Quick viewing(Text Mode)

MS Swaminathan Award 2009

MS Swaminathan Award 2009

rd Souvenir 3MS Swaminathan Award 2009

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture

Retired ICAR Employees Association Hyderabad - 500 007 A.P. Correct Citation

Souvenir - 3rd M S Swaminathan Award 2009 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture RICAREA, 2009

Edited by M V S Sastry and J Venkateshwar Rao

Published by M.V.S. Sastry, President on behalf of Retired Indian Council of Agricultural Research Employees Association (Regn. No. 5959 of 1997), 7-1-636/10, Model Colony, Hyderabad-500 038.

Website http://www.ricarea.org

Printed at Heritage Print Services Pvt. Ltd. B-11/9, IDA, Uppal, RR Dist.-39 Ph : 2720 6458 Contents

Messages...... 5

M.S.Swaminathan Award - A Foreword...... 11

About RICAREA...... 12

2. Dr. Norman Ernst Borlaug - The man who gave peace to the Hungry world through food...... M.V.Rao...... 14

3. Norman Borlaug MemorialRudder Auditorium, A&M University...... M.S.Swaminathan...... 18

4. Creating, protecting and managing intellectual wealth – and the Indian seed industry...... S.Nagarajan...... 21

5. Climate Change, and ...... M.S.Swaminathan...... 26

6. Intensive Efforts Needed for Food and Nutrition Security...... R.S. Paroda...... 28

7. Climate Change and Rainfed Agriculture ...... B.Venkateswarlu...... 33

8. Impact of climate change on plantation crops...... George V.Thomas, ...... K.V.Kasturi Bai and ...... S.Naresh Kumar...... 36

9. Aquaculture in the Context of Climate Change and Declining Capture Fisheries Production...... M.Vijaya Gupta...... 40

10. Rain-Proofing Cultivation...... B.C.Viraktamath and ...... J.S.Bentur ...... 44

11. Quality Protein (QPM) for Nutritional Security...... H.S. Gupta...... 47

12. Cooperative Farming in Rainfed Areas...... J. Venkateswarlu...... 53

13. Pulses Production in India ...... Masood Ali...... 56

14. Oilseeds in India: Present Status and Suggested Road Map...... D.M. Hegde...... 61

15. Scope for Exalted Status of Cotton in 21st Century...... S.S.Narayanan...... 68

16. Need for Integration of Indian Agriculture with Global Agriculture...... S.M. Ilyas...... 73

17. Gene Targeting in Higher Plants...... P. Ananda Kumar...... 78

18. Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture ...... B.R. Barwale ...... 81 19. Future is Bright for Indian Seed Industry...... M.Prabhakar Rao...... 83

20. Biofuels – Safe & Renewable Sources of Energy...... G.Nagaraj...... 86

21. Oilseed Plants for Energy ...... M.V.R. Prasad...... 88

22. Development of Wastelands in India...... J.V. Rao...... 91

23. Sustainable Food Security of Kerala, Role of Agro-biodiversity – A State-level Dialogue...... R.D. Iyer...... 97

24. Fertility Management in Buffaloes...... P.A.Sarma...... 102

25. Research Priorities in Poultry: Emerging ...... U.Rajkumar and Challenges and Opportunities ...... R.P.Sharma...... 105

26. Emerging trends in Indian Fisheries...... S. Ayyappan and ...... J.K. Jena...... 109 +SÉÇxÉÉ nùkÉÉ (¨ÉÖJÉÉä{ÉÉvªÉɪÉ) ®úɹ]Åõ{ÉÊiÉ ºÉÊSÉ´ÉÉ±ÉªÉ Ê´É¶Éä¹É EòɪÉÉÇÊvÉEòÉ®úÒ (VÉxÉ ºÉ¨{ÉEÇò) ®úɹ]Åõ{ÉÊiÉ ¦É´ÉxÉ Archana Datta (Mukhopadhyay) xÉ<Ç Ênù±±ÉÒ - 110004 Officer on Special Duty (Public Relations) President Secretariat Rashtrapati Bhavan New - 110004

MESSAGE

The , Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, is happy to know that the Retired ICAR Employees Association, Hyderabad is organising the Third M.S. Swaminathan Award on November 14, 2009 and bringing out a Souvenir “Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture” on the occasion.

The President extends her warm greetings and felicitations to the organisers and the participants and wishes the Award Presentation Ceremony every success.

Officer on Special Duty (PR) ¦ÉÉ®úiÉ Eäò ={É-®úɹ]Åõ{ÉÊiÉ Eäò ʴɶÉä¹É EòɪÉÇ +ÊvÉEòÉ®úÒ JOINT SECRETARY & OFFICER ON SPECIAL DUTY TO THE VICE PRESIDENT OF INDIA xÉ<Ç Ênù±±ÉÒ / NEW DELHI - 110001 TEL.: 23016422 / 23016344 FAX : 23012645

MESSAGE

Hon’ble Vice President of India is happy to know that the Retired ICAR Employees Association, Hyderabad is organizing the Third M.S. Swaminathan Award function on 14th November, 2009 and bring out a souvenir on the theme ‘Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture’ on this occasion.

Vice President of India extends his greetings and good wishes to the organizers and the participants and wishes the souvenir and the award function all success.

New Delhi 29th September, 2009 (P. HARISH) |ÉvÉÉxÉ ¨ÉÆjÉÒ EòɪÉÉÇ±ÉªÉ S.N. Sahu Director xÉ<Ç Ênù±±ÉÒ - 110101 Tel: 23014208 Pr i m e Mi n i s t e r ’s Of f i c e New Delhi - 110101

MESSAGE

The Prime Minister is happy to know that the Association of the Retired employees of the Indian Council of the Agriculture Research is presenting the Third M.S. Swaminathan Award on 14th November 2009 and bringing our a Souvenir on the theme ‘Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture’.

On this occasion the Prime Minister extends his greetings and good wishes to the organizers and participants for the success of the award giving function.

October 5, 2009 (S.N. Sahu) RAJ BHAVAN HYDERABAD-500 041

PRESS SECRETARY TO GOVERNOR ANDHRA PRADESH

21st October, 2009

MESSAGE

The Governor of Andhra Pradesh is pleased to convey his best wishes for the success of M. S. SWAMINATHAN SECOND AWARD FUNCTION being organized by the Retired ICAR Employees Associa- tion on 14th November, 2009, at Hyderabad and for bringing out a Souve- nir on the theme of “Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture”.

Press Secretary to Governor CHIEF MINISTER OF AP MESSAGE ¦ÉÉ®úiÉ ºÉ®úEòÉ®ú EÞòÊ¹É +xÉÖºÉÆvÉÉxÉ +Éè®ú ʶÉIÉÉ Ê´É¦ÉÉMÉ B´ÉÆ ¦ÉÉ®úiÉÒªÉ EÞòÊ¹É +xÉÖºÉÆvÉÉxÉ {ÉÊ®ú¹Énù EÞòÊ¹É ¨ÉÆjÉɱɪÉ, EÞòÊ¹É ¦É´ÉxÉ, xÉ<Ç Ênù±±ÉÒ 110 114 GOVERNMENT OF INDIA b÷É. ¨ÉÆMɱÉÉ ®úÉªÉ DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION ºÉÊSÉ´É B´ÉÆ. ¨É½þÉÊxÉnäù¶ÉEò AND INDIAN COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH DR. MANGALA RAI MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, KRISHI BHAVAN, NEW DELHI 110 114 SECRETARY & DIRECTOR-GENERAL TEL : 23382629; Fax: 91-11-23384773; Email: [email protected]

MESSAGE

I am very pleased to know that the Retired ICAR Employees Association is organizing the Third M.S. Swaminathan Award function on 14 November 2009.

Retired persons, more appropriately knowledge tanks in the respective fields, if tapped properly can make any nation prosperous and healthy.

This Association at present is every befittingly serving as a pool of resource- persons for scientific and extension bodies, bringing awareness of latest developments among farming community and general public, and from time to time recognizing and felicitating outstanding scientists.

I wish the Association all the success in future.

Dated the 7 October 2009 (MANGALA RAI) New Delhi Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 M S Swaminathan Award - A Foreword

The Retired Indian Council of Agricultural scientists from all over the country Research Employees Association (RICAREA) covering agricultural sciences (22), was formed in 1997 to promote and further animal sciences (2), fisheries sciences the ideals and objectives of the Indian (2) for the 3rd M.S. Swaminathan award Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), for the biennium 2008-2009. by providing services to Governmental The Selection Committee under Agencies, NGOs, Public & Private enterprises, the Chairmanship of Dr R.S.Paroda and farming community. The association unanimously selected Dr S.Nagarajan, is also serving as a pool of resource Former Director, Indian Agricultural persons for scientific and extension Research Institute, and Presently Chairman, bodies, besides bringing awareness of Protection of Plant Varieties and Farers’ developments in and technology Rights Authority, New Delhi to receive among the farming community and general the Third MS Swaminathan award. His public. At present the Association has a work on has made membership of 319 (250 Life Members significant contribution on society in and 69 Annual Members). terms of enhanced yields. As part of the activities RICAREA in This Souvenir third in series is brought association with Nuziveedu Seeds Pvt out to mark the occasion of the Third Ltd., Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh has MS Swaminathan award presentation. instituted a prestigious National Award This is a collection of 25 invited articles in the name of the living legend Prof apart from the article of the awardee Dr M.S. Swaminathan. This award carries S Nagarajan. with the theme “Emerging a Cash prize of Rs.1.7 lakhs, Gold trends in Indian Agriculture.” Medal and a Citation. There are several prizes/awards/endowment awards being The Association conveys its gratitude conferred on agricultural scientists by and sincere thanks to Smt , ICAR and other agencies. But these Hon. President of India, Shri Mohammad awards are given on the basis of specific Hamid Ansari, Hon. Vice President of age groups, discipline, team work, etc. India, Dr. , Prime and carry less prize money. We may say Minister of India, Sri Narayan Dutt here that this is the highest recognition Tiwari, His Excellency, the Governor of to an agricultural scientist for his life Andhra Pradesh, Dri K. Rosaiah, Hon. time achievements and contributions to Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh for Indian agriculture and the prize amount their Messages and blessings. is also the highest at present. On behalf of the Association we would The first M.S. Swaminathan award for like to thank Sri M.Prabhakara Rao, the biennium 2004-2005 was presented MD Nuziveedu Seeds and Members of to leading Poultry Scientist Dr Genda RICAREA. We thank the support and Lal Jain on 27th October 2005. The encouragement given by the advertisers second M.S. Swaminathan award for the which enabled to bring out this Souvenir biennium 2006-2007was presented to in record time. Dr B S Prakash NDRI Scientist on 3rd I hope that the Souvenir with articles November 2007. On both the occasions from specialists belonging to major Souvenirs with articles from leading fields of agriculture would serve as a scientists of different crops, disciplines reference guide. were released. M.V.S.Sastry & J.Venkateswara Rao In response to our letters we have Retired ICAR Employees Association received 26 nominations from eminent

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 11 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009

About RICAREA

The genesis of Retired Indian Council to provide a forum for sustaining of Agricultural Research Employees professional?) interest of the Association (RICAREA) was initiated in members. 1994 by late Dr K V Poornachandra Later on the Association also took up Rao, Retd. Joint Director, NEH Complex, the cause of recognizing and felicitating Manipur who discussed issues regarding members on completion of 75 years. medical facilities for retired employees from ICAR with Sri J R K Rao, Drs N At present the Association has a G P Rao, S V S Shastry, V V S Murthy, membership of 319 (250 Life Members R Seetharaman, J Venkateswarlu and and 69 Annual Members) from all over M V S Sastry. Subsequently a few more the country. retired employees joined this group Annual Day and prepared a list of all retired ICAR employees settled in Hyderabad and Since 1998 Annual Day is organized organized informal meetings to discuss and members participate with their various issues related with retired families. A custom was started from employees’ welfare. One of the main 2001 onwards to invariably invite an issues regarding extension of ‘medical eminent person from public life as facilities’ emerging from these meetings Chief Guest for the function. The list of was sent as representation to ICAR and luminaries who graced the annual days concerned Minister. were Dr D. Bala Subramaniam (2001), Justice G Raghuram (2002), Gen. K.V. After two years of informal meetings, Krishna Rao (2003), Dr Kakarla Subba members felt the need to register the Rao (2004), Dr Y.L. Nene (2005), Dr A. body and thus the present Retired Indian Appa Rao (2006), Dr A.Panduranga Rao Council of Agricultural Research Employees (2007).Dr A.V. Guruva Reddy (2008 ) Association (RICAREA) was formed on and Dr ( 2009). 13-09-1997 with full complement of office bearers with Dr. E A Siddiq as its Members felicitated on President. The Association was registered completion of 75 Years in Hyderabad under the Andhra Pradesh (Telangana areas) Public Registration Every year RICAREA felicitates the Act 1350 Fasli (Act I of 1350 F 0 on members who enter their Platinum November 22, 1997 with Registration jubilee year. No. 5959 of 1997). List of members felicitated on Objectives of the Association completion of 75 years: • To serve as a pool of resource persons • Drs/s Sarvasri for scientific and extension bodies. 2001: J S Kanwar, Karlapalem S Murty & J Suryanarayana. • To bring about awareness of developments in science and technology • 2002: I V G Krishna Murty, V V S among the farming community and Murty, D S Sastry, P Madhusudan. general public. • 2003: N Ganga Prasada Rao, • To safeguard the general welfare and R Seetharaman, V Ravindranath,

12 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 P Satyanarayana, V Joseph & Y care. Dr. A V Guruva Reddy gave a talk Sathi Raju. on Arthritis of Knee & Hips --- Facts • 2004: M V Rao, S V S Shastry, and Myths. Kuchimanchi S Murty, A V Subbayya, Information about Association B R John, V Soundara Rajan & M To cater the needs of the members Surya Rao. located in different places including foreign • 2005: N C Gopalachari and S Krishna countries, a website was launched a few Murty. years back to disseminate information • 2006: M V S Sastry, KV Subba Rao, about all activities of RICAREA to D V Reddy, P V Anantaraman, P S members as well as other interested Krishna Murty, D Seshagiri Rao & organizations and persons. The url V Appa Rao. is www.ricarea.org which is updated regularly with complete data of members. • 2007: S Chittaranjan, G Sreerama Murty, Many members have contributed for the K V Raman & S Srinivasan. growth of this association. We place • 2008: G V G Krishna Murty, I M on record our fond memories of those Seshagiri Rao, M Nageswara Rao, R departed but left an indelible mark Brahmanandam, R A Hodlur, C C on the growth and development of our Panduranga Rao, K V Satyanarayana Association. Among them are: Drs/S/ and T Appa Rao. Sri. B. Venkateswarlu, P V Ramana • 2009: G S R Murthy, P V Subba Murthy, K V P Rao, M J Balakrishna Rao, D V Seshu, N J Mudholkar, Rao, T.P.Sriharan, N S Rao and M M Subrahmanyam, C R Padalia, J Someswara Rao. Drs P.V.Subba Rao, Bhimsen Rao, G Narasimha Reddy, V.Nageswara Rao, M.Bangarayya and R R V Vidyabhushanam, S R Gawali, K Mallikarjuna Rao are also significantly Madhusudhana Rao, G Annamachari, D contributing. These are the few names S Murthy and R D P Mohana Rao. which come to our mind when we talk of the Association. The members who are Welfare Activities actively associated and still contributing One of the aims of the Association is to the overall health of the Association to take up matters related to healthcare are: Drs/S/Sri. M V Rao, N G P Rao, with the concerned authorities. To improve V V S Murthy, V Jayamohana Rao, J R the understanding of the members K Rao, J Venkateswarlu, K.Vidyasagar regarding healthcare a few lectures Rao, S.Indira, J.Venkateshwar Rao, were arranged on health matters in K.Purnachandra Rao, Vijay Singh, collaboration with corporate hospitals. P.Kumaraiah, G.Nagaraj, M.Naga Raju, On 03-09-2006 lectures by Dr K Sailaja Y.S.Ramakrishna and S S Narayanan. on Secrets of healthy lungs, and Liver The Executive Body of the Association care by Dr Asha Subba Lakshmi were is able to function efficiently because arranged. Sri C V Rao Engineer talked on of the whole hearted support and help Energy conservation. Dr. A Panduranga received from its members. Rao gave a talk on Emergency health M V S Sastry

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 13 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009

Dr. Norman Ernst Borlaug - The man who gave peace to the Hungry world through food M.V. Rao A hungry person listens neither to reason or religion, nor is bent by any prayer and where hunger rules, peace cannot prevail. -Senaca (3000BC)

Through his tech- Borlaug and recommended his name for nologies and dedicated appointment in 1942 as a pathologist in and committed efforts a newly initiated programme in D r . N o r m a n E r n s t by the to work Borlaug increased food on wheat. This programme later got production in general upgraded in 1944 into the International and wheat production Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre in particular and helped (CIMMYT). All his active life was spent many countries in the here in Mexico developing varieties and world like Asia, and technologies in wheat which brought Africa to increase their food production Green revolutions round the world in by several folds and saved millions several countries. India is one of the of people from hunger and . major beneficiaries of his dwarf varieties. Born in a humble Norwegian family of After retirement he moved to Texas migrants to America he lived and was A&M University, USA but continued brought up in harsh conditions. His his invaluable service as an advisor early education up to eighth standard to CIMMYT wheat programme till his was in a one teacher one room school. last moment. He lived up to a ripe age He had to work as a daily wager and of 95 years (born on 25th later on when he went to college as and expired on 12th September 2009). a waiter in a restaurant for which Several awards, rewards, honorary he was given only lunch and supper degrees of 50 universities and highest as remuneration. He graduated as a honors were showered on him all over botanist and got his M.Sc and Ph.D the world. He was the first agricultural degrees specializing in scientist who received the and in University of for Peace and American Congress Gold ,USA. Besides being good in Medal. The honored studies he was also a good wrestler and him with . Several baseball player of distinction in both Institutions, laboratories, roads in cities school and college and captained the were named after him. Several books teams. He worked for some time as a were written on Dr. Borlaug extensively forester in a lonely remote forest area covering his contributions to prevent where his food supplies used to arrive famines, starvations and hunger which once in a week. During war time he led to world peace. The citation of the worked as a biochemist in E.L. Dupont committee at the Company at . His teachers time of its offer Dr. Borlaug states: at Minnesota, like the world famous “The world has vacillated between fear pathologist Dr. E.C. Stakman recognized of two catastrophies - the population the talents, competence and skills of Dr. explosion and the atom bomb. Both

14 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 posed a mortal threat. In this intolerable low voice you have to be near them situation, with the menace of doomsday to hear. If you are sitting far off in hanging over us, Dr. Borlaug comes air conditioned rooms you can never onto the stage and cuts the Gordian listen to their voices. knot. He has given us a well -founded 2. We have only one Doctor i.e. Sun hope, an alternative of peace and of God. If you are working in the Sun life – the .” in the fields the sun God will take It will be pertinent at this juncture to care of your health and you will take note of Dr. Borlaug’s views while never fall sick. accepting the Nobel Prize for Peace. 3. Always aim for the stars. Even if you “There can be no permanent progress cannot reach them, at least you will in the battle against hunger until the get the star dust on your fingers and agencies that fight for increased food hands. production and those that fight for population control unite in a common 4. Agricultural research without application effort. Fighting alone, they may win is only a hobby and application temporary skirmishes but united they without research is folly. can win a decisive and lasting victory 5. Constructive good work is the best to provide food and other amenities of medicine God has ever given to man. a progressive civilization for the benefit So go on doing good work. of all mankind.” In the same vein he 6. Technology alone cannot bring revolution continued “If you desire peace, cultivate in farming; it should be supported and justice, but at the same time cultivate backed up with appropriate policies, the fields to produce more food, otherwise administrative support, prices and there will be no peace.” inputs to the farmers. The above statement shows the real 7. For generation of technology and its nature and goal of Dr. Borlaug. He was successful transfer to the end –users: intensely interested in fostering peace; multidisciplinary team work is most reduce hunger and in the essential. world. He was extremely humane in his outlook and approach. World over 8. Bureaucracy is the biggest hurdle Dr Borlaug is considered as a great for progress. If one is firm in his fighter not as in war to kill people, conviction he should cut across the but to save millions of people from bureaucratic hurdles and push the hunger, starvation and death. He will programmes. be remembered for generations to come 9. Responsible is not the as a person deeply concerned about enemy, starvation is. human happiness, dignity, wellbeing 10.If the farmer is pinching your material and peace. in the field be happy and do not For the information and guidance discourage him. This means he likes of Scientists, Policy Makers and your new varieties and technologies and Administrators I would like to quote this is the best way of extension. some of the statements of Dr. Borlaug 11.Arm chair theoratians and planners which I noted in my last 50 years of and other sooth sayers talk in gullible association with him :- terms about lack of growth of food 1. For Plant Scientists who are involved grains production, in spite of bumper in giving results to the society: harvests. The only way to convince Plants speak. They speak in such a that there is progress is by making

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 15 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 them carry the extra bags of food the world, it is because of the seed of grains on their backs from the field Green Revolution he planted. India is to the market places. After carrying fortunate to have top ranking scientists, few bags then they will say “oh! administrators, policy makers with There is progress.” strong input supply agencies and very 12.Organic farming is good for certain hardworking farming community. Indian high priced horticulture crops, and scientists greatly improved and refined for improving soil health, texture the original varieties and technologies and hydraulic conductivity. It cannot of DR. Borlaug and took the Green improve yields significantly. Organic Revolution to new heights. Having been material like dung cannot replace associated with the Indian wheat program chemical for boosting up in various capacities since 1952, I know food grain production. You require 4.7 the enormous value of Dr. Borlaug’s help billion tones of organic to compensate since 1963 till he breathed his last. He for 70 million tones of chemical was interested in India’s progress and fertilizers. Where is this quantity food security. The first impact of his of organic material and where are technologies was felt in 1967-68 in the the cattle and the enormous extra rise of wheat production by four million land that is needed to feed the extra tons from 12.4 million tones of earlier cattle? highest record of 1964-65, to 16.3 million tones. There was no place for 13.If I am a Parliament Member in storing the extra wheat because India India after every one hour I will get was living on field –to- mouth or ship up and say more inputs and more –to -mouth condition. Prime Minister inputs to the crops to increase food madam Indira Gandhi released a postal production. stamp “Wheat Revolution 1968” to mark There are many other instances of the start of the Green Revolution. India his exemplary life to quote. The amount never looked back it, steadily increased of encouragement Dr. Borlaug gave its wheat production to unprecedented to young people all over the world to 80.7 million tons in 2008-09 and buffer become good scientists and leaders stock storage of 25million tons of wheat. is enormous. Thousands of young India could withstand shocks of excessive scientists were trained by him. He rains, droughts, floods etc. because of strongly believed that “the mark of a true the security on the food front. leader is not to create more followers Dr. Borlaug used to visit India every but build more leaders.” He was very year, sometimes twice a year and work firm in his conviction “without aggressive in the wheat fields with scientists, travel agricultural research programmes, the extensively in the wheat growing states world will soon be overwhelmed by the and address and interact with lakhs population monster.” of farmers. Leaving aside the scientific The contribution of Dr. Borlaug talents of Dr. Borlaug he used to play to India’s food security, through his a critical role in influencing political dwarf wheat varieties, production, leaders, policy makers, administrations protection technologies and transferring for making available to farmers, inputs, of technologies through talks and favorable prices, technology transfer demonstrations are enormous and etc. He was bold, frank and rigid in incomparable. India has emerged as the expressing his views and was disdainful 3rd biggest food grain producer, and 2nd of bureaucratic controls and unproductive biggest producer of rice and wheat in publications. Everybody in India right

16 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 from the top echelons of Indian political one is maintenance of democracy and and scientific system to the farmers the other is the Green Revolution.” This used to await the visit of Dr. Borlaug summarizes the role of Dr. Borlaug in for his advice, assistance, guidance and the Indian context. inspiration. As homage in memory of Dr. Norman Dr. Borlaug’s efforts to banish hunger Borlaug the Scientist, Planner, Policy and give food security are not only Maker, Encourager of talent and, above confined to India but to all developing all a great humanist who always thought countries of the world particularly of of the welfare of people of the world, is Asia, Latin America and Africa. His to fix his goals in our mind and follow technologies were also exploited in his footsteps and work for everlasting developed countries of North America, peace. The saying “the only thing you Europe and Australia. The very fact that take with you when you are gone is he accepted the responsibility to work what you leave behind” fits very aptly as Vice Chairman and later Chairman to Dr. Borlaug and the whole world of the Sasakawa Global 2000 will remember him for generations to Foundation to reduce hunger in the come for what he left behind. At the stricken countries of Africa shows sad demise of this great human being th his concern for humanity. His Excellency on the 12 September 2009, we all The President of India Dr. K.R. Narayanan pray to Almighty God to give peace in his Republic Day message some and solace to the departed soul of Dr. years back said, “India’s two greatest Norman E. Borlaug. achievements after independence are,

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 17 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 Norman Borlaug Memorial Rudder Auditorium, Texas A&M University 6 October 2009 Memorial Address by Prof M S Swaminathan

I feel privileged to The work he did in Mexico during have been invited to the 1950s in breeding semi-dwarf, speak at this memorial resistant wheat varieties and its extension designed to celebrate to India, and other countries the life and work of during the 60s brought about a total Norman Borlaug, who transformation in the atmosphere in has been aptly referred the possibility of achieving a balance to by the Nobel Peace between human numbers and the human Prize Committee as the capacity to produce food. Developing greatest hunger fighter of our time. nations gained in self-confidence in their I have had the privilege of knowing agricultural capability. He disproved Dr Borlaug and working with him for the prophets of doom like Paul and nearly 50 years. I first heard him in William Paddock and Paul and Anne 1953 outline an innovative strategy for Ehrlich. Paul and William Paddock combating wheat rusts at the University even advocated the application of the of , Madison. From 1963 “triage” principle in the selection of onwards he visited India in March every countries which should and should year to see the wheat crop. During his not be saved from starvation through extensive travels by road, he used to American assistance. India was listed stop frequently, talk to the farmers in such an analysis as a nation which and examine the state of the health of can never feed itself. the plants. Plants and farmers became The introduction of Mexican Semi- his life long friends and companions, dwarf varieties of wheat in India in the and eliminating the wheat rust menace early 1960s helped not only to improve became his unrelenting mission. wheat production, but also led to the Dr Borlaug started his research union of brain and brawn in rural career in agriculture in Mexico at a time areas. The enthusiasm generated by when the world was passing through the new technology can be glimpsed in a serious food crisis. During 1942-43, the following extract from an article I nearly 2 million people died of hunger had written in the Illustrated Weekly during the great Bengal Famine. China of India in 1969 : also experienced widespread and severe “Brimming with enthusiasm, hard- famine during the 1950s. Famines working, skilled and determined, the were frequent in , the Sahelian Punjab farmer has been the backbone of region of Africa and many other parts the revolution. Revolutions are usually of the developing world. It was in associated with the young, but in this this background that Borlaug decided revolution, age has been no obstacle to look for a permanent solution to to participation. Farmers, young and recurrent famines by harnessing science old, educated and uneducated, have to increase the productivity, profitability easily taken to the new . It and sustainability of small farms. has been heart-warming to see young

18 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 college graduates, retired officials, ex- political action and farmers’ enthusiasm armymen, illiterate peasants and small needed to ignite another green revolution farmers queuing up to get the new as in India was lacking in Africa at seeds. At least in the Punjab, the divorce that time. between intellect and labour, which Concerned with the lack of adequate has been the bane of our agriculture, recognition for the contributions of farm is vanishing” and food scientists, he had the World The five principles Borlaug adopted, in Food Prize established in 1986, which his life, to quote his own words, were he hoped would come to be regarded as • Give your best the Nobel Prize for food and agriculture. My research centre in Chennai in India • Believe you can succeed is the child of the first World Food • Face adversity squarely Prize I received in 1987. Throughout • Be confident you will find the answers his professional career, Borlaug spent when problems arise time in training young scholars and researchers. This led him to promote • Then go out and win some bouts the Youth Institute These principles have shaped the and its programme to help high school attitude and action of thousands of students work in other countries in young farm scientists across the world. order to widen their understanding He applied these principles in the field of the human condition. This usually of science and agricultural development, became a life-changing experience for but I guess he developed them much them. earlier in the field of wrestling, judging When Mahatma Gandhi died in from his induction into the Wrestling January 1948, the then Prime Minister Hall of Fame in 2004. of India, Jawaharlal Nehru said, “The Having made a significant contribution light has gone out of our life, but the to shaping the agricultural destiny light that shone in this country was of many countries in Asia and Latin no ordinary light. A thousand years America, Borlaug turned his attention later, that light will be seen in this to Africa in 1985. With support from country, the world will see it, and it President , the late Ryoichi will give solace to innumerable hearts. Sasakawa, Mr Yohei Sasakawa and For that light represented the living, the Nippon Foundation, he organized eternal truth, reminding us of the right the Sasakawa-Global 2000 programme. path, drawing us from error, taking Numerous small scale farmers were helped humankind to freedom from hunger and to double and triple the yield of maize, deprivation”. The same can be said of rice, , millet, wheat, Norman Borlaug. His repeated message and grain legumes. Unfortunately, such that there was no time to relax until spectacular results in demonstration plots hunger became history will be heard did not lead to significant production so long as a single person is denied gains at the national level, due to lack opportunity for a healthy and productive of infrastructure such as irrigation, life because of . roads, seed production and remunerative Norman Borlaug was a remarkable marketing systems. This made him man who was supported by a remarkable exclaim, “Africa has the potential for family – wife Margaret, son William and a green revolution, but you cannot eat daughter Jeanie and lovely grandchildren. potential”. The blend of professional skill, His wife Margaret who died in 2007,

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 19 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 to my mind, is the unsung heroine I was privileged to be present when of the green revolution. Without her he was awarded the Congressional unwavering support, Borlaug might not Gold Medal in 2007. On that occasion have accomplished nearly so much in he pointed out that between the years his long and demanding career. 1960 and 2000 the proportion of “the In the Indian spiritual text Bhagwad world’s people who felt hunger during Gita, sometimes referred to as the Bible some portion of the year had fallen of Hinduism, there is a saying that from about 60% to 14%”. The latter the divine manifests itself in various figure, he went on, still “translates forms, whenever there is acute suffering into 850 million men, women and or injustice on Earth. I feel it will be children who lack sufficient calories appropriate to consider Borlaug as one and protein to grow strong and healthy such messenger who came to the rescue bodies”. He added “the battle to ensure of those struggling for their daily bread. food security for hundreds of millions I am saying this because Dr Borlaug of miserably poor people is far from was not only a great scientist but also won”. This is the unfinished task that a humanist full of compassion and love Norman Borlaug leaves to scientists for fellow human beings, irrespective of and political leaders worldwide. It will race, religion, color or political belief. be appropriate for the Norman Borlaug This is clear from his last spoken words Institute for International Agriculture to on the night of Saturday 12 September become the flagship of the movement 2009, Earlier in the day, a scientist had for a world without hunger. shown him a tracer developed Before I conclude I have the privilege for measuring soil fertility. His last of announcing that the Government of words were “Take the tracer to the India, in recognition of Dr Boalaug’s farmer”. This life long dedication to monumental contributions to food security taking scientific innovation to farmers and rural prosperity, has decided to without delay set Borlaug apart from institute a Norman Borlaug Chair at the most other farm scientists carrying out Indian Agricultural Research Institute, equally important research. New Delhi.

