Factsheet 1

Satna and Chitrakoot: An Overview of Agriculture

Satna district of Madhya Pradesh and Chitrakoot district of Uttar Pradesh fall in the Central Plateau and Hills agroclimatic zones of India. The region has a peculiar climate and its soil conditions require specific agricultural technologies, making agricultural activities more disadvantageous as compared to other regions.

Semi-arid climatic conditions prevail over economic scenario of the district is a lack of the region and water scarcity is a common technological know-how and industrialization. feature. The region is economically very Another constraint is the indiscriminate use of backward (2011 census). The literacy rate in available natural resources. these districts (Satna 63.8% and Chitrakoot The region was blighted by continuous 66.5%) are below the national average of drought between 2003 and 2010, floods 74.0%. The reason behind the poor socio- in 2011, a late monsoon and deficit rain during 2012 and 2013, and a second spell of drought during 2014 and 2015. The increased drought frequency has changed farming patterns. Now, the irrigated winter crop and not the rain-fed kharif1 is the main cropping season in the region. Major constraints faced by the farmers are: soil micro- and macronutrient deficiency, low organic carbon, low water-use efficiency and non-adoption of resource conservation techniques, inadequate supply of quality seeds and planting material, need for diversification through cultivation of pulses and oilseeds,

1 The Indian cropping season is classified into two main seasons: kharif and rabi, based on the monsoon. The kharif cropping season is from July- October during the south-west monsoon and the rabi cropping season is from October-March (winter). The crops grown between March and June are summer crops. The terms originate from Arabic language where kharif means autumn and rabi means spring. inadequate extension support, lack of emphasis on development of horticulture including arid horticulture, lack of post-harvest and marketing infrastructure, lack of suitable programme for livestock development with special reference to dairying and need for fishery development both in terms of coverage and marketing. With the aim of improving livelihood and nutrition security of farmers in the region, Bioversity International in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK) at Chitrakoot and Satna, is implementing different activities under the ‘Seeds for Needs’ initiative. Farmers are being exposed to more varieties of different crops to understand their quality traits and strengths under different agroclimatic conditions. Though sharing the border, the two districts present very different agroclimatic conditions. Fig: Geographical location of the project sites. by farmers are hard rocks underneath and non-trapping of ground water. Total geographical area is 0.3 million ha comprising 55,000 ha of forest area. The net sown area is 0.17 million ha, out of which net irrigated area is 46,000 ha (26.4%). Yamuna and Mandakini, two important rivers of the district, are a major source of irrigation. The average rainfall is 850 mm but during the last 5 years it has gone down to 550 mm. Major crops grown are rice, sorghum, pearl millet and pigeon pea in kharif season and wheat, gram, lentil and mustard during rabi season. Very limited area is covered with summer crops under irrigation conditions. Depending on the availability of water, Satna The soils are deficient in organic farmers differ in their farming systems. District Satna of Madhya Pradesh is carbon (0.14 – 0.43%), available Under rain-fed conditions, farmers situated between latitudes 23° 58’ nutrients status shows low to medium prefer to integrate cereal cultivation and 25° 12’ north and longitude nitrogen, low to medium phosphorus with agroforestry, whereas under 80° 21’ and 81° 23’ east with an and medium to high potassium, boron irrigated conditions, agroforestry is average elevation of 317 m. and zinc micronutrients deficient soils. replaced with vegetables and orchards. Those who have farm lands on the Forests cover a significant part (0.2 Chitrakoot riverside mainly opt for vegetable million ha) of the region. Out of the District Chitrakoot of Uttar Pradesh cultivation. Wheat, paddy, maize, total 0.7 million ha of the district, the lies between the latitudes 24° 48’ to sorghum, chickpea, pigeon pea and total net sown area is 0.3 million ha. 25° 12’ north and longitudes 80° 58’ green gram are major crops in the Common animals found in the forests to 81° 34’ east. It is in the 134-252 district. are: tiger, panther, sambar deer, chital, m elevation range. During 2006, the wild bear, etc. Cows and goats play a very important Ministry of Panchayati Raj identified role in the rural economy, although The size of landholding is very small. Chitrakoot as one of the country’s 250 farmers are getting very low output from About 71.7% of farmers are either small most backward districts. these animals. Now, resourceful farmers (1-2 ha) or marginal (less than 1 ha). One of the major constraints faced are replacing cows with buffaloes. The average annual rainfall is about 781 mm. The climate is generally dry except during the south-west monsoon that brings 75% of the total normal rainfall (June-September). The district is largely rain fed with only 27% of the net sown area having access to irrigation against the state average of 40%. Bore wells and open wells are the major source of irrigation. There are no river-based major irrigation projects in the district. The major crops grown are rice, pigeon pea, and soybean in kharif season and wheat, chickpea and lentil in rabi season. Area under horticultural crops is less than 2.3%. For more information about Bioversity International’s work in India, see:

