Reinforcing the Resilience of Poor Rural Communities in the face of Food

Insecurity, Poverty and Climate Change through On-Farm Conservation of Local

Agro-Biodiversity

Dr. E. D. Israel Oliver KingPrincipal Scientist (Biodiversity)

M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai, India

II Steering Committee Meeting Bioversity International

New Delhi

Name of Partners MSSRF ASA Gene campaign

Project site Kolli Hills, TN Mandla, MP Almora, Uttrakhand

No. of Villages 13 9 15

No. of households 403 802 300-350

Total Population 1500 3693

Number of Male 774 1842

Number of Female 726 1851

Schedule Tribe population

100 % 2668 (72%)

Total area of village (in hectare)

901.3 2498

Forest land (in hectare)

N/A 467

Major crops Finger Millet, Little millet and Italian millet, Mustard, Pigeon pea, Beans ( Avara Motchi ), Wet land Paddy, Up land Paddy Rice, tapioca, Banana, coffee, Pepper, Pine apple 13

Kodo, Kutki, Pea, Rice and Lentil

5

Finger millet, Barnyard millet, prosomillet, Italian millet, Grain Amaranth, Buck wheat

7

Sites,People,Diversity and Partners

Facilitate more effective and sustainable use, management and conservation of local agro biodiversity by communities and stakeholders, particularly in the context of food security, nutrition, income-generation potential and adaptation to climate change.

Develop and test new methods and tools in close partnership with farmers and value chain actors aimed at enhancing their capacities to sustainable conserve traditional crops and associated knowledge at the farm level.

Explore ways of integrating the monitoring of diversity on-farm, along with use enhancement goals, through inter –disciplinary and multi –sector approaches.

Promote a more balanced complementary conservation agenda in national programmes, based on the need to combat genetic erosion and to meet the needs of agro biodiversity users

Provide useful findings to guide further research related to climate change and its impact on species and varieties deployed in local production systems.

Key Activities Feb 2012-July 2013• Activity 1.1: International conference• Activity 2.1: National Stakeholder meetings• Activity 3.1:Training of partners• Activity 3.2:Training of community members• Activity 3.3 Surveying/documentation of GD, IK, conservation efforts and threats• Activity 3.4 Establishment of on-farm network of custodian farmers in target areas• Activity 3.5 Establishment of linkages with ex situ conservation• Activity 3.6 Development of documentation system in support of on farm monitoring

systems• Activity 3.7 Development of Red Lists for model species• Activity 3.8 Carrying out use-enhancement actions for target species• Activity 3.9 Testing out feasibility of PACS (payment for agrobiodiversity conservation

services)• Activity 4.1 Development of an impact assessment study for the project• Activity 4.2 Analyses of gathered data related to the sustainability of monitoring systems and

impact of use-enhancement on conservation of local crops• Activity 5.1 Raising awareness on the importance of on farm conservation and its strategic

complementary role with ex situ conservation• Activity 5.3 Explore policy options for supporting community based monitoring systems

Name of the Village No of HH in Kolli Hills

Thuvarapallam 45Puthupalayam 6Thirupuli Oorpuram 67Pannanthurai 8Puliyampatti 62Vallukulipatti 59Salakkadu 7Padasolai 66Kalleri 11Kumbapodi 11Sempoothuvalavu 29Melvalavu 20Naduvalavu 12

Total 403

Activity 3.3 Surveying/documentation of GD, IK, conservation efforts and threats

Crop genetic diversity Indigenous Knowledge on Cropping System Threat and conservation status of Crop

diversity Gender role in crop management Influence of externalities on NUS crop

systems Climate perception and Endogenous

methods for Resilience Custodian Farmers and Role in On farm

conservation Current Practices and support

Progress - ASA 1.Baseline survey of all targeted 500

farmers completed and Computerised2.Four Cell Analysis exercise done in all

project villages to map the existed crop/ varietal biodiversity and listing of red zone varieties

3.Organized 24 Demonstration on Good Agriculture Practices with 24 farmers (min. 4/village) by following the principles of Systems of Crop Intensification like Line sowing, Optimum Seed rate, use of pure & quality seeds, Seed Treatment, & mechanical weeding etc.

