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Introduction The project, ‘Seeds for Life – Action with farmers in Uttar Pradesh – IGP region to enhance Food Security in the context of Climate Change’ commenced on May 2, 2012. The first interim report covered the period May 2, 2012 to June 30, 2013. As the project has been granted an extension period of 6 months (May 1 to October 31, 2014) there is no final report at this stage, but a project update as requested. The hereby presented project update covers period from July 1, 2013 to April 30, 2014. General Project Overview: The project is working in 50 villages in the districts of Badaun and Unnao in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The project activities are based on the organizational framework of Farmers’ Clubs (50 clubs / 600 members) and women’s Self Help Groups (SHG) (150 groups/1730 members), who benefit directly from being engaged with the project. The project works together with them to build their capacity from participating in Farmers’ Field School, workshops, trainings, the day to day field work on varietal trials, model fields for SRI, improved wheat cultivation, and experiments with new crops. The project reaches an estimated 9,300 people indirectly who are relatives, friends and neighbors of the participating farmers and learn from observing field trials, model fields and experimental cultivation of moringa (drumstick) and other trees and plants. This project update highlights the progress on:

� Establishment of seed banks � Registration of seed local seed varieties to the PPV & FRA (Protection of Plant

Varieties & Farmers Rights Authorities) � Varietal trials on rice and wheat � Crowd sourcing � System of Rice Intensification (SRI) and System of Wheat Intensification (SWI).

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Performance: Outputs and Activities Output 1.1. Ten gene banks (seed banks) established and maintained by farmers According to corrective action as mentioned in second interim report, the project decided to establish 4-5 seed banks instead of the 10 initially planned. However, 7 seed banks have now been established at the project sites; 4 in Badaun (Adoli, Burra Faridpur, Bhawanipur and Dehmu) and 3 in Unnao (Jagtapur, Bhuthiya and Veri). To establish ownership of community on the seed banks, the project has fostered responsibility of operation and maintenance of the seed banks on the committee members organized by bringing together 10-18 farmers and other key persons from the community. The committee members conduct monthly meetings to maintain regular records of varieties.

S. No. Location Seed Bank Type of Construction Varieties stored

Site 1, Badaun District

1 Adoli village

Established by repairing the Panchayat Bhawan (Village Council building) and plastering of walls and floors, installation of new doors and windows, etc.

Paddy varieties: Sugandh 5, Pusa 44, PNR 381, Rajashree, Pusa 1176, Rajendra Bhagwati, Rajendra Suwasini, Prabhat, Rajendra Mansoori, IR 64, Sugandh 3, Pusa Basmati 1121, HKR 47, PR 113, PS 5, MTU 1001, MTU 1010, Swarna Sub-1, Sugandha Samba, IR-36, BPT-5204, MTU-7029, NDR-8002, HKR 127.

Wheat varieties: DPW 621-50, HD 2967, K 9107, K 307, HD 2733, DBW 17, HD 2985, HI 1563, PBW 343, WH 711, PBW 373, HD 2824, HD 2987, HD 3043, HD 3059, HP 1633, HP 1744, HW 2045, Baz, CSW 18, RAJ 4120, CSW 16, HD 2894, HD 2932, WR 544, PBW 502, PBW 550.

Few samples of pulses (black gram), spices (chilli) and vegetables (bottle gourd, pumpkin).

2 Burra Faridpur village

Construction of a 15’x 20’ room at the community land.

3 Bhawani-pur Village

Construction of a 20’x 20’ room on a private land of a farmer with agreement up till 7 years.

4 Dehmu village

Established by repairing a 10’ x 12’ room on an agreement of 5 years with the owner of the room for utilizing the space.

Site 2, Unnao District 5

Jagtapur village

Established by repairing 8’x 8’ room in the Panchayat Bhawan (Village Council building).

Paddy varieties: Sugandh 5, Rajashree, Pusa 1176, Rajendra Bhagwati, Rajendra Suwasini, Prabhat, Rajendra Mansoori, IR 64, Sugandh 3, Pusa Basmati 1121, HKR 47, PR 113, PS 5, IR-36.

Wheat varieties: DPW 621-50, HD 2967, K 9107, K 307, HD 2733, DBW 17, HD 2985, HI 1563, PBW 343, HP 1633, HW 2045, Baz, CSW 18, RAJ 4120, CSW 16, HD 2894, HD 2932, WR 544, PBW 502, PBW 550.

