In a move to help farmers increase their productivity in hybrid cotton seed production, Proagro, the Indian seed company of Bayer CropScience, conducted a training programme for cotton growers under contract to the company in Andhra Pradesh in July 2006. The initiative called “Target 400 Programme” aims at improving the current yield levels of around 260 to 300 packets per acre to 400 packets of hybrid cotton seed. At the event, cotton seed growers were trained in a comprehensive methodology of crop management from seedbed preparation through to post harvest operations.

As an integral part of the “Target 400” training programme, a safe use training was also conducted by Bayer CropScience experts to ensure proper handling of crop protection products by growers or their employees. A kit consisting of the “Target 400” field production manual (in Telugu language), personal protection equipment such as overalls, suitable protective gloves and boots were given free of charge to the growers who attended the programme.

The “Target 400” training initiative is a significant feature of the company’s comprehensive corporate social responsibility programme to help growers raise productivity and profitability of their cotton seed production. The training programme forms part of the “Learning for Life Project” developed by Bayer CropScience to protect the rights of children in Andhra Pradesh and help them to getter better access to education.

According to Clive Pegg, Managing Director, “The Target 400 training programme has been created to promote sustainable and profitable production of hybrid cotton seed and raise productivity. Proagro field staff regularly visit growers to provide guidance on agronomical practices and ensure that the requirements for quality seed production are being followed. We are sure that growers will benefit by adopting the recommended practices for higher yields. We believe that raising the productivity is an important element in further incentivizing farmers to refrain from using child labor.”

Growers responded positively to this programme. The event was not just instructive but also interactive as participants were involved in a lively Q & A session that clarified many of their queries. Kavali Narasimhulu, a cotton seed grower from Jammichedu village, Mehboobnagar district, who participated in the training programme said, “I found the Target 400 training programme to be very useful. Proagro company staff gave a complete training programme based on the “Target 400” field production manual, and recommended a standard set of guidelines on management of pests and crop nutrition. In addition to this, Bayer CropScience experts gave safety training that included an explanation of crop protection products, their usage and safety aspects. The actual mode of application was shown to the growers, as well as the relevant safety clothing and use. The company has also provided safety clothing free of charge.”

Bank officials from the State Bank of India (SBI) also attended the “Target 400” training session in Kurnool to provide advice and counseling about the micro credit programme launched by Proagro. The company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SBI in late 2005 to provide seed growers with access to lower interest rate credit, instead of the high rates charged by the local money lenders.

Bayer CropScience, a subsidiary of Bayer AG with annual sales of about EUR 6 billion, is one of the world’s leading innovative crop science companies in the areas of crop protection, non-agricultural pest control, seeds and plant biotechnology. The company offers an outstanding range of products and extensive service backup for modern, sustainable agriculture and for non-agricultural applications. Bayer CropScience has a global workforce of about 19,000 and is represented in more than 120 countries.