Farmers at village Hardua of District Mandla M.P

Crops and Sensitivity to Changing Weather Patterns • Farmers believe that local grain species, especially finger millet and barley, to be the most

resilient against observed changes in weather but they are also less and less likely to grow these grains

• Farmers are more inclined towards growing vegetables and fruits, which generate income but which suffer the most from observed warmer weather and reduced rainfall.

Gene Campaign Survey :Perceptions of Changing Weather Patterns on Cropping Decisions and Food Security

May-August, 2012, Ramgarh and Dhari Blocks of Nainital District Respondents: 157 men and 150 women of 29 different villages

Effects of Perceived Changes in Weather Patterns• Himalayan farmers are noticing higher temperatures with

late and reduced monsoon rainfall• Respondents believed adverse weather to be the most

pressing factor in declining crop cultivation.

Measures Taken in Response to Changes in Weather Patterns : In response to the changes in the weather planting new crops altogether planting trees changing their cropping system shifting planting times increasing the frequency of seed exchange with other farmers planting faster maturing varieties of existing crops

Crops and nutrition• The farmers believe that because of changing weather pattern the nutrition and the

sustainability of their agricultural livelihoods rely on cultivating more grains, such as finger millet, barley, maize, barnyard millet, and foxtail millet.

• Despite the expressed benefits of nutrition and sustainability in grain cultivation, surveyed farmers find that their decisions of what to grow are primarily determined by profitability.

• The production of wheat (73%), potato (49%), finger millet (33%), peas (25%), maize (23%), and cabbage (20%) has declined the most in the area. These are the most commonly grown vegetables and grains for household consumption; their decline suggests that household food security is growing less dependent on household food production.

Impacts of Changing Weather Patterns on Workloads and Natural Resources

• The great majority of respondents have described decreases in availability of fuel wood (83%), grass for fodder (87%), pasture land (89%), and spring water (74%).

• The workload of farmers both men and women have increased considerably. Men are taking additional jobs as paid labors and women are spending more time on agricultural cultivation

Village Name Male Female TotalThirupuli Oorpuram 3 2 5Puliyampatty 3 2 5Padasolai 3 2 5Valkulipatty 7 0 7Sempoothuvalavu 3 4 7

Total 19 10 29

Activity 3.4 Establishment of on-farm network of custodian farmers in target areas

Criteria set by tribal farmers in KH• Continuity in cultivation of millets

for last five years• Maintain diversity at home and on

farm• Continue to Innovate, improve and

use and enhance materials• Willingness to share knowledge

and materials• Maintain locally threatened

varieties

CUSTODIAN FARMER PROFILE Village Name: Thiruppuli oorpuram

Farmer Name: Ms. Chinnakkal , Age: 55

No. of Family Member: 4

Occupation: (a) Primary: farmer (b) Secondary: labour

Type of cultivation: mixed crop, mono crop

Method of sowing: Line sowing and Broadcasting

Type of millet crop: finger millet and little millet

Variety of millet crops and Traits : perunkelvaragu, sataikelvaragu, surataikelvaragu, sundangikelvaragu, thirikulasami, maliyasamai, katavetisamai.

Type of storage system use: Mann pannai

Mode of consumption: kaali, roti, soru

Need : Improved seed supply for little millet and Italian milletLittle millet processing mill

Activity 3.6 Development of documentation system in support of on farm monitoring systems

Crop Landrace Name Traits of the Varieties

Samai/Little Millet

Perunjsamai Suitable for Mixed Cropping,

Samai / Little Millet

Thirikulasamai Short duration crop (3 Month), fodder grass, taste, survive in poor soil

Thinai / Italian Millet

Palanthinai Suitable for mixed crop, Taste, survive in poor soil

Thinai/ Italian Millet

Perunthinai Suitable for mixed cropping ,

Ragi / Finger Millet

Perungkelvargu Long duration crop (6Month), fodder,

Ragi/GPU 48 Improved Var. High Productivity

Perunsamai

Perunthinai

CUSTODIAN FARMER PROFILEVillage Name: Padosolai, Farmer Name: Mrs. Malliga Age:33 No. of Family Member:5, Occupation: (a) Primary: farmer ,(b) Secondary: labour

