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ANNUAL RESEARCH REPORT 2016-2017

Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute, P.O. Box 44, PHALTAN-415523,

Maharashtra

August 2017

NARI

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Index

Page No. Report of the President Safflower 1. All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Oilseeds (Safflower) 2. National Agricultural Science Fund (NASF) Project on “Developing high

oleic safflower genotypes through functional genomics” Sweet Sorghum Kharif (Rainy season) 2016 Rabi (Post-rainy season) 2016-17 Renewable Energy Lanstove Leaf stripper for sweet sorghum Solar water purifier (SWP) Other projects Animal Husbandry Division Research Highlights Project I : Osmanabadi Goat Field Unit of the ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Project on Goat Improvement Project II : Increasing profitability of sheep production by genetic improvement using the FecB (Booroola) mutation and improved management Project III : Setting up a state of the Art A.I. centre for sheep and goats under the National Livestock Mission Scheme under the component of „Interventions towards productivity enhancement‟ Project IV : Research in veterinary parasitology with special reference to sheep and goats Project V : Establishment of a polyhouse for propagation of NARI Nirbeeja by rooting cuttings I. Publications II. Invited Talks/Lectures III. Conferences/Seminars/Meetings/Workshops attended by staff IV. Training and Extension Activities V. Training received by NARI staff VI. Visitors to NARI VII. Appointments VIII. Honors

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5

11

16 19

26 26 26

28

31

32

37

40

44

47

50 55 56 58 62 62 71 71

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Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), Phaltan

ANNUAL RESEARCH REPORT 2016-17

Report of the President

I have the pleasure of presenting to you the NARI annual research report for 2016-17. Some significant events of this year were as follows : The major highlight of the year was the conferring of the prestigious Jamnalal Bajaj Award for „Application of Science and Technology for Rural Development -2016‟ by the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation on Shri B. V. Nimbkar, Founder President of Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute. He has been awarded

for his pioneering work in the fields of agriculture and animal husbandry over five decades; and for being instrumental in increasing crop and animal productivity and taking the benefits of NARI research directly to farmers and livestock rearers. Because of poor health Mr. Nimbkar could not go to the awards function. His daughter Dr. Chanda Nimbkar, Director of the Animal Husbandry Division of NARI received the award on behalf of Shri Nimbkar.

The CSR committee of Bajaj group approved our proposal to support four Bajaj fellows by sanctioning Rs. 60 lakhs spread over three years. This was due to the efforts of our director Dr. Anil Rajvanshi. These funds under CSR will be utilized for hiring the fellows to work on solar water purifier, mechanization of sweet sorghum syrup making, expansion of lanstove work to rural areas and holding of workshops and general management. We are extremely grateful to the Bajaj group for these funds and hope to get some good fellows to carry out the work successfully.

The safflower variety NARI-96 developed at NARI under the supervision of safflower breeder Dr. Vrijendra Singh was identified for release during the annual group meeting. It has given nearly 19% higher oil yield than the national check PBNS-12. We have installed at NARI campus a dedicated high speed Jio 4G internet connection. We are grateful to Dr. R. A. Mashelkar, a board member of Reliance Industries, for his help in getting this done. This was after very poor landline, WLL and broadband services from BSNL over last two years which forced us to have them disconnected. Thus this is a seemingly small but significant step to remain connected to rest of the world. Dr. Anil K. Rajvanshi, our director was invited by IIT Kanpur to give an inspirational talk to incoming freshmen which included about 1000 undergraduates and 500 graduates. This was the first time that IIT Kanpur had invited one of their notable alumni to address the incoming class.

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Dr. Anil Rajvanshi‟s book „Romance of Innovation-A human interest story of doing R&D in rural setting‟, was printed this year and is now available in a physical form. Previously it was published as an e-book. It also received a very good review in the journal Current Science. In March 2017, the Marathi Vidnyan Parishad (MVP) Mumbai, gave its lifetime

honorary membership to Shri B.V. Nimbkar. This organization is involved in propagating science in society in the Marathi language. The Parishad is a recipient of the 1992 National Science Award from the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. In past MVP has also given Dr. Jayant Naralikar, Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Dr. Madhav Chitale, Dr. Madhav Gadgil, Dr. Eknath Chitnis and Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar its honorary membership.

The solar water purifier technology developed by Dr. Anil Rajvanshi was chosen by the Engineers For Change (EFC), a U.S.-based organization as one of the 10 life-changing inventions from India, and as an example of frugal innovation. Dr. Anil Rajvanshi published his autobiography in the form of an e-book, which is freely available online. Hon. Justice Smt. Mridula Bhatkar, High Court, Mumbai visited NARI and saw all the activities taking place here with great interest.

We received generous donations for various research projects from our founder-

president Mr. B. V. Nimbkar (Rs. 7 lakhs) and from Mukti Township Development Corporation Ltd., Baramati (Rs. 2,50,000). I gratefully acknowledge these donations.

I look forward to suggestions from readers for making NARI a more vibrant

organization and strengthen the program for application of our research for the benefit of the society. Please contact us if further information is required about any of the programs covered in this report. August 10, 2017 Dr. Nandini Nimbkar President

Shri J.B. Joshi and Shri A.P. Deshpande of the Marathi Vidnyan Parishad conferring the award on Shri Nimbkar at NARI AHD

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SAFFLOWER

1. All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Oilseeds (Safflower)

Funding agency : Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi Scientists : V. Singh, Ph.D., R. R. Jadhav, Ph.D., R. V. Kale, M.Sc., G. E. Atre, M.Sc. Technical staff : M. B. Deshpande, M.Sc., Pournima Karande, M.Sc., P. R. Salgude, M.Sc.,

S. V. Choudhari, B.Sc. NARI is one of the centers of All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) under limited irrigation since 1980. The program is monitored by the Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research (IIOR), Hyderabad, which is the nodal agency under ICAR for planning, coordinating and monitoring of AICRPs on sunflower, safflower and castor. The major objectives of safflower improvement at NARI have been to develop high-yielding and high oil-producing spiny and non-spiny varieties and hybrids with in-built resistance to wilt (Fusarium oxysporum) along with development of suitable agro-production and crop protection technologies for growing safflower under limited irrigation. Recently development of short duration genotypes and those with only primary branches and single-headed genotypes have been accorded higher priority in view of their future importance to the changing scenario of safflower production. Research highlights : The major achievements of safflower program implemented during 2016-17 are described below : Breeding : 1. Identification of high-yielding safflower variety NARI-96 for release : The safflower

variety NARI-96 has been identified for release by varietal Identification committee meeting held at VNMKV, Parbhani during Annual Group Meeting of AICRP on oilseeds on September 3, 2016. NARI-96 outyielded the national checks PBNS-12 by 18.66% and A-1 by 14.24% for oil yield in coordinated varietal trials conducted at multilocations over three years. NARI-96 possesses an average oil content of 33.21% as compared to 28.08% in national check PBNS-12 and 27.25% in the other national check A-1.

