30 November 2012
No. 1547
Director General William Dar addressing participants of the International Conference on “Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation for Food and Environmental Security” held at SEARCA, UPLB, Philippines.
On building a climate-resilient agriculture
Use science-based solutions and pro-poor approaches to surmount climate change “The power of science must be harnessed to address the problems spawned by climate change. We need to generate and share science-based information and technology to build a climate-resilient agriculture, particularly for the resource-poor and vulnerable people of the drylands.” “Scientific interventions can be used in such areas as adaptation to progressive climate change, managing climate risk, pro-poor climate change mitigation, and integration for decision-making.” These views were shared by Director General William Dar at the recent “International Conference on Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation for Food and Environmental Security”. The event was attended by about 150 researchers, academicians, policymakers, and development workers representing 21 countries across the globe.
In the coming decades, climate change could create real yield reductions of up to 30 per cent in Asia and up to 50 per cent in many African countries. “Tremendous pressure is upon agriculture to produce more food by as much as 70 per cent by 2050,” Dr Dar stressed. The impact of climate change will be most disastrous in the semi-arid tropics, home to 2 billion people and most of the world’s poor. “Models indicate that there will be a 10 per cent increase of dryland areas of the world with climate to page 2 ...4
Feasibility study conducted for Food Testing Laboratory in Zimbabwe
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ith food safety and health gaining importance in Africa, a team from ICRISAT’s Agribusiness and Innovation Platform (AIP) visited Zimbabwe on 23-26 November to conduct a feasibility study and develop a business plan for a Food Testing Laboratory (FTL) in the country. The laboratory will be set up at the Directorate of Research and Specialists Services (DRSS), Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanization and Irrigation (MAMI), Government of ICRISAT-AIP staff with the Zimbabwean FTL project steering committee. Zimbabwe, with its Principal Also present at the meeting was Mr RS Malhotra, Director, Danisile Hikwa, as National Project First Secretary, Embassy of India in Zimbabwe, who Coordinator. highlighted the need for proper coordination among ICRISAT is the implementing agency for this the stakeholders for the project’s success. Later, the initiative under the India Africa Forum Summit II team called on Mr Jitendra Tripathi, Indian (IAFS II) of the Government of India, through its Ambassador to Zimbabwe, to brief him on the Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Food progress of the project. In turn, Ambassador Tripathi Processing Industries. The team composed of assured the project stakeholders of India’s ICRISAT-AIP’s Saikat Datta Mazumdar and Aravazhi commitment to the project and to strengthening Selvaraj organized the project’s inaugural project Zimbabwe’s economy. A stakeholders’ meeting was steering committee (PSC) meeting and deliberated held at Harare with representatives from the private on the modalities for project implementation. sector, industry, and farmers associations. g
On building a climate-resilient agriculture....from page 1 change,” he said, and added that the confluence of such factors as warming temperatures, drought, floods, increasing land degradation and desertification, loss of biodiversity, rising food prices, zooming energy demand, and population – if unabated – will lead to a perfect storm. Dr Dar emphasized on using the power of science to help mitigate the impacts of climate change. ICRISAT, he said, works with strategic partners to develop farming systems resilient to shocks, buffering crucial resources like water and nutrients, and adapting crops to harsh temperatures and new pest and disease patterns to provide options for the poor, dryland farmers. The conference served as a platform for the exchange of latest knowledge on climate change 2
ICRISAT Happenings 30 November 2012/1547
impacts and adaptation linked to food security and environmental sustainability, with 41 papers presented in four parallel sessions. The goal was for these new knowledge and experiences to be upscaled to benefit countries and regions bearing the brunt of adverse climate change, particularly on food and environmental security. The conference was held on 21-22 November at the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. Co-organized by SEARCA, the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), and the Asia-Pacific Adaptation Network (APAN), it was supported by the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) in Japan along with other partners. g
ICRISAT-HOPE Project holds country strategies workshop for sorghum and millets
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o share and exchange implementation experiences, lessons learnt, success stories and existing challenges, the Harnessing Opportunities for Productivity Enhancement (HOPE) of Sorghum and Millets Project held a country strategy workshop for Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) in Arusha, Tanzania on 22-23 November.
The group discussion during the workshop saw much active and cheerful participation.
