PROGRESS REPORT
PROJECT TITLE: BROADENING THE
GENETIC BASE OF CULTIVATED
CROPS TO ARM SMALL AND
MARGINAL FARMERS AGAINST
CLIMATE CHANGE
Prepared by:
Bioversity International
New Delhi office
February 2017
Contact:
Dr. N K Krishna Kumar
Regional Representative
South and Central Asia
NASC Complex, Pusa Campus, New Delhi 110012
Phone: +91-11-25849000/01
Email: [email protected]
With effect from 1 December 2006, IPGRI and INIBAP operate under the name “Bioversity
International”, Bioversity for short. This new name echoes our new strategy which focuses on
improving people’s lives through biodiversity research.
2.3
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Executive summary:
This progress report provides a summary of activities undertaken, and progress made, during the
reporting period from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016. Trials on rice, wheat, mustard, green
gram, red gram, sesame and vegetables were conducted in the districts of Chitrakoot, Gonda,
Balrampur and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, Satna and Raisen in Madhya Pradesh, Samastipur,
Vaishali and Chhapra in Bihar and Baramulla, Kupwara, Gandarbal, Anantnag, Pulwama and
Pulgaon in Jammu and Kashmir. Tested varieties consisted of combination of chosen based on
farmers’ preferences from previous seasons’ trials and new suggested varieties. Both
Participatory Varietal Trials (PVS) and crowdsourcing trials were conducted across all the sites.
This report covers 3 seasons viz 2015-16 Rabi, 2016 Kharif and 2016-17 Rabi seasons
(Rabi=winter season, Kharif = rainy season). In the 2015-16 Rabi season 6300 farmers were
involved in wheat trials, 1000 in mustard trials, 300 in chickpea trials and 50 in vegetables trials.
In 2016 Kharif season, 2150 farmers participated in rice trials, 475 in vegetables trials and 120
farmers in oilseeds/pulses trials (Greengram, red gram and sesame). The micro-climatic data of
the trials site was collected by the weather data loggers-iButtons. Field staff regularly recorded
observations by using Android devices and upload the data directly from the farmers’ field to the
Open Data Kit (ODK) aggregate server, hosted in Bioversity-New Delhi office. During the
reported period, Bioversity also provided scientific backstopping and organized trainings and
workshops for both field staff and associated KVK personnel as well.
Leading scientists and project scientists:
Dr. Prem Narain Mathur (January to June)
Regional Director, APO
Bioversity International, Sub-regional Office for South Asia
NASC Complex, Pusa Campus, New Delhi 110012, India
Tel: +91-11-25849000/01
Email: [email protected]
Dr. N K Krishna Kumar (July 2016 till date)
Regional Representative
South and Central Asia
NASC Complex, Pusa Campus, New Delhi 110012
Phone: +91-11-25849000/01
Email: [email protected]
Supporting field experimentations, designing data recording sheets and compilation of
information, data documentation.
Dr. Neeraj Sharma
Scientist-Crop Diversification and Seed Systems
Bioversity International, Sub-regional Office for South Asia
NASC Complex, Pusa Campus, New Delhi 110012, India
Tel: +91-11-25849000/01
Email: [email protected]
Training in quality seed production and seed storage; establishment and maintenance of
community seed bank and preparation of Seed Production manuals.
Dr. Arnab Gupta
Special Project Scientist-Agroecology and Seed Systems
Bioversity International, Sub-regional Office for South Asia
NASC Complex, Pusa Campus, New Delhi 110012, India
Tel: +91-11-25849000/01
Email: [email protected]
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Collaborating institutions and staff:
1. Deendayal Research Institute (DRI), Chitrakoot: Mr Atul Jain, Mr Abhay Mahajan, Dr Anil
Jaiswal
2. DRI-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Satna: Dr R S Negi
3. DRI- Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Chitrakoot: Dr Narendra Singh
4. DRI-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Gonda: Dr Upendra Singh and Ramkrishna Tiwari
5. Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Raisen : Dr Swapnil Dubey
6. Sher-e-Kashmir University for Agriculture and Technology-Kashmir: Dr G A Parray
7. Field Assistants in Vaishali, Chhapra and Samstipur in Bihar and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh
Project description:
The project was designed with the following specific objectives:
1. Diversification of the farming system in the context of climate change by introducing new
crops, and more varieties of rice and wheat.
