ICRISAT Happenings (22 August 2014)

ICRISAT

Happenings In-house Newsletter

22 August 2014 No. 1637

Photo: ICRISAT

Members of the RKVY team visiting a pigeonpea farm at the ICRISAT headquarters.

Pigeonpea improves women’s participation and enhances livelihoods

I

ntroduction of Improved Pigeonpea Production Technology (IPPT) in the state of Odisha, India, has increased women’s participation by 34%, more than doubled net incomes from ₹5,019 per ha to ₹11,941 per ha, and enhanced productivity from 522 kg per ha for the landraces to 764 kg per ha for the improved varieties. Around 26,827 smallholder farmers, including 1,947 women, benefited from ICRISAT’s interventions.

Yojana (RKVY), the project was launched in August 2011. It is currently being implemented in five districts in the state – Rayagada, Kalahandi, Bolangir, Nuapada and Boudh. During the 3-year project period the benefit gained was ₹ 406 million against the total investment of ₹ 72.6 million, an increase of more than 400%. A spillover effect was also observed wherein farmers outside the intervention districts also adopted the technology.

ICRISAT has been implementing the project ‘Introduction and Expansion of Improved Pigeonpea (Arhar) Production Technology in Rainfed Upland Ecosystems of Odisha’. Funded by the Department of Agriculture and Food Production, Government of Odisha, India, through the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas

In order to enhance the value chain, three villagelevel dal mills (including polisher and generator) and three spiral seed cleaners were supplied; and seed storage facilities enhanced with the construction of a 25 ton warehouse at Rayagada and a 100 ton warehouse at Kalahandi. to page 2 ...4

Pigeonpea improves women’s participation... from page 1 The ‘Krishi Karman Award for Progressive Farmers’ bestowed by President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee, on Mr Pradip Kumar Panda a farmer from Raygada, is a testimony to the success of the project.

This award, given on 10 February 2014, is a first for Odisha particularly in pigeonpea cultivation.

The project increased Photo: ICRISAT women’s participation Team members interacting with Director General Dr Dar. especially in the districts of Bolangir and Nuapada. Obtaining better yield ICRISAT Director General Dr William D Dar suggested enhanced the interest of women farmers in a statewide soil health mapping exercise for a clear pigeonpea cultivation. The tribal communities in picture of nutrient status and remedies for Rayagada considered the project as an entry point for deficiencies. greater participation of women. Farmers felt that He highlighted the success stories in Karnataka and technologies like line sowing and improved seed Andhra Pradesh states where there has been storage production resulted in greater participation substantial increase in production and productivity of of women especially among tribal women. the rainfed crops through the interventions under Owing to the success achieved so far, Government of the Bhoochetana project.

Odisha officials have suggested inclusion of new The team also visited the super-early pigeonpea, districts in the state under the project. hybrid seed production. They expressed interest to A delegation of RKVY officials visited ICRISAT on test the super-early pigeonpea materials in Odisha.

11-14 August to review the progress of the project.

The visiting team included Mr Gangadhar Das, Joint Expressing satisfaction over the project activities, the Secretary I/C, Mr BK Harichandan, State Consultant, officials sought ICRISAT’s assistance in enhancing Mr BK Dey, Agronomist and Dr Saroj Das, Deputy pigeonpea and chickpea cultivation in the state.

Director-Pulses, and Mr Sarat Tripathy, State Cocoordinator.

Drs Myer Mula, Rosana Mula, C V Sameer Kumar and P M Gaur made various presentations to the visiting officials. Dr CLL Gowda, Deputy Director GeneralResearch, thanked the RKVY team for their support.

This activity was undertaken as part of the CGIAR Research Program on Grain Legumes. g

2 ICRISAT HAPPENINGS 22 AUGUST 2014 1637

Nigeria to promote use of sorghum in poultry feed

N

igeria is exploring the use of sorghum in place of maize in poultry feed. This move will not only make poultry feed cheaper, but also overcome the problem of short supply of maize. The poultry industry in Nigeria needs about 3 million ton of maize as ingredient for feed, but the country produces only 2 million ton.

Government representatives, scientists, and farmers see the need for Nigeria, the third largest sorghum producer in the world, to diversify the use of sorghum to increase commercial interest. This was acknowledged at the one-day stakeholder workshop on the use of sorghum grains in poultry feeds, organized by ICRISAT-Nigeria.