2. Two hundred germplasm lines and four checks of a mapping panel for oil content

received from germplasm management unit at the Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research, Hyderabad were evaluated for seed yield and its components under irrigated conditions. Twenty five entries out of the 200 evaluated gave higher seed yield than the best check NARI-57. The maximum seed yield of 2738 kg/ha was recorded by the entry GMU-5037 which was followed by the entries GMU-4178 (2444 Kg/ha), GMU-7214 (2378 Kg/ha) and GMU-4223 (2156 kg/ha).

3. Testing of 10 short duration parental lines revealed five short duration parental lines

giving higher seed yield than the highest yielding normal duration check PBNS-12. The highest seed yield of 824 kg/ha was recorded by the short duration check JSI-99 which was followed by the short duration lines NARI-SD-128-3 (764 kg/ha), NARI-SD-38

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(743 kg/ha), RSS-2011-1-2 (676 kg/ha) and NARI-SD-83 (668 kg/ha). Thus the highest yielding short duration variety JSI-99 out-yielded the normal duration check PBNS-12 by as much as 45.84%.

4. In prebreeding for development of high oil cultivars, 22 F1 crosses made using high oil

containing and high yielding parents were evaluated for seed yield. They showed eight crosses giving higher seed yield than the best check PBNS-12. The highest yielding cross S-719 X NARI-106 recorded the standard heterosis of 56.95% for seed yield which was followed by the crosses NARI-95 X S-719 (54.62%), NARI-95 X NARI-106 (43.52%) and NARI-94 X NARI-95 (39.38%).

5. Twenty two crosses were attempted between 11 GMU lines and two recently developed

cultivars NARI-96 and NARI-57 in order to diversify breeding gene pool. Two BC3 crosses were also attempted to transfer the short duration character into PBNS-12 and DH-149-2-8 in order to enhance productivity of short duration safflower. About 15 crosses between individual single-headed segregants and promising short duration F3 families were attempted in order to develop a 60-day variety for safflower growing areas having marginal and poor soils. About 30 F3 segregants, of a cross between Akola CMS maintainer line and a non-spiny genotype made to diversify the CMS line, were again crossed with the individual male sterile plants of the concerned CMS line in order to identify the individual F3 segregants maintaining 100% male sterility in CMS line.

6. Evaluation of high oil and high oleic F2 crosses : Two high oil and high oleic F2 crosses

were raised during winter 2016-17 to make promising selections from them. About 100 individual plants having desirable traits were selected from each F2 cross.

7. One hundred ninety four F3 families of two crosses raised to identify the promising ones

resulted in identification of 22 families giving higher seed yield than the best check. 8. One hundred F4 families evaluated in augmented block design resulted in identification

of 11 families recording higher seed yield than the best check in the trial. 9. Screening of 87 F5 progenies in three trials showed 12 entries giving higher seed yield

than the respective best checks. 10. Performance of short duration advanced generation lines under late-sown

conditions : To examine the potential of advanced generation short duration lines, 90 advanced generation lines were evaluated along with regular duration checks PBNS-12 and A-1 in seven trials, each planted in a randomized block design with two replications during winter 2016-17. The trials were provided with only one irrigation for germination at the time of sowing. Inter- and intra-row spacings were 30 and 20 cm respectively. The results of the trials showed the best short duration line outperforming the normal duration check for seed yield by as much as 85%. The results indicated very high potential of short duration lines in improving the productivity of safflower under rainfed conditions. The highest yielding short duration line recorded a seed yield of 957 Kg/ha as against 517 Kg/ha obtained from the best normal duration national check PBNS-12.

11. Evaluation of 109 advanced generation lines in four preliminary varietal trials for normal

duration safflower showed 68 lines giving higher seed yield than the respective best checks.

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12. Evaluation of 24 CMS-based hybrids resulted in identification of two hybrids giving

significantly highest heterosis of 19 and 24% over the highest yielding check NARI-NH-1 for seed yield.

13. Screening of 87 high oleic F5 generation lines resulted in identification of 12 promising

lines giving higher seed yield than the checks. 14. Among the three coordinated varietal trials, out of the 17 entries in IVT-I, the entry IVT-

16-15 recorded the highest seed yield of 1800 kg/ha which was observed to be at par with that of the entries IVT-I-16-08 (1744 kg/ha) and IVT-I-16-11 (1696 kg/ha). In IVT-II, the highest seed yield of 1688 kg/ha was recorded by the entry IVT-II-16-03 which was on par with that of the entries IVT-II-16-13 (1581 kg/ha), IVT-II-16-07 (1445 kg/ha) and IVT-II-16-16 (1407 kg/ha). In IH-AVT, the entry IH-AVT-16-11 gave the maximum seed yield of 1779 kg/ha which was on par with that of IH-AVT-16-01 (1773 kg/ha), IH-AVT-16-05 (1688 kg/ha), IH-AVT-16-02 and IH-AVT-16-04 (both 1650 kg/ha) and IH-AVT-16-03 (1449 kg/ha).

15. NARI Center has produced 450 kg breeder seed of high oil safflower variety NARI-57,

40 kg breeder seed of male parent of hybrid NARI-H-23 and 100 kg seed of newly developed safflower variety NARI-96.

Agronomy : 1. Influence of planting time on oil content and oil yield of safflower The results of the trial showed that the differences due to dates of planting and varieties were significant for the seed yield. First date of sowing i.e. October 27 recorded the significantly highest seed yields in all the three cultivars. Among the three varieties tested A-1 gave the significantly highest seed yield in all the sowing dates. Significantly highest net returns were obtained for October 27 sowing date which were on par with those for November 10 sowing date. Similar trends were noticed for benefit:cost ratio. 2. Identification of wider row spacing for safflower under irrigated conditions The results of the trial showed that differences due to the main treatment i.e. varieties were non-significant for seed yield. However differences due to the sub treatment i.e. spacings were found to be significant for seed yield. In general greater spacing than the normal 45 x 20 cm caused significant reduction in seed yield. Significantly highest seed yield was recorded for A-1 at 45 x 20 cm which was on par with A-1 at 60 x 20 cm and PBNS-12 at 45 x 20 cm. 3. Suitability of short duration safflower genotypes in delayed sowing conditions of

soybean-safflower system The results of the trial showed that under soybean-safflower cropping system differences due to spacings and varieties were significant for seed yield, gross returns, net returns, benefit: cost ratio, plant height, number of primary branches, number of secondary branches and number of capitula per plant. The differences due to fertilizer levels were significant for harvest index, net returns, B:C ratio, number of secondary branches and number of capitula per plant. In general short duration safflower varieties gave significantly higher seed yield

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than the normal duration check A-1 and 30 x 20 cm spacing gave higher seed yield than 45 x 20 cm. Thus under soybean-safflower cropping system short duration safflower varieties with 30 x 20 cm spacing between rows and plants respectively are more productive than the normal duration cultivar. 4. Evaluation of post-emergence herbicides in safflower under irrigated conditions

