Sustainable Land Management: Challenges, Opportunities Trade Off

Land is the integrating component of all livelihoods depending on surface of the earth like: agricultural activity, forest land and water bodies (rivers, lakes, coastal marine) habitats. Due to varying political, social, and economic factors, the heavy use of natural resources to supply a rapidly growing global population and economy has resulted in the unintended mismanagement and degradation of land and ecosystems. In the twenty-first century, the utmost need is to meet three major requirements: (a) adequately supplying safe, nutritious food for the growing population, (b) significantly reducing rural poverty by providing rural household incomes, and (c) reducing and reversing natural resource degradation, especially that of land. India is a developing country and it requires fast space quality infrastructure development, which is the need of current times. For any development, land is required. Accounting land parcel procedure is cumbersome. The assessment of land details are recorded in a system which is more than two hundred years old. The upcoming technologies such as Geographical Information System (GIS), data warehousing and web based information dissemination should be very helpful in land record management for decision making, strategy planning and predictive modelling. The modern web integrates various kinds of advanced, dynamic, multi-layered, time series data and graphical information which transform the tedious data analysis job to a faster, dynamic and realistic exercise. Regular updating of information makes monitoring and management of land parcel in records a more transparent and realistic approach towards any development. This information system can be used as a tool to disseminate information and valuation of land on an open platform. It can also be a useful support system to conserve ecological fragile area. Sustainable Land Management: challenges, opportunities, and trade-offs provides a strategic focus to the implementation of sustainable land management (SLM) components. SLM is a knowledge based procedure that integrates land, water, biodiversity, and environmental management to meet rising food and fiber demands while sustaining livelihoods and the environment. This paper, aimed at policy makers, project managers, and development organisations, articulates priorities for investment in SLM and natural resource management and identifies the policy, institutional and incentive reform options that will accelerate the adoption of SLM productivity improvements and pro-poor growth

Future Indian earth observation systems

Indian Earth Observation (EO) capability has increased manifold since the launch of Bhasakra-I in 1979 to Cartosat-Z in 2007. Improvements are not only in spatial, spectral. temporal and radiometric resolutions but also in their coverage and value added products. It has also entered into the arena of passive and active microwave remote sensing. stereo viewing and viewing from the geo-synchronous platform at moderately high resolution. Observations specific to oceans and atmosphere are getting further emphasis. Demand for a constellation of satellites for monitoring disaster situations is strongly made. In this context, India has made extensive plans for continuity and enhancement in EO capability. not only towards its OWn national needs. but also as a contributing participant towards Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS). Major emphasis of the future plan has been to consolidate theme-specific satellites. in order to fill the gaps in observation including those for disaster monitoring and mitigation, and also to develop synergy with international missions for complementing and supplementing Indian missions. The future Indian EO systems include those for land applications-Resourcesat witli wide swath LlSS- Ill, high resolution Cartosat (0.3 m) and Imaging Radar (RISAT: C-band, multi- polarization). It also proposes to develop space based hyper-spectral sensor and atmospheric corrector. The future ocean application sensors include improved Ocean Color Monitor, Ku band scatterometer and a thermal IR sensor. The two major satellites dedicated for atmospheric observations are INSAT-3D with 6 channel imager and 19 channel sounder. and the ISRO-CNES joint venture Megha Tropiques with three sensors viz. MADRAS, SAPHIRE and ScaRab. Satellite for Argos and Ka band radio altimeter (SA RA I,). a joint ISRO-CNES mission is also underway. L-band polarimetric radiometer. hyper spectral sounder. rain radar, millimeter wave sounder, high resolution imager from geo-synchronous platform are some of the sensors being considered for future missions

Application of new science tools in integrated watershed management for enhancing impacts.

