Download - Theme 1 CCAFS - Farmers participatory network for adaptation to climate change on the IGP
Working in the field: Farmer-based experimentation network in the IGP
CCAFS Theme 1
Adaptation Pathways under Progressive Climate Change
Pilot project for on-farm participatory climate change adaptation and visualization
•Explore means of strengthening the link between researchers and local farmers in the context of adaptation to climate risks;
•Understand the role of existing seed systems in enabling adaptation under changing production constraints;
•Understand social and cultural barriers to adoption of adapted landraces and varieties and explore effective means of introducing new adapted landraces and varieties taking into account these barriers.
The Project Aims at
What They Did
Cooperating Centres
DWR, Karnal, HaryanaIARI, RS, Pusa, Samastipur, BiharPAU, Ludhiana, PunjabBHU, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
PlanBaseline survey : Proforma to be prepared
Program implemented in participatory mode at four sites, 10 locations at each site Ten Varieties (HD 2329, PBW 343, DBW 17, WH711, HUW 234, K9107, K 307, UP 262, HD 2733, KRL 19 and local variety/landrance if any)- Seed supply by DWR The minimum plot size will be 3m x 6m with three replications, Line sowing with recommended package of practices.
Plan Parameters to be recorded date of sowing, tillers/ sq metre, plant height, date of flowering, date of 75 percent maturity, thousand grain weight, number of grains per spike, incidence of insect pests, yield Yield loss to be compensated Appoint Field Level Worker /JRF/SRF/RA
Plan
Inception Workshop and Awareness Program at all sites
Traveling Seminar during crop season
Varieties to be sown
Variety TGW Germination % Seed (g) /18 sq m
WH 711 41.3 85 162HD 2329 39.4 76 173PBW 343 38.9 98 132HD 2733 39.4 98 134DBW 17 40.6 86 157KRL 19 35.8 98 122UP 262 38.9 98 132K9107K307HUW 234
The Directorate of Wheat
Research (Karnal)
Talk from the DWR project director
• 80% Punjab’s agriculture is irrigated
• Main abiotic traits for breeding are– Heat, drought & waterlogging
tolerance– Soil salinity, alkalinity
• Main biotic traits for breeding are– Rust race evolution, new or
expanding diseases, insect pest prevalence changes
The science within the DWR
• Yield gap & yield barriers breaking• Crop protection: rusts & other diseases• Quality improvement–Chapatti, bread, biscuit, pasta
• Resource conservation technologies• Extension and communication
mechanisms
The science in the DWR
• The latest varietal release is bred for all traits at once (by teams)
• ~10,000 crosses/year are carried out• ~600 multi-location trials/year are carried out• Minimum requirement for a variety is:– High and stable yield– Resistant to at least 2 out of the 3 rusts
• Attempt to turn wheat into a C4 plant
Preliminary visits to farmers
Farming systems characteristics(see video)
• Rice in the Rabi (spring) and wheat in the Kharif (autumn) season• Basmati rice quality is special in
Punjab (unique aroma)• Punjab produces 60-70% of India’s
wheat and rice
Integrated farming systems
• Grain drying and storage•Manure drying, packing and
storage• Cattle maintenance facilities• Cropping plots
Communication
• All farmers have mobiles
• But don’t speak/read/write English
Small and large-scale farmer similarities
• Sensitive to crop needs (irrigation to cool down soil or leaves)
• Open to collaboration with scientists• Understand limitations and potential of
science to maintain and enhance production• Know about climate change• Do not fear climate change, they trust
research institutions
Research in the region
• Carried out by PAU and DWR• Deploying, screening, testing, releasing,
distributing new varieties• Marketing seeds• Farmers (part. Large-scale) are conducting
some experiments by themselves• Farmer engagement in research
Problems related to weather/climate• Summer temperatures
40-44C, +2C what does this mean for wheat/rice?
• Rainfall seasonality• Losses have been
experienced before• Farmers want to do other
activities as well (more profit)
• Farmers are hungry of weather forecasts to plan their cropping seasons and select varieties
Adaptation-mitigation trade-offs
Lose-lose Win-win
Knowledge gaps
• Geographic data analysis and multi-site trial historical data analysis (GxE, P/DxE, GxExP/D).
• Climate change science and data only barely (if) explored
• Crop modelling not explored• Great opportunity for capacity building