Strengthening varietal advancement in the seed chain with accelerated deployment of Early Generation Seed (EGS)

To strengthen varietal advancement in the seed chain, the ClimatePRO project is emphasizing on accelerated deployment of Early Generation Seed (EGS). Through strategies like on-farm varietal evaluation, crop cafeteria, and cluster demonstrations, the project aims to enhance the resilience and adaptability of crop varieties to changing climatic conditions.

On-farm Varietal Evaluations

In collaboration with farmers and local research and development organizations, IRRI has been evaluating both released varieties and advanced breeding lines in farmers' fields to assess their potential across diverse agro-climatic conditions of Odisha. The objective is to identify and promote early generation seeds of promising varieties and breeding lines that align with the specific rice ecology of the region and market preferences. The evaluation process takes into account the suitability of the genotypes for both direct-seeded and transplanted environments, emphasizing key criteria such as yield potential, grain quality, and stress tolerance.

Varietal Cafeterias

Varietal cafeterias play a pivotal role in the ClimatePRO initiative as a key mechanism for enhancing awareness of the farming community and creating demand for new varieties and sustainable crop management practices. These cafeterias showcase 15-20 promising varieties in a single plot, grown alongside their respective checks in a replicated manner. Women and men farmers, representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Water Resources as well as public and private seed producers and distributors, and researchers visit these cafeterias at critical crop stages and assess and compare the performance of diverse paddy varieties and make their choices. The perceptual ranking by different stakeholders along with agronomic performance of the varieties are used for selection of superior genotypes.

Cluster Demonstrations

In cluster demonstration, chosen varieties from the previous years' varietal cafeteria are showcased in large clusters. This is typically a collective large-scale demonstration by a group of farmers (10-20 or more) who put together their contiguous yet small plots to make a large patch of 5-10 hectares and demonstrate an improved variety. Cluster demonstration aims at creating widespread awareness about a new variety specific to the rice environment. Often, these cluster demonstrations also serve as a source of seeds for farmer-to-farmer spread of the new varieties.

Outcome

The project was able to promote some popular varieties through various seed chains in these three districts. In Mayurbhanj districts BRRI Dhan 69, and Binadhan 11, in Ganjam MTU 1224, Swarna Sub1, Uttar Samit, BRRI-69, CR Dhan 312, DRR Dha 37 and in Balangir, Bina Dhan 11, Swarna Shreya, Swarna Shakti Dhan, Uttar Samir, Swarna Samriddhi have been promoted through various seed chains. The following are some of the key outcomes from the intervention:

• On field trials of 150 advance lines for 50 varieties
• 2 DSR suitable varieties identified
• 30 product profiles developed for system and farmer use
• More than 20,000 smallholder farmers reached
• 12 number of rice varieties promoted
• 3680 Hectares covered under paddy as well non-paddy cafeteria in tank command area