ICRISAT Happenings

25 January 2013

No. 1555

Participants of the workshop on quality groundnut seed production held at ICRISAT-Kano, Nigeria.

Rebuilding Nigeria’s groundnut pyramids

Enhancing quality groundnut seed production capacity of farmers The lack of quality and improved seed and low seed multiplication rate are the major constraints to increased production and productivity of groundnut in Nigeria, where the crop is widely cultivated in at least 30 of the country’s 36 states. Under the Tropical Legumes II (TL II) project, ICRISAT and national partners have been facilitating the production, dissemination and popularization of improved groundnut varieties in three states in the country.

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he TL II project’s success over the years and the recent release of an extra-early groundnut variety (SAMNUT24) has prompted the Federal Government and several State Governments to cater to the increasing demand for seeds of improved varieties to boost groundnut cultivation.

Aiming to enhance the capacity of farmers to produce quality groundnut seed during the dry season in addition to the main rainy season and promote networking among seed producers, a workshop was held on 17 January at ICRISAT-Kano, Nigeria. The activity was part of the Nigerian to page 2 ...4

Enhancing quality groundnut seed production....from page 1 Government-funded project “Rebuilding the groundnut pyramids: boosting farmers’ income through new groundnut varieties, cropping systems and processing technologies in Nigeria” to be implemented in 15 states starting this year.

A Ajeigbe and Mr Abubakar Inua of ICRISAT. After the workshop, participants are expected to be able to cultivate 45 hectares of certified seed while ICRISAT, WOFAN and KNARDA will plant about 15 hectares of foundation seed.

Organized by ICRISAT-Kano, the Kano State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (KNARDA), and the Kano State Ministry for Local Government and Women Farmer Advancement Network (WOFAN), the workshop sought to enable farmers to produce seeds of improved varieties in the dry season (January-May). Among the topics discussed at the workshop were the importance of seeds, groundnut seed production, economic benefits of dry season groundnut seed production, and livestock and soil benefits of groundnut cultivation.

Nigeria was once the world’s leading groundnut exporter in the 1960s with the crop accounting for about 70% of the country’s total export earnings.

However, groundnuts fell from the country’s export list by the end of the 1970s, aggravated by severe drought and disease infestations.

The workshop was attended by 51 farmers from 12 communities and 6 extension agents. Resource persons included Mr Mallam Abdul Rahaman Musa, Assistant Director (Crop), KNARDA, and Dr Hakeem

Through the Nigerian Government-funded project on rebuilding the country’s groundnut pyramids, ICRISAT will work with national partners to enable farmers to grow improved varieties of groundnuts with more resistance to diseases, higher export market demand, and better aflatoxin management to prevent contamination. A revival of the vibrant groundnut industry would help generate employment opportunities and improve the livelihoods of millions of Nigeria’s smallholder farmers. g

Prioritizing future pearl millet heat tolerance research

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lant breeders, physiologists, economists, molecular breeders and crop modelers from ICRISAT and five member seed companies of the Pearl Millet Hybrid Parents Research Consortium (PMHPRC) met at Patancheru on 21 January to brainstorm the future course of heat tolerance research in pearl millet.

Highlighting the need to pay critical attention to high heat stress in the light of climate change, Dr Vincent Vadez, Assistant Program Director, Research Program – Dryland Cereals, underlined the need to use all the available approaches and knowledge to meet such challenges. Meanwhile, Dr SK Gupta, Senior Scientist (Pearl Millet Breeding) reviewed the status of pearl millet heat tolerance research, and informed the group that the crop has been rapidly expanding in the summer season in northwestern India. He also stressed the need to develop floweringperiod heat-tolerant breeding materials for this ecology and shared information on heat-tolerant breeding lines based

on multi-year and multi-location evaluation in the targeted ecology. Other topics discussed were crop modeling opportunities to track heat tolerance in pearl millet by S Nedumaran and Piara Singh, and molecular approaches which can be integrated in the research by Rakesh Srivastava.

The group reviewed the 2012 trials and planned for 2013 activities with Suresh Kumar Gupta, Chairman of ICRISAT’s Hybrid Parents Research Consortium. g

Participants of the meeting on heat tolerance research in pearl millet.