2. To establish in situ seed conservation practices with farmers with establishment of
community seed banks.
3. To train and build capacity within the farmers’ communities in terms of quality seed
production, seed storage and conservation
To achieve these specific objectives, the following outcome, outputs and activities were agreed
upon:
Outcome 1: New crops and more varieties of rice, wheat, pulses, oilseeds and vegetables are
introduced by the farmers and widely known in the area as optional choices in addition to the
traditional crops.
 Experimental network of about >5000 new farmers established and crop diversification
promoted.
 Farmers better prepared to address climate change challenges through crop
diversification.
 Improved household food and nutrition security achieved through the introduction of
inter- and intra- species diversification.
Outcome 2: On-farm seed conservation facilities and practices established, operated and
maintained by farmers. Farmers assisted to establish Community Seed Banks to conserve seeds
for next growing season as well as longer periods.
 Ten Community Seed Banks established and about 8000 farmers across 100 villages in
Satna and Chitrakoot districts benefitted.
 Seeds of about 65 varieties of about 20 crops safely conserved and made available for
their use.
 Long term seed safety assured through the use of Zeolite beads in a low energy
dependent way.
 Assured and timely availability of quality seed to address the problems due to climate
change.
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Outcome 3: Farmers trained in the methods of quality seed production and maintenance and
documentation in Community Seed Banks.
 Selected progressive farmers in the network trained for quality seed production.
 Women self-help group established through enhanced capacity for quality seed and
seedling production.
 About 300 farmers trained for seed production and processing using facilities at the
Community Seed Bank
PROGRESS TOWARDS THE OUTPUTS
DELIVERABLES
Publications
Abstracts and Conference presentations
1. Arnab Gupta, Malavika Dadlani, Neeraj Sharma, Prem Mathur. Low Carbon footprint seed
conservation technique: The Desiccated-Ambient storage system using molecular
sieves. Abstract and oral presentation. IAC (2016) Abstracts book. 1st International
Agrobiodiversity Congress, November 6-9, 2016, New Delhi, India, viii+344 p.
2. Nivedhitha, S., Gupta, A., Sharma, N. and Mathur, P. Community Seed Banks to conserve
local crop diversity and ensure Resilience against Climate change. Abstract. IAC
(2016) Abstracts book. 1st International Agrobiodiversity Congress, November 6-9,
2016, New Delhi, India, viii+344 p.
3. Gupta, A., Mittra, S., van Etten, J. and Mathur, P. (2015). Broadening the genetic base and
knowledge of cultivated crops for climate adaptation: A citizen science approach.
Our Common future under Climate Change. UNESCO/IPCC. Paris. Abstract and
Poster.
4. Sharma N , Mathur P N , Gupta A , Dadlani M , van Etten J, Kumar N K K (2017). Seeds for
Needs: Revival of Traditional Varieties and Landraces for Climate-Resilient
Agriculture. International Conference on Climate Change 2017”. Colombo- 16-17
February, 2017
Peer reviewed Articles / Popular articles
5. Malavika Dadlani, Prem Mathur and Arnab Gupta (2016): COMMUNITY SEED BANKS:
A sustainable response to small and marginal farming against climate change
hurdles. Agriculture World. Vol II. Issue 1. January 2016.
6. Vernooy, R., Sthapit, B., Otieno, G., Shrestha, P. and Gupta, A. The roles of community seed
banks in climate change adaption. Development in Agriculture. (Accepted Nov
2016)
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DETAILS OF NUMBER OF FARMERS AND REGIONS
We are concerned now about 3 seasons in current report. 2015-16 Rabi, 2016 Kharif and 2016-17
Rabi season where we have the running trials. The number of farmers, region, crops and varieties
details are in Table 1 below.
