Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore   

‘Huge potential for agro textiles'

-Photo: M. Periasamy

Vice-Chancellor of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University P. Murugesa Boopathi (second right) sharing a lighter moment with president of Synthetic and Art Silk Mills' Research Association M.H. Doshi (right) at a seminar on 'Protective Agrotextiles-Advantages and Future Prospects' at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International School of Textiles and Management in Coimbatore on Tuesday. Director of SVPITM S.R. Pujar (left) is in the picture.

COIMBATORE: Textile products are widely used in agriculture to protect crops and improve yield.

Hence, the market for these products is huge, according to speakers at a seminar held here on Tuesday on protective agro textiles.

The seminar was organised jointly by the Synthetic and Art Silk Mills' Research Association (SASMIRA), the Office of the Textile Commissioner, the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International School of Textiles and Management (SVPITM) and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU).

Textile products such as insect nets, harvest nets, windshield, mulch mats, and plastic mulch are categorised as agro textiles.

These are made of woven, nonwoven or knitted fabric. Agro textiles would enhance agricultural growth

P. Murugesa Boopathi, Vice-Chancellor of TNAU said Israel was a leading country in protected cultivation.

TNAU had implemented precision farming and protected cultivation in Dharmapuri in the State.

The National Horticulture Mission provided 50 per cent subsidy for protected cultivation and agro textiles was important for such crop cultivation.

M. H. Doshi, president of SASMIRA, said food security was a major problem globally and in India.

Agro textiles were used in crop protection, horticulture, floriculture, agricultural engineering and aquaculture.

In countries such as China, Brazil and India, the potential was huge.

M. Paramathma, Research Director at the agricultural university, said agro textiles was important for India. China was a leading exporter of agro textiles.

Big market

The domestic market had expanded here and the potential was huge. For instance, nylon and polyester helped in cattle rearing.

N. Kumar, Principal, Horticulture College and Research Centre, TNAU, said the benefits of agro textiles were more in horticulture.

Cover from pests

It could be used to protect plants from the vagaries of nature and from pests, animals and birds.

S.R. Pujar, Director of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Institute, said the institute had signed an agreement with SASMIRA for academic cooperation.

U.K. Gangopadhyay, executive director of the Synthetic and Art Silk Mills' Research Association, proposed a vote of thanks.

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