12 August 2011
No. 1479
Drs Dar and Wani observing a pre-monsoon sown cotton crop grown using drip irrigation system in Padmalaya model watershed at Pathri, Jalgaon.
ICRISAT and Jain Irrigation Systems
Public-private partnership on water management for the poor Sustainable water management, along with better market opportunities and community empowerment and capacity building are critical in ending poverty and hunger in the dryland tropics.
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he partnership between ICRISAT and Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd (the world’s second largest micro-irrigation company) is anchored on a shared goal of empowering poor dryland communities through sustainable water management. To further strengthen this partnership, Director General William Dar and Dr Suhas Wani went to Jalgaon, home to Jain Irrigation on 4-6 August to meet its founder, Mr BH Jain and to identify key areas for future collaboration. During the visit, Mr Jain shared his “dream to change the way Indian farmers do agriculture.” This
motivated him to establish the company and promote cutting-edge technology for the country’s sustainable agricultural growth. He also expressed keen interest in strengthening Jain Irrigation’s ongoing collaboration with ICRISAT on integrated water management and environmental protection, and in expanding activities to other regions of the world. Dr Dar, on the other hand, highlighted ICRISAT’s work on watershed management and crop improvement. He stressed that public-private partnership (PPP), particularly with seed and irrigation industries, is an innovative approach in to page 2 ...4
ICRISAT and Jain Irrigation... from page 1
mango, pomegranate, guava, banana, etc.) and food processing including tapping solar power energy.
Drs Dar and Wani with Mr BK Jain (2nd from left), Chairman of Jain Irrigation Systems, and Dr PS Soman (far right), Vice-President.
mobilizing improved technology for smallholder farmers. PPP and Inclusive Market-Oriented Development (IMOD) are the key components in linking farmers to markets towards prosperity in the dryland tropics, he added. Possible areas for further collaboration were also identified during the visit. These are: unlocking the potential of rainfed areas through high-value crops with supplementary irrigation; enhancing water-use efficiency; and empowerment of stakeholders through capital asset development. ICRISAT and Jain Irrigation have an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on watershed management for enhancing water-use efficiency and improving livelihoods of farmers. In Jalgaon, ICRISAT is also implementing one of its model integrated watershed management program supported by GOI’s Department of Agriculture (DoA) in partnership with JalaSRI of Moolji Jaitha College, Jalgaon. Jalgaon, a three-hour trip from Aurangabad, is a hilly area generally with denuded hills. The few hillocks covered with lush green vegetation, known as Jain Hills, are attributed to the integrated watershed management approach introduced by Jain Irrigation. The holistic approach starts from rainwater harvesting to producing high-value crops (e.g., 2
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Drs Dar and Wani were welcomed at Jain Hills by Mr Anil Jain, Director for Marketing of Jain Irrigation. Dr Soman, Vice-President took the team around Jain Hills, showcasing various activities such as water management, water-use efficiency, renewable energy, tissue culture, biotechnology and food processing. Mr Atul Jain, Chief Marketing Officer, also took the team to Jain’s state-of-the-art production facilities where precision irrigation products are produced using microprocessorcontrolled systems under strict quality control measures.
The team also visited the Padmalaya Model Watershed at Pathri in Jalgaon district, where they were accorded a traditional welcome program attended by students and farmers. In the interaction that followed, farmers spoke of how the various interventions under the watershed project − among others, rainwater harvesting, soil conservation, efficient use of water, balanced nutrient management, wasteland rehabilitation, vermicomposting, and monitoring of runoff and soil loss − are giving them increased income and better livelihood opportunities. g
ICRISAT pigeonpea variety (background) grown at Jalgaon station with drip irrigation using solar power pump.