(feeler trial) Four post-emergence herbicides were tested in safflower to study their phytotoxic effect on it. Quizolofop ethyl (5%EC) which is commonly used in soybean, cotton, groundnut, greengram, blackgram, sesame, jute and all other broadleaf crops and vegetables at the dose of 300-400 ml in 500-600 L of water for the control of annual weeds showed the least phytotoxic effect on safflower. Quizolofop ethyl (5%EC) kills most monocot weeds observed in safflower. Safflower also recorded highest seed yield in the plots treated with Quizolofop ethyl (5%EC) (320.12 kg/ha) followed by those treated with Oxyfluorfen 23.5% EC (119.26 kg/ha). 5. Revised assessment of fertilizer recommendation for safflower Two trials - one on a farmer‟s field and the other at a research farm were conducted to validate the research findings of revised fertilizer doses to safflower before recommending them to farmers. Two fertilizer doses i.e. old recommendation of 60:30:30 kg/ ha N:P2O5:K2O and the new revised one with 90:40:40 kg/ ha N:P2O5:K2O were assessed on large plot size. In both the trials the revised fertilizer dose of 90:40:40 kg/ha N:P2O5:K2O gave higher seed yield, net returns and benefit: cost ratio than the old recommended fertilizer dose of 60:30:30 kg/ha N:P2O5:K2O.

Regular Duration Safflower

Short Duration Safflower

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Demonstration of improved safflower production technology : Twentyfive frontline demonstrations (FLD) were conducted at Karhati, Tal. Baramati, Dist. Pune to demonstrate the improved production technology of safflower.

Safflower FLD Monitoring visit

Safflower demonstration at Karhati Mr. Manik

Chandgude. Variety : NARI-NH-1

Safflower monitoring team visiting the demonstration on the farm of Mr. Pravinkumar Chandgude at Karhati. Variety : NARI-NH-1

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Plant Pathology :

1. Survey of safflower diseases in Satara, Sangli and Pune districts The surveys in Satara, Sangli and Pune districts were carried out to record prevalence of various diseases of safflower. Out of 60 farmers‟ fields surveyed, 37 fields were rainfed while the remaining 23 were irrigated. Most of the fields had mixed cropping with sorghum and chickpea sown with local cultivar of safflower. In Mayni area strip-cropping with sorghum was observed. Majority of the fields were sown with a local safflower variety except FLD‟s in Karhati where sowing was done with either the non-spiny, improved variety or hybrid i.e NARI-6 or NARI-NH-1. In almost all the fields surveyed, as compared to wilt, Alternaria leaf spot was more prevalent. The Alternaria disease grade ranged from 0 to 5 in the irrigated and rainfed crops. Partial wilting was observed in some of the fields. 2. Confirmation of host resistance against Fusarium wilt Seven entries along with the susceptible checks Nira and PBNS-12, tolerant check HUS-305 and national check A-1 were evaluated under the wilt-sick plot conditions. The significantly lowest wilting percentage at harvest was recorded by the entries SAF-1403 (37%), PBNS-130 (50%), PBNS-138 and SAF-1491 (both 52%). Entries SAF-1491 and SAF-1403 recorded the significantly highest seed yield of 302 and 224 kg/ha respectively. 3. Screening of selected elite material against Alternaria leaf spot The trial comprising of 45 entries, including 17 IVT-I, 16 IVT-II and 12 IH-AVT entries and two checks, viz. susceptible check Manjira and tolerant check HUS-305 was sown in a randomized block design with two replications to screen the elite lines against Alternaria leaf spot. Significantly lowest PDI at harvest was recorded by IH-AVT-16-11 and IVT-II-16-14 (both 30%), IVT-I-16-7 (33%), IH-AVT-16-8 (36%), IVT-II-16-12 and tolerant check HUS-305 (both 37%). The entry IH-AVT-16-5 recorded the significantly highest seed yield of 1337 Kg/ha.

4. Screening of selected elite material against Fusarium wilt In this trial elite entries comprising of 17 IVT-I, 16 IVT-II and 12 IH-AVT entries along with susceptible checks Nira and PBNS-12, wilt-tolerant checks NARI-38 and HUS-305 and national check A-1 were screened against wilt. The results of the trial showed that out of the 45 entries screened, the entry IVT-II-16-15 recorded the minimum wilting of 9.8% and was on par with IVT-I-16-17 (13.2%) and IVT-I-16-6 (14.2%). The entry IH-AVT-16-6 recorded the highest seed yield of 395 kg/ha and was on par with IVT-I-16-3 (378 kg/ha). 5. Uniform disease nursery for Fusarium wilt Eight entries along with the susceptible checks Nira and PBNS-12, NARI-38, wilt-tolerant check HUS-305 and national check A-1 were evaluated against Fusarium wilt. Significantly lowest wilting percentage at harvest was found in DSI-101 (19%), NARI-P5 (21%), GMU-6878 (22%) and NARI-P-1 (23%). Only the entry DSI-101 was found to be tolerant to the disease and remaining entries were found to be susceptible. Significantly highest seed yield was obtained for the entry NARI-P-1 (216 kg/ha) which was on par with the national check A-1 (206 kg/ha) and DSI-101 (187 kg/ha).

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6. Soil/sand cup technique to identify resistant sources to Fusarium wilt Soil/sand cup method was effective for screening the genotypes of safflower against Fusarium wilt. All the seven entries evaluated were found to be susceptible to Fusarium wilt. Among the entries tested, low wilting percentage at 35 days was recorded by the entries NARI-38 and SSF-708 (both 30%) which were on par with the controls (sown on uninoculated media).

7. Fungicidal management of Alternaria leaf spot of safflower Seven fungicides were examined for their efficacy against Alternaria leaf spot of safflower. The results of the trial showed that all the fungicidal treatments gave significantly superior disease control compared to the untreated control. The significantly lowest percent disease intensity at 100 DAS was recorded in plots treated with Mancozeb 0.25% (22%). Among the seven fungicide treatments tested to control Alternaria leaf spot in safflower, Mancozeb 0.25% and Azoxystrobin 0.05% gave the significantly highest seed yields of 1082 and 1076 kg/ha respectively. The significantly highest gross and net returns were also obtained for Mancozeb 0.25% and Azoxystrobin 0.05%, while Mancozeb 0.25% gave the the highest B:C ratio.