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ICRISAT Happenings 25 January 2013/1555

Women farmers trained in finger millet post-harvest handling and value addition

Members of women’s groups busy making dishes from finger millet.

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amela Ekodi and Jackline Anjao share a common goal – to improve the nutritional and income security of their farm households using finger millet products for household use and local markets. They were part of a group of 18 women from different women’s groups (mostly from Busia, Teso South, Teso North and Matungu districts in western Kenya) who participated in a training of trainers (TOT) workshop on 17-18 January at the Agricultural Training Centre (ATC) in Busia, Western Kenya. The training was part of the Harnessing Opportunities for Productivity Enhancement (HOPE) project.

The hands-on training conducted by Rhoda Nungo of the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARIKakamega) aimed to educate and sensitize the women to the market demand for finger millet grain and products which would lead to greater market opportunities. The training focused on post-harvest handling for high quality grain, value addition, nutrition, training skills for training others, and qualitative evaluation of the prepared products. The participants were grouped to cook six food products (cake, mandazi, chapatti, crackies, onion bites and porridge) made from finger millet flour, which were later ranked for taste, general appearance, acceptability, ease of use in the household, and marketability. The ranking for marketability of finger

Finger millet products on display.

millet products, in descending order of importance, was mandazi, porridge, crackies, chapatti, onion bite and cake, while that for ease of use in the household level was porridge, chapatti, mandazi, onion bites, crackies and cake.

While inspired and eager to train others, Pamela and Jackline felt that the cost and availability of equipment to make finger millet products posed a challenge for the women’s groups. In response, Dr Henry Ojulong on behalf of ICRISAT- Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) Director Said Silim promised that equipment would be sold on credit based on agreed upon terms to the four most cohesive and best performing women’s groups. The money recovered for the cost of equipment would be used to reach out to other groups.

A trainers’ manual for finger millet post-harvest handling and value addition was distributed to the participants for use in training other members. The training was organized by ICRISAT and KARIKakamega, and participated in by representatives of women’s groups (Amukura Orphanage, Osipata Mabati, Samaki, Njugu, Osuret Self Help, Utawala, Arimit Upendo and MARPA) with a combined membership of about 200 farmers. ICRISAT’s Daniel Otwani and Patrick Audi also attended the activity. g

Best Paper Presentation Award for ICRISAT Dr AVR Kesava Rao, Scientist (Agroclimatology), Research Program – Resilient Dryland Systems, received the Best Oral Research Paper Presentation Award for his presentation on “Changes in the Semi-arid Areas in India” (co-authored by Suhas P Wani, M Irshad Ahmed, K Srinivas, Snehal D Bairagi and O Ramadevi) at the National Symposium on “Climate Change and Indian Agriculture: Slicing

Down the Uncertainties” held on 22-23 January at the Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA), Hyderabad. The award was presented by Dr Akhilesh Gupta, Secretary, University Grants Commission (UGC), Government of India.

More than 400 scientists working on climate change in India presented their findings in nine technical sessions during the symposium. g ICRISAT Happenings 25 January 2013/1555

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Policy dialogue deliberates on rural labour markets and agriculture

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ncreasing incomes of rural poor households by improving employment opportunities either in the farm or non-farm sector was one of the key recommendations during the Policy Dialogue on Rural Labour Markets and Agriculture held on 18 January at the Centre for Economic and Social Studies (CESS), Hyderabad. The event was jointly organized by ICRISAT, CESS and the SR Sankaran Chair on Rural Labour Participants of the Policy Dialogue on Rural Labour Markets and of the National Institute of Rural Agriculture held at the Centre for Economic and Social Studies.

Development (NIRD).

The dialogue highlighted the need for productivity increases in both rural farm and non-farm sectors, towards increased employment and income opportunities in rural areas. Public investment in rural infrastructure, agricultural technology, and quality education and health facilities appear to be essential requirements for improved productivity of rural labour.

Centre for Agricultural Economics and Policy Research (NCAP); Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mumbai; University of Hyderabad; Oxford University; Alagappa University; Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai and Hyderabad; National University of Educational Planning and Administration (NUEPA), New Delhi; CESS and NIRD took part in the discussions.

