02-03-2013, 10:28 AM
Estimation of Potential of Plasticulture in Odisha
Estimation of Potential.docx (Size: 2.13 MB / Downloads: 25)
Executive Summary:
Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd. (HPL) is a downstream petrochemical products processing company. The main products manufactured by HPL are various grades of polyethylene and polypropylene which are produced by cracking naphtha.
Under the guidance of Mr. Santanu Das, Sr. Manager, Business Development and Mr. Atul Diwan, Officer, Business Development, a project titled “Estimation of Potential of Plasticulture products in Odisha” was undertaken. After undergoing a thorough understanding of the different plasticulture products and relevant areas where they are used, calls were made to various plasticulture products manufacturer and also visited a number of them. Due to circumstances, visiting Odisha was unfeasible, but, however phone calls to various State Horticulture Offices and private nurseries were made. A secondary survey was also conducted from the website www.indiastat.org
The main purpose of data collection from the above sources was finding about the diverse sectors where the particular plasticulture products used most frequently, the current covered area and consequently the current polymer consumption. The plasticulture products those are mainly being used in Odisha now are Drip Irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, polyhouse, shadenet, mulching, pond lining and vermi compost.
Organization Profile:-
Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd. (HPL), one of the largest integrated petrochemicals
complexes in India and the only one of its kind in the eastern region, was
commissioned on April 2, 2000. It has started commercial operations in April 2001. A producer of polymers and chemicals, Haldia Petrochemicals is bringing an industrial era of plastic processing and ancillary industry that has not been traditionally at hand in this part of the country.
It is a prestigious Joint Venture project having the Government of West Bengal, The Chatterjee Group, the TATA Group, the Indian Oil Corporation, etc. as major
stakeholders with an investment of Rs 5864 crores.
Haldia Petrochemicals is the second largest manufacturer of polymers and
petrochemicals in India. HPL has a share of 27% of all India market and almost 70% of Eastern India market.
Manufacturing Plant Location:-
The manufacturing site of Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd. is located about 130 km
from the metropolis, Kolkata. The port town of Haldia, where the plant
complex is located is connected through river ways, roadways and railways.
Transport connectivity of all kinds of vehicle is made possible through the
National highways. As such the region is well connected though all means of transport.
Business Development Group (BDG):-
Business Development is of strategic importance to the growth of Haldia
Petrochemicals Limited. A dedicated team of professionals act as a strong arm of the
marketing team in developing plastic processing industry in West Bengal to promote
HPL product consumption within the region and generate employment and economic
prosperity in the region.
What is Plasticulture?
Plasticulture is defined as the use of plastics in agriculture, horticulture, water-management, food grains storage and related areas so as to increase the yield with optimum use of resources. A variety of plastics materials and end products are deployed in plasticulture applications - for water conservation, irrigation efficiency, crop and environment protection, as well as end product storage and transportation.
Why Plasticulture?
The Green Revolution turned us from being deficient in food grains to being self sufficient. To keep pace with the growing population & to remain self sufficient in food grains, we need another green revolution, or rather, a greener, revolution. Innovative agro practices need be adopted to transform Indian agriculture and stretch our agro input resources mani-fold to increase agricultural productivity both in quality and quantity. Plastics can play a major role in energy conservation and it is poised to transform Indian agriculture for the next Green Revolution. Plastics have definite advantages over conventional materials.
Sprinkler Irrigation:
Sprinkler Irrigation allows application of water under high hpressure with the help of a pump. It releases water similar to rainfall through a small diameter nozzle placed in the pipes. Water is distributed through a system of pipes, spryed into air and irrigates in most of the soil types due to wide range of discharge capacity.
Polyhouse:
Poly houses are basically naturally ventilated climate controlled greenhouses. The interior heats up because incoming solar radiation from the sun warms plants, soil, and other things inside the building faster than heat can escape the structure. Air warmed by the heat from hot interior surfaces is retained in the building by the roof and wall. Temperature, humidity and ventilation can be controlled by equipment fixed in the polyhouse.
Shadehouse:
Shadenet house is a framed structure made of materials such as GI pipes, angle iron, wood or bamboo. It is covered with plastics net (Nets are made of 100% Polyethylene thread with specialized UV treatment) having different shade percentages. It provides partially controlled atmosphere and environment by reducing light intensity and effective heat during day time to crops grown under it. Hence round the year seasonal and off-season cultivation is possible.
Shadenets are available in different shade percentages or shade factor i.e. 15%, 35%, 40%, 50%, 75% and 90%.(for eg. 35% shade factor means- the net will cut 35% of light intensity and would allow only 65% of light intensity to pass through the net).
Mulching:
Mulches are materials such as plastic films, straw, grass, hay, stone, dry leaves, stone placed over the soil surface to maintain moisture and improve soil conditions. Mulch can reduce water loss from the soil, minimize weed competition, and improve soil structure. Properly applied, mulch can give landscapes a handsome, well-groomed appearance. There are coloured plastics mulch films which determines its energy radiating behavior and also influences the micro climate around the planet.