8. Alternaria leaf spot development in relation to the weather parameters

Alternaria-susceptible variety Manjira was evaluated for Alternaria leaf spot development in relation to the weather parameters. The sowing was undertaken on three dates, viz. 21/10/2016, 07/11/2016 and 23/11/2016. There was no significant effect of weather parameters on the Alternaria leaf spot development in the first date of sowing. In the second and third dates of sowing, Alternaria leaf spot development was positively correlated with maximum and minimum air temperature and negatively correlated with maximum relative humidity. The correlation of the Alternaria disease development with the weather parameters, such as maximum temperature, minimum temperature and maximum relative humidity in second and third dates of sowing was significant at 5% probability. 2. National Agricultural Science Fund (NASF) Project on “Developing high

oleic safflower genotypes through functional geonomics Funding Agency : Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi Scientists : V. Singh, Ph.D., R. R. Jadhav, Ph.D. Technical staff : Jyoti Bangar, M.Sc., V. B. Sabale, M.Sc. Participating Institutes : (1) CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune (2) Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute, Phaltan (3) Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune

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Objectives of the project : (1) Developing TILLING population of 10,000 lines from a high linoleic safflower

genotype. (2) Identifying and characterizing mutants of the CtFAD2-1, CtFAD2-10 and CtFADB

genes in the TILLING population. (3) Identifying natural variants of CtFAD2-1, CtFAD2-10 and CtFADB genes in safflower

germplasm. (4) Multi-location evaluation of selected high oleic genotypes for stability of oil content and

agronomic traits. Date of commencement of the project : July 1, 2015. Research highlights : (1) Raising Ethyl Methane Sulfonate (EMS)-treated safflower (M1 generation) for

identifying high oleic mutants : Seed of safflower variety PBNS-12 possessing high linoleic acid was subjected to treatments of 1, 0.5, 0.2 and 0.1% concentration for 12 and 18 hours. The different EMS treatments to safflower seed showed increased seedling mortality and male sterility with the increase in EMS concentration. The increased EMS concentration and duration of treatment also showed decreased estimates for plant height, number of seeds/main capitulum, seed weight of main capitulum and seed yield/plant as compared to untreated population. However certain traits like days to 50% and 100% flowering, days to maturity, number of primary and secondary branches and number of capitula/plant gave enhanced values with the increase in concentration and duration of treatment as against the untreated control. The high doses of EMS treatments such as 0.5% and 1.0% gave high frequency of mutants with profuse branching, leaf variegation, compact architecture, axillary capitula formation, twinning, bold capitula, non-spininess and changed flower colour (Plate 1).

(2) Evaluation of M2 populations during 2016-17 : The M2 generation of the EMS-treated

population was sown during winter 2016-17. A total of 6368 M2 plant to progenies were raised along with the untreated PBNS-12 as a control. The mutants identified in M2 generation are leaf variegation, dwarf stature, male sterility, capitula deformity, growth inhibition, stem fasciation, capitula without flowers, narrow leaves, small but broad leaves, compact stature, bold capitula, flower colour, degrees of non-spininess and varied branch angles etc. Leaf samples of 5-10 plants from each M2 progeny were collected for DNA analysis to identify high oleic segregants in the TILLED population. Photos of the mutant plants are given in Plate 2.

Fatty acid profiling of the Indian safflower germplasm : A total of 492 genotypes were raised during winter 2016-17 to screen them for fatty acid profile in order to identify natural mutants for high oleic acid.

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EMS-induced mutants in safflower

Leaf variegation Bold capitula

Compact architecture

Male sterile plant Axillary capitula formation

Twin branching

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Plate 2. Safflower mutants appearing in M2 populations

Dwarf mutants with narrow leaves Early and dwarf mutants

Compact and dwarf mutant Growth-inhibited mutant

Narrow-leaf mutant Fasciated mutant

Safflower mutant with short involucral bracts Mutant with broad leaves

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Flower with additional whorl of petals Capitulum with closed flowers

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SWEET SORGHUM All India Coordinated Sorghum Improvement Project (AICSIP) Funding agency : Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi Scientists : Mayur Gadekar, Ph.D., Amol Wakle, M.Sc. Technical staff : Ms. U. D. Gaikwad, M.Sc., Mr. S. V. Jadhao, M.Sc., Ms. A. R. Gholap NARI is one of the centers of the All India Coordinated Sorghum Improvement Project (AICSIP) for Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench] research since 2009. The programme is monitored by the Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), Hyderabad, which is the central agency under ICAR to work on all aspects of sorghum research and development throughout India. The main objectives of the AICSIP centre at NARI are to develop high sugar and biomass-yielding hybrids and cultivars giving high yield of good quality grains through collaborative, multi-location testing and facilitate production of genetically pure seeds for the farmers as well as improvement of syrup produced from sweet sorghum juice throughout the year. Major thrusts of research and development (R & D) under AICSIP at NARI centre : 1. To develop sweet sorghum varieties and hybrids which yield high biomass, sugar and

grain. 2. To develop high grain-yielding post-rainy season (Rabi) cultivars of sorghum. 3. To develop shoot fly and stem borer-tolerant sweet sorghum lines. 4. To improve quality of syrup and also enhance its shelf-life. Kharif (Rainy season) 2016 : Breeding : 1. Development of restorer line (R-line) : Evaluation of newly developed R-lines Total 26 R-lines were evaluated along with national checks CSV-19-SS and CSV-24-SS in a randomized block design. Performance of the best entries is given below :

Entries Biomass (t/ha) Juice yield (t/ha) Juice brix (%) 10R-SS-19-10-1-1 68.7 12.8 15.8 10R-SS-19-16-5-5 56.7 17.5 16.1 10R-SS-19-16-5-3 49.9 16.3 16.1 CSV-19-SS 56.4 16.3 16.1 CD (0.05) 10.2 3.2 3.8

2. Development of maintainer line (B-line) : Evaluation of newly developed B-lines Fortyfive B-lines were evaluated along with six checks viz., CSV-19-SS, CSV-24-SS, 296B, (D-94)-74, (D-118)-34 and IS-2312 in a randomized block design. Two B-lines 10B-AGR-46-147-2-3 (18.5%) and 10B-AGR-47-63-3-3 (16.25%) showed the significantly highest

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juice brix values. Low shoot fly incidence was observed in 10B-AGR-65-84-1-5 (0.74%) with the average shootfly damage being 11%. 3. Identification of new varieties : Sixtythree newly developed varieties were evaluated in two groups (PVT-I and PVT-II) along with checks CSV-19-SS and CSV-24-SS in a randomized block design. Performance of the best entries is given below : PVT-II

Entries Biomass (t/ha) Juice yield (t/ha) Juice brix (%) (D-118)-70-3 49.3 7.6 17.5 (D-169)-50-1 44.2 9.2 20.2 (D-94)-73 42.7 9.0 17.5 CSV-19-SS 37.7 10.0 15.6 CD (0.05) 1.1 1.2 NS 4. Identification of new hybrid : Preliminary hybrid trial (PHT-I) In PHT-1, 47 newly developed hybrids were evaluated with three R-lines, 26 B-lines and three national checks CSH-22-SS, CSV-19-SS and CSV-24-SS in a randomized block design. Performance of the best entries is given below :

