23 December 2011
No. 1498
Participants of the 2nd Africa-India Agricultural Economic Mission during the Business to Business (B2B) meeting in Hyderabad.
Laying the groundwork for South-South collaboration
2nd Africa-India Agricultural Economic Mission concludes successfully In a world where political and economic ties are changing rapidly, the world is looking at SouthSouth partnership to boost business opportunities, and find new ways of feeding the growing global population and improving the livelihoods of marginalized, resource-poor smallholder farmers, as was evident during the 2nd Africa-India Agricultural Economic Mission.
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he 2nd Africa-India Agricultural Economic Mission organized by Brussels-based EMRC International and ICRISAT successfully concluded in Hyderabad on 16 December after five days of deliberations that brought under a single platform African and Indian decision makers, experts and business community. It culminated in the signing of over 30 Letters of Intent between African and Indian industries in the areas of seed production, food processing equipment, biofuels, farming and
technology transfer, and the sharing of a wealth of knowledge and understanding of the techniques and products available to create sustainable agricultural growth. The 25-member mission from Nigeria, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, Chad, Malawi and South Africa comprised of academicians, planners and strategists, top executives and technical directors of private firms brought together by the economic need and the to page 2 ...4
2nd Africa-India Agricultural Economic Mission....from page 1 desire to ensure sustainable development in Africa. “The initiative will see better policies, more effective institutions, improved infrastructure, and better access to markets and to higher quality inputs, particularly for dryland farmers in India and Africa. This is a platform for focused and systematic partnership towards stronger and inclusive development cooperation between India and Africa,” said ICRISAT Director General William D Dar, speaking about the mission. The B2B events of the mission held at Hotel Golconda in Hyderabad on 15 December served as a perfect platform and unique business opportunity for Indian agroindustrial enterprises to showcase their products and services and develop a positive association with the high-profile African delegation. Says Mr Muhammed Nurallah Abubakar, Executive Director, Livestock and Fisheries Development and Marketing Company, Federal Ministry of Nigeria of the B2B meetings, “It was an eye-opener for me. I explored various business opportunities in India. Our population is far less than that of India but still lots of people sleep hungry. I want to use the technologies of India and implement them in our country.” “B2B meetings are essential and one of the main reasons for taking part in these economic missions. One needs to be introduced to the most fitting
KK Sharma of ICRISAT and Idit Miller of EMRC International at the B2B meeting.
business partner,” explained Idit Miller, EMRC International’s Vice-President and Managing Director. “This mission emphasizes the need for private and public sector dialogue and partnerships,” she added. Apart from their visit to ICRISAT-Patancheru, the mission visited prominent agricultural businesses such as the Parle Agro Fruit Processing Centre, Frigerio Allana Fruit and Meat Processing Centre at Zaheerabad, Nandan Cleantec, Best Engineering Technologies, Sri Biotech, Jain Irrigation and Vibha Seeds. Going by its success, EMRC is proposing to increase the frequency of these missions to at least twice a year to cover more African countries and regional dialogues in India. g
Descriptive case study on ICRISAT bags Outstanding Award
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descriptive case study titled Making Agricultural Research Sustainable: A Leadership Perspective focusing on ICRISAT’s leadership and its role in reviving ICRISAT was conferred the “Outstanding Award” at the “National Convention on Responsible Leadership: Sharing of Case studies” held at XLRI School of Business and Human Resources, Jamshedpur, India, in conjunction with the Centre for Global Management & Responsible Leadership.
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ICRISAT Happenings 23 December 2011/1498
The study was conducted by Sunita Mehta, Senior Assistant Professor, Vishwa Vishwani Institute of Systems and Management along with Wg Cdr SK Sharma, COO, Indian Air Force, Centre for Leadership and Behavioral Sciences. It was a detailed follow up of their earlier study,Turnaround of ICRISAT: Transformational Leadership of Dr William D Dar – A Case Study that had bagged the 2nd prize in the Indian School of Business (ISB) and Richard Ivey School of Business (Ivey) Case Competition 2011. g
Past revisited, old friendships renewed at ICRISAT’s 1st alumni gathering
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t was a happy and nostalgic event at ICRISAT-Patancheru on 17 December as friends from the past met for fellowship, fun and feasting at the first ICRISAT Alumni Get-together. The brainchild of CLL Gowda, MV Shiv Kumar and a few other long-standing stalwarts of ICRISAT, the idea came to life through the formation of a website which saw staff members, both past and present, registering for the event.
The past and the present of ICRISAT meld at the alumni get-together.
