Tropical Legumes 2 pigeonpea seed system in India: An analysis
2012
Holmesheoran, M.E. | Mula, M.G. | Kumar, C.V.S. | Mula, R.P. | Saxena, K.B.
Pigeonpea farmers in India have historically relied on selfsaved seed of local varieties as their seed source for upcoming growing seasons. As improved varieties for disease resistance and yield have been consistently developed, the challenges have been to help farmers gain and retain access to these improved varieties. The above objectives were tried to be accomplished through improved agronomic practices, promoting the seed village concept to minimize the effects of out-crossing, and developing local seed production capacity under the aegis of the Bill Melinda Gates Foundation funded Tropical Legumes 2 (TL 2) project operational with the pigeonpea farmers for the last 4 years. The project was implemented in Tandur, Ranga Reddy District of Andhra Pradesh, India, a region where the pigeonpea is cultivated as monocropped or intercropped with other crops. Ahandful of farmers have become truthfully labeled seed producers, but educational programmes and improved seed have not yet reached the majority of individuals in the communities targeted, creating a gap both in understanding and in meeting project goals. Small hold farmers because of their subsistence level are usually not involved in seed production. However, improved varieties should be made available to them for meeting the above objectives. The focus on continuing increasing opportunity for small holders through seed system improvement would yield more innovative methods for community involvement and accessibility so that the gaps in understanding can be bridged up for the welfare of the society as a whole.
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