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HomePosts Tagged "International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)"
Agro Universities, Agrotech, Digital Technologies, R&D, Sustainability

The study covering an area of 477 million hectares spanning across India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, identified and mapped 27 major cropping systems.

Scientists at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) recently released a study highlighting the role of geospatial maps and satellite data in shaping the future of food security. Focusing on South Asia, the research underscores how these advanced tools can significantly enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability.  The study covering an area of 477 million hectares spanning across India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, identified and mapped 27 major cropping systems.

With only 6 annual harvests remaining before the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) deadline, the need to sustainably intensify agricultural production has never been more urgent. Drylands, in particular, present a significant opportunity to enhance agricultural productivity and contribute to global food security.

“Dryland cropping systems are complex, shaped by biophysical, social, and economic factors. The use of geospatial products and satellite data for mapping these systems can be invaluable. These tools provide critical insights for decision-making, unlocking opportunities for increased production, and enhancing farmers’ incomes in these challenging environments,” said Dr Stanford Blade, Deputy Director General-Research at ICRISAT.

Highlighting the uniqueness of this research, Dr ML Jat, Global Research Program Director, Resilient Farm and Food Systems, stated “Predominantly, studies use spatial data to map single or major crops such as rice, wheat and sugarcane or to monitor crop intensity, natural vegetation and more.  This study is a trailblazer in understanding the entire cropping system, i.e., crops grown in a sequence over the entire year.”

“This data serves as a foundational layer and can be used in various ways to understand and improve agricultural performance. When combined with climate and soil data, it can aid in planning for resource optimization and enhancing agricultural productivity,” noted the study’s lead author, Dr Muralikrishna Gumma.

On a global scale, these geospatial maps provide essential data that can guide climate change mitigation efforts. At the national level, these data sets offer a detailed understanding of regional cropping patterns, enabling governments to optimize resource allocation. 

Geospatial mapping can inform policies that ensure the efficient distribution of resources like water, fertilizer, and seeds, based on the specific needs of different cropping systems. Additionally, these maps can be integrated into disaster management strategies, helping to identify areas vulnerable to agricultural stress, such as droughts or floods, and allowing for more targeted and effective responses.

The study Spatial Distribution of Cropping Systems in South Asia Using Time-Series Satellite Data Enriched with Ground Data (mdpi.com) was funded by the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific financed by the Government of Japan through the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Mahalanobis National Crop Forecasting Centre (MNCFC), the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, WRI Land & Carbon Lab grant convened by World Resources Institute, and the Bezos Earth Fund.  

The study covering an area of 477

Agro Universities, Pulses, R&D

The new convention promises to substantially cut the time required to develop new pigeonpea lines with desirable traits, effectively bringing food to dryland communities faster.

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has pioneered the world’s first pigeonpea speed breeding protocol, further bolstering food security in Asia and Africa. The new convention promises to substantially cut the time required to develop new pigeonpea lines with desirable traits, effectively bringing food to dryland communities faster.

Traditionally, pigeonpea breeding can take up to thirteen years. But with the new protocol’s emphasis on material breeding and control over factors like photoperiod, temperature, and humidity, the breeding cycle can now be shortened to just two to four years, as opposed to the conventional period of seven years. Pigeonpea, a staple in tropical and subtropical diets, is crucial for food security and soil health globally and is lauded for its nutritional value and versatility.

Dr Jacqueline Hughes, Director General of ICRISAT, underscored the consequence of the innovation. “This pigeonpea speed breeding protocol represents a significant advancement for major pigeonpea-producing regions, paving the way for self-reliance in pulse production and meeting the dietary necessities of nations such as India, Myanmar, Kenya, Tanzania, Myanmar, and Mozambique.

Historically, pigeonpea’s long growth cycle and sensitivity to day length have hindered breeding efforts, with only about 250 varieties released globally over six decades. ​

This new speed breeding protocol addresses these challenges head-on, enabling researchers to develop climate-resilient, nutritionally superior, and higher-yielding pigeonpea varieties at an unprecedented pace.

Dr Arvind Padhee, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Government of Odisha, acknowledged the protocol’s potential to rapidly develop climate-resilient pigeonpea varieties, highlighting the vital support from the Government of Odisha.

India’s increasing demand for pigeonpea, projected to necessitate the import of 1.2 million tonnes by March 2024, underscores the timeliness of this open-access protocol. It offers a blueprint for rapid, efficient pigeonpea variety development, contributing significantly to the goal of achieving self-sufficiency in pulse production. The new protocol, accomplished through the establishment of ICRISAT’s Rapid Generation Advancement Facility, owes its success to the generous support from donors via CGIAR initiatives, underscoring the spirit of collaboration in agricultural innovation. Significant backing for the project to develop the new protocol was received from the Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), Government of Odisha, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, and the Government of India.