Year
2015-16
2015-16
2015-16
2015-16
2015-16
2015-16
2015-16
2015-16
2015-16
2015-16
2015-16
2015-16
2015-16
2015-16
2015-16
2015-16
Season
Rabi
Rabi
Rabi
Rabi
Rabi
Rabi
Rabi
Rabi
Rabi
Rabi
Rabi
Rabi
Rabi
Rabi
Rabi
Rabi
Year
2016
2016
2016
2016
2016
2016
2016
2016
2016
2016
2016
2016
2016
2016
2016
2016
2016
2016
2016
2016
2016
2016
2016
Season
Kharif
Kharif
Kharif
Kharif
Kharif
Kharif
Kharif
Kharif
Kharif
Kharif
Kharif
Kharif
Kharif
Kharif
Kharif
Kharif
Kharif
Kharif
Kharif
Kharif
Kharif
Kharif
Kharif
Year
2016-17
2016-17
Season
Rabi
Rabi
State
Site
Madhya Pradesh
Satna
Uttar Pradesh
Ganiwa
Madhya Pradesh
Satna
Madhya Pradesh
Satna
Bihar
Vaishali
Bihar
Chhapra
Bihar
Samstipur
Bihar
Siwan
Uttar Pradesh
Ganiwa
Uttar Pradesh
Varanasi
Uttar Pradesh
Gonda
Uttar Pradesh
Balarampur
Uttar Pradesh
Jayaprabha
Madhya Pradesh
Satna
Madhya Pradesh
Raisen
Madhya Pradesh
Narsinghpur
2015-16 total
State
Site
Bihar
Vaishali
Bihar
Vaishali
Bihar
Samastipur
Bihar
Samastipur
Bihar
Chhapra
Bihar
Chhapra
Uttar Pradesh
Ganiwa
Uttar Pradesh
Ganiwa
Uttar Pradesh
Varanasi
Uttar Pradesh
Gonda
Uttar Pradesh
Balarampur
Madhya Pradesh
Satna
Madhya Pradesh
Satna
Madhya Pradesh
Satna
Madhya Pradesh
Satna
Madhya Pradesh
Satna
Madhya Pradesh
Satna
Jammu and Kashmir
Baramullah
Jammu and Kashmir
Kupwara
Jammu and Kashmir
Ghanderbal
Jammu and Kashmir
Anantnag
Jammu and Kashmir
Kulgam
Jammu and Kashmir
Pulwama
2016 Total
State
Site
Bihar
Vaishali
Bihar
Samastipur
Crop
Chickpea
Mustard
Mustard
Vegetable
Wheat
Wheat
Wheat
Wheat
Wheat
Wheat
Wheat
Wheat
Wheat
Wheat
Wheat
Wheat
Crop
Rice
Vegetable
Rice
Vegetable
Rice
Vegetable
Rice
Vegetable
Rice
Rice
Rice
Rice
Pigeonpea
Moong/Green Gram
Til/Sesame
Vegetable (February)
Vegetable (May)
Rice
Rice
Rice
Rice
Rice
Rice
Crop
Wheat
Wheat
Farmers
300
300
1132
50
450
150
350
100
1500
250
400
100
500
2150
250
100
8082
Farmers
350
20
150
10
150
10
500
60
200
250
50
500
26
80
14
298
77
18
18
18
66
84
84
3033
Farmers
800
300
Varieties
11
5
9
13
9
9
9
9
18
9
9
9
9
17
17
17
170
Varieties
12
8
14
8
12
8
15
6
10
15
15
13
1
2
2
9
8
10
10
10
2
2
2
143
Varieties
13
13
6
2016-17
2016-17
2016-17
2016-17
2016-17
2016-17
2016-17
2016-17
Rabi
Rabi
Rabi
Rabi
Rabi
Rabi
Rabi
Rabi
Bihar
Chhapra
Madhya Pradesh
Satna
Madhya Pradesh
Satna
Madhya Pradesh
Satna
Uttar Pradesh
Ganiwa
Uttar Pradesh
Ganiwa
Uttar Pradesh
Varanasi
Uttar Pradesh
Gonda
2016-17 total
Wheat
Wheat
Mustard
Vegetable
Wheat
Vegetable
Wheat
Wheat
400
750
600
10
750
10
200
500
4320
13
11
8
8
11
10
12
11
110
Table 1: The crop, state, farmer season details
In Total, there were 15435 farmers involved in the trials (3 seasons) across 4 states in 18 districts
OUTCOMES AND ADOPTION OF VARIETIES
A study was carried out in Bihar (Samastipur district) regarding the uptake of rice varieties those
were used in the crowdsourcing trials. Farmers in general, were using the varieties UP262 and
PBW343 variety for the last many years. The project exposed them to 12 new varieties and they
were asked if they wanted to save the seeds of any of the varieties that were used in the CS trials.