Attended by 33 participants from Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Kenya, Eritrea, South Sudan and ICRISAT, country strategies for sorghum and millet research and development were prepared during the workshop to further help smallholder farmers increase their income and improve their livelihoods. Since its inception in 2009, the project, in partnership with local partners, has promoted 10 and 15 varieties, respectively, of high-yielding, earlymaturing and market-preferred improved sorghum and finger millet through participatory variety selection (PVS) and demonstrations. The project has also boosted productivity of the crops through striga and soil-water management, microdosing, and row-planting technologies. In Tanzania, these improved technologies have enhanced on-farm grain productivity from 0.8 to 2 mt per ha for finger millet and 1 to 1.8 mt per ha for sorghum. To sustain
adoption of these improved technologies, farming households were linked to input suppliers, grain buyers or processors, and financial credit providers. Outlining the meeting objectives, ICRISAT’s Mary Mgonja noted that country strategies would serve as benchmarks for determining future projects. ICRISAT’s Henry Ojulong meanwhile presented past research outputs, strategic objectives and vision for success to help in the drafting of the country strategies, expected to be finalized by 8 December. While thanking the local partners for organizing the meeting, Alistair Orr of ICRISAT advised the participants to start thinking along regional (not individual country) perspective to facilitate sharing of information and technologies. This would help shorten the research gap among countries and facilitate dissemination of impacts/benefits of research to farm households. g
Participants of the workshop held in Arusha, Tanzania. ICRISAT Happenings 30 NovembER 2012/1547
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Entrepreneurs showcase ideas and innovations at agribusiness fair
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ighty-two entrepreneurs and innovators had the opportunity to showcase their ideas and innovations at the Agribusiness Mela (fair) conducted by ICRISAT’s Agri-Business Incubation (ABI) program on 21 November at Patancheru. The fair sought to promote agribusiness ventures, and share and exchange ideas and innovations in availing incubation services and funding Participants of the ICRISAT-PTTC fair brought in their collective experience assistance. Eight innovative and knowledge to promote new business. proposals were screened by an (NARS), farming ventures, and the food processing expert panel, of which two were recommended for sector. funding through the Technology Development Board (TDB) of the Department of Science & Technology, Following the discussions, 16 entrepreneurs have Government of India. shown interest in starting their own ventures through technology commercialization, farm business and Participants were split into two groups. Under the setting up food testing labs. idea and start-up funding track, business models/ plans were pitched before an evaluation panel for Among those who spoke during the fair were funding assistance. The other track provided S Aravazhi of ABI, ABI client Sreeram Raavi, and PS participants an insight into starting their own Raju, formerly with TDB. JR Rao, Emeritus Scientist agribusiness ventures through ready-tofrom the National Academy of Agricultural Research commercialize agro-technologies available under Management (NAARM) and Saikat Datta Mazumdar the Indian National Agricultural Research System of NutriPlus Knowledge also attended the mela. g
Living in harmony with nature
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talk on “Harmony with Nature and Healing the Environment” dealing with the connections that exist between agricultural research and nature, will be held on 7 December from 1400 to 1530 hrs at Ralph W Cummings Auditorium. The program will be conducted by the Scientists and Engineers Wing (SEW) of Prajapita Brahmakumari’s
Iswariya Vishwa Vidyalaya, India, which works on the preservation of the environment and on improving the quality of life, and also undertakes scientific research. All staff members are invited to attend the seminar that will stimulate another dimension to the research that ICRISAT does to improve livelihoods and protect the environment. g
‘Tis time for Christmas carols! Christmas carol singing will be held at Ralph W Cummings Auditorium on Wednesday, 5 December from 1210 to 1315 hrs. The musical group “Garments of Praise” will lead the singing and Brother Vineet Kumar will convey the Christmas message. The Director General has approved an extended lunch hour for this occasion. All are invited to come along and usher in the Christmas season! g 4
ICRISAT Happenings 30 November 2012/1547
Capacity building and planning workshop to revitalize Philippine rainfed agriculture