Research institutions were urged to address the tightening labour market during peak production periods through agricultural research and technology development, including improved crop varieties amenable to mechanization.

The dialogue was chaired by Dr CH Hanumantha Rao, Chancellor, University of Hyderabad and Co-chaired by Dr T Haque, former Chairman, Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). Prof S Galab, Director, CESS welcomed the participants. Keynote presentations on Rural Labour Studies were delivered by Professor D Narasimha Reddy, SR Sankaran, and Dr Cynthia Bantilan of ICRISAT’s Research Program – Markets, Institutions and Policies. Presentations were also made on long-term changes and dynamics in rural labour markets as well as current challenges for agriculture and rural economy, followed by panel and open floor discussions.

Among the other topics discussed were the development of small towns in a manner that would have a positive impact on local economic growth and reduce distress migration; the role of road connectivity, public transport, electricity and information technology in increasing non-farm incomes; gender differences in wage rates; and extending social security facilities to all rural labourers.

The dialogue was attended by government officials, researchers from national and international research organizations, representatives from labour organizations, farmer association, nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs). Experts from the National

Prior to the dialogue, a brainstorming meeting was held at ICRISAT on 17 January with Dr Bantilan (Chair) and Dr Ramesh Chand, Director NCAP, New Delhi (Co-chair) to distil observations on rural markets revealed through an analysis of macro- and micro-level data collected under the Village Dynamics in South Asia (VDSA) project. g

Skin Screening Camp The Field Medical Unit (FMU) at Patancheru is organizing a Skin Screening Camp on 30 January, where Dr Sajjan Agarwal, a Senior Dermatologist, will see patients from 0900 hrs to 1200 hrs. Staff members with skin ailments may register their names (Ext 2638) on or before 28 January and obtain a token number. g 4

ICRISAT Happenings 25 January 2013/1555

Optimizing genetic gains for West African sorghum and millet breeders

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West African regional training workshop on “Optimizing genetic gains for sorghum and millet breeding programs” was conducted for 8 national breeding programs and 4 regional universities representing Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Niger, and Senegal on 14-18 January in Saly, Senegal. Conducted under the HOPE Project, its main objective was to strengthen the capacity of national breeding programs to design breeding strategies that maximize genetic gains for priority traits, especially grain yield.

The activity also involved the sub-regional organization, Centre d’étude régional pour l’amélioration de l’adaptation à la sécheresse (CERAAS), which is the coordinating center for sorghum and pearl millet research under the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Program (WAAPP).

Presentations and practical group exercises addressed the key components determining genetic gains, the nature and quantification of genetic variance, estimation of heritability, assessing the intensity of selection, estimating gains from direct versus indirect selection, and an overview of hybrid breeding, focusing on developing breeding strategies.

Practical exercises with groups from both national programs and an inter-mix of programs and crops enabled the participants to analyze and share their

Participants of the workshop held in Saly, Senegal.

knowledge. The practice of modeling gains by varying testing parameters and designing an entire selection strategy were techniques the participants found useful.

The workshop concluded with groups defining the most important practical guide for each topic to maximize genetic gains, which will be further refined and made widely available. The participants greatly appreciated the presentations and practical experiences shared by Dr Wolfgang Schipprack, Maize Breeder, University of Hohenheim, Germany, and contributions by ICRISAT scientists Eva Weltzien and Fred Rattunde. They urged that practical training in breeding methodology and strengthening of linkages between breeding programs and universities within the region also be provided. g

Andy Hall talks on AR4D

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r Andy Hall, former ICRISAT employee and currently Director of LINK Limited, delivered a seminar on “Agricultural Research for Development: Moving from Rhetoric to Reality”, on 18 January, sharing his thoughts on Agricultural Research for Development (AR4D).

Throwing light on the term AR4D, Dr Hall described it as a learning system with an effective performance management and, research that explores processes and pathways to impact and link communities to practice sharing experiences and lessons. He also shared insights on AR4D capacity building program in the Papua New

Guinea NARS as well as AR4D research program in West and East Africa.