Not AvailableApplication of new science tools in rainfed agriculture opens up new vistas for development through IWMPs. These tools can help in improving the rural livelihoods and contributing substantially to meet the millennium development goals of halving the number of hungry people by 2015 and achieving food security through enhanced use efficiency of scarce natural resources such as land and water in the tropical countries. Till now rainfed areas of the SAT did not get much benefit of new science tools but the recent research using these tools such as simulation modeling, remote sensing, GIS as well as satellite-based monitoring of the natural resources in the SAT has shown that not only the effectiveness of the research is enhanced substantially but also the cost efficiency and impact are enhanced. The remarkable developments in space technology currently offer satellites which provide better spatial and spectral resolutions, more frequent revisits, stereo viewing, and on-board recording capabilities. Thus, the high spatial and temporal resolution satellite data could be effectively used for watershed management and monitoring activities at land ownership level. By using crop simulation modeling approach, yield gap analyses for the major crops in Asia, Africa, and WANA regions revealed that the yields could be doubled with the existing technologies if the improved crop land, nutrient, and water management options are scaled-out. Similarly, technology application domains could be easily identified for better success and greater adoption of the particular technologies considering the biophysical as well as socioeconomic situations. GIS helped in speedy analysis of voluminous data and more rationale decision in less time to target the investments as well as to monitor the large number of interventions in the SAT. The satellite-based techniques along with GIS helped in identifying the vast fallow areas (2 million ha) in Madhya Pradesh during the rainy season. Similarly, 14 million ha rice-fallows in the Indo-Gangetic Plain offer excellent potential to grow second crop on residual soil moisture by using shortduration chickpea cultivars and simple seed priming technology. These techniques are also successfully used for preparing detailed thematic maps, watershed development plans, and continuous monitoring of the natural resources in the country in rainfed areas. Further, such data could be of immense help in tracking the implementation, applying midcourse corrections, and for assessing long-term effectiveness of the program implemented. The synergy of GIS and Web Technology allows access to dynamic geospatial watershed information without burdening the users with complicated and expensive software. Further, these web-based technologies help the field data collection and analysis in a collaborative way. However the availability of suitable software for watershed studies and their management in open GIS platform is very limited. Hence, there is a requirement to strengthen this area through collaborative efforts between various line organizations. Use of ICT in IWMP can bridge the existing gap to reach millions of small farm holders who have no access to new technologies for enhancing agricultural productivity on their farms. Use of smart sensor network along with GIS, remote sensing, Wani Ch006.tex 8/7/2011 19: 41 Page 201 Application of new science tools in integrated watershed management 201 simulation modeling and ICT opens up new opportunities for developing intelligent watershed management information systems. However, it calls for a new partnership involving corporates, development agencies, researchers from various disciplines and most importantly to reach millions of small farm holders in rainfed areas of the world. Application of new science tools in IWMP have helped to substantially enhance productivity as well as income from rainfed agriculture and improved livelihoods of the rural people.Not Availabl

Annual Report 2017-18

Not AvailableI am extremely happy and privileged to present the annual report of ICAR-CRIDA for the year 2017- 18. During the reporting year, ICAR-CRIDA has made eloquent progress in technology development and dissemination associated with climate change in rainfed agriculture and dealing contingencies in agriculture and allied sector. The institute has received copyright for “Unreaped yield potentials in major rainfed crops and scope for bridging yield gaps - A decision support system”. ICAR-CRIDA along with SAUs and KVKs prepared contingency plans at district level for all the 126 agro-climatic zones of the country (623 districts) to deal with weather related aberrations. An IFS module with cotton, vegetables, fodder and small ruminants with farm pond using portable raingun at Chenchu tribal farmer field implemented in Petrallachenu village of Nagarkurnool district showed positive impact on socio economic condition of the farmer with total net income of Rs. 96,605/- over the traditional system of growing only rainfed cotton, which gave negative returns of Rs. (-) 3600. A small scale solar powered micro-irrigation system was designed and installed for small farmers having one acre or less land under farm pond system for growing vegetables. The assessment based on daily rainfall dataset, annual average effective rainfall and runoff percentages helped in developing the expected runoff in various rainfall zones, which could be used to estimate the runoff in meso-scale watersheds. Seven inbreds of maize (DTL2, SNJ2011- 03, SNJ2011-37, SNJ2011-26, Z101-15, Z32-12 and HKI7660) were found to be promising for use in crop improvement programme under rainfed conditions. 4:4 strip intercropping system of sorghum and pigeonpea with relay horse gram performed better compared to traditional 2:1 intercropping system. In a study on resource conserving technologies, conventional tillage recorded 15% lower maize yields as compared to conservation agriculture practices. Intensive system of rearing livestock not only improved the profitability but also significantly reduced methane emissions as compared to semi-intensive and extensive systems. Heat Load Index (HLI) and Temperature Humidity Index (THI) was found to be better choice for comparing heat stress in extensively and intensively reared sheep, respectively. A rotary implement for weeding operation was developed to effectively utilize low horse power tractor for field applications. A raised bed planter cum herbicide applicator was developed and the design was transferred to Avanthi Bufa Industries Ltd., Jahirabad. Farmers’ first project, envisaged to transfer rainfed technologies with objective of doubling farmers income is being implemented in 4 villages of Pudur mandal of Vikarabad district. Among 12 pigeonpea genotypes AKT-8811, PUSA-33, GRG-276-1 and RVK-274 were the high yielders in both unstressed and rainfed conditions. An econometric analysis of impact of climate change on crop yields showed that the impacts would be more severe and widespread towards the end of the century. Under changing climatic scenarios, runoff is not expected to vary much in Vijayapura district under low or medium emission scenarios, but the high runoff potential available under the present scenario itself shows substantial scope for rainwater harvesting and its utilization for supplemental irrigation. Decreased grub duration with increased predation capacity of M. sexmaculatus on A. craccivora with elevated CO2 indicated increased predation in future climate change scenarios. For assessing the real time climate change impacts on crop water requirements, SCADA Preface based rainfall simulator and precision lysimeter was designed and developed by using state of art process automation instrumentation in climate change research complex at Hayathnagar. Rotavator, cultivator and disc plough + harrow recorded higher GHG emissions and global warming potential, whereas animal drawn implements recorded lower emissions. Evaluation of the performance of different crops under organic, inorganic and integrated production systems showed that yield of sunflower was 14 and 7% higher under integrated management (1374 kg/ha) than that of under inorganic and organic management, respectively. Supplementation of chromium propionate @ 200 ppb can help in mitigation of heat stress in grazing lambs. An experiment to evaluate 36 elite clones of short rotation and high biomass yielding multipurpose tree species (M. dhubia, Casuarina, B. balcoa, D. sisoo and Eucalyptus) was established at Hayathnagar Research Farm. The KVK under technology assessment and refinement has assessed 17 technologies through 115 trials on crop varieties, integrated crop management, horticulture and livestock management. 269 Frontline demonstrations on 19 technologies were conducted in different disciplines. It also organized 115 need based and skill oriented training programmes on various aspects of improved technologies to 3005 clientele farmers and filed level extension workers. Two special skill development programmes allotted by Department of Horticulture, Government of Telangana in the disciplines of “ farm pond construction and lining” were organized for 520 rural youths. Exemplary performance of its scientists were visible as two scientists attended trainings/exposure visit outside the country and 52 graduate and post graduate students carried out research work at ICAR-CRIDA. Sustained performance of its scientists were exhibited in terms of 20 scientists of Institute receiving several awards, fellowships, copyright and recognition from national academies, professional societies and other institutions. The scientists of the institute published a total of 116 research articles in international and national journals, 29 books/bulletins including 2 in Hindi and 112 book chapters. The contributions of scientists also appeared in the form of a number of policy papers, bulletins, popular articles, presentations in conferences, e-publications and radio and television programmes. The collaborations with several Ministries and Departments, SAUs, NGOs and Private Industries reflect its commitment to work hand-to-hand with grow together and finding the technological solutions to the problems of farmers in rainfed regions of India. I would like to place on record my sincere gratitude to Indian Council of Agricultural Research for its continued guidance and support. I appreciate all the committee members of annual report for their timely compilation and shaping this report in time.Not Availabl

