Oiling the wheels of groundnut production |
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| Integrated disease management technologies in groundnut for more pods, nutritious crop residue-fodder, income, and livelihood in the Deccan Plateau | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
By using an improved variety of groundnut and treating their seed with fungicide, farmers in India's leading groundnut production zones are cutting their losses and limiting applications of fungicide. Previously, late leaf spot and rust caused crop losses of more than 70%. Now, groundnut crops are producing more and better oil for human consumption and fodder for ruminants, which translates into higher milk yields. The integrated management techniques the farmers are using are promoted through farmer-to-farmer extension. A village-level seed system is helping to ensure supplies of quality seed. The new technologies have already made a big difference to the lives of more than 10,000 poor farmers, in particular women, in more than 120 villages. Project Ref: CPP15:
Research Programmes:
Relevant Research Projects:
The output is clustered as Integrated Disease Management (IDM)-Technology in Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea. L.). It was produced in 2005 in the villages of Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh, Deccan Plateau, India. Anantapur is the largest (800 000 hectares) groundnut growing district in the world. Groundnut is an important oil seed crop that provides high quality oil for human consumption and fodder for ruminants. Its yields are low due to two foliar diseases: late leaf spot (Phaeoisariopsis personata) and rust (Puccinia arachidicola) and together they cause more than 70% loss in pod and fodder yield and fodder quality. Therefore the output aims to address the management of foliar diseases. Presently, about 80% of the area under groundnut in the Deccan Plateau is covered by the traditional cultivar "TMV 2", which is highly susceptible to foliar diseases, additionally the IDM was aimed to replace TMV 2 with IDM responsive groundnut cultivar ICGV 91114. Scientists at ICRISAT came out with an early-maturing, dual-purpose cultivar, ICGV 91114 that is highly responsive to IDM. The IDM technology includes improved early-maturing cultivar ICGV 91114, fungicide seed treatment with bavistin + thiram @ 2.5 g/kg seed, and one foliar application of fungicide kavach (Chlorothalonil) at 65-70 days after sowing. The evaluation and promotion of IDM technology was carried
out in three phases (1999-2005) in participation with ANGRAU, INGOs, NGOs, self
help groups (SHGs) andfarmers from villages in Ananthapur. From
1999-2002, several on-station experiments were conducted to identify IDM
components to develop farmer friendly IDM technology. This phase was
supported by ICRISAT and DFID [ZA 0286 (R 7346). The second phase was
supported by DFID [ZA 0598 (R8339)] from 01 April 2003 to 31March 2005, where
on station integration, refinement of IDM components, and evaluation of IDM
at farmers' fields were initiated. In the third phase, from 01 April 2005 to
31 January 2006, IDM technology was promoted in more villages and farmers and village level seed system was initiated with SHGs taking the lead
role. In all three phases, and on farmers' fields the IDM
technology performed well, exhibiting lower severities of foliar diseases and higher pod and fodder yields. Moreover, in vitro tests showed that the fodder from IDM-plots had higher digestibility than
TMV 2. Participating farmers felt the new IDM responsive cultivar gave them
higher quantities of pods as well as higher quality fodder (haulms) that in
turn translated into higher milk yields.
The main commodity is Groundnut Crop, upon which the output "Integrated disease management (IDM)" is focussed.Groundnutis a dual purpose crop,where its pods/kernels are used for food and oil, and crop residues (haulm) as animal fodder. The basic principle of identification of components of IDM (for example: host plant resistance, need based eco-friendly user friendly application of biocides/fungicides, seed treatment etc) and process of involving farmers' in evaluating, validating, and adopting the IDM technology are applicable to a range of on-farm fungal foliar disease management in several crops such as chickpea, peas, lentils and potato etc. However, there is need to modify and or refine the components according to targeted commodity, disease(s), and the environment in which a particular disease occurs. For example IDM of Ascochyta Blight (Aschochyta rabiei) and Botrytis Gray Mold (Botrytis cinerea) diseases of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) can be successfully managed following the similar procedures (including the fungicides) and approach in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan.