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ne year after the Philippine Rainfed Agriculture Research, Development and Extension Program (PhiRARDEP) was established, a capacity strengthening, review and planning workshop was held on 19-23 November in Tagaytay, Philippines to evaluate and assess its accomplishments in revitalizing rainfed agriculture in the country. Drawing attention to the program’s contribution to national food security, Dr Dar and DA-BAR Director Nicomedes P Eleazar (center) with Director Nicomedes P Eleazar of the (L-R) Myer Mula, Rosana Mula and Cynthia Bantilan. Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) said, “PhiRARDEP is laying the foundation for A three-day training program on impact assessment establishing a solid and unified national agenda for conducted as part of the workshop provided rainfed agriculture in which the research, important inputs for planning and drafting the development and extension sector (RD&E) and PhiRARDEP roadmap. The training session on stakeholders will be able to significantly contribute integrated agriculture was highly appreciated by the by making innovations, generating and developing participants because of its relevance to the technologies, and formulating policies appropriate program’s research and development direction. for the rainfed environment.” He urged that The workshop was coordinated by Joell Lales, strategies, results, and impacts of PhiRARDEP be OIC-Head of the Project Planning and Development taken into consideration while drawing up the Division of DA-BAR, with the following as resource overall national framework to achieve sustainable speakers/evaluators: Heraldo Layaoen, Mariano agricultural growth. Marcos State University (MMSU); Teotimo Aganon, Speaking on the occasion, Director General William Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Luis Rey Dar suggested that deliberate initiatives and efforts Velasco, UPLB; Maureen Mangaring of DA-BAR; are needed to influence the country’s policies that and ICRISAT’s Rex Navarro, Cynthia Bantilan, Myer exacerbate underinvestment in rainfed areas. He Mula, and Rosana Mula. also advocated for a paradigm shift from PhiRARDEP is a combined initiative of the sustainability to resilience, where increasing yield is Philippine DA – High Value Crops Development no longer the sole objective. As risks grow, helping Program (DA-HVCDP), BAR, and ICRISAT. g smallholder farm families withstand, adapt to, and recover from the stresses and shocks of climate change becomes critically important, he said. Department of Agriculture (DA) Assistant Secretary Dante de Lima highlighted the importance of indigenous knowledge of farmers, which he said must never be underestimated. He stressed the need to focus on finding ways to sustain limited resources dovetailed with systematized service and enhanced farmers’ capacities to benefit more rainfed farming communities. Appreciating the importance of rainfed agriculture, Assistant Secretary de Lima committed US$ 5 million (PhP 200 million) for up-scaling ICRISAT’s Bhoochetana program for the development of Philippine rainfed areas.
Dr Dar with DA Assistant Secretary Dante de Lima at the workshop. ICRISAT Happenings 30 NovembER 2012/1547
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Safety awareness program at Patancheru
At the safety awareness program held at Patancheru.
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he Environment, Health and Safety Committee (EHSC) conducted the 19th one-day Safety Awareness Program for 37 new staff of ICRISAT and other hosted organizations at Patancheru on 20 November. In his opening message, Human Resources and Operation (HRO) Director and EHSC Chair Hector Hernandez, underscored the importance of safety awareness and compliance in the attainment of the mission and goals of the Institute. Citing human error as causing 90% of all accidents in the campus, the safety awareness program has been
effective in reducing risks and occurrences of such accidents. Presentations, hands-on training and ground visits during the one-day training covered the following topics: risk management at the Institute (B Hanumanth Rao); safety warden scheme and safety manual, fire safety and emergency response (TD Peter); engineering, workshop safety practices (SC Pillay); farm safety (K Hanmanth Rao); electrical safety (Bijoo Davis); transportation safety (Md. Aslam Shariff); chemicals and lab safety (G Pardhasaradhi); first aid and medical emergencies (CN Reddy); use of portable fire extinguishers. g
Staff screened for glaucoma Around 250 staff members were examined for defective vision and eye pressure at the Glaucoma Screening Camp conducted by Dr Agarwal’s Eye Hospital at Patancheru. Some were prescribed glasses while others with more advanced conditions were advised to undergo follow-up consultation/ treatment. Those who were unable to avail of this camp may visit any of the hospital’s four branches to get the tests done. g An ICRISAT staff member’s eyes being examined during the camp.