The new convention promises to substantially cut

Agro Universities, People, R&D

Dr Blade will officially assume his role as Deputy Director General-Research at ICRISAT on 1 April 2024.

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has announced the appointment of Dr Stanford Blade as the new Deputy Director General-Research. Dr Blade has an extensive background in agricultural research and brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this critical leadership position. Dr Blade will officially assume his role as Deputy Director General-Research at ICRISAT on 1 April 2024.

Prior to joining ICRISAT, Dr Blade served as the Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences (ALES) at the University of Alberta, Canada. He has also served as the Deputy Director General-Research for the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and as Vice-Chair on the Board of Trustees of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation, a Nairobi-based agency supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Dr Jacqueline d’Arros Hughes, Director General of ICRISAT, officially welcomed the appointment. “We are pleased to have Dr Stanford Blade join the organization as Deputy Director General-Research. His substantial experience, both in academia and international research institutions, will undoubtedly strengthen ICRISAT’s capacity to tackle the intricate challenges confronted by farmers in the semi-arid tropics. We look forward to his leadership in driving impactful and sustainable agricultural research,” said Dr Hughes.

Dr Blade holds a Ph.D. from McGill University for plant breeding/cropping systems research, conducted at IITA and supported by a Government of Canada Doctoral Scholarship. His global recognition in the field of agriculture was underscored in 2018 when he was named an International Fellow of the Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry.

“I am honored to join ICRISAT and work alongside a team of dedicated professionals committed to advancing agricultural research for the benefit of smallholder farmers. I look forward to contributing to the institute’s mission of enhancing food security, improving livelihoods, and sustaining natural resources in the semi-arid tropics” said Dr Stanford Blade.

ICRISAT looks forward to the positive impact his leadership will have on the institute’s research initiatives and global contributions to sustainable agriculture.

Dr Blade will officially assume his role

Agro Universities, India, R&D, Seeds

New variety has an average on-farm yield of approximately 2.0 to 2.2 tons per hectare, boasting a shelling outturn of 65-70 per cent.

A superior groundnut variety, developed by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), is now available in the country for cultivation for the upcoming post-rainy season, bolstering economic opportunities for farmers. This improved variety is more resistant to diseases and has been designed to meet the needs of food processing industries.

After successful testing in Bangladesh, the new groundnut variety BARI Chinabadam-12 (ICGV 07219), which has tan-colored kernels and exhibits desirable market traits has been approved for commercial cultivation.

Dr Manjurul Khadir, Principal Scientific Officer at BARI’s Regional Agricultural Research Station, emphasized the need to enhance domestic groundnut production in response to the increasing demand from food processing industries.

“This new variety presents a valuable opportunity for expanding groundnut cultivation in areas typically submerged during the rainy season, such as the ‘Char regions’ (newly-formed landmasses in a river or estuary) or locations adjacent to rivers with sandy-loam soil,” said Dr Khadir.

Compared to the popular and previous variety grown in the country (BARI Chinabadam-9), the new variety has superior attributes. It has an average on-farm yield of approximately 2.0 to 2.2 tons per hectare, boasting a shelling outturn of 65-70 per cent.

It demonstrates greater resistance to foliar fungal diseases and matures four days earlier than its counterpart. Additionally, the variety features desirable seed size, with kernels weighing 44-48 grams per 100 kernels, showing a sizeable increase of 4-8 grams compared to the check variety.

ICRISAT scientist Dr Sean Mayes, Research Program Director – Accelerated Crop Improvement, recently visited Bangladesh and met with leaders at BARI and other institutes.

“ICRISAT and BARI have a long history of collaboration to serve the farmers of Bangladesh, and this new variety is another milestone in that joint work. I look forward to further releases, and it is great that BARI is currently testing high oleic acid groundnut varieties to meet the industry’s demands,” said Dr Mayes.

ICRISAT and BARI have, over the last two decades, developed several new groundnut varieties. Dr Jacqueline Hughes, Director-General of ICRISAT, expressed gratitude for the support received from various organizations for the breakthrough, especially the Asian Development Bank, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, OPEC Fund for International Development, and USAID-IKP Knowledge Park.

“This achievement in groundnut development underscores the transformative impact that strong partnerships can have in shaping a sustainable and prosperous agricultural landscape where persistent challenges have remained,” said Dr Hughes.