6 Bhuthiya village

Established by repairing a 10’x 15’ room in the Panchayat Bhawan (Village Council

Paddy varieties: Sugandh 5, PS 5, IR 36, Rajashree, Pusa 1176, Rajendra Bhagwati, Rajendra Suwasini, Prabhat, Rajendra

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building). Mansoori, IR 64, Sugandh 3, Pusa Basmati 1121, PR 113.

Wheat varieties: K 9107, Baz, K 307, CSW 18, HD 2733, HD 2967, HD 2985, HI 1563, HP 1633, RAJ 4120, CSW 16, HW 2045, HD 2894, HD 2932, WR 544, DBW 17, DPW 621-50, PBW 343.

7 Veri village

Construction of a new room of the dimension 12’x16’ on the land donated by the village council

Paddy varieties: Sugandh 5, PS 5, IR 36, Rajashree, Pusa 1176, Rajendra Bhagwati, Rajendra Suwasini, Prabhat, Rajendra Mansoori, IR 64, Sugandh 3, Pusa Basmati 1121, HKR 47, PR 113, Swarna Sub 1, BPT 5204.

Wheat varieties: DPW 621-50, HD 2967, K 9107, K 307, HD 2733, DBW 17, K 9107, K 307, HD 2985, HI 1563, PBW 343, WH 711.

The gene banks have seed collections of 24 varieties of rice, 27 varieties of wheat and few samples of pulses (black gram), spices (chilli) and vegetables (bottle gourd, pumpkin). The seeds are kept in earthen pots and glass jars. Output 1.2. A number of farmers have approached the PPV & FRA for registration of local seed varieties 1.2.1. Plant variety registration: As a result of the knowledge disseminated through regular trainings conducted by the project for the farmers on protection of plant varieties and farmer's rights, 22 farmers (7 from Badaun and 15 from Unnao) have submitted their applications for registering seed varieties, which they have been using over several years with good results. The applications are submitted for crops that include rice, black gram, sesame, pearl millet, green gram, etc. The applications require a processing time ranging from 8 to 20 months. Output 1.3. Four hundred and fifty SHG members and 150 farmers trained in seed selection & conservation 1.3.1. Training of farmers’ club and SHG members on seed selection and conservation: During the reporting period, the project organized 15 trainings at the field level as well as in the office premises where 800 farmers learnt the importance of good seeds, characteristics of good seed, improving seed quality and importance of seed selection in conserving indigenous plant varieties. The farmers were given hands-on training on seed selection and conservation, which has widely sharpened their interest in local seed material, and setting up the gene banks to secure future seed availability of suitable varieties from first varietal trials, and new seed material they may come across in the future. The training sessions were followed by a question and answer session where the participants got an opportunity to clear their doubts. In one of the sessions, resource persons, Dr. A. K. Katiyar and Dr. Arjun Singh, Agriculture Scientists from Farmers’ Science Centre (KVK), Ujhani explained different seed types (Nucleus seed, Breeder seed, Foundation Seed, Hybrid seed) to the participants and provided insights on identification of seeds through colour.

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On March 1, 2014, training on seed selection and conservation was organized in New Delhi with support  from project partner, Bioversity International. Dr. J. P. Sinha, Dr. D. S. Tomar and Dr. Sunil Dutt from Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, served as resource persons for the training. The training involved discussion on; importance of good seeds, characteristics of good seed, improving seed quality and other related topics, followed by a visit to seed selection workshop of IARI, New Delhi. A total of 20 farmers participated in the training. 1.3.2. Rice trials (2013): The rice trials commenced again at 2 project sites in Unnao and Badaun. A total of 13 varieties were selected for trials including those that performed well in the previous year’s trials. These varieties include Sugandh 5, Pusa 44, PNR 381, Rajashree, Pusa 1176, Rajendra Bhagwati, Rajendra Suwasini, Prabhat, Rajendra Mansoori, IR 64, Sugandh 3, Pusa Basmati 1121, HKR 47 and PR 113. Nursery sowing commenced for all trials from 16 to 22 June 2013 in all 50 villages of Badaun and Unnao. These field trials were carried out as:

a. Varietal trials of 13 rice varieties were planted by 20 farmers on their fields. The farmers received 200g seed of each variety with a trial area of 12.5 m2 per variety.

b. Crowd sourcing with 13 rice varieties, where each farmer received 200g seed each of 3 varieties, 300 farmers participated in these trials on their land with 150 for each of the two project locations.

c. Single varietal trials with 8 new varieties for plantation at larger plots: Five Kg seed

packets each of single varietal trials with 8 new varieties were distributed to 28 farmers for hosting the field trials, with 10 farmers at Unnao and 18 farmers at Badaun.

