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