It was found that 96% farmers wanted to save the seeds used in the CS trials as they liked at least
one of the 3 varieties tested by them. Scrutinizing more deeply, the figure 1 below shows the
farmers’ preference for the different varieties that were used in the CS trials.
Preferences of varieties by farmers
Sarju 52
14%
IR 64
18%
Shahbhagi Dhan
14%
Prabhat
11%
MTU 1010
4%
Malviya Dhan 2
3%
Pusa Sughandh 5
18%
Gotra Bidhan 1
18%
Fig 1: The farmers’ preference for the varieties that they will use in the next season for
farming.
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Out of a total respondent of 250 farmers, it was seen that Gotra Bidhan 1, Sahbhagi Dhan and
Pusa Sugandh 5 was liked by 45% of the farmers. In general, the farmers grow hybrid varieties of
rice and it is a remarkable finding that open pollinated varieties are being preferred over hybrids.
ADOPTION AND IMPACT
Seeds of rice, wheat, mustard, chickpea, green gram, sesame, red gram, vegetables etc.
were evaluated across 4 states and 18 locations in crowdsourcing and PVS mode. Seeds were
packed and distributed to the farmers and each participant was assigned a QR code so that his/her
details once filled in the system, can be retrieved if he/she is participating in the trials for multiple
years. Data was collected on agronomic traits in the PVS trials and the farmers’ preferences were
collected in the crowdsourcing trials.
Rabi 2015-16
Satna: the seeds of 18 varieties of wheat, 11 varieties of chickpea and 9 varieties of mustard were
distributed to the farmers by including 1920 farmers in wheat, 279 farmers in chickpea and 1110
in mustard crop trials. Wheat, chickpea and mustard being sensitive to extreme heat, high and
very low temperature during flowering period greatly reduces the yield. It is supposed that
growing early as well as late varieties of these crops with different flowering and maturity periods
will increase the chances of successful harvest at least in one variety.
In crowdsourcing trials, the results revealed that the varieties HD2932, JW-1203 and HI-1544
performed well under farmers’ field conditions and the farmers preferred these varieties on
overall performance basis. Among the tested varieties, WH-147, GW-273, MP-3173, MP-1215,
JW-1201 and HI-1500 didn’t meet the expectation of the farmers though some farmers who have
sufficient irrigation facilities were not so critical of these varieties. Many farmers kept the seed of
better performing varieties among the three distributed varieties for the next season.
The PVS trial data recorded on yield and yield attributing characters in Rabi 2015-16 season
revealed that among the eighteen varieties of wheat evaluated at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK)
Satna . The data reveals enough variability in the characters. The plant height varied from 62.9
cm (MP-3173) to 94.96 cm (CSW-18). The numbers of plants/hill were highest in HI-1544(13.8),
and HI-1531(12.2). The numbers of plants/m2 were highest in HD-2864 (72). The variety CSW18 produced maximum awn length (12.2cm) followed by HD-2932 (11.7 cm) and HD-2864
(11.3). The no. of grains per panicle were maximum in variety CSW-18 (62.6) followed by GW322(57.0), and JW-1202 (56.6). The variety LOK-1 recorded the highest average test weight of
1000 grains (42 g) followed by MPO-1215. The yield was recorded maximum in JW-1203(35.2
q/ha) followed by HD-2932(38.6 q/ha) and HI-1544 (44.0 q/ha).
