ICRISAT Archival Report 2006 - The seedlings of success in the ...

fodder (2.43 t ha -1 ) yields across all compared to non IDM plots, where local cultivars were grown (Pod yield 0.77 t
ha -1 and Haulm yield 1.39 t ha -1 ).
iii. Farmer-participatory village level seed system for the ICM [REF116]responsive high yielding dual
purpose cultivars of chickpea, pigeonpea and groundnut established Suresh Pande and
Collaborators[REF117]
[REF118]
Access to improved varieties of seed, particularly chickpea, groundnuts and pigeon pea is one of the major
constraints to improving overall productivity of these staple grain legumes throughout much of Asia. Typically,
resource poor farmers in Asia, and for that matter throughout much of the world, obtain seed from other farmers or
purchase from local market close to the time of sowing. If seed systems are not developed to ensure the regular flow
of improved germplasm out to the rural communities, all of the crop improvement work will have little impact.
Consequently, ICRISAT is working in India and Nepal to help develop community based systems that will ensure a
regular flow of improved germplasm into the local markets[REF119]. In fact, seed system development is seen as an
integral part of ICRISATs IGNRM approach.
Establishment of village level seed system for groundnut in Anantpur and Kolar districts, India: Groundnut yields
are very low in Deccan Plateau due to local cultivars, such as TMV2 that account for 80% of cropped area, that are
susceptible to later leaf spot and rusts. Improved cultivars, that have been identified in IDM studies, such as ICGV
91114, are available, and are less susceptible to foliar diseases. Unfortunately the seed is only available in limited
amounts, with few people or institutions in Andhra Pradesh or Karnataka having the requisite skills to increase seed
production, and hence impact.
Since there is great demand for ICGV 91114, a village level seed multiplication system was established in 12
villages of Anantapur district in collaboration with District Agricultural Advisory and Transfer of Technology
Center (DAATTC), ANGRAU-Anantapur, Rural Development Trust (RDT) NGO and in one village in Kolar
district in collaboration with RORES during 2005/06 post rainy season.
A total of 164 farmers were involved in seed multiplication of the cultivar ICGV 91114 on 133 ha. The produce was
sold to several farmers as seed in these villages as well as in neighboring villages for planting during 2006 rainy
season. [REF120]
Establishment of village level seed system for chickpea in Nepal: Non-availability of seeds of improved varieties
is one of the constraints to improving chickpea production in Nepal. Normally, resource poor farmers obtain seed
from other farmers or purchase from local market at the time of sowing. Therefore, to ensure continuous seed
supply, we have initiated farmer seed system in collaboration with NGLRP[REF121], Rampur and NORP,
Nawalpur for production of improved varieties of chickpea, Avarodhi and Tara during 2005/06 rabi season. This
system is run by a few expert farmer groups/self help groups (SHG) in the villages.
A total of 12 farmers from four villages participated in the multiplication of the improved cultivars Avarodhi in 83
katha (2.8 ha) and Tara in 20 katha (0.7 ha) during 2005/06 rabi season. About 5000 kg seeds of Avarodhi and
1000kg seeds of Tara were produced and sold to other farmers in other districts/villages for expanding chickpea
cultivation in 2006.[REF122]
iv. Identify, evaluate and promote ICM (IPM/IDM) technologies of legumes for intensifying and diversifying
production systems in low (chickpea in rainfed rice fallows) and high (pigeonpea in irrigated rice and wheat
cropping system) potential environments[REF123] Suresh Pande and Collaborators
In collaboration with the Rice and Wheat Consortium (RWC) and its partner organizations, ICRISAT’s extra short
duration pigeonpea (ESDP) cultivar, ICPL 88039, was evaluated in farmers fields for resource conservation, grain
yield, and suitability for rotation with wheat and to be scaled up for its adoption in the north western plains of India.
Crop establishment of ESDP cultivar ICPL 88039 was higher on raised bed planting than traditional flat bed broad
casting method and mean grain yield was 23.2% higher.
During the current season ICRISAT-bread ESDP cultivar ICPL 88039 were evaluated for its earliness and yield
performance on about 600 ha in north western plains of India and compared with local traditional cultivar UPAS
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