New variety has an average on-farm yield

Agri Genomics, Agro Universities, Agrotech, India, Pulses, R&D, Seeds

The project will test and promote high-yielding, early maturing varieties and hybrids across the twelve states of India.

In a significant development for India’s agricultural landscape, ICRISAT and the National Food Security Mission (NFSM), under the Government of India, are embarking on an ambitious project aimed at revolutionizing pigeonpea yields across the country.

Despite being one of the largest producers of pigeonpea globally, India’s domestic consumption surpasses its production levels, leading to the need for imports. Pigeonpea, also known as arhar dal performs a vital role in ensuring nutrition, food security and supporting rural livelihoods in India, making it imperative to enhance its productivity to meet the nation’s increasing demand.

The project which was launched on May 29th is now set to begin in the upcoming cropping season which will see collaboration with the Indian Institute of Pulses Research (IIPR) – Kanpur and twelve State Agricultural Universities.

The project will test and promote high-yielding, early-maturing varieties and hybrids across the states of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana.

Director General of ICRISAT Dr Jacqueline Hughes expressed her gratitude to the Government of India, collaborating institutes and universities for their commitment to enhancing pigeonpea yields while uplifting rural livelihoods.

“This collaboration, underscored by advancements in science, will not only push the boundaries of achievable yields but in doing so pave the way for a brighter future, ensuring food security and enhanced prosperity for the nation’s pigeonpea farming communities,” said Dr Hughes.

Deputy Director General-Research at ICRISAT, Dr Arvind Kumar thanked the Government of India for their support and inclusion of niche areas in Northern India for the initiative.

“To expand the cultivation of pigeonpea, we need to leverage the vast rice fallows across the country as research conducted by ICRISAT has shown promising results for early-maturing pigeonpea in rice fallows.

“Collaborative efforts will be made to develop varieties tolerant to waterlogging and cooler temperatures, enabling cultivation in both rainy (kharif) and post-rainy seasons (rabi),” said Dr Kumar.

Dr Aditya Pratap, Coordinator-All India Coordinated Research Project on Kharif Pulses, highlighted key areas of focus for the project. These include combating pod-borer infestation, stabilizing hybrid production, integrating genomics, and reintroducing marker-assisted selection in the breeding process.

“By providing farmers a package of agronomy practices alongside new varieties and hybrids, a potential 30% increase in pigeonpea yields can be achieved,” said Dr Pratap.

Discussions on the project work plan were led by Dr Prakash Gangashetty, Scientist, Pigeonpea Breeding, ICRISAT and the project launch provided an opportunity for participants to visit ICRISAT’s research fields and the speed breeding facility.

Dr Sean Mayes, Research Program Director of the Accelerated Crop Improvement Program at ICRISAT, emphasized the significance of these facilities, capable of raising three generations per year and producing seeds even during the off-season.

Dr RS Mahala, Research Director at SeedWorks International Private Ltd concluded on the importance of finding innovative solutions and cited successful experiments with High-Density Spacing and beekeeping for natural pollination.

“ICRISAT’s vast germplasm collection is a valuable resource that should be effectively utilized to achieve the project’s objectives,” said Dr Mahala.

The project will test and promote high-yielding,

Agro Universities, Agrotech, India, Nature, Water

The partnership aims to usher in a transformative approach to agricultural water management and enabling sustainable farming practices.

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), the Groundwater Surveys and Development Agency (GSDA), and the Water Supply and Sanitation Department, Government of Maharashtra have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on May 16, to propel a new era in groundwater augmentation across seven districts in Maharashtra using a landscape approach.

Through this landmark partnership, ICRISAT and GSDA strive to usher in a transformative approach to agricultural water management, enabling sustainable farming practices and securing water resources for future generations.

Chintamani Joshi (IAS), Commissioner of GSDA, expressed his enthusiasm about collaborating with a world-class organization like ICRISAT. He emphasized on the pressing need to enhance agriculture water use efficiency and conserve vital groundwater resources.

“This agreement aims to fulfil the needs and requirements of farmers. In the face of climate uncertainties and excessive groundwater extraction, this partnership with ICRISAT will usher in a new era in dryland agriculture in Maharashtra,” said Joshi.

This collaborative initiative titled ‘Water budget based NRM planning and groundwater recharge’ uses a landscape approach for groundwater augmentation. The initiative is mapped to Atal Bhujal Yojana, a flagship program of the Government of India’s Jal Shakti Mantralaya. This initiative will directly benefit more than 3000 farming families covering 10,000 ha with a population of more than 13,000 across seven districts viz., Satara, Solapur, Pune, Latur, Jalna, Nasik and Nagpur. Large-scale indirect benefits include various ecosystem services and strengthening the capacity of various stakeholders.