Notable among the 120 participants were Sam Ambrose, now 84 years old and SK Sharma, all of 73, who holds the prestigious employee number 001. SK Sharma was honoured during the occasion with a shawl. Also present were Peter Craufurd and T Watanabe, who unwittingly represented the international community of ICRISAT by their presence. After Dr Gowda and Mr Shiv Kumar welcomed the attendees, a two-minute silence was observed when the names of 120 staff members who had passed away over the years were read out. A lively session of hand waving and applause followed as names of those present were called out. Mr Ambrose, Mr PM Menon, and Mr DS Bisht gave inspiring responses to the occasion. Thereafter, it was a lively session of musical chairs, lime and spoon race, balloon sandwich, and tambola, with participants and spectators letting themselves go! Not withstanding the generous amounts of snacks and free drinks, the sumptuous lunch spread made it a bit difficult for some to drag themselves to the Konark Wheel for a group photograph, with photographer L Vidyasagar perched atop a fork-lift, recording the happy faces. Murli Sharma and team (happily assisted by the former Visitors Services Officer Deepak Pawar) provided entertainment and information with the latest video about the Institute and field trips. The very enjoyable day came to a close with tea and with a promise to continue the tradition of meeting at regular intervals. g
CLL Gowda (left) speaks about SK Sharma (centre) who was felicitated, as DS Bisht look on.
Sam Ambrose reminisces.
MV Shiv Kumar welcomes the guests.
Time for some fun...
Those were the days my friend...
ICRISAT Happenings 23 December 2011/1498
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Systemwide Livestock Programme (SLP) team visits Zimbabwe
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team consisting of Diego Valbuena (ILRI), Lieven Claessens (ICRISAT), and Prof Kent Olson (Department of Applied Economics, Minnesota University) visited ICRISAT-Bulawayo from 28 November to 4 December to discuss research results and outputs related to the Systemwide Livestock Programme (SLP) phase 1, and to start developing an approach for phase 2. SLP aims to better understand the tradeoffs in crop residue use in: millet, sorghum and maize-based systems in West Africa; maizebased system in Eastern and Southern Africa; and wheat/rice-based systems in South Asia. The visit began with a workshop in Nkayi which saw 20 farmers discussing preliminary SLP survey results. Split into two groups, one discussed means to improve crop production, emphasizing on access to improved seed and agricultural knowledge, while the other deliberated on improving livestock production. They felt access to inputs and animal health and feed were of major concern. Improving cropping technologies for more and higher quality crop residues was viewed as critical to solving livestock feed shortages. Farmers’ opinion was sought on where they see their farming systems evolving in 10 years. Of the four choices – (1) expansion of croplands and livestock; (2) intensification of existing croplands and livestock; (3) take up new products for niche markets and commercialize; and (4) move out of agriculture–all of them opted for option 2. In another workshop hosted by the local government for farmers from a different village and district and provincial level support services, discussions centered on promising technical, institutional and policy options with regards to crop livestock intensification. Methods to improve soil fertility and
Prof Kent Olson from Minnesota University talks to farmers in Nkayi.
crop diversification were identified as important possibilities to explore with support from multidisciplinary teams to capacitate service providers on crop-livestock intensification and train farmers on relevant technical issues. The need to strengthen local by-laws for better use of cropland and rangeland and institutionalizing effective forms of communication among stakeholders, particularly research, extension and development, was seen as critical. A delegation preparing a project proposal for submission to the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), joined the meeting. As part of the visit, Prof Kent Olson held a seminar on “Using Stochastic Dominance to Analyze the Profitability of Organic Cropping Systems in Southwestern Minnesota.” This was followed by a visit to the Dimbangombe Ranch where the benefits of kraaling (keeping cattle or domestic animals in enclosures) overnight for a week –riverbeds being rehabilitated and degraded land being converted into productive range and croplands – were demonstrated. g
Congratulations! G Harini, Research Scholar (Learning Systems Unit), bagged the Best Poster Award with a certificate and cash prize (`2000) at the 64th Annual Meeting of the Indian Phytopathological Society, organized by the Department of Plant Sciences, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad on 2-4 December. The poster was based on the paper titled “Preharvest management of A. flavus infection and aflatoxin contamination in groundnut by chitinase and glucanase producting Streptomyces sp CDA 19” by G Harini, F Waliyar, Hameeda Bee, Hari Sudini, Gopal Reddy and Narender. Harini is pursuing her PhD under Drs Farid Waliyar and Hari K Sudini of ICRISAT. g 4
ICRISAT Happenings 23 December 2011/1498
Rainfed rice-chickpea project farmers and trainers on exposure visit to Patancheru