20 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 Creating, protecting and managing intellectual wealth – and the Indian seed industry S.Nagarajan India because it is big has been able to produce intellectual elite of considerable size and competence and to develop a tradition of public debate on national issues - Gunnar Myrdal, 1967

Preamble technology to become a formidable force (Nagarajan, 2007) to match national and P l a n t b r e e d i n g international crop research systems. efforts in India were The outcome was obvious within two initiated almost a decades. The Bt cotton hybrids promoted century ago, by publicly by one of the seed giant, transformed funded institutions to the production system, reduced pesticide develop superior crop usage, improved fiber standards and varieties. In the early above all it received overwhelming support half of the last century from the growers. The seed company these public good efforts converged the technology wrapping it were considered as efforts to enhance in a hybrid cotton seed; protected its the livelihood security of the poor intellectual -wealth through a series of farmers. Seeds of the varieties developed patent, plant variety protection, trade were multiplied in the Government mark and secrecy steps. The company seed farms and were made available was smart to quickly accord franchise to to farmers at concessional rates. By national companies through agreements, 1960s, when new high yielding varieties deals, and agency rights ensuring the were developed seed corporations were flow of royalty (profit) to them. started as government undertakings at federal and state levels. The Seed Act, The recent International Treaty on Plant 1966 was passed around the same time Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture to prescribe quality standards, labeling has also made sure that royalty flows to procedures etc. the third party, in this case the FAO, to take up several activities. The TRIPs Crop emerges as related patent requirements are to be new business properly understood by the Indian seed industry. There will be “no free lunch” When the developing countries were any longer; patents, exclusive rights, rejoicing on the speed and success of the benefit sharing and royalty have all come “Green Revolution” and the manner it to stay with the seed business. fuelled the economic growth of nations, the West got the final proof for what Biodiversity is the brick for the “Crop Genetics” can contribute to the seed industry. Soon, a global variety breeding strategy emerged. Around the world There is an urgent need to conserve many pesticide and seed industries the biological diversity, sustainable merged to consolidate their capital and use of its components and provide an

Chairperson, Protection of Plant Varieties and farmers’ Rights Authority,Government of India, New Delhi. E Mail : [email protected]

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 21 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 equitable sharing of benefits arising out be planted at a given density as without of the use of biological resources. In the good supply of pollen fruit shape and International Convention on Biological size gets distorted. The nature offered Diversity held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, systems can be improved, innovated and it was agreed that biological resources taken-up for opportunistic marketing. are sovereign rights of nations. Since One has to learn from the manner fruit there was no common International industry grew in and Florida of Treaty, the Indian Parliament enacted USA and the Mediterranean nations. the Biological Diversity Act 2002 to safe guard our interest on biological The Secret resources. It is worth remembering The institutions involved in such capital that India is one of the major centers intensive future product development of evolution of several life-forms. This based research must patent the gene / vast wealth of India is a vital input for trait under appropriate legal provisions the growth of pharmaceutical, seed and leaving no fringes of the discovery to be several other industries. While extracting infringed by anyone to produce a “look plants / genes / Indigenous knowledge alike” product. It is better to develop and several elements from the keepers such high value transgenic as hybrid, of biological diversity our industries and park the gene in question in the should make sure that benefit sharing mitochondria of the cell so that along accrues to the hereditary conservers / with pollen, the trait cannot spread to any improvers / perpetuators of this natural other plant. This double safety though wealth. This will also make sure that involves upstream research is possible using molecular tools big companies do to accomplish. The industry can keep not mine the farmer conserved genes the material under “secrets” by holding that govern heat tolerance, quality back the B line (maintainer line). characters, water usage efficiency, saline tolerance etc, so abundantly present Trade Mark in materials. The “Trade Mark”, is an essential marketing and product identification Creating wealth through strategy. Trade Mark should not become innovation generic, must be registered in all countries Nature has provided different types of where the product is to be sold and is to floral biology, sexuality and multiplication be used without a long discontinuation. pathways in plants that can be innovatively Based on the business module adopted used. Perennial crops like temperate by the company, their IP strategy should fruits, mango and orchard crops are be framed. Having a registered Trade grafted on root stocks that enhance Mark, followed by crop identification the performance of the scion. Private and denomination of the variety, can plant breeders in western countries have be adopted by seed companies to have come out with superior root stocks for proper hold on their biological assets. specific variety and both are required to get the desired performance. This Patent therefore enhances the royalty of the Recombinant technology based products tree breeder and like hybrid, provides as validated gene sequences, gene inbuilt safety from infringers. Similarly, constructs, promoters, reporters, special heterocious plants like papaya, date palm synthetic chemical media, staining etc, provide another option; pollinators materials, array of equipments that are are essential in fruit crops and are to designed and developed for such studies

22 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 are all patentable under the Indian Patent to use the variety for further breeding, Act 1970. Patents are exclusive rights provided that it is not repeatedly used granted to the inventor, which he has for the production of another variety, a right to enjoy for a given period of or an essentially derived variety. The time and after which, it automatically PPV&FR Act 2001 is in force from 2005 comes under public domain or when and, from February 2007 registration the inventor does not wish to retain for twelve species got started. As of now the patent. The patent holder rights more than 30 species of plants covering can be purchased by anyone indenting a large number of , millets, grain to develop a commercial product using legumes, vegetables, oil seeds, spices that knowledge or wishing to use it and sugarcane are open for registration in any other form. Therefore the seed as new variety, extant or as essentially industry should get patent for priming derived variety as the case may be. and application procedure, seed coating, Several procedural details have been pelleting improvement, etc. This will notified in the Gazette of India. The Plant prevent others using such systems and Variety Journal of India published every imitating their seed. month by the Authority is the Gazette for this Act where office order, public Biosafety requirements notice, applications accepted by the When gene or a combination of genes registrar for DUS testing, extant varieties normally not present in a given plant granted registration are published to genera is inserted at a designated site enable aggrieved party file their objection of another plant DNA and if that gene(s) seeking a redressel from the registrar is able to express the special trait in who has the powers of a Magistrate the now embedded plant system, then for this Act. Several RTI information the plant thus produced is a transgenic. have been sought, objections have been Since the introduced gene sequence filed, enquiries made and judgments carries with it other DNA appendages, spelled. In other words, the law on and that the pollen of the transgenic PVP has been implemented meeting the can get freely dispersed under natural TRIPS requirements. The rights granted conditions, it has become necessary under the Act are comparable to that to conduct experiments to validate of UPOV 1978 provisions including the the ecological and biological safety of clause dealing with farmer retention of the transgenic. For this purpose the seed. The farmers’ right to compensation Department of Biotechnology of the and his prerogative over the conserved Government of India has prescribed biological resources have been suitably “Biosafety Guidelines” to experiment reflected in the Act. This exclusive right with these materials under containment granted to the breeders / institutions conditions. The Institution’s Biosafety will encourage greater investment in Committee is meant to oversee that the such activities. The rights grated to norms are not violated and steps are the breeder of the variety can be sold, taken to ensure assurance to the society transacted, leased or disposed in any that there is no negligence during the manner and on completion of the process of product development. registration period the material will be under public domain. Also if any Protection of Plant Varieties one other than the initial breeder uses in India the material for deriving the essential characters of the variety, then he is It is never an infringement of plant to take prior approval from the initial breeders’ rights granted under PPV&FRA

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 23 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 breeder. And this gives the latter to plant can be analyzed and only those exercise his rights on benefit sharing. where the gene in question has been integrated can be rapidly advanced and Law on Innovation in public families can be field evaluated to select funded systems the one that would meet the market The Bayh-Dole Act of USA transformed demand. their economic growth by linking the Many of these modern approaches innovations of the public funded institutions are necessary for the seed industry and with the industry which is poised individually they may find it difficult towards product development and delivery to do. So the Seed Association of India system. Impressed by the public-private should call for interested Indian seed partnership that got triggered leading companies, to invest in a Consortium to market dominance by some of the with limited liability, and that consortium well managed companies in India, the should run a “Plant Biotechnology Innovation Bill 2009 is now under service center for Indian seed industry”. consideration by the parliament. Every Each consortium member then pay a public funded institution shall have to fees to get their plant DNA analyzed, put in place an IP management structure or get their MAS done, fiber or oil and develop appropriate institutional quality validated, seed quality tested; frame work to transfer innovations for each on a payment basis. The Board of product development. It is recognized Directors of the consortium should run that business opportunities are available this as private company dedicated to the through IP and will drive major changes in cause of the member seed companies. our current style of handling agriculture, Keeping high degree of confidentiality food and food processing. on the coded material taken for testing is very essential. By coming together How do we do it? the Indian seed companies can emerge Marker aided selection in plant breeding as a formidable force and such bold using the information generated by decisions should be quickly taken if the genomic studies is going to dominate industry is to survive and flourish. future agriculture and crop breeding. Many capital intensive seed companies Creating technology clusters of the west have already blocked several Evidence tends to suggest that genes discovered during genomic studies clustering is a new trend in India in covering rice, wheat etc. Therefore seed the agricultural biotechnology area, industries of the developing countries where knowledge and skills are diffuse, should collectively face these new Czars. complicated and actively protected. Wherever reliable, closely linked, co- Success of the cluster depends on the segregating markers are available for availability of innovation center, which within genera variation, inter or intra can extend an array of functions to the species crossing and varietal development members of the cluster. The BioValley programme can be accelerated. Such model launched in USA is one of the an approach will reduce the variety largest clusters, backed by compre- development time by half. These are hensive government strategies. In India, simple routine techniques and several capital intensive science is taken up markers are now available under public by public funded systems. Seldom and private domain. Using multiple they accommodate start-up companies in markers and high through-put machines their campus by extending incubators, thousands of DNA samples from segregating nor by any agreement transfer their

24 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 innovations to Indian seed companies. Suggested Reading As a result despite heavy research Butler.S.C. 2005. A guide to UK and EU plant expenditure by the Central Government variety rights. Cambridge University Press, the type of cutting edge knowledge Cambridge, UK.125pp and products that are necessary are Cullet,P. 2005. Intellectual property protection not available to Indian companies and and . LexisNexis they are compelled to shop outside the Butterworths, New Delhi, 462p. country under exasperating royalty Krattiger, A., R.T.Mahoney, L.Nelsen, J.A. clauses. The Seed Association of India Thompson, A.B.Bennett, K.Satyanarayana, should take on new role and responsi- G.D.Graff, C.Fernandez, S.P. Kowalski. bilities to make our seed companies 2007. Executive guide on Intellectual Prop- become global. Indian seed industry erty Management in Health and Agricultur- should not have myopia and short- al Innovation: A Hand Book of Best Prac- sighted fly by night approach, but tices.). Vol 1: 214p., MIHR (Oxford, UK), aspire to be a global player as Wipro PIPRA (Davis, USA), Oswaldo Cruz Foun- or TATA. dation (Fiocurz, Rio de Janerio, Brazil) and bioDevelopment – International Institute The purpose of me, harping on (Ithaca, USA). this topic is to prevail on the seed Nagarajan, S. 2007. Knowledge, innovation, industry that doing business as usual intellectual property rights and technology would no longer help and the industry cluster. University News. 45: 20-24. must promote innovative research on Nagarajan, S. 2008. Intellectual property rights seed development to withstand global as an option to promote excellence in Agri- pressures. culture. 38th Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial I would like to conclude by thanking Lecture, IARI, New Delhi. 16p. the RICAREA, and Nuziveedu Seeds, Nagarajan. S. 2008. Benefits that would ac- Hyderabad for presenting me with the crue, obvious. The Hindu survey of Indian 3rd Dr.M.S.Swaminathan Award on 14 agriculture. p122 - 125 November 2009. On this birthday of Nair,L. R., R.Kumar. 2005. Geographical indi- our first Late cations. A search for identity. Lexis Nexis Jawaharlal Nehru, I wish to convey my – Butterworths, New Delhi. 359pp. good wishes for a robust seed industry, Myrdal, G. 1967. Asian Drama – An inquiry in accelerated growth of agriculture and to the poverty of nations. Vol 1: 705 Pelic- prosperity to the Indian farmer. can Books Ltd. England.

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 25 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009

Climate Change, Crop yield and Food Security M S Swaminathan

At the G8 Summit system from the adverse impact of held in July 2009 at climate change? I shall deal with five L’Aquilla, Italy, an of them. agreement was reached that all nations should 1. More Crop and income per reduce greenhouse gas drop of water emissions by 40% by the Most of the rainfall during the South year 2020, so that the West Monsoon period occurs within 100 rise in mean temperature hours. Therefore rain water harvesting can be limited to 2 C. At and storage both in the aquifer and the current level of emission, the rise in in tanks and reservoirs becomes very temperature may go up by 4 C by 2100 important. Simultaneously we should or even earlier. A rise in temperature promote increased water use efficiency. by 2 C may do good to agriculture in In 2007, the Ministry of Water Resources the northern latitudes, since this will of the Government of India initiated a help to extend the growing season and Farmer Participatory Action Research thereby increase the yield of the crops Programme in over 2000 villages all of those regions. In contrast, the average over the country to assess the impact duration of crops will be reduced in of water saving technologies, like the the tropics and sub-tropics, thereby System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in reducing yield. rice. I have been chairing the National The late Prof S K Sinha and I studied Committee providing oversight to this the impact of a rise in temperature programme. The results of the last by 1 C in wheat and rice twenty years 2 years have shown that yield and ago. We observed that in North West income can be increased by 50 to 100 India, which is the heartland of the % in most crops by using water saving green revolution, the duration of wheat technologies. and rice will be reduced by a week. In the Union Budget for 2009-10, This in turn will reduce yield by 4 to an additional Rs.1000 crore has been 5 quintals per ha (S K Sinha & M S provided for the Accelerated Irrigation Swaminathan, Deforestation, Climate Benefit Programme. I would suggest that Change and Sustainable Nutrition Security 5% of the allocation for all irrigation : A Case Study of India. Climate Change, projects should be reserved for increasing 19: 201-209:1991). Numerous other irrigation water use efficiency. Efforts to studies which followed our publication augment supplies must be accompanied have confirmed our finding and have with steps to minimize demand. In highlighted the serious threat to food rainfed areas, which constitute 60% of security arising from global warming. the cultivated area, low water requiring What are some of the steps we should but high value crops like pulses and take to insulate to the maximum possible oilseeds should be promoted. extent our crops and food security

Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Chairman, M S Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai. Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

26 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 2. Small Farm Management with a capacity of holding a million Revolution tonnes. In this way, a national grid of Over 80 percent of our farms are below grain silos can be established. This will 1 hectare in size. It will be extremely help to prevent both panic purchase difficult for small and marginal farmers and distress sales. At present, grain to face individually the adverse impact mountains and hungry millions co-exist. of climate change leading to a higher Still there is pressure to export rice frequency of drought and floods. An and wheat on the ground that we are immediate need is the introduction of incurring high storage losses. It is high management techniques which can confer time that we build the most modern on farmers with small holdings the power storage structures, so that post harvest and economy of scale. Cooperatives have losses can be eliminated. This will help enabled us to climb to the first position in to avoid situations where we export just the world in the area of milk production. because we have proper storage. Decentralized production needs to be 4. Mission for Coastal Zone supported by key centralized services Protection for enhancing small farm productivity and profitability. We have a coast line of 7500 Kms in addition to the Andaman and Nicobar There are now over 2.2 million Women’s and Lakshwadeep group of islands. The Self-Help Groups (SHGs) linked with tsunami of 26 December 2005 was a banks. The plan is to enroll atleast wake-up call. We should take anticipatory 50% of all rural women as members of steps to protect our coastal communities. SHGs during the next 5 years. We need In addition to nearly 10 million fisher a similar movement to promote a Small men, women and children living near Farmers’ Self-Help Group Movement. the shore, over 25% of our population Incentives like group credit and group live within 50 kms of the shoreline. insurance should be introduced to Therefore a National Mission on Coastal stimulate the growth of Small Farmers’ Ecological and Livelihood Security should SHGs. Water and climate management as be added to the 8 missions currently well as post harvest technology can be included in the National Action Plan improved enormously if a farm families for Climate Change. in a village or watershed work together in certain areas of farm operations. 5. Strategic Research Producer oritented marketing will then Designing crops for a warming India become easy. should be an important anticipatory 3. Grain Storage research programme. Based on computer simulation models on different weather The Government of India has a grain probabilities, varieties of crops and agronomic reserve of over 50 million tonnes of practices should be developed. Novel genetic wheat and rice. In an era of climate combinations for resistance to biotic and change, grain reserves will prove to abiotic stresses as well as high per-day be our most precious asset. Just as productivity will have to be created using grain reserves are important for food recombinant DNA technology. security, seed reserves are important for crop security. To the extent possible, Every calamity presents also an Panchayats should be enabled to set opportunity for new innovations. An up local level community seed, grain innovative Small Farmers’ Self-help and water banks. In addition we should Groups based agriculture is the answer establish in about 50 locations in to the threat of reduced crop yield and different parts of the country, the most uncertain food security arising from modern Grain Storage Structures, each adverse changes in climate.

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 27 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 Intensive Efforts Needed for Food and Nutrition Security R.S. Paroda

A f t e r G r e e n that unless we have 4% growth rate Revolution, we thought from agriculture, expected 8% industrial that we had achieved growth would not be possible. So, self-sufficiency and agriculture is the backbone for India’s solved our problem of overall development. In rural India, food security. Somehow, almost 60% of our people are dependent the things have changed on agriculture alone. Dr. Swaminathan, and there are many Father of Green Revolution has often challenges and concerns highlighted the importance of agriculture that require our immediate attention. for national food security. In this context, I draw your attention In mid 60s, India was considered to the “Vision Statement” adopted by a basket case. We seemed to have all the science academies in India and progressed considerably, thanks to released by the Hon’ble Prime Minister the science based Revolution such as: during the Indian changing the plant type concept, by Science Congress held in January, making them respond better to higher 2001. Its theme was on food, nutrition inputs and giving higher productivity. and environmental security. We need We had also been fortunate to have to continuously discuss this issue the holy alliance of the NARS (National as we move along. In India, the ever Agricultural Research System) supported increasing population in fact nullifies well by the policy makers, International all our efforts. Every year we add one Agricultural Research Centers such Australia to our population needing as CIMMYT and IRRI, and above all additionally 4 to 5 million tons of food our highly intelligent and hardworking grains. Many countries don’t have such farmers. challenge, even China is now better off in that context. We have 16% of total The green revolution enabled us to feed population sustaining on only 2.8% our population, which is still increasing of global land. It is anticipated that @ 1.6%. At one time, we were importing we may even surpass the population more than 10 million tons of foodgrains of China by 2020. We have to realize under PL-480. During past 50 years, we that India also has almost half of the have witnessed unprecedented progress, livestock population than that of our increased agricultural production at human population. No where else this growth rate of 4.5%. Yet the concern type of pressure per unit land is being is of economic and ecological access to faced currently. food. Unfortunately, we have not been able to increase buying power, which Over the years, per cent GDP from is why the poverty issue is of major agriculture sector is declining. This concern. indeed is a good sign since industrial growth in the country is showing upward In the past five decades, there had trend. However, it is well established been steady rise in the prices of most of

Chairman, Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS) andFormer Director General, ICAR and Secretary, DARE. Email: [email protected]

28 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 the industrial products. On the contrary, Revolution such as: salinity, lowering in agriculture, prices of foodgrains have of water table and increased incidence shown a declining trend, which made of pests and . the life easier for our people. We have Lately, due to policy changes, the also been able to reduce poverty by buffer stocks have also depleted. From 40%. At the same time, life expectancy over 58 million tons in 2002, our got doubled from 32-64 years since buffer stocks went down to almost 15 we became independent. We are aware million tons. Due to global decline in that despite all these achievements, production of foodgrains, the prices per there are new concerns globally. MDGs ton of wheat and rice had touched all (Millennium Development Goals) have time high ($400 for wheat and $900 for drawn our attention towards eradication of rice) by late 2008. This has obviously poverty and environmental sustainability. affected the consumers badly. Unfortunately, the extreme poverty resides in . We cannot feel proud on Lately, the foodgrains are also being this account despite having done much diverted as feed, thus making their better on food front. We need to ensure availability even more difficult. We in India better income for our people and see are fortunate due to being vegetarian. that they are above poverty line and Our protein demand is mainly through have easy access to food. pulses, vegetables and fruits and not meat. Lately, USA is diverting its maize The present global concerns are production to the level of 33% towards about 180 million children severely bio-fuel production, which appears to underweight for their age, over 800 be ethically wrong. million chronically undernourished children, 400 million women of child Climate Change is also affecting us. bearing age being anemic and over It is known that from 1920 to 2000, 200 million children being vitamin A average global temperature has risen deficient. Thus, nutrition security has by almost 1 degree, which is expected become a major concern which needs to rise by another 4 degrees if no to be addressed. Also the poverty corrective measures are taken. Imagine concentration is maximum in the South what will happen if that really happens. Asia. Yet the donor organizations appear Impact of climate change is now real. to be laying major emphasis on Africa. Emission of green house gases (GHG), Asia is not taken seriously just because leading to global warming, more intense we had witnessed Green Revolution. tropical cyclones, faster wind speeds Though around 200 million people are and heavy precipitation are all a reality. still below poverty line (getting less Contraction of Himalayan glaciers by than dollar a day), yet our per capita almost 17 kms in the last 10 years is calorie consumption is higher than many another reality. As stated earlier, the countries in Africa and parts of Latin world production has also been America. At the same time, we need to affected adversely in the recent past due move forward from present availability to drought in Australia, Canada, US of around 2000 kcal per person to a and other developing countries. Recent level of about 2500 or 2800 kcal. This studies predict that 2250 million tons would demand an expansion of our food of cereals will be produced this year basket so as to reduce dependence on but most of this increase is going to cereals. We have also been experiencing be from the developed countries. factor productivity decline on account In India, the prices are going up, of second generation problems of Green buffer stocks are depleting and imports

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 29 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 from developed world are on rise. We In eighties and nineties, Indian wheat must, therefore, think seriously to remain program recorded an annual genetic gain self sufficient. As such, the subject of of one per cent per annum. Lately, this this seminar to have self-sufficiency is stagnating since release of variety PB- at the national level is indeed very 343. The challenge is how to improve the important. yield further. The same challenge is also We had to import wheat in 2007-08, now with The International Maize and . for the first time after Green Revolution Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) In period. We produced around 4 to 5 this context, advances through hybrid million tons of wheat each year for over technology are encouraging. Our scientists a decade upto 2002. Somehow, during both in public and private sector came the last 6-7 years, our production has forward to give hybrid technology first remained stagnant. Fortunately, the in to the world in cotton, pearl millet, minimum support price (MSP) for wheat castor and pigeonpea. was increased from Rs. 750 to Rs. 1000 In case of rice, China was first per ton in 2007, which resulted in to release hybrids which now covers increased wheat production by almost 53% area giving more than 58% rice 3 million tons just in one year. So, the production. An yield gain of 1 t/ha could issue of sufficient production and self be achieved through this technology. sufficiency depends on right policies. Now China is developing super hybrid In recent years, demand for other rice targeting yield level of 15 t/ha. commodities is growing much faster than This kind of effort is needed in India cereals, which is a fairly good sign. where rice productivity is still below 3 We need to reorient our research t/ha. Private sector can play a major for development strategy through twin role, since public sector has not been pillar approach. This will require a able to deliver expected output in case paradigm shift of not only having of hybrid seed production. We have 42 germplasm improvement (good varieties million hectare area of rice but hybrid and hybrids) but also improved natural rice area is only 1.2 m ha. Hence, we resource management. Also we need need to move forward. In the USA, single to consider socio-economic aspects cross hybrid maize technology provided and policies around diversification of higher productivity (7 to 8 tons). The agriculture. Bt hybrid maize can now yield upto 12 tons/ha. Though new technologies are It is a matter of concern that over available, yet there is need to make the years, the use of germplasm for available the seeds of these hybrids to breeding new varieties of different the end users. crops has gone down. This trend is rather global and that’s why a global It was for this reason, a mission initiative on plant breeding has been project on hybrids was initiated under initiated by FAO through the support the National Agricultural Technology of Gates Foundation with the aim to Project (NATP), which resulted in the reverse this trend. It is apparent that release of single cross hybrids of maize some complacency in plant breeding for the first time. As a result, our maize has come. It is because people think production doubled in last one decade. that biotechnology can solve all the However, the area under hybrid maize, problems. It is important to understand particularly single cross and quality that biotechnology can supplement but protein maize (QPM) hybrids, is much can not replace plant breeding efforts. low. Why can’t it be 70 - 80%? Why is it still 25%? We need to understand

30 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 the reasons and move forward. For this, area - new crop approach. We all know we need to strengthen Public Private that both rice and sugarcane were not Partnership (PPP). grown before in the north. Groundnut PPP is essential for future growth in was not grown in Gujarat, which is agriculture. For this, we need to provide currently number one state. Potatoes enabling environment and government were not grown in the Indo-Gangetic should come out with proper policies plains before. Maize in eastern India and incentives to be put in place for now gives more than 8 to 10 tons of those who perform. There is an obvious productivity. Chickpea, a crop of North need for building mutual trust. This is India, can now be grown in Tamil Nadu indeed a grey area for which we need because of short duration varieties. So, to sit across the table and discuss the research has led to a number of successful models of PPP and have achievements in different commodities better understanding. Currently, total and crops. For example, pigeon pea is acreage under GM crops is around 140 being grown in North and West, due to m ha. Presently in India, we have only release of hybrids and short duration Bt cotton. In Philippines, Bt corn has varieties. Niche for soybean could be already been released as a food crop. found in Madhya Pradesh which is now Recently, in India, both Bt brinjal and number one oilseed crop in the country. Bt corn have been permitted for field Dr. Barwale raised a very pertinent point tests. In future, I do not know whether as to why we are exporting soybean there will again be a resistance for which can otherwise help in ensuring acceptance of transgenic technologies. nutritional security. Therefore, until In any case, these technologies are we make use of it as a food source, required in country’s interest. Even we better continue with current export the Europeans are importing Bt cotton, of soybean meal worth over US$ one soybean and corn for use as animal billion per annum. feed. I don’t know why there should Finally, we need to move forward be any concern for release of GM food and do research in up-stream areas of crops in India, if testing procedures strategic importance. We have to make are in place. Partnership of Mahyco sure that our knowledge gets translated with Monsanto coupled with enabling into products that can benefit the end environment created by ICAR and DBT users. This is what we call translational (Department of Biotechnology) both for research for which we need to work with testing and release led to release of Bt the farmers in a participatory mode, as cotton in India. In last 5 years, area was demonstrated through Integrated Pest has increased from no where to around Management (IPM) in rice in Indonesia. 8 m ha under Bt cotton. In my opinion, This led to increased rice production there is no better example than this and decline in pesticide consumption for such a faster adoption anywhere in by 50% within 5 years. We have to the world. As a result, the cotton area understand the problems of our farmers increased, production almost doubled and and integrate their traditional knowledge productivity also increased. Currently, with that of the scientific one. We have cotton export alone is fetching India to make sure that they are able to use worth 1.4 billion dollars per year. Before their resources judiciously; just alternate Bt cotton technology, we practically had furrow irrigation in cotton can reduce no tangible cotton export. water use by 30%. We need innovative There is another approach for enhancing technologies. A decade ago no one food and nutrition security. This is new thought that in rice-wheat production

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 31 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 system one could use zero-till drill and factories in the co-operative sector, have conservation agriculture. Today, markets/mandis and so on. This could over 2 m ha area in the Indo-Gangetic be possible since almost 18% of our plains is under zero-till. This success GDP was spent for capital investment. could be extended to a potential area Unfortunately, over the last 2 decades, of 8 m ha under rice-wheat in India. this support has declined to almost 9%. My mention of all these is to convey Now we expect the private sector to come that we should look for newer options such forward in building the much needed as precision farming, which is possible infrastructure. For this, Government has through efficient farm mechanization. also to provide enabling environment Farmers are even adopting lazer leveling to catalyse the private sector. to improve water use efficiency (WUE). India is also blamed for providing That’s where again private sector’s role subsidy to our farmers. It must be becomes important. understood that agricultural subsidy in Somehow, over the years, our extension India is linked to productivity, whereas system has also become weak. The in the developed nations much higher dissemination losses are higher due to less support is provided for storage, marketing competent people involved in extension and also the export. Our subsidy is services. In this context, private sector currently, around 6.5%, whereas, upto can again play an important role. For 10% is acceptable limit by the World example, establishment of agri-clinics Trade Organisation (WTO). Hence, needed through creation of technology agents support to resource poor farmers must who can provide them much needed continue in the overall interest of our vocational training for custom hire nation. services to the farmers is an important Let me conclude by stating that we aspect. The role of NGOs is also to be need not be complacent. We need to encouraged in this regard. continue scaling up our efforts both It is indeed heartening that recent up stream and out stream. We have to report has clearly brought see that technologies reach quickly to out that there can not be sustained the end users. We must build stronger and inclusive development unless high partnership among public and private priority and required funding support institutions to ensure this goal. For is given to agriculture. Fortunately, this, we need policy makers to provide therefore, agriculture has come again enabling environment and needed support up-front despite being neglected in the to catalyse the process as a matter of recent past. We definitely need more high national priority. All these will capital investment in agriculture, as we help in accelerating the productivity did soon after independence. We created growth in agriculture to achieve both a lot of good infrastructure like highest food and nutrition security on a long dam, longest canal, and best term basis.

