Targeting of Grain Legumes for Income and Nutritional Security in South Asia

Chickpea, Pigeonpea and Groundnut are the most important food legumes in South Asia. They are integral part of semi-arid tropics (SAT) cropping systems and farmers’ livelihoods. Besides enriching soil fertility, food legumes also provide substantial income to the farm households and also contribute significantly towards household nutritional security. Since 2007, ICRISAT along with partners from National Agricultural Research System (NARS) in India and Bangladesh have been implementing ‘Tropical Legumes-II’ project supported by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) for increasing the production and availability of legumes particularly for small holder farmers’ and poor consumers in South Asia. Specifically, the major objectives of this initiative has been focusing on proper targeting and development of legume improved cultivars, promotion of their adoption, advocacy of proactive public sector policies and finally linking these small holders to markets and value chains. A number of research initiatives have been completed in five major states (Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Odisha and Tamil Nadu) in India and Barind region of Bangladesh during last eight years (2007-2014) of project phase 1 and phase 2 implementation. These studies have examined and documented the existing situation of legumes cultivation, constraints faced by the farmers, market linkages, potential opportunities for their expansion etc. In close association with the crop improvement scientists, agricultural economists have also assessed the farmers preferred traits for chickpea, pigeonpea and groundnut varieties expressed during the ‘Farmer Preferred Varietal Selection (FPVS)’ demonstrations. Subsequently, the farmer preferred varieties were identified, released formally, multiplied and supplied as seed samples to legume growers in the project intervention sites. Later, studies were also conducted for monitoring early adoption of newly introduced improved cultivars and their performance in the targeted locations. Based on those research findings, these studies have brought out location specific suggestions to accelerate the food legumes productivity and profitability in India and Bangladesh. The summary outcomes of these studies will immensely help the researcher, academicians and policy makers for future designing of legume interventions and developing location specific technologies

Status of Farmer Producers Organizations (FPO) in Andhra Pradesh

A Variety of approaches have emerged over the years to address the problems of small and marginal farmers' agriculture. In order to improve the welfare and living standards of farmers, there is a need to create appropriate ecosystem in the state. Such institutional arrangement/membership-based institutions are found to be the backbone for primary sector. Both Central and State governments are stressing on promoting 'Farmers Producers Organizations (FPOs) as an important strategy for creating an ecosystem for enhancing farmers profit

Development and Diffusion of Dryland Cereals in Semi-Arid Tropics of India — Role of Partnerships

In any crop improvement program, public and private partnerships are vital for development of improved cultivars and their dissemination to the target niche locations. This paper has provided information on the diffusion of dryland cereals (particularly sorghum and pearl millet) in India and has highlighted the role of partnerships in sustaining the crop improvement as well as improved cultivars’ adoption. Over the past two decades, the R&D in pearl millet and sorghum has become increasingly privatized, reflecting a general shift in India’s agricultural research system from public sector dominated to private sector-driven seed development and distribution. The accomplishments of pearl millet and sorghum breeding are considered as the success stories in India, with a large number of high-yielding, disease-resistant hybrids and open-pollinated varieties very widely used by the Indian farmers. This was made possible because of strong partnerships and Consortium model introduced by ICRISAT. This kind of approaches lead to scientific innovations that create a vibrant and sustainable supply of new improved cultivars and their adaptation in the targeted regions very quickly

Rythu Kosam: Andhra Pradesh Primary Sector Mission. North Coastal Region Baseline Summary Report. Research Report IDC-14

Andhra Pradesh state has set for itself a target of becoming one of the top three states in India by 2022, in terms of socio-economic development and ease of doing business. The state aspires to achieve the status of a developed state in the country by 2029, and the vision is to lay the foundation for the ‘Sunrise state of Andhra Pradesh’. However, achievement of this vision is incumbent upon fast-paced and sustainable double-digit growth, delivered through a combination of programmatic and project interventions with focus on sustainable and inclusive development. To achieve its vision, the government has charted out a multi-pronged strategy comprising seven Missions, five Grids and five Campaigns. Among the seven, Primary Sector Mission (Rythu Kosam Mission) is at the top – with the aim of achieving the double digit growth in agriculture and allied sectors. The massive outlay of investments over the next five-year period (2015-2020) is targeted at agricultural development through a consortium approach that brings together state, national and international partners. In partnership with the government of Andhra Pradesh, ICRISAT leads the consortium and has designed a strategy to transform agriculture and allied sectors in the state. The prime focus of this mission is on improving soil fertility, providing access to better seed, reducing the cost of cultivation, enhancing productivity, and value addition in the agriculture, horticulture, livestock and fisheries sub-sectors. Initially, thirteen pilot sites representing 13 districts of the state have been identified and established for introduction, testing and scaling-up of a range of technologies over a period of time. The proven technologies will be scaled-up to the entire district with suitable institutional reforms and on different scales. Supply and demand side interventions are aimed at improving the livelihoods of farmers in the state.The major objective of the present study is to document the current status of the three pilot sites covering 90 villages from eight mandals in three districts (Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam and Vizianagaram) of North Coastal Region of Andhra Pradesh. Purposive randomized sampling framework was used to select representative villages from all study mandals in the region. A primary household baseline survey was conducted from representative sample farmers (1557 HHs) in the three districts’ pilot sites. The present report also attempts to estimate the total gross value addition (GVA) across sample villages and pilot sites as a whole from different sub-sectors in the primary sector..

