NCPAH prepared these reports as the policy document for promoting use of plastics in agriculture under related Govt. plans & programmes:
– First Report 1982 – Viewed use of Plastic in agriculture, water management and related areas to suggest a general action plan for promotion of plasticulutre in the country.
– Second Report – Recommended setting up of 22 PDCs in various agricultural universities and irrigation research institutes.
– Third Report 1984 – Recommended use of plastics crates as an alternative to wooden boxes for packaging apples for preservation of forest resources.
– Fourth Report 1985 – Covers details of plasticulture applications, targets for adopting applications with support required from Govt. industry & financial institutions. It also gives status of plastics industry in the country and information on international developments in plasticulture.
Established 11 Precision Farming Development Centres in the various agro climatic zones to undertake development & dissemination of plasticulture applications suitable for the established region.
Based on applied research conducted by the PFDCs in different agro-climatic conditions, NCPAH made recommendations on use of various plasticulture applications in different cops from time to time.
Represented India as a committee member in the CIPA (International Committee on Plastics in Agriculture) to share development of plastics use in agriculture in India.
Published a report on Progress of Plasticulture in 1986-88 for different stakeholders, industry and policy makers which helped use of plastics in agriculture.
Under research scheme on Plasticulture Development, prepared guidelines for Use of Plastics (LDPE Film) for lining of canals in 1989.
Represented in BIS for standardization of plastic products pipes, fitting, laterals, Cap Covers (LDPE), Plastics packaging, polyethylene ropes used in agri/ horticulture sector in India.
I991- 2000
Established another five PFDCs in the various agro climatic zones to undertake development & dissemination of plasticulture applications suitable for the established region & support implementation of related Govt. plans / programmes.
Based on the trials & data generated by the PFDCs, NCPAH made recommendations on various plasticulture applications / crops from time to time. Slowly various plasticulture applications have found a foothold in farmers' fields and institutions.
Continued standardization of plastic products such as components of Drip & Sprinkler irrigation, code of practice of LLDP film for lining, plant protection nets, design & construction of Greenhouse structure, Green house heating, ventilating and cooling.
A documentary on use of MI in horticulture was made as extension tool for farmers to popularise adoption of micro irrigation.
2000 - 2010
Established six more Centres and in total 22 Precision Farming Development Centres now have been operating as hub-centre on plasticulture & precision farming across the country.
In the report of working group on Horticulture, Plantation & Organic Farming for the XI Five Year Plan (2007-2012), NCPAH was in the Sub-Group-II on "Hi-tech Horticulture & Bio-technology."
Helped finalizing Taskforce committee report- 2004 for the implementation of centrally sponsored scheme on Micro Irrigation.
Developed, hosted & update NCPAH website to share information on precision farming & plasticulture applications and provides replies to web-based queries.
Organised International Conference on Plasticulture & Precision Farming (ICPPF) at Delhi in 2005 for inter-exchange of developments in precision farming, plasticulture applications and drawing attention to the planners and implementers across the globe.
Continued with standardization of plastic products such as components of Drip & Sprinkler irrigation, HDPE Geo-membrane for water proof lining, PVC Geo-membrane for lining, surface cover cultivation (plastic mulching), Greenhouse film, plastics mulch laying machine, compostable plastics, HDPE Woven Beds for Vermi Culture used in agri/ horticulture sector.
The Govt. of India acknowledged importance of plasticulture applications and announced subsidies on plasticulture applications through centrally sponsored schemes on micro irrigation, green house, shade net house, insect net house, mulching, low tunnels, hail / plant protection nets, HDPE woven vermi bed, plastic lining, plastic bags, tray & small plugs (nursery), crates etc.
Prepared guidelines for centrally sponsored scheme on Micro Irrigation & prepared costs norms for protected cultivation & water resource creation under NHM & HMNH schemes of MoA, GoI.
Initiated demonstration of various plasticulture applications at state owned farms, KGK/ KVK, ICAR institutes in different states & farmers' field.
Participated in the international & national events related to agri/horticulture in India to promote adoption of plasticulture applications under GoI schemes & provides growth to Plasticulture in India.
Conducted an evaluation study of CSS on MI in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab & Orissa to bring efficacy in the scheme implementation.
Prepared guidelines, monitored scheme progress & interacted with MI industry for helping Micro Irrigation scheme to become a mission.