Discussions during the seminar focused on stressing on development objectives rather than on tools needed to implement them. Later, Dr Hall met with Ms Joanna Kane-Potaka, Director, Strategic Marketing and Communication (SMC) and Dr Dileepkumar Guntuku, Global Leader, Knowledge Sharing and Innovation (KSI) to discuss future collaboration possibilities.

Dr Hall’s seminar can be viewed on http://ksiconnect. icrisat.org/index.php/agricultural-research-fordevelopment-moving-from-rhetoric-to-reality/. g

ICRISAT Happenings 25 January 2013/1555

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Dal machines turned over to Odisha partners

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s part of ICRISAT’s mission of empowering smallholder farmers to escape from poverty through inclusive market-oriented development, two sets of dal machines were inaugurated and turned over to partners in Odisha on 15-16 January, under the project “Introduction and Expansion of Improved Pigeonpea (Arhar) Production Technology in Rainfed Upland Ecosystems of Odisha.” Dr Myer Mula and Mr Sarat Tripathy of ICRISAT presided over this activity.

The partners, Maa Tarini Self-Help Group (with 10 women members) of Kalyansingpur, Rayagada and Loksebak, a nongovernment organization (NGO) in Bhawanipatna, Kalahandi have borrowed Rs 130,000 (US$3,000) and Rs 220,000 (US$5,000), respectively to construct buildings to house the dal mills. Meanwhile in Khariar, Nauparha, the dal mill building constructed by Sahabhagi Vikash Abhiyan (NGO) is ready for occupation. The cost of each dal mill set (comprised of dal mill machine, polisher, and generator) provided by the project is Rs 230,000 (US$5,100).

During the activity, Dr Mula also monitored the production of foundation and certified seed of

A dal mill being turned over to Loksebak (NGO) at Bhawanipatna, Kalahandi.

improved varieties (Maruthi, Asha, Kamica, and ICPL 88039); hybrid seed production of ICPH 2671 and 2740 (AxR); and farmer-preferred varietal selection (FPVS) in the two districts. It is estimated that 2,000 quintals (200 t) of good quality seeds will be produced and procured for the 2013-2014 cropping season by the project and by the State Seed Corporation of Odisha. The production areas have been inspected and certified by the Odisha State Seed and Organic Product Certification Agency (OSSOPCA). g

Women entrepreneurs trained on organic food processing

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s part of its ongoing collaboration with the Association of Lady Entrepreneurs of Andhra Pradesh (ALEAP), ICRISAT’s Agri-Business Incubation (ABI) program conducted a one-day workshop on organic food processing at ICRISATPatancheru on 9 January. Attended by 23 participants, the workshop aimed to promote entrepreneurship in the field of organic agriculture, its certification and marketing.

Dr Saikat Datta Majumdar, Chief Operating Officer, NutriPlus Knowledge (NPK) program, gave an introduction of the Agribusiness and Innovation Platform (AIP). This was followed by a session on certification process and procedures of organic foods by Mr Sudheer, President, Mudar India Exports. Harshvardhan Mane (ABI) presented a session on seed business opportunities.

Participants at the NutriPlus Knowledge laboratory.

The participants got an insight into product development and food testing at the NPK program and were shown around the incubation facilities available for food business-related start-ups. The workshop resulted in the generation of potential leads for AIP. g

Sad news We are saddened to announce the demise of Mr Alsouna Hamidou, Senior Officer (Security), ICRISAT-Niamey, on 19 January. Mr Alsouna served the Institute for 24 years. We pray the Almighty to give the bereaved family the strength and courage to face this loss. g 6

ICRISAT Happenings 25 January 2013/1555

Training conducted on water management and bio-reclamation of degraded land

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ith a view to strengthening the capacity of technical officers of the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in water management and techniques of bio-reclamation of degraded lands (BDL) in agriculture, a training course for trainers was conducted at Sadoré on 10-15 December 2012.

Participants were given an overview of soil fertility, soil formation, land degradation, water management Dr Rodolfo addressing the trainees during a session. techniques in rainfed agriculture, water distribution, water cycle, water resources, and The course with 72 participants was organized by a demonstration of the components of BDL, such as ICRISAT-Niamey and CRS and facilitated by half-moons, trenches and zai pits.