Factsheet 1A Factsheet 2

Science-led Agriculture at Farmers’ Doorstep – Nutritional Security through Diverse Horticultural Crops: Collaborating with Krishi Vigyan Kendras Factsheet 1A An Integrated Component of Seeds for Needs Factsheet 2 Background Key Focus Areas Background except cereals and millets, is lower than the India is predominantly an agrarian country 1. On-farm testing to assess agricultural Traditionally, in India and other South Asian recommended dietary allowance (RDA). and more than 60% of its population directly technologies developing countries, sustenance farming is The inclusion of crop diversity in farming or indirectly depends on agriculture. The mainly based on cereal cultivation followed 2. Frontline demonstrations to establish systems can help develop a stable and transfer of technology (TOT) forms the main by pulses, oilseeds and some forage grasses potential of technologies on farmers’ sustainable agricultural system, and at the edifice on which the success of agricultural to feed livestock. fields same time ensure better livelihoods and production depends. The TOT remains a key The practice of monoculture and the reduce malnutrition by injecting a supply of missing link as the main stakeholders living 3. Capacity development of farmers and disappearance of landraces and traditional vital nutrients and minerals at the household in remote areas are not adequately educated. extension personnel crop diversity, have resulted in imbalanced level. The ‘Seeds for Needs’ initiative is Besides, Indian agriculture obtains the best 4. Guidance to farmers using ICT and other Science-led Agriculture diets and malnutrition, which affect women broadening the crop genetic base by also Nutritional Security results where crops, animal husbandry, media. and children the most. Data from the National including horticultural crops that can reduce horticulture and fisheries are an integral part farmers’ dependence on cereals and increase The KVKs are one of the important Nutrition Monitoring Bureau indicate that of a harmonized system. Addressing these their livelihood security. institutions to translate the vision of Indian households’ daily intake of all foods, problems is the primary role of a grass-root Bioversity International at the grass-root level level institution: the Krishi Vigyan Kendras Our Approach in India. Bioversity International has been (KVK) or farm science centres – a unique and collaborating with several KVKs across the The villages chosen for planting fruit crops widely acclaimed system in the world. country to implement its initiatives or collect at Farmers’ Doorstep – are located in low rainfall regions, where tree through Diverse There are more than 600 KVKs in India. The data, carry out socio-economic studies and plantation has an important role in sustaining KVK network, an integral part of the National validate technologies. KVKs take Bioversity small farmers’ livelihood security, besides Agricultural Research System (NARS), International’s innovations to farmers in the helping to conserve soil. We are providing aims to assess and facilitate the uptake of most remote areas and our initiatives are quality seed and seedlings of vegetable to location-specific technologies in agricultural scaled up. the irrigated areas in Satna and Chitrakoot development. districts. The selection of crops and varieties Collaborating with Krishi is done in consultation with the local national Horticultural Crops: An partners. Planting material is procured from “Krishi Vigyan Kendras develop official sources, such as the Indian Council FAITH in the farmers.” of Agricultural Research (ICAR), agricultural universities and other government approved Shri Narendra Modi, Honourable Prime nurseries. To improve the availability of quality Minister of India planting material in remote areas, Bioversity International has involved women self-help Vigyan Kendras groups and trained them in nursery raising Integrated Component of (See factsheet 5), successful growing of crops and adoption of plant protection measures on fruit trees. Top image: Krishi Vigyan Kendra Satna Top image: Fruit tree plantation in low rainfall areas Farmers’ meet at KVK Satna Fruit diversity at display Seeds for Needs

