1. Enhancing pulse production through introduction and expansion of improved pulse production technologies (IPPT) in rainfed rice fallow lands (RRFL) of Central and Eastern India
CL Laxmipathi Gowda
Global Theme Leader
Crop Improvement & Management
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)
Patancheru , Andhra Pradesh, India
Presented at Workshop on “Strategies for Pulses Production”, Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, 8 May 2010.

2. Goal, Approach and Focus
To increase production and productivity of pulses on sustainable basis in rainfed rice fallow lands of Central and Eastern India
Approach:
Increase pulses production through dissemination of improved technologies
Focus:
Districts with high potential but relatively low levels of productivity performance
High potential:
Medium to deep soils (Dorsa – Kanhar)
With supplementary irrigation (where ever possible)

3. Potential Areas for Rice Fallow Legumes
Chhattisgarh
2.94 mha
Madhya Pradesh
1.75 mha
Jharkhand
Orissa
1.22 mha
West-Bengal
1.72 mha
Total
9.38 mha
Scope:
Area: mha

4. Estimated Potential RRFL Area
State
RRFL
Area (mha)
Potential 30-40% RRFL (area mha) available for immediate IPPT interventions
Potential RRFL districts for IPPT Intervention
30%
40%
Chhattisgarh
2.94
0.88
1.18
Bilaspur, Dhamtari, Kanker, Jashpur, Raipur, Raigarh, Raj-Nandgaon, Durg, Kabirdham, Korba and Mahasamund
Jharkhand
1.75
0.53
0.70
Chhatra, Dumka, Jamtara, Palamau, Ranchi, Lohardaga, Gumla, Girdhi, Deoghar, Sahibhanj, Dhanbad, Godda, Purbi Singbhum and Pashchimi Singbhum
Madhya pradesh
Anupuur, Chhatarpur, Damoh, Dindori, Raisen, Jabalpur, Katni, Jhabua, Rewa, Satna, Shadol, Seoni, Mandla, Narsingpur and Umeria
Orissa
1.22
0.37
0.49
Baleshwar, Dhenkanal, Sundergarh, Mayurbhanj, Kalahandi, Bolangir, Kheonjar, Puri and Cuttak
West-Bengal
1.72
0.52
0.69
Bankura, Purulia, Mednapur, West Dinajpur, Malda, Jalpaiguri, Medinipur, Barddhaman and Birbhum
Total
9.38
2.83
3.76 59

5. Where and When? Unirrigated early sown:
- 3rd week of Sept - 2nd week of Oct
Unirrigated/partially irrigated timely sown:
- 4th week of Oct – 2nd week of Nov
Irrigated late sown:
- Up to 1st week of December
Note: Wherever possible with supplementary irrigation

6. Constraints and Possible Solutions in RRFL
Intervention/Solutions
Seed
: Improved varieties
Crop establishment
: Zero tillage machines
Diseases
: Wilt resistant varieties
Pod Borer
: IPM
Fertilizers
: DAP
Micronutrients
: Zn, B, S, Mb
Herbicides
: Pendamethaline
Transfer of technology
: Farmer Empowerment
Seed systems
: Village Level Seed Banks

7. Strategy and Approach: Village Level
ICRISAT
SAUs
NGOs
DoA&E
ICAR
Panchayat
Farmer
FSHG
Seed clubs
IPPT clubs
IPPT
Village
Institutions

8. Lessons Learned from NFSM Pilot Project in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh
IPPPT package was highly profitable, net return was 110% in CG and 130% in MP compared to local framers’ practices
IPPPT gave 25-38% higher grain yields over local farmer practices
Seed system at village level needs strengthening
Introduction of Zero-till machines is a priority for crop establishment.
Development of heat /drought/root rot tolerant cultivars
Collar Rot and Dry Rot Rot are the potential diseases of chickpea in RRFL
Social action and policy support needs

9. Main Elements and Strategy/Approach: Pulse Villages
Farmers and village selection
Soil Sampling and nutrient analysis
Farmers participatory IPPT demonstrations
Farmers participatory variety selection
Crop establishment (machines)
Crop monitoring, pest management
Village level seed system (multiplication to storage)
Capacity building and empowerment
Back-up research and development:
1. Development of heat/drought tolerant varieties
2. Basic and developmental research on crop protection

10. NFSM- Pilot Project Chickpea: RRFL- Chhattisgarh (2009-10)

11. ICAR-ICRISAT Collaborative Project: RRFL Pulses
NFSM- Pilot Project Chickpea: RRFL- Madhya Pradesh ( )
ICAR-ICRISAT Collaborative Project: RRFL Pulses

12. (ISOPOM Project F.No.14-9/2008-CA II)
Improving Heat Tolerance in Chickpea for Enhancing its Productivity in Warm Growing Conditions and Mitigating Impacts of Climate Change
(ISOPOM Project F.No.14-9/2008-CA II)
Developed simple and effective field screening method for heat tolerance in chickpea
Reproductive stage identified as the most sensitive stage for heat stress in chickpea
Large genetic variation observed for heat tolerance in chickpea. Several heat tolerant germplasm/breeding lines were identified which were able to set pods at high temperatures of up to 350C.
Project Partners: ICRISAT, Patancheru; IIPR-Kanpur; Punjab University, Chandigarh; JNKVV, Jabalpur; and RARS of ANGRAU, Nandyal

13. (ISOPOM Project: F. No. 14-9/2008-CA II)
Exploiting Host Plant Resistance for Helicoverpa Management to Increase Production and Productivity of Chickpea and Pigeonpea Under Rainfed Conditions in India
(ISOPOM Project: F. No. 14-9/2008-CA II)
In chickpea, the genotypes ICC 506, ICCV 10, ICCL 87316, C 235, and ICCV showed moderate levels of resistance of Helicoverpa and yielded >2,000 kg grain ha-1 as compared to 1,000 kg of check.
In pigeonpea, ICPL 332 WR, ICPHaRL , ICPHaRL , ICPHaRL , ICPL 84060, ICPL 87039, and PPE 45-2 exhibited resistance to Helicoverpa.
ICP 9879, ICP 8102, and ICP exhibited oviposition non-preference, and also had low larval density under field conditions; while ICP 12746, ICP 12942, and ICP 9880 exhibited antibiosis to H. armigera.
The Helicoverpa-resistant cultivars invariably required less pesticide applications, even though the farmers did not use the control measures based on economic thresholds.

14. Taking Pigeonpea Hybrids to the Door Steps of Farmers
Pigeonpea hybrid ICPH 2671 is performing well in the states of Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh with maximum yields recorded over 3 t ha-1  and mean superiority  of up to 94%. 
Two new promising hybrids ICPH 2740 and ICPH 3762 have also been introduced for on-farm testing in 2009.
The biotechnologists are confident that a  molecular hybrid seed quality determination kit will be made available soon for seed producers.
Fine tuning of seed production technology is in progress to suit different environmental conditions.

15. Thank You