Entries Biomass (t/ha) Juice yield (t/ha) Juice brix (%) SSRH-331 68.7 14.6 9.0 SSRH-324 68.3 18.2 12.0 SSRH-326 60.9 11.6 16.8 CSV-19-SS 36.6 10.7 11.3 CD (0.05) 7.1 NS 4.8 5. Evaluation of selections made in Madhura-2 variety : A total of 108 single plant selections made from variety Madhura-2 during Kharif 2015 were evaluated along with two national checks CSV-19-SS and CSV-24-SS in an unreplicated design. Performance of the best entries is given below :

Entries Biomass (t/ha) Juice yield (t/ha) Juice Brix (%) (D-94)-74-20 51.4 16.3 18.5 (D-94)-74-102 45.6 13.1 18.0 (D-94)-74-86 44.2 10.5 20.0 (D-94)-74-25 44.1 9.8 14.0 CSV-19-SS 25.3 7.1 17.5 CSV-24-SS 12.8 2.7 17.5

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AICSIP Trials Four trials were allotted and successfully conducted at the center as follows : 1. IAVHT trial : Eighteen entries and three checks were evaluated during the Kharif-2016 season. NARI center had contributed two entries namely SPV 2458 i.e. NARI-SS-17 (IVT) and SPV 2459 i.e. NARI-SS-18 (IVT). Most promising entries for important parameters in comparison to checks are given in the table below :

Entries Biomass (t/ha) Juice yield (l/ha) Juice brix (%) TSI (t/ha)

RSSH 50 61.1 9226 13.2 1.06 RSSH 150 52.4 9979 14.5 1.33 NARI-SS-17 22.0 8178 16.2 1.17 NARI-SS-18 22.7 7519 13.0 0.87 CSV-19-SS 37.2 6959 14.3 0.86 CSV-24-SS 34.9 9097 16.5 1.29 CSH-22-SS 31.6 17117 14.8 2.04 General mean 36.6 10134 14.4 1.27 CV% 11.9 34.69 15.41 33.5 CD (0.05) 7.0 5704 3.6 0.60 TSI = Total Sugar Index NARI-SS-17 and NARI-SS-18 were on par with the other promising entries and the controls in the trial for brix of juice. They were also on par with the other promising entries for TSI. 2. High biomass trial : Nine trial entries including CSH-13 and three sweet sorghum checks CSV-19-SS, CSV-24-SS and CSH-22-SS were evaluated during Kharif-2016. Promising selections for important parameters in comparison to checks are given in the table below :

Entries Biomass (t/ha) Plant height (cm) Juice brix (%) IS 25302 52.9 342 16.0 RSSH 50 47.6 384 15.2 RSSV 494 46.1 267 14.0 CSH-13 29.3 184 15.5 CSH-22-SS 31.7 209 15.8 General mean 37.6 273 14.8 CV% 24.0 9.97 10.2 CD (0.05) 14.5 43.7 2.41

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Three entries IS 25302 (52.9 t/ha), RSSH 50 (47.6 t/ha) and RSSV 494 (46.1 t/ha) gave significantly higher biomass over the best check. RSSH-50 and IS 25302 gave significantly greater plant height than CSH-22-SS (209 cm). None of the entries was found to be significantly better than the check CSH-22-SS (15.8%) for juice brix. 3. Trial 1K (Set I & II) : Physiological basis of assessing the genetic progress in yield

potential of Kharif sorghum released cultivars (during last four decades 1975 to 2015).

Twelve promising entries were evaluated for 25 physiological traits in three replications in two sets (I- rainfed and II-limited irrigation conditions). The genotypes CSH 14, CSH 15, CSV 23, CSH 25 and CSV 27 maintained higher leaf area and leaf area index at flowering compared to other genotypes. Two genotype CSV 23 and CSV 27 were found to give high membrane stability index (MSI) and chlorophyll stability index (CSI). 4. Trial 2K (Set I & II) Physiological characterization of Kharif parental lines (old and

new) released during the last four decades for yield potential. Sixteen entries were evaluated for 25 physiological traits in three replications in two sets (I- rainfed and II- limited irrigation conditions). Earliest flowering was observed at Akola (65 days) followed by Phaltan (69 days) centres for all the entries. The genotypes varied significantly for most physiological parameters within each location. No parents were found to be promising for any of the physiological parameters. Rabi (Post-rainy season) 2016-17 : Breeding :

1. Development of restorer line (R-line) : Evaluation of newly developed R-lines

A total of 17 R-lines selected in Kharif 2016 were evaluated during Rabi 2016-17 along with three varietal checks viz., CSV-19-SS, CSV-24-SS and IS-2312 and three parents viz. Keller, Phule Yashoda and RSSV-9 in a randomized block design. Performance of the best entries is given below :

Entries Biomass (t/ha) Juice yield (t/ha)

Juice brix (%)

Grain yield (q/ha)

10R-SS-20-61-5-1 50.2 11.6 12.7 16.9 10R-SS-20-61-5-5 41.9 13.7 19.0 8.6 10R-SS-20-100-4-3 38.0 6.4 17.0 15.3 10R-SS-20-61-1-5 37.7 9.9 17.5 10.0 CSV-19-SS 37.0 6.5 19.2 27.9 CD (0.05) 13.9 6.2 4.1 NS

2. Development of maintainer line (B-line) : Evaluation of newly developed B-lines

Twenty four B-lines were evaluated along with two checks viz., CSV-24-SS and CSV-19-SS in a randomized block design. Performance of the best entries is given below :

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Entries Biomass (t/ha) Juice yield (t/ha) Juice brix (%) Grain yield

(q/ha) 10B-AGR-66-1-1-2 35.6 4.1 18.0 32.2 10B-AGR-48-20-3-2 33.1 3.7 18.0 24.4 10B-AGR-47-63-3-3 27.8 4.8 17.0 11.1 10B-AGR-47-34-1-1 25.8 5.7 16.9 22.2 10B-AGR-47-71-3-2 21.1 4.2 19.1 21.1 10B-AGR-47-87-2-2 18.9 3.8 18.3 21.1 CSV-19-SS 37.6 6.7 18.3 15.6 CD (0.05) NS 2.99 NS NS

3. Identification of new varieties : Seventy newly developed varieties were evaluated in two groups (PVT-I and PVT-II) along with checks CSV-19-SS and CSV-24-SS. Performance of the best entries is given below : PVT-I

Entries Biomass (t/ha) Juice yield (t/ha) Juice brix (%) Grain yield

(q/ha) (D-118)-70-3 45.3 7.2 20.6 48.1 (D-118)-54 42.7 9.8 20.4 38.4 (D-91)-30 37.8 7.1 22.5 21.0 CSV-19-SS 37.2 8.7 17.3 27.1 CD (0.05) 4.9 1.8 3.4 14.7 PVT-II