The mustard variety RH-749 and Varuna was found to be more productive in Satna
district and seems to fit in the existing farming situation for higher productivity and income and
also it had been appreciated by the farmers due to its frost tolerance and low water requirement.
Farmers in the region normally grow wheat during Rabi and mustard crop was planted at such
large scale in the region very first time. The performance of the crop was encouraging and the
farmers were enthusiastic about the crop stand throughout the crop growing period.
Crowdsourcing trials conducted on chickpea showed that the varieties JG-14, JG-16 and
JG-11 were preferred by the farmers due to their ability to tolerate wilt disease and moisture
stress conditions.
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To create greater awareness among farmers about the crop diversification project and its
objectives in relation to climate change, weather advisory services were also provided to farmers
on weekly basis through Kisan Mobile Advisory. The partners also organized farmers’ meetings
and trainings, celebrated technology weeks to educate the farmers on diversification of farming
system and climate resilient technologies. 19 extension programmes comprising meetings, field
days, goshthis (group meetings) farmer’s fairs, exhibitions and film shows were organized on
climate-adaptation strategies with the participation of about 1935 farmers and extension
personnel of the district. The outcome of many of these activities was publicized through various
local newspapers.
Performance of vegetables in Nutritional Kitchen garden at farmers’ fields -Ten varieties
vegetables seeds viz., Spinach (All Green), Bottle gourd (Narendra Rashmi) Cucumber (Swarna
Sheetal) Pumpkin (Punjab Samrat), Water melon (Sugar baby), Spongegourd (Kashi Divya), Cow
pea (Kashi Kanchan), Musk melon (Hara Madhu), Okra (Kashi Pragati), Coriander (Pant
Haritma) were provided to 297 farmers for planting in 200 sqm in and around homestead during
spring/summer season. The yields of vegetables recorded at farmers field revealed that on an
average each farm family harvested 333. 6 kg of vegetables, the value of those harvested
vegetables was calculated to INR 4151.00 at prevailing market price
Table 3. Showing production and income through vegetables growing in 200 sqm
area
Maturity
Av.
S.no.
Vegetable
Gross income(Rs)
period(days)
Production(kg)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Sponge gourd
Cow pea
Bottle gourd
Cucumber
Okra
Pumpkin
Musk melon
Coriander (leafy)
Water melon
Palak (Spinach)
75-90
60-70
70-80
60-70
40-50
80-90
90-100
35-40
90-100
40-50
52.4
15.6
46.75
39.8
28.65
72.45
18.35
1.34
48.72
9.58
629
234
561
597
344
725
367
161
438
96
Total
333.64
4151
DRI Chtrakoot: Ten community seed banks were established across seven villages in total, out
of which, two at KVKs and one at Arogyadhaam Chitrkoot campus. The sole purpose was to
conserve available crops and their varieties in surrounding area , which will be used for further
evaluation and seed multiplication.
DRI Chitrakoot with the support of Bioversity International, established central office and
seed repository bank for monitoring field activities which will cater to 100 villages covering two
district Chitrakoot and Satna districts.
About 1000 farmers have started using the Seed Banks and have conserved 490 accessions
of about 21 crops. These accessions have been collected and safely conserved across the 10 seed
banks with a target number of 8000 beneficiaries by March 2017.
All the community seed banks are in a functional state and they have stored a number of
crops varieties which may be used in the next season. Farmers are highly impressed with the
establishment of seed banks, trainings and involvement. The concept of seed banks is unique in
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the villages and thus have become a place of attraction for the farmers. The number of
beneficiaries is increasing day by day.
