International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
ICRISAT Open Access RepositoryNot a member yet
12134 research outputs found
Sort by
The Hunger Crisis Measuring Hunger across Indian States
Get PDFIndia faces significant challenges in addressing hunger,
particularly when measured against the global hunger
index. The India state hunger index for 2017 is presented
to evaluate hunger across states, filling the void
post-2008. Most states and union territories fall in the
serious category with only a few in the moderate, none
in the low, and some in the alarming categories.
A consumption threshold of 1,600 kcal is proposed to
identify populations at risk of undernourishment. This
allows ISHI 2017 to align with the GHI scores for India for
2017. To meet the Sustainable Development Goal-2 of
“No Hunger” by 2030, strategies must target reducing
undernourishment, under-five mortality, stunting, and
wasting at the subnational level, necessitating regular
review and monitoring of interventions
Agricultural Produce Supply Chain Network of Capsicum: Empirical Evidence from India
Get PDFVegetables are important for both nutritional and economic stability and contribute significantly to the agricultural landscape of India. The demand for vegetables is rising, driven by population growth and increased awareness of their benefits. This empirical study highlights the dynamics of agricultural production supply chain networks of capsicum crops in the northwestern Himalayan region, specifically Himachal Pradesh, India. The study employs the Acharya approach to analyse the various marketing channels utilized by farmers in the capsicum supply chain. This methodology sheds light on the economic nuances at each stage and examines marketing channels, costs, margins, price spread and marketing efficiency. Simultaneously, the Garrett ranking method is applied to discern and prioritize constraints faced by farmers. This comprehensive approach ensures a nuanced understanding of the economic and logistical intricacies of capsicum marketing. The analysis of marketing channels reveals five distinct pathways employed by farmers, with Channel-C (Producer–Commission Agent–Retailer–Consumer) standing out as the most dominant, representing 47.25% of the total quantity. Moreover, Channel-A (Producer–Consumer) proves to be the most cost-effective for producers and boasts the highest producer price, while Channel-C, involving commission agents, incurs higher costs. This suggests a preference for intermediaries, emphasizing factors like market access and negotiation skills, whereas Channel-D (Producer–Local Trader–Wholesaler–Retailer–Consumer) has the highest gross marketing margin, emphasizing the trade-offs between efficiency and transaction volume. The results indicate that while Channel-A is the most efficient, it is not the preferred choice due to the lower transaction quantity. Further, the absence of market consultation services, inadequate road infrastructure, high commission charges, nonremunerative prices and untimely availability of vehicles are the major constraints in marketing. The findings of the study call for targeted interventions to create a more robust and farmer-friendly marketing environment for capsicum crops in the region. The study proposes targeted recommendations, emphasizing collaborative efforts between stakeholders, government bodies and farmers. This research contributes to the academic discourse and also offers actionable insights for researchers and policymakers, fostering sustainability, profitability and equity within the capsicum supply chain
On-farm evidence on breaking yield barriers through optimizing wheat cropping system in Indo Gangetic Plain
Get PDFThe wheat production in the food basket of South Asia has plateaued with threats of environmental sustainability and posing a serious challenge to future food security. For sustainable wheat production in conventional rice-wheat (CTRW) systems under changing climatic scenario, atwo-year on-farm study was conducted. We evaluated system optimization practices (SOP) of legume inclusion with CTR-zero-tillage (ZT) wheat-mungbean (CTR-ZTWMb) and direct seeded rice-ZT wheat-mungbean (DSR-ZTWMb) and triple ZT (raised bed) based futuristic systems of maize-wheat-mungbean (ZTMWMb) and soybean-wheat-mungbean (ZTSWMb). The global warming potential (GWP) of wheat production was significantly reduced by 811 kg CO2 eq/ha (783−861) in the SOP compared to CTRW. Moreover, the water usein wheat reduced by 85.9 and 85.2 ha-mm/ha in CTR-ZTWMb and DSR-ZTWMb with higher reduction in ZTMWMb and ZTSWMb by128.7 and 118.0 ha-mm/ha, respectively over CTRW. Similarly, the total weed density was reduced at 60 (39 and 52 %) and 90 (38 and 49 %) days after sowing with CTR-ZTWMb and DSR-ZTWMb over CTRW. However, the weed density reduction was lesser with ZTSWMb and ZTMWMb at 60 (3.0 and 23.6 %), and 90 (9.8 and 31.0 %) days after sowingcompared to the CTRW.The partial factor productivity (PFP) of NPK applied was 8.5–19.0 % higher under SOP over the CTRW. The use of non-renewable energy in wheat cultivation was reduced by 24.4–28.9 % with SOP over CTRW. The enhancement in wheat grain yield (7.4–11.8 %) and net returns (98–169 US/ha) over CTRW. The adoption of these SOPs on 1 million ha could produce 0.37–1.05 million t additional wheat over CTRW. The on-farm study evidenced thatwheat production with system optimization practices of legume inclusion and zero tillage are better alternatives to achieve higher productivity and profitability with a lesserenvironmental footprint in Indo-Gangetic Plains and similar agroecological regions