32 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009

Climate Change and Rainfed Agriculture B.Venkateswarlu

1. Background crops like millets, pulses and oilseeds at farmers’ level still remain low at Nearly 80 m ha of about 1.0 t/ha although large number of India’s 143 m ha net technologies developed by the National sown area is rainfed. Agricultural Research System showed Rainfed area falls mainly that yields up to 2 t/ha can be achieved in arid, semi-arid and on farmers’ fields. These yield gaps are dry sub-humid climate largely due to a number of bio-physical zones. About 15 million and socio-economic constraints. Primary ha area lies in the arid among them are weather uncertainties in region which receives <500 mm rainfall; drylands and degraded soils. Aberrations another 15 million ha is in 500 to 750 in South-West monsoon which include mm rainfall zone, 42 million ha is in delay in onset, long dry spells and early 750 to 1150 mm rainfall zone and the withdrawal, all of which affect the crops, remaining 25 million ha receives >1150 strongly influence the productivity levels. mm rainfall per annum. About 74% of Soils in drylands are not only thirsty but annual rainfall occurs during southwest also hungry. Wide spread deficiencies monsoon (June to September). This rainfall of macro and micro nutrients occur due exhibits high coefficient of variation; with to loss of nutrients through surface frequent droughts. Over 87% of coarse soil erosion and inadequate nutrient cereals and pulses, 55% of upland rice, application. The replenishment of the 77% of oilseeds and 65% of cotton are nutrients in cropping cycles is not cultivated under rainfed farming. adequately done due to poor resource Despite the development and adoption of base of farmers. The risk of crop several new technologies, the productivity failure and poor yields always influence growth in many of these crops has remained farmers’ decision on investing on new stagnant in recent years. Farmers are technologies and level of input use. encountering new challenges in terms of The infrastructure, credit and market rising production costs, uncertain markets support are also relatively weak in these and more recently, increased climatic risks. areas. Non-remunerative and unstable Though rainfed areas contribute only market prices due to globalization and 40% of the food grains, it has remained rising labour costs have further affected a priority area for the Government of the profitability of dryland agriculture India in the context of equitable growth of in the country disadvantageous areas. Therefore, rainfed agriculture continues to receive high priority 3. Climate Change Trends in terms of research and development Rainfed agriculture as such is risk support at the national level. prone. The recent trends in climate are 2. Key Issues in Rainfed increasing this risk further and likely to make key production systems more Agriculture vulnerable. Long term data for India The productivity levels of dryland indicates that rainfed areas witness 3-4

Director, Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 33 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 drought years in every 10-year period. to changes in minimum temperatures. Of these, 2-3 are of moderate and one Analysis of data for the period 1901- may be of severe intensity. However, 2005 by IMD suggests that annual mean so far no definite trend is seen on the temperature for the country as a whole frequency of droughts as a result of has risen to 0.51oC over the period. It climate change. For any R&D and policy may be mentioned that annual mean initiatives, it is important to know the temperature has been consistently spatial distribution of drought events above normal (normal based on period, in the country. 1961-1990) since 1993. This warming is primarily due to rise in maximum 3.1 Rainfall temperature across the country, over According to IMD, no significant a larger part of the data set. However, trend is noted in the summer monsoon since 1990, minimum temperature is rainfall over the country on all India steadily rising and rate of its rise is basis. However, significant changes slightly more than that of maximum were noted at the sub-divisional level. temperature. Three sub divisions, viz., Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Kerala show significant 3.3 Extreme events decreasing trend and eight sub divisions More than seasonal rainfall, the viz. Gangetic West Bengal, West Uttar distribution is more important for Pradesh, Jammu & , Konkan & dryland crops grown during kharif. Long Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, Rayalaseema, dry spells have significant negative Coastal Andhra Pradesh and North impact on fodder and grain production Interior Karnataka show significant indirectly affecting the livestock production. increasing trends. Extreme events such as cold waves, heat waves, floods and high intensity Most of the dryland crops like millets, single day rainfall events were on pulses and oilseeds are grown during increasing trend from the last decade. kharif. Therefore, summer monsoon For example, the 2002 drought across rainfall plays a significant role in the country during kharif, the heat wave determining the productivity levels of of May 2003 in AP, extreme cold winter these crops. Analysis of relationship in North during 2002-03, prolonged between anomaly of kharif rainfall and dry spell during July 2004, abnormal crop production by IMD indicate that temperatures during March, 2004 and deficit rainfall has more impact compared January, 2005 in North, floods during to above normal rainfall. However, recent 2005, cold wave during 2005-06, unusual experiences across the country indicate floods in Rajasthan desert and drought even in drylands which receive low to in North-East in 2006 and abnormal medium rainfall, excess rainfall (high temperatures during January-February, rainfall event on a single day) could 2007 in North are some of the extreme cause heavy damage to crops. weather events which had significantly 3.2 Temperature impacted agriculture. Excess rainfall during peg development stage during Another important weather variable kharif 2008 has resulted in poor pod which affects dryland crops is the formation in groundnut in Rayalaseema temperature. Last three decades saw districts of Andhra Pradesh. High a sharp rise in all India mean annual intensity storms in a short time also temperature. Though most dryland have negative impact on dryland crops. crops tolerate high temperatures, rainfed Most models predict that these extreme crops grown during rabi are vulnerable events will further increase in future.

34 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 4. Coping with Climate period. Adaptation measures to reduce Change the negative effects of increased climatic variability may include changing the Though climate change impacts cropping calendar to take advantage agriculture globally, developing countries of the wet period and to avoid extreme like India are more vulnerable in view of weather events during the growing the fact that majority of the population season. Improved crop management depend on agriculture, leading to excessive through conservation agriculture, crop pressure on natural resources and rotations and intercropping, integrated poor coping mechanisms. The key pest management, supplemented with projected effects of climate change are agroforestry and afforestation schemes will reduction in yields of crops like wheat, be an important component in strategic rice, shifts in cropping zones, sharp adaptation to climate change. changes in water resources availability over time and space, decline in livestock 4.1 Policy imperatives productivity and migration of fish. Apart from technological interventions, Improved technologies and new policy a sound policy framework and political initiatives are needed to enable farmers will are required to battle climate cope with climate change impacts. A change impacts on agriculture. The few adaptation and mitigation approaches policy should address the issues of along with researchable and policy redesigning social sector with focus issues are summarized below: on vulnerable areas/ populations, introduction of new credit instruments The crop based technologies include with deferred repayment liabilities growing crops and varieties that fit into during extreme weather events and new cropping systems and seasons, weather insurance as a major vehicle development of varieties with changed to transfer risk. Government should duration that can over winter the identify and prioritize adaptation options transient effects of change, development in key sectors (storm warning systems, of varieties for high temperature, drought water storage and diversion, drought/ and submergence tolerance; evolving pest warning systems and infrastructure varieties which respond positively in needs). State level institutions should terms of growth and yield to high be strengthened; a dedicated cell should CO . In addition, varieties with high 2 be set up in each state on close fertilizer and radiation use efficiency monitoring and take up quick remedial and also novel crops and varieties that measures in the event of an extreme can tolerate coastal salinity and salt weather event in agriculture and help water inundation are needed. One of in settling insurance claims. Emphasis the important strategies would be to should be given on tapping financial revisit the germplasm collected so far resources to strengthen adaptation which has tolerance to heat and cold efforts at state level. The capacity of stresses but not made use in the past local institutions e.g., SHGs, banks due to low yield potential. and agricultural credit societies should Improved agronomic and crop be strengthened to come up with new production practices like adjustment way of financing climate related risks of planting dates to minimize the effect at village/block level. Public-private of temperature increase-induced spikelet partnership in promoting investments sterility can be used to reduce yield on infrastructure markets, information instability, by avoiding the flowering and communication can help deal with period to coincide with the hottest climate risk to a large extent.

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 35 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009

Impact of climate change on plantation crops George V. Thomas, K. V. Kasturi Bai and S. Naresh Kumar1

Climate change has on conservation agriculture during emerged as a major February 2009 stressed the conservation challenge influencing of natural resources based on the agricultural production three principles: minimum mechanical in the country. In recent disturbance to the soil, permanent times the pace of climate organic cover on the soil surface and change has accelerated a diversified sequence or association as a direct result of of crops. i n d u s t r i a l i z a t i o n , deforestation, , and Climate change and plantation various other anthropogenic activities. crops Climate change can also lead to increase Plantation crops, being perennial in global temperature which will cause in nature, have to face the impact of extreme weather events such as change in climate change even during a single the amount and pattern of precipitation, generation or in a standing crop. Hence glacier retreat leading to rise in sea it is important that the impact of climate level, changes in agricultural yields etc. change is understood well. Plantation resulting in major economic losses on crops mainly coconut, rubber, tea, one side and poverty on the other. As per coffee, cashew, oil palm etc. are grown IPCC reports, atmospheric concentration in ecologically sensitive areas such as of CO2 will further rise leading to coastal belts, hilly areas and areas increased temperatures. Unless corrective with high rainfall and high humidity. measures are taken, climate change is All these crops are of high economic likely to become more rapid and have value contributing substantially to the an adverse and extreme impact on agricultural exports at global and national life on earth. Thus it is important to levels. These are grown in large areas in study the adaptation capacity of plants Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra which are scavengers of atmospheric Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal

CO2 so as to choose suitable crops or and Assam. The plantations provide which can thrive under such sustenance to the millions of people. conditions. Weather variables such as rainfall, Intensive agriculture and excessive evapo-transpiration, temperature, solar use of external inputs have lead to the radiation, sunshine hours, relative degradation and depletion of natural humidity and wind velocity influence resources like soil, water and plant which the yield potential of these crops. in turn adversely affect the agricultural Impact of climate variables on production and profitability. It is a coconut, arecanut and cocoa known fact that crops and trees are Coconut palms, as rainfed crops, are natural carbon sinks and conservation exposed to drought of different intensities agricultural practices help in carbon and durations in various parts of the sequestration. The New Delhi declaration

Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasargod-671 124, Kerala, 1 Division of Environmental sciences, IARI, New Delhi- 110012. Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

36 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 country. Characterization of drought in mainly under shade. The yield was different agro-climatic Zones in India significantly correlated with the number viz; Western ghats high rainfall zone of rainy days in the previous year and, (Kidu-Karnataka), Western coastal area sunshine hours and maximum and - hot sub-humid-per-humid (Kasaragod minimum temperatures of the current - Kerala; Ratnagiri - Maharashtra), hot year. Relative humidity, temperature, semi arid (Arisikere - Karnataka) and sunshine hours, rainfall and rainy Eastern coastal plains- hot sub-humid days showed maximum correlation with (Veppankulum- Tamil Nadu; Ambajipeta- yield during the five months lag period, Andhra Pradesh) indicated variations coinciding with flowering period. Most in length and number of dry spells in of the cocoa growing areas lie below each zone bringing about the different 300 m. However, cocoa can be grown intensities of drought. In view of long successfully up to a height of 1100-1200 duration of 44 months between the m provided the temperature is congenial initiation of inflorescence primordium during flower production. Cocoa can and ultimate nut yield, with about 70% be grown within 20° of the equator. period of pre-fertilization and only 30% However, over 75% of the world’s cocoa by fertilization/ post-fertilization phases, lies within 8° of the equator. any fluctuations in dry spell occurring during important stages of floral/fruit Climate change studies in coconut development would reflect on nut yield Studies conducted at CPCRI on and the impact can be seen from the year impact of climate change on coconut of drought till four years. The coconut indicated general warming trends in palm experiences moisture stress when most of the coconut growing areas. exposed to irradiation above 265 Wm2, Coconut productivity increased over past temperature of 33°C and vapour pressure 50 years except recent declining trends deficit of 26 m bar, aggravated by soil in plains of Karnataka and Coimbatore water deficit during the period. district of Tamil Nadu due to consecutive The arecanut is grown under irrigated droughts. In Coimbatore district the conditions and generally more than coconut productivity was reduced to 50% of variation in yield is due to the tune of about 3500 nuts/ha/year climatic differences. It is grown under for 4 years. Loss due to 1996 cyclone different agro-climatic conditions. The in Andhra Pradesh was to the tune of most important climatic factors that 6200 nuts/ha/year in East Godavari influence the growth and development are district and by ~4100 nuts/ha/year altitude, relative humidity and rainfall. in West Godavari district for 6 years. But extremes of temperature and wide Impact assessment and climate change diurnal variations are not conducive future projections in different scenarios for healthy growth. A 12 year data of indicated that plains of Karnataka, weather variables indicated that the Eastern TN, coastal Andhra Pradesh, yield is influenced by relative humidity, Pondicherry, West Bengal and Assam evaporation and rainfall. in decreasing order are found to be hot spots as per different HadCM3 model Though cocoa is grown under wide scenarios. climatic conditions, its yield potential is higher in arid tropics where the For the first time a coconut simulation climate shows relatively little variation model was developed. Using coconut throughout the year, especially in simulation model, yields were simulated terns of temperature, solar radiation for 13 agro-climatic zones represented and day length. In India it flourishes by 16 centres. These areas contribute

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 37 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 over 90% to the coconut production. to changing climate. Further, biochemical Simulations for yield projections were done parameters indicated that the elevated for HadCM3 climate change storylines CO2 caused increased accumulation viz., A2a, B2a and A1F for 2020, 2050 of proline in leaf tissue in spite of and 2080 scenarios. Analysis based on maintenance of high leaf water potentials. coconut simulation model studies indicate On the other hand, elevated temperature that coconut productivity is projected caused only a slight increase in proline to go up to 10% during 2020, 16% in concentration, despite the reduced leaf 2050 and 36% in 2080 over current water potentials. These results suggest yields only due to climate change in greater role for proline in coconut west coast of India. However, in east adaptation to high CO2 concentrations. coast yields are projected to decline Observations on epicuticular wax, proline by about 2% in 2020, 8% in 2050 and scavenging enzymes such as super and 31% in 2080. Spatial variations oxide dismutase, poly phenol oxidase, exist for these projections. Yields are peroxidase and catalase clearly showed projected to go up in Kerala, Tamil the response of coconut cultivars to Nadu (if irrigation is continued to be different treatments. provided), Karnataka, and Maharashtra while they are likely to decline in A P, Carbon sequestration and carbon Orissa, parts of Karnataka, T N and stocks Gujarat. However, situations may vary The carbon sequestration in coconut if future irrigation sources are limited above ground biomass varied from particularly in irrigated areas as in Tamil 15 to 35 CO2/ha/year depending on Nadu and Karnataka. , agro-climatic zone, soil type and management. Sequestered carbon Response of elevated CO2 and stocked in to stem was in the range temperature on coconut, arecanut of 0.3 to 2.3 CO2/ha/year. Standing C and cocoa stocks in 16 year old coconut cultivars in

Effect of elevated CO2 and temperature different agro-climatic zones varied from on coconut, arecanut and cocoa studied 15 to 60 CO2/ha/year. Annual carbon in open top chambers indicated that sequestration by coconut mono-plantation seedlings grown under elevated CO2 is higher in red sandy loam soils and had higher root dry matter, specific lowest in littoral sandy soils. In areca leaf area, chlorophyll a/b ratio, collar - cocoa system the CO2 sequestration girth, shoot height, shoot dry matter ranged from 5.14 to 10.94 Mg/ha/ and leaf area. Seedlings exposed to year in arecanut sole plantations while elevated temperature had high shoot in cocoa it ranged from 1.38 to 2.66 height, root length, collar girth and root Mg/ ha/year. Hence, coconut, arecanut dry matter and volume as compared to and cocoa can be strong candidates the chamber control. The shoot and for carbon sequestration under Clean root dry matter in cocoa and arecanut Development Mechanism. seedlings was more in those exposed to elevated CO2 over control chamber. Socio-economic analysis on impact of drought in Coconut growing In coconut elevated CO2 and temperature area caused significant reduction in leaf stomatal density. However the reduction It has been observed that more than in stomatal density did not influence two lakh palms died and about six lakh the net photosynthetic rate, indicating palms were severely/partially affected significant adaptation strategy by coconut due to drought in Coimbatore and

38 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 Tumkur districts. Farmers who adopted is to use the basic production inputs soil moisture conservation practices or such as light, water and nutrients to drip irrigation could reduce the drought the maximum extent with minimum soil impact and improve coconut yields. Hence deterioration. This is attained by growing soil moisture conservation is the only suitable crops having different canopy adaptive strategy to reduce the climate patterns and root systems. A variety change impact on plantation crops. of crops are grown in the interspaces of coconut and arecanut ranging from Simulation models in plantation short season annuals to perennial tree crops species. Biomass production of various Even though simulation model in crops in a cropping system gives a perennial crop like cocoa has been rough indication of their compatibility. reported, the model is not yet validated The beneficial changes in rhizosphere of for Indian conditions and suitability the main crop and intercrops not only for climate change studies. In coconut, improve the soil micronutrients, but also simulation model has been developed result in increasing yields considerably based on the generic crop model InfoCrop besides helping in carbon sequestration. that simu­lates various annual crops in Utilization of land, airspace and inputs tropical and subtropical regions. The with maximum sustainable returns are InfoCrop-coconut model was calibrated the advantages of HDMSCS. and validated with data compiled from Conclusions and future thrust published studies comprising many physiological, agronomical and nutritional Efforts are being made to understand experiments con­ducted between 1978 the impact of climate change in all the and 2005 in diverse geographic locations plantation crops. No valid models are throughout India. The treatments included available for the exhaustive studies various water and nutrient regimes and hence studies are required to and varieties of coconut. The genetic develop simulation models suitable coefficients used for calibration and for climate change studies. Plantation validation were generated from field crops offer to be good candidates for experiments conducted­ during 1995- carbon sequestration and carbon trade. 2005. Simulated trends in phenological Recent report of the Panel meeting of the development, total dry mass and its plantation crop workers held at CPCRI, partitioning, and nut yield agreed Kasaragod, on “Carbon sequestration closely with observed values. The model in plantation crops and trading under adequately simulated­ the effects of vari­ Clean Development Mechanism” clearly ous factors like management practices, showed that all the plantation crops with soil and nutritional factors on coconut an estimated area of 4.764 m. ha in growth, dry matter, partition­ing and India, with cumulative CO2 sequestration nut yields. potential of 146.05 M. tones can reduce emissions effectively. However, currently Carbon sequestration and high under CDM, plantation crops are not density multi species cropping included for carbon trade. Keeping future system (HDMSCS) possibilities on inclusion of plantations Productivity of land can be increased for carbon trade, studies on carbon by adopting high density cropping system. sequestration potential of plantation The principle of multistoried cropping crops need to be intensified.

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 39 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 Aquaculture in the Context of Climate Change and Declining Capture Fisheries Production M. Vijaya Gupta

Introduction small-holder farming households and 20% among rural landless (Millennium W e a r e p a s s i n g Task Force on Hunger 2004). In this through an era of context fisheries could play an important increasing population, role in contributing to nutritional and food shortages and livelihood security to millions of poor declining agriculture in the country. productivity. This will be exacerbated in the Fish Production and Demand coming years by the global warming and climate change that will India is the third largest producer have a major effect on terrestrial and of fish in the world and second largest aquatic resources directly and on the producer of fish from aquaculture. human population indirectly and could Though India is recognised as third result in catastrophe, if no remedial largest consumer of fish in the world, measures are taken. Global human which is due to its large population, population has grown from 1.5 billion per capita consumption of fish at 9kg/ in 1900 to 6.4 billion now and it is head/year (among non-vegetarians) is expected to reach 9 billion by the year one of the lowest in the world. In the 2050. The Millennium Development Goals year 2005-06 India produced 6.3 million (MDGs) adopted in 2000 set a target tons of fish, of which 3.2 million tons of reducing hunger and malnutrition from the inland sector. It has been population to half by 2015. At that estimated that by the end of XI plan time, 1.3 billion were living in poverty period (2012) the demand for fish and and 800 million were food insecure. fish products would be in the range of While some progress has been made in 9.74 million tons which would increase reducing the proportion of hungry and to 11.86 million by 2020, to meet the malnourished population, there is an demand of increasing population, changing increase in absolute numbers due to dietary habits and increasing income increasing population as food production levels. Capture fisheries production could not keep pace with increasing from the marine and inland waters has population. It has been estimated that stagnated or declined over the years 852 million or 14% of global population due to over capacity, over exploitation are hungry and of these 690 million and anthropogenic pressures. This are in Asia-Pacific with 260 million in would be further exacerbated by the India. Micronutrient deficiencies or global warming and climate change hidden hunger in one form or other which is expected to result in rising is affecting more than 2 billion people water temperatures that are likely to globally. Fifty seven percent children reduce the up welling of food supplies suffer from vitamin A deficiency. India that pelagic fish depend on, and is home to 40% of world’s under-weight the increased carbon dioxide in the children. Fifty percent of hungry are in atmosphere will increase the acidity

World Food Prize Laureate/ Former Assistant Director General, WorldFish Center, Penang, Malaysia. Email: [email protected]

40 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 of water bodies, adversely affecting of coastal poor, unless initiatives are aquatic life. taken to make them partners in the The recent Stern Review on the development of this sector. Economics of Climate Change concluded Freshwater Aquaculture that “For fisheries, information on the likely impacts of climate change is Freshwater aquaculture is already very limited”. Hence, it is necessary to contributing substantially to the country’s step up research to fill the knowledge production. Country’s vast freshwater gaps and make the sector resilient and resources could contribute much more productive in spite of climate change. than the present production and contribute not only to increased production, but Aquaculture, the Saviour also improving and creating livelihoods In view of the meagre chances of for the rural poor. However, the research increasing production from capture institutions, developmental agencies and fisheries, the increasing demand has to policy makers have to address some be met from aquaculture. Long coast issues that constraint development. line and vast inland waters in the country offer excellent opportunities Need for bridging gap between for aquaculture – both marine and research and development: freshwater. Increased aquaculture could The yield gap between research not only meet the domestic demand, but production and farmers’ production is also contribute to increasing potential quite wide and needs to be bridged. For for export. However, to harvest the e.g., research has indicated production potential, a number of initiatives have potential of 10-15 tons/ ha from farming to be taken by both research and of carps in ponds and farmers in Andhra development institutions/organisations Pradesh have attained these production as detailed below: levels. But, the average production in the country is estimated at only 2.5 Mariculture tons/ha and even these low productions Mariculture is presently contributing according to some are high estimates. 80,000-100,000 tons, mostly by shrimp This clearly indicates the need to look for farming. While technologies have been new technology transfer/ dissemination developed and disseminated for farming strategies taking advantage of the ICT of mussels, edible oysters, clams, etc, and the involvement of civil society unfortunately, the country could not organisations. make progress in farming of finfish. Recent attempts at breeding and culture Research for species diversification of seabass (Lates calcarifer) have shown and control of alien species: encouraging results and the research In spite of a large number of potential institutions have to work on a priority species for aquaculture, so far the basis for developing technologies for research and production systems have breeding and culture of a number of concentrated only on few species – high value species such as groupers, mostly carps. Consumers and farmers snappers, etc. which have potential for are looking for new species for farming export. Further, marine fish being mostly and consumption and in the absence of carnivores, farming of these fish will diversification; farmers have taken course be more expensive in terms of capital to bringing in alien species from across investments and operating costs. This to our borders. While in the short term they a large extent will deter the participation benefit the increased production, but

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 41 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 in the long term introduction of these Safe guarding interest of small alien species without any assessment farmers: of their potential impact on native The emphasis being placed by both biodiversity is likely create problems. domestic and export markets on increasing In view of this instead of continuing product standards in terms of food safety, research on the same species year after quality, traceability, certification and year, we should look at new indigenous ecolabelling will make it difficult for the species and develop technologies for small farmers who lack knowledge and their breeding and culture. access to technology to comply with the Non-conventional aquaculture standards. Raising of market standards resources: should not form a barrier or additional impediment for entry of products in to Besides pond aquaculture which major markets by the small producers. has been the major contributor to In this regard, the government needs aquaculture production, there are other to enhance the ability of small farmers aquatic resources where farming of through training, legislation, codes fish along with capture fisheries could of practice, certification, traceability be undertaken. For e.g., the country schemes, etc., to comply with trade possesses 3.15 million ha of reservoirs and market access requirements for with very low average production of producing safe and quality products by less than 50 kg/ha. Through proper undertaking best management practices. management and commitment of all A comprehensive study to assess the those involved, the production could be impacts of market standards including easily increased to over 200 kg/ha, if assessment of costs (need for additional not more. Also landless poor could be infrastructure, increased implementation involved in farming of fish in cages in capacity and better technical knowledge) these reservoirs. While research in this and benefits of complying with these area has been going on for a number standards is urgently needed. of years in many research institutions, the technology is yet to be perfected Policy support: and commercialised. In addition to the While some of the states have come reservoirs, over a million ha is under up with fisheries policy, at a country oxbow lakes and flooded lands where level we lack a clear policy with regard capture based culture fisheries could to fisheries development and safeguarding be practised involving landless poor in the interests of the farming/fishing the area. community. States, where the fisheries Need for seed certification: policies are in place, lack resources (financial and human) to implement While seed certification procedures these strategies. What is needed for these have been developed for commercial crops, policies, plans, strategies, etc., to bear the same is lacking in the case of fish. fruits is, allocation of adequate resources Often fish seed from the hatcheries is – financial and human for implementation worse than the wild seed due to decades of plans and strategies. of inbreeding in hatcheries. There is urgent need to finalise seed/hatchery If aquaculture is to be encouraged to certification procedures which have been contribute to nutritional and livelihood drafted in recent time and implement security, this needs to be treated on them without any further delay. par with agriculture for tax benefits,

42 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 incentives such as subsidized tariff for to the environment and bring in to power and water, fertilizer subsidy as production the marginal lands which given for land crops and insurance for are not suitable for agriculture. crop loss, etc. Along with efforts at increasing The Outlook production which will not be sustainable unless there is market demand, it is Excellent opportunities exist for the necessary for the government and the aquaculture to bridge the gap between concerned agencies to bring awareness supply and demand in the years to among the population of the health come without harming the environment benefits of fish; organise the sector for when planned and implemented well and the availability of fish under hygienic contribute to nutritional and livelihood conditions and develop value added and security. It is necessary to judiciously easy to cook foods. under take intensification without damage

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 43 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 Rain-Proofing Rice Cultivation B.C.Viraktamath1 and J.S.Bentur2

‘Water is the elixir production by 15%, i.e. by 10-15 Mt. of life’ and all living To add to the miseries of the farmer, forms including plants this year an unprecedented flood in depend on it for their southern states of AP and Karnataka survival. Rainfall is the during first week of October damaged ultimate source of water standing rice crop on nearly one M. ha. supporting surface and Thus it is evident that rice cultivation under-ground water for is over-dependent on rainfall. How this irrigation. Total amount problem can be addressed through of water (H2O) is constant research and extension efforts is the and therefore, it is very important to theme of this article. Developmental devise ways and means of judicious part involving creation and maintaining use of this precious resource. Rice irrigation facilities, watershed or rain production scenario at national level water management are not considered during the period 2001-09 can be in this article. described as ‘steep fall and steady recovery’ phase. The year 2001-02 Need for rain-proofing rice registered a record high rice production cultivation of 93.34 million tons (Mt). During 2002- We are now experiencing the ill effects 03 rice production plummeted to a low of climate change through erratic rains, of 73.5 Mt. However, this trend steadily frequent floods, long spells of drought, recovered back with production of etc. Water is becoming a critical limiting 93.35 Mt during 2006-07. Due to good factor in rice cultivation. Fresh water monsoons, the country witnessed a record availability will be drastically reduced production of 99.6 Mt during 2008-09. in future and one has to produce ‘more However, severe drought that occurred crop from every drop’. New varieties need during this year may have negative to be developed to resist the floods. impact on rice production by pulling it These threats have to be tackled both by down by almost 10 Mt. This scenario genetic and management approaches. clearly indicates the vulnerability of rice cultivation to the vagaries of monsoon. Genetic approach Analysis of production constraints for Development of drought and the period highlights over-dependence submergence tolerant varieties can help of rice cultivation on timely arrival farmers overcome some of the problems and normal distribution of monsoon. associated with delayed monsoon and flash A fall of 20% in total rainfall across floods. Conventional breeding approach the country during 2002-03 resulted in has resulted in development of several a fall of 23% in rice production. With drought resistant rice varieties like 75% of normal rainfall during June- Tulasi, Anjali, Annada, Heera released July this year, the area planted to rice from the central committee. Some of in kharif has dropped by 6 million ha. the popular recent drought tolerant Normal kharif rice area in the country rainfed upland varieties released by is about 39 million ha with an average different states are Varalu (AP), Luit production of 75 Mt. It is predicted that (Assam), Vandana (Bihar), Danteswari present drought spell may reduce rice (Chhattisgarh), GR-9 (Gujarat), Birsadhan

1 Project Director, 2 Principal Scientist, Directorate of Rice Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad 500 030, [email protected]

44 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 201 (Jharkhand), Amrut (Karnataka), be further transferred into traditional Harsha (Kerala), Improved Ambemohar crop varieties. Drought tolerant rice (Maharashtra), Heera, Vandana (Orissa), is also under development stage in Vaigai (TN), Narendradhan 118 (UP), the genetic background of IR64 with Jaldi Dhan 15 (West Bengal), etc. While trehalose biosynthesis (TPSP) gene. these varieties are primarily for rainfed Confirmed transgenic lines are expected upland areas, their performance under after 2-3 seasons. drought prone rainfed lowlands has Development and successful testing also been satisfactory. Like in case of of ‘Swarna sub1’ and, ‘IR64 sub1’ using drought, flood or submergence tolerant marker assisted selection has shown the rice varieties have also been developed utility of submergence tolerance gene and released for cultivation either under ‘sub1’ derived from a traditional flood semi-deep or deep water ecologies. These tolerant rice FR13A and of the marker include Nalini, Jitendra (Central Release), technology for rice improvement. These Padmanath (Assam), Vaidehi, Sudha rice lines have been developed by a team (Bihar), Jaldubi (Chhattisgarh), Hemavathi of international scientists from IRRI, (Karnataka), Prabha, Varsha dhan, Durga Philippines, Cornell, USA and national (Orissa), Jalamagna, Jalpriya, Jalnidhi scientists from India, Bangladesh and (UP), Ambika, Neeraja(WB) etc.These the Philippines. Swarna sub-1 has been varieties are bred for areas where water released for cultivation in the states of logging and prolonged stagnation is a Orissa, Bihar and West Bengal. The common occurrence. However, varieties scientists are now introducing sub-1 have not been specifically developed for gene into the background of few more normal rainfed shallow lands for flash popular varieties. floods and transient submergence for a period of 3-10 days. Hybrid rice Many of the rice hybrids have greater Thus conventional breeding efforts tolerance to drought and salinity. Extensive did not give highly satisfactory results. evaluations have shown wider adaptability More recent efforts of transgenic research of hybrids like KRH2, Sahyadri and appear to be promising. DREB1 and DRRH2 under limited water condition. TSP genes are able to confer salt and Few hybrids like PSD3, KJRH2 are the drought tolerance when transferred to two hybrids found to perform better under rice cultivars. Efforts are under way in aerobic cultivation. Two of the hybrids development of transgenic rice using these developed from Central Rice Research genes through transgenic approach. Institute, Cuttack viz CRHR28 and Under the genetic engineering CRHR29 are suited for rainfed shallow technology, efforts are being made lands. Thus popularizing these hybrids at a few institutions such as Delhi and evaluation and development of more University, IARI, New Delhi and DRR, hybrids for water limited cultivation will Hyderabad to develop transgenic rice be highly rewarding. against abiotic stresses like drought, salinity and submergence. Engineering Cultural Approach rice for improved flood tolerance through Late transplanting due to delayed alterations in the levels of PDC and monsoon is a common unavoidable ADH proteins has been reported and approach for the farmers. Some of the transgenic rice plants, which over-express available varieties have been found PDC sub-units, have been identified. suitable for such practice. Even 30-45 At PAU, genes which confer water use day old seedlings can be transplanted efficiency such as Gly, Dreb and Zad with marginal loss in the yield. In case and then their combinations would be of flash flood causing damage to just made to develop a new gene that will transplanted young plants or plants

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 45 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 in tillering stage, replanting using the wetting and drying is being recommended surviving plants by uprooting and tiller as water saving technology. Field is separation is advocated. This will help irrigated once hairline cracks develop in increasing the plant population and on the soil surface. Studies have shown thereby reduce yield loss. that such rotational irrigation increases System of Rice Intensification or SRI rooting depth and more dry matter is a method of cultivation that aims production as compared to continuous at minimum use of seeds and water. submergence. However, water stress at Studies suggest saving of up to 40% in panicle initiation and flowering stages irrigation water. Recent studies carried reduced the grain yield when compared out at several locations across the country to stress at tillering stage. Intermittent indicated that SRI practice resulted in flooding decreased the nutrient supply 7-20% higher grain yield, higher root from the soil by 10-11% for N, 7-28% volume and dry mass while reducing for P and 8-12% for K over continuous requirement of seeds by 80%, water by submergence, and resulted in 13-28% 29% and crop growth duration by 8-12 increase in water use efficiency. The days. However, SRI was found to be Hybrid (Sahyadri), performed better dependent as varieties having than HYV (Krishnahamsa) under deficit better tillering ability responded well. irrigation irrespective of crop establishment methods (SRI and conventional) but Direct seeding of either dry seeds or required higher (12%) N application to sprouted seeds in puddled soil has been record equivalent yields. developed as a cultural practice in areas where there is delayed monsoon and/or ‘Aerobic rice is becoming one of the labor shortage for transplanting. This practical options to combat the water method will also reduce the crop duration crisis. Under this system, rice will be by 1-2 weeks and thus saves water. grown like any other ID crops such as wheat and maize. Under this system, rice Studies have shown that the drum is direct seeded in unpuddled soil and seeder method of seeding significantly irrigated as and when necessary. Thus increased grain yields (4.90 t/ha) rice is grown with just 50% of the water compared to broadcasting (3.70 t/ha). as compared to transplanted rice. The drum seeder may be recommended as an alternative to transplanting due The whole world is concerned about to low cost, reduced duration, higher the climate change which is enormously cost/ benefit ratio in areas of controlled affecting agriculture including rice water and weed management. Of the cultivation. ‘Water crisis’ both in terms 23 rice cultivars/varieties tested under of deficit and excess would affect rice direct seeding, Tulasi, Krishnahamsa, production. These problems could be lET 9994, lET 9219, lET 9691; Nidhi, tackled within genetic and management Triguna, IR64 and Vikas performed approaches. ‘Rain proofing’ rice by well and were found to be suited due developing drought and flood tolerant to their early vigor and better root varieties by deploying both conventional development. Variety having better culm and biotechnological tools could be strength, greater anchorage, early growth one approach. Secondly, innovative vigor, better root proliferation, medium management approaches like adopting tillering and higher panicle weight are SRI, Aerobic, Zero tillage, FIBR methods. more preferred for direct seeding. The research efforts in this direction would certainly help the rice farmers Under normal irrigated conditions with to face the challenge of climate change good control over water supply, alternate in the coming years.