Sl no
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Crops
Cucumber
Field pea
Gram
Jowar
Kodo
Kutki
Linseed
Lobiya
Maize
Green Gram
Mustard
Okra
Pigeon pea
Radish
Rice
Sawa (Echinocloa)
Sorghum
Yellow Mustard
Vegetable pea
Wheat
Sesame
Total
No of Accessions
2
4
46
3
6
2
3
1
5
20
53
11
23
5
109
1
10
2
50
113
23
492
Table 2: The accessions details in the 10 CSBs established in Chitrakoot and Satna
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Fig 2: The Community Seed Banks that were established
Chitrakoot: Most of the wheat varieties in the trials performed better in comparison to the
local varieties. Variety Lok-1, JW-3020, MPO-1213 and HI-1544 were found hardy
against rain fed conditions of Chitrakoot. The varieties CSW-18, JW-3020, HD-2969 and
GW-366 has best overall performance before maturity compared to other varieties.
Mustard varieties did not differ significantly in growth and productivity. However, on
numerical basis VARUNA variety performed best by producing highest of 121.3
kg/1000m2 area grain yield. The conclusion for mustard trials may be drawn that variety
VARUNA sown in uniform20x40 cm rows proved to be the best for attaining higher crop
yield and earning maximum net profit from Mustard cultivation
Raisen: 250 crowdsourcing trials and 3 PVS trials were conducted and evaluated by involving 17
wheat varieties. Among all the varieties of wheat tested, under semi-irrigated conditions variety
JW-3173 (35.1 q/ha), medium duration varieties- GW-322 (48.3 q/ha0 and late sown conditions
MP-1203 (42.1 q/ha) produced highest yield. Among all the varieties evaluated, GW-322
produced maximum yield of 48.3 q/ha with a 1000 grain weight of 44.1 gram.
Bihar: In the Rabi 2015-16 in Viashali it was seen that the variety HD 2733 outperformed in
terms of yield (5.98 tonnes/ha) and HD 2967 yielded 5.7 tonnes/ha and were significantly similar.
Likewise performance was seen in Chhapra, which is adjacent district. But here in yield, HD
2733 (5.88 ton/ha), HD 2967 ( 5.6 ton/ha), HD 2985 (5.5 ton/ha) and PBW 550 (5.3 ton/ha) were
having yields not significantly different. The results were quite different in Samastipur district
where the variety HD 2985 had the highest yield (4.7 ton/ha) and significantly higher than any
other variety grown there. The yields ranged from 3.5 ton/ha (HD 2967) to 4.7 ton/ha (HD 2985),
which was in generak lower than in Vaishali and Chhapra, this was probably because the assured
irrigation and higher soil moisture in Vaishali/Chhapra region owing to the nearness to the River
Ganga.
Kharif 2016
Gonda: In the crowdsourcing experiments 500 farmers participated and provided their feedback
on 15 rice varieties. Crowdsourcing and the PVS trials were conducted at two centers i.e.
Jaiprabha gram and KVK Gopalgram around 50 km apart. The yields of rice varieties ranged
between 2640 kg to 40.7 q/ha. The farmers could identify varieties to suit their early, medium and
late sown conditions. View of farmers about rice varieties Pusa Sugandh-5, Rajshree, Sahbhagi
dhan, Pusa-1509, Gajogaj & Rajni (Local traditional varieties of Balarampur district) was very
positive. These traditional varieties were included in the trials this year alongwith notified
varieties. In crowdsourcing varieties farmer appreciated the variety Rajshree, Pusa Sugandha-5 &
Sarju-52. These varieties they will continue cultivation in next session.
In order to create greater awareness among farmers about crowdsourcing project and its
objectives in relation to climate change, a number of farmers’ gosthies (group meetings), field
visits, farmer’s trainings, involving a large number of farmers of districts Gonda was organized.
The outcome of many of these activities was published through various local newspapers. In all,
about 500 farmers were reached out and sensitized during Kharif 2016.
Jammu and Kashmir: The programme was carried out in six districts of the Kashmir valley
namely, Baramullah, Kupwara, Ghanderbal, Anantnag, Kulgam and Pulwama. In each district,
six villages have been brought under this programme and number of trials laid per village is three.