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ifty farmers and site coordinators involved in projects funded by the National Food Security Mission-Pulses (NFSM) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India on Introducing and enhancing the chickpea production in rainfed rice fallow lands (RRFL) of Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh and chickpea and other crops (linseed, lentil, peas and mustard) production in Jharkhand states of India following improved crop production technologies visited ICRISAT-Patancheru on 12-16 December. It was an opportunity to share their experiences and seek the best solutions to problems concerning chickpea production. Welcoming the participants, CLL Gowda, Research Program Director – Grain Legumes, explained ICRISAT’s commitment to extending improved technologies to RRFL to help increase returns from pulse production. Project Coordinator Suresh Pande, on the other hand, gave an overview of the training program, and reiterated the need to be open to new technologies and contribute to new developments. Elaborating on the aim, objectives and methodology for the expansion of improved production and protection technologies for chickpea and other crops to farmers, Dr Pande revealed that the technology generated by the projects had reached over 7000 farmers in 10 districts (Jabalpur, Damoh, Rewa, Satna in Madhya Pradesh; Raipur, Durg, Kabirdham, Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh and Palamu and Ranchi in Jharkhand). Site coordinators SK Rao (NFSM-MP), RN Sharma (NFSM-CG), and Yogesh
Mamta Sharma explains a point to farmers and trainers, while Suresh Pande waits to elaborate during the exposure visit.
Kumar (DST-JKD) highlighted the constraints to and opportunities for chickpea in RRFL in their target districts. SK Rao also spoke on the village level seed system. Farmers and trainees were exposed to chickpea research and development at ICRISAT (PM Gaur), disease management (Mamta Sharma), insect pest management (HC Sharma), Integrated Pest Management (GV Ranga Rao), Rhizobium treatment (P Humayun), nutrient management (Girish Chandra), seed business venture (SM Karuppanchetty/Aravazhi), and other activities related to the project. Two trainees from the Philippines (Franklin Bawang and Nathaniel Dimog) also took part in the exposure visit. g
RP-Dryland Cereals holds thanksgiving luncheon
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taff of the Research Program on Dryland Cereals, together with members of MG, RC and department heads, enjoyed a year-end luncheon and get together at Sunset Park on 13 December. Welcoming staff and invitees, RP Director Oscar Riera-Lizarazu reminisced the year that was coming to an end – a year that spelt transition and change, marked the first year of the Strategic Plan’s implementation as well as that of the Research Program, where crop improvement and biotechnology activities in dryland cereals (sorghum, pearl millet, and finger millet) were fully integrated into a single program.
“It was a truly demanding year in terms of time and energy for Team ICRISAT as it worked through the CGIAR reform process and gained category II approval from the Fund Council on two CRPs that we are leading,” he said, congratulating the staff for their support and participation. Master of ceremonies KN Rai urged program staff to continue their hard work given the challenges the agri-scientific community will face in the coming years and wished everyone a productive, peaceful and enjoyable 2012. g ICRISAT Happenings 23 December 2011/1498
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EPaD Frequently-asked Questions (FAQ) 1. What is the EPaD Form? The EPaD form serves to inform both employee and supervisor of the employee’s performance vis-a-vis work plan targets agreed upon in the early part of the year, and plans on how to meet or exceed targets. 2. Is there any word limit for the year-end work plan target achievements? No, there is no word limit, but it would be preferable to list out the accomplishments in bullet points. 3. While the EPaD Form provides for employee rating for each work plan target, why is there no provision for the next level manager’s inputs into the final rating? After the year-end discussion of the annual accomplishments, an initial rating will be discussed between the supervisor and the RPD or MG/ Director concerned for the first calibration process. This rating will be resubmitted to the MG for approval. This final rating will be conveyed to the employee by the immediate supervisor. 4. Should the core competencies be based on the current job holder or the job itself? We are evaluating the core competencies required to ensure that the job is done well. But since current incumbents are considered Subject Matter Experts on the job, the job holder’s opinion or
judgment is valued in determining the said competencies. 5. Is the competency profile for a manager or scientist already fixed? The incumbent has to initially work out the competency profile of his/her job with the concurrence of the immediate supervisor and the next level supervisor. 6. Should performance and development be treated separately? The EPaD focuses equally on the performance and development of the incumbent scientist/manager. 7. When will we finalize the competency profile for each position? Will the Terms of Reference (TOR) be the basis in translating competency profile? This year we started writing competency profiles for some positions under EPaD, to continue until 2012, based on the TOR of the position. 8. Does the current system encourage selfassessment by an employee to be followed by a discussion with the supervisor? The EPaD specifically allows employee’s selfassessment of both mid-year and year-end achievements, which is the basis for the supervisor’s rating. The employee’s self-assessment serves as an input for the supervisor, validated though supervisor-employee discussions. g