New publications 1) Journal of SAT Agricultural Research, Vol. 10 is published at http://ejournal.icrisat.org. 2) High throughput phenotyping of chickpea diseases: Stepwise identification of host plant resistance (Order codeIBE 092). 3) High throughput phenotyping of pigeonpea diseases: Stepwise identification of host plant resistance (Order code IBE 093). 6
ICRISAT Happenings 30 November 2012/1547
Happy retirement Rex L Navarro, Interim Director, Strategic Marketing and Communication Office (SMCO) retires on 30 November after 12 years of dedicated service to the Institute.
B Manik Reddy, Scientific Associate, Research Program - Resilient Dryland Systems, after serving the Institute for over 28 years.
D Janardhan, Senior Farm & Engineering Associate (Carpentry), FETS - Engineering Services, after 32 years of service.
Team ICRISAT wishes them a very happy retired life.
Welcome! Dr Avinash Chandra Pandey, an Indian national, joined IRRI’s South Asia Rice Breeding hub based at ICRISAT-Patancheru on 26 November, as Special Project Scientist - Plant Breeding. Prior to this, Avinash was a Crop Breeder (Rice) at Camson Bio Technologies Limited, Bangalore, where he worked on developing drought-tolerant hybrid rice.
Dr Junel Bueno Soriano, a Filipino national, joined the Research Program - Resilient Dryland Systems, Patancheru, as a Visiting Scientist on 26 November. Junel has a PhD in Agricultural Engineering from the Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Philippines. Prior to this assignment, he was Associate Professor IV & VP for Research, Extension & Training at the Bulacan Agricultural State College, San Ildefonso, Bulacan, Philippines.
We welcome Avinash and Junel to ICRISAT and wish them all success.
New appointment Dr Santosh P Deshpande, Special Project Scientist, Research Program - Dryland Cereals, has been appointed as Scientist (Molecular Breeding) from 16 November in the SMG Cadre.
Visitors’ log 26 November: Seven agricultural officers and 40 farmers from Chitradurga district, Karnataka; and 72 students from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore. 27 November: Twenty-nine students from Basics Academy, Chintal, Hyderabad; 42 students from the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Sciences, Rupandehi, Nepal; 12 students from ISH; six trainees for hybrid pigeonpea; and Dr CW Bill Herndon, Associate Vice President from the Mississippi State University.
28 November: Thirty-two students from GITAM University; and 35 trainees from the National Plant Protection Training Institute (NPPTI), Rajendranagar. 29 November: Sixty BSc students from Sericulture College, Chintamani, Karnataka; and Dr Ashwani Kalantri from Sevagram, Maharashtra. 30 November: Fifty students from Government Degree College, Patancheru; and 50 students from Sericulture College, Chintamani, Karnataka.
ICRISAT Happenings 30 NovembER 2012/1547
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I’m going home…this time for good by Rex L Navarro
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s I have announced middle of last month, I am going home for good after twelve years of service to ICRISAT. I came during a very challenging period at the Institute and feel fulfilled to have humbly shared in achieving its turnaround. My work may not have been very obtrusive to most of you, but I was part of the wind beneath your wings, making you and your work soar to greater heights in service of smallholder farmers.
As I walked into my office the other day, I was surprised to see the room full of colorful balloons with heart-warming endearments from the staff – a most valuable and memorable send-off that I will remember for as long as I live. (Photo: Rex L Navarro swarmed by SMCO staff members.)
Looking back, I joined the Institute in April 2001 as Special Assistant to the Director General (DG) and Head of Donor Relations. A year later, I was assigned to lead the Information Resource Management Office and eventually the Communication Office in 2004 concurrently as Special Assistant to the DG. In 2010, I was also assigned to oversee the Housing and Food Services group. Finally in May this year, I was tasked to initially head the Strategic Marketing and Communication Office. My stint was quite fruitful and challenging and my work was made more meaningful because of your unwavering support. As I leave ICRISAT, we leave a legacy of committed and dedicated service to the Institute. We gave our best, and with your continuing support, we are
confident that our remaining colleagues will do the rest. Even when new and even bigger challenges are ahead of ICRISAT and the entire CGIAR System, I am moving on to face a new chapter in my life, this time helping national systems and farm households directly on the ground. As I go home for good, the most valuable treasure and memory I will cherish are the warm friendship and camaraderie that we have cultivated over the years. As netizens, we live in an interconnected world, so I will say no goodbyes. We have done it!
Thought for the week “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” – Robert Louis Stevenson