Farmers have a field day in Rajasthan

Farmers who came to the event learned about the multiple benefits of using genebank resources  [3] to reintroduce traditional landraces, instead of growing only commercial hybrid varieties. The landraces can improve the livelihoods and food security of the farmers, and thus prompt farmers to use and conserve them in their fields.

Curan Bonham, Bioversity researcher and also one of the event organizers explains:

"While the genebank can provide the initial seed, its adoption and distribution by local farmer networks is vital for the variety's maintenance in situ. We invited farmers to come and evaluate 21 varieties that we had grown out for the field day asking them to focus not just on potential grain yield, but also on other benefits such as forage production, drought tolerance, taste, and nutrition".

Landraces are known to be locally adapted as well as high forage producers, two key characteristics in Rajasthan where harsh climatic conditions prevail and livestock production is integral to the farming system. Additionally the grain has a sweeter taste than hybrid varieties.

The day was a great example of team work by Bioversity’s national partners in India. A publicity campaign by the All India Coordinated Pearl Millet Improvement Project (AICPMIP  [4]) and the loan of a bus from the Agricultural Station of the Rajasthan Agricultural University - Bikaner (RAU  [5]) helped bring farmers from six local villages. Support from the Ministry of Agriculture also meant that senior government officials came along.

Bonham describes the day as a huge success:

"Turnout was high. Farmers showed interest in reintroducing the traditional varieties. Policy makers saw multiple benefits of landraces that go beyond just yield. Seed dealers saw business opportunities in restocking and promoting the traditional varieties that really attracted the farmers' attention, such as one early-maturing variety from Barmer in western Rajasthan with a high production and fodder yield.

When it comes to farming in marginal rainfed conditions in arid zones like Rajasthan, farmers need to be given the opportunity to select from an array of varieties that work best for them on their farms. No one ‘silver bullet’ variety can meet their needs”.

This project was carried out by Curan Bonham, who studied at Bioversity as a Mickey Leland International Hunger Fellow   [6]during 2010 - 2011. Hear him talking about his research project in this short video.  [7]