The Hindu : National : Crop institute focus on diversification to pulses

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 11, 2005

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National

Crop institute focus on diversification to pulses

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MARCH 10. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) will encourage diversification to pulses in the rice-wheat fields of the Indo-Gangetic plains to invigorate agriculture in the cereal fatigued lands.

ICRISAT, which is working in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), has made a joint assessment that in the 10.5 million hectares of land where irrigated rice-wheat cultivation is practised, there is scope for growing legumes in two to three million hectares.

At a press conference here today, William Dar, Director-General of ICRISAT, said the institute was promoting the rotation of rice and pigeon pea in the rainy season and wheat and chickpea in the post-rainy season.

"By growing extra short duration pigeon pea ICPL 88039, farmers have obtained higher production of approximately up to one additional tonne per hectares, of wheat in the post-rainy season."

In the 35 million hectares of rain-fed rice growing area, ICRISAT has been promoting the cultivation of chickpea as a second crop. "While this gives the farmers the opportunity to grow a second crop and doubles his income, it also helps in maintaining soil fertility," Dr. Dar said.

The Director-General of ICAR and vice-president of the ICRISAT governing body, Mangala Rai, expressed satisfaction at the initiation of diversification to pulses and oilseeds "on the ground" and said India's partnership with ICRISAT had paid dividends.

To a question on the development of saline-resistant paddy varieties for tsunami-hit areas, he said that six varieties had been identified, locations tracked and mapping done.

The varieties were ready for dissemination.

ICRISAT is also collaborating with NGOs through the Virtual Academy for the Semi-Arid Tropics and the M.S. Swaminathan Foundation to enhance disaster preparedness of communities through Rural Knowledge Centres.

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