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Pigeonpea in ESA - A story of two decades

  1. Pigeonpea in ESA: A story of two decades Said Silim
  2. In 1991: • Pigeonpea was not a crop of importance • Farmers growing traditional low yielding varieties as intercrop • Preference was for bold seeded fast cooking varieties • National research systems and governments paid no attention • Private sector had no interest • No awareness about the export potential
  3. Initial approach: • Initial approach was to introduce varieties from HQ through local testing but • They were not adapted to the region • Emphasis at HQ is on SD and MD types while ESA demand is for MD and LD • Farmers and market demand white bold grain that cook fast • Resistance to Fusarium wilt
  4. Revised strategy: • Understand the influence of temp (T) and photoperiod (P) and used for targeting developed varieties • Ensure resistance to diseases and pests • Fill germplasm gaps for posterity and use in the breeding program • Include crop management to enhance systems productivity • Market needs and opportunities • Develop varieties that exploit farmer and markets • Support seed systems • Enhance stakeholder capacity
  5. Understanding modulation of T and P • Trials conducted across a transect • 50 to 2500 m asl and T varied from 30 - 150C • Used artificial lighting P 12 h 20 min to 16 h 20 min • Early flowering observed at 240C for SD, 220C for MD and at 180C for LD • MD varieties matured early (150 days) at equator and late (200 days) away from equator
  6. Filling germplasm gaps: • Additional germplasm was collected in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique • Long duration varieties from the collections were used to develop varieties for delayed matured under cooler temperatures • Medium duration varieties from Uganda were used as sources for high temperature and pest tolerance
  7. Grain characteristics used in breeding: • White/cream seed coat • Bold and round seeds • Aroma • Cook fast
  8. Resistance to Fusarium wilt: • Losses from Fusarium wilt were estimated to be about US$ 5 m per country • Varieties resistant to Fusarium in India were found to be susceptible in the region • Wilt sick plots were developed in Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi • Sources of resistance from local land races were identified and used in the breeding program
  9. Pest management: • Major pests in the region are • Field: pod borers, pod suckers and pod flies • Storage: Bruchids • Research was initiated to screen varieties with resistance to these pests
  10. Molecular tools: • Identifying and use of molecular markers speed up the process of resistance breeding • A limiting factor in the region is lack of biosafety regulations • One area for immediate research attention is risk assessment including geneflows
  11. Crop management: • Pigeonpea is mainly grown as intercrop • The best row ratios were found to be paired rows of pigeonpea with 3 rows of maize or 6 rows of legumes such as groundnut, bean and soybean • In both cases residual N was found to be >40 kg/ha Agronomy Pigeonpea Yield (t/ha) Maize Yield (t/ha) Variety Mean Variety Mean Improved Farmer Improved Farmer Improved 1.460 1.497 1.478 1.252 1.539 1.410 Farmer 0.811 1.091 0.951 1.231 1.459 1.345 Mean 1.136 1.294 1.257 1.499
  12. Market information: • Coordinate and synchronize production and marketing activities • Shorten the then existing long marketing channels • Reduce transaction costs along the value chain • Mainstream grades and standards in the value chain • Provide avenues for farmers to access improved technologies Pigeonpea Value Chains Rural wholesaler Small farmer PMG/Union Middlemen/brokers Urban wholesaler Processing Industry Rural retailer (1) Rural consumer Supermarkets (3) Grain Exporter (4) Urban retailer (2) Urban consumer Transporter Processed Exporter (5) Foreign consumers
  13. Seed systems: • Strategic partnerships to increase the availability of improved seeds developed • The actors in these partnerships include NARS, commercial seed companies, input suppliers and farmer associations • Farmers and extension agents are trained in seed production • Farmer cooperatives, local seed enterprises and input stockists were established and /or strengthened
  14. Capacity building: • Capacity building activities covering all aspects from production to marketing to consumption were implemented • Now there are pigeonpea breeders in all countries • Farmers are aware about the pigeonpea potential • Private sector is actively pursuing the promotion of pigeonpea • Policy makers are paying attention to promote pigeonpea
  15. Partnerships: • ICRISAT-ESA worked hard to develop meaningful partnerships that add value • This was achieved by strategic choice of partners to sustain future R&D efforts • We are now working with CIMMYT and CIAT • Number donors supporting pigeonpea also increased during this period
  16. On-farm demonstrations: • Potential varieties were evaluated on station and on-farm in the target regions in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Malawi • Participatory on-farm evaluation followed involving farmers, market agents and agri-business enterprises • The best bet varieties were promoted in collaboration with NARS, NGOs and private sector
  17. Varietal Targeting: General preference for cream bold grains with fast cooking and aroma, Fusarium wilt resistance and • MD and LD varieties that escape drought, with ratoonability in Eastern Kenya • LD and MD in Northern and MD in Eastern and Southern Tanzania, suitable to cereal inter-cropping • MD varieties and new pest tolerance populations developed crossing with local varieties in Uganda • LD and MD varieties for Southern and MD with higher opt. temp. and insensitivity to Ppd for Central & Northern Malawi • In Mozambique conditions are similar to Malawi and varieties released are the best bet
  18. Impacts: • A total of 23 varieties released • Area increased from 450K ha in 1992 to 930K in 2012 • Adoption rate is high in Tanzania, Kenya, Malawi and Mozambique • Productivity has increased • Increase in export results in three fold increase in price • Tanzania currently exports 100K t grain • Private seed companies in Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi are investing is seed production • Capacity of all partners strengthened Country Area (‘000 ha) Yield (Kg/ha) Production (‘000 t) 90-92 00-02 2011 90-92 00-02 2011 90-92 00-02 2011 Kenya 160 167 182 409 465 608 65 77 111 Malawi 142 137 197 684 753 1103 97 103 217 Mozambique - 69 193 - 465 504 - 32 97 Tanzania 56 134 288 650 650 946 38 87 273 Uganda 61 80 93 827 1000 1025 51 80 95 Total 419 587 953 598 647 832 251 380 792
  19. In 2012: • Pigeonpea is a food and cash crop for smallholder farmers • Farmers growing medium-duration high yielding varieties • Shifted to varieties that are attractive to Indian markets • National research systems and governments are making concerted efforts to promote the crop • Private sector entered in a big way • Policies are in place to exploit the export potential
  20. Behind this: • Strong research and development agenda founded on identified constraints and opportunities • Well planned research that addressed key constraints • An approach that integrated production with markets • ICRISAT and donor support in operationalizing the strategy • A champion in place for continuity and mobilising necessary funding and other support
  21. • Develop agronomy for inter-cropping that contributes to intensification and expansion • Strengthen seed system • Gain greater knowledge of markets and their structures • Ensure in country value addition through processing • Develop better adapted and high yielding varieties using conventional approach and use molecular tools to improve efficiency • Be very cautious on hybrid technology Future Direction
  22. Thank you! ICRISAT is a member of the CGIAR Consortium
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