Though promotion of IDM technology in groundnut was the main output of the project, non-availability of seeds of the ICGV 91114 (as one of the components of IDM) to farmers was identified as the major constraint. Therefore, initiation of community owned seed system and disease management system at the project sites was considered essential to add value to the main output (IDM). The village-based seed and crop protection system, involving both men and women from self help groups (SHG), not only facilitated the faster expansion and adoption of IDM technology by the beneficiaries in the Deccan Plateau but also sensitized the non-participating farmers in the project villages, as well as the visiting farmers and community leaders from the neighboring groundnut growing states on the Deccan Plateau (Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra) to adopt the technology. In the previous project we had initiated the process of establishing the Seed Village to a limited extent in few villages. The technology has a potential for adoption in similar environments where groundnut is grown in Africa (for example, Uganda: R8104, R8435, 8442, R 8105), and Asia (ICRISAT: R8483, R8298). Additionally the development of Mycotoxins by fungi on the crop residues is a serious threat to animal health and, through milk to human health. In an attempt to tackle this problem the IDM projects (R8339, R 8450) were linked with the project on "Reducing Aflatoxin Levels in Groundnut" (R8483, R7809, R8298) and it was found that ICGV 91114 is tolerant to aflatoxin infection and contamination. How the outputs were validated: The process of application, replication, and adoption in the context of partner organizations and users groups involved in IDM-Technologies projects (R7346, R8339, and R 8450) and their linkage to R8483 and R 8298 are:
Where the Outputs were Validated: The IDM technology was validated in the rainy season of 2005 in Jalalapuram, Lingareddypalli, Talupuru, Antaraganga and Jonnalakothapalli villages in the district of Ananthpur in the state of Andhra Pradesh on Deccan Plateau, India. Ananthapur district has 866 villages with a population of 3.6 m people. The economy is largely agrarian, mainly groundnut based, grown under low rainfall conditions and prone to frequent droughts. Incidentally, the district is most backward in Andhra Pradesh. The socio-economic group consists of marginal rainfed groundnut growing farmers belonging to local communities drawn from all castes (forward and backward) and religions. The implementation of the project was farmer participatory and in each group women farmers and members from SHGs were well represented. One village (Nusikotalu), where the IDM technology was introduced was dominated by poor marginal tribal farmers. The Deccan Plateau is located in the semi-arid and peri-urban production system comprising smallholder rainfed dry farming system. Mono cropping of groundnut is practiced on 0.8 m ha of Alfisols in Anantapur. Length of crop growing season varies between 100-135 days, and is constrained by low and erratic rainfall and drought at least twice in five years. In these 5 years farmers get back at least seed and haulms (crop residues) to feed their dairy cattle. Since groundnut haulms are the main source of fodder, demand for healthy and nutritious fodder is high. Replacing groundnut with other crops is not readily acceptable to farmers; hence IDM technology was identified as the most appropriate for the cultivation of groundnut for sustainable livelihoods. Who are the Users? Small-scale groundnut producers (including poor and women farmers) are mainly using the improved technology since higher haulm yields besides pod yields are an important requirement for them. Additionally NGOs involved in the earlier phase of the project are engaged in seed multiplication and expanding the IDM technology to more farmers and to new locations in the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Farmer-to-farmer extension and use of IDM output is continuing at a slower pace. Scientists at ICRISAT, in collaboration with participating NGOs, (DATTAC, AME) and lead farmers, are in constant touch with participating and other farmers by advising, monitoring of their IDM managed crop, and providing them hands-on training to a limited extent. This is facilitating the process of further expansion of outputs of IDM technology. Both men and women farmers are maintaining contacts with us for further advice and suggestions particularly if any new production constraint is experienced by them; for example, management of the recent endemic outbreak of disease (collar rot caused by soil borne fungus Sclerotium rolfsii). However, non-availability of seed and limited hands-on training in IDM technology is slowing down further expansion of the technology. Where the outputs have been used: The outputs are currently being used by poor