Rythu Kosam: Andhra Pradesh Primary Sector Mission. Delta Region Baseline Summary Report. Research Report IDC-12

Andhra Pradesh has set for itself the target of becoming one of the top three states in India by the year 2022 in terms of socio-economic development and ease of doing business. The state aspires to achieve the status of a developed state in the country by the year 2029, and the vision is to lay foundation for the ‘Sunrise state of Andhra Pradesh’. The achievement of this vision is incumbent upon a fast paced and sustainable double digit growth, delivered through a combination of programmatic and project interventions with a focus on sustainable and inclusive development. To achieve its vision, the government has charted out a multi-pronged strategy comprising seven missions, five grids and five campaigns. Among the seven, the primary sector mission, Rythu Kosam, is most prominent, aiming at achieving ‘double digit growth’ in agriculture and allied sectors. Also, a massive outlay of investments over the next five-year period (2015-2020) are targeted in the area of agricultural development under consortium approach by bringing state, national and international partners on board. In partnership with the Government of Andhra Pradesh ICRISAT leads the consortium, and has designed a strategy to transform the agriculture and allied sectors in the state. The focus of this mission is primarily: improvement in soil fertility, access to better seed, reducing the cost of cultivation, productivity enhancement and value addition in the agriculture, horticulture, livestock and fisheries sub-sectors. Initially, 13 pilot sites corresponding to 13 districts of the state have been identified and established for introduction, testing and scaling-up of a range of technologies over a period of time. The proven technologies will be scaled-up to the entire district with suitable institutional reforms and different scales. Supply and demand side interventions are aimed for improving the livelihoods of farmers in the state. A major objective of the present study is to document the current status of the three pilot sites covering 65 villages from eight mandals (administrative divisions) in three districts (West Godavari, East Godavari and Krishna) belonging to the Delta Region of Andhra Pradesh. Purposive randomized sampling framework was used to select representative villages from all study mandals in the region. A primary household baseline survey was conducted from representative sample farmers (1229 HHs) in the pilot sites in three districts..

Rythu Kosam (Andhra Pradesh Primary Sector Mission). Baseline Summary Report. Research Report IDC-9

Andhra Pradesh has set a target for itself of becoming one of the top three states in India by 2022, in terms of socio-economic development and ease of doing business. The state aspires to achieve the status of a developed state in the country by 2029, and the vision is to lay the foundation for the Sunrise State of Andhra Pradesh. Achievement of this vision is incumbent upon fast-paced and sustainable double digit growth, delivered through a combination of programmatic and project interventions with a focus on sustainable and inclusive development. To achieve its vision, the government has charted out a multi-pronged strategy comprising seven missions, five grids, and five campaigns. Among the seven missions, Primary Sector Mission (Rythu Kosam Mission) is at the top with the aim of achieving double digit growth in agriculture and allied sectors. Massive outlay of investments over the next five-year period (2015-2020) is targeted in agricultural development under a consortium approach by bringing state, national, and international partners on board..