The meet was organized under the sorghum transformation value chain of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda. Members of Nigeria’s House of Representatives recently undertook a study tour to Sudan where they found that most of the poultry feed was sorghum-based.

It is expected that the production of sorghum in Nigeria will increase arising from the work of ICRISAT and other national partners. Workshop participants agreed that the potential demand of sorghum for poultry feed will absorb the increased production.

At the workshop, Professor E B Sonaiya, Team leader of the Poultry Value Chain briefed the participants on the need for a substitute to maize while Mr Munir Danagundi, Vice Chair of the House Committee on Agriculture, shared the details of the study tour to Sudan.

Drs Hakeem A Ajeigbe and Ijantiku I Angarawai from ICRISAT- Nigeria made a presentation on the pros and cons of the use of sorghum in poultry feed while Dr Salissou Issa of Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique du Niger (INRAN)-Niamey presented on similar activities in Niger.

The workshop was held at the Center for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), Bayero University, Kano, on 5 August. It was inaugurated by Mr Damilola Eniayeju, Director of Agriculture, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Other participants included the Chairs and Secretaries of Poultry and Sorghum Farmers Associations of Nigeria, Bayero University staff, representatives of Kano State ministries, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) -MARKETS project.

This activity was undertaken as part of the CGIAR Research Programs on Dryland Systems and on Dryland Cereals. g

Photo: A Inua, ICRISAT

Participants of the stakeholder meeting.

ICRISAT HAPPENINGS 22 AUGUST 2014 1637 3

Remote Sensing and GIS training at ICRISAT-Kenya

T

he need for giving a spatial dimension to field research and the need to integrate multidisciplinary information were highlighted at a training program on ‘Introduction to Applications of Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS)’ held at ICRISATKenya.

Participants from Ethiopia, Nairobi, Malawi, Photo: ICRISAT Zimbabwe and India Demonstration of ground data collection. were introduced to the concepts of remote sensing and GIS along with several applications, prioritization was also demonstrated. Participants which are being used at ICRISAT. A hands-on training were provided with copies of recommended reading on using ArcGIS 10.1, ERDAS 2014 was conducted material and relevant published papers. and a ground data collection training trip was Dr Anthony Michael Whitbread, Research Program organized.

Director, Resilient Dryland Systems, ICRISAT, Dr Special emphasis was laid on using remote sensing Murali Krishna Gumma, Scientist - Geographic imagery for crop dominance mapping and monitoring Information System/Geospatial Science and Mr using time series data. Analysis of land use and Irshad Ahmed facilitated the course for capacity changes in land use over time was demonstrated building on Geospatial tools. using case studies. Spatial modeling using multiple The activity, held in Nairobi from 4-8 August was sources of spatial information, especially the undertaken as part of the CGIAR Research Program inclusion of socio-economic factors for identification on Dryland Systems. g of suitable sites for interventions and watershed

Photos: ICRISAT

Participants during sessions at the training program in Nairobi.

4 ICRISAT HAPPENINGS 22 AUGUST 2014 1637

Strengthening capacity of technicians and breeders

I

CRISAT-Kenya in collaboration with national partners organized a training course for technicians and breeders on emasculation techniques, breeding procedures in sorghums and millets, experimental designs, data collection and management.

Twenty participants from four countries: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia involved in the day-to-day running of breeding programs in their respective countries were trained in the most efficient emasculation techniques.

Photo: P Sheunda, ICRISAT

Participants undergoing training in efficient emasculation techniques in sorghum.

The training also helped improve their skills in designing experiments and nurseries, data collection and management. Mr Simiyu, Officer in-charge, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) - Kiboko research station inaugurated the session held at KARI from 4-8 August.

The training included theory and practical sessions that helped participants interact and share ideas and experiences from their respective countries.

Participants were trained on; hand, hot water, plastic paper bag and chemical emasculation procedures.

During the practical sessions, they were given a chance to perform emasculation procedures with assistance from the facilitators. The training also involved identification and management of biotic and

abiotic stresses, general crop biology and standard agronomic practices.

Participants emphasized the importance of increasing communication and sharing new information and germplasm to boost outputs in their respective programs. Dr Henry Fred Ojulong, Scientist - Breeding (Dryland Cereals), ICRISAT-Kenya, shared the details on the resources available in the integrated breeding platform with the participants. Drs Henry Ojulong, Eric Manyasa, Patrick Sheunda, Daniel Otwani and Joseph Kibuka of ICRISAT窶適enya facilitated the course.