46 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 Quality Protein Maize (QPM) for Nutritional Security H.S. Gupta

Maize occupies an the homozygous recessive o2 allele had important position in substantially higher lysine (+69%) in world economy and grain endosperm compared to normal trade as a food, feed maize (Mertz et al., 1964). It was further and industrial grain determined that this mutation results crop. Millions of people in 2-3-fold increase in the level of two worldwide are dependent amino acids, lysine and tryptophan on maize as a staple in comparison with normal genotype. food through economic The increased concentration of these necessity, and derive their basic needs two essential amino-acids (normally of protein and carbohydrates from it. deficient in the maize grain endosperm) In the developing world, maize is an effectively doubles the biological value of important source of both human and maize protein (Bressani, 1991) with the animal nutrition. considerably profitable result that only o2 The main structural component of half the amount of maize (relative to the maize endosperm is starch, a normal maize), needs to be consumed complex carbohydrate that constitutes to obtain the same biologically usable on an average 71% of the grain and is protein (FAO, 1992). In addition, other a source of concentrated energy. Bulk amino acids such as histidine, arginine, of the protein in a mature maize kernel aspartic acid and glycine showed increase, is in the endosperm and germ; but, the while the decrease was observed for germ protein is superior in both quantity some amino acids such as glutamic acid, and quality. The endosperm protein is alanine and leucine. Decrease in leucine deficient in lysine and tryptophan, and is considered desirable as it makes therefore, maize needs to be eaten with leucine-isoleucine ratio more balanced, complementary protein sources such which in turn help to liberate more as legumes or animal products. As per tryptophan for niacin biosynthesis, and the World Health Organization, almost thus helps in combating pellagra. half of the 10 million annual deaths With the discovery of the nutritional of children under age five could be benefits of the o2 mutation, breeding attributed to protein malnutrition. programmes in several countries began to incorporate this gene through , Discovery and Initial Use of leading to o2 cultivars. However, the opaque2 Mutation direct use of the o2 mutation in breeding In the 1920s in a Connecticut (USA) programs soon receded after the discovery maize field, a natural spontaneous of serious negative pleiotropic effects of mutation of maize with soft, opaque grains this mutation, including vulnerability to was discovered, which was eventually storage pests and diseases, unattractive named as opaque2 (o2) (Singleton, 1939). and chalky grain texture, reduced yields In 1964, Dr. Oliver Nelson’s team at etc., thereby severely limiting its practical Purdue University, USA, discovered that use in the breeding programmes.

Director, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi – 110 012. Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 47 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 Combining opaque2 with of α-zeins in the endosperm due to o2 Endosperm Modifiers mutation, there is usually a concomitant During the process of converting increase in the level of γ-zeins (Habben normal maize populations to o2 versions, et al., 1993). partially hard endosperm (i.e. vitreous) The mechanism(s) by which the or “modified” grains was observed by endosperm modifier genes convert the many researchers including breeders starchy endosperm of o2 to a normal at CIMMYT in Mexico. Separations of is still not completely understood, such grains when encountered began as but some important clues have been early as 1969 by Dr. John Lonnquist obtained through analysis of biochemical and provided a new way to development changes in modified o2 endosperm. of opaque2 varieties with hard kernels Studies suggest that the products (Bjarnason and Vasal, 1992; Vasal, of the modifier genes interact with 2000; Prasanna et al., 2001). α-zein mRNA transcripts and enhance At CIMMYT, the modified kernels were their transport from the nucleus or classified into different categories and increase their stability and translation. laboratory analysis was carried out to study The overproduction of γ-zein appears the effect of the degree of modification to enhance protein body number and on biochemical characteristics (Villegas et result in the formation of more vitreous al., 1984). A few o2-converted population endosperm. Endosperm modification is were then identified which had usually polygenically controlled. * a high frequency of modified kernels. Nutritional Significance and The breeding procedures followed for Economic Benefits of QPM the incorporation of genetic endosperm modifiers along with o2 gene were QPM offers tremendous benefits in the reviewed in detail by Prasanna et al. nutrition of monogastric animals including (2001). This led to the birth of the humans, since the two limiting amino “Quality Protein Maize” (QPM). The term acids (lysine and tryptophan) cannot be ‘QPM’ now refers to maize homozygous synthesized through metabolism in them. for the o2 allele, with increased lysine In animal nutrition, QPM can provide and tryptophan content and without the a cheaper way of obtaining a balanced secondary effects of the soft endosperm animal feed. The protein quality of QPM (Vasal, 2001). was evaluated using nitrogen balance technique in several studies, where QPM The Opaque2 (O2) gene was cloned proved its superiority over the normal using a transposon tagging strategy maize with respect to apparent nitrogen with the maize mobile genetic elements, retention and biological value. These Spm (Schmidt et al., 1987) and Ac (Motto studies concluded that nitrogen balance et al., 1988). The O2 gene encodes a and retention were higher with QPM, transcription factor required mainly for especially at lower levels of total protein the expression of 22 kDa α-zein-coding intake. Moreover, unlike normal maize, genes and a 32-kDa albumin gene b-32. young children can consume QPM in Lower α-zein content in o2 endosperm amounts needed for the positive nitrogen results in protein bodies that are about balance that is required for growth. one-fifth to one tenth the normal sizes, Recovering malnourished children fed which is presumed to alter packing of QPM further showed the same growth starch grains during seed desiccation, as those fed modified cow milk formula thereby conferring a characteristic soft (Graham et al., 1990). Thus, QPM has texture to the kernel. With the reduction added advantage of being superior

48 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 in protein quality and higher in food hybrids possessing different ecological and feed efficiency as compared to adaptations, maturity, grain colour and conventional maize (Krivanek et al., texture were developed and released 2007). Use of QPM as poultry feed leads worldwide in the last 10-15 years to early development of broilers, saves (Prasanna et al., 2001; Gupta et al., energy and feed, and also the extra 2009). cost incurred on lysine and tryptophan In India, a nutritionally superior o2 fortification. composite with hard kernel texture, The other nutritional benefits of QPM designated as ‘Shakti-1’ was released in include higher niacin availability due to 1997. Since 1998, intensive efforts were a higher tryptophan and lower leucine made at different centres in the country, content, higher calcium and carbohydrate, particularly at Karnal, Dholi, Almora, and carotene utilization (De Bosque et Hyderabad, Delhi and , resulting al., 1988). Further, QPM grains can be in development of QPM germplasm and transformed into edible products without release of a series of QPM hybrids. deterioration of its quality or acceptability, The first white grained QPM hybrid and can be used in conventional and ‘-1’ (a three-way cross hybrid new food products. In Guatemala, it was using CIMMYT QPM lines) was released demonstrated that o2 maize had 90% of during 2001 by Rajendra Agricultural the nutritive value of milk protein in University, Dholi (Bihar). ‘Shaktimaan-2’ young children. Children in Colombia (a single-cross hybrid with white grain) suffering from Kwashiorkar, a severe was released by the same University protein deficiency , were brought during 2004. The first yellow grained back to normalcy on a diet containing single cross hybrid ‘HQPM-1’ was released only o2 (Bressani, 1990). by CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Uchani (Karnal), during 2005, followed Spread of QPM Cultivars by the release of ‘Shaktimaan-3’ and The QPM hybrids released in many ‘Shaktimaan-4’ during 2006, ‘HQPM-5’ countries, including India, are mostly during 2007 and ‘HQPM-7’ during 2008. either superior or at par in productivity ‘Vivek QPM 9’, developed by Vivekananda with their similar duration normal maize Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan hybrids. Therefore, cultivation of QPM (VPKAS), Almora, was released during provides an opportunity to the farmers 2008. Thus, a series of eight QPM to produce nutritionally superior maize hybrids were developed and released grains and increase productivity and so far; all these hybrids, except ‘Vivek profitability, one from the high-value QPM 9’, were based on CIMMYT QPM cereal grain product and the other lines (adapted to Indian conditions). All from use of feed and fodder in livestock the seven hybrids developed at Dholi industry. and Uchani Centres are of full season Initial QPM breeding efforts at CIMMYT maturity, while Vivek QPM 9 is of early focused on conversion of a range of maturity and it was developed through subtropical and tropical lowland adapted, marker assisted breeding. normal endosperm populations to o2 Molecular Markers and MAS in versions through backcross-recurrent QPM Breeding selection procedures, with a focus of accumulating the hard endosperm To hasten the pace of progress of phenotype, maintaining protein quality QPM cultivar development, and most and increasing yield and resistance to importantly, to diversify the genetic ear rot. Several QPM composites and base of QPM cultivars in the country,

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 49 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 it is important to convert some of One of the successful examples of the highly diverse and agronomically MAS for maize improvement is the elite non-QPM inbred lines into QPM utilization of opaque2-specific SSR markers versions and derive more heterotic in conversion of the normal maize QPM hybrid combinations. The recent lines into QPM lines with enhanced developments in plant biotechnology, nutritional quality (Babu et al., 2005; including molecular mapping and Gupta et al., 2009). The parental lines marker-assisted selection (MAS) offer of ‘Vivek Hybrid 9’ (CM145 and CM212), a choice of options for introgression developed at VPKAS, Almora, were of the target gene(s) in the genetic converted into QPM versions through background of elite varieties of major transfer of o2 gene using MAS and crops. MAS refers to the manipulation phenotypic screening for endosperm of genomic regions that are involved modifiers. The MAS-derived QPM hybrid, in the expression of traits of interest ‘Vivek QPM 9’ has been released in the using molecular markers. The PCR based year 2008 for commercial cultivation molecular markers help in targeted in zones I and IV in India. Vivek QPM ‘foreground selection’ of segregating/ 9 shows 41% increase in tryptophan, backcross progenies possessing the 30% in lysine, 23% in histidine, 3.4% in desired gene(s), besides shortening of methionine, coupled with 12% reduction the breeding cycle significantly through in leucine, as compared to Vivek Hybrid rapid recovery of recurrent parent 9. Domestic consumption of such QPM genome using ‘background selection’. grains will help in reducing protein Micro satellite or Simple Sequence malnutrition in the hills. In view of

Repeat (SSR) markers are particularly this, F1 hybrid seeds of Vivek QPM 9 useful in undertaking MAS in crop are being produced in large scale for plants like maize. distribution in Uttarakhand and other The cloning and characterization of parts of the country. Vivek QPM 9 can the o2 gene, followed by detection of potentially replace Vivek Hybrid 9 as well three SSR markers (phi057, phi112 and as composites without any yield loss in et al umc1066) within the gene (Lin et al., 1997), these areas (Gupta ., 2009). led to effective differentiation of the O2 The approach outlined above was also and o2 alleles (Bantte and Prasanna, used to develop QPM versions of several 2003; Babu et al., 2005). These o2- elite, early maturing inbred lines adapted specific SSR markers offer tremendous to the hill regions of India. Besides, QPM advantage in molecular marker-assisted versions of six elite inbred lines, which conversion of non-QPM lines into their are the parents of three single-cross QPM versions. ‘Foreground selection’ for hybrids, PEHM2, Parkash and PEEHM5 the o2 allele using SSR markers and have been recently developed by the ‘background selection’ (using markers Maize Genetics Unit, IARI, New Delhi, polymorphic between the donor and through the ICAR Network Project on recurrent parents) aid in recovering Molecular Breeding. A Network Project individuals with desired genotype at has also been recently sanctioned by the target locus, besides high levels of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), recovery of recurrent parent genome, Govt. of India, for conversion of several within 2-3 backcross generations. This important Indian maize inbred lines programme can thus be implemented into QPM versions. in a cost- and time-effective manner as The genetic make-up of the QPM compared to that based on phenotypic materials necessitates their cultivation et al selection alone (Dreher ., 2003). in isolation from normal maize, as

50 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 any contamination with O2 allele will Significant strides have also been made, be apparent in the form of normal particularly with regard to MAS for transparent kernels in contrast to the generating QPM versions for elite inbred marble-like appearance of o2 kernels. lines and identification of genes/QTLs As isolation distance of 300-400m is influencing diverse quality traits in adequate; with the increase in the maize. Yet, the application of molecular number of border rows, this distance tools to accelerate breeding for improved can be suitably reduced. Even in the nutritional quality in maize has barely absence of isolation, the farmers planting begun, and there is vast potential and 2-4 ha can save the seed from the need to expand the scope and impact of middle of the field, whereas the rest of such operations. Breeders will want to the crop can be used as nutritionally avail molecular tools to more efficiently superior grain. add value to new maize cultivars, for Recent investigations into the improved example, by enhancing their nutritional protein quality of the o2 mutant and the or biochemical qualities for use as food, genetic mechanisms that can suppress feed, and industrial material. its starchy kernel phenotype provide Simultaneous with the technological new insights to support the continued advances, there is a need for effective improvement of QPM. Chief among these policy interventions both at the Central and developments are the use of transgenic State levels for widespread popularization approaches to improve nutritional quality and adoption of technologies such and the discovery that an important as QPM by the farmers, enhancing component of modified endosperm the possibilities for consumption of texture in QPM is related to altered nutritionally-rich products by all sections starch granule structure (Gibbon and of the society, and incentives to those Larkins, 2005).In addition, set of ‘amino who contribute to the nutritional security acid modifiers’ could affect the relative of the nation. A National Symposium level of lysine and tryptophan content. on “Quality Protein Maize for Human The lysine content of normal maize is Nutritional Security and Development of around 2%, whereas it is approximately Poultry Sector in India” was organized 4% (of the total protein) in QPM, with at New Delhi on May 3, 2008. Salient a range 1.6–2.6% in normal maize and among the recommendations of this 2.7–4.5% in QPM. Three genes associated Symposium are as follows: with lysine level have been mapped to Since QPM hybrids are basically locations on chromosome 2, 4 and 7, bred by public sector institutions, and o besides several major 2 modifier-QTLs public seed producing agencies are on chromosomes 1, 7 and 9. Therefore, unable to cope with the production of it is possible to get favourable responses seed of these hybrids, a Public-Private to selection for endosperm texture Partnership model should be adopted to modification as well as relative content achieve the seed production and area of the essential amino acids, if they are coverage targets. monitored efficiently, during the QPM breeding programmes. Currently, utilization of maize as food crop is only 25% whereas its use Conclusions for animal and poultry feed is almost The opportunities for implementing 60%. Hence, increasing area under QPM breeding for improved nutritional quality could lead to improved human nutrition in crops like maize have increased and availability of low cost feed for tremendously in the recent years. which internal demand is increasing

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 51 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 very fast. This would demand use of in the overall interest of the country. diverse maize products and food habits In view of the best available quality through popularization of various maize feed for poultry, it is necessary to recipes. Also, QPM could be a cheaper provide incentive (at least 10 % higher source of protein for children and can price than normal maize) to the QPM be used effectively as mid-day meal growers to accelerate and strengthen for which the Bihar State has taken the QPM in the country. Some of the the lead. State Departments of Agriculture (e.g., Poultry sector has a potential for West Bengal) have taken initiatives for growth at about 15% p.a. as compared seed production of QPM hybrids and to the present 11-12% and also as an their dissemination through public- export industry. QPM for poultry is an private partnership in view of the ever industry demand and should be satisfied increasing demand of poultry feed.

52 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009

Cooperative Farming in Rainfed Areas J. Venkateswarlu

Preamble • Smallholders are the repository of Any development is agro-biodiversity, the lifeline for meaningful only when sustainability the needs of the poor • Small farms are more efficient are satiated. The rainfed • They cool the climate better than areas are the abode commercial / large farms of 80% of the poor and 65% of the livestock. To achieve • Livestock enterprises (particularly sustainability in development, community milch animals) are growing with has to be involved. The classic example smallholders comes from SERP (IKP) of Govt. of A.P. • Other non-farm enterprises are on wherein 3,40,000 farmers from SHG’s the rise (mostly women) in about 3,000 villages brought 5,61,200 ha under Non-Pesticidal Selection of Areas Management (NPM) of crops (examples: It could be contiguous or scattered. cotton, pigeonpea, and chillies). SERP But the first option would be better for provided the needed training only. initiating the programme. And watershed areas already covered under the Ministry Setting of Agriculture (NWDPRA, RVP and FPR) The rainfed areas in the state (about and Ministry of Rural Development 60%) are ecologically and economically (IWDP, DPAP and DDP) programmes disadvantaged. There is high spatial may be considered. Advantages are two variability in soils, with multiple slopes, fold. First, there was considerable effort variable depths and texture. Soil organic to improve the natural resources (land, matter is continuously depleting. The water, vegetation). Second, much effort rainfall (main source of water) also was made in developing community- varies temporally and spatially. With based organizations (SHGs, UGs). global warming it is becoming more To start with, watersheds noted unpredictable with high intensities and for their good performance may be long dry spells. Thus the rainfed areas considered for the purpose with about are not only thirsty (moisture stress) but 150-300 farmers as a unit. also hungry (nutrient inadequacies). Over half of the farmers in rainfed areas do Some awareness on management of not have draft for agricultural operations natural resources, sharing of usufructs and any source of irrigation. money management, conflict resolution, group discussions and decisions, group To bring such a heterogeneous action / implementation, etc already community under co-operative farming exist in the watershed areas. would be a Herculean task. But nothing is impossible. Existing Models It is important to realize Several models are available in

Director (Retired), Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur. Email: [email protected]

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 53 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 community farming. From personal chickpea followed by wheat are taken visits and experiences three models are up as rabi crops. cited. One such comes from Lonzhau Each Khadin is owned by a homogenous Province of China. Here 200 ha area group of farmers (generally same caste). covered with 20 bore wells are farmed The group owns the land. They together by 100 farmers. Each farmer is allotted till the soil and grow crops. They share 2.0 hectares out of which 1.0 hectare the final produce. Excess is sold. is to be put under food crops (rice, wheat) to supply targeted food grains to When the system was attempted by the Government kitty. The Government Govt.of Rajasthan in the neighboring provides the needed inputs on subsidy. Pali district, it failed. On investigation, The other 1.0 ha can be planned with it was found that the groups of farmers crops (including vegetables) of the choice were heterogeneous and needed adequate of the farmer, but with the overall training and back stopping. approval of the community and with Proposal due consideration of available water for the year. The inputs for this 1.0 ha are In the watershed selected from out to be acquired by the farmer from the of the completed watershed areas, the existing channels. Both the people and following points may be considered as the Government are happy. watershed plus activities. The second option is from Turkmenistan 1. Improve the soil productivity at the (then under USSR) where the members cost of the budget of the commune are allotted land to 2. Encourage the SHGs to be federated grow food crops, fruits, cotton and and identified as a cooperative others as decided by the commune. 3. Let the farmers decide the crop Each of the farmers is paid monthly production plans, keeping in view some compensation. In order to avert the rainfall and available water from laggards, it is planned to pay additionally wells / bore wells and minor irrigation for their achievements in terms of yield sources and quality. 4. Provide the costs towards infrastructure The third is from arid West Rajasthan. needed for In Jaisalmer district there are about a. Life saving irrigation for rainfed 500 Khadins that used to supply the crops needed food grains to the people of b. Pressurized irrigation systems the entire district after meeting their for high value crops personal needs. 5. Encourage participatory irrigation Khadin is a low-lying area wherein systems for groundwater as well rainwater is stored across a bund. Size varies from 50-100 ha. Rainwater from 6. Farmers may grow food crops (Cereals, the upper reaches collects in this low- pulses) at least in half of their holding lying area during the monsoon period for which Government may provide (rainfall varies from 100-180 mm/ subsidy for the inputs (including year). The area remains under water draft). For the rest of the holding the during kharif season. By late October farmers may decide as a community to early November the water percolates to grow crops of their choice for which into the soil and even recharges the Government may encourage Bank groundwater. Once the soil with stored loans through federated SHGs. water is ready for sowing crops like 7. While the procurement of food grains

54 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 (in excess of farmers’ needs) be done external (export) demands are ever by the Government, the produce from increasing. Further the system is non-food crops be sold to external eco-friendly. agencies through MoU for which 8. As regards milch animals, the milk Government / Panchayat stands as producers be the members of the a third party assurance. Best would federation and directly supply milk be encouraging farmers to take up and milk products through the organic production (cotton, medicinal Cooperatives. The same approach plants for green pharmacy, fruits may be adopted, if poultry is taken and vegetables). Their internal and as another enterprise.

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 55 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009

Pulses Production in India Masood Ali

Present Scenario million ha to 15.01 million ha. This was India is the largest more conspicuous in chickpea, where it producer of pulses in the decreased from 5.1 million ha to 2.06 world with 25% share in million ha in North and increased from the production. The major 2.39 million ha to 5.2 million ha in pulse crops are chickpea central and South India. (39%), pigeonpea (21%), Trends in Area, Production and m u n g b e a n ( 1 1 % ) , Productivity urdbean (10%), lentil (7%) and fieldpea (5%). The important The area under chickpea has increased states are Maharashtra (20%), Madhya from 6.5 million ha in 1991-93 to 7.3 Pradesh (17%), Rajasthan (11%), Uttar million ha in 2006-08. Similarly in Pradesh (11%) and Andhra Pradesh pigeonpea, the area increased from 3.60 (11%), together accounting for 79% of million ha to 3.63 million ha. In Andhra the total production. During 2007-08, Pradesh, the chickpea area has increased the total production was 14.76 million from 71,000 ha to 0.58 million ha and tonnes from an area of 23.63 million productivity from 621 kg/ha to 1397 hectares with an average yield of 625 kg/ha yielding a 16 times increase in kg/ha. The 3rd Advance Estimate for production. In Maharashtra, the chickpea 2008-09 show a drop in production area increased from 0.57 million ha to mainly due to shortfall in area (0.63 1.24 million ha and the production from million hectare) and in productivity on 0.29million to 0.96 million tonnes. In account of unfavourable weather for kharif Karnataka, the chickpea area increased pulses. However, the area and production by 2.7 times and production by 4.4. of rabi pulses increased significantly times during this period. but could not compensate the loss in In case of pigeonpea, the area increased production. The pulses production is from 0.33 million ha in 1992-93 to not keeping pace with the domestic 0.45 million ha in 2006-08 in Andhra requirements and consequently the Pradesh, 1.01 million ha to 1.14 million nation has to import 1.5 - 2.8 million ha in Maharashtra and 0.47 million to tonnes annually, which is a matter of 0.62 million ha in Karnataka. This was serious concern. mainly due to increased productivity. Regional Shift Presently, mungbean and urdbean occupy 3.77 and 3.24 million ha area in the A significant regional shift in area country, which were around 3.00 million of pulses has been witnessed during ha of each in 1990-93. This, coupled post-green revolution period. In North with positive growth in productivity has India, the area reduced from 10.83 led to increase in the production to 1.56 million ha in 1971-75 to 8.60 million and 1.52 million tonnes in mungbean ha in 2005-08, while in central and and urdbean. Rajasthan has shown an South India it increased from 11.34 impressive growth in area from 0.37

Former Director, Indian Institute of Pulses ResearchKanpur- 208 024 (U.P.) Email: [email protected]

56 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 million ha to 0.93 million ha due to rust, powdery mildew and wilt cause development of short duration, yellow considerable yield loss. Powdery mildew mosaic resistant varieties with higher is the most important and widely spread productivity. Maharashtra followed foliar disease of dry peas throughout this trend. In case of urdbean, Uttar the country. In the recent years, rust Pradesh has shown progressive increase is also appearing as the most important both in area and production. There was disease in northeast plains. Among key positive growth in area, production and insect pests, gram pod borer (Helicoverpa productivity of lentil in Madhya Pradesh armigera) in chickpea and pigeonpea, and Uttar Pradesh, the major lentil pod fly in pigeonpea, whitefly, jassids growing states. Area under lentil has and thrips in mungbean and urdbean, increased from 1.18 million ha to 1.50 aphids in lentil and stem fly in dry million ha while production has increased peas cause severe damage to the crops. from 0.74 million tonnes to 0.94 million Weeds also cause substantial loss to tonnes in the same period. pulses. Nematodes have emerged as During the period 1991-93 to 2006-08, a potential threat to the successful highest increase in productivity of chickpea cultivation of pulses especially in light was recorded in A.P. (124%) followed textured soils. by Karnataka (63%), Maharashtra (52%) Among abiotic stresses, terminal and Gujarat (40%). In pigeonpea, A.P. drought and high temperature at terminal (109%), Karnataka (103%), Maharashtra stage and cold as well as sudden drop in (64%) and Gujarat (27%) showed marked temperature coupled with frost and foggy improvements. Madhya Pradesh reflected weather during the reproductive phase significant growth in lentil and fieldpea. of crop inflict major yield losses and There was more than 20-40% increase instability in production. Consequently, in productivity in urdbean in M.P. pulses are perceived as marginal farmers’ (24%) and Maharashtra (28%), and in crops laden with high risk and poor yield. mungbean, in A.P. (22%), U.P.(18%), This perception discourages farmers to M.P.(10%) and Maharashtra (11%). invest in requisite inputs vital for its successful cultivation. This is further Major Constraints compounded in the absence of favourable The major constraints that limit the market intervention in the form of realization of potential yield of pulses minimum support price and efficient include biotic and abiotic stresses procurement mechanism besides lack besides socio-economic factors prevalent of liberal credit policy. in the pulses growing areas. Fusarium wilt coupled with root rot complex is Technology in shelf the most widespread disease followed Research and development efforts made by Ascochyta blight mainly in the cool by the Indian Council of Agricultural and humid climate of the North-West Research in association with State Plain Zone and Botrytis grey mould in Agricultural Universities have resulted North-East Plain Zone causing substantial in development of over 570 improved losses to chickpea. While fusarium wilt, varieties of different pulse crops and sterility mosaic, phytophthora blight and remunerative production technologies. alternaria blight cause substantial losses Some of the proven technologies are to pigeonpea, mungbean yellow mosaic highlighted below: virus, cercospora leaf spot and powdery Improved Varieties: About 304 mildew are the important diseases in varieties of different pulse crops having both mungbean and urdbean. In lentil, high yield, resistance to key diseases,

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 57 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 larger seed size, appropriate duration have phosphorus to the plant. Field experiments been released since 1992 for cultivation and frontline demonstrations on bio- in various agro-climatic zones. Many of fertilizers have clearly shown that seed these varieties have yield potential of inoculation with Rhizobium and PSB 2.0 to 2.5 t/ha in chickpea, pigeonpea improved productivity of pulses by 11- and field pea; while in mungbean and 21%. The technology involves inoculation urdbean, the yield potential is 1.0 to of seeds with Rhizobium culture @ 25 g/ 1.5 t/ha. A large number of frontline kg of seed and PSB 10-12 hours before demonstrations conducted in different sowing. These are the least expensive zones have shown mean yield gain of inputs, needing popularization on large 24%, 23.6%, 24.3%, 20.3% and 21.9% scale. in chickpea, lentil, pigeonpea, mungbean Foliar Spray of Urea: In rainfed areas, and urdbean respectively due to improved pulses generally suffer with inadequacy varieties over local cultivars. of N at the reproductive phase due Ridge/Raised Bed Planting: Kharif to moisture stress and degeneration pulses, especially pigeonpea, suffer of root nodules. Foliar spray of 2% heavy losses due to water stagnation, urea helps in improving N content of resulting in poor plant population and leaves making them photosynthetically seed yield. Ridge planting of pigeonpea more active. Frontline demonstrations has been advocated especially in North on chickpea, lentil, mungbean and East Plain Zone (Eastern U.P., Bihar, urdbean in different regions have shown Jharkhand, West Bengal) to ensure desired spectacular increase of 13-20% in their plant stand of the crop, minimize the productivity. This proved to be one of incidence of Phytophthora stem blight, the simplest and low cost technologies ensure quick disposal of runoff and also for improving production of pulses. to economize the use of supplemental Sulphur Application: A comprehensive irrigation, if needed. The technology study on fertility status of pulse growing involves making ridges and furrows regions has shown that out of 135 by tractor/bullock drawn ridge planter districts, 87 showed 20-60% deficiency at 60 cm spacing and sowing seed in sulphur. This has gradually developed in the centre of the ridge. Frontline as these crops are generally deprived demonstrations of ridge/raised bed of organic manures, besides continuous planting in this Zone have clearly shown cultivation without addition of S containing 17-20% yield advantage over flat bed fertilizers, leaching losses and heavy sowing. Raised bed planting is becoming demand for S. Presently in many areas, popular with the availability of low cost response to S is more prominent than P. raised bed planters. Ridge planters now Soil application of 20 kg S/ha through available need to be popularized through SSP, gypsum or pyrite depending upon community services. soil condition have shown encouraging Bio-fertilizers: Pulses are endowed results. Therefore, S should become with unique ability of biological nitrogen important component of integrated fixation, which enables them to meet their nutrient management. Farmers are fully own N requirement besides improving soil convinced with the beneficial effect of fertility. However, this phenomenon occurs S fertilization but non-availability of with adequate population of Rhizobium these fertilizers is the major constraint. bacteria, which are low in stressed soil It is therefore, imperative to promote of rainfed areas where pulses are grown. production of SSP, which meets the Phosphorus solubilizing bacteria have requirement of both P and S, and also been identified to improve availability of ensure availability of gypsum and pyrite

58 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 in S deficient districts. This technology Integrated Wilt Management: Fusarium has shown 15-24% yield advantage in wilt is a serious problem in pigeonpea, different pulse crops. chickpea and lentil causing substantial Weed Management: Amongst various yield losses. Host plant resistance production inputs, weed management is the best option. However, non-­ has been found as the most critical availability of seeds of wilt resistant input for kharif pulses and second most varieties and existence of pathogenic important in rabi season as weeds cause variability call for integrated approach substantial yield losses. Pre-emergence of wilt management involving summer application of pendimethalin @ 1.0 to cultivation, seed dressing with Trichoderma 1.25 kg a.i. per ha has been found like carbendazim, thiram and Rhizobium, quite effective in controlling seasonal which are compatible with weeds. Frontline demonstrations of promoting intercropping of pigeonpea this technology have shown 24-33% with sorghum, chickpea with linseed yield advantage and therefore, need and appropriate crop rotations.A glaring popularization immediately. example of containing pigeonpea wilt was well demonstrated in Maharashtra. Seed Priming: Most of the rabi pulses There is need to ensure like chickpea, lentil and lathyrus are treatment of seeds being sold to farmers, grown on residual soil moisture. At that adequate production and distribution time, the moisture will be limiting factor of Trichoderma and creating awareness in seed zone for proper germination due on the wilt resistant varieties. to early withdrawal of monsoon. Under such conditions, seed priming (soaking Integrated Management of Helicoverpa: (Helicoverpa armigera) seeds for 6-8 hours in water) has proved Gram pod borer is quite beneficial in improving plant stand the key pest of pigeonpea and chickpea and early vigour, resulting in higher causing 25-30% yield losses. At present, yield. This simple technology needs to there is no variety showing resistance to be advocated among farmers. this dreaded insect pest in any of the pulse crops. In view of this, low cost Remunerative Cropping Systems: bio-intensive IPM modules have been With the advent of high yielding and developed which involve timely sowing short duration varieties, new cropping to exploit host avoidance phenomenon, systems with high productivity and intercropping with mustard, and monetary returns have been developed linseed in chickpea and sorghum in both for rainfed and irrigated areas, which pigeonpea, use of trap crops like Vicia are popular with the farmers. Among sativa and African giant marigold, use such systems, rice-wheat-mungbean of Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus (NPV) @ for intensification of rice-wheat system 250 LE/ha or Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) @ and short duration pigeonpea-wheat 1-1.5 kg/ha, and erection of perches @ and rice- late sown chickpea for the 20-30/ha to attract insectivorous birds. irrigated areas of Punjab, Haryana, Spraying with 5% Neem Seed Kernel Delhi, central and western U.P., rice- Extract or Achook @ 1.25 1/ha or lentil for the eastern U.P., Bihar, West need based use of chemicals like 0.07% Bengal and M.P., and rice- rabi urdbean/ endosulfan or 0.004% fenvelarate at 15- mungbean in rice fallows of coastal 20 days interval is recommended. There peninsula have been found efficient is need to popularize IPM technologies and remunerative. These systems have and ensure availability of pheromone potential to increase pulses production traps, HaNPV and neem based products. on a sustainable basis. A prediction model for Helicoverpa in long

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 59 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 duration pigeonpea has been developed IIPR Mini Dal Mill: A low capacity dal that is based upon minimum temperature mill, popularly known as IIPR Dal Chakki, (>50C) around 7-8 standard weeks, having milling capacity of 80-125 kg per rainfall during 1-9 standard weeks and hour for different pulse crops has been base moth population (more than 15 designed at the Institute. In this mill, all moths during 5-7 standard weeks). The the three milling operations, dehusking combinations of all these factors could of grains, splitting of dehusked kernels lead to severe infestation of Helicoverpa and cleaning of finished product take whereas one of the factors indicate low place simultaneously in single pass. A occurrence of the pest. cyclone separator provided in the mill Integrated Management of Nematodes: separates powder and husk fraction Plant parasitic nematodes like root knot from the milled product, resulting in the and cyst nematodes are posing serious cleaned finished product. The machine threat to many pulse crops especially operates on 1.5 hp single-phase power dal in the light textured soils. They also supply and gives 75-82% recovery predispose crop plants to wilt and damage with minimum breakage. Its design has root nodules. Integrated management been released for commercial production. Chakki that involves summer ploughing, seed The has become very popular treatment with neem seed powder or with the farmers for value addition and smearing seeds with neem oil and small entrepreneurs for employment appropriate crop rotation provide effective generation. control of nematodes.