Analyzing spillover benefits of ICRISAT’s research
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o achieve its aspirational targets of halving poverty, hunger and malnutrition in the dryland tropics, ICRISAT generates products and innovations that help the poor participate in Inclusive MarketOriented Development. The global significance of these outputs depend on their potential for wide application across countries and regions. Conducted by the Research Program on Markets, Institutions and Policies (MIP), spillover research also falls under the critical focus area on monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment. It builds on earlier qualitative assessments of spillovers conducted in 2004 and linked to the IPG potential of ICRISAT’s downstream work and global futures project. As part of the Institute’s research agenda to determine the spillover benefits of its innovations, Jeff Davis (former Program Leader, Impact Assessment and Policy Linkage, ACIAR) visited ICRISAT from 25 July to 12 August to carry out a thorough analysis of the past and likely future direct and indirect spillovers. This is in consonance with the 6th EPMR’s suggestion for “a thorough analysis of past and likely future research spillovers between Africa and Asia to guide ICRISAT resource allocations between those two regions.”
MPI staff discuss spillovers and their quantitative assessment with Jeff Davis.
Jeff’s discussions with the MIP research team composed of MIP Director Cynthia Bantilan, Kai Mausch, D Kumaracharyulu, Kamanda Josey, S Nedumaran, GV Anupama and Irshad Mohammed, and with inputs from ICRISAT breeders and NARS partners, covered experiences in spillovers research, concepts and definitions, methodological approaches in determining quantitative estimates of benefits and key parameters required. As part of this exercise, the team will present a seminar on 12 August at the CF Bentley Conference Room. The seminar will illustrate the importance of spillovers and examples of their preliminary quantitative measurement for several ICRISAT focal areas. g
Solar panels for irrigation solar system.
Drip systems for backyard gardening.
Tissue culture banana plants for secondary hardening in screenhouse facilities of Jain Irrigation.
Dr Dar addressing farmer participants of the model watershed program at Pathri, Jalgaon. ICRISAT Happenings 12 August 2011/1479
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Science-based and sustainable solutions to the drought and famine in the Horn of Africa (Excerpts from the ICRISAT Media Factsheet, August 2011)
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rought is not new in the dryland tropics, but this year has seen the worst in six decades, inflicting untold suffering on 12 million people in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Uganda. In Somalia, nearly half of the population (almost 3.7 million people) is facing an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe. The UN reports that the prevalence of acute malnutrition and mortality rates has surpassed famine thresholds in Middle Shabelle, the Afgoye corridor and Mogadishu. Worse, food prices in this country have gone up by as much as 270 per cent in the past year. Famine is likely to spread across Somalia’s south in the next four to six weeks, and may last until December.
What can be done? Growing drought-resistant, climate changeready crops Working with our partners in India and sub-Saharan Africa, ICRISAT’s top priority is to find ways to help extricate vulnerable dryland communities out of hunger and poverty for good. For instance, our research has shown that dryland crops such as sorghum, millet, pigeonpea, chickpea and groundnut can thrive and yield well in drought-prone areas. Dryland cereals – sorghum and pearl millet – are important in ending hunger and malnutrition in drought-prone areas of Africa. Sorghum is the fifth most important cereal crop and is the dietary staple of more than 500 million people. Aside from food, sorghum provides feed and forage for dryland communities. Pigeonpea, chickpea and groundnut are droughtresistant crops that thrive well in areas with very
scarce water. These crops are nutritious and a good source of livelihood for drought-plagued communities.
Institutionalizing incentives in cultivating dryland crops To promote drought-tolerant crops on a large scale, farmers must be convinced that these are their best bets for higher income. The G20 has highlighted the need to set up such strategic food reserves to cope with future crises in food. Along with this, farmers need to be linked with markets, while governments must procure the produce to provide sustainable incentives in cultivation. This inclusive market-oriented approach will greatly help achieve sustainable food security and reduce the vulnerability of dryland communities especially during emergencies.