Mr. Murugesan, 36

Mr. Manikam, 50 Karuman, 55

Ms. Valarmathi, 37

Ms. Chinnakkal,55

Mr. Theveli, 60Ms. Sumathi, 34 Ms. Palannimal, 45

Mrs. Rajammal, 36

Ms. Maniyammai, 48

Mr. Annadhurai, 42

Mr. chinnammal, 43 Mr. ayyasamy, 49Mr. subaramani, 46 Mr. selva kumar, 36

Mr. Natesan, 44 Mrs .Ponnamal , 55Mr. Rankasamy , 52Mrs. Maliga, 33Mrs. Ponnamal, 46

Mr. Ayyasamy, 55 Mrs. Thangamal, 48Mrs. Pakkiyam, 29Mrs.Muththammal, 52: Mrs.Vashanthamani , 34

Mr. Thathairaju, 45Mr. Sivaji, 44 Mrs .Lashmi, 37 Mrs. Maliha , 37 Mrs.Selvam, 43

MSSRF: Custodian Farmer from Kolli HillsA women custodian farmer, Ms.Kodukka Malliga

Seerangan from Kolli Hills, she attended in the National level custodian farmer meeting organized by Bioversity International at New Delhi on February 11-12, 2013.

Particulars Male Female Total participants Age group Male Age group female

Thuvarappallam 13 16 29 30-50 25-50

Semputhuvalavu 11 13 24 25-65 25-60

Padasolai 9 10 19 25-65 25-60

Total 33 39 72

Activity 3.7 Development of Red Lists for model species

Locally Lost Varieties

Cell A Large Area Many

HH

Cell CLarge Area Few

HH

Cell DSmall Area Few

HH

Cell B Small Area Many

HH

Cell A : Large Area-Many House Holds

Settlement Crop Name Name of varieties Major use

Male Female Male Female Male Female

Thuvarappallam

Semputhuvalavu

Finger Millet Perungelvaragu Self

consumption and Market

Padasolai

Finger Millet Karakelvaragu

Self consumpti

on and Market

•Yield Enhancement experiments•Market Opportunities•Entrepreneurship Development

Cell B: Small Area-Many House Holds

Particulars Crop Name Name of varieties Major use

Male Female Male Female Male Female

Thuvarappallam Finger Millet, Italian Millet Italian Millet Ilangelvaragu,Peru

nthinai, SenthinaiKoranthinai, Mookanthinai

Self consumption

Self consumpt

ion

Semputhuvalavu Finger Millet Perungelvaragu Self

consumption

Padasolai

•Cultural and Culinary Preferences•Adaptation traits suiting to mixed cropping

Cell C : Large Area-Few House HoldsSettlements Crop Name Name of varieties Major use

Male Female Male Female Male Female

Thuvarappallam Finger Millet

Little Millet, Italian Millet Ilangelvaragu Perumsamai,

PerunthinaiMarket, Self consumption

Self consumption

SemputhuvalavuLittle Millet, Italian Millet

Finger MilletVellaperumsamai, Senthinai, Perunthinai, Koranthinai

Perungelvaragu Market, Self consumption

Self consumption

Padasolai Little Millet Sadansamai Self consumption

Key Drivers – Market opportunities, Culinary preferences

Cell D: Small Area - Few House HoldsSettlements Crop Name Name of varieties Major use

Male Female Male Female Male Female

Thuvarappallam Finger Millet, Italian Millet Ilangelvaragu,

Palanthinai Self consumption

Semputhuvalavu

PadasolaiLittle Millet, Italian Millet

Italian MilletSadansamai, Perunthinai, Senthinai

Perunthinai, Senthinai

Self Consumption

Self consumption

•Cultural and Culinary Preferences•Adaptation traits suiting to mixed cropping

Cell E: Locally Lost varieties Settlements Crop Name Name of varieties Major use Male Female Male Female Male Female

ThuvarappallamLittle Millet, Italian Millet, Proso Millet, Kodo Millet

Little Millet

Perumsamai, Sadansamai, Malliasamai, Koranthinai, Panivaragu, Thirivaragu

Sadansamai, Malliasamai, Perunsamai

Self Consumption

Self Consumption

Semputhuvalavu Little Millet, Italian Millet Little Millet

Sadansamai, Malliasamai, Thirigulasamai, Senthinai, Koranthinai

Kattavetti samai, Malliasamai, Thirigulasamai

Self Consumption

Self Consumption

PadasolaiFinger Millet, Little Millet, Proso Millet, Kodo Millet

Finger Millet, Little Millet, Proso Millet, Kodo Millet

Sattaikelvaragu, Malliasamai, Kattavettisamai, Panivaragu, Thirivaragu

Sattaikelvaragu, Malliasamai, Panivaragu, Thirivaragu

Self Consumption

Self Consumption

•Access to Improved Varieties in finger Millets •Inaccessibility to dehulling machines for little millet and Italian Millets•Farmers adoption of diversified farming (Agro forestry, Plantations cropping Systems