Engaging the private sector in Zimbabwe’s goat sector
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epresentatives from Bulawayo Abattoir – one of the largest cattle slaughter houses in Bulawayo – together with ICRISAT and local governments in Gwanda and Beitbridge districts, held one-day meetings to explore the possibility of collaborating with small-scale goat producers. The company’s recently launched initiative “Goats to Market” recognizes the huge potential in goats and aims to promote goat farming in rural communities in the country by helping enhance farmers’ 6
ICRISAT Happenings 23 December 2011/1498
Qonda Mathe, buyer of goats for Bulawayo Abattoir, speaks on prices and quality as farmers listen keenly. to page 7 ...4
SIMLESA review and planning meet held in Dar es Salaam
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he annual review and planning meeting of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)-funded Sustainable Intensification of Maize-Legume cropping systems for food security in Eastern and Southern Africa (SIMLESA) project was held at Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on 4-6 December to review the progress made during year 2 and devise work plans for year 3. Among the participants were SIMLESA project coordinator Mekuria Mulugetta; ICRISAT’s Ganga Rao and Emmanuel Monyo; CIMMYT’s SEP Director Bekele Shiferaw; ACIAR’s representative; Assistant Director of Crop Research, Department of Research and Development (DRD) Hussein Mansoor; CIMMYT scientists; Queensland Alliance for Agriculture, Food and Innovation (QAAFI); Agricultural Research Council– South Africa; NARS legume and maize breeders, and socio-economists and agronomists from the Tanzanian NARS – Selian Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) and Ilonga Agricultural Research Institute (IARI). During the meeting, NARS partners reported on the progress made under targeting, markets and value chains; crop management, including conservation agriculture; and maize-legume breeding. Ganga Rao highlighted the progress made in legume breeding and seed systems, including seed roadmaps and ICRISAT’s contribution to the project.
Participants at the SIMLESA review and planning meeting in Dar es Salaam.
Emmanuel Monyo shared his experiences on groundnut varieties and seed systems that are working in ESA countries based on progress made in the Tropical Legumes-II project. Ganga Rao also revealed gaps in legume breeding and seed system activities in Tanzania during 2011, and made suggestions for inclusion in the 2012 work plans. Tanzanian NARS partners presented finalized workplans and budgets for the project objectives at this meeting which saw active participation by stakeholders in project management and coordination issues. The regional review and planning meeting and mid-term review meeting are planned from 19-22 March 2012 in Arusha, Tanzania. g
Engaging the private sector....from page 6 capacity to improve the quality and productivity of their herds and to increase off-take and incomes. The districts are the most prolific goat production areas in Zimbabwe. Previous interventions through the ICRISATmanaged LiLi: Markets Project, scaled out by the EU ORAP-led project on “Improved goat production and market participation for food security and sustainable livelihoods in Zimbabwe” had facilitated innovation platforms to bring all stakeholders together to define priority interventions. Lack of market infrastructure was a key bottleneck. Though sale pens have been established in a few wards with NGO initiative, farmers felt they were still underutilized and called for better coordination with market actors. This area of improvement also involves issues of adequate, accurate market
information, and grading knowledge and transparency in price determination. To address these issues and establish a clear precedence for future collaboration, the following resolutions were made: farmers would be able to choose between two marketing channels – auctions and private sales between local communities and the Bulawayo Abattoir; and community representatives would be trained on grading and standards, supported by the Bulawayo Abattoir. Local authorities confirmed their willingness to support the different market channels. ICRISAT will further facilitate the involvement of the key actors, to revise their roles and define future activities for creating trustful relationships between the farming communities and the private sector. g ICRISAT Happenings 23 December 2011/1498
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Visitors’ log 19 December: One hundred students from Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul International School, Hyderabad and 100 farmers from Karnataka. 20 December: One hundred and ten farmers from Warangal.
22 December: One hundred farmers from Bidar. 23 December: Dr Shantanu Mathur from IFAD and Additional Directors and Deputy Directors of the Department of Horticulture, Government of Karnataka.
DG’s Christmas greetings
Thought for the week Happiness consists in activity: such is the constitution of our nature; it is a running stream, and not a stagnant pool. – John M Good