Assessing and managing climate risk Recurrent drought and seasonal variability in rainfall is one of the big challenges in the dryland tropics. Hence, strategies must be designed for farmers to mitigate the adverse effects of poor seasons and optimize opportunities during better times. ICRISAT models show that even under a climate change setting, crop yield gaps can still be significantly narrowed down with improved management practices and adapted germplasm for warmer temperatures.
Reforming seed aid and seed policy Access to seeds by smallholder farmers especially during disasters and emergencies is one of the biggest challenges in improving farm productivity. This must therefore be ensured primarily by strengthening local seed systems. 4
ICRISAT Happenings 12 August 2011/1479
In this context, seed aid could be used to catalyze local high-value certified seed business for droughtstricken poor communities to generate income. A possible model is in Malawi where ICRISAT and partners trained farmers to produce improved groundnut seeds that were bought back to create a seed revolving fund. Seed aid should also involve the community’s retailers using a voucher system, where farmers are given vouchers to exchange for seeds and other inputs. If humanitarian operations use market-based approaches such as this, it will facilitate Africa’s transition to sustainable economic development.
Conserving soil and water and rehabilitating degraded lands Conserving soil and water is the cornerstone of sustainable natural resource management in Africa. ICRISAT and partners developed an easy-toimplement conservation measure suited to poorer smallholder farmers in drought-prone areas. These include microdosing and various conservation technologies that concentrate limited water and nutrients close to the plant roots. Rehabilitation of degraded lands through an ICRISAT-led Desert Margins Program (DMP) was also extensively demonstrated in Africa. A sciencebased initiative, the DMP was implemented by ICRISAT with partners making 30,000 hectares productive for 250,000 families in nine African countries.
Fertilizer microdosing Research has shown that poor soil fertility, rather than drought, is the major food-production constraint across much of semi-arid Africa. Surveys show that only a few smallholder farmers apply fertilizer in these drought-prone regions. To address this problem, ICRISAT and partners developed a “microdosing” technique that involves the
application of small, affordable quantities of fertilizer with the seed at planting time or as top dressing 3-4 weeks after emergence. This technique enhances fertilizer use efficiency and improves productivity. Combined with FAO’s warrantage system (inventory credit), microdosing increased sorghum and millet yields up to 120% and incomes by 50% on more than 200,000 households in Africa.
Detecting poisonous aflatoxin Agricultural products are often invaded by fungi that can produce poisonous substances called mycotoxins. Among mycotoxins, aflatoxins are a serious health hazard. Groundnut, maize, sorghum, pearl millet and other food products are contaminated by aflatoxin on a global scale. Aflatoxin contamination becomes very serious when drought occurs as the crop matures. Many countries reject imported agricultural products that exceed certain levels of aflatoxin, costing farmers millions of dollars each year in losses. To address this challenge, ICRISAT devised a fast, simple and affordable ELISA test kit for detecting aflatoxin. This low-cost innovation has resurrected the ailing groundnut industry in Malawi by opening exports to Europe.
An urgent plea Drought and other adverse environmental conditions are regular challenges in the dryland tropics. With climate change, this is expected to worsen and if not addressed now, could inflict more damage to people, crops and livestock in the future. The international development community must go beyond quick fix solutions to pursue science-based sustainable approaches as demonstrated by the foregoing initiatives. To prevent disasters like the one affecting the Horn of Africa, development investments for the dryland tropics must be significantly increased and sustained. g ICRISAT Happenings 12 August 2011/1479
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Farmers’ participatory variety selection of chickpea held in Tanzania lead chickpea scientist from LZARDI in Ukiriguru, as host. Showcased at the field day were desi and kabuli chickpea advanced yield trials, along with participatory varietal selection (PVS).
(From left to right) Robert Kileo (LZARDI), Mustafa (chickpea farmer), ESA Director Said Silim and Ganga Rao.