Rythu Kosam: Andhra PradeshPrimary Sector Mission. Coastal Andhra Region Baseline Summary Report, Research Report IDC-13

Andhra Pradesh has set for itself the target of becoming a developed state in India by the year 2022, specifically in the areas of socio-economic development and ease of doing business. The vision is to lay foundation for the ‘Sunrise state of Andhra Pradesh’. Achievement of this vision is incumbent upon a fast paced and sustainable double-digit growth, delivered through a combination of program oriented and project interventions with a focus on sustainable and inclusive development. To operationalize its vision, the state government has charted out a multi-pronged strategy comprising seven missions, five grids and five campaigns. Among the seven, primary sector mission (Rythu Kosam Mission) is on the top aimed at achieving ‘double digit growth’ in agriculture and allied sectors. Massive outlay of investments over five years period (2015-2020) are targeted in agricultural development under consortium approach by bringing state, national and international partners on board. ICRISAT leads the consortium in partnership with Government of Andhra Pradesh and has designed a strategy to transform the agriculture and allied sectors in the state. The prime focus of this mission is improving soil fertility, providing access to better seeds, reducing costs of cultivation, productivity enhancement and value addition in the agriculture, horticulture, livestock and fisheries sub-sectors. Thirteen pilot sites representing 13 districts of the state were identified and established for introduction, testing and scaling-up of range of technologies over a period of time. The proven technologies will be scaled-up to the entire district with suitable institutional reforms. Supply and demand side interventions are aimed for improving the livelihoods of the farmers in the state..

Rythu Kosam: Andhra Pradesh Primary Sector Mission Rayalaseema Region Baseline Summary Report, Research Report IDC-15

Andhra Pradesh has set for itself the primary target of becoming a developed state in India by the year 2022, specifically in the areas of socio-economic development and ease of doing business. The vision is to lay foundation for the ‘Sunrise state of Andhra Pradesh’. The achievement of this vision is incumbent upon a fast paced and sustained double-digit growth delivered through a combination of programmatic and project interventions with a focus on sustainable and inclusive development. To operationalize its vision, the state government has charted out a multi-pronged strategy comprising seven missions, five grids and five campaigns. Among the seven, primary sector mission (Rythu Kosam Mission) is on the top aiming for achieving double digit growth in agriculture and allied sectors. Massive outlay of investments over five year period (2015-2020) are targeted in agriculture development under consortium approach by bringing state, national and international partners on board. ICRISAT leads the consortium in partnership with the Government of Andhra Pradesh and has designed a strategy to transform the agriculture and allied sectors in the state. The prime focus of this mission is focused on improvement in soil fertility, access to better seed, reducing costs of cultivation, productivity enhancement and value addition in agriculture, horticulture, livestock and fisheries sub-sectors. Initially, thirteen pilot sites representing 13 districts of the state were identified and established for introduction, testing and scaling-up of technologies over a period of time. The proven technologies will be scaled-up to the entire district with suitable institutional reforms and different scales. Supply and demand side interventions are aimed for improving the livelihoods of the farmers in the state

Analysing Scientific Strength and Varietal Generation, Adoption and Turnover in Peninsular India: The Case of Sorghum, Pearl Millet, Chickpea, Pigeonpea and Groundnut

The importance of crop genetic improvement research is demonstrated by the Green Revolution, which led to a rapid increase in food production in Asia. Those productivity gains contributed to a reduction in poverty directly through increased farm-household income and indirectly through a long-term decline in the prices of food grains, which account for a large share of poor consumers’ expenditure. The success of crop genetic improvement research that led to the development of improved varieties of food crops is well documented (Evenson and Gollin, 2003; Bantilan et al., 2013). Despite the rapid progress made in the past, poverty is still concentrated in South Asia with around 571 million or one-third of the world’s poor, estimated at about 1.29 billion in 2011 (World Bank, 2012). Substantial scope exists for further reducing poverty through crop genetic improvement by increasing or stabilizing the yield of major food crops, particularly the dryland crops in South Asia. Modern varietal change by itself may not lift large numbers of people out of poverty, but greater dynamism in this area can go a long way toward moving poor people closer to that threshold. Moreover, modern varietal change can set the stage for the adoption of improved crop management practices, thereby making it possible for farmers to reduce the cost of production substantially..

Short-Duration Chickpea Technology: Enabling Legumes Revolution in Andhra Pradesh, India, Research Report No. 23

This study presents the success story of the adoption and diffusion of improved chickpea short duration varieties in southern India. The experience in the state of Andhra Pradesh particularly exemplifies evidences that adoption of technologies significantly enhanced agricultural productivity and total welfare gains in both traditional and non-traditional chickpea growing regions. As part of a global initiative to assess the impacts of legumes research in the CGIAR, this study supported by the Standing Panel on Impact Assessment (SPIA) contributes to generating more reliable information on key aspects of adoption and diffusion as well as gaining better insights and deeper understanding of the impacts of varietal change..