60 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009

Oilseeds in India: Present Status and Suggested Road Map D.M. Hegde

India has one of the first five year plan. The net per capita largest vegetable oils production of edible oils increased from economy in the world, 3.5 kg during 1951 to 8.1 kg during next only to USA, China, 2008 while that of food grains from Brazil and Argentina. 132.4 kg to just 170.3 kg during the The diversity of oilseeds same period. found in India is not There has been large regional variation seen anywhere else in in oilseeds production during the the world. In addition to last 25 years. Only a few states like all the annual oilseeds, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, a wide range of other minor oilseeds Rajasthan and West Bengal increased of horticultural and forest origin, in their production both through area particular coconut and oil palm are expansion and productivity improvement. grown. The country also produces Gujarat increased oilseeds production substantial quantity of vegetable oils from mainly through higher productivity. In rice bran and cottonseed. One or more Punjab, oilseeds production declined of oilseeds are grown in every state of by nearly 50% mainly in response the country. However, Madhya Pradesh, to sharp drop in its area, while in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, both area and productivity Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu decreased sharply leading to large decline and Uttar Pradesh account for nearly in production. The major states like 90% of their area and production. Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have not achieved any noteworthy success Progress in oilseeds production in oilseeds production. The area, production and productivity The oilseeds sector has become a of oilseeds registered an annual compound net earner of foreign exchange during growth rate of 1.60, 3.02 and 1.41% 2007-08 after a gap of nearly a decade between 1950 and 2008 respectively. (exports and imports are Rs. 12875 and There was 2.65, 5.69 and 2.15 times Rs. 11147 crores respectively) although increase in these parameters during the country imported 5.2 million tonnes the last 58 years. These achievements of vegetable oil constituting 36% of under predominantly rainfed conditions national needs. This trend is being are even higher than the production continued during 2008-09. increase in total food grains. It is worth recording that 4.6 times increase in Demand projections total food grains was achieved with Vegetable oils consumption is both the highest national priorities to this income and price elastic. The per capita group and was relatively under much consumption has increased from less than more favourable farming environments, 3 kg/year at the time of independence particularly irrigated lands right from the to nearly 12 kg/year during 2007-08.

Project Director, Directorate of Oilseeds ResearchRajendranagar, Hyderabad-500 030. Email: [email protected]

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 61 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 As per the projection of DAC-Rabo production through area expansion and Bank, the per capita consumption productivity improvement through better is likely to rise to 12.60, 14.57 and adoption of currently available improved 16.38 kg/year by 2010, 2015 and 2020 technology, value addition to oilseeds and respectively. This amounts to a vegetable oils to increase their competitiveness, oil requirement of 14.8, 18.3 and 21.8 higher recovery of oil through efficient million tonnes by the respective periods processing, overcoming the constraints for a projected population of 1175, 1256 of domestic marketing of oilseeds and and 1331 millions. it is equivalent to its products and liberalizing trade in 44.8, 55.5 and 66.0 million tonnes of India’s oilseeds economy. oilseeds respectively, provided that the proportion of different oilseeds remains Area expansion constant in the coming years. If one The expansion of oilseeds area during assumes 20% of vegetable oils from the last two decades was a major source crops other than annual oilseeds, such of growth in their production. Nearly as coconut, oil palm, rice bran, cotton 45.3% of the increased production was seed, tree borne oilseeds etc. then contributed by area expansion and we need to produce about 55 million 54.7% by productivity improvement tonnes by 2020 to achieve near self- during the period 1985-86 to 2007- reliance in vegetable oils. Considering 08. The area increase came where the that oilseeds production during 2007- oilseed crops were superior options 08 amounted to about 29.76 million to traditional crops. Farmers always tonnes, the country needs to almost searched for technological options and double their production in the next 11 practices, which brought them higher years requiring an annual growth rate returns and readily responded to various in excess of 6%, which will indeed be economic incentives. The area expanded a tall order. in favour of those oilseed crops which have either shown a higher growth rate Issues in oilseed sector of productivity due to technological The major issues/concerns in oilseeds development as in rapeseed-mustard are continued dependence of oilseeds or whose relative prices with competing on rainfed production system leading crops have moved in their favour as to wide year to year fluctuation in in sunflower or higher growth rates in production, non-availability of quality productivity were combined with higher seeds of improved varieties/hybrids, prices resulting in sharp increases in poor crop nutrition-both suboptimal total profitability as in soybean. use of major nutrients and minimal use There is a limited scope to bring of secondary and micronutrients, new additional area exclusively under oilseeds biotic threats in different oilseeds for as the demand for land for producing which there are currently no effective other remunerative crops will continue management options, weak transfer of to rise due to population increase technology, highly inefficient processing, and rising living standards. However, inadequate marketing support, non- it becomes imperative to search for remunerative and unstable prices and newer approaches to expand their usually unfavourable trade policy. cultivation under different cropping/ There is need to adopt multipronged farming situations. Oilseeds have an strategy to meet the challenges of edge over other crops in terms of oilseeds production in the years to price and relative primal production come. This involves enhancing their under environmental stress conditions.

62 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 Extending cultivation to underutilized Improving oilseeds productivity farming situations such as in rice- The productivity of all oilseeds in fallows of eastern India where 15 million India is just 50-60% of the world average hectares is under low land rice is one with the exception of castor and only such possibility. In India about 45 15-25% of the productivity observed million hectares are available with widely in the country. With limited scope to spaced crops (cotton, sugarcane, maize, bring additional area under oilseeds, pigeonpea, etc.) where introduction of bulk of the future increases in their oilseeds as intercrops is possible. In production have to come primarily from addition, these can also be intercropped land-saving technologies, highlighting a in less remunerative, traditional staple combination of high yielding varieties/ food crops whose replacement is not hybrids, balanced and integrated crop possible as in wheat in peninsular India. nutrition, efficient crop management, Newer areas and seasons for cultivation of integrated pest management and oilseeds is the grey area to be exploited. mechanization. Further, under limited water availability for the second crop of rice or in tail Crop ecological zoning: There is end areas of canals, oilseeds are better widespread cultivation of most of the options where, sunflower, sesame and oilseeds with varying productivity levels groundnut can be harvested well with in different districts. Crop ecological less than fourth of water needs of rice. zoning is an important strategy for Oilseeds perform well in saline areas their efficient production. Delineating than cereals or pulses. Considerable efficient zones for each oilseed crop helps potential exists for expansion of area in realizing potential yields with high under oilseeds in rice-based cropping input use efficiency. Only 4 districts systems. There is an urgent need for contribute 33% of groundnut area and diversification of rice-rice and rice-wheat 37% of sunflower area in the country. cropping systems by introduction of Likewise 9 and 12 districts contribute oilseeds for conservation of resources 31% of mustard and 41% of soybean and better sustainability. area. All our efforts for increasing the productivity of oilseeds need to Sunflower and sesame may also be dovetailed to these zones. Support be better options under contingency services like input supply, marketing planning where the season for regular and processing have to be linked. crop is not conducive or when this Besides strengthening of research and has failed. These can fit well as catch extension systems, these zones also crops between two regular crops. Value help in addressing tasks of getting over addition to some of the main and by- infrastructural shortcomings faced by products of oilseed crops will further the farmers. increase their competitiveness and help expand the area. This will also arrest Quality seed supply: Availability constant decline in area observed in of quality seeds of improved varieties some minor crops like safflower and and hybrids is grossly inadequate and linseed in recent years. It must be is one of the important constraints to possible to reach a target of at least enhance oilseeds production. As on 33 to 35 million hectares by the year today, more than 670 varieties/hybrids 2020 under oilseeds if concerted efforts have been developed and notified for are made with appropriate policy back seed production which have shown up up along with scientific adjustments in to 40% yield superiority over the local cropping systems. cultivars with better resistance to insect

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 63 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 pests and diseases. During 2007-08, out low productivity. Their need in general, of 614 varieties notified, only 290 were is high for all the nutrients including in seed chain. Out of those also, only micronutrients for producing higher a few select varieties were dominating yields. Some of the cropping systems the seed indent with the result, that involving oilseeds may remove as much many new varieties suited for specific as 400 to 800 kg/ha/year of N, P2O5, conditions are not finding their way to K2O under high productivity conditions. farmers’ fields. While there is enough The estimated NPK removal by oilseed breeder seed production in most of the crops during 2007-08 was 3.94 million oilseed crops, further seed multiplication tonnes while the contribution to nutrient through foundation and certified seed uptake by fertilizers was only 14.5% production are the key constraints for leading to continuous mining of soil availability of quality seed at farmers’ in these areas even with present low level. The seed replacement ratio for productivity. Apart from good response all annual oilseed crops put together to major nutrients, there is growing is only 8-10% ranging from <1% in deficiency of secondary and micronutrients niger and linseed to 69% in sunflower. such as S, Ca, Zn, Fe and B due to Even in major crops like groundnut, intensive cropping using high analysis it is only 2%. With the exception of fertilizers. The limiting secondary and castor and sunflower where hybrids are micronutrients need to be applied along ruling with private sector involvement, with NPK for achieving desired yields. the seed production is primarily left Groundnut and soybean being legumes, with public sector agencies with many occupy more than 50% of oilseeds area limitations. and they can greatly be benefited from Irrigation: Annual oilseed production use of appropriate Rhizobium cultures in the country is faced with high degree economizing N fertilizer use. These crops of variation, as nearly 72% of the in sequence with other non-legumes can oilseeds area is rainfed and subjected help in saving N fertilizer to the extent to uncertainties of moisture availability. of 30 to 40 kg/ha. Since the average With the exception of rapeseed-mustard consumption of plant nutrients is very (72.1%) and castor (63.6%), the irrigated low and still lower in oilseeds, the area in other oilseed crops varies from residual fertility build up due to legumes less than 1% in safflower and niger to is obviously a major contribution, which 1.7% in soybean, 6.3% in sesame, 8.3% in must be exploited fully for increasing linseed, 19.6% in groundnut and 24.9% in oilseed production. sunflower. The production of oilseeds can Biofertilisers like Azotobacter, be stabilized and significantly increased Azospirillum and phosphorus solubilising by extending irrigation facility. The water microorganisms can also play an requirement of oilseeds in general, is important role in achieving economy in low and they respond remarkably to chemical fertiliser use. Seed treatment limited irrigation input at critical stages. with Azotobacter and Azospirillum can Sometimes productivity of crops like save 20 to 30 kg N/ha in crops like safflower can almost be doubled with sesame, mustard, sunflower and safflower just one protective irrigation. even under rainfed conditions. These Nutrient supply: Oilseeds are energy biofertilisers need to be promoted in rich crops but they are mostly grown different oilseeds along with Rhizobium under energy-starved condition. The for leguminous crops. low or no use of plant nutrients is one There is need for practicing fertilizer of the most important factors for their

64 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 management on a system basis rather under rainfed conditions. Out of these, than on an individual crop or field planting in optimum time is most basis for achieving higher efficiency and crucial for getting the desired plant economy, leading to greater sustainability. stand and expected yield. There are Specific attention needs to be given to a large number of very efficient farm harness the residual effects of fertilizers implements both bullock drawn and containing P, K and S. Sound fertilizer tractor drawn, specially designed for management for intercropping system oilseeds which need to be made use meeting the nutrient needs of component of on a much larger scale to achieve crops will go a long way in enhancing efficiency and economy in many farm productivity of the system. operations. In cases where it is not Efficient crop management: Oilseeds possible for individual farmers to own are cultivated for commercial purpose these implements, these must be made and their by-products at field level are available on custom hire basis. The of little value with the exception of selective farm mechanization can make groundnut. Profitability lies in efficient a significant impact on productivity of crop management, mainly with non- oilseeds apart from enhancing input use cash or low cost inputs. Such practices efficiency ultimately leading to increased are: adoption of proper crop rotation to competitiveness of oilseeds. improve soil health and to reduce pest Effective technology transfer build up, soil and moisture conservation measures, timely planting, adequate plant For increasing oilseeds production, stand, timely weed management, need- besides generating new technologies, based plant protection with bioagents concerted efforts are needed to transfer and biopesticides, promotion of plant the existing technologies from research growth promoting rhizobacteria like laboratories to the farmers’ fields through Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Azospirillum, efficient and effective technology transfer phosphorus solubilising microbes etc. programme. The data generated from These will have great influence on nearly 26700 frontline demonstrations productivity and sustainability of oilseeds organized by the Directorate of Oilseeds production. Research, Hyderabad during the last two decades in the farmers’ fields across Integrated pest management: Oilseeds various crops, seasons and situations are affected by a large number of clearly indicate the possibility of enhancing insect pests and diseases that cause oilseeds production to a great extent. considerable yield loss. Many pests Different components like improved have become limiting factors in oilseeds varieties, nutrient management, need- production, as no effective and economic based plant protection, weed control, measures are currently available for irrigation management and thinning their management. IPM practices have etc. have profound influence on the been standardized involving resistant productivity of different oilseed crops. varieties, biocontrol agents, biopesticides There exists a commercially exploitable and need-based use of chemicals. The yield reservoir to the tune of nearly 80% additional benefit with IPM package of the national production that could be adoption ranged from Rs. 2500/ha in harnessed by the adoption of currently linseed to Rs. 7600/ha in castor. available improved technologies. Farm mechanisation: The opportunity Value addition to oilseeds and oils time for carrying out many field operations for oilseeds is very limited especially Oilseeds are sources of oil, protein,

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 65 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 sugar, minerals and even nutrients. and interests of all the stake holders Although oilseeds in general, have good (consumers, industries, farmers, traders) composition and quality, their domestic with diverse interest is a pre-requisite. utilization as well as larger exports are The policy must stimulate balanced hindered due to certain limitations and growth of vegetable oils sector, which toxic factors. We must overcome these can be sustained over a long run. Some limitations for better value realization. of the major elements of this policy Instead of exporting direct items like framework are: oilseeds, oil and oilcakes, India should • All traditional oilseeds are reserved export value-added products. Currently, for small-scale sector with inefficient castor oil and other related products processing set up. There is need to worth about Rs.2000 crores are exported decontrol all these oilseeds from small- annually without any significant value scale sector to enhance efficiency of addition. A conservative estimate indicates processing. that, foreign exchange of about $ 6 billion can be earned if value-added • There is a very large processing industry castor oil and its products are exported. with low capacity utilization (5% in There are uncommon opportunities to Ghanis to 45% in refineries attached add value to different oilseeds and oils, to Vanaspati units) leading to high which must be fully exploited to enhance cost of processing with both farmers the competitiveness of these crops. A and consumers as the losers. large number of high-value products can • India’s domestic price support also be obtained from by-products of programme has often favoured processing industry. Quality of cakes and production of crops that compete meals of all oilseeds can be upgraded for area with oilseeds. Support price by removing anti-nutritional factors index in recent years has distinctly and contaminants and their utilisation moved in favour of rice and wheat base can be broadened by developing unlike in oilseeds. processing technology for value-added • Effective market intervention by NAFED food products. Provision of appropriate to give price support to oilseeds was storage structures can overcome problems not forthcoming in many years and like pesticide contamination in sesame in several regions leading to distress seeds, which is a major roadblock in sales and low realization from oilseeds increasing sesame seed exports. Similarly, by the farmers. aflatoxin development in groundnut has to be avoided by adopting effective • The trade policy changes were very production and storage technologies. unstable and quite often were not favourable for domestic oilseed Policy options for oilseed sector sector. The remarkable progress India could The government after a careful analysis achieve in oilseeds sector during initial should give a direction whether India years of technology mission would not should aim at self-reliance and self- have been possible without an appropriate sufficiency or go for need-based imports policy backup from the Government. without unduly disturbing the food If the country has to turn near self- and nutritional security. Oil is critical reliant in vegetable oils sector in the for the health of our public, industry coming years, a comprehensive policy and farmer. After this, we should take framework for the entire sector taking steps to implement the policy. The into consideration various demands policies should be balanced between

66 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 availability of oil to the consumers in international scenario, WTO obligations, reasonable quantities and affordable trade relations, comparative advantages prices on one hand and on the other of prices of commodities, whether raw promote domestic production without or refined, either to import or export. resorting to uncontrolled imports to To sumup, the oilseeds policy safeguard the interests of the grower, framework has to promote the goals employment, industry and health of our of economic efficiency and social equity people. This demands a coordinated through creative combinations of policies, approach, frequent consultations and which puts a premium on science and avoidance of pressures of interested technology. Public policy should support groups and lobbies, before decisions private sector in providing inputs and are taken and directions issued. The services to the farmer, the processor decisions and directions have to take and the trader. The tariff policy should into consideration both short-term and strike an appropriate balance between long-term issues because the country the promotion of domestic production has seasonal, annual and perennial and of export, while safeguarding the crops and a big industry base, where interests of consumers through reasonable substantial investments are made. The imports. decision-making should be based on

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 67 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 Scope for Exalted Status of Cotton in 21st Century S. S. Narayanan

Cotton & and non-mill consumption and exports International Year respectively for the years. There is still of Natural Fibres an estimated stock of 6.0 million bales The at the end of 2008-09. Food & Agriculture Indian Textile Industry Organization declared that 2009 be celebrated Textile and clothing industry is as the Year of Natural one of the largest and most important Fibres and accordingly industries in the Indian economy in terms in all major countries including India, of output, foreign exchange earnings international and national level conferences and employment. This contributes 4% have been organized and many more to the country’s GDP and 14% to the are likely to come. The Indian Society industrial production. With US 12.7billion for Cotton Improvement and the Indian US$ textile exports and 9.7billion US$ Fibre Society under the auspices of garment exports in 2007-08, the industry the ICAR, New Delhi conducted a very contributed around 12% to India’s foreign successful international Conference on exchange earnings. The industry provides Natural Fibres at from 16-18 employment in manufacturing sector to April 2009 with large participation by 33.17 millions, besides in forward and scientists and stakeholders. Among the backward linkages of the industry. Over scores of natural fibres from plant and 50 % of the production in the textile animal origin used in textile industry value chain gets exported. Ministry of and other purposes, cotton commands Textiles has targeted an annual growth the top position in the conventional of 16% for the industry to reach US th and technical textiles apart from $115billion by the end of the 11 Five certain non-textile uses. India ranks Year plan besides securing a 7% share first in total area under cotton with in global trade and has a potential to around 9.5million hectares (5% of the employ 45million people by 2012. The total cultivated area), second in total export earnings are estimated to increase production (5.35million tonnes out of to US$ 55billion by 2012. Indian T&C a global output of 24 million tonnes) market is estimated at INR 2.55 Trillion and consumption in textiles (cf.75% in 2007-08 with exports amounting to in textiles and 20% as exports), and 35% of the T&C earnings. relatively a lower position in productivity Cotton & Textiles under in the global situation. The Indian Cotton Multilateral Trade Advisory Board estimated 31.5 million bales of production for 2007-08 and Reports released in June 2009 from 29.0 million bales for 2008-09. These multilateral organizations like the World were against a total demand of 32.6 Bank, IMF, WTO and ADB had highlighted and 28.0 million bales including mill the collapse in demand due to economic

Former Director, CICR, Nagpur & Research Advisor (Cotton) in NFCL, NARDI, VIBHA & JK Seeds; Consultant (Cotton) in German Seed Project in UN-FAO Afghanistan; QRT Member for CICR-AICCIP & CIRCOT. Email: [email protected]

68 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 downturn. Widespread recession has as well as the stakeholders. In the crippled the economic activities across textile value chain, the employment the globe and caused an acute loss of and cotton utilization potential can business. Efforts are on way to bring be enhanced dramatically in the next about acceptable solutions soon. Textile five years. Technical textiles represent demand dropped dramatically, cotton another area in the extension and stocks rose to unmanageable levels and diversification of cotton use. To make cotton acreage tumbled putting several the industry competitive globally, there segments of the world-wide cotton is an urgent need for reframing the community to suffering in the past National Fibre Policy to suit the present cotton year. The year 2010 is likely to and future demand scenario especially be a turnaround period in the industry to tone up the man-made fibre sector as per the Cotton International (May- without affecting the cotton production June 2009 issue). The Secretariat of the and cotton textile sector and focus on International Cotton Advisory Committee assured market potential areas globally had forecast that 2009-10 world cotton for cotton and cotton textiles and also production would continue to decline organic products and finishes. The for the third consecutive season to budget announced for 2010-11 also 23.6 million tons. World cotton mill contains considerable provisions for use is forecast stable at 23.7million supporting the cotton farmers and the tons in 2009-10, while cotton imports textile industry. are expected to increase to 7.3million tons. World ending stocks are expected New Technology Miracles in Cotton to decline slightly to 12.5million tons Recent achievements in cotton by the end of July 2010. Dr. Peter production scenario in India are due to Pascal Lamy, the Director General of the bold introduction of the transgenic Bt- World Trade Organization had pleaded hybrid cottons from 2002-03, thanks to that completing the Doha Round talks ICAR-AICCIP-DBT-MoEF of Government would help pull the global economy out of India efforts to adopt all safety of recession unleashing new trade flows testing mechanisms and measures and and confidence at this moment of crisis. ensuring that the new gene technology WTO chief is confident that the top is available to all cotton farmers in all U.S.A. and Indian trade representatives cotton growing regions and states. Till agreed to “reset” the stalled Doha Round 2008-09 crop season, 280 Bt-hybrids of trade liberalization talks during a by over 30 Private Seed Companies bilateral meeting on the sidelines of and one Bt-variety (by CICR) in BG-I a conference of agricultural exporters (Cry1Ac MON531, Cry1Ac Event-1 of in Indonesia. He had stated that 80 JKAG, Nath Seeds’ fusion gene Cry1Ac % of the global deal was done. Let us +Cry1Ab) and BG-II (Monsanto Cry1Ac fervently hope that multilateralism in and Cry2Ab stacked) have been approved trade will succeed at the end paving for cultivation. The area covered by Bt- way for a brighter future for cotton hybrids is more than cf. 95 per cent of and T&C. the tetraploid cotton area, while there is no released Bt-cotton available for Reframing National Policy on the diploid desi cotton area, which Fibres & Textiles has also shrunk due to coverage with It is Rs.22,000 Crores industry in upland cotton Bt-hybrids. Area under India and with a right package for cotton Bt-cotton has increased substantially in and textile industry by the government all the nine States and occupies 6.90

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 69 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 million ha, accounting for 73 per cent and innovation can do for the cotton of total cotton area. A new transgenic and textile industry can be judged in “Wide strike®” by Dow Agro-Sciences for the near future by activating research, more effective bollworm management, innovation & adoption of technologies competing herbicide technologies especially suited to the new agricultural economy “Round-Up Ready Flex” and also abiotic and biotechnology products in cotton stress technology especially for drought are likely to play an increasing role. resistance are likely to make entry into cotton farming system in India sooner Benefits to Cotton Farmers in or later. In insect resistance itself, India & World-over the scientists are looking beyond Bt- In India in 2008, 5 million small source. farmers, (up from 3.8 million farmers in 2007) benefited from planting 7.6 million Cotton Genomics & Fibre hectares of Bt- cotton, equivalent to a Quality Improvement high adoption rate of 82%. Benefits will International Cotton Genome Initiative vary according to varying pest infestation (ICGI) is very much concerned about levels in different years and locations. implementing Genomic studies involving However, on average, conservative estimates various cultivated and wild species genomes for small farmers indicate that yield of Gossypium in major laboratories in increased by 31%, insecticide decreased important cotton research centres of by 39%, and profitability increased by the world. Cotton fibers are specialized 88% equivalent to US$ 250 per hectare. seed hairs (trichome) that are virtually In addition, in contrast to the families unrivaled in the plant kingdom as of farmers planting conventional cotton, perhaps the longest plant cell trichome families of Bt-cotton farmers enjoyed morphogenesis. Using developing cotton emerging welfare benefits including more fibers as a unique model system, and prenatal care and assistance with at- understanding the molecular mechanisms home births for women, plus a higher that determine the fiber phenotype and school enrollment of their children, important agronomic traits, it will pave a higher percentage of them were the way for the genetic improvement vaccinated. Taking adoption by trait, of cotton using molecular approaches from the genesis of commercialization in in near future. Biotechnology can 1996 to 2008, herbicide tolerance has create quality enhancements in cotton consistently been the dominant trait. textiles, although the realization of the Cotton has and continues to hold good improvements will be in the 8 to 10 year potential for value creation through the time frame. In the shorter term (5-6 application of genetic engineering. A total years), opportunities exist to create value area of 7.6million hectare is likely to through the application of biotechnology to be covered in 2009-10 with Bt-hybrid increase yield and reduce costs, benefiting cotton. The cotton growers are reported technology and farm segments. Barriers to have saved an average of Rs.2250/ to commercialization exist within each per acre in last year and from 2002-08 segment of the cotton value chain, including cumulatively saved around Rs.10, 325 development of enabling technology, global crores by using less pesticide. Many acceptance and regulatory environment. farmers are reported to have switched Biotechnology opportunities in cotton over more to double gene technology should be availed off to support existing BG-II this year (BG-II in 4.0 million capabilities in textiles and agricultural and BG-I in 3.6million hectares) for production scenario. what research better protection from bollworms and

70 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 also to get higher yields. Bt-cotton has growth of industry and promote scientific demonstrated its potential benefits and approach to agricultural advancement. it is time to look beyond Bt-cotton. New, Extant (those registered under the Seed Act, 1966, varieties of common Climate Change & Water knowledge, those in public domain Management and farmers’ varieties) and essentially ‘More crops per drop’ is the slogan of the derived varieties (EDVs) are accepted FAO and other eminent agronomists and for registration with a set period of breeders. Field-level water management, protection, as 15 years for agricultural rainfed agriculture with water harvesting plant varieties. Any variety proposed and supplemental irrigation, soil and for PPVFRA registration should exhibit water conservation practices, watershed Novelty, Distinctiveness, Uniformity and management, improved water use Stability with a demonstration of the efficiency, appropriate technologies for potential attributes as claimed in the field scale implementation, conservation variety submitted for registration by tillage, alternative crops and cropping the DUS test. A National Seed project systems, improved nutrient management Website has been established by the (fertilization) coupled with improved Division of Seed Science & Technology seeds and pest management including at IARI and this NSP Net provides all- IPM + IRM are required in abundant encompassing information to farmers, measure in the slowly encroaching seed industry and other users. global warming scenario to sustain crop production. Need for Dynamic Policy and Effective Implementation Favourable Polices on Seed and There has been a substantial progress PVP in Indian cotton economy in recent years The Seed Act (1966) has been revised in terms of productivity gains and fibre in tune with changing laws in various quality and yet the textile and clothing areas like Protection of Plant Varieties and industry of the country has not been able Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001, Biodiversity to leverage this advantage for improving Act (2002) and other miscellaneous its cost competitiveness because of lack provisions so as to enable better service of other desirable policy interventions to the farming community and adequate of the government taking into account support for the effective performance of the concerns of all the stake holders. the private Seed Industry and a congenial Even though a higher MSP was offered atmosphere for the Public sector-Private to cotton growers last year, the real Sector Seed Industry cooperation and benefits of the price increase went to collaboration. The New seed Bill has traders. The Government of India and undergone many revisions and may be State governments have only implemented approved by the current Parliament. The certain recommendations of the National PPV&FRA aims at encouragement to the Commission for Farmers with Dr. M. development of new varieties, protection S. Swaminathan as Chairman and the of Breeders’ Rights and Farmers’ Rights technical and technology aspects of the and stimulate the development of a recommendations should be implemented competitive and complementary seed on a mission-mode approach in the Industry. PPVFRA covers all plants except current and successive plans to accelerate microorganisms. Registration of plant the tempo of cotton research, establish varieties under the Act is voluntary, a concrete extension machinery and but registration will help the healthy strengthening of the quality input supply

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 71 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 system in all cotton growing states and value addition etc., outlook for supply- also ensuring an incentive based pricing demand and prices of cotton and inputs, system remunerative to cotton farmers overcoming the impediments to progress and without jeopardizing the interests in Multilateral Trade Negotiations (WTO), of various segments of the cotton textile Bio-safety regulations, implementation industry. CITI Vision for 2020 and and consumer acceptance, the impacts beyond is very clear and the industry of social and environmental standards is expected to make a leap forward. All and demand for Cotton and Textiles stakeholders have a joint responsibility etc. There will also be discussions on to work unitedly for common goals of the role of organic cotton in the cotton making India the number ONE country industry, best practices in instrument in Cotton production and textiles in the testing, progress towards harmonization next few decades. of Trade Rules, the impact of Carbon trading on Cotton Industry, enhancing International Actions on Cotton & Demand for Cotton Products, best Textiles practices in cotton ginning and the The international Cotton Advisory role of organizations in the cotton Committee located in Washington USA economy. has proposed to discuss various aspects concerning with the welfare of cotton Conclusion farmers, fair trade policies and cotton The international organizations and promotion in its next meeting this year national governments have realized to be held in South Africa. The sole the fact that more active and positive purpose is to help the positioning cotton support should be bestowed on cotton as a solution to global problems such as and textile economy for stability, clothing policies to enhance food security, role and food and feed security needs of biotech cotton, government responses (edible oil and protein for humans and when agricultural prices are below the cost livestock), better and more prosperous of production, facilitating Small Holder rural livelihoods, employment generation Cotton Production, stakeholder relations and GDP enhancement. Thus cotton to move cotton forward, government will be an important crop and textile policies to ensure that cotton production commodity among all natural fibres and is viable and sustainable, cottonseed and also synthetics in the 21st century.