Factsheet 3 Factsheet 4

Strengthening Seed System through Broadening the Genetic Base and Knowledge of Cultivated Community Seed Banks Factsheet 3 Crops for Climate Adaptation: A Citizen Science Approach Factsheet 4 help farmers to acquire seeds of varieties Background Background The performance of the tested varieties adapted to local conditions that may not Community-managed seed conservation has With climatic uncertainty and extreme events under adverse climatic conditions and be otherwise available through formal seed been in practice for the last few decades with such as floods, droughts, cyclones and heat word-of-mouth have increased farmers’ systems1. the objective to save, reinstate, strengthen waves projected to increase, agriculture and participation from 30 to 40,000 in only 5 and advance local seed systems. A special Bioversity International has started to establish food security are more vulnerable than ever. years. focus of these practices is the conservation CSBs with the ambitious plan of creating a This instability puts productivity, incomes and use of traditional and locally-grown network of CSBs in every state of India, in and ecosystems at risk. Poor smallholder Our Approach crop varieties, which tend to get lost in partnership with the Krishi Vigyan Kendras farming communities will be hit the hardest. We encourage farmers to grow diverse crops, more intensive agricultural systems. With (KVKs – farm science centres of the Indian The ‘Seeds for Needs’ initiative helps farmers however, farmers do not always have access community seed banks (CSB), farmers in one Council of Agricultural Research, ICAR). cope with these uncertainties by exposing Strengthening Seed to information on quality planting material to Broadening the Genetic village or in an area, store seeds of different The basic plan is to streamline a scientific them to more crop varieties and increasing choose different crops and their varieties that crops and varieties for agrobiodiversity method of low-energy seed storage and their knowledge about different useful traits. suit their conditions. conservation and cultivation purposes. to create an information system linking all A basket of different crop species/varieties/ Seeds for Needs-India started in 2011 to: The traditional and farmers’ saved varieties CSBs that displays the diversity conserved in cultivars is the best insurance against the often have lower yield potential compared all CSBs in real time. The use of Information vagaries of the weather and biotic stresses. • Expose farmers to more crops and to improved high-yielding varieties (HYVs). Technology (IT) in linking these seed banks will Crop diversity improves soil fertility, supports varieties to increase their first-hand However, traditional varieties are liked by come at a later stage when the seeds banks pollination, controls pests and diseases, and knowledge about different traits and System through options available Base and Knowledge most of the farmers due to their taste, are functioning in full capacity. Adding GIS ensures yield and economic stability while medicinal properties, resistance to emerging information to this database will provide a new contributing to food and nutritional security. • Ensure farmers have always access to pest and diseases, etc. Under optimum dimension to the available information. This quality planting material that fits their climatic conditions, HYVs provide more system will serve as a model/prototype for the changing needs. We strengthen their returns with better produce but with the National System (NBPGR/PPV&FRA) who can ‘Seeds for Needs’ is a seed systems and seed-saving capacity change in climatic conditions, they fail to further expand this network. through on-farm training. perform. In such a scenario, traditional Bioversity International global varieties perform better since they are often Our Progress Community Seed Banks Cropping patterns are diversified by providing of Cultivated Crops for initiative to reduce seeds of legumes, cereals, oilseeds and well adapted to local conditions. Bioversity International India has supported vegetables. To share information and capture KVKs in setting up 11 CSBs to conserve local On-farm conservation of local varieties farmers’ vulnerability in a feedback in a dynamic environment, digital Top image: Members of the Balapur in CSBs is an effective way of preserving plant biodiversity and establish a viable seed Community Seed Bank technology is integrated into the programme. agrobiodiversity as well as supplying supply system for sustainable farming. We scenario of climate change Credit: Bioversity International/ Selection of varieties: Different sets A.Gupta adequate quantity of seed for use. They also not only support the establishment of CSBs and other risks by using of varieties are selected for different agroecological systems. The selection is Climate Adaptation: A existing crop diversity. done from a broad pool and major selection