The training was conducted as part of the CGIAR Research Program on Dryland Cereals. g

Photos: P Sheunda, ICRISAT

During a theory session.

Participants receiving certificates upon successful completion of the course.

ICRISAT HAPPENINGS 22 AUGUST 2014 1637 5

Boot Camp secures funding support for agribusiness entrepreneurs

T

he ‘Boot Camp on Business Development and Capital Raising’ conducted by ICRISAT’s Agribusiness and Innovation Platform (AIP) helped 24 prospects secure business incubation support and three prospects secured funding from participating banks.

The camp was to help start-ups Photo: Sangya S, ICRISAT explore opportunities in agriMr SM Karuppanchetty elucidating the role of ICRISAT in promoting business, farm opportunities agribusinesses at the Bootcamp. and food processing ventures, and provide a platform for sharing and exchange of Dr Saikat Datta Mazumdar, COO, NutriPlus ideas and innovations in availing incubation services, Knowledge (NPK) Program of ICRISAT-AIP presented funding assistance and marketing support. the various opportunities that small and medium entrepreneurs can avail in various sectors of the “This boot camp gave me a deep insight on the tools rapidly growing food industry. He also highlighted on necessary to analyze my idea and feel confident the schemes available under Ministry of Food about it. This camp has helped build my network, Processing Industries, Government of India. work on new opportunities available in the agricultural sector and learn from my peers,” said, Mr Manjunath from Gulbarga, a participant.

Mr SM Karuppanchetty, COO, Agri-Business Incubation (ABI) Program, ICRISAT-AIP, discussed the role of ICRISAT-AIP in promoting start-ups, agribusiness ventures and nurturing innovations.

Mr Aravazhi Selvaraj, COO, Innovation & Partnership (INP) Program of ICRISAT-AIP discussed the funding opportunities available from the Technopreneur Promotion Program of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Government of India, banks and venture capitalists.

Photo: H Mane, ICRISAT

Mr Rami Reddy, a client of ABI sharing his success story with the participants.

The camp was held on 5 August at ICRISAT-India.

More than 40 agribusiness innovators and entrepreneurs from the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, explored new opportunities in farm opportunities, food processing ventures, funding assistance and marketing support. g

WLE Nile: Open Call for Expressions of Interest The CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE) invites Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from consortiums of partners to carry out research for development projects that will contribute to its demand driven research agenda in Nile Basin-East Africa region. WLE is seeking to develop a portfolio of innovative complementary projects that will promote agricultural and related 6 ICRISAT HAPPENINGS 22 AUGUST 2014 1637

investments, in a framework of sustainable ecosystem services that equitably meet the needs of women and men (food security, nutrition, higher incomes), while also promoting economic growth.

More information can be found on the WLE website at: http://wle.cgiar.org/focalregions/east-africa/ nile-basin-eoi/

Announcements ICRISAT Annual Report 2013 The ICRISAT 2013 Annual Report highlights “Inclusiveness” – which is our explicit goal to include the small holder farmers and disadvantaged groups like the women, along the entire agricultural research for development value chain.

Dr Dar

‘

‘

This 2013, we chose ‘inclusiveness’ as our theme – in the context of being both a process and a goal. In this report we illustrate how we innovate to include the poor, and the many elements we consider in pursuing inclusive agricultural research for development.

Inclusiveness is the “I” in ICRISAT’s Inclusive MarketOriented Development (IMOD) approach and the stories featured in the annual report highlight this approach:  An inclusive and participatory watershed management program

 A bottle cap’s worth of fertilizer in the right place and at the right time  Affordable ICT technology for smallholder farmers  Regaining ground for Malawi’s groundnuts through crop improvement  Fighting climate change through farmer-tofarmer knowledge exchange  Addressing the dynamics of land degradation and inclusive prosperity by understanding development pathways Read more at http://www.icrisat.org/icrisat-annualreports.htm#2013

Fellowship program The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) invites scientists, researchers and policymakers from developing and middle-income countries to apply for the Norman E Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellowship Program. This is a training and collaborative research opportunity promoting food security and economic growth.