Name of Crops/Seeds Collection year 2012-13

Collection year 2006-07

No. of samples collected No. of varieties found from the samples

No of Samples collected No. of varieties found from the samples

Soybean 19 02 61 10Foxtail Millets 08 02 18 02Lobiya 10 2 27 06Till 09 03 05 03Mustard 08 02 06 03Chhina Millet - - 03 01Bean 09 03 12 02Mass 13 01 13 03Amaranth 06 02 13 02Horse Gram 08 02 06 02Rajma 06 03 19 07Barnyard Millet 16 04 41 01Finger Millet 43 16 209 33Gram 01 01 - -Paddy 66 44 179 32Barley 37 19 19 08Wheat 25 09 19 07Maize 14 06 06 04Moong Dal 07 01 - -Black Soyabean 18 03 - -Masur 06 01 - -Simi 13 04 - -Arhar 05 02 - -Rai 10 04 - -Ugal 02 01 - -Bajara 04 01 - -Alsi 01 01 - -

Collection of diversity by Gene Campaign indicative of losses - 2006-07 to 2012-13

• Establishment of community Seed Bank with local and improved Varieties

• Farmer participatory research in identifying high yielding varieties through PVS

• Yield Enhancement Demonstrations for increasing productivity with profitability

• Promotion of intercrops for better nutrition

• Reduction of drudgery of women in crop production - row maker, cono weeder, inter cultivation and modified spade

• Training and capacity building of farm women & men

Activity 3.8 Carrying out use-enhancement actions for target species

Location No. of trials (2012)

No. of training (2012)

No. of farmers (2012)

Kolli Hills 4 4 100

Sl.No Seeds used in Kolli Hills1 GPU 26

2 GPU 28

3 GPU 45

4 GPU 48

5 GPU 66

6 GPU 67

7 L 5

8 MR 6

9 PR 202

10 Karakelvaragu

11 Perungelvaragu

12 Sattaikelvaragu

1314

• Limited access to improved varieties• Limited Knowledge on Varietal Selection

• Capacity building on Varietal selection based on different parameters• Option for more improved and local varieties suitable to agroecology

Farmer participatory research in identifying high yielding varieties

301

289

269

164

159

95

8053

47

18 1710

PVS Score 2012 Kolli Hills

GPU 28

GPU 67

MR 6

L 5

GPU 48

Perungelvaragu

GPU 66

GPU 26

PR 202

Sattaikelvaragu

GPU 45

Karakelvaragu

Varieties

M 53 – F 47

Varieties Selected by farmers in Kolli HillsGPU 28 – 110 -120 days crops, Large Panicle, sturdy plant

GPU 67 – 120 Days, Fully filled healthy panicles

MR 6 – 140-150 days, large panicle, Tall and sturdy plants

Community Seed Bank

Pure Crop Inter crop wit pulses

Inter crop with tapioca

Location No of trial

Area in Hectare

No of trial

Area in Hectare

No of trial

Area in Hectare

Kolli Hills, Tamil Nadu 23 1.25 17 1.10 61 2.07

Yield Enhancement Demonstrations in millets (2012)

Method Of Cultivation

Crop combination

Pure Crop Finger millet, Little millet

Millet intercrop with pulses

Finger millet, Italian Millet, Maize, Mustard, Pigeon pea

Millet with Tapioca Finger Millet and Tapioca

Yield and income of Pure crop of Improved Practices Vs. Farmers’ Practices in Kolli Hills 2011 and 2012 (yield in

quintal/Hectare)

Yield 2011 Yield 2012 Average yield

0.00

2.00

4.00

6.00

8.00

10.00

12.00

14.00

16.00

18.00 16.15 16.59 16.37

13.90 13.31 13.60

Yield -Improved Prac-ticeYield - Farmers Prac-tice

20 % of yield increased

Total

Inco

me

Total

Expen

diture

Net Inco

me0.00

5000.00

10000.00

15000.00

20000.00

25000.00

30000.0025864.42

19152.18

6712.24

21559.32

16583.31

4976.01

Improved practicesFarmers' practices

25.87 % of net income increased

Yield and income of Inter crop of Improved Practices Vs. Farmers’ Practices in Kolli Hills 2012 (yield in quintal /Hectare)

