FARMER'S NOTEBOOK
Chance discovery leads to high-yielding new pigeon pea variety
M.J. PRABU
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The findings have still not been accepted by the scientists’ fraternity
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— Photo: Special Arrangement
Accidental discovery: The farmer, Raj Kumar Rathore, in the fields with his pigeon pea crops.
“Many of the small farmers in the country come out with some mind-boggling discoveries, thanks to their sharp traditional wisdom.
Their main aim is to make their job easier and that of others. In fact, what these simple rural people do should be done by scientists and researchers,” says Dr Vipin Kumar, Chief Innovation Officer, National Innovation Foundation, Ahmedabad.
Mr. Raj Kumar Rathore, a progressive farmer from Sehore in Madhya Pradesh has developed a new pigeon pea variety that has bushy growth and good yield.
Not recognised
He also sent his findings to various institutions such as the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), Delhi, Agriculture College at Sehore and Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO), Bhopal. But his findings have still not been accepted by the learned fraternity.
Mr. Rathore says, “Wheat is the main crop grown here followed by pigeon pea and soya bean. Earlier, we grew sugarcane. But after the only sugar mill in this area closed down, we switched over to other crops.
Seed collection
“In my 18 acres, I grow wheat and soya bean [15 acres] and on another two acres mango, strawberry, litchi, etc.
“The remaining one acre I use for growing pigeon peas for seed collection."
His logic for allotting only one acre to seed production is simple. “It will not be possible to maintain the quality and purity of the seeds if grown on a larger area,” he said.
Unusual plant
He accidentally noticed a different plant in his field a few years back. This unusual plant drew his attention as it had bigger flowers with two different colours. Its leaves were long and its pods grew at the top, in bunches.
“Noticing this unique feature I immediately thought that if I am able to increase the pod bearing and number of branches in the plant the yield can be improved," he said.
Elaborating further, he said: “I removed the plant and carefully stored its seeds for sowing in an isolated patch of land the ensuing year, to observe its growth and the various characteristics. Unlike the regular pigeon pea variety, the plants bore fewer branches.
“I tried spraying growth promoters to increase the number of branches, but did not achieve any significant success.
“Then I tried cutting the top portion a day prior to weeding to facilitate better growth and to restrict further weed growth and enhance branching. Six branches emerged as a result.”
Repetitive practice
He repeated the practice of clipping twice (45 and 90 days) and observed that total of 12-14 branches emerged from a single plant.
He repeated this for three seasons, thereby standardizing the technique and multiplying seeds to a sufficient number.
Going by the suggestions of some well-wishers, he sent seed samples to several governmental institutions; he faced ridicule and contempt.
Forced to part
In fact, when he took the seeds to the Agricultural College at Sehore, the scientists did not want to help him. They tried to force him into giving his findings to them.
However, encouraging feedback now keeps pouring in from farmers who use his seeds.
For more information readers can contact Mr. Raj Kumar Rathore, Mata mandir chouraha, Galla mandi, Sehore, 466001 Madhya Pradesh, phone: 07562-262625, mobile: 09406-528391 and Dr Vipin Kumar, email: vipin@nifindia.org, mobile 98253-16994.
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