72 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 Need for Integration of Indian Agriculture with Global Agriculture S.M. Ilyas

1. Introduction fastest transmission and absorption by It is often postulated end users is the challenge which has that Indian agriculture to be met squarely. is slowest to respond Since post-WTA, the Indian economy to changes in economy has to be integrated with the world and has been taking economy, there is a need to devise long time to integrate suitable policies, strategies and road with global agriculture. map for transforming our agriculture to In fact this premise is enable its early integration with global not true as very concrete efforts have agriculture, with due safeguards for our been taken to use best technology and farmers/producers and consumers. practices as well as the codes and standards of quality. This is largely due 2. Major challenges to Indian to emergence of a large middle class agriculture which is conscious of quality and is • Natural resource base is shrinking willing to pay for it at a competitive as a result of degradation from cost. India has all possibilities and intensive cultivation with high external capabilities to emerge as food basket inputs. of world. • Arable lands are being taken out But there are challenges which are of production @ 1% per annum no less formidable. The country has for urbanization, infrastructure been making great strides in economic development and leisure activities. field and has emerged as one of leading • Per capita share of resources is economies of the world, contribution fast dwindling through population to GDP by the agricultural sector has growth, especially in already vulnerable gone down. Presently, the growth rate of areas. agriculture is around 2 per cent and its contribution to GDP is less than 18 per • Nutrient mining, organic matter cent. The spectre of large scale pulse depletion and soil erosion from and edible oil import is looming large, insufficient inputs and resource forcing the top planners to once again extractive practices have become focus on agriculture. The agriculture, a major threat to food security. which was not supposed to wait, has The NPK ration recommended by been waiting helplessly for too long. The the scientists have no takers in huge responsibility of developing and many parts of India, micro-nutrients transferring technologies for doubling are mostly ignored. A downward food production by 2020 is on all, but spread of poverty – environmental specifically on scientists. The development degradation – low productivity is of cost effective technologies and their increasing leading many people into perpetual deprivation.

Former Director, National Academy of Agricultural Research Management, presently Project Director, Distance Education, National Institute of Rural Development, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad 500 030, Email: [email protected]

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 73 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 • Low and stagnant productivity is • Market is not sufficient to promote widespread. Agriculture has become interaction – the public sector has a a non-profitable proposition. If given role to play.Interventions are essential alternative, 40 per cent farmers for building capacity and fostering will leave agriculture. the learning to enable a sector to • 57 per cent population dependent on respond to continuous competitive agriculture in India, contributing less challenges. than 18 percent to GDP. Engagement • Organization of rural stakeholders of too many people directly in is a central development concept. agriculture causes low productivity It is a common theme in innovation and cost incompetitiveness. system development and in numerous • Global warming and climate agricultural and rural development changes triggered by accelerated efforts. industrialization, intensification • Actors that are critical for coordinating of agriculture, infrastructure and innovation systems at the sector level unsustainable lifestyles is a major are either overlooked or missing. threat to agriculture and food • A wide set of attitudes and practices security. must be cultivated to foster a culture The silver lining is, however, that of innovation people spend about 40% of their income • Enabling environment is a key component on food- a great opportunity for food of innovation capacity. production and trade. The Indian National Agricultural 4. Global Scenario Research System (NARS), which had • Dramatic yields during the past 50 hitherto largely included the ICAR Institutes years have made food cheaper and and State Agricultural Universities, is more widely available than ever itself undergoing a transformation. And before. to-day ,the NARS also encompasses • Income growth will replace population others which are involved in agricultural growth as the major challenge to research. The private sector is now world food production capacity in investing in agricultural sectors and this century. many corporate and MNCs are in fray. In this process of expanding family, • The growth in demand for grain for paradigms in agriculture are shifting animal feed will outstrip the demand quite fast. for grains used in human foods. • A complete view of productivity changes 3. Nature of Innovation and includes the value of all inputs, not Innovation Practices in Agriculture just land. • Research is an important component • The exceptional productivity growth – but not always central component of the past 50 years is the result of innovation. of agricultural research in the 19th • In the contemporary agriculture and 20th centuries. sector, competitiveness depends on • Agricultural innovations will have collaboration for innovation. to be adapted to local agro-ecological • Social and environmental sustainability conditions. are integral to economic success and • Private investment in agricultural must be reflected in intervention research and development is substantial

74 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 and concentrates on commercially becoming quality conscious, is ready attractive technologies. It has been to pay and has options. heavy in seed sector. • Farmers / producers should be • The impact of agricultural research encouraged with incentives like occurs after a considerable lag, but subsidies, soft credit and assured with the returns are impressive. timely supply of quality inputs(seeds, • WTO has impacted the agricultural fertilizer, chemicals, water, equipment production and trade policies of and energy etc). countries. Efforts are on to integrate • To offset the rise in the prices of nation’s agriculture with global farm produce due to export, the agriculture. Public Distribution System (PDS) will require revamping so that it meets 5. Pathway to Integration with the demands of weaker sections of Global Agriculture society appropriately. Basically, the globalization entails • To develop and / or adopt cost effective integration of economies and societies technologies for production of high through cross-country flows of information, quality produce at competitive cost. ideas, technologies, goods, services, The technologies should be latest, capital, finance and people. It leads to at par with the best and should be economic interdependence of countries transferred only after merciless testing. through increased trade and widespread The transfer of technology process diffusion of technologies. Apart from needs to be more innovative so that these and many other advantages, the gap between the generation and there are a number of ill effects as absorption is minimized. In the whole well including its impact on indigenous process, all the stakeholders, not agriculture and industries. It provides scientists alone, should be involved greater access of goods at competitive closely. prices to consumers but tends to neglect rural sector. • To enable small and marginal farmers to get maximum returns from their India need not be extremely defensive small holdings by developing alternate and inward looking, as our agriculture farming systems encompassing has demonstrated strength which needs agriculture, horticulture, livestock to be appropriately used to compete in and fisheries. world market, otherwise it will be a case of missed opportunity (Swaminathan, • Encouraging good production practices 2007). Indian agriculture can and should to promote quality of raw produce as take lead as the leading producer and per international standards. There trader of farm produce (in both raw and is a need to train farmers in the processing form, desirably latter production and handling of quality produce. 5.1 Following pathway is suggested • Regulate use of chemicals by encouraging : greater use of bio- fertilizers bio- • Strengthen comparative and competitive pesticides so as to achieve the permissible advantages of our agricultural MRLs (maximum residue limits) as produce. This requires a world-class levied by importing countries. functional infrastructure for input • Promote value chains by strengthening supply, transport, storage, processing, each node so that all weak links packaging and retailing. Consumer is in the soil to plate systems are

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 75 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 removed. This will necessitate good globally competitive technologies, understanding of forward and backward processes and products. The R linkages and closer involvement of & D system should become more all stakeholders. responsive to emerging global challenges • Market intelligence and support by triggering innovations. Indian will need a major transformation. institutions should be encouraged to The number of middlemen between collaborate with the best institutions producer and consumer needs to of the world. We should also help be brought down to minimum (from the developing countries of Africa present 5- 7 to 2- 3 ). and Asia in improving their food production. • Since India is both exporter and importer of farm produce, a closer • In order to remain competitive and watch over compliance of codes and in fact ahead, there is a need to standards needs to be ensured. strengthen / develop our agricultural intelligence especially in the countries • Harmonization of our codes and who are our existing / potential standards for safety and quality with competitors. It will be useful to keep international codes and standards a tab on their strategies and moves is essential. India should insist so as to suitably devise / modify that all countries should put their our response. quality-safety requirements on the website of WTO. There should be • Strengthen institutional mechanisms to zero tolerance for safety. safeguard our scientists and producers especially with reference to IPR, SPS • Agro-processing is an important and TBT issues. instrument for agricultural and rural development as it will convert Indian 6. Epilogue consumer markets from produce Indian agriculture has to face the market to product market. It can onslaught of cheaper and more innovative attract huge FDIs which could be alternatives from competing countries. allowed in agriculturally backward The challenges are real – we cannot areas. wish them away. The silver lining is • Development of agro-processing will that we have faced many challenges also lead to diversification and make before and have come out winner. So, our farmers more cost and quality the determination is there, the capacity conscious. is there (but it needs strengthening) and ambience is also favourable which • Indian agricultural policy needs to provides needed flexibility for meeting the suitably safeguard the interest of crops, challenges. Of course in this process, people and regions which are likely the business as usual will not work. to be affected by globalization. Our house has to be set in order by • Increase public investment in removing all constraints. There is a agricultural research especially for need to start bothering about quality, undertaking researches on frontier areas something which we had not considered like climate change, bio-technology worthwhile before. It is superior quality and nano-technology, information and competitive price which will win and communication technology (ICT), us any day. byproduct utilization, product and Despite relatively cheaper labour, process development, remote sensing our cost of farm produce is still high (GIS and GPS) etc. so as to generate

76 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 because of low productivity, costlier process through ICT. There is no transport and huge post-harvest losses. doubt that with farm friendly policies, The productivity can be increased enabling environment, cost effective by timely operations, efficient input technologies, capacity building, timely (seed, fertilizer and water) management, resource availability, efficient market pest and disease control and weed support, our farmers / producers will management, timely harvesting / pricing rise to occasion and deliver the goods at appropriate time and efficient post- of required quality, and desired price, harvest management. The farming being as he has always done. Let us support knowledge driven, the farmers need to them whole hog, because that is the only be continuously empowered with latest way for food security , rural prosperity knowledge through efficient learning and national pride.

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 77 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009

Gene Targeting in Higher Plants P. Ananda Kumar

P l a n t m o l e c u l a r tobacco by direct transfer of plasmid biology has revolu- DNA into isolated protoplasts. Since tionized agriculture by then, the model dicot species tobacco facilitating introduction and Arabidopsis thaliana have been targeted of foreign genes in crop in similar experiments and the results species and expressing have been promising. Kempin et al. n o v e l t r a i t s s u c h (1997) used a recombination strategy as pest resistance, in A. thaliana combining A. tumefaciens– disease resistance, mediated transformation, a targeting quality improvement construct containing a kanamycin- etc., Transgenic plants are usually resistance cassette for selection, and developed relying upon the genetic PCR detection of recombinants. In a transformation techniques mediated later study, Hanin et al. (2001) tried to by Agrobacterium tumefaciens, particle target the A. thaliana protoporphyrinogen bombardment, protoplast uptake of oxidase (PPO) gene, which is involved in DNA etc., The transgene integration the syntheses of chlorophyll and heme. mediated by these techniques takes PPO protein is a target of a herbicide place at random sites in the plant that can kill wild-type A. thaliana, but genome. The position of integration in plants containing a mutated PPO gene the genome and the complexity of the become resistant to the herbicide. By integrated DNA influence the quality selecting herbicide-resistant plants of transgene expression. Development carrying the mutated PPO present of techniques that mediate transfer in an introduced T-DNA, Hanin et al. and integration of foreign genes at (2001) obtained recombinants in which specific pre-determined locations obviates the wild-type gene was converted into many problems associated with existing the modified PPO sequence by gene methods of gene transfer. Introduction conversion and recombined genes were of foreign genes via gene targeting integrated elsewhere in the genome. By based on the technique of homologous combining Agrobacterium tumefaciens–mediated recombination offers many advantages transformation protocol with stringent such as precision gene integration, selection, researchers have succeeded in single copy transgene insertion and isolating gene-targeted plants with high high expression of the transgenes. It efficiency in rice (Terada et al. 2002). would allow the construction of “safer” They chose the Waxy gene, encoding transgenic crops, which would not suffer granule-bound starch synthase, as a from unknown “position” effects due to target because its mutation is easily random integration. detected by iodine staining of pollen and endosperm. Homologous recombination Transferring the enzyme machinery Gene targeting in higher plants was from organisms in which gene targeting first demonstrated in 1988 by Paszkowski works well is one of the novel strategies. et al. (1988) who performed targeting in

Director, National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology, Pusa Campus, New Delhi 110012. Email: [email protected]

78 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 It was reported that the expression of the objective is by utilizing the Cre-Lox yeast RAD54 gene, a member of SW12/ system (Kuhn and Torres 2002). The basic SNF2 chromatin remodeling gene family, strategy of site-specific integration is to enhances gene targeting in Arabidopsis first develop a target line by obtaining by one to two orders of magnitude, a single-copy insertion of a Lox target from 10-4 to 10-3 in wild type plants to construct into the plant genome. This 10-2 to 10-1 (Shaked et al., 2005). These step relies on random non-targeted authors devised an ingenious GT assay integrations; and therefore involves by using a promoterless GFP gene searching for single-copy integrations inserted in an Arabidopsis cruciferin gene. in a large pool of transgenic lines. Cruciferin is a seed storage protein; Once the target line is developed, it is hence, integration of the GFP containing retransformed with a Lox-integration gene into one of the genomic genes construct. Cre-mediated interaction between should produce fluorescent seeds. Rad54 the previously inserted Lox target site not only enhances targeting efficiency containing one half of the selection but also suppresses non-homologous marker gene (ie, either the promoter recombination. or the coding region) and the newly Lox Li and his group reported that the introduced site contributing the transient expression of RecQ gene in remaining half of the marker, results rice embryogenic cell increases the in the formation of a defined single- homologous recombination efficiency as copy integration locus. There can be Cre much as 4-fold. Further experiments two different ways of providing cre revealed that this effect is influenced activity: (i) gene expression from a cre by the RecQ dosage. Stable expression genomic locus, (ii) gene expression of RecQ in rice dramatically increased from a co-introduced plasmid. The the homologous recombination events 20 target site contains only half of the to 40-fold in leaf tissue from different selection marker gene and the other transgenic lines (Lia and Li 2004). half is contributed by the integration construct. Site-specific integration of In our laboratory, we demonstrated the integration construct leads to the the homologous recombination-mediated formation of a complete and functional targeted integration of Bt cry1F gene at marker gene, allowing selection of the Flavonoid-3-glucosyltransferase (anthocyanin site-specific integration locus. synthesis pathway) locus in Brinjal Cre (Solanum melongena L.) for resistance -mediated site-specific gene against its major insect pest ‘Brinjal integration has been performed successfully Fruit and Shoot Borer’ (BFSB)(Leucinodes in a range of plant systems. A strategically orbonalis). These transgenic lines showed important component of these methods is Lox complete protection against BFSB with the use of mutant sites. To stabilize Lox consistent transgene expression in the integration locus, mutant sites different pest sensitive tissues such as that contain 4-6 base alteration in leaf, stem epidermis and fruit epidermis. either the right or left inverted repeat. The transgene integration did not show The strategy has been further improved Lox any significant influence on Flavonoid-3- by utilizing two complete sites glucosyltransferase (F3G) transcript level or within a DNA construct, which prevents anthocyanin pigmentation in transgenics integration of plasmid backbone. (Shrivastava et al., 2009). Zinc Finger Nucleases Cre-Lox system The development of Zinc Finger Nuclease Another reliable method to achieve (ZFN)-mediated gene targeting provides

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 79 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 molecular biologists with the ability to mediated gene targeting at frequencies site-specifically and permanently modify exceeding 2% of transformed cells for plant genomes via homology-directed mutations as far as 1.3 kilobases from repair of a targeted genomic double- the ZFN cleavage site. More than 40% stranded break (DSB). ZFNs can be of recombinant plants had modifications used to induce DSBs in specific DNA in multiple SuR alleles (Townsend et sequences and thereby promote site- al., 2009) specific homologous recombination and targeted genomic manipulation. Because Future perspectives zinc fingers can be directed to a broad Gene targeting provides a novel range of DNA sequences and targeting perspective on development of genetically is very efficient, gene constructs were modified crops with stable and predictable made for custom-designed ZFNs that transgene expression. Major breakthroughs are designed to cut at specific DNA in the field of gene targeting in plants sequences at a preselected locus in the have taken place within the last decade, genome of plant species. A site-specific however the frequency of gene targeting zinc-finger endonuclease has been in plants remains low. The current successfully employed to induce site- research on HR based gene targeting has specific mutations by non-homologous been largely focused on demonstration end joining in Arabidopsis (Lloyd et al., of this technology in plant systems. In 2005). addition, the application of this technology Recently, Shukla et al. (2009) used may allow precise modification of any ZFNs to modify endogenous loci in plants endogenous gene sequence that will be of the crop species Zea mays. Insertional valuable in elucidating gene function. disruption of one target locus, IPK1, While such research will give us a results in both herbicide tolerance greater understanding of functional and the expected alteration of the genomics, the ultimate goal is to apply inositol phosphate profile in developing gene targeting in crop improvement seeds. Herbicide-resistance mutations programs. were introduced into SuR loci by ZFN-

80 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture B.R. Barwale

Agriculture is a very habits, were a great relief for our hungry important segment of nation. It made India self-sufficient in the Indian economy as food production. This food production it not only provides revolution came to be known as the food, fiber, oilseeds “Green Revolution.” In due course, in and raw material to the early 70’s, Dr. Chandrakantbhai the industry, but it also T.Patel bred the cotton Hybrid H-4 provides employment for the first time in the world. It was to a majority of Indian produced by hand emasculation and population. Immediately pollination. This revolutionized cotton after independence we were dependent production in western India. for food on domestic production and Later on Dr. Manmohan Attavar of shortages were met by imports from Indo American Hybrids introduced hybrid the developed world, part of it as Public vegetables, particularly tomatoes to the Law 480 supplies. Indian Institutions Indian agriculture. This was followed and universities were working to develop by introduction of hybrid cabbage and high yielding varieties (HYVs). However, radish by Mahyco. Hybrid vegetables have success was limited. There were a few revolutionized vegetable production in exceptions. IARI under the leadership of the country and have been accepted by Dr. Harbhajan Singh bred yellow vein the farming community and customers. mosaic resistant okra variety which Now there are hybrid vegetables in okra, revolutionized okra production in the tomato, eggplant, radish, cabbage, carrot, country. watermelon, muskmelon, and all sorts In the late fifties, the Government of cucurbits like gourds, etc. In spices, of India through the ICAR signed an hybrid chillies are also revolutionizing agreement with Rockefeller Foundation chilli production in the country. to improve the production of food crops. Meanwhile experimenting with This resulted in the first four hybrid genetically modified (GM) crops, the , first hybrid sorghum and first USA has approved GMOs of corn, hybrid pearl millet. Immediately after that, soybean, cotton, etc. which gave great India began trials of the dwarf wheat relief in terms of insect control in cotton varieties bred by Dr. Norman Borlaug and corn, as well as weed control in and his team. Dr. M. S. Swaminathan soybeans.India closely was watching laid the foundations of the programme the situation in the developed world. in India. Simultaneously, dwarf In 1995, Mahyco signed an agreement were imported from IRRI by Dr. G. V. with Monsanto to incorporate Bt gene in Chalam. cotton in 1995 and started the process Out of the trials wheat varieties of introducing bollworm resistance in -64 and Lerma rojo were selected cotton by adding the Bt gene. and rice variety Taichung Native-1 was With the dawn of the 21st century, approved for cultivation. These varieties the Government of India approved the were revolutionary and yielded many first three hybrids of cotton in 2002. times of the existing varieties. Though they were not best suited to Indian food The Bt cotton experience in India is

Chairman, Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Co. Ltd. E mail [email protected]

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 81 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 a remarkable story, which has clearly and children. Besides Golden Rice, demonstrated the enormous impact that the new crop in the pipeline is the can be achieved by adopting genetically nutritious potato with Ama 1 gene. In modified crops. In a short span of five vegetables, Bt brinjal is foremost in line years, cotton yield and profitability almost to be released shortly. It will provide doubled, and insecticide application was control of fruit and shoot borer to a almost halved, transforming India from great extent. an importer to an exporter of cotton. With climate change it has become Acknowledging that infestations of very important to have crops that shall cotton bollworm do vary with season, perform even in adverse conditions. It location and climatic conditions, it is has become very important to have crops estimated that big and small farmers which will survive better in drought cultivating Bt cotton will benefit from and salt affected areas. It is also very a 39% reduction in insecticides, 31% important to have incorporated traits increase in yield, and an 88% increase for nitrogen use efficiency. in profitability, which is equivalent to about Rs.10,000 gain per hectare. We are very short of pulses. Pigeon pea is grown in a big way only in These gains in crop production are India. Perhaps because there is a unprecedented. Significant environmental market for it in India. Burma and and socioeconomic benefits are being Africa produce small quantities of enjoyed by Bt cotton farmers including it. A very desirable development has lower insecticide residues in the soil come out of the programme sponsored and aquifers and significantly less by Mahyco and other seed companies exposure to insecticides, with notable and ICAR with ICRISAT for breeding health implications. Thus, Bt cotton is cytoplasmic male sterile lines which already contributing to the alleviation have been carried out successfully. The of poverty of farmers. first hybrids are being tested all over Naturally the most important common the country. Efforts are on to provide element in all the above major developments Bt gene to control fruit borer which was improved seeds and the willingness, does great damage to fruit. indeed, the eagerness of big & small Bt gene has now been transferred into farmers to embrace, change and adopt chick pea very successfully. The gene, these new technologies in order to quickly which will resist aphids and white fly, overcome production constraints and to has also been successfully incorporated increase their income to sustain their in chick pea germplasm. These two traits livelihoods and escape poverty. Indian combined should make the chick pea Government has taken a purely science crop more productive and thus more based approach. Indian Regulatory process profitable to farmers. This will improve decision is made on fair science basis. the agronomy of the crop and increase The Indian population has increased in area too. Overall availability of these considerably and in due course this two pulses is going to greatly improve. will be the most populous country in Mahyco has developed a few F-1 hybrid the world. We have to feed a growing wheat. The extensive efforts in this population and we have to provide direction will bring sizeable productivity sufficient nutrition. Thus, there is an in wheat too. urgent need to develop plant material I conclude saying that the only solution that produces more and more nutritious for India’s food and other agricultural food. Development of Golden Rice will production is putting more and more surely contribute in a big way in science into agriculture, in crop breeding, enhancing nutrition, especially to women in agronomy and in GMOs.

82 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009

Future is Bright for Indian Seed Industry M.Prabhakar Rao

Indian Seed Industry 1. Hybrid Cotton seed demand will which started with the continue to grow as more and more establishment of National area coming under high density Seeds Corporation in planting with close spacing made 1963 has matured possible by erect plant types. in mid 70s with the 2. Single cross maize hybrid seed Private sector entrants. acceptance is growing and these It got boost after the will occupy about 60% area in next announcement of New 3 years. Seed Policy by the Union Government in 1988 which allowed the entry of 3. With the PPV & FR Act in place, large business houses like Hindustan private sector is now investing in Lever Ltd, JK group etc., and some R&D to develop better open pollinated Multi Nationals. varieties in important crops like wheat, rice, soybean, mustard, etc. The growth has got accelerated in early 2002 with the introduction of Bt 4. The Seed Replacement Ratio will cotton hybrids, Maize single cross hybrids, improve dramatically with the raising hybrid rice, etc. As per International of farm income and profitability. Seeds Federation estimates India’s seed 5. New Biotech traits will further boost market size was about Rs 6000 Crores the Seed market value. in 2007 and reached to about Rs 7000 We know that this will not happen Crores in 2008, nearly 17% growth in automatically by itself. The Industry a single year. During the same period needs to take several proactive steps the global market has grown by 12.5%. to ensure the bright future. Two most India’s Seed market in global context important areas are Research and was ranked 9th in 2007 and in 2008 Extension. it became 5th sharing with Japan and Germany. Research The share of public Sector in the The Companies should actively market is estimated at Rs 2000 crores undertake R&D activities to generate (<30%) and private sector at Rs 5000 area specific Hybrids or high yielding Crores (>70%). The professionally managed varieties addressing the local needs PUCs are planning a major growth in in terms of biotic and abiotic stress their business and their share may tolerances, output quality, duration, reach 35% in the expanded market size etc. apart from yield. These also should of Rs 12000 Crores by 2014. By then it take up the responsibility of developing is estimated that India will rank No.3 suitable cultivation practices for each behind USA and China. This requires product to go with. There is great need to an average annual growth rate of less use biotech tools like Marker Associated than 15%, which is easily possible. Selection to cut the gestation period The Optimism arises from the following in developing new products through facts: conventional breeding. We should also

Chairman & Managing Director, Nuziveedu Seeds Private Ltd

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 83 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 encourage Public-Private Partnership • 2 seeds to be planted per hill in in the area of Research whereby the varietal paddy industry can sponsor Research Projects • Total no. of seeds required per with National and International Research acre=1,80,000*2=3,60,000 Institutes to utilize the wealth of knowledge, experience and skills of scientists and • 1000 seed grains of paddy weigh the infrastructure facilities. The process 22-24 g has started with ICRISAT, NBRI, IARI, • 3,60,000 seeds weigh 7.92 kg etc. but more needs to be done. (3,60,000/1,000*22) Extension • @ Statutory minimum germination level of 90%, the seed requirement Extension to take new products is 9kg/acre.(7.92/90*100) and technologies from Lab to Land is the most important driver for Industry • Taking cognizance of seedling mortality growth. It is high time that all Agri-Input due to improper handling during suppliers come together and join hands transplanting, we recommend 10kg/ in popularizing the new technologies acre as against 30 -32 kg/ acre seed be it seeds, new molecules or nutrient rate used earlier. solutions. We should initiate action It is worth noting that in India, with in bringing together major Agri-Input 44 million hectares of land under rice Associations like Fertilizer Association cultivation, this concept has potential of India, National Seed Association to save nearly 2.2 million tons (50 kg of India and Pesticide Manufactures seed saved/hectare x 44 million hectare) and Formulators Association of India of grain per year which can be used to (PMFAI) to form an active cell to take feed our burgeoning population. In the up extension work at National level in first year of the commercial launch of association with the Government Extension the Innovation, NSPL could save more systems and SAUs. I would like to give than 16,000 Metric tons of paddy seed two examples of recent innovations in which could be used as food grain. cultural practices of Rice and Hybrid More importantly this practice will Cotton, where extension plays a major speed up adoption of new varieties / role in farmers’ adoption. quality seed thereby improving the Seed 1. Lower Seed rate in Paddy Replacement Ratio (SRR) in a short Cultivation period as the farmers will use fresh quality seed every time because of In growing varietal paddy, traditionally lower seed rate and higher commodity the farmers are using 30-32 kg of seed prices, resulting in overall increase of per acre. NSPL through its innovation- rice productivity. The Industry can have oriented R&D programs experimented with reasonable margins for quality seed by a lesser seed rate per acre in varietal charging a small premium. paddy and has pioneered a concept to increase the profitability of the paddy 2. High Density Hybrid Cotton growing farmers. After several large Cultivation scale in-house trials and experiments, NSPL, after several in-house experiments NSPL developed the concept of 10 kg and trials, developed the concept of per acre as the seed rate. increasing farm yields by increasing the This concept is being explained to plant density by reducing the spacing the farmers as under: between the plants in Bt Cotton hybrids. • No. of hills per acre = 1,80,000 Erect plant type is suitable for higher

84 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009

Normal practice NSPL Concept Yield Increase State Spacing cm No. of Plants Spacing cm No. of Plants Kg/ha x cm per acre x cm per acre AP 90 x 90 4840 90 x 30 14520 625 Maharashtra 90 x 90 4840 60 x 60 10890 943 plant population per acre leading to higher compromising on yield. While the above yields. The University trials confirmed two technologies have been tested and these results as shown above: perfected to be taken to the farming This concept is being extensively community, the DSR is being tested promoted by NSPL through field work, and modified. field days, field visits in addition to All the Agri-Input Industries will widespread communication through benefit from joint extension work. While press, hoardings, posters, etc. The the seed demand growth will benefit integrated approach of lab to land/ the Seed Companies, the demand for market introduced has resulted in the fertilizers and other nutrients will also large number of farmers adopting this grow due to these practices. The demand practice. Today about 35% farmers are for new molecules for seed treatment adopting this innovation. We expect 70% and herbicides in DSR cultivation will Cotton cultivation in India will follow benefit the agri-chemical Industry. this practice in next 3 years. While due It is the duty of all of us to ensure to better Bt hybrids, India has replaced the desired agricultural growth in the USA to take the position of 2nd largest country which is rather sluggish now. As cotton producer in the world. By adopting a Nation with 65% population depending this agronomic Innovation, India can on Agriculture for their livelihood, we become No.1 cotton producer. cannot afford to be complacent. I am Another area of great interest will sure working together we can build be Direct Sowing of Rice (DSR). This a very bright future for the Industry practice will save precious water and while safeguarding the country’s Food cut down on labour costs without Security.

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 85 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 Biofuels – Safe & Renewable Sources of Energy G.Nagaraj I n d i a ’ s p r e s e n t Luckily there are various types/ sources c o n s u m p t i o n o f of energy that are available to him. The petroleum and related primary and a major source of energy is products is around 110- the Sun. We worship Sun as a God. It is 120m tonnes. More than nothing but an expression of gratitude. 76% of this quantity is Scientifically, Sun is nothing but a mega imported at a huge cost nuclear fusion plant. Four hydrogen of around one lakh crore atoms fuse or combine to form a helium rupees. Petrol is a fossil atom, releasing a huge quantity of heat fuel obtained from the and light energy. It is very cheap and earth through mining. Organic matter available during daytime from the open under high pressure and temperature skies. We need to convert the light to in the absence of oxygen gets converted heat and electricity for further utilization. into hydrocarbons (petrol) inside the Photovoltaic cells can trap the energy. But earth. Globally it is available at a few there seem to be some problems relating locations like the Arabian countries. to storage and transmission. Once these It is a non-renewable resource and is problems are resolved, the global energy getting depleted year after year. needs can be easily managed. The other forms of energy that are Major energy sources available are wind energy, hydro-energy, Modern human being is heavily wave energy, geothermal energy, and dependent on energy. He utilizes different nuclear energy. Wind and water are not forms of energy like electricity, heat constantly available. They are specific and light for his comfortable living. to locations and seasons as also have These different forms of energy are variations in intensity etc. Hence these inter-convertible. Transport sector is the forms of energy cannot be depended major consumer of energy. Petroleum upon as regular sources. They can and natural gas are the major sources be harvested as and when they are energy, accounting for about 55% available. Wave and geothermal energy of the global energy needs. Coal is are also beset with certain problems the next important source of energy especially, initial investment and high accounting for about 23% of energy. cost of production. Both these sources are non-renewable Nuclear energy and are getting depleted due to heavy Nuclear energy is an important source mining and utilization. Further they are which is gaining importance. One kg concentrated in a few pockets on the of nuclear fuel can produce energy earth and under the control of a few equivalent to burning of 3 tonnes of nations. They are associated with health coal. Nuclear fuel has thus an edge over problems due to smoke and high carbon other forms of energy. Huge quantity of emission. These are also responsible for energy is stored in a tiny component environmental pollution causing global of an atom, called nucleus. When the warming. Comfortable living conditions nucleus breaks or decays the stored on the earth for the living beings are energy is released at the expense of a thus getting disturbed. very small mass of the nucleus. Elements Different energy sources: like uranium and thorium occur naturally Human being is on a search for safe on the earth and are radio active. They and cheap alternate sources of energy. spontaneously decay and release energy.