Entries Biomass (t/ha) Juice yield (t/ha) Juice brix (%) Grain yield

(q/ha) (DC-129)-94-1-6-1 42.2 0.8 18.5 2.2 (DC-126)-17-4-2-4-1 38.9 7.0 20.0 32.2 (DC-124)-70-2-1-2 19.9 3.2 20.5 22.0 (DC-126)-27-1-2-4-5 16.4 2.1 23.0 16.4 (D-94)-74 [Madhura 2] 62.0 11.7 18.5 31.2 CSV-19-SS 35.4 4.3 20.3 21.4 CD (0.05) 22.17 4.77 3.08 2.13

4. Identification of new hybrid: Preliminary hybrid trial (PHT-I) : Forty newly developed hybrids were evaluated along with three R-lines, 20 B-lines and three national checks CSH-22-SS, CSV-19-SS and CSV-24-SS in a randomized block design. Performance of the best entries is given below :

Entries Biomass (t/ha) Juice yield (t/ha) Juice brix (%) Grain yield

(q/ha) SSRH-325 60.6 13.4 14.4 24.3 SSRH-297 45.3 10.7 15.5 51.7 SSRH-295 44.7 11.1 11.3 52.9 SSRH-332 42.9 9.0 14.8 44.8

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SSRH-338 38.5 7.3 15.0 83.3 SSRH-331 34.2 7.7 11.0 42.5 SSRH-328 29.2 8.6 13.8 33.0 SSRH-324 19.1 2.7 20.0 3.5 SSRH-326 18.5 3.5 17.3 3.3 CSV-19-SS 32.2 5.1 16.2 41.4 CD (0.05) 13.3 7.5 3.4 1.8 5. Evaluation of selections made in Madhura-2 variety : A total of 38 single plant selections made from variety Madhura-2 during Kharif 2016 were evaluated along with two national checks CSV-19-SS and CSV-24-SS in an unreplicated design. Performance of the best entries is given below :

Entries Biomass (t/ha) Juice yield (t/ha) Juice brix (%) Grain yield

(q/ha) (D-94)-74-68 48.3 10.8 16.2 37.6 (D-94)-74-1 44.7 4.3 18.0 37.7 (D-94)-74-108 43.9 7.3 17.4 35.6 (D-94)-74-70 43.6 6.3 18.0 36.0 (D-94)-74-102 43.5 5.7 17.2 19.0 (D-94)-74-60 40.8 5.9 17.0 17.8 (D-94)-74-91 40.5 3.9 17.2 19.0 CSV-24-SS 44.6 7.2 16.0 6.7 6. Evaluation of selections made in Madhura-3 variety : A total of 18 single plant selections made from variety Madhura-3 during Kharif 2016 were evaluated along with two national checks CSV-19-SS and CSV-24-SS in an unreplicated design. Performance of the best entries is given below :

Entries Biomass (t/ha) Juice yield (t/ha) Juice brix (%) Grain yield

(q/ha) (D-118)-34-36 43.6 7.7 17 69.5 (D-118)-34-68 37.3 4.0 18 30.8 (D-118)-34-55 35.3 6.1 19 52.2 CSV-24-SS 53.4 9.8 15.5 56.7 CSV-19-SS 42.9 5.8 19 64.4

AICSIP Trials

Four trials were allotted and successfully conducted at the center as follows : 1. IAVHT-SS Trial : Eighteen entries and three checks were evaluated during the Rabi 2016-17 season. NARI center had contributed two entries namely SPV 2458 i.e. NARI-SS-17 (IVT) and SPV 2459 i.e. NARI-SS-18 (IVT).

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Most promising entries for important parameters in comparison to checks are given in the table below :

Entries Biomass (t/ha) Juice yield (l/ha)

Juice brix (%) TSI (t/ha) Grain yield

(q/ha) IIMRSSV 4 51.7 14374 12.2 1.54 35.79 IIMRSSH 2 49.6 9856 8.8 0.77 48.13 NARI-SS-17 46.2 12833 14.4 1.64 37.60 NARI-SS-18 34.2 8774 12.0 0.94 39.24 CSH-22-SS 41.0 6634 10.3 0.61 67.13 CSV-19-SS 40.6 11060 10.8 1.08 41.66 CSV-24-SS 33.1 5567 9.5 0.47 54.19 General mean 40.3 8682 12.0 0.94 39.74 CV% 9.5 23.3 12.8 26.7 26 CD (0.05) 6.1 3281 2.5 0.41 16.14

Unlike Kharif 2016 the entries gave good grain yield. Also the biomass yield was higher in Rabi 2016-17. However, the juice yield, juice brix and TSI were much lower in Rabi as compared to Kharif. NARI-SS-17 gave the significantly highest biomass and was on par with the most promising entries. It also gave the significantly highest juice yield on par with the promising entry IIMRSSV 4. Both NARI-SS-17 and NARI-SS-18 gave a significantly higher brix of juice than the three controls. NARI-SS-17 gave significantly higher TSI than the three controls and both NARI-SS-17 and NARI-SS-18 entries were on par with other promising entries for grain yield. 2. IAVHT-Shallow soil trial : Twenty one entries including six checks were evaluated in Rabi 2016-17. Promising selections for important parameters in comparison to checks are given in the table below :

Entries Plant height (cm) Dry fodder (t/ha) Grain yield (q/ha) SPH 1836 255 15.60 63.41 SPH 1875 248 15.51 50.78 SPH 1802 243 14.60 52.78 CSH 15R 211 15.32 60.37 CSH 13 174 7.60 43.53 M35-1 214 7.55 41.85 Phule Maulee 201 13.74 39.71 CSV 26 237 13.66 54.13 Phule Anuradha 197 14.10 42.39 General mean 219 11.66 50.60 CV% 9.89 17.85 16.37 CD (0.05) 35.05 3.36 13.38

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Visit of monitoring team on 11/01/2017

Syrup prepared from Madhura hybrid

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Small scale hybrid seed production during Rabi 2016-17 in plot 18

Madhura-3 breeder seed production plot during Rabi 2016-17 in plot 9

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Maintenance of CMS lines during Rabi-2016-17 in plot 18

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RENEWABLE ENERGY

1. Lanstove :

The work continued on tweaking and improving the lanstove. Running it daily for at least half to one hour has been continued to ascertain its stability and other characteristics. Also the detailed „Autocad‟ drawings have been made so that the technology can be given to interested entrepreneurs.

An intern Aniruddha Kane tried to set up a thermoelectric (TE) unit on the stove so that the heat from the lanstove could be used for charging a mobile (Figure 1). Various geometrics were tried and tests showed that it was possible to produce 5 V via a TE unit obtained from a U.S. company. However, problems were encountered in finding a suitable heat exchanger.

Figure 1 2. Leaf stripper for sweet sorghum :

Figure 2 NARI has been regularly producing syrup from sweet sorghum since the early 1990s. One of the major labour inputs in the process is required in stripping green leaves from the cane. Thus a small project of developing a mechanical leaf stripper was given to an intern Sanket Mane. He developed the basic data on force required to remove the green leaves from the cane and then tried to work on few geometrics of leaf remover. Data on a small experimental leaf remover (Figure 2) showed that 80% leaf removal was possible. The work is in progress and much more needs to be done to develop a full scale machine.