1 Vernooy, R., Shreshtha, P and Sthapit, B (2015): The Rich but little known chronicles of community seed banks. In: Community Seed Banks: Origin Evolution and Prospects. Vernooy, R., Shreshtha, P and Sthapit, B. (Eds). Routlege. ISBN: 978-1-315-88632-9 Citizen Science Approach

Factsheet 5 Factsheet 6

Crop Diversification through Commercial Horticultural A Genetic Garden to Safeguard Minor Fruits: Nurseries - An Initiative to Empower Women Farmers Factsheet 5 A Bioversity International Initiative Factsheet 6 Background harvesting and marketing more efficient. Background Bioversity International’s efforts in India While agriculture is the predominant Farmers can keep the crop in the field for a Agrobiodiversity plays a pivotal role in have focused on building a global network occupation in the Bundelkhand region, the longer period, providing an opportunity to meeting basic human needs and sustaining for promoting and mainstreaming neglected land available for cultivation is less compared produce seed, especially of vegetable crops the planet. Wild edible fruits were an and underutilized fruit crops. In a previous to other agricultural zones of the country. that require longer to be produced. Raising important source of food for humankind prior initiative on tropical fruit trees implemented Chitrakoot district lies on the southern horticultural crops through quality seedlings to the dawn of civilization and domestication under a UNEP-GEF programme, we have fringe of Uttar Pradesh, bordering Madhya is particularly beneficial in areas with hard of fruit crops. The tribal groups inhabiting generated valuable information on tropical Pradesh. The net sown area of the district is soils, such as Chitrakoot and Satna. forests depended on fruits growing in the fruit trees and on the role of custodian 174,000 ha, out of which the irrigated area wild and passed on their valuable traits farmers in conserving agrobiodiversity on- is 46,000 ha. The land is mostly irrigated Our Approach: Establishing and knowledge about their use from one farm. Based on these studies, the programme Crop Diversification now extends to several other minor fruit A Genetic Garden to through canals. Due to the limited availability Commercial Nurseries generation to the other. Though 5,538 plant of water, farmers follow a comparatively safer To promote diversity in farmers’ fields and species are reported to be used for human crops in tropical and sub-tropical regions. option of cereal-based cropping systems, ensure a successful harvest, Bioversity consumption, 30 alone contribute to more which require less irrigation and inputs International and the Deendayal Research than 90% of the world’s total calorie intake compared to horticultural crops. However, Institute are developing sample nurseries in and only 120 are economically important at adopting horticultural crops has the potential net houses for farmers in Chitrakoot district. the national level1. There are 256 species to diversify production and offer income An important aspect of this work is raising through Commercial of underutilized and less known minor fruit Safeguard Minor Fruits: opportunities in the region. Establishing awareness among farmers on the importance plants representing 105 genera and 45 nurseries that can provide good-quality of raising quality seedlings in nurseries in families that are grown in different Asia- 2 planting material is essential to fulfil this plug trays. Bioversity International provides Pacific regions . This shows that a large potential. women farmers in Self Help Groups (SHGs) number of species remains in the wild and with an erected net house for production many are underutilized or less utilized. Advantages of Nurseries of quality planting material. Additionally, Neglected and underutilized fruit crops For growers: Nurseries under a net house constitute an important source of food can be established on a small piece of land Horticultural Nurseries - A Bioversity International and nutrition for tribal people. They can – even farmers with small land-holding can help mitigate and adapt to the effects start their own. Raising seedlings in plug of climate change – they grow well in trays allows to use the space vertically, thus marginal lands withouth much attention generating more profit. Growers get a better and regular agricultural practices, and they price as seedlings are being sold on a count often remain unaffected by new climatic basis. Top image: Genetic Garden for conditions, helping to ensure health and An Initiative to Empower underutilized fruits nutrition security. For over a decade, Initiative For Users: Users (here referring to farmers)

get healthy seedlings that are uniform in Annona muricata growth and mature at the same time, making 1 Williams and Haq 2000, Padulosi et al 2000) Women Farmers 2 R. K. Arora, (2014) ‘Diversity in underutilized plant species’

