University of Vaasa - Vaasan yliopisto

This action plan seems to produce good results – the proportion of the ground in the
basins covered by vegetation grew from 23% to 65% in three years, and a significant
leaching of salts was achieved, in addition to the fact that the basins stopped salt
movement in the soil, allowing for the eventual production of millet beside the
forested area. The Tamarix trees grew to more than 2.5 meters in height during these
three years, and also caught salt particles blown by the wind from the dried out salt
pans towards cultivated fields. Research continues on the addition of salt tolerant
fruit trees and annual crops.
Case 2. Bio fuel
According to Checkbiotech.org (2007) ICRISAT has initiated its own bio power
strategy, aimed at helping farmers in India produce bio fuels in addition to their
normal production – but being careful not to exclude food crops in the process.
ICRISAT scientists are trying to produce sweet sorghum varieties and hybrids with
higher sugar content of the juice in their stalks. In co-operation with local distilleries,
who can convert the sweet sorghum juice to ethanol, the sorghum farmers can
become self sufficient on bio fuels, even to the point of export. (ICRISAT 2007a)
The most important thing about this solution, however, is that the ICRISAT-bred
sweet sorghum allows the farmers to get additional income from the juice in the stalk,
while still continuing to get the sorghum grains for food and the stalk biomass for
animal fodder.
A second Indian bio power project of the ICRISAT works at generating bio diesel
from Jatropha and Pongamia in the wastelands of the villages. About forty percent of
India’s oil imports are consumed in the form of diesel fuel, and much of this demand
could be satisfied by an increased local bio diesel production, if there were enough
supply of the raw material. Vast areas, estimated at 38 to 187 million hectares, are
thus being planned for oil plant growth: Pongamia pinnata, a leguminous tree
adapted to wetter lands with problem soils and Jatropha curcas, a more droughttolerant
shrub. Both produce fruits containing about 35% oil suitable for bio-diesel.
(ICRISAT 2007b)
Case 3. Biotech
Perhaps the most important focus of the ICRISAT, however, is on the development
of more productive, resistant crop types. According to Checkbiotech.org (2007),
Pigeonpea hybrids based on cytoplasmic male sterility developed at ICRISAT
produce from 30 to 150 percent greater yield than natural strains. The hybrids also
produce 30– 40 percent more root mass, something which makes them more drought
resistant. The yield advantages of the hybrids have quickly convinced seed producers:
22 private and three public seed companies in India have adopted the new seed
technology.
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