New Developments in Pulses Production Technologies and Strategies for

Enhancing Pulses Production in India

Pooran M Gaur and CLL GowdaInternational Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics

(ICRISAT)Patancheru 502 324, Andhra Pradesh

New Developments in Pulses Production Technologies through ISOPOM/NFSM

projects to ICRISAT and partners

ISOPOM Project

Improving heat tolerance in chickpea (2009/10 to 2012/13)

Increasing incidence of heat stress in chickpea• Increasing area under late sown conditions • Fluctuations and increase in temperatures due to climate change • Large shift in chickpea area from northern India to Southern India

Large genetic variation for heat tolerance in chickpea

Sensitive

Tolerant

The heat tolerant line ICCV 92944 released as “JG 14” in Central India for late sown conditions

Release of heat tolerant variety

JG 14 is being evaluated in late sown conditions in farmers’ fields

ISOPOM Project

Development of extra-large seeded kabuli chickpea varieties

(2005/06 to 2008/09)

Development of large-seeded Kabuli chickpea varieties

25-28 g 100 seed-1 34-40 g 100 seed-1 >50 g 100 seed-1

Before 2000Target of

the projectAfter 2000

Before 2000 Between 2000 to 2005 Target of the project

Extra-large seeded (>50g/100-seed) kabuli chickpea varieties released and breeding materials developed

(A)Varieties released

• KRIPA (Phule G 0517) from Rahuri (2009) – Central Zone

• IPCK 2 from Kanpur (2010) – North-West Plain Zone

(B) Breeding lines developed

Several lines under AICRP and station trials

NFSM Project Enhancing chickpea production in rainfed rice-fallow lands (RRFL) of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh

(2008-2012)

State

Kharif rice area

(m ha)

Rabi fallow

(m ha)

MP + Chhattisgarh 5.60 4.38

Bihar + Jharkhand 5.97 2.20

West Bengal 4.62 1.72

Orissa 3.88 1.22

Maharashtra 1.76 0.63

Assam 2.23 0.54

UP 6.26 0.35

AP 2.66 0.31

Others 7.20 0.30

Total 40.18 11.65Source: Subbarao et al. (2001)

Expanding chickpea cultivation in rice-fallows

Over 3800 demonstrations conducted in 8 villages during 2008-09 to 2009-10

ISOPOM Project:

Enhancing Yield and Stability of Pigeonpea through Heterosis Breeding

(2005-06 to 2009-10)

NFSM Project:

Taking Pigeonpea Hybrids to the Doorsteps of Farmers

(2007-08 to 2011-12)

Hybrid Pigeonpea

• CMS based pigeonpea becomes a reality in the world

• 1550 on-farm trials demonstrated 25- 60% yield increase over check variety

• Hybrid pigeonpea seed production system transferred to Public and Private seed sectors

• ICPH 2671 released by MP in Dec 2010

• ICPH 2740 and other hybrids under on-farm testing in four states

ISOPOM Project Development and Popularization of ‘Model’ Seed

System(s) for Major Legumes to Ensure Seed-Sufficiency at the Village Level

(2006/07 to 2009/10)

Crop States

Chickpea Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh

Pigeonpea Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh

Groundnut Andhra Pradesh, Orissa

Crops and states involved

Salient achievement of Seed System project

• Farmer-preferred varieties of chickpea, groundnut and pigeonpea identified for each location through FPVS trials

• ‘Model’ seed production system(s) identified for each location

• Availability of improved seed enhanced at the local level

Strategies for enhancing pulses production in IndiaStrategies for enhancing

pulses production in India

Expanding area of pulses

• Promotion of pulses cultivation in rice-fallows

• Inclusion of short duration varieties of pulses as catch crop

• Pigeonpea in hills

Enhancing productivity of pulses

• Improved varieties

• Hybrids in pigeonpea

• Agronomic practices for improved crop establishment and soil and water management

• Integrated nutrient management

• Integrated pest/disease/weed management

• Come-up/life saving irrigation in rabi pulses

Technologies available for enhancing productivity

What more is needed?• Availability of quality seed

- Linking formal & non-formal seed sector- Involve Agro-entrepreneurs in seed supply chain- Village Seed Banks/Farmer cooperatives

• Supply micronutrients- Link farmer groups with industry/ suppliers- Soil testing facilities and Soil Health Cards

• Procurement of grain- Remunerative prices to farmers- Timely procurement (at harvest)

• Helicoverpa resistance and herbicide tolerance (Transgenics)

• Suitability for mechanical cultivation

Enhancing profitability of pulses production

• Reducing cost of cultivation

• Promotion of market preferred cultivars• Value addition and linking farmers to market

Lessons to be learned from success stories

Chickpea revolution in Andhra Pradesh

During the past 10 years • 4-fold increase in area• 2.4-fold increase in yield• 9-fold increase in production• Over 90% area under

improved cultivars

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Trends in chickpea area and production in AP

Key factors for chickpea revolution in AP

• Availability of suitable varieties (short-duration, high yielding, fusarium wilt resistant)

• High adoption of improved cultivars and production technologies

• Transformation of subsistence to market-oriented farming

• Grain storage facilities available to farmers at local level and at affordable cost

Suggestions for Pulse Sufficiency

• Establish National Pulses Board

• Appoint a CEO (Senior IAS Officer)

• Authority & accountability for:

- Coordinating across ministries/departments

- Coordinating with state government machinery

- Supply of necessary inputs

- Monitor grain procurement and remunerative prices to farmers (not to traders)

Thank you!Thank you!