Identifying limiting nutrient(s) for better bread wheat and tef productivity in acidic soils of north-west Amhara, Ethiopia
Get PDFFood crop productivity is still low because of the decline of soil fertility in Ethiopia, particularly in north-western Amhara. Fine-tuning the source and rate of nutrients is required to solve soil fertility problems along landscape positions. Therefore, this study was initiated to investigate the need to apply selected nutrients to tef and wheat in acidic soils. This nutrient omission study was conducted in 74 farmers’ fields of Gozamen and Machakel districts. The omitted nutrients were sulfur (S), zinc (Zn), and boron (B). Potassium (K) was added, consisting of N, P, K, S, Zn, and B (All+K). Nitrogen plus phosphorus (NP) and no fertilizer treatments were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. Furthermore, 50% and 150% of the All+K treatments were also included. The finding revealed that the application of different nutrient types at variable rates had a significant role in the grain and biomass yield of both test crops in the acidic soils. No tef yield and the lowest yield of bread wheat were obtained from the no fertilizer application treatment. The application of All+K had no significant yield advantage compared to NP fertilizer alone. This implies that N and P are the most yield-limiting nutrients to produce tef and bread wheat, whereas KSZnB nutrients are not yield limiting. Therefore, refining the rates of N and P in acidic soils is needed for the economical use of fertilizers. Finally, applying blended fertilizers without empirical evidence is not recommended for smallholder farmers in the study area
Promoting new crop cultivars in low-income countries requires a transdisciplinary approach
No full textThe development of high-yielding, resilient cultivars is the primary goal of many crop breeding programmes, but the uptake of these new cultivars is persistently low in low-income countries. We discuss constraints related to the adoption of crop cultivars and stress the importance of participatory approaches in building trust and promoting the adoption of new technologies
Exploring genotypic diversity in sorghum breeding lines for water-saving traits to enhance drought adaptation during the post-rainy season
Get PDFSorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], a crucial staple crop in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, faces challenges amid increasing climate variability. Post-rainy sorghum serves as a dominant food and fodder crop in India. Aligned with International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics's post-rainy sorghum product profile, this research extensively characterizes sorghum lines, emphasizing the traits vital for post-rainy drought adaptation in hybrid parents. We examined genotypic differences and trait correlations in 25 sorghum hybrid parents and varieties (B line for seed parent, R line for restorer, and check for varieties) through atmospheric and soil drought experiments. Results from atmospheric drought experiments revealed significant variation in transpiration rate (TR) under high vapor pressure deficit (VPD), with certain lines showing limited TR (BTX623 and ICSR 21002), while others exhibited high TR. In soil drought experiments, transpiration decline occurred at fractions of transpirable soil water ranging between 0.38 (ICSR 174) and 0.65 (40162 and ICSR 21005). R lines consistently displayed superior plant growth, water use, and biomass compared to B lines. Transpiration efficiency (TE) and total biomass showed positive correlations (r2 = 0.69) in well-watered and (r2 = 0.45) in water-stressed conditions. Most R lines displayed higher biomass and TE. Genotypes exhibiting enhanced vigor and limited TR in high VPD conditions and high TE hold potential for enhancing drought adaptation in post-rainy sorghum. Notably, genotypes with higher biomass, lower TR, and increased TE within both R and B line groups represent valuable genetic resources for enhancing sorghum crops, post-rainy sorghum adaptation to water deficit
Conservation agriculture enhances crop productivity and soil carbon fractions in Indo-Gangetic Plains of India
