Biodieseljan9mcc: New in April 2007, the Bannari Amman bio-diesel plant that the class toured
is currently processing pungam seed for biodiesel. Jatropha can also be used. [McCandless]

Transgeneggplantjan9mcc: Dr. Balakrishnan (right), entomologist at the Center
for Plant Molecular Biology at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, talks to the Agricultural
Systems breakout group about the greenhouse trials for transgenic eggplant. [McCandless]

Sugarcanebannarijan9mcc: Lorries and bullock-drawn carts loaded with sugarcane
wait to unload at the Bannari Amman sugar cane processing plant. [McCandless]

Wippmangroupjan9: (l-r) K. Vijayaraghavan of Sathguru, Dr. R. Chandra Babu, dean of the
School of Post Graduate Studies at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, the Vice Chancellor
of TNAU, David Wippman (standing), Cornell University’s Director of International Relations
, Dr. Pongthep Akratanakul, and Dr. Ronnie Coffman gathered with the IARD602 class
for a discussion about the importance of international education in Coimbatore during dinner
on Wednesday night.

Jan. 9, 2008
Ag Systems
Hyderabad/Coimbatore, India

AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
Today we explored Coimbatore, a southern city in Tamil Nadu known for its textiles. The landscape at Coimbatore is more tropical and less congested than Hyderabad.

The morning was spent at the campus of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU). The first thing you see when you enter the campus is an impressive 10-year old building surrounded by lush foliage. It is here the department of plant breeding and genetics is housed, a stark contrast to our own tower of Bradfield Hall. Dr. P. Karnon, the project coordinator for Agricultural Biotech Support Project II (ABSPII) shared with us two projects in collaboration with Cornell, Sathguru, and USAID. The first is a breeding effort to incorporate the Bt Cr1A gene into local varieties of eggplant, reducing the need to spray pesticides from 50 to 60 times per season to just three or four. The second project incorporates trehalose biosynthetic genes into rice for drought and salinity tolerance.

We left TNAU for a long drive to the Bannari Amman bio-diesel processing plant, passing fields of sugar cane, papaya, sorghum, oil palm, banana, maize and tobacco. The increased rainfall in this part of the country makes for ideal cropland. After a welcoming visit and unique presentation at Bannari Amman Institute of Technology, we went to the new state-of-the-art processing plant and saw pungam seed being processed into oil. Next stop was the oil processing plant. Although the processing plants were efficient, the economic value of this particular biofuel has yet to be seen. With input costs 100 times the output, the vision of the Bannari Amman group seems a long way off. Nevertheless, it was an insightful and interesting trip.

Upon arrival back at the hotel, we were honored to be joined by those who made this trip possible, including Dr. Wippman, vice provost for international relations at Cornell.  

Now the long day requires a refreshing beer down at the Bike & Barrel.
Allison Krill, graduate student in plant breeding

Animal Sciences

Date – 9 Jan
Student –Monchai
Places visited – Madras Veterinary College
On Jan 9th, we visited the “Madras Veterinary College”, where Dr.Suresh graduated. We arrived there around 9 O’ Clock. We started with observing the clinical works in Animal Hospital. All animal patients had to be registered and then pre diagnosed by veterinarians and rechecked by professors. In small animal section, we observed one Labrador dog that got heart attack and the way veterinarian made a treatment. We divided into subgroup to observe and discuss with the vet students who taken care of the cases. In large animal unit, we found buffalo cases that have Anaplasmosis. We discussed more about tick borne fever, ie babesia, thelieria and also other blood parasite ie trypanosome. The interesting thing here is they have minimum charge for the service. The medicine is usually “FREE” except vaccination. In the hospital we also visited the injection unit, ultrasound, endoscope equipment and surgery unit.
At 11.00, we had a chance to meet the dean of the college, Dr Lalitha John. Our group discussed with Indian students at the college about the curriculum, job opportunity. We visited dairy production class and talked with the students. Then, we went to dairy plant. There are several equipments for dairy processing in the plant. Here pasteurized milk and ice cream are main products.
Finally, we visited the biotechnology lab. This lab is divided in to 4 parts; 1.tissue culture, 2. Molecular Biology, 3. Immunology 4. embryology and stem cells. The research stress on diagnosis and prevention of bacteria and viral diseases in poultry and cattle/ buffalo, ie blue tongue, new castle, marek’s, leptospirosis, eggdrop syndrome. They produced interferon, interleukin, stem cells and many cell line of mice and buffaloes. We very appreciated the trip in vet school. Thank you for all faculties and team involved who prepared and managed this visit for us.

Activity on 9.01.08, Reported Tristan Zuber

The sun was just rising over the state of Maharashtra when the Value Addition and Marketing group arrived to see the bustling Pune Market Yard.  This is where physical transactions of produce occur between the farmer and retailers, processors, or other distributors.  Trading occurs through an auction system in which the farmer will receive 20-35% of the profit after transaction and marketing board fees for fruits and vegetables and 60% for cereal grains. This market was one of 7,600 regulated markets in India, which allows a common place for farmers to sell their products. Commissioners can also supervise the price and transition of produce from farm to consumer.

The day continued on with breakfast and a tour of Chordia Food Park. This large food company conducts activities ranging from providing recommendations to farmers, food product research and development, arranging financing and support for entrepreneurs, and processing pickled products and fresh produce. Also, their delicious ketchups and chutneys are subcontracted by Heinz. In addition to this, they process fruits and vegetables through an Individually Quick Freezer which enables the produce to have a shelf life long enough to ship to Europe and other nations. 

Our last tour of the day was of Katraj Dairy – which is owned by a cooperative of 1,000 water buffalo and cow farmers and processes 320,000 liters of milk per day.  In India, the farmers are paid by fat percentage that is set by the Maharashtra state government.  The milk is pasteurized using a plate HTST pasteurizer and is made into products such as ghee, butter, standardized fluid milk, ice cream, paneer, lassi, and flavored milk.  The milk is tested for pathogens and bacterial counts and then is distributed with a shelf life of 72 hours.  The day was complete with a nice American cuisine at Pizza Hut and free time for relaxation or exploring the bustling city of Pune.