1.3.3. Wheat trials (2013-14): Wheat varietal trials were conducted with 20 selected wheat varieties (K 9107, Baz, K 307, CSW 18, HD 2733, HD 2967, HD 2985, HI 1563, HP 1633, RAJ 4120, CSW 16, HW 2045, HD 2894, HD 2932, WR 544, DBW 17, DPW 621-50, PBW 343, PBW 502 and PBW 550) using 3 different methods. Twenty farmers hosted the field trials on their land using all 20 varieties for selected varietal trials. Furthermore, 1000 crowd sourcing trials were established where each farmer was provided with a unique combination of 3 varieties from the total pool of all 20 varieties. Bioversity International helped design the trials in which farmers were given the same quantity of seeds (200g) for each variety and were provided with the plot design of 12 rows x 5m with a row to row distance of 20cm. In addition, Bioversity International also prepared the template for scientific data collection from the selected varietal trials and the farmer’s preference ranking sheet for the crowd sourcing trials. Harvesting of the wheat trials was completed at both sites by the end of April, 2014. Output 2.1. At least 25% of the rice producing Farmers’ Club members are applying SRI in their fields and benefiting from higher yields 2.1.1. Establishment of SRI fields Building upon the results received in the SRI model fields of previous year, 89 farmers have planned to apply SRI in the coming planting season. The trained and experienced SRI farmers have taken a step forward in providing instruction to interested neighboring farmers, which help to secure dissemination of the method. A

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comparative study demonstrates the results for SRI and conventional method for rice production.

Particulars SRI Conventional method % change from

conventional method to improved method

Average production /ha 51 quintals 43.62 quintals 16.9% increase

Average expense / ha Rs.62,975 (USD 1,0671) Rs.80,712.5 (USD 1,368) 22% decrease

Average profit / ha Rs.66,475 (USD 1127) Rs.30,562.5 (USD 518) 117.5% increase

11USD=59 INR Output 2.1.2. At least 25% of the wheat producing Farmers’ Club members are applying improved wheat cultivation methods in their fields and benefiting from higher yields: The project follows improved wheat cultivation method, which is primarily based on two principles of crop production: 1) Principle of root development (well established rooting system by application of line-sowing) and 2) principle of intensive care (proper space maintenance, management of weed, insect, disease, and organic manure and irrigation). Seventy eight farmers established their wheat crop using the improved wheat cultivation method where line sowing was adopted for sowing the seeds instead of broadcasting. A comparative study demonstrates the results for improved wheat cultivation and conventional method for wheat production.

Particulars Improved wheat cultivation Conventional method

% change from conventional method to improved method

Average production/ha 54 quintals 47 quintals 14.9% increase

Average expense /ha Rs.33,275 (USD 5641) Rs.36,187.5 (USD 613) 8% decrease

Average profit /ha Rs.42,312.5 (USD 717) Rs.29,250 (USD 496) 44.65% increase

11 USD= 59 INR  The project also established 13 model fields of wheat using improved wheat cultivation along with the control fields. These model fields served the purpose of assessing the suitability of varieties under the natural agro-climatic conditions apart from educating the farmers.  Output 3.1. At least 150 farmers are growing new crops on experimental basis in addition to usual crops 3.1.1. Adoption of new crops: It is a general practice in the region to leave the land fallow during the summer season as most of the agricultural lands are rainfed. The lands without vegetation are prone to soil erosion resulting in loss of the valuable and fertile top soil. To promote optimum utilization of available resources and to protect the land from soil erosion, the project conducted a workshop on March 25, 2014, with participation of 30 farmers, on crop diversification for cultivation of green gram during the summer season. Green gram as a crop is suited to the agro-climatic conditions of the region and being a leguminous crop it

                                                                                                                           