3. Solar water purifier (SWP) :

An excellent article on SWP had appeared in 2015 in „Better India‟ and other publications. Hence this technology was chosen by Engineers For Change (EFC)-a US based organization, as one of the 10 life-changing technologies to come out of India. It was singled out by EFC as an example of frugal innovation.

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The three (15 liter) units supply clean water to all the staff members of NARI. Water from one of the units was continuously tested for Most Probable Number (MPN) of E. coli for about 2-3 months and the data tallied with what was observed in the lab with a hot water bath, with the same temperature regime as SWP.

A paper detailing the work on SWP has been accepted for oral presentation at the International Solar Energy Conference to be held in Abu Dhabi in October 2017.

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Other projects

1. Field testing of two different products was carried out as follows during 2016-17. Sr. No.

Company Product Season Crops

1. Elkay Chemicals Pvt. Ltd., Pune

Silicone adjuvant LK-AG Platinum Plus

Monsoon Winter

Okra Carrot

Silicone adjuvants are known to have phenomenal wetting abilities, so in these trials LK-AG Platinum Plus was mixed with Sujala foliar fertilizer (19N:19P:19K) for application to okra and with Micro Nutrient Combi (EDTA-chelated) Mixol for application to carrot. It was mainly to test whether due to its high penetration abilities LK-AG Platinum Plus enables the plants to absorb the nutrients in a more efficient manner resulting in better crop performance. In case of okra none of the foliar fertilization treatments were found to be significantly better than the untreated or water controls. The numerically highest fruit weight was obtained in the plots treated with foliar spray of Sujala with LK-AG Platinum plus applied at 30 and 45 days after planting (DAP) followed by the plots of the same treatment applied at 30, 45, 60 and 75 DAP. Similarly, in the trial on carrots, differences between the treated and control plants were mostly non-significant. Only the treatment with foliar spray of micronutrients mixed with 0.05% LK-AG-Pt plus at 30 DAS gave significantly highest fresh weight of root per plant and root diameter. Sr. No.

Company Product Season Crops

2. Viridis Biopharma Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai

Biofertilizer (spent cake of fermentation containing microbes, on a diatomaceous earth carrier)

Monsoon

Cowpea Okra Soybean

The effect of biofertilizer and chemical fertilizer on growth and yield attributing characters of the three crops was evaluated. No significant differences were observed between the treatments for any of the parameters recorded except plant height in okra. Significantly greatest plant height was recorded in plots to which 50% biofertilizer was applied along with 50 or 100% chemical fertilizer. The performance of the crops in untreated control plots was no worse than that in plots to which either chemical fertilizer, biofertilizer or their combinations were applied. This was probably due to the fact that the overall conditions were ideal for crop growth with neither biotic nor abiotic stresses and presence of adequate soil fertility as observed from the reports of soil analysis.

2. ‘Tarramba’ and Wondergraze’ Leucaena

In June 2016 a total of 60 Kg seed of „Tarramba‟ and 40 Kg seed of „Wondergraze‟ varieties of Leucaena leucocephala were imported from the Australian company Leucseeds Pty. Ltd.

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at the behest of Mr. B. V. Nimbkar, the founder President. Out of this 20 Kg each of „Tarramba‟ and „Wondergraze‟ seed was from our order in 2015 which we were unable to bring to India due to delays in getting an import permit from Indian quarantine authorities. Finally, both the old and new seed arrived in June 2016. However, it being scarified, the seed seems to be losing its germination capability quite rapidly. The 2015 seed has been stored in a refrigerator, and is being used for preparation of seedlings. The greenhouse facility of Nimbkar Seeds Pvt. Ltd. is being used for this and the following table gives the quantity of seedlings prepared so far and their utilization. This work is being supervised by Ms. Padmaja Ghalsasi of the Animal Husbandry Division, NARI. The Rhizobium inoculum of strain CB3126 was also obtained from Australia and the culture is being maintained at the head office, NARI. It is being supplied to Ms. Ghalsasi for application to the seedlings in the root trainers as and when required. No. of seedlings given to farmers for planting

Month Tarramba Wondergraze December 2016 40 - 2017 January 80 80 March - 40 April - 5 May - 60 June - 410 July 5 50 Total 125 645 No. of seedlings supplied to different institutions during last one year.

Tarramba Wondergraze Nira Valley Genetics Pvt. Ltd. : Vinchurni & Jadhavwadi farms

9301

-

A. H. Division, NARI : Lundy farm, Rajale

4722 13036

Maharashtra Goat and Sheep Research and Development Institute : Dhuldeo farm

- 840

Head Office, NARI : Tambmal

3660 2160

Nimbkar Seeds Pvt. Ltd. : Bhilkati farm

- 5600

Others 80 40 Total 17763 21676 Number of seedlings available for planting on August 1, 2017

Total Tarramba Wondergraze 16280 10440 5840

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Both these cultivars have good seedling vigour, forage yield and psyllid tolerance, are highly palatable and a good source of protein. They are better than the K8 (Hawaiian Giant) variety, but not as good as KX2-NARI Nirbeeja in terms of forage yield and psyllid resistance. However, unlike NARI Nirbeeja , Wondergraze and Tarramba can be propagated with seeds and thus are amenable to fast propagation and dissemination. 3. Performance of seedlings of Leucaena variety ‘Wondergraze’ planted at ‘Peer shet’

near the goat farm at Vinchurni

A trial was conducted in a Randomized Block Design with three replications with seedlings of „Wondergraze‟ transplanted under drip irrigation. There were four treatments applied to the plots on 25 January 2017 viz. (1) Rhizobium + phosphorus (2) Only phosphorus (3) Only Rhizobium and (4) Neither Rhizobium nor phosphorus applied. The phosphorus was applied through single super phosphate @ 100 kg/ha and Rhizobium culture containing greater than 107 CFU/ml was applied @ 1-2 ml per seedling. Height of the seedlings was recorded on January 30, February 23, April 7 and May 27, 2017. As can be seen from the table below no significant differences between the treatments were observed for the seedling height. Numerically tallest seedlings were observed on April and May observation dates in the plots to which phosphorus was applied. The treatments appeared to be confounded by the decreasing seedling height observed to occur from south to north and east to west. This was probably due to the trees along the north and west border of the plot. Table : Average plant height (cm) of leucaena var. Wondergraze seedlings at goat farm,

Vinchurni (Treatments applied on January 25, 2017). Sr. No.