Annual Report 2018-19

Not AvailableA large number of germplasm accessions of horticultural crops are being conserved and maintained in the field gene banks. Among fruit crops, a total of 1110,190,759 and 54 viable germplasm are being conserved at main station ICAR-IIHR, CHES, Bhubaneswar, Chettalli and Hirehalli, respectively. Whereas in vegetable crops, a total of 5694 and 842 viable germplasm are being conserved at main station and at CHES Bhubaneswar, respectively, including leafy and other underutilized vegetables. A total of 459 germplasm in flower crops and 225 in medicinal crops and 33 accessions of mushroom are also conserved at ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru. ICARIIHR has been identified as the National Repository for Rose by PPV&FRA, under which the digital rose repository of 75 rose varieties have been built for easy identification, grouping and selection of varieties. The germplasm collected and conserved has also been characterized using Bioversity International or NBPGR descriptors. In fruit crops, characters of 17 Appemidi and 26 mango accessions were morphologically characterized and fruit parameters of 25 accessions from FGB were characterized based on Bioversity International descriptors. Nine USDA germplasm of pomegranate were characterized for vegetative and fruit traits. Two varieties of guava, two exotic varieties of papaya, and three custard apple varieties were characterized for fruit traits as per the DUS descriptor. Three g e r m p l a s m o f p i n e a p p l e h a v e b e e n morphologically characterized and evaluated for yield and quality. In vegetable crops, 5 in chilli, 54 in brinjal, 45 in radish, 5 in onion were characterized using NBPGR descriptors. A total of 1000 accessions were evaluated for 24 characters based on NBPGR descriptors for growth, yield and quality. A total of 42 cylindrical and 18 round types of bottle gourd were evaluated for resistance to powdery mildew. Forty-six accessions comprising 15 summer squash and 26 butternut types were characterized for 14 quantitative and 11 qualitative traits based on NBPGR descriptors. Eighty six drumstick germplasm along with released varieties were evaluated for leaf nutritional parametersNot Availabl

Application of new science tools in integrated watershed management for enhancing impacts

Insufficient scientific inputs in terms of research and development are responsible for low productivity of rainfed systems in the semi-arid tropics (SAT), in addition to biophysical and social constraints such as poor infrastructure, inherent low soil fertility, frequent occurrence of drought, severe degradation of natural resource base, and poor social and institutional networks (Wani et al., 2003, 2009). Researchers and development workers apply high science tools mostly in well endowed areas.............