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ustafa is one contented farmer from Misungwi district in Tanzania. When his cereal crops failed due to drought this year, the improved varieties from ICRISAT and the Lake Zone Agricultural Research & Development Institute (LZARDI) came to his rescue, giving him a good harvest of 30 bags of chickpea. Mustafa is one of the chickpea farmers from Misungwi, Kwimba and Shinyanga districts who attended the chickpea field day on 27 July in the Lake Zone of Tanzania. Jointly organized by ICRISAT and LZARDI under the aegis of the Tropical Legumes II project, the event was attended by 32 chickpea farmers and 14 scientists. The activity was aimed at enhancing chickpea production and productivity in the area. ICRISAT was represented by ICRISAT-ESA Director Dr Said Silim and Ganga Rao, with Dr Robert Kileo,
Dr Kileo welcomed the participants and discussed the PVS methodology with farmers. At the end of the exercise, majority of farmers selected five desi (ICCVs 07114, 97128, 97114, 97125, and 97126) and five kabuli (ICCVs 95423, 95311, 00302, 07306, and 92311) chickpea varieties. These were preferred based on early maturity, drought tolerance, resistance to fusarium wilt, pod numbers, seed size and market-preferred seed traits. While thankful to LZARDI and ICRISAT for their support that has resulted in resilience and increased productivity of chickpea, the farmers also expressed concern about poor market linkages. On 28 July, LZARDI and ICRISAT scientists visited on-farm sites in Shinyanga, Magu, Nzega and Misungwi districts that have been severely affected by drought. Farmers in these areas reported that although rice and maize had failed, they were happy to be able to harvest chickpea. On 29 July, the scientists met at the LZARDI office, where Dr Silim emphasized that sorghum and groundnut are also important in the region and expressed ICRISAT’s interest in collaborating with Tanzanian counterparts. Meanwhile, the Zonal Director thanked ICRISAT for its research support on chickpea, noting that the crop has moved from being a low to a high priority crop in the area. g
Induction program on safety, security, health and environment for ISH The Environment, Health and Safety Committee (EHSC) conducted an “Induction Program on Safety, Security, Health and Environment” for 26 support staff members of the International School of Hyderabad on 5 August. HRO Director and EHSC Chair Hector Hernandez welcomed the participants, while a team of resource persons conducted a series of training sessions during the induction. Topics included: risk management policies and practices; EHS policies, safety manual, safety wardens scheme, security regulations and procedures on the campus; fire safety and emergency response; transportation safety guidelines; farm, engineering and electrical safety; first aid and medical emergencies; and hands-on 6
ICRISAT Happenings 12 August 2011/1479
training in the use of fire extinguishers. Helge Gallinger, Principal/ISH gave the closing remarks and thanked ICRISAT for organizing the very important and timely training session. g
ISH staff trained on campus safety, health and environment.
Pigeonpea Orissa project launched
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two-day launch-cum-workshop of the project ‘Introduction and Expansion of Improved Pigeonpea (Arhar) Production Technology in Rainfed Upland Ecosystems of Orissa’ was held at ICRISAT-Patancheru on 9-10 August. The four year project (2011-2015) has a total funding of $2.29 M. In his inaugural address, Director General William Dar highlighted the importance of partnership in research-forParticipants of the pigeonpea Orissa project workshop. development. “Synergies and convergence of efforts and resources will Also present at the launch were Drs CLL Gowda, KB have to happen to achieve greater heights,” he said. Saxena, MG Mula and other ICRISAT scientists; local He also emphasized that apart from enhancing the partners from the Office of the Deputy Director of food and nutritional security and income generation Agriculture namely, A Mishra (Kalahandi), SC Biswal of underprivileged farmers in Orissa, the project (Naurparha), and KC Ojha (Rayagada); would seek to mitigate the adverse effects of climate variability on production and livelihoods in the State representatives from four NGOs (Sahabhagi Vikash Abhiyan, Orissa Professional Development Service through improved varieties and hybrids dovetailed Consultants, Loksebak, and Juba Jyoti Jubak Sangha); with hands-on training in crop production and and three District Coordinators and a State management. Coordinator hired by ICRISAT. The Government of Orissa was represented by Dr S During the meeting-cum-workshop to prepare the Das (Assistant Director for Pulses) and SK Sahu work plan for the project cycle, presentations were (Deputy Director for Pulses). Speaking on the made on pest management (GV Ranga Rao), disease occasion, Dr Das appreciated ICRISAT’s initiative management (Mamta Sharma), and pigeonpea seed considering it was the first time Orissa was having a production (MG Mula and RV Kumar). Participants project of this nature. He reiterated the importance were also taken on a field visit to showcase some of strengthening local capacity including NGO pigeonpea technologies on use of high-yielding participation, procurement of local seed from the varieties and research on waterlogging, seed ongoing project, and purchase of village-level dhal production blocks and agronomic practices. g processing machines.