Dr Rodolfo Morales Martinez and Mr Saidou Abdoussalam. g

Nail-biting cricket matches

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he cricket matches played on 19 January saw some nail-biting moments until the last over. In the morning, batting first, Rider’s XI were well placed at 92 for 1 [77-run second wicket partnership between T Muralidhar (34 runs) and Suresh (40 runs)]. Their joy was short-lived when Yadi Reddy (4 for 18) and Avinash (3 for 12) of Charger’s XI ran through the middle order to put the brakes at 105 for 9 and finally stretching to 128 runs thanks to some lusty blows by Srinivas (15 no). Chasing, Charger’s XI reached the target at the end of the last over, losing 5 wickets but reaching the finals. Upender (32 runs) and Fareeduddin (22 runs) batted well.

In the afternoon match, ISH XI scored a massive 165 with one wicket lost in 20 overs. Rahmet Ali (87 no) and Raju (53 no) mercilessly thrashed the bowlers with their 145 runs in a record partnership for the second wicket. Devil’s XI almost made it when Nagesh (21 runs) and Vikram Giri (26 runs) were at the crease, but the tail-enders could not handle the pressure and were bowled out for 161 in the last over, five runs short of what could have been a sensational win! With this second consecutive loss, Devil’s XI is out of the finals.

This Saturday watch the Charger’s XI Vs Devil’s XI (morning) and Rider’s XI Vs ISH XI (afternoon) slug it out for a place in the finals. g

Welcome!

Mr VV Sumanth Kumar, an Indian national, joined on 22 January, as Scientist-ICT4D, Knowledge Sharing and Innovation (KSI), ICRISAT, Patancheru.

Sumanth has a Master’s degree in Science (Computer Applications) from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, India. Before joining ICRISAT, he worked as Scientist (Computer Applications), in the Education Systems Management Division of the National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM), Hyderabad. He also worked at the National Research Center for Citrus, Nagpur and at the National Research Center for Groundnut, Junagadh.

We welcome Mr Sumanth Kumar to Team ICRISAT and wish him all success.

ICRISAT Happenings 25 January 2013/1555

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Happy retirement!

The following staff members are retiring on 31 January:

A Vishnumurthy, Senior Farm & Engineering Associate (FMO), FETS – Engineering Services, after serving the Institute for 38 years.

RP Tripathi, Farm & Engineering Associate (Farm Operations), FETS – Farm Services, after serving the Institute for 34 years.

UT Naidu, Nursing Supervisor, Field Medical Unit, after serving the Institute for 13 years.

BS Charyulu, Senior Field Helper, Research Program – Dryland Cereals, after serving the Institute for 36 years.

D Mallamma, Senior Field Helper, Research Program – Dryland Cereals, after serving the Institute for 34 years.

Team ICRISAT wishes them a very happy retired life.

Visitors’ log 21 January: Twenty-four participants through the National Academy of Agricultural Research Management; 50 students from SV Government Arts and Science Degree College, Mahabubnagar district; 28 farmers from Andhra Pradesh through the pigeonpea improvement program; 75 students from Gujarat Agricultural University; and Dr Umed Singh from the Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur.

22 January: Twenty-one zoology students from Madras Christian College, Chennai; 20 senior officers through the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management; 25 international participants through

the National Institute of Rural Development; 20 Karnataka state officers through the State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute; and Dr Ali Karim Al Tai, professor from Iraq.

23 January: Two groups of 50 students each from Vignan High School, Hyderabad.

24 January: Thirty teachers from Nizamabad; Dr Saturnina Halos, Professor of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology from the University of Philippines (UP); Dr DD Sahu, Professor, Agrometeorology, Junagadh Agricultural University; and Mr Srikanth Badiga, Director, Phoenix group, Hyderabad.

New publications Sustainable intensification of rainfed agriculture through natural resource management: Proceedings of Tata-ICRISAT-ICAR and Model Watershed Projects’ Review and Planning Meeting. (Order code CPE 170) Drivers of change: Agricultural modernization and women’s status in SAT India (Working Paper Series No. 35)