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enhances the fertility of the soil. Following the workshop, the project distributed seeds of SML 686 variety of green gram to the participants. As moringa and amaranthus have been proven to widely popular among the project participants and beyond, the project has been supporting in the area, with provision of more seeds, and demonstration of how to use moringa cuttings for propagation.  Output 3.2. Forward-link and backward-link of marketing options established 3.2.1. Market Linkage: The farmers have enhanced their knowledge base on package of practices through regular interaction with the local technical experts from the KVK, the ATMA (Agricultural Technology Management Agency), the District Agriculture Department, and the PPV&FRA. The farmers are now more confident in interacting with the agriculture experts and have access to quality seeds (crowd sourcing).  The project has made progress in establishing forward market linkage, which has provided an option to the farmers to sell their aggregated produce. During the rice season of 2013, 50 farmers have made bulk selling of 7,000 Kg (after saving for their consumption) of paddy to a private buyer. The farmers had the option of selling their produce at their own discretion as the Government of Uttar Pradesh had fixed the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for paddy at Rs.1,325 (USD 222) per quintal, while the private buyers were offering a price of Rs.3,100 (USD 53) per quintal. In the period from January to May, 2014, 43 farmers have sold 505 quintals (50,500 Kg) of their wheat and rice produce. Depending on the quality of the grain, the product has fetched a price between Rs.1,300 (US$ 22) - 2,850 (US$ 48) per quintal, in the market. Taking the advantage of the opportunity, 4 farmers have also sold potato, green chili and fennel. Selling to the private buyers has saved on the transportation cost as the private buyer came down to the village and purchased the produce. The market linkage has provided an edge to the farmers by giving them the power of bargaining against the apathy of distress sell. Output 3.3. Fifty % of SHG members are using newly introduced food items in their cooking 3.3.1. Trainings in use of new crops: For reducing the dependency on few crops and to ensure balanced nutrition to the people of the operational area, the project organized 26 trainings highlighting the theoretical and practical aspects of preparation of new food items using moringa and amaranth. Altogether, 1,008 SHG members attended the trainings, which educated them on health problems caused by poor nutrition or malnutrition, the nourishing value of moringa and amaranth and how these can be added in the daily food intake. The trainings also encompassed conducting cooking sessions, and the participants were involved by the resource persons in preparing various dishes from moringa and amaranth. Many of those who have a moringa tree near their house are cooking with moringa leaves at least twice a week. 4. Other important activities, which were not mentioned among planned outputs 4.1. Farmer Field School: Thirty four farmers’ field sessions were organized at different locations in the project operational area in which a total of 1,615 farmers participated. The farmers’ field schools provide a common platform to the farmers and the local agricultural experts from various organizations like KVK (Farmers’ Science Centre), for discussion and

                                                                                                                         2 1 USD = 59 INR

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information sharing. During the sessions, resource persons from different organizations addressed the queries of the farmers on SRI, management of wheat crop, vegetable production, nutrient management, weed management, seed production and conservation, pest control and disease management, etc. 4.2. Farmers’ exposure visit: The project organized an exposure visit of 38 farmers to Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand in September. Dr. PC Pandey, Dr. SP Uniyal and Dr. RS Rawat facilitated the visit as the resource persons. Dr. Pandey educated the farmers on methods of seed selection and management practices for rice and wheat, and SRI, Dr. Uniyal addressed the farmers on SWI and suggested some promising wheat varieties for the Uttar Pradesh region. Dr. Uniyal informed the participants on the package of practices for Moringa and Amaranth and their nutritional value. After the theoretical sessions, the participants were taken to the research plots of rice and were also oriented on new agricultural tools and machineries. 4.3. Participation in Exhibition: On October 30, 2013, the project participated in an exhibition program organized by the State Agriculture Department of Badaun district at the Block Development office of Ujhani. The project exhibited agricultural tools, i.e., cono weeder and marker and also provided information on SRI along with distribution of pamphlets on the subject. The exhibition provided an opportunity to highlight the activities of the project in front of other farmers and government officials. More than 200 farmers from the project participated in the exhibition. 4.4. Training of farmer on seed production and postharvest management – On April 15 -16 and April 24 – 25, 2014, the project organized two-day training programs on seed production and post-harvest management in Badaun and Unnao, respectively. During the program, Dr. Arnab Gupta, Special Project Scientist, Agro-ecology and Seed Systems, Bioversity International, educated 12 project staff and 350 farmers on various aspects of seed selection and production, and forward and backward linkages and its benefits. 4.5. Farmers Fair: On February 28, 2014, 20 farmers along with 6 project staffs from each project site participated in a Farmer’s Fair organized at IARI, New Delhi. In the fair, the participants saw live demonstrations on scientific crop production technologies for winter season cereals, oilseeds, pulses, vegetables and flowers, technologies for protected cultivation of vegetables and flowers for higher returns, and irrigation technologies for water saving. The participants also availed the opportunity to visit the experimental fields where they received information on the latest research and technologies in the agriculture sector. The fair also provided a platform for the farmers to purchase farm equipments, machinery, fertilizers, bio-fertilizers, agro-chemicals, seeds of HYVs of crops, saplings and seedlings, which were put up for display and sale by IARI and other public and private agencies.