Retired Principal Scientist DOR (ICAR). Email: [email protected]/ [email protected]

86 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 Uranium-235 is the radioactive element kg. This is against 45MJ/kg by gasoline. mainly utilized for production of nuclear Rural population prefers the biomass energy. Uranium-235 atom is bombarded energy due to cheapness, renewable nature with neutrons under controlled conditions and easy availability. Biomass has a in atomic reactors to produce atomic/ great potential in furnishing a safe and nuclear energy. This atom occurs only regular supply of energy. Further it is as a small fraction of natural uranium. renewable and hence easily dependable. Hence it needs to be concentrated using India has wasteland area of about 60m special and costly techniques. Further ha. This area can be utilized to grow uranium ore is present at a very few trees or plants which can yield seeds locations on the earth. Because of the with oil content ranging from 20-50%. health hazards (mutations, cancer etc.) Many trees like Jatropha, karanj, neem, associated with radioactive elements, its Simarouba can be grown in wastelands supply and handling are under strict and also as avenue trees. Plants like safeguards. Nuclear reactors produce Jatropha start yielding from 4th year highly dangerous and more active onwards, while other trees take 6-8 years radio-isotopes. Their disposal is another to become economically useful. The seed major costly affair. Also radio-isotopes yields range from 1.5-3.5 tonnes per ha can be misused for the manufacture per annum. From 60m ha even at a of devastating nuclear bombs. Hence minimum yield of 2 tonnes seed per ha human beings are hesitant in utilizing 120 m tonnes seeds can be obtained. the nuclear energy on a large scale. Again at very low level of 25% oil in the seeds, we can derive 30 m tones of Bioenergy vegetable oil from the wastelands. This Plants on the earth absorb solar oil can be converted to its methyl ester, energy in the form of photons or light. which we normally call as bio-diesel. The green matter namely, chlorophyll, in One kg of oil is equivalent to 40 MJ the leaves convert the light to chemical energy. We can thus obtain one lakh energy through photosynthesis. Among twenty thousand crore MJ of energy crops, sugar beet is highly efficient in from the waste lands, each year. This harvesting solar energy at 4.3% followed source of energy is renewable, safe and by grass at 4.2%, sugarcane at 3.8% highly dependable. Also, waste land maize at 3.4% and rice and wheat at management for bioenergy can provide 2.9%. Part of this energy is consumed lot of employment to many unskilled as by human beings and animals as food well as skilled persons. Even cultivated and feed. The remaining portion, namely lands can be utilized to grow traditional the agricultural residues (stem, leaf, and non-traditional oil plants to harvest roots etc.), is burnt to obtain energy. energy. Thus vegetable matter especially This has been the simplest and easiest the oil has a great potential in relieving traditional way of energy harvesting by the energy deficiency of this globe. the human beings. Bioenergy accounts for nearly 15% of total global energy. Municipal waste for bioenergy Direct combustion of biomass can India is producing 1,20,000 tonnes of give 45-65% energy. Gasification of the municipal waste every day. Equivalent same is a more efficient way of energy quantities of leaf litter and crop residues management. Fermentation of the biomass are also available. All this biomass can and its products to ethanol is another be converted to bioenergy by direct mode of production and use of energy. burning or through gasification etc. All these routes are being utilized by One kg of biomass can yield 15MJof the humans to meet their energy needs. energy. If 2,00,000 tonnes of biomass Wood and biomass, in general, can give is available, energy equivalent to 300 15-20MJ/kg energy. Ethanol can give crore MJ can be produced each day. 30MJ/kg while biogas produces 20MJ/ Proper planning and management are needed to utilize this energy.

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 87 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 Oilseed Plants for Energy M.V.R. Prasad Intoduction environmentally unfriendly processes A look at the global needed for refining the mineral oils. Hence market for agricultural the oil bearing plants are non polluting products reveals that oil “bio-refineries” or “bio-reactors.” bearing crops enjoy a significant and increasing Approach Not to Clash with Food proportion both with and Commercial Crops regard to value and land Due to burgeoning population, there use. Currently around is a need to ensure the production of 80% of total oil and plants that yield bio-diesel or straight fat production is utilized in the food vegetable oil for energy purposes. However, sector, but oil seeds have an added this approach should not encroach attraction, compared with cereals and upon the soils used for growing food pulses, of being actual or potential crops. Hence, the only option left is medium – high value industrial feed to exploit poor soils and waste lands stocks. The world wide consumption of for the production of plant species vegetable food oils has been rising far yielding oil for energy in the overall outstripping the population increases, micro-panning for rehabilitation of such leading to an average increase in per lands. Self Help Groups for landless capita oil consumption of 1.8% per people can be profitably involved in annum. Apart from their use as sources this activity in the ambit of Integrated of edible oil for culinary purposes, their Watershed Management programs. In products were put to use for a variety this context, the National Mission on of non-edible applications, including as Bio-fuels too has identified around 13.4 lubricants in simple machines, as sources million hectares for the production of of illumination in lamps, cosmetics, plants of bio-fuel value. soaps and as massage oils. The demise Comparison of Some Oil Bearing of oil crops as major industrial feed- Plants for Energy stocks began with the increasing large An evaluation of the wide range of scale exploitation of coal and fossil-oil oil yielding plant species for bio-diesel reserves during the late 19th and early production has indicated that Pongamia 20th centuries. The increasing human pinnata (a.k.a Mellittia pinnata) has all population dictated expansion of the the desirable attributes that renders it cultivation of oil bearing crops to meet suitable to be grown with profit under growing needs of edible oils. varied eco-systems. A comparison of Vegetable Oils for Energy Pongamia with another plant species viz., The changing scenario with regard to Jatropha curcas and oil palm indicates the steadily depleting and non-renewable that ten year old Pongamia plantation fossil fuels provides a powerful incentive yielded 18 tons of oil / ha as against for development of new types of oil 10.5 tons from oil palm and 9.5 tons from bearing plant species. Such crops could Jatropha of the same age. Yields above serve as renewable sources of partially are based on results from plantations refined hydrocarbon based products that are professionally managed with high for future. Most plant oils are already quality , adequate nutrition, more complex than mineral oils when proper harvesting techniques and high they are extracted. This eliminates the quality processing equipment. In view of necessity for some of the costly and the value of palm oil as important edible Project Director (Retd.), Directorate of Oilseeds Research, Hyderabad.

88 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 oil, there is no justification for its use under dry land conditions revealed that in the energy sector. there was a need for irrigating them to The relative merits and demerits of obtain satisfactory yield levels. Added to the two oil bearing perennial species viz., this, the prevailing belief that Jatropha was Jatropha and Pongamia are compared relatively free from the menace of biotic in this article. stresses was found to be incorrect and misnomer. Several stands of Jatropha were Jatropha curcas: The source of Jatropha attacked by a number of insect pests and remains controversial, but it is highly diseases, whose management was indeed probable that the centre of origin is expensive. For example, powdery mildew, Mexico and Central America. From the Alternaria blight, necrosis, leaf webber Caribbean, the species was probably larvae, capsule borer and golden flea distributed by Portuguese seafarers beetles are the common pests. Considering via the Cape Verde Islands and former these factors, now it is becoming clear that Portuguese (now Guinea-Bissau) production of Jatropha needs irrigations to other countries in Africa and Asia. to the tune of 500 mm and the cultivation It is now naturalized and widespread is not possible without plant protection. throughout the tropics. Jatropha curcas Propagation of Jatropha by rooted cuttings is a perennial, monoecious shrub or small was considered an advantage. This, tree up to 6 m high; bark pale brown, however, renders the plant vulnerable papery peeling; slash exudes a copious to drought due to the superficial fibrous watery latex, soapy to tough but soon root system of the rooted cuttings apart becoming brittle and brownish when dry; from lodging due to high wind velocity, branches glabrous, ascending, stout with which is very common. leaves alternate and palmate. After cross pollination the trilocular ellipsoid fruit Despite its potential for high quality is formed. The exocarp remains fleshy bio-diesel, Jatropha needs genetic and until the seeds are mature. Cooked nuts agronomic tailoring before it could be are eaten in certain regions of Mexico. exploited on a commercial scale. The The seeds contain up to 40% oil. J. need of the hour is an agronomic plant curcas oil contains a toxin, curcasin. type of J. curcus. It is worth exploiting The albumen of the kernel is a poison, the related species viz., J. integerrima, toxalbumen cursin, most abundant in J. gossypifolia etc., for the purpose. This the embryo. Another poison, a croton kind of work is already in progress in resin, occurs in the seeds and causes some institutes. redness and pustular eruptions of the Pongamia pinnata: This is a medium skin. Jatropha oil is an environmentally sized ever green leguminous tree, an safe, cost-effective renewable source of Indo-Malaysian species, common on non-conventional energy and a promising alluvial and coastal situations from substitute for diesel, kerosene and India to Fiji, from sea level to 1200 m. other fuels. The inherent monoecious Its common name in Hindi is Karanja . nature of the species is resulting in The tree has originated from India and instability in floral sex expression as occurs naturally or is naturalized from influenced by the environmental factors, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, from south- principally temperature.The extent of east Asia to north-eastern Australia. genetic variability of the species is The species is now found in Australia, rather limited in India, due to it being Florida, Hawaii, India, Malaysia, Oceania, an introduced crop. Philippines, and Seychelles. Its distribution Initially Jatropha was thought to be is from tropical dry to moist zones drought resistant that can grow under through subtropical dry to moist forest stark un-irrigated conditions and scanty zones. The tree withstands low and rainfall. This however, was proved wrong high temperatures and can come up since such populations of Jatropha grown very well under very low to very high

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 89 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 rainfall situations. It is a hardy tree CO2 emission reduction comes from the that mines water for its needs from 10 substitution of about 51 tons of diesel meter depth without competing with other oil by bio-fuel produced from Pongamia, crops and needs no irrigation, unlike found in the local forest. Jatropha. The tree grows wild on sandy From the third year, an elite tree and rocky soils, in most soil types, and of Pongamia yields pods 5-8kg/tree. even with its roots in salt water. The Production is average of 80kg / tree tree produces attractive white flowers / year from year-10. The tree’s yield in abundance in racemes. It grows all continues to increase till its 25th year over the country, from the coastline to and productive till 60 years with a total the hill slopes. It needs very little care life span of 100 years. Ten trees can and cattle do not browse it. It has rich yield 400 litres of oil, 1200 kg of fertilizer leathery evergreen foliage. Pollination is grade oil cake and 2500 kg of biomass done by bees. Pongamia pods are thick as green manure per year. Pongamia and one seeded. oil can be directly used as a source of The seed contains around 25 to 30% energy in engines and automobiles with- oil that has excellent bio-fuel value. The out any need for trans-esterification. It abundant genetic variability of Pongamia Can fix more carbon than is used in in India is of great advantage. Historically production of fuel - creating a truly Indians have developed a wide range "carbon negative" solution. It is resistant of uses of it starting from its use in to drought, light frost, water logging, native medicine to cure a number of moisture stress and salinity. Honey skin ailments and in agriculture as bee culture can be taken up in good green manure and soil disinfectant. Pongamia plantations. Some pests such Pongamia oil has been used for lighting as leaf-miner, leaf galls, etc. have been lamps and as a source of energy in noticed, but without any significant running engines and automobiles in the adverse effect on the yield. decades of 1940s and early 1950s. In Considering the impressive array Warangal (A.P.), the Azamshahi Textile of genetic variability that the country Mills, set up by the Nizam of Hyderabad possesses for Pongamia, it is possible in 1940, generated the power needs of to select the Plus Trees of Elite Trees the factory using non-edible oils like with enormous yield potential ranging Pongamia oil until its recent closure; from 80 to 100 kg per tree in its tenth and it had surplus power left for the year. The selected trees should be city’s needs. In the 1930s the British thoroughly evaluated and confirmed Institute of Standards, Calcutta had for their genetic superiority. These can examined, over a 10 year period, eleven be propagated by grafting their scions non edible oils as potential ‘diesels’, on a hardy root-stock. The technique among them was the oil from Pongamia. of “soft-wood grafting” standardized for In 1942, the prestigious US journal, cashew tree propagation gives over 90% ‘Oil and Power’ had in an editorial success rates in Pongamia too. Work eulogized karanja oil as technically a fit on these lines has been carried out at candidate to generate industrial-strength Krishi Vigyan Kendra at Madanapuram power. The people of Powerguda village in Mahaboob Nagar District (A.P.) in in Adilabad District (A.P.) had planted 2006 along with the selection and 4,500 Pongamia trees in 2002 on the utilization of elite Pongamia tress under edges of their agricultural land. The the guidance of the author. Some of village’s Jangubai Self-Help Group sold the grafted plants have been furnished the equivalent of 147 tons of carbon to “Ponnur Thanda” a tribal village in dioxide in emission reduction over 10 this District. years for $645 from World Bank. The

90 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009

Development of Wastelands in India J.V. Rao

Abstract degraded lands. Nearly 83.2% of waste Wastelands mean lands are in the states of Rajasthan, degraded lands, which Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, can be brought under Maharashtra, Gujarat, Orissa, Tamil vegetation with some Nadu, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh. Soil special efforts. These are erosion and land degradation account under-utilized and suffer for nearly 126.6 and 47.0 M.ha area, from several problems. respectively. It is reported that about According to land sat 85 M.ha of the net cultivated area and imagery, nearly 50% of the geographical 37 M.ha of the forest area are suffering area is wasteland. These fall into three from varying kinds of degradation like major categories occurring in forests to upland with or without scrub, degraded unculturable land. Continuous rise in pastures, saline areas, etc. Degradation human and livestock population and of forest lands is also due to growing their demand for various products and demand for forest products, overgrazing, faulty management practices are the shifting cultivation, encroachments, major causes for degradation. Some urbanization, industrialization and of these lands could be realized for poor management. The average annual agriculture, and rangelands. loss of forestland is around 0.15 M.ha, Alternate land use systems are the best leading to floods, water logging, erosion options to provide sustainable land of fertile lands and silting of rivers and management, by arresting degradation dams. Adverse ecological manifestations and loss of productivity due to excessive/ viz., global warming, enormous soil faulty use. Likewise, several tree species loss, repeated drought and floods and are available which perform well even serious pollution problems are the under constraints. When the needs of results of deforestation. The National people are satisfied in respect of forest Forest Policy estimated total forest area products, the dependence on forests as 75.18M.ha (22.8% of geographical would come down, thus leading to area), but the land sat imagery shows ecological restoration and conservation this area as about 64.3M.ha (19.5% of of land resource, which can be used geographical area).The Policy envisages for future farming apart from reducing the forest area to be at lest 33% of unemployment and migration. geographical area. The reported cultivated area in India The Problem is around 142 million ha, of which, 60 About 175 M.ha out of 329 M.ha of percent (86 million ha) is rainfed. In the our geographical area is degraded due recent past, large cultivated area has to various reasons, and erosion itself been transformed into highways, rural causes an annual loss of 6000 M. tons roads, development of towns, industries of fertile top soil and 8.4 M. tons of and the like. This shows that the really nutrients.146 districts spreading in 19 cultivated area is much less than the states have been identified as having reported area, which must cater to the

Principal Scientist (Agronomy) (Retired), CRIDA (ICAR), Hyderabad. Email: [email protected]

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 91 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 growing food, fodder, timber and other and increasing infiltration, reducing needs of our burgeoning human and evapo-transpiration through shading by livestock population. Due to such effects, canopy and litter and, increasing soil cultivation has been extended to marginal available water holding capacity through and degraded lands which are facing maintenance of organic matter. Soil the problems of soil moisture shortage, fertility improvement is the result of low soil fertility and productivity. addition of nutrient rich litter on a long Definition: Wasteland means degraded term basis. Timber and fiber yielding land which can be brought under trees/ plants like Agave sisalana also vegetative cover with reasonable effort, should be encouraged. Acacia tortilis/ and which is currently under-utilized nilotica, Prosopis cineraria, Ailanthus and land which is deteriorating for excelsa, Azadirachta indica, Tecomella lack of appropriate water and soil undulata, Zizyphus mauritiana etc. act as management practices or on account good shelter belts/wind breaks to check of natural causes. soil erosion. Inclusion of leguminous and semi perennial forages is known Categories: The wastelands are divided to improve the organic carbon content into three broad categories covering all of soils after at least 5 years of their the forests to the unculturable lands: establishment. a) water logging, gully erosion, shifting cultivation, etc.b) wind erosion including Improvement of problem soils: shifting sand dunes, extreme moisture Trees ameliorate the problem soils stress, coastal sand dunes, etc. and c) by improving physical, chemical and salinity and alkalinity. biological properties. Leguminous trees like Prosopis juliflora, Acacia nilotica, Wastelands, which could be improved by Casuarina equisetifolia, Sesbania sp. the application of scientific, technological ameliorate alkali soils at a much faster and other resources so as to provide rate than non-leguminous trees, because economically and ecologically viable of the buildup of organic matter, recycling vegetative cover, may fall under private of nutrients and moisture conservation. and public ownership. The compatible forage sp. with them Reclamation of such degraded lands are: Karnal grass, Cynodon dactylon, and putting them to productive use for Chloris gayna and Paspalum sp. The agriculture, forestry and rangelands is most promising trees identified for a multi-dimensional activity needing the agroforestry on reclaimed alkali soils attention of several agencies. are: Populus deltoids (Poplar), Eucalyptus tereticornis/ hybrid, Acacia nilotica and Opportunities Tectona grandis. Populus-based agroforestry Soil and water conservation: has been proved more remunerative Trees act as semi-permeable barriers because of its faster growth and high to water movement and, mulch from wood price compared to Eucalyptus and trees reduces the raindrop impact Acacia based systems. and thus, helps in soil conservation. Livestock improvement: Increasing Microclimatic improvement is due to livestock population and its poor health reduced wind speed and moderating demands continuous supply of nutrient air temperature. The combined effect rich fodder in sufficient quantities. of changes in radiation balance and Since seasonal dry/green fodders are surface wind pattern influences plant inadequate and poor in nutrition, there water uptake. Trees can increase water is a need to augment the supplies from availability in the soil by reducing runoff alternate sources. Many fodder trees

92 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 can be promoted on wastelands such potential for Tree Borne Oilseeds(TBOs) as: Leucaena leucocephala, Hardwickia from forests and wastelands, like sal, binata, Albizia amara, Ficus sp., Acacias, mahua, neem, simarouba, pongamia, Gliricidia, Morus alba, Bauhinia sp., jatropha, jojoba, cheura, kokum, wild Syzygium cumini, Ailanthus excelsa, apricot, bhikal, wild walnut, kusum, Moringa oleifera, Dalbergia sissoo, and tung, salvadora,etc., which are collected Zizyphus sp. These can also be planted and crushed for vegetable oils. There on field bunds, waterways or sparsely on are nearly 300 species with oleaginous good quality lands along with agricultural seed material; some are still to be crops. The trees develop new flushes and exploited. The oil is mostly used in fruits during spring to summer, rich in manufacturing basic oleo-chemicals, protein, minerals and thus form healthy soaps and detergents, paints, lubricants, nutrition along with dry fodders. Seeding greases, biodiesel, medicinal uses etc., of Stylosanthes hamata/scabra, Cenchrus bedsides for edible purpose like margarine, ciliaris/setigerus, Dichrostachys nutan, confectionary and bakery products. Napier grass, Bhabar grass, Dicanthium The estimated potential is more than 5 annulatum, Panicum maximum, Urochloa million tons of TBOs with an oil yield sp., Dinanath grass, siratro, and the of nearly 2 million tons. Currently only like in the degraded lands helps in 0.8-1.0 million tons of seed is collected their stabilization and arresting erosion. with an oil yield of 1.5 -2.0 lakh tons. After the trees and fodders establish Among the TBOs, sal, mahua, neem and well, controlled grazing can help in pongamia constitute about 80% of the improving live weight gain/ sheep and production. Sal is the major species, 90% number of lambings and general health of which occurring in Madhya Pradesh, of livestock. Chhattisgarh, Bihar, and Orissa besides Rainfed Horticulture: Most of the in foot hills of Himalayas. Mahua is fruit crops can grow well in rainfed/ grown in Uttar Pradesh, M.P., C.G., degraded areas. However, these can Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh while be mounted successfully on deep soils pongamia is distributed all over the with good water holding capacity having country, mainly on the banks of rivers, well distributed rainfall pattern or with streams, or sea coast. It is mostly seen protective irrigation at active crop growth in Karnataka, A.P., and Tamil Nadu. period coinciding with flowering and Pongamia is quite hardy, tolerates fruiting. When these are introduced in drought and salinity and is fast growing. marginal soils, it is essential to adopt Jatropha is a hardy plant well adapted micro-site improvement, micro-catchment, to arid and semi-arid conditions grows contour trenches, and other related on stony, gravelly, shallow and even agro-techniques for better survival and calcareous soils mainly in the states of establishment. Once they are established, Gujarat, Rajasthan, M.P., Maharashtra, they would strike deep root system and T.N. and A.P. draw soil moisture from deeper layers Vegetable oils and their methyl esters of profile. Suitable fruit crops identified are considered as potential alternate for dryland/degraded areas are: ber, fuels for diesel engines if they have a custard apple, guava, aonla, jamun, cetane index of methyl esters >35-40 bael, tamarind, karonda, phalsa, sapota, and Iodine value of 80 to 145. Many mango, pomegranate, passion fruit, sweet TBOs like pongamia and jatropha possess orange, fig, lime, papaya, drum stick, these properties. wood apple, chironji, soap nut. Alternate land use systems: These Tree Borne Oilseeds: There is vast systems when implemented in wastelands,

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 93 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 offer potential advantages such as: development programs. The future increased utilization of space, effective programs must include development of utilization of off-season rainfall for their wasteland maps based on aerial and establishment and growth, improved space information, rehabilitation of soil physical, chemical and biological wastelands, controlling desertification characteristics, enhanced nutrient cycling, by plantations and other methods. increased productivity from tree and The following steps are suggested for annual intercrops, potential reduction in development of wastelands. soil erosion due to multi-storeyed canopy, Several ICAR institutions are reduction in extremes of microclimate, addressing the problems of degradation reduced risk of complete crop failure of natural resources and have achieved and the like. The economic and social commendable solutions to tackle the advantages are: increased year round issues. Relevant technologies already employment and income, variety of evolved at research stations must be made products, improved human and animal available to the farmers. The Ministries nutrition apart from reducing migration of Environment &Forests, Agriculture, of rural masses. In this system, short Irrigation, Communication and Transport, duration arable crops preferably legumes Railways, Science& Technology and can be raised in the interspaces of trees the like should make a joint program to provide seasonal revenue. Horti- for this purpose. This would help in pastoral systems also can be raised in conserving scarce resources, avoiding waste lands for multiple uses. duplication of efforts and finally making The Approach fruitful programs. The vision of late Prime Minister Sri In problem areas, where water is the Rajiv Gandhi to rehabilitate 5 M.ha of critical and scarce resource, farming wastelands every year in the country system’s approach is the best option remained almost as a plan only. Had integrating arable cropping with livestock it been implemented truly in letter production, alternative land use systems and spirit since then, probably today incorporating trees, wasteland development, we would not have any constraint in and other similar options. Preference solving the food and other problems of should be given to the fruit trees if our increasing population. Nevertheless, protective irrigation is available since these it is not too late that we rise to the are the best options for rehabilitating occasion and try to dedicate ourselves wastelands/degraded/marginal lands for boosting up the forest area in the to effectively utilize off-season rainfall country on par with other progressing for their establishment and stable and countries through wasteland development sustainable production. Short duration programs. arable crops preferably legumes may be raised in the interspaces of trees The Govt. of India had initiated to provide seasonal revenue apart from several programs like afforestation, improving plant/ human nutrition. social forestry with rural fuel wood Watershed approach is suggested for plantations and operation soil watch for other agroforestry species. soil and water conservation in forests; block plantations on community lands, The degraded forest lands can be pasture development, tree patta scheme, reclaimed by situation specific silvi- livefencing, establishment of nurseries pastoral models. The tree species must be and the like. Some incentives also were selected based on the purpose: Amenity initiated for promotion of vegetation (recreation), protection of land, production,

94 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 local needs and past experience and be Development of new forest villages, multipurpose. Trees must be tolerant to construction of small dams, financial droughts and extremes of temperatures assistance, introduction of cottage and amenable to intensive lopping. industries, land to landless, establishment Fodder yielding and other trees also can of orchards, construction of roads be promoted on contour/field bunds/ and similar measures are essential to boundaries, waterways, along gullies, fulfill the objectives and to improve the roadside, railway lines, and on degraded productivity of land/ forests. lands as block plantation or in ranges A systematic approach for cultivation or sparsely on good quality lands where of TBOs in wastelands along with agricultural crops are grown. provision of infrastructural facilities Broadcasting of seeds of fodder like collection & processing centers, crops is required in difficult- to- reach transport, storage, oil extraction, etc. areas or planting of stem cuttings on would go a long way in augmenting hill slopes, low/high rainfall areas and self sufficiency in vegetable oils. TBOs poor soils. The selected species should can generate tremendous employment be able to grow well in scanty/high opportunities for rural people including rainfall, compatible with other crops tribal and other weaker sections. This and grow even under shade. However would also help in maintaining eco- open grazing should be avoided since friendly environment besides earning this would reduce the life of such huge foreign exchange from edible establishments due to trampling and grade fat of sal, mango kernel, kokum, causes further degradation. simarouba and mahua. The complete involvement and Presently pongamia seed oil is used as dedicated effort on the part of researchers diesel substitute in electricity generation -development agencies - NGOs – farmers, in rural Karnataka (Tumkur) and A.P. community leaders, schools - local (Adilabad) and jatropha oil for tractors youth and industry, is essential to and water lifting devices in T.N. and develop a sustainable package and for Punjab. Some states also have introduced the success of wasteland development the oils of pongamia and jatropha for program to give a clean environment to substituting up to 10% of diesel in road/ the people. Farmers’ participation also rail transport. Such examples should helps in protecting the plantations from be extended further in every state to destruction due to stray animals, fire, bring awareness on self sufficiency illicit cutting and such other activities. and to reduce the import burden of The village must be the lowest unit of crude petroleum products. Most of the our activity and farmers be motivated to culturable waste lands are ideal for take active part through demonstrations, such oil yielding trees. training, traveling workshops, field Wasteland development will also help visits, mass meetings, film shows, and in better utilization of highly degraded distribution of literature. lands for promoting flora and fauna, The children should be encouraged to wild life sanctuaries and the agro-eco- plant saplings on their every birthday tourism centers besides protecting the and also people should plant saplings environment. on the birthdays of National Leaders. It is more important to nurture the Threats saplings than planting them till they The continuously growing human and establish well. livestock population demands huge outputs

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 95 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 of various commodities from the limited today will have less chance of getting resources to maintain lives at minimum adequate food to eat, space to live and level. The shrinking natural resources pure air to breathe, in future. and their constant degradation, rising In the light of potential physical, temperatures, highly irregular monsoonal economic and social advantages of behaviour, environmental pollution, wasteland development, every effort degradation of forests, loss of soil and must be made to impress upon farming nutrients and unforeseen happenings community and others to implement are likely to hamper the progress of the suggested programs and the like the nation if these are not attended to in a mission mode. However, suitable at right time and in a fitting manner marketing, pricing and such other issues before it becomes irreparable. In rainfed must be addressed well. Success of areas the problems of desertification wasteland development thus depends on are continuously increasing due to whole hearted participation of community, over exploitation of natural resources. R&D agencies, NGOs and funding. The problems are generally location specific and get rectified with appropriate According to Atharvana Veda, the solutions. Most of the farmers are Mother Earth nurtures all the living marginal to small and cannot meet being of the world. It is our earnest their daily needs from meager resources. desire to keep the green cover of the This might result in mass migration land ever lasting. Our salutations of rural folk to towns and cities. If to the Mother Earth, the giver of proper attention is not paid to restore all kinds of potent food grains and our natural resources, the child born water.

