REPORT OF WORK DURING THE PERIOD JANUARY 24 - MARCH 1995

I RESEARCH
The following are the research investigations in progress.

A. Natural Products for Pest Control
This is a Project for research, documentation and field training on the use of Natural Products for Pest Control and crop protection. The Project comprises of-building up of a database on the products that can be used for Pest Control, and imparting training to farmers in various areas of Tamil Nadu on the use of Natural Products.

B. Seed Bank Project
Under this project, traditional varieties of seeds of paddy are being conserved in rural Gene Banks that have been set up in Farmers' fields. At present the activity has commenced in the Chengam Taluk of Thiruvannamalai Sambuvarayar District

C.Research on Vrkshayurveda: Traditional Indian Plant Science
A series of student projects have been initiated for testing out in practice the prescriptions from the literature of Vrkshayurveda (Traditional Indian Plant Science) for various purposes such as - improving the health of plants, building up of resistance to plant diseases etc.

II TRAINING PROGRAMMES

A. Neem : Nature's Biopesticide
A two day Workshop was organised for farmers from various parts of Tamilnadu on utilising of Neem for Pest Control and crop protection, on March 15-16, 1995.

B. Integrated Pest Management
A farmers school on - "Integrated Pest Management", was organised at Chengam which concluded in February 1995.

C. Ayurveda
An Introductory Workshop on Ayurveda for school students was organised at KFI school in Madras on February 8-9,1995.

III PRODUCTION OF EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL

Both Audiovisuals and Publications are being produced.

A. AUDIO VISUALS : WORK IN PROGRESS

1. Pharmacology in Traditional Medicine
A slide show on the above subject is being produced consisting of 150 slides with a sound track in English.

2.Traditional Systems of Health Care
An Audiovisual is being made on the above topic consisting of 200 slides accompanied by a sound track in English.

B. PUBLICATIONS
The following are publications are in progress

1. Plants used in Traditional Medicine

This is aimed at the general reader and provides an overview of plants used in Traditional Medicine with special reference to Ayurveda and Folk medicine.

2. A Monthly Newsletter entitled - "Pesticide Post" is being produced alternatively in English and Tamil. The Newsletter is aimed at farmers and discusses Alternatives to chemical pesticides as well as the safe and rational use of pesticides.