farmers, women self help groups, and NGOs in the project villages Jalalapuram, Lingareddypalli, Talupuru, Nusikotalu, Antaraganga and Jonnalakothapalli in Ananthapur district on the Deccan Plateau of India. Based on reconnaissance surveys it was found that improved groundnut cultivar ICGV 91114 is grown in more than 120 villages covering 4 districts in Andhra Pradesh and 3 districts in Karnataka. Two-thirds of the villages are located in Ananthapur district. The location of these villages was recorded using GPS instrument. The number of farmers involved in production of the improved variety was estimated to be more than 10,000. A majority of the villages are located in the low-to-medium rainfall mandals (cluster of villages) indicating the importance of this cultivar for resource poor farmers in marginal environments. According to informal information the IDM output has been successfully used in theses states. Farmers from the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu who have attended the IDM Field Days conducted during 2003-05 have also adopted the technology in their respective villages with minimal support from the project. The Technology spread rapidly during the life of the project (last two phases from 2003-2006) across villages and districts in a progressive manner ie, 2180 farmers in 2001, 3230 farmers in 2003, 5650 farmers in 2003, and 8940 farmers in 2004 and 2005. Scale of Current Use: More than 10,000 farmers were estimated to be currently using the IDM technology during the 2006 rainy season. At the current rate of expansion, it is estimated that some 80,000 hectares - about 10% of the total crop area (800,000 hectare) - in the district of Ananthapur alone will be under IDM technology and its important component cultivar ICGV 91114 by 2011. It will also expand into the adjoining states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in the Deccan Plateau of India. Its usage is still spreading from farmer to farmer, through NGOs, and through village-level self help groups. However, non-availability of seeds, need for further on-farm validation of IDM technology in participation with farmers, village level hands-on IDM training and awareness camps, and establishment of IDM orientation schools are the major constraints in the exponential spread of IDM technology to new villages, mandals, districts and states on the Deccan Plateau. Policy and Institutional Structures, and Key Components for Success: In our experience institutional structures such as State Agricultural Universities (SAU) such as Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU), Andhra Pradesh (AP), India, and its district level centers such as District Agricultural Advisory and Technology Transfer Center (DAATTC), and their village level programs; NGOs (Agricultural Man Ecology [AME], and its associate NGOs [Mysore Resettlement and Development Agency (MYRADA) in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka); Rural Reconstruction Society (RRS), AP; Andhra Pradesh Rural Reconstruction Mission (APRRM) AP; Department of Agriculture and Extension Services (DOAE) of Govt. of AP and village-level Self Help Groups (SHG), and above all individual and collective participation of farmers have assisted with the promotion and adoption of the IDM Technology for groundnut in the targeted villages. The collective and joint action plan of these agencies has acted as an important platform for the promotion of the IDM technology. At government levels (both state and national) pro-oilseed policies as reflected in trade and marketing policies for groundnut (tariff on edible oils, oil seeds procurement policies at the national level) have greatly assisted in the promotion of the groundnut crop, and therefore the IDM technology in the villages of Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh, India. In terms of capacity strengthening, involvement of farmers, SHGs, NGOs, DOAE and SHU right from the inception of the project and their active participation in stakeholder meetings, development of joint workplans, identification of components of IDM (high-yielding, drought-tolerant, and cost effective IDM management cultivar), their integration and validation and joint monitoring of on-station and on-farm IDM-trials were the key factors contributing to success. Capacity strengthening activities were operational at district, mandal(sub-unit cluster of villages), and village levels for the key persons responsible for implementing programmes. Lessons Learned and Uptake Pathways Promotion of Outputs: Currently the promotion of IDM for groundunut crop for more pods and healthy haulms (fodder) is taking place within project villages and neighboring villages in the Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh, India. The promotion of the two main components [seeds of ICGV 91114 and, IDM components (seed treatment and need-based foliar application with