96 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009

Sustainable Food Security of Kerala, Role of Agro-biodiversity – A State-level Dialogue R.D. Iyer

Introduction Organizations like Navasakti Trust have a During the inaugu- significant role to play. As a preliminary ration of the NGO- step, Navasakti, in collaboration with Navasakti- a non profit MSSRF and KAU had organized this organisation established State-level Dialogue on ‘Sustainable at Karunagappalli in Food Security of Kerala - Role of Agro- Kollam District of Kerala biodiversity’, with the active participation of on January 29, 2009, in State Departments of Agriculture, Animal his Chairman’s remarks, Husbandry & Fisheries, various Central Prof.M.S. Swaminathan highlighted the Research Institutes and experts in the significance of the Invocatory song, field. Based on the Dialogue an Action “Maithrim Bhajatha”, composed by the Plan was formulated for implementation Paramacharya of Kanchikamakotipeetam, by the State for achieving the objectives and sung for the first time by Bharat through conservation and utilization of Ratna M.S.Subbulakshmi at the U.N. agro- drudgery biodiversity”. General Assembly in New York. This The recommendations emerging song calls for fostering world peace and out of each of the Sessions :i) Paddy friendship among nations. Indeed the very Cultivation, Production & Consumption, foundation of peace and tranquillity of ii) Sustainable Production of Fruits a nation is its food security, which can & Vegetables, iii) Dairy, Fisheries & be achieved only through application of Livestock Management, and iv) Gender science and technology for agricultural Equality in Agriculture are reproduced transformation”. He outlined four pathways here in the form of the Thazhava Plan of Transfer of Technology: of Action. i) from land to land, that is, the success I: Paddy Cultivation, Production achieved by one farmer is emulated by and Consumption others; Prof. Swaminathan suggested for ii) from lab to land, technology developed enlarging the ‘Food Security Basket’ to by research institutes is adopted by include under-utilized crops, creating farmers; awareness, particularly among the iii) from land to lab, farmer’s successful younger generation. He indicated that technology is analysed by the lab for Govt of India has initiated a National refinement or upgradation; Programme entitled, “Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana” with an outlay of Rs 25,000 iv) Lab to lab, where technology is en- crores for four years, for accelerating riched by interaction between research the pace of agricultural progress. We institutions. need to prepare specific project proposals “However, to find solutions to problems for bridging the gap between potential of local nature, he said that Non-Govt and actual yields of major crops at the

Retd. Principal Scientist & Head, Crop Improvement Division, CPCRI, Kasaragod, Jt. Mg. Trustee, Navasakti Trust, Vengattompalli, Thazhava-690523, Kollam Dt., Kerala Email: [email protected]

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 97 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 level of each District, using technologies Paddy Shelters on high ground. currently available. This will involve • Organic Farming and Shrimp farming attention to the following five areas of need to be promoted. A sum of sustainable farming: Rs.5000/- per ha for paddy cultivation • Soil health enhancement is highly inadequate; at least Rs • Water harvesting and efficient water 50,000/- per ha should be allotted management for reclamation of marshy lands for Paddy cultivation. • Spread of appropriate environment- friendly technologies, both production • Mechanization is the only answer for and post-harvest, so that conservation, remunerative Paddy cultivation, and cultivation, consumption and commerce youth should be trained to operate form a continuous chain and maintain farm machinery. • Prompt availability of Credit and • Payment to farmers for Paddy procured Crop Insurance. by the State, should be made promptly without delay, and the least clerical • Assured and remunerative marketing, hassles. which is the major trigger for generating enthusiasm among farm families It was suggested for proper coordination for the adoption of the Integrated between Govt. agencies and NGOs in Package. the field, to realize the cherished aim of bringing 50,000 ha under Paddy It was felt that Kerala was an exporter cultivation. of Rice during the 1850s, when only the elite consumed rice while the general II: Sustainable Production of population consumed diversified food Vegetables and Fruits crops. Now the spices attract more The wide gap between production funds than rice, and there is mismatch and demand of vegetables and fruits in between expenditure and income from the State has led to imports from other Paddy cultivation, mainly due to the States. Summer irrigation facility should high cost and poor efficiency of labour be made available to augment production. output, and their mental attitude towards Dissemination of database on vegetables farming. and fruits calls for proper synergy Rev.Fr. Thomas Peelianikkal, Exec. between concerned Govt Departments to Director, Kuttanad Vikasana Samithi encourage vegetable and fruit production. (recent winner of Karshakacharya Award), It is also desirable to promote inter- out lined the following five steps for cropping and utilization of fallow and the revival of Paddy cultivation wastelands for the purpose. • Establishment of Seed Banks to Inadequate marketing system is meet the shortage of quality seeds another bottleneck, compounded by to farmers at subsidized rates, and the lack of storage facility for fruits training of farmers to produce their and vegetables. Hence, a price support own seed stocks. system is required to protect farmers from price fall, and the marketing facility • For Crop Insurance, proper assessment should be extended to small towns for by State experts is needed, so that ensuring viability of the produce. farmers are suitably compensated for crop loss due to natural calamities. The lack of transfer of technology Post-harvest Insurance should be backed from lab to land is a major bottleneck. up by adequate storage facilities like In this direction, the Horticultural

98 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 Mission in Kerala has made efforts to and also their nutritional standards create awareness among farmers of its is called for. There is a need to set Schemes through the electronic and up small and medium units for milk print media. The Credit Packages for production. Low productivity of inland farmers cultivating leased land must be fisheries was a cause for concern, and availed. The Mission is also promoting post-harvest losses need to be reduced and supporting SHGs in Horticulture. besides arresting pollution of water It was observed that there has been bodies. a drastic shift in consumption pattern, A stringent cross-breeding policy from local leafy vegetables and tubers was suggested for genetic improvement. to onions, tomatoes and potatoes. Special Milk Production Zones for Vegetable farming is done mostly on pure-bred cattle areas like Idukki and leased land by landless labour and Wayanad need to be established. Fodder hence the land tenure problem has to cultivation by Panchayats should be be addressed and leased land should be encouraged and Fodder Banks be set legalized. Vegetable & fruit cultivation in up. Labour Banks of skilled milkers will traditional areas, conservation of home/ help improve production efficiency, and kitchen gardens (by supplying seeds a Pricing Commission will help stabilize and organic inputs at subsidized rates) milk prices, while a flexible loan scheme deserve every support, to capitalize on covering all sections of society will go a the current wave of interest in organic long way in enhancing milk production. foods. Backyard Poultry should be encouraged Nutrition Gardens involving school and the high rate of VAT on students and housewives must be Chicken normalized. Exotic Poultry like promoted in order to achieve self- quails and turkey should be encouraged sufficiency in fruits & vegetables. The and Poultry Farmer Service Centres production units also must be set up established for disease surveillance and near International Airports, to link conserving native germplasm. up external & internal market chains. For achieving rapid development of the Kerala’s unique land-races and ethnic dairy industry, 12 steps are suggested vegetables should also find a place in as given below: the Mission. • Encourage non-conventional feeds III: Dairy, Fisheries and Livestock • Integration of Technology for achieving Management potential productivity Since milk production was declining, • Promote local production of fodder enhancement of the livestock population • Provide concentrated feeds at subsidized and ensuring their food security was rates suggested. Conservation of indigenous breeds like the Vechur cow should • Encourage goat-rearing for milk and receive top priority. Concern over Food meat production Security should emerge as a public • Strictly enforce real field service of mandate backed by public action. technical staff It was felt that there is a shortfall in • Prepare Integrated Plan for next 10 production of dairy, poultry, fisheries years for potential areas and livestock, although 83% of it was • Document and validate indigenous cross-bred. Hence a change in breeding knowledge related to livestock policy and genetic upgrading of all animals management

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 99 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 • Prepare a Package for treating preventing loss of traditional wisdom pollution associated with livestock in relation to the enlarging of the production Food Basket, and to saving the • Constitute a District-level Expert dying wisdom and orphan crops. Committee for guiding farmers 2. Kerala should launch a “Bridge the • Enhance budget outlay for Animal Yield Gap Movement” to help farmers Husbandry, Dairy, Poultry & Fisheries fill the prevailing gap between potential Sectors. and actual crop productivity, through mutually supporting technologies, ser- The Thazhava Declaration on the vices (like seeds), and public policies Plan of Action for Sustainable Food designed to ensure remunerative price Security of Kerala: for farm produce. 1. Kerala is an Agricultural Biodiversity 3. If farm Ecology & Economics go wrong, Paradise, with a diversified food bas- nothing else will go right in agricul- ket, involving rice, tapioca, yams & ture. Because of its varied topography other tubers, vegetables, jack, mango and agro-, the state should and bananas besides fish (both marine launch a “Conservation Farming & freshwater), and other animal prod- Movement” to conserve and improve ucts. The state has gone from a stage of the ecological foundations essential for export of rice to dwindled food basket sustainable agriculture like land, wa- during the past due to several reasons. ter, biodiversity, and climate. To create an economic stake in conser- 4. Global Food Security is getting worse vation and provide social prestige to due to the uneconomic nature of farm- the Conservers, it is suggested that the ing and deterioration of ecological con- state should institute “Food Security ditions. Climate change resulting from Saviour Awards”, to recognize the fol- global warming can pose a grave threat lowing contributions : to Kerala’s coastal communities, as a • Individual Farmers and Tribal result of sea-level rise. Anticipatory families conserving the rich agro- research and measures should be un- biodiversity in their homestead dertaken to strengthen concurrently “genetic gardens”: the ecological and livelihood security of • Tribal and farm families conserving families living within 50 km from the a wide range of land-races in rice, shoreline. tuber crops, vegetables and animal 5. Unique agro-ecosystems like Kut- breeds like the Vechur Cow. tanad, where Paddy cultivation occurs • Panchayaths & Nagarpalikas who below sea-level, and are designated as promote enlarging of the Food Ramsar site, should be developed into Baskets, by including under-utilized Special Agricultural Zones, where but nutritious food crops, in PDS, conservation farming involving either ICDS, and School Noon Meal Organic or Green Agriculture based Programmes. on the methods like IPM and INS can be promoted. SAZ should be based on • Outstanding farm families the integrated applications of the prin- contributing towards increasing ciples of Ecology, Economics, Social & productivity, profitability, and Gender Equity and Employment Gen- sustainability of rice-farming eration. Decentralized farm production systems. should be supported by key centralized • Those contributing towards services in areas of salinity control and

100 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 management, plant protection, farm 7. The National Policy for Farmers calls machinery, and post-harvest technol- for an income orientation to farming. ogy. The aim is to integrate the advan- Due to the high male and female litera- tages of Mass Production technologies cy, Kerala offers great opportunities for like land preparation, salinity man- promoting knowledge-intensive farm- agement, harvesting, threshing, and ing systems, which are intellectually storage, with Production by Masses satisfying and economically rewarding. approach involving the active partici- This is the only pathway for attracting pation of small holders in the produc- and retaining educated youth in farm- tion-marketing chain. ing, which is a pre-requisite for Sus- 6. Kerala’s agro-biodiversity conserva- tainable Food Security. tion movement should be based on 8. In order to promote Coordinated Action integrated attention to the Conserva- in conserving and utilizing Agro-biodi- tion-Cultivation-Consumption-Com- versity for Sustainable Food Security, merce chain. Kerala is ideally suited a Kerala State Coalition for Agro-bio- for mixed farming systems involving diversity for Food Security may be crop-livestock-fish integrated produc- formed with the participation of Govt, tion systems as well as Agro-forestry. Non-Govt, Tribal Farmer Organizations For Rice farmers, multiple livelihood and Academic Institutions. opportunities through initiatives like RICAREA: Similar such other locations the Rice Bio-Parks will have to be cre- in the country also may benefit from ated for enhancing total household in- the excellent recommendations suggested come. above.

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 101 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009

Fertility Management in Buffaloes P.A.Sarma

Buffalo as domesti- Fertility management in Buffaloes cated animal mostly The following aspects need special available in tropical and attention to solve the problem to a sub tropical countries. possible extent and improve the fertility India possesses about in buffaloes. 40% of the buffalo population in the world. 1. Optimum and better feeding and In our country buffaloes management will bring down the age constitute about one at maturity. third of the total cattle Experiments have shown that growth population and is contributing about two rate is faster in the buffalo calves thirds of our total milk production. It between 5-12 months and 17-24 also significantly contributes to meat and months of age while the gain in leather production and earns substantial body weight in calves during 12-17 amount of foreign exchange to our months of age is substantially low. country. No doubt it is unfortunate that 40% higher protein intake helped to cattle protagonists are often prejudiced get the heifers conceived at an age against buffalo. In our country there of 23-27 months. In order to get is place for both these species (cow & early maturity the heifers are to be buffalo) to help to free our population fed at optimum level. The earliest both from protein and calorie hunger. we see the buffalo heifers attaining 250-270 kg body weight; they mature Buffalo -an animal from tropics and irrespective of their age. There are tropical countries being scientifically not records that buffalo heifers have developed, very little is known about the conceived at 18 months of age at neglected animal. All the time we applied NDRI, Karnal when 40 percent extra the knowledge available about the cattle than NRC recommended protein level to the buffalo and probably it may be (for cattle) is provided in ration to one reason, so far we could not fully buffalo heifer. exploit the animal’s production potential. At present through the Endeavour of 2. Heat detection: Heat detection is Central Research Institute on Buffaloes one of the important bottle necks in supported by ICAR, scientists are probing artificial breeding, all the more with simultaneously in to the fields of feeding the buffaloes owing to their silent , breeding and management to reveal nature of heat. the secrets of the animal. The symptoms of heat(such as loss of appetite, excitement, bellowing, The major fertility problems of Buffalo Swollen Vulva, Hyperemia, frequency of are: urination, opening of Cervix, mounting 1. Delayed age at maturity by teaser bulls,etc.) could be compared 2. Post partum anoestrus at various stages in buffalo cow. 3. Repeat Breeding However, it should be noted that all

Director (Retired) Govt. of India, Former Professor, NDRI, Karnal---ICAR,Consultant , APLDA, Govt of Andhra Pradesh , Technical Advisor, VET CARE PROVIMI

102 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 symptoms may not be present in all persons for heat detection to animals and very close observation is obtain good result needed to detect these symptoms. v. Since it is considered a skilled Symptoms of heat in Buffalo cow job, don’t change the heat detector are as follows: The heat period is of frequently long duration 24-36 hours, external vi. Be more careful between 6 pm heat symptoms are less intense to 6 am. and silent, Mucus discharge is less marked and less in quantity, Bellow vii. Have close intervals between sharply, and for longer duration, parades preferably once in 4 exposition of teeth while bellowing is hours very characteristic with buffalo cow viii. Maintaining heat expectancy and Mounting other buffalo cows is charts coupled with use of teaser seldom. bull give better results Teaser bulls for heat detection in 3. Post partum rest: Sufficient period buffaloes: Use of teaser bull will help of physiological rest is needed after to solve the problem of heat detection calving to have satisfactory involution in buffaloes and therefore strongly of the uterus for maintaining good recommended in the organized buffalo fertility. About 45-60 days rest is herds. sufficient after calving. Teaser bulls could be prepared by one 4. Use of best Quality semen: Don’t of the following surgical techniques use frozen semen with less than 40 keeping the principle to retain sex percent post thaw mortality. Thaw libido intact to tease the buffalo in frozen semen straws in water at 35 heat but not reprocreat. to 400C for minimum half minute to i. Vasectomy get good fertility. Use all sterilized equipment for A.I. ii. Penectomy 5. Optimum time for insemination: iii. Epididectomy Unlike in the case of cattle delayed iv. Obliteration of prepuce insemination is recommended in However the following aspects are buffaloes for better conception rates. to be looked in for obtaining better Insemination between 14-20 hours from results by employing teaser bulls: the onset of heat is recommended for buffaloes to obtain better fertility. i. Use teaser bulls with good sex libido 6. Site for deposition of semen: Depositing half quantity of the semen taken at ii. Have sufficient number of teaser half to one centimeter ahead of cervix bulls to give adequate physiological and remaining half in the mid cervix rest to the bull to recoup its while withdrawing the A.I gun libido before it is being paraded next time 7. Double Insemination: Giving two inseminations instead of conventional iii. Remove the buffalo detected in single insemination during heat heat from the sight of teaser to proved more useful. Those detected provide scope to detect other in heat the previous night are to be animals in heat if any in the inseminated both morning and evening herd. of the same day. Those detected iv. Train sincere, honest and painstaking during day are to be inseminated

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 103 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 the same day evening and the next diseases which have a direct impact day morning. on the fertility of the herd. Calf- 8. Management: Efforts are being made hood vaccination against Brucellosis by adopting managerial techniques needs no emphasis in the fertility to break the slogan ‘Buffalo is a programme. seasonal breeder”. We can get the 11.Good coordination and cooperation buffaloes into heat during summer among the Manager of the farm, months also. Summer breeding will Veterinarian and A.I technician will help to augment the shortage of milk play an important role in improving in lean season. Results at NDRI and the fertility. elsewhere are giving hope in this 12.Keep the animal on positive energy direction. The following management balance both for better production practices will be helpful to breed and reproduction. buffaloes in summer: a. Feeding green fodder. 13.If the animals are to be confined b. By providing good showers at noon and no grazing is possible prefer in summer to decrease the heat loose housing for buffaloes to improve stress in buffaloes, which not only fertility. improve their production ability 14.Plan the housing for buffaloes in but also helps to get the buffaloes such a way to protect them from the regularly to come to heat during heat stress during summer. summer and also prevent the 15.Synchronization of oestrus in live possible embryonic mortality and stock though not improve the fertility, thereby repeat breeding especially may help to eliminate considerably in summer season. the need for heat detection which c. Cutting down the day light have is said to be one of the bottlenecks improved the summer breeding in artificial breeding of livestock in in buffaloes and shown good general and buffaloes in particular fertility rates. owing to their nature of silent heat. d. Especially in summer months by This method of synchronization also providing good showers or wallowing helps to have planed calving during immediately after insemination the lean season for milk and also and securing the buffaloes in facilitate various managerial aspects shade on the day of insemination for the dairy farmer. helped in getting better conception rates. Let us not forget the buffalo in this cross breeding era and sincerely try to 9. Routine examination of breedable understand the secrets of this animal to stock will help to identify the problem exploit the hidden production potential buffaloes at the earliest possible and of buffalo by improving its reproductive treat successfully. efficiency. Production depends on the 10.Periodical disease testing programme reproduction of the animal. against diseases like Brucellosis, TB, Let us try to convert the “Possibilities” JD, Vibriosis, Trichomoniasis, etc with the buffalo production into will help the elimination of positive “realities.” animals and to check spread of these

104 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 Research Priorities in Poultry: Emerging Challenges and Opportunities U.Rajkumar and R.P.Sharma

Poultry industry has fields of breeding, feeding, health and witnessed a phenomenal management. The Poultry Industry g r o w t h f r o m t h e is contributing about Rs.352 billion traditional backyard to the national GDP and providing venture to a dynamic employment to about 1.5 million people. commercial agri-based International Egg Commission forecasts industry during the last an increased demand of 12 million 7-8 decades. The constant tonnes of eggs over the 59 million efforts in upgradation, tonnes available in 2005 with a global m o d i f i c a t i o n a n d demand of 70.9 million tonnes by 2015 application of new technologies paved (Watt Executive Guide, 2006). However, the way for the multifold and multifaceted they had also forecast associated risks growth in poultry and allied sectors. like spread of High Pathogenic Avian Development of high yielding layer Influenza (HPAI), increased feed costs (310-320 eggs) and broiler (2.2-2.4 and political decisions. In addition, kg at 6 wks) varieties together with the availability of feed ingredients, standardized package of practices on emerging diseases, fluctuating market nutrition, housing, management and price of egg and broilers, etc. are the disease control have contributed to bottlenecks in further improving the spectacular growth rates in egg (4-6% poultry production. per annum) and broiler production (8- To overcome the challenges and to 10% per annum) in India during the find the solutions for the problems the last 30 years. The annual per capita poultry research has to be prioritized availability also increased to 46 eggs based the consumer and industry needs and 1600g of meat, consistently with for sustainability of the enterprise. increase in productivity. However, it is far below the recommended level of The research priorities, challenges consumption of 180 eggs and 10.8 kg and opportunities are discussed in poultry meat per person per annum by important areas such as breeding, Indian Council of Medical Research. Feeding, management and health. The policy paper on livestock research Breeding (NCAP) puts poultry in third place in The primary objective of poultry allocation of resources (10.05%) among breeding programme is to improve the the livestock sector, while nearly 80 % productivity, i.e., growth rate in broilers was for cattle and buffaloes. Though and egg production in layers. During poultry sector is contributing substantially the last 5-6 decades, population genetic to the GDP, the allocation for research tools and selective breeding made a is meager. tremendous progress in poultry sector India ranks third in egg production both in layers and broilers. The breeding and fifth in chicken meat production goals are changing as per the needs in the world. The intensified growth of the industry, the performance of of poultry sector can be attributable the birds are no more in terms of one to the constant research efforts in the parameter, but different parameters,

Project Directorate on Poultry, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-500 030. Emial: [email protected] / [email protected]

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 105 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 ultimately the economics and profitability over time. In addition, the inclusion of is determining the selection criteria. In sires and maternal grandsires in a BLUP case of layers, it is no more the number analysis, along with the use of the NRM of eggs, but the size, feed consumption substantially eliminates any biases due to and flock depletion; in broilers feed non-random mating. A useful extension efficiency and depletion along with from the application of BLUP procedures body weight counts (Kotaiah, 2006). is the possibility to compute ‘estimates Sometimes breeder performance is of of annual genetic trend from predicted top priority than the yield characters. age group difference, providing a direct The research prioritization should be monitor of what is happening in practice. based on the needs of the industry and This method can be a better chance consumers; ultimately the profitability for the improvement of traits with low from the enterprise determines the heritability such as feed efficiency, egg sustainability. quality and disease resistance etc. which plays a substantial role in determining Improvement of Purelines the economics of the poultry. The elite strains of layers and broilers available in public and private sectors Rural poultry or Backyard poultry may be further improved with multitrait The thrust area for public sector multilevel selection indices with high and Governmental organizations has selection intensity. The private sector been Rural/backyard poultry for the has achieved the desired production last 10 years. To improve the overall levels in layers and broilers using poultry production, the research efforts such methods. The purelines developed should concentrate on larger section should be tested for their nickability of (70%) of our population residing in and terminal crosses. rural areas. This can achieve better BLUP: The usage of best linear unbiased production potential in rural germplasm prediction (BLUP) is limited in poultry. besides accommodating the improved BLUP method of selection can be compared varieties of chicken developed specially with the existing Osborne index method for rural and tribal areas. This system of selection in layers. BLUP will be the will result in progressive improvement best (being unbiased and having minimum in poultry production with low input variance) provided the analytical model cost and status of the rural and tribal used makes correct allowance for all livelihoods. This is low capital and less important environmental and genetic labour intensive. It is diffused in rural biases. The general flexibility of BLUP areas and caters to the rural markets allows the formulation of a mathematical and generates employment in villages model to represent each situation, (Sharma and Chatterjee, 2006). It making optimum use of all information provides the nutritional security to the on each individual and its relatives and rural landless labourers by providing simultaneously adjusting for systematic eggs and meat at their door steps. It biases such as dam age, season, sex, has been an alternative or subsidiary etc.Genetic relationships between animals income source especially for rural women. may contribute considerable information In recent past, rural/backyard/family to the prediction of breeding values and poultry is gaining wider importance, can be incorporated into BLUP using the Governmental organizations like Project Numerator Relationship Matrix (NRM) Directorate on Poultry (PDP), Central (Henderson 1975). The genetic trend Avian Research Institute (CARI) and resulting from selection can be adequately Agricultural universities are concentrating accounted for in BLUP by the inclusion of on developing the suitable varieties for the NRM and/or use of genetic grouping rural poultry. Some of the researchable to represent sub-population differences issues to be addressed are:

106 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 • Development of region or zone specific the probability of disease occurrence. varieties with the incorporation of local These situations warrant for new modern germplasm or improved germplasm biotechnological tools that can address • Package of practices on feeding the limitations of traditional methods. The (nutritive requirements), health and research priorities in avian biotechnology mangement for the nursery period are: as well as subsequent free range • Production of transgenic chicken management. • Biopharmaceutical production for • Transportation for long distances therapeutic proteins in egg and • Low cost housing, low cost feeds meat using locally available feed stuffs • Marker assisted selection and molecular and minimum health cover. breeding • Testing the already available germplasm • Genome wide marker assisted at various agro-climatic conditions selection across the country. • Candidate gene approach to identify • Improving the broodiness in improved QTLs varieties. • Development of recombinant vaccines Development of disease resistant for newly emerging diseases lines Organic egg and meat production Development of specific disease resistant This is the new emerging area in lines against important diseases (MD) poultry sector where consumer preference should be given top research priority. is growing continuously for organic eggs Selection for diseases resistant against and meat. The research should be more MD and E.coli, infection has been focused in this direction and its economic studied with variable results. However, viability as commercial enterprise in the more research efforts in this area are present scenario. However, backyard needed. poultry to some extent may contribute to the organic egg and meat production in Selection for feed efficiency and which there is no incidence of antibiotic immune competence residues as they are grown on natural Feed efficiency and immune competence food base. Denmark tops the organic should be utilized in the formulation of egg production, followed by Austria and the selection indices along with other United Kingdom (Windshort 2005). important economic traits. Feed efficiency, humoral, cell mediated immunity and Feeding phagocytic index may be put together Feed accounts for 65-70% of broiler along with the growth and egg production and 75-80% of layer production cost. The in an index for selection of the parents. availability and cost of feed ingredients The expected progress may be slow, but is going to be the major concern for the lines can survive under adverse the poultry industry. Maize is the environmental conditions. popular cereal used in combination with protein meal like soybean meal Biotechnological tools which generally determines the cost The long-term intensive selection of compounded feed (Panda, 2006). programmes have lead to exhaustion of Average increase in maize availability the genetic variability among the stocks has been 3.8% per annum, which is far and these tools could not address some below the growth rate of egg or meat of the issues regarding the traits that production. The shortage of maize may are expressed late in life, sex linked increase because of its use in ethanol and low heritable. The extensive use production is rising steadily. Similarly, of high yielding stocks has increased soybean meal production increase also

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 107 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 not on par with demand. Thus, there for analyzing risk assessment and is a need to explore the usefulness of risk management. Vaccination should other alternate energy and protein rich be practiced regularly following the feedstuffs to maize and soybean meal. regulatory procedures. Priorities for In view of the large gap between effective disease management in making the demand and availability of feed the poultry industry a sustainable ingredients for poultry production, a enterprise are: holistic research approach is needed • Trans-boundary diseases which are to meet the demand of ever growing not endemic to India (Avian influenza) poultry industry. may enter through germplasm and • Identification of new and alternate biological materials. Strict quarantine feed resources for poultry measures should be followed before allowing the material. • Utilization of structural carbohydrates and phytate phosphorus • Establishing and strengthening • Agro-industrial byproducts and surveillance and monitoring unconventional feed stuff system. • Feed additives (probiotics, gut acidifiers, • Efforts are needed to develop new enzymes, etc.) diagnostics and biological using • Immuno modulation through genomic approaches for rapid and nutrition accurate diagnosis and effective control of poultry disease. Disease management Management of diseases plays an • Research on prevention and control important role for the progress of the of emerging diseases. Isolation of poultry industry. Vaccination is regularly mutated strains and development of practiced to protect the bird against vaccines against the modified strains diseases. In spite of all the measures, of the diseases. the poultry industry in India suffered a Conclusions major set back last year due to the out The poultry sector in India, experienced break of Avian Influenza. The industry several challenges in the past, but suffered serious trade losses following continues to excel because of the downfall in consumption of poultry meat consumer demand for the poultry produce. and eggs for about 6 months. With increasing demand for chicken To minimize the occurrence of disease egg and meat, the poultry production in poultry the three most important in India foresees further expansion components of disease control are Bio- and industrialization with continuous security, Vaccination and Medication. research efforts in frontier areas of Bio-security refers to all measures poultry. Adoption of small scale poultry taken to secure prevention of all types farming in backyards of rural house of in poultry farms. Effective holds will enhance the nutritional and bio-security and implementation of economic status of the rural people. The successful hygienic procedures are resources allocation for poultry research increasingly dependent on Hazard should be increased by 2-3 folds. With Analysis Critical Control Point approach the advent of knowledge in different (HACCP). The principles of HACCP such fields of poultry the future challenges as hazard analysis, critical control points, will not be a hindrance and thus sees critical limits, correction, recording and a bright future for poultry production verification should be strictly followed in this country.

108 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009

Emerging trends in Indian Fisheries S. Ayyappan1 and J.K. Jena2

Introduction market. The contribution of fisheries Indian fisheries are sector, at an annual growth rate of 4.5% increasingly contributing is estimated at 1.07% to the GDP and to the nutritional security 5.4% to the agricultural GDP. of the country, with the A few questions that we would like to present production of address at this stage are: Has a major fish and shellfish from maritime state like India been able to capture fisheries and realize its potentials of fish production? aquaculture being over Had there been overemphasis on marine 7.1 million tonnes. The country also has fisheries in the past? Is our transition an important role in global fisheries as from catching fish to cultivation rather the third largest producer of fish in the slow? Are we saturated in marine world and higher enhancement levels fisheries and are we under producing as compared to world fish production in inland fisheries? What are the major levels. issues in different segments of fisheries? Further, with an annual yield of An attempt has been made to make over 4.1 million tonnes from the inland projections and draw up an action plan fisheries sector, India is next only to for achieving the production levels. China in the area. Increase in production Marine fisheries of finfish and shellfish from 0.75 million tonnes in 1950-51 to 7.1 million tonnes Present features of Indian marine during 2006-07, demonstrating over fisheries are excess coastal fishing 750% growth in the last five decades, capacity and overexploitation, unregulated is a testimony to the contributions of open access, discards at capture/ the sector. The share of inland fisheries indiscriminate capture of juveniles sector, which was 29% in 1950-51, has and sub adults, coastal pollution and gone up to over 55% at present. environmental degradation, biodiversity loss due to both natural processes While the marine sector is almost of climate change and anthropogenic constituted by capture fisheries, pressures, increasing fishing costs and aquaculture has been the principal reduced profitability, poor infrastructure contributor in inland fisheries sector, at fishing harbours and landing centers with a share of 77%. Besides providing and linkages for domestic marking and livelihood security to over 14 million underutilization of oceanic and deep sea people, the sector has been one of the resources, emerging inter and intra- major foreign exchange earners, with sectoral conflicts. revenue reaching nearly Rs. 8,000 crores in 2008-09 accounting for about 14% A paradigm shift is necessary from of the agricultural export. Producing increasing marine fish production to 4.7% of the world’s fish, India trades increasing profitability and sustaining to the extent of 2.5% in the global fish the marine fishery resources through

1 Deputy Director (Fisheries) Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi 2 Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar Email: [email protected]/ [email protected]/

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 109 Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 management interventions. Reducing As regards coastal aquaculture, overcapacity in the mechanized sector production is dependent only on exports and co-management, diversification of and global price fluctuations and trade fishing towards underutilized deep sea restrictions are affecting farming. With and oceanic resources, fuel-efficient crafts, commercial farming confined only to conservation and stock enhancement Penaeus monodon, it is necessary to through promotion of marine sanctuaries, produce disease-free seed including installation of artificial reefs and sea SPF-shrimp seed and also diversify ranching, effective code of conduct for into other shrimps and finfishes. responsible fisheries, high value produce Indigenous feeds and farm feeds need from the seas and eco-labeling, coastal to be encouraged along with properly and open sea mariculture and post- evaluated probiotics and antibiotics in harvest handling, both on-shore and hatcheries and ponds, complying with on-vessel, are required. These can be regulations of the importers. There are achieved in a time frame of 5-10 years new opportunities in the islands and by agencies, ICAR, DADF, MPEDA and domestic market needs to be explored MoEF. with suitable cold chains and outlets. In case of island fisheries, the present ICAR, DADF, MPEDA, NFDB and MoEF level of operation is only 10% of the tuna will need to work in the area to address potentials in the Andaman & Nicobar and the above over a time frame of 5-10 Lakshadweep islands. It is necessary to years. link with the prime markets in Japan, Inland fisheries which requires infrastructure of deep sea fishing vessels, on-vessel chilling, With most rivers subject to intense processing facilities in the islands and anthropogenic stress, it is necessary exports and policy interventions for to ensure environmental flows, river mid-sea transfer with observers on- ranching, fish passes in the dams and board and vessel monitoring system. protected fish habitats in order to restore Agencies such as the DADF, MHA, them. Further, mesh size regulations and MoEF and MoC need to interact and restrictions on non-selective gears and invest over a time frame of 5 years, in destructive fishing need to be enforced. a PPP mode. The new model of canal fish culture would need to be institutionalized Mariculture in the country is in its with defined ownership. Enhancement infancy with only mussels, oysters and of productivity of reservoirs and other seaweeds being presently cultured in a wetlands by 3-4 folds is possible with few parts. Along with crab and lobster provision of rearing space and stocking fattening, sea cage finfish farming has of quality fingerlings. Community based great potentials. This requires inputs fisheries management and integrated in terms of seed of marine finfishes, fisheries and eco-tourism are suggested sturdy cage designs and feeders and for higher profitability. ICAR, DADF, policy support for leasing of coastal NFDB, Ministry of Tourism and State waters, along with suitable processing Fisheries Departments may undertake the and value addition to the produce, as above in a time frame of 5-10 years. otherwise they fetch low price in the domestic market. The time frame to With 40% of total fish production realize the full potential is medium term coming from freshwater aquaculture, (5-20 years) by agencies, ICAR, DADF, there is ample scope for doubling the MFPI, State Fisheries Departments and production. Diversification, improvement Public-Private participation. through selection, transgenic ornamentals,

110 Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture Souvenir - M S Swaminathan Award 2009 Perspective The projections of fish production from different segments are as follows: Projected production Projected production Production in 2008, Area in 2012, million in 2022, million million tonnes tonnes tonnes Marine capture 2.91 3.00 3.13 fisheries Mariculture 0.01 0.03 0.12 Coastal aquaculture 0.14 0.16 0.34 Inland capture 0.85 1.20 1.70 fisheries Coldwater fisheries 0.00030 0.001 0.01 Freshwater 3.22 5.60 7.40 aquaculture Total 7.13 9.99 12.11 Export 0.62 0.70 0.82 (Rs.7,555 crore) (Rs.12,000 crore) (Rs.15,000 crore) development of suitable models for different with hygienic fish outlets and quality resources, water budgeting and projections assurance measures. ICAR, DADF, of feed requirements, provision of quality MPEDA and NFDB could address these, seed and its certification, establishment largely in a PPP mode. of brood and seed banks, aqua-shops Policy issues in areas of deep sea and small scale cold chains are required fishing, uniform closed seasons and mesh to be undertaken by ICAR, DADF, NFDB regulations in states along east and west and State Fisheries Departments over coasts, alternative livelihoods for fishers a duration of 5-10 years. during closed seasons, provisions for With post-harvest losses in fish as culture of certain marine invertebrates high as 15%, it is necessary to provide like sea cucumbers, regulations on post-harvest preservation and transport wild seed collections and destructive to markets. Most fish consumed in the fishing, leasing of waters (both inland country is fresh or chilled/iced and and marine), quarantine and regulated that processed is only about 10% of introduction of exotics, Fish/shellfish seed the produce, largely for export. On- certification, ranching of water bodies vessel preservation facilities for marine and domestic markets with customized and small scale cold chains for inland cold chains need to be addressed, mainly fisheries, ready-to-cook and ready-to- by the DADF, in consultation with eat fish products, value addition for other concerned ministries/departments, low value fish must be taken up, with mainly the MoEF. an emphasis on domestic markets,

Emerging Trends in Indian Agriculture 111

Top View