Finger Millet Italian Millet Reg gram0.00

2.00

4.00

6.00

8.00

10.00

12.00

14.00

16.0015.88

0.69 0.29

13.13

0.45 0.23

Yield - Improved practiceYield - Farmers Practice

Total Inco

me

Total Exp

enditure

Net Inco

me0.00

5000.00

10000.00

15000.00

20000.00

25000.00

30000.00 27263.44

18758.90

8504.54

21550.04

16084.24

5465.80Inter cropping MethodMixed cropping method

35.73 % of net income increased

Cost Benefit –Mono crop and inter crop with Tapioca in Kolli Hills

Total income Total Expenditure Net income0.00

20000.00

40000.00

60000.00

80000.00

100000.00

120000.00116973

49472

67500

101849

37665

64184

Inter cropping of Tapioca and Ragi

Mono Cropping of Tapioca

Amou

nt in

Rs.

• Income increase from 5% to 10 % through Inter cropping with tapioca when compared to pure cropping

• In addition farmers are getting cash crop as well as food crop

Progress -ASA• Conducted 10 mother & 60 baby trials on Kodo and 8 mothers & 48

baby trials on indigenous pea to provide basket of varietal choice to the farmers

• 2 ToTs on PoPs conducted to VRPs• 15 Trainings conducted for farmers on GAP of Kodo, Kutki & Desi Pea• For addressing the issue of availability of quality Seeds at farmers

level, seeds production of 1000 Qtl (90 Qtl foundation seeds distributed in convergence with Govt Schemes)

• Outreach of project has been extended from 500 with 700 farmers• 1 Farmers convention and 1 symposium were organized on

promotion of small millets • Preparation of Community Managed biodiversity register in process

Activity 3.2: Training of community members - KHDetails of training Kolli Hills Trainee

days

Male Female

Training on using row maker for millet cultivation 48 37

85Training on using right seeds in millet cultivation 55 46

101Training on participatory Varietal selection 28 25

53Training on using Kono weeder

57 64121

Training on using appropriate spade for weeding in inter cropping with tapioca field 29 32

61Training on Vermi composting technologies 35 12

47Training on nutrition 16 77 93Total

268 293 561

Activity 5.1 Raising awareness on the importance of on farm conservation and its strategic complementary role with ex situ conservation

27 Women and 71 men farmers, government line department offices, scientist from MSSRF participated in the program on creating awareness and building capacity on legislation of PPVFR act 2001 at Nala Hotel, Namakkal on 19th March 2013

Formation of Block level Biodiversity Management Committee

Millet Food Exhibition and Millet Food Mela • Revival on home cookery

traditions and on farm conservation

• 21 – Improved recipes, 11 Traditional recipes served

• 30 Women and men cooks recognized

• Over 400 community members shared and eaten millet based foods

• Dr. Stefano Padulosi, Bioversity international, Rome and Dr. Rima Alcadi, IFAD, Rome attended

Efforts for popularization of traditional recipes & knowledge of small millet. Through organizing an exhibition

Seed Fair for promotion & Popularization of Small

Millets at Singarpur village, dated 20.11.2012

Points for Discussion• Custodian farmer network: Knowledge and Material sharing - Mechanism for

recognizing them• Threat Assessment: Local name and scientific identity of local crops -5 Cell Analysis

– Threat - Geographical Boundaries • Use enhancement: Crop Improvement, Processing, Marketing and On farm Crop

Diversity maintenance challenge

• Documentation: BD Act - PBR – Crop Diversity and Indigenous Knowledge and Legal provisions

• Recognizing contributions : • PPVFRA - Plant Genome Savior Award - NUS – Millets – DUS characterization • Incentive mechanism/Payment for conservation of locally threatened Sp, LRs

• Local infrastructures – seeds storage, Mechanized processing, Traits Assessment and insurance

• Institutional support Knowledge and material sharing, revival of germplasm of exsitu

• Use enhancement Local PVS, Quality seed production, contribution in the PBRs, Threat assessment, Varietal registration