fungicides)] are occurring simultaneously. The IDM technology has also been extended to two more districts (Kurnool and Chittoor) in Andhra Pradesh and is slowly gaining ground in the districts of Kolar and Dharwad in the state of Karnataka, and in two villages in Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu, India. The main process of introduction is through ICRISAT in collaboration with SAU and DOA and NGOs. The scale of current promotion is up to a total of 50 hectares in these two states. The promotion is constrained by the non-availability of technology to many more farmers. Potential Barriers Preventing Adoption of Outputs: Non-availability of seeds of IDM-responsive groundnut variety ICGV 91114 is the main barrier that is preventing the faster adoption of IDM technology to greater numbers of farmers. Lack of awareness about IDM technology and importance of using healthy crop residues for more milk is another constraint, existing at village/community level, and limiting expansion of technology. Seed production is constrained by non-existence of organized seed system for groundnut. The private seed industry is not active in groundnut seed production. Farmers store their rainy season produce as seed for the following season. As seed-to-seed ratio is very low in groundnut, it is not possible for a single agency to supply seeds in the entire Deccan Plateau. The governmental agencies produce groundnut seeds but are not able to meet the demand (eg, 120 kg kernels/ha). There are no major constraints in the marketing of pods and haulms. Haulms are used within the village, either exchanged for other crop residues or sold at premium rates to peri-urban dairy owners. For the marketing of pods there are regulated markets within the vicinity of crop production areas. How to Overcome Barriers to Adoption of Outputs: For the successful adoption and expansion of IDM technology, the establishment of a community-owned "Seed Village System" is necessary. The Seed Village concept was visualized and initiated along with "IDM Orientation Schools" by ICRISAT in the previous project. It is important for each and every groundnut growing village to produce seed and adopt IDM technology for maximum pods yields and healthy haulms for dairy animals. Village-based SHGs and NGOs can play a great role in collaboration with research institutions in the establishment of "Seed Villages", and "IDM-orientation Schools" concept in each and every village. Only then will IDM technology be adopted by large numbers of farmers in bigger areas for improving livelihoods with assured income on a sustainable basis. Lessons Learned: The huge gap between the technology generation and its promotion and expansion at the farm level was the main lesson learnt during the process of development and validation of the IDM technology. Therefore "Farmers' Participatory Approach" was chosen and implemented in partnership with the village level stakeholders operational at village level directly in contact with farmers/end users of the technology. In this context NGOs, SAUs, and empowerment through self help groups was found to be the best way to get the output used by large numbers of poor farmers. For example, establishment of village level "Seed System", "IDM Orientation Schools" and "Trainers Training Camps" was found to be of utmost use in the transfer and adoption of technology by large numbers of poor beneficiaries in the targeted villages. These methodologies and procedures are replicable and repeatable for enhanced impact. Poverty Impact Studies: We have not conducted any formal structured impact studies on poverty in relation to the output on IDM technology at the project sites as we felt that the expansion and adoption of the technology was still in its infancy stage. However, less formal studies were conducted on social mapping and periodical monitoring records noted to analyze farmers' perception about the technology. Based on participatory approaches farmers' perception and preferences were collected during the project period. Besides collecting information on structured questionnaires, some information on the indirect impacts on poverty, were collected during the implementation of CPP Project (R7346). The salient features are:
How the Poor have Benefited (including gender and other poverty groups): Disease-free groundnut haulms (fodder), rich in nutrition were made available to both small and large dairy owners up to 8 months per year which reduced their dependency on the external source of fodder and concentrate needed for milk production. The continuous supply of healthy fodder made a positive impact on the livelihoods of the small dairy owners in the "low dairy village" in particular. An informal study in project villages indicated that positive impact of introducing the IDM technology started appearing to a limited extent mainly with respect to financial assets in the third year of the introduction of the technology. In the short run, the impact would be mainly restricted to higher income from growing improved groundnut cultivars following IDM technology. Given the small size of farms the impact initially is on financial asset only, that too from a low base. The potential impacts on marginal and small farmers would depend on the linkages between small farmers, the public sector actors and other stakeholders in the groundnut and milk economy. The linkage between adoption of the improved technology, higher incomes, asset acquisition reinvestment in agriculture and improvement in overall quality of life will have to wait until the technology is adopted on a larger scale at the household level. The project impacts will be mainly for moderate poor (most likely to access new livelihood opportunities and use as stepping stone out of poverty) and extreme vulnerable poor (asset-less or near asset-less) male & female headed households in rural areas). This includes subsistence farmers who may have small areas for food production or landless livestock keepers. Women had a positive impact since at household level they are involved in feeding the dairy animals. Women thus have clear perception about the relationship between quality of the fodder, animal health and milk production. The exclusive interactions with women on the feeding of diseased and IDM produced healthy groundnut haulms to dairy cows revealed that diseased groundnut haulms are not preferred by the lactating cows as it makes them sick. Normally such animals get diarrhoea and refuse to eat any fodder which in turn reduces the milk yield. This affects their regular source of income through milk sale. The women also said that diseased haulms not only reduce the milk yield but also cause abortion and physical deformities such as a limp, etc. Approximately 80% of the 10,000 participating farmers, until 2005, have realized a positive impact on their livelihood. The IDM technology of the groundnut cultivar ICGV 91114 has increased both pod and fodder yields by 20-25% per hectare and increased the monetary returns of a farmer by 25-30% / ha. The use of haulms for feeding / selling has further contributed to their returns. At the current rate of expansion of IDM technology, it is anticipated that some 20,000 hectares (2.5 % of the total crop area [800,000 hectares]) in Anantapur district is under the IDM technology and its components. Direct and Indirect Environmental Benefits: The IDM technology for groundnut crop is exclusively eco-friendly and user friendly. None of its components are hazardous to human health and animal health. The IDM technology does not produce any pollutants to contaminate the environment. The identification of high yielding, dual purpose, moderately resistant and minimal management responsive groundnut variety ICGV 91114 made the technology safe to produce, 'safe food' for human beings and 'healthy fodder' for cattle. Fungicide use is minimal and is applied as seed treatment and foliar protection at least 150 days before storage, and feeding of crop residues to cattle. On the contrary when diseased crop residues are fed to animals they get diarrhoea and flatulence creating more emission of methane gas that could add to the phenomenon of global warming. Hence the IDM technology has positive benefits for the environment. Adverse Environmental Impacts: There are no adverse environmental impacts related to the output, IDM technology and its outcome (more pods, healthy and nutritious haulms used as fodder and more milk). On the other hand when diseased crop residues are fed to cattle, they suffer indigestion, frequent flatulence, and diarrhoea, that leads to the emission of more methane and contribute to global warming. Coping with the Effects of Climate Change, or Risk from Natural Disasters: The IDM technology is based on dual-purpose foliar disease management responsive and high yielding cultivar of groundnut ICGV 91114. It is a short duration cultivar and capable of mitigating 'Terminal Drought', which occurs frequently in the rainfed Deccan Plateau of India and in several groundnut growing countries in Africa. Additionally, it has the plasticity to recover from mid-season drought. Apart from these characteristics, it has been found to be tolerant to Aflatoxin infection and colonization. Aflatoxin invasion is more when groundnut is predisposed to end-season drought. Therefore the technology increases the capacity of smallholder rainfed dry farming system farmers in the semi-arid production system to cope with the effects of climate change, frequent drought, and reduce the risks of natural disasters and increase resilience.
Relevant Research Projects,
with links to the
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For relevant research projects, with links to further information 
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