Deadline: 31 October 2014 Eligible African countries and research priorities Algeria – Natural resource management, economics, climate change Burkina Faso – Food safety, biotechnology, processing Egypt – Animal health Ethiopia – Biotechnology, post-harvest techniques Ghana – Poultry Science, pest management and food nutrition Kenya – Food safety, post-harvest techniques, animal health Malawi – Food safety, post-harvest techniques, animal health

Mali – Food safety, biotechnology and processing Morocco – Plant health, water management, climate change Mozambique – Biotechnology, natural resource management Rwanda – Food safety, post-harvest techniques, animal health Senegal – Food safety, biotechnology, processing South Africa – Biotechnology, genetics and breeding, food safety Tanzania – Food safety, post-harvest techniques, animal health Tunisia – Natural resource management, plant health Uganda – Food safety, post-harvest techniques, animal health Zambia – Biotechnology, natural resource management For more information, please visit http://www.fas. usda.gov/programs/borlaug-fellowship-program/ applying-borlaug-fellowship-program ICRISAT HAPPENINGS 22 AUGUST 2014 1637 7

Welcome

Dr Monica Petri, an Italian national, joined on 14 August in Bamako, Mali, as Project Manager/ Agronomist. Dr Petri has a PhD in Environmental Agriculture from Honours. Sant’Anna School of Advanced studies, Italy. She will work for the USAID supported project on Global Climate Change Adaptation Program, and lead its agronomic activities as part of the ICRISAT Research Program–Resilient Dryland Systems.

Prior to joining ICRISAT, she worked as Technical Officer – Sustainable crop production intensification, at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Italy, since August 2011. She led the project portfolio of the FAO Ecosystem management team that included three climate change adaptation projects. She also coordinated a team to mobilize funds, formulate, and implement five GEF projects and a project aiming at sustainable intensification of agro-pastoral areas production in Mali.

Dr Gnangnimon G Edmond Totin, a Benin national, joined on 15 August in Bamako, Mali, as Scientist–Policy and Institutions, to work on ICRISAT Project under CCAFS Flagship 4, in Research Program–Resilient Dryland Systems. Dr Totin has a PhD in Communication and Innovation Studies from Wageningen University, the Netherlands.

Prior to joining ICRISAT, he worked as Consultant for Sub Sahara African Challenge Program (SSA-CP) of Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), to address poverty and land degradation issues. His research focused on learning, action research and extension systems, institutional innovation. During 2005-2006 he was Research Associate at the Africa Rice Center (WARDA).

We welcome Drs Petri and Totin to Team ICRISAT and wish them all success. g

Training program A training program on “Enhancing Computer Skills – MS Office and IT Security” was organized at ICRISATIndia from 11-14 August for ICRISAT’s scientific and administrative officers.

The program, covering important techniques and features of MS Office and its components – MS Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint – and “ICT Security” was attended by 37 participants and included classroom sessions followed by practical demonstrations. g

Photos: PS Rao, ICRISAT

Participants of the training program.

ICRISAT-India (Headquarters) Patancheru 502 324 Telangana, India Tel +91 40 30713071

ICRISAT-Liaison Office CG Centers Block NASC Complex Dev Prakash Shastri Marg New Delhi 110 012, India Tel +91 11 32472306 to 08

ICRISAT-Kenya (Regional hub ESA) PO Box 39063, Nairobi, Kenya Tel +254 20 7224550

ICRISAT-Mali (Regional hub WCA) BP 320 Bamako, Mali Tel +223 20 709200

ICRISAT-Nigeria PMB 3491, Sabo Bakin Zuwo Road Tarauni, Kano, Nigeria Tel: + 234 7034889836

ICRISAT-Niger BP 12404 Niamey, Niger (Via Paris) Tel +227 20722529

ICRISAT-Ethiopia C/o ILRI Campus, PO Box 5689 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Tel: +251-11 617 2541

ICRISAT-Malawi Chitedze Agricultural Research Station PO Box 1096 Lilongwe, Malawi Tel +265 1 707297, 071, 067, 057

ICRISAT-Zimbabwe Matopos Research Station PO Box 776 Bulawayo, Zimbabwe Tel +263 383 311 to 15

ICRISAT-Mozambique c/o IIAM, Av. das FPLM No 2698 Caixa Postal 1906 Maputo, Mozambique Tel +258 21 461657

ICRISAT is a member of the CGIAR Consortium

ICRISAT’s scientific information: http://EXPLOREit.icrisat.org

www.icrisat.org

Science with a human face