Hello,

We have a wide range of updates this week from India, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Please note the upcoming webinar our DG is giving on Digital Agriculture on the 25 August. We hope you can join.
Kind regards, Joanna Kane-Potaka, Director, Strategic Marketing and Communication, ICRISAT

Creating climate-smart villages in India: Seasonal rainfall forecasts assist cropping decisions

Scanty July rain in Andhra Pradesh, India, has resulted in less than 30% of the rainy season crops being planted in some areas.

Some 450 dryland farmers in Kurnool and Anantapur districts who were forewarned of this rainfall pattern and advised on suitable crop options by ICRISAT researchers at farmer meetings in May and June are considering their cropping options. Read More

Food Tank Webinar Series: Digital Agriculture with David Bergvinson of ICRISAT

 http://foodtank.com/events/2015/08/25/food-tank-webinar-series-digital-agriculture-with-david-bergvinson-of-icris

Finger millet and sorghum
Improving productivity and promoting agri-business in western Kenya

Food on the Table, Money in the Pocket was the clarion call given by Mr Moses Osia, County Executive on Agriculture, Busia County in western Kenya. Along with participatory varietal selection and improved agronomic practices, value-added processed products from finger millet and sorghum were showcased in a series of field days.

Mr Osia highlighted progress made by the Busia county government in the agricultural sector including provision of subsidized tractor services, seeds and fertilizer. He further added that the County was constructing a cassava factory that would also process finger millet and sorghum, which are usually mixed with cassava to make composite flours. Read More

Export more seed of improved varieties to neighboring countries

Help more farmers in neighboring countries by exporting more seed of improved varieties,” said Hon. Pat Breen, Chairperson, Ireland’s Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade (JCFAT) to partners working within the seed systems of Malawi.

JCFAT visited ICRISAT Malawi on 21 July, accompanied by Her Excellency Áine Hearns, Irish Ambassador to Malawi and Embassy staff. Read More

Science and business work in tandem in Eastern and Southern Africa

Deployment of nutrient-enhanced groundnut products by Nkhoma Hospital, working on mycotoxins and health, following aflatoxin screening by ICRISAT was one of the highlights shared by partners at a one-day scientific symposium in Malawi. The aim of the event was to showcase innovations; and draw lessons from research and partnerships to inform improvement and scaling out. Read More

Changes in work patterns and incomes in Jharkhand

A study of work patterns and household income in Jharkhand has revealed a move away from dependence on agricultural work towards increased employment in the non-farm sector. At the same time, women are playing an increasing role in the workforce in both the farm and non-farm sectors. Read More

New publication

Impact of Long-Term Application of Domestic Sewage Water on Soil Properties around Hubli City in Karnataka, India

Authors: Bincy K Varkey, GS Dasog, Suhas Wani, KL Sahrawat, Manjunatha Hebbara, CR Patil

Published: Published: 2015. Agricultural Research 1(5). ISSN: 2249-7218. Springer India

Abstract: The effects of application of domestic sewage water for over four decades on physical, chemical and biological properties of soils were studied at three sites in Gabbur, Mavanur and Katnur villages near Hubli city in north Karnataka, India. Long-term use of sewage irrigation improved soil physical properties in terms of decrease in bulk density and dispersion index and increase in aggregate stability and water holding capacity compared to the unirrigated check. Despite long-term irrigation with sewage water with an EC of (1 dS m-1, the EC of soils was low (0.20–0.45 dS m-1). An increase of one-and-half to two times in organic carbon content, available N, P, K and S, in the sewage irrigated soils was observed compared to soils not irrigated with sewage. However, the available Zn, Fe, Cu and B increased only slightly with the exception of Mn which increased substantially. In general there was a decreasing trend of organic carbon, available N, P, K and S with distance away from the stream course. Despite no heavy metals in sewage water, they were detected in soils but not in toxic levels. There were 94, 80 and 60 % more bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes, respectively, in sewage irrigated soils over the non-irrigated soils. Further, coliform bacteria (E. coli) were observed in soil samples, suggesting fecal contamination. http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs40003-015-0171-9

Readers’ Comments

Thank you very much for information on the launch of 100 voices. I congratulate you on this imaginative program.

Your Happenings at ICRISAT is really meaningful. I wish you continued success in spreading messages of hope.

Excerpts from Dr MS Swaminathan’s letter

It is wonderful news on 100 voices from around the world. Every one emphasizes the power of genomics, but all agree that it is the phenotyping and plant breeding techniques which are the key for the success of future plant breeding and genetic enhancement of crops under future climate change.

Dr SS Rao, Principal Investigator (AICSIP-Physiology),
Visiting Scientist, Kansas State University

The problems of small and marginal farmers should be addressed. It is a well-known fact that the increase in population causes decrease in land holdings. As a result we see the farmers in this category (small and marginal group) increasing. Hence, there is an urgent need to design agricultural methods to suit them. The high-end agriculture research carried out may not be relevant and useful. The farmers in this group mostly practice rain-fed agriculture. These farmers usually go for loans to banks or local money lenders. When they find their produce do not fetch the desired amount they resort to suicides. So, there is a big question of "How to save these farmers?" I feel we have to think seriously about this issue and come out with some concrete methods to stop suicides in the country.

The government, no doubt, is doing all it can in the present situation in Telangana State but some modifications are needed in the execution of the schemes. For instance, the banks must give crop loans and also collect particulars of their produce after harvesting. Thereby assessing their income from agricultural activity. The collection of the loan has to be done based on the status of the small farmer. This may be a heavy work on the banks but this has to be done to stop suicides in the state.

V Vijaya Kumar