Treatment / Date of observation 30/1/2017 23/2/2017 7/4/2017 27/5/2017

1. Rhizobium + phosphorus 33.15 51.43 83.30 86.65 2. No Rhizobium + phosphorus 35.98 50.30 95.25 100.62 3. Rhizobium + No phosphorus 39.03 60.75 81.17 92.67 4. No Rhizobium + No phosphorus 34.25 52.35 76.78 85.80

General mean 35.60 53.71 86.12 91.43 C.D. @ 0.05 N.S. N.S. N.S. N.S. SEM + 2.09 4.26 7.84 9.43 C.V.% 8.31 11.21 18.22 20.74 4. Planting of ‘Tarramba’ Leucaena seedlings in an established pasture of ‘Laredo’

variety of buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris) On Madhura farm at Jadhavwadi in an established pasture of buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris) variety „Laredo‟ from USA, seedlings of „Tarramba‟ variety of Leucaena were planted. The spacing between the rows of Leucaena is 4 m and that between the plants within each row is 1 m. A total of about 1200 seedlings were planted. Before planting the seedlings the land was cultivated by rotavator and furrows were opened with the help of a tractor-drawn implement. The well at this location has enough water to irrigate the seedlings twice a month.

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Animal Husbandry Division (AHD) Research Highlights

The final installment of the Rs. 2 crore grant sanctioned by the Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India to set up the „State of the Art AI Centre for Goats and Sheep‟, was received on 9 August 2016, was utilized in full before 31 March 2017 and the audited utilization certificate submitted on 28 April 2017. It has thus taken six years from the sanction of the grant to the receipt of the final installment. The laboratory is, however, functioning efficiently for the last five years and is still the only laboratory freezing buck semen on a regular basis and disseminating it widely with excellent results.

Twenty thousand Osmanabadi buck frozen semen straws of selected, high-performance Osmanabadi bucks (from the AICRP-Goat Improvement project) were supplied by the AHD to the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department of Government of Karnataka in September 2016. This is an important achievement considering the goat A.I. is a budding technology, not currently used widely in India.

Dr. Shiva Kumar, Assistant Director, Frozen Semen Centre, Hesarghatta, Bangalore, deputed by the Government of Karnataka to inspect NARI‟s infrastructure for collection and preservation of goat semen, Osmanabadi bucks and their frozen semen samples, certified that “The center has a full-fledged Buck Frozen Semen Production Laboratory with all the facilities for cryopreservation of semen. All methods of producing Quality Frozen Semen are followed. The general management of the breeding bucks was up to standards with good hygiene, bio-security and other parameters.” He reported that the post-thaw progressive motility of the frozen semen samples of 24 bucks examined by him was 60 to 60+%.

Young Professionals for Agricultural Development (YPARD) is a global communication and discussion platform to enable young professionals all over the world to realize their full potential and contribute towards innovative agricultural development. YPARD and the Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) jointly held a competition for seed funding to young entrepreneurs for promising entrepreneurial projects in agriculture. Six young agripreneurs with great ideas were provided with seed funding and 12 months of business and leadership coaching and technical mentoring to facilitate the start-up of their project. Dr. Chanda Nimbkar was selected by YPARD as a mentor for Ms. Nikki Chaudhary of Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh who was one of the six finalists, for a year from April 2016. Her proposal was to procure and evaluate the performance of „climate resilient Indian cattle‟, specifically Gir cattle and Jaffrabadi buffaloes and to determine their suitability for dairy farming in north India. Dr. Nimbkar provided guidance and support to Nikki through this 12-month period. Nikki now has two Gir heifers, one Jaffrabadi female and one Jaffrabadi male buffalo on her dairy farm and has started evaluating their performance. She is also planning to import Gir semen from Brazil to inseminate her Holstein-Friesian cows to produce crossbreds which would have higher productivity and be better adapted to the heat and stressful environment.

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Project I. Osmanabadi Goat Field Unit of the ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Project on Goat Improvement

Funding agency : Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Government of India, New Delhi, administered by the Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Via Mathura, U.P. Scientists : Dr. Chanda Nimbkar, Dr. Pradip Ghalsasi Technical staff : Mr. Kanhaiya Chavan, Mr. Navnath Patange, Ms. Bharati Pawar, Mr. Sachin Kakade, Mr. Rupsing Khanvilkar, Mr. Swanand Shinde, Mr. Haribhau Thombare (in Kamone, Dist. Solapur), Ms. Surekha Murumkar (in Sakat, Dist. Ahmednagar), Mr. Amol Patil (in Alkud, Dist. Sangli)

1. Executive Summary

i. An Osmanabadi goat field unit was established at NARI in April 2009 under the AICRP on Goat Improvement. During the period 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017, the production performance of goats in farmers‟ flocks was assessed in three districts in western Maharashtra State. viz. Solapur, Ahmednagar and Sangli districts.

ii. The work of refining and fine-tuning the MS Access database of the Osmanabadi field unit and putting it on the SQL platform for ease of data entry and data retrieval is almost finished. The MS Access database of goat records is now also on a web-based platform called AniCloud for ease of retrieval. This has been done in collaboration with AbacusBio Limited, a New Zealand based firm that provides scientific solutions to real world problems of livestock enterprises and businesses.

iii. Seven hundred sixty eight adult does (325, 224 and 219 adult does in Solapur, Ahmednagar and Sangli districts respectively) are being recorded. These belong to 192 goat keepers, indicating that about four goats are reared per household on average. Detailed periodic recording has been done of their body weight, milk yield, reproduction, kid weights, mortality, morbidity, cost incurred for goat rearing and income earned.

iv. 1094 kids were born in 644 kiddings during April 2016 to March 2017, making the average litter size 1.70.

v. The least squares mean three month weight of single-born kids (699 records) was 11.9+0.1 kg; that of twin-born kids (1965 records) was 10.2+0.1 kg and that of triplet or quadruplet born kids (447 records) was 9.4+0.6. Thus does having twin kids produced almost 71% more kid weight at 3 months age than does giving birth to single kids. Does having and raising triplets produced 28.2 kg weight at 3 months, which was 236% more than does having single kids. Similarly, the individual weight of single-born and twin-born kids was 17.0 and 15.2 kg respectively at 6 months age, giving a 79% superiority of twinning goats in 6-month weight of kids produced. This shows that the prolificacy and mothering ability of Osmanabadi does makes them an outstanding and highly productive goat breed.

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The overall least squares mean three month weight of Osmanabadi kids in this study was 10.5+0.2 kg which was higher than the ~7kg reported in the report of the Network Project on Osmanabadi Goats, MPKV, Rahuri (1995-99).

vi. The least squares mean 100-day milk yield was 121 litres. The 100-day milk yield of does that had single, twin and triplet kids was 75.6 kg, 111.5 kg and 146.0 kg respectively, indicating that milk yield increases with the number of kids.

vii. Mortality across all age groups and sexes was 4.5%. This has reduced from 6 to 7.5% in the last few years.

viii. Twelve more Osmanabadi bucks were purchased during the period April 2016 to March 2017, with six months weights of 16 to 19 kg and dam‟s milk yield 1 to 1.8 litres per day. The total number of bucks purchased since 2009 is 53.

ix. About 33,395 straws (0.25 ml French mini straws) of frozen semen of 46 Osmanabadi bucks have been produced so far in NARI‟s Frