabhulal Saini told reporters here on Monday that the entry of Pepsi and other multinational companies in agriculture, which had remained untouched so far, would "immensely benefit'' the desert State and bring prosperity to farmers.

Pepsi Foods Limited has been conducting trial of Eucheuma sap -- a wet seaweed extract -- on plants such as brinjal, onion, corn, paddy, lady's finger and tomato in other States and claimed to have achieved 20 to 30 per cent increase in their yield. The sap is stated to have the ability to drive up yields as it contains plant growth stimulators such as auxins, gibberellins and cytokinins.

Mr. Saini said the public-private partnership in agriculture had been envisaged in the State as a concept that would help farmers derive the maximum gains from globalisation. "We will ensure that multinational giants treat the farmers on an equal footing and make honest dealings with them. The Government will leave no scope for deceit or fraud.''

The Minister said the scope of contract farming, already permitted in the State, would be extended to cover medicinal and aromatic plants. "Contract farming is optional and it is open to farmers to put their own terms and conditions while entering into an agreement to grow crops for big companies.''

Mr. Saini also said the State Agriculture Department would launch a month-long "Krishi Yojana Aapke Dwaar'' (agricultural schemes at your doorstep) programme across the State on September 15 to speed up implementation of various schemes, bring transparency in their execution and ensure active participation of farmers, elected representatives and agricultural marketing officials.

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