Factsheet 7 Factsheet 8

Nutritionally Rich Minor Fruits: Conservation, Evaluation Crop Diversity and Farming Practices for Soil Health: and Sustainable Utilisation Factsheet 7 A Citizen Science Approach Factsheet 8 Background Top image: Background Our Approach Sampling site in Ladakh Malnutrition affects one in every three persons on the planet. A total of 159 million children Being the second largest carbon store after Indicators of soil health used in the project are: under the age of five are estimated to be stunted. Two billion people are deficient in one or oceans, soils play a key role in climate • Chemical – pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, more micronutrients and nearly the same number are overweight or obese leading to many change mitigation. Soil biodiversity largely potassium and organic carbon genetic or physiological ailments. Diversity in food plates balances the diets by supplying influences agricultural productivity and missing nutrients. Commercially grown major fruits are good source of vitamins and minerals, increases soil resilience. Soil organisms drive • Physical – soil aggregates stability, soil but also require special care and more inputs. Underutilized minor fruits can bridge this gap as fundamental ecosystem services, such as bulk density, soil texture and water they grow in adverse conditions on all kinds of soil. This strength of minor fruits is particularly nutrient cycling and organic matter formation holding capacity useful in a country like India, where majority of the farmers are resource-poor and carry out and turnover. • Biological – biomass, activity and farming under not so favourable conditions. Nutritionally Rich Minor At the same time, soil health is affected by structure of microbial communities, and Crop Diversity and Bioversity International, through its genetic garden, is conserving minor fruits collected from climate change. Higher temperatures and parameters describing the populations different sources, evaluating them for their special traits particularly medicinal and nutritional changes in rainfall patterns are altering the of soil invertebrates: earthworms, values and encouraging their cultivation by promoting their benefits. Among the important ecosystem processes on which agricultural and microarthropods (QBS – index tropical minor fruit crops, jackfruit, custard apple, jamun, ber and drumstick are excellent productivity depends. of biological quality of soil). The ‘litter sources of essential vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants. bag’ method and the recent ‘tea bag Maintaining healthy soils is crucial for farmers index’ will be used to study the rate of and crop diversity can play an important role. Fruits: Conservation, decomposition, with different mesh size Farming Practices for Soil Jackfruit ‘Enabling farmers to assess the soil quality to separate the effect of soil macro-, implications of agricultural management meso- and micro fauna from microbial Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) is a high- options: farmer citizen science in Madhya decomposer communities. yielding fruit crop with a rich nutritional value. Pradesh, India’ is a project that is developing Several food products are prepared and and testing prototypes of scalable and non- consumed from its tender and mature fruits complex methods that enable farmers and and seeds. It can be grown on marginal lands school children to assess soil health. The and provides a good income. Its fruits have Evaluation and effect of crop diversity and management Health: A Citizen Science fat-free calorific value, vitamin A and readily practices on soil health will be assessed digestible sugars. The fruits are known for through a citizen science approach. This will their distinct sweet and fruity aroma. The flake assist farmers’ decisions and enhance their is starchy, fibrous and rich in vitamin C. capacity to deal with climatic risks. 100 g of edible flake provides about 95 calories. The seeds provide starch and protein. This work is being carried out in partnership Every part of the plant has distinct uses. Sustainable Utilisation with FES (Foundation for Ecological Security, Approach Jackfruit flakes are used in preparation of Madhya Pradesh), GIZ India, University of Top image: Jackfruit Custard apple - Annona squamosa jams, jelly, chips, papads and other products. Kassel (Germany), University of Parma (Italy) and CAZRI (Central Arid Zone Research

Institute, Leh, Ladakh). Laboratory at CAZRI Leh for soil microarthopods extraction

Contacts: Bioversity International - India Bioversity International is a CGIAR Research Centre. G-1, B-Block, NASC Complex, DPS Marg, CGIAR is a global research partnership for a Pusa Campus, New Delhi 110 012, India. food-secure future. www.cgiar.org Tel. (+91) 11 258 49000 or (+91) 258 49002 Bioversity International is registered as a 501(c)(3) [email protected] non-profit organization in the US. Bioversity International (UK) is a Registered UK Charity No. 1131854. www.bioversityinternational.org