Patancheru, India
October 25, 2013
Source: ICRISAT Happenings No. 1594
Director General WD Dar speaking at the launch of the two legumes projects at ICRISAT headquarters. Also seen are (L-R) Drs CLL Gowda, JS Sandhu and RK Varshney. Photo: PS Rao, ICRISAT
Two comprehensive, four-year, US$2-million legumes projects were launched recently to develop and identify improved varieties of chickpea and pigeonpea along with best practices in crop production and management. The overall goal is to enhance production and productivity of the two crops to benefit resource-poor, smallholder farmers in India.
The projects “Developing chickpea cultivars suited to mechanical harvesting and tolerant to herbicides” and “Addressing Phytophthora blight disease: an emerging threat to pigeonpea production and expansion” are funded by the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India under the National Food Security Mission (NFSM).
“Synergies and convergence of efforts and resources are essential to achieve greater heights in production and productivity. Partnerships in research for development are the only way in which we can enhance the food and nutritional security and income generation of underprivileged farmers,” said Director General William D. Dar during the launch of the projects at the ICRISAT headquarters on 16 October.
Participants of the projects’ launch. Photo: PS Rao, ICRISAT
Also speaking on the occasion, India’s Agriculture Commissioner, Dr JS Sandhu said, “I am very pleased about this partnership between NFSM, ICRISAT and other organizations within the national agricultural research system – a partnership that will lead to the improvement of productivity and production of chickpea and pigeonpea, the main sources of protein for more than a billion people in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.” He also highlighted NFSM’s mission and objectives to increase pulse production in India.
Welcoming the participants, Dr Rajeev K Varshney, Research Program Director – Grain Legumes appreciated the much needed initiative to enhance chickpea and pigeonpea productivity. Dr CLL Gowda, Deputy Director General – Research, thanked Dr Sandhu for his commitment in improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, particularly those in the drylands of India.
Project coordinators Drs Pooran Gaur and Mamta Sharma presented the overview of the chickpea and pigeonpea projects, respectively. Work plans for the first year activities of the projects were also finalized.
The projects’ implementation partners include: ICRISAT, Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Punjab Agricultural University, Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, University of Agricultural Sciences – Dharwad, Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University, Banaras Hindu University, and Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University.
These projects will be undertaken under the CGIAR Research Program on Grain Legumes.
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