Dr Jacqueline Hughes, Director General of ICRISAT, conveyed her delight in working together with the Government of Maharashtra. “With ICRISAT’s decades of experience and expertise in agricultural water management, we are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of farmers and the environment. We look forward to working hand in hand with the Government of Maharashtra. Together, we will pave the way for a more resilient and prosperous agricultural sector, ensuring a sustainable agri-food system ​ for generations to come.” said Dr Hughes.

Dr Arvind Kumar, Deputy Director General-Research at ICRISAT, thanked the Government of Maharashtra and Mr Sanjay Jaiswal (IAS), Principal Secretary of the Water Supply and Sanitation Department, GoM, for providing this opportunity.

Dr Kumar added, “We eagerly anticipate close collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra in the field of water conservation and the establishment of learning sites in the seven districts. The knowledge gained from these sites can also benefit other regions in India and beyond”

This initiative is unique as it surpasses mere water conservation efforts by aiming to transform dryland agri-food systems through an integrated systems approach at the landscape level. Spanning the entire value chain, from seed to market, this approach capitalizes on the core strengths of ICRISAT across its three global research programs.

The partnership aims to usher in a

Agro chems – Pesticides, Agro Universities, Agrotech, Award, R&D


Won the third prize and US $1000 for developing a cost-effective bio-insecticide from the leaves of bullock’s heart at International Science and Engineering Fair in Atlanta, USA


Sarvesh Prabhu, a 17-year-old research intern at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), represented India at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Atlanta, USA and won the third prize and US $1000 in the biochemistry category for developing a cost-effective bio-insecticide from the leaves of bullock’s heart (Annona reticulata) popularly known as ramphal.

The Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, also awarded him the first prize and Rs100,000 (US $1224) as part of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Innovation Award for School Children.

The high school student from FIITJEE Junior College, Hyderabad, conducted research experiments at the entomology unit at ICRISAT headquarters in India early this year, and the outcome of his research was presented at the world’s largest pre-college science fair in Atlanta, USA.

The project titled, ‘A novel study of bio-insecticidal properties of Annona reticulata’ showcased the bio-insecticidal properties of the leaves of the plant. Traditionally, the extracts of various parts of this plant have been used to treat diseases like dysentery and pediculosis. The study revealed that extracts from its leaves could be effective against three disastrous pests, with the mortality rate ranging from 78-88 per cent.

ICRISAT’s Deputy Director General-Research Dr Arvind Kumar said, “The Institute encourages participation of youth in agricultural research and has nurtured over 7000 interns and research scholars since its establishment by offering them access to world-class facilities and multidisciplinary mentoring.”

“ICRISAT always looks forward to mentoring young researchers like Sarvesh Prabhu and supporting them in their endeavors for building a sustainable food system for the future generation,” said Dr Sean Mayes, Research Program Director, Accelerated Crop Improvement, ICRISAT.

Addressing the pest problem

Pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera) alone may cause losses of more than US $300 million annually. Green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) causes 38-42 per cent yield loss in various crops and fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) causes 21-53 per cent losses in the absence of pest management. These are the most common pests found in legumes and cereal crops.

“We maintain five insect cultures throughout the year, making it a one-of-its-kind research facility in India and supporting/providing insect cultures to many Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) institutes, state agricultural universities, and private companies for their research activities on toxicology and host plant resistance,” said Dr Jagdish Jaba, Scientist- Entomology, Crop Protection and Seed Health, ICRISAT.

​

Won the third prize and US $1000

Agro Universities, Start ups

Start-ups selected for incubation will be evaluated as per the scheme criteria to receive funding of up to Rs 50 lakh.

Hyderabad based Agribusiness Incubator (ABI) of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has launched a second call for applications from eligible ag-tech start-ups under the National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations-Seed Support Program (NIDHI-SSP).

ABI-ICRISAT will offer incubation services for business development and scaling up activities, access to mentor and investor networks and ecosystem service partner packages. Start-ups selected for incubation will be evaluated as per the scheme criteria to receive funding of up to Rs 50 lakh.

This program is supported by the National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. Indian start-ups working on innovative technologies or business models in the agri-food and allied sectors are encouraged to apply. It is an ideal opportunity for start-ups to raise funds without any equity dilution. ​ ABI-ICRISAT will provide debt-based funding at the prevailing repo rate.

Start-ups selected for incubation will be evaluated