Four Seasons of Learning and Engaging Smallholder Farmers - icrisat

A total of 4,307 farmers (2,474 in AP and 1,833 in Maharashtra) were trained in seed production, crop
management, seed health, IPM, and post-harvest practices to ensure quality seed production. Farmers
Day was also organized in Maharashtra with 351 farmers (including 21 women). During the project
period, a total of 533 traders/dal mill operators in AP and Maharashtra were trained in seed storage,
processing and marketing. Besides conducting training/seminars to farmers involved in seed production
in AP and Maharashtra by ANGRAU and PDKV, respectively, a total of 699 extension officers, NGO
staff, and private seed sector personnel were provided training in seed production, scientific storage,
store grain pest management and marketing network.
Performance of pigeonpea hybrids
In AP, the performance of hybrids, especially ICPH 3359 and ICPH 2470 performed better than the check
varieties (Asha and Maruti) in terms of number of pods, 100 seed weight and yield as shown in Table 9-6.
Table 9-6: Performance of pigeonpea hybrids at ARS, Tandur
Hybrid/Cultivar Plant height
(cm)
Branches/plant
(no.)
Pods/plant
(no.)
100 seed weight
(gm)
Yield (kg
per ha)
ICPH 3359 166.8 14 320 12.45 1240
ICPH 3461 142.4 15 250 11.48 1140
ICPH 2470 160.5 13 280 12.12 1210
ICPH 2671 157.3 13 270 10.95 1090
Asha (check) 135.6 16 265 11.72 1170
ICPH 3762 135.2 15 257 10.82 1080
ICPH 2673 166.0 16 280 8.93 890
ICPH 3494 158.0 19 170 11.24 1120
Maruti (check) 155.0 12 200 9.92 990
ICPH 3472 149.0 14 160 10.97 1090
The seed production manual and pamphlets are published and distributed to farmers, village level
workers and extension officials at the time of field days, trainings and meetings in AP and Maharashtra.
Electronic and print media was effectively utilized for dissemination of package of practices of
pigeonpea production technology, field days, trainings, and exposure visit of farmers at ICRISAT in
local newspapers and local radio/TV talks in AP and Maharashtra.
During the three year period of the project, a total of 6,421 farmers attended the farmers’ field days/
fairs in AP and Maharashtra. A total of 4,477 small seed packets (7,800 kg) of farmer-preferred varieties
were distributed to farmers.
Introduction
The importance of improving access to quality seed in pigeonpea cannot be overemphasized due to
its unique traits. Pigeonpea differs from other two legumes - chickpea and groundnut - in terms of
sensitivity to photoperiod (day length) and temperature, and natural out-crossing. The flowering response
in pigeonpea is governed by a complex interplay of these two factors (photoperiod and temperature). It
is categorized as a quantitative short-day plant and flowering initiates only when nights become longer
than 14 hours. This has a potential implication for the seed producers since any delay in planting (from
the normal sowing time of June- July) will result in reduced plant height and, therefore, low grain yield.
Hence, the planting window available to the pigeonpea farmers is rather narrow. Other important
constraint in seed production is the natural out-crossing in pigeonpea. It is one of the few legumes
where natural out-crossing could be as high as 70%. This leads to rapid genetic deterioration of the
seed quality in farmers’ fields. In order to avoid genetic contamination, pigeonpea needs a minimum of
300 m isolation distance. This poses a serious challenge in seed production, since in the target districts
during the rainy season pigeonpea is extensively cultivated by farmers.
Progress of Phase 1
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