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The 10 varieties under the study includes released, pre-released and farmers' varieties. To
avoid mixing at transplanting stage, three nursery blocks each of 10 varieties were raised at a
central place of each district in the farmers’ fields. The varieties being tested are Jhelum,
Shalimar Rice 1, Shalimar Rice 2
, Shalimar Rice 3, SKUA-403, SKUA-405, SKUA-406,
SKUA-407, SKUA-408 and K 39. ther than the selected 10 varieties, the farmers' varieties have
also been included to make comparative evaluation and as local check. Finalized report of this
site is pending.
Satna- During the Kharif-2016 season, farmers were provided with different varieties of rice
(Oryza sativa), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), sesame (Sesamum indicum) and green gram (Vigna
radiata). During the Kharif-2016 season, farmers were provided with different varieties of rice
(Oryza sativa), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), sesame (Sesamum indicum) and green gram (Vigna
radiata) for testing their adaptability. Vegetables seeds kits were also provided to the farmers
during both the seasons of 2016 for providing nutritional security to farm families.
Rabi 2016-17
In this season the trials are already planted and in the fields. Trials for 4320 farmers has been
distributed in wheat, mustard and vegetables (see Table 1) in three states: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar
and Madhya Pradesh.
LESSONS LEARNED
1. Bringing in new ideas and new techniques, it was important for the project to build a good rapport
with the community to convince the target population. In this regard, it was an advantage for the
project that the farmers were very receptive towards the exposure of new varieties. It was seen
that though farmers were sceptical towards the performance of new varieties, henceforth they
liked most of the tested varieties. These varieties are technically not NEW varieties per se, as they
were released long back, but due to many reasons they are no longer available in the seed
multiplication chain.
2. The exposure visits are effective in promoting cross learning thereby encouraging people to
accept challenges and work with more vigour and enthusiasm. Especially when the members of
one seed bank visits another and cross learning is encouraged.
3. It is important to ensure people’s participation in the activities from the beginning to inculcate a
sense of ownership in the community. They in turn form self-help groups to initiate awareness to
set up community seed banks and other community biodiversity activities.
4. It is often said, that farmers are un-willing to adopt innovative agronomic practices. The farmers
participating in the project activities with full zeal have proven this view wrong.
5. To secure involvement of women in a male dominated area needs extra attention and creative
input from the project leadership.
6. The introduction on mustard in Satna was very appreciated. Mustard needs less water than wheat
and that year there was less rainfall, thus less moisture in soil. So growing mustard there was
liked by all the farmers and it was a break point from the regular rice-wheat cropping pattern.
CONCLUSIONS
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From the above results it can be concluded that multiple cropping system seems to be
answer to the problem of ensuring food security, increasing income and improving nutrition
status and as well insulating small and marginal farmers with limited resources from climatic and
market uncertainties. Crop diversification by incorporating pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, and other
cash crops in a scientific cropping pattern can play an important role in increasing farm incomes
and employment to achieve nutritional security. Further, as the average family land holdings have
come down, interventions are further needed to convert such uneconomic landholdings into
profitable one. Such studies can make a difference to the livelihood as well as food & nutritional
security to the people. As such, the focus of extension functionaries should shift to farming
system diversification.
Thus, these farmers can play a lead role in the development of the country by contributing
to the nation's capital formation, if their uneconomic holdings are converted into economic ones.
But, food security of the majority of the resource-poor farmers are threatened in view of small
landholdings becoming non-viable and uneconomical with traditional cropping system and
changing climate, resulting in large scale increase of unemployment and migration of farm
families due to reduction of livelihood opportunities in rural area. The prime factor in this is the
poorly developed informal seed systems in the rural areas. This project will take the first steps in
creating a platform to secure and develop the local / informal seed system in a scientific and
sustainable way. The CSBs will be the last link in the chain for the Seeds 4 Needs project already
running to diversify cropping systems in terms of crops and varieties.