Visitors’ log 09 August: Seventy students from St Teresa’s School and ten farmers from Yavatmal, Maharastra.
11 August: Twenty-eight Ethiopian officials. 12 August: Nine students from Bangladesh.
10 August: Forty-one students from Thanthai Roever Institute of Agriculture and Rural Development, Perambur.
A delegation of 28 government and agricultural cooperative officials from Ethiopia visited ILRI facilities at ICRISAT campus on 11 August. Organized by ACDI/ VOCA, a private non-profit development organization based in the US and supported by the USDA-Feed Enhancement for Ethiopian Development (FEED) project, the visit was part of a study tour to India to expose participants to practices used by livestock service providers and producers. ICRISAT Happenings 12 August 2011/1479
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FAQs on the new Employee Performance and Development (EPaD) EPaD represents the Institute’s commitment to innovation, performance excellence and employee development. The following FAQs summarize major concerns and issues during a videoconference with WCA Scientists and Managers with the HRO office held on 5 August, which could be useful for ICRISAT staff at all locations in better understanding and accomplishing the EPaD. 1) How is an Employee Development Plan developed? Part 2 – Section B: Employee Development Plan is based on Part 2 – Section A: Employee Development Worksheet. The Employee Development Worksheet is completed by the supervisor/s with the subordinate based on the core and professional competencies and shared values of the Institute. The actual critical incidents or STARs observed or demonstrated found in Part 1 – Section B serve as basis for determining which competencies the incumbent needs as gaps can be noted versus the required competency level. 2) How detailed should the work plan targets be? The Work Plan Targets must be specific, measureable, attainable, realistic and timebound (SMART). At most 10 SMART Work Plan Targets should be identified to achieve a realisitic performance target for the year. 3) Would it be better if we have a list of professional or technical competencies to choose from relating to our job? The idea is for the incumbent position holder together with the supervisor/s to identify the professional or
technical competencies that the position requires. Seven to eight core and professional competencies should be practical and manageable. 4) What is the time frame for EPaD submissions? As presented in the last Scientists-Managers Dialogue on 26 July, SMART Work Plan Targets should have been submitted by 31 July; completion of competency profile by 31 August; and completion of Employee Development Plan by 30 September. 5) How should performance assessments be done? As much as practicable, face-to-face interaction is the most ideal. In case of some unavoidable constraints, others methods (e.g. Skype meeting) may be explored. 6) How can administrative and technical accountability of scientists be captured in the workplan targets? The 10th Work Plan Target addresses Publications and Institutional Commitments, where accountability of scientists can be captured. 7) What is the process of submitting WP Targets, particularly for WCA/ESA? The draft WP Targets must be submitted using the EPaD Form to both RPD and WCA/ESA Director. In case of some disagreements, these must be discussed and resolved by the RPD and the WCA/ ESA Director. For further queries about the EPaD, please contact HRO Director Hector Hernandez (h.hernandez@cgiar.org)
Thought for the week We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience. - Pierre Teilhard de Chardin