Get PDFThis study evaluates the impact of conservation agriculture (CA) on soil carbon sequestration and crop productivity in the Indo-Gangetic Plains, focusing on short-term effects over 3 and 5 years. Conducted at two distinct sites, Karnal and Samastipur, the research compares zero tillage, permanent raised beds, and conventional tillage systems across diverse cropping patterns. Initial findings after 3 years showed no significant differences in carbon and nitrogen stocks at Karnal, while Samastipur’s maize-mustard-mungbean rotation on permanent raised beds showed increased carbon stocks. Notably, after 5 years, significant differences in soil carbon stocks emerged at both sites, with improved organic matter input indicated by coarse particulate organic matter (cPOM) formation. The study confirms the potential of POXC and POC as early indicators for carbon sequestration in CA systems, highlighting the role of CA practices in enhancing soil health and crop productivity sustainably
Trends in Global Sorghum Production: Perspectives and Limitations
No full textSorghum acts as a staple food for millions of people living in about 30 countries in the subtropical and semi-arid regions of Africa and Asia. Though sorghum cultivation is reported from more than 110 countries (FAOSTAT, https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#home, 2023), only ten countries have more than one million ha area under sorghum, which together contribute to more than 68% of the world’s total sorghum production. The global sorghum cropped area has declined marginally (39.9 m ha) during the last decade from 41.79 million ha in 2011–2013. However, global production was more stable during the past one-decade period. This might have been possible because of enhancement in sorghum productivity across different regions. Africa region is the largest producer of sorghum (46% of global sorghum) followed by Americas region (35%). Out of the global production, about 47.5% is used for food, while another 34.7% is used for feed. The non-food, seed, and processing use together consume about 10.5% of the total production. World trade in sorghum is strongly linked to demand for livestock products, which is dominated by feed requirements and prices etc. Although most of the sorghum continues to be consumed in the countries where it is produced, despite several opportunities for expansion of sorghum globally, there are an equal number of challenges threatening it
Genetic and Genomic Approaches for Accelerated Pearl Millet Breeding
No full textGenetic and genomic strategies present a transformative potential to catalyze a remarkable shift in pearl millet breeding, offering a swift trajectory toward the creation of superior cultivars that hold the key to alleviating food and nutrition insecurities in regions reliant on this climate-smart nutricereal. Leveraging genotyping and genome sequencing, alongside the availability of robust genomic resources for pearl millet such as whole genome resequencing, recently developed pan-genome, and refined reference genome assemblies, promises an in-depth dissection of crucial agronomic, quality, adaptation, and biotic and abiotic stress tolerance traits. These innovative genomic resources capitalize on cutting-edgemolecular tools, such as advanced genotyping technologies, marker-assisted selection, and genomic selection, effectively revolutionizing the breeding programs. The synergy between genetic and genomic approaches, together with accelerated breeding strategies, has the potential to enhance the resilience, productivity, and nutritional quality of pearl millet
Evaluation of sweet sorghum bagasse compost for its plant growth-promotion, yield and nutritional traits
No full textThree cellulose-degrading microbes, Aspergillus awamori, Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633) and Myceliophthora thermophila (ATCC 48104), were earlier reported to decompose sweet sorghum bagasse and the bagasse compost to promote plant growth-promotion (PGP). In this investigation, the bagasse compost prepared with these strains was evaluated for their PGP, grain yield and nutritional properties in sweet sorghum
under field conditions. The bagasse compost, prepared with the selected strains, significantly enhanced PGP traits of sweet sorghum including leaf area up to 30%, leaf weight up to 20%, root weight up to 40% and shoot weight up to 27% at 45 days after sowing (DAS); stover weight up to 11%, panicle weight up to 21%, grain yield up to 29% and brix % up to 30% at harvest over the uninoculated control compost. Harvested grains from the bagasse compost prepared with the selected strains enhanced their mineral contents including iron up to
36% (68 ppm), zinc up to 35% (20 ppm), calcium up to 49% (132 ppm) and magnesium up to 25% (1607 ppm) over the uninoculated control compost. In the rhizosphere, the bagasse compost prepared with the strains also significantly enhanced organic carbon up to 43%, available P up to 12% and total nitrogen up to 8% over the uninoculated control compost. This study confirms the use of bagasse compost prepared with the selected microbial strains for enhanced PGP, grain yield and grain nutrient contents in sweet sorghum