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Case Stories Case story 1

Dayaram Rajpoot S/o Sohanlal, is a progressive farmer of Bhawanipur village, which is 5 Km from the Block Head quarter, Ujhani, Badaun (Uttar Pradesh) and project office premise. He has a land entitlement of 4,040 m2 (0.404 ha) and known as a laborious farmer in the local farmers’ community. He produces paddy, wheat, black gram, mustard, vegetables, etc. In this effort he was assisted by his wife and son. He carefully listened to the project staff from Humana People to People India, who approached him with information on the project activities. Convinced with the words of the project staff, he decided to adopt SWI in 2,500 m2 (0.25 ha) of land where he had

sufficient irrigation facilities provided to him under a Government scheme. Initially, when he decided to adopt the SWI method for wheat cultivation, other farmers from the community were apprehensive that he will receive very low production. He knew that once he will follow every instruction recommended by the project staff, he will definitely receive a bumper produce. Dayaram was confident for the method, as he earlier had experience of adopting SRI method for rice cultivation in his field where he harvested 1,800 Kg of rice, which was 600 Kg more than the times when he used to employ conventional methods for rice crop production. It was the first time when he had grown rice crop by adopting SRI method. His SRI field also served as a model field for farmers from his village and other neighboring villages, since many farmers visited his field to learn about SRI. He felt extremely honored as he served as an example for other farmers to follow. At present, Dayaram has become a role model for other farmers, who visit his field to learn various progressive techniques for cultivating rice and wheat crops. He shared that by participating in the project activities, he has gained a lot of knowledge about sustainable agricultural practices. Recently, a local NGO named Sarva Hitya Sansthan, has hired him for training other farmers on SRI in two districts of Uttar Pradesh namely, Sambal and Badaun. On an average, he conducts 10-15 trainings per month and earns Rs.500 (USD 8) per training as consultation fees. Now, he has additional income at his disposal, which helps him to take care of his family in a better way.

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Case story 2

Baldev Prasad is a resident of Bhudda village in Bangarmau block of Unnao district. He has been a part of Krantikari Farmers’ Club since June, 2013. In July, 2013, he established varietal trial of rice with 13 varieties. Initially, he was not convinced with the concept of sowing 13 varieties but the constant motivation of the Farmers’ Club project team, induced him to give it a try. Eventually, through regular meetings, he understood the importance of conducting varietal trials as it helps in selection of suitable varieties according to the climate change and secures the future in terms of seed production.

From the varietal trails established in 280 m2 (0.028 ha) of land, he harvested 10 varieties (other 3 varieties did not flower due to sudden change in weather) with total production of 2.3 quintals. He is happy being a part of the project because it has given me the opportunity to produce seeds, which are of good quality and suitable for growing crops in the next season. Case story 3

Chandersen is a farmer from Bhawanipur village of Ujhani Block in Badaun district. He is a member of farmers’ club since the last one and a half years. Chandersen mainly grows Mustard, Wheat and Rice in his field. However, But after getting associated with the Project, he was introduced to SRI. Convinced with the information provided by the project staffs, Chandersen wanted to implement the technique in his farm. He says, “My father did not agree for leaving the traditional cultivation practices. I convinced him to attend the farmers’ club meeting of our group where the project staff educated him about the

details of the method. Eventually, he agreed and I planted paddy in 0.1 hectare of land using SRI on an experimental basis. The crop has been harvested, and the evaluation of data is in-process. However, with my experience, I can say that the harvest is 20% more than the traditional method.”

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Pictures from the Project

 

Farmers participating in farm exhibition in Badaun

The project has organized several sessions on nutrition and cooking with nutrient dense ingredients like moringa and other leaves

Farmers’ Field Day ending with meeting arranged in a tent-house near the field

Meeting in seed bank committee at Badaun  

Farmers’ Field School visit a demonstration field

Some of the seed banks have ample space, and are often serving as venue for farmers’ meetings

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The Farmers’ Science Centre (KVK) provides guidence to the farmers

Studying the progress of paddy nursery on a field day

Data collection, wheat The project has encouraged adoption of new crops suited to the agro-climatic conditions of the region

Training on seed selection – Spring, 2014 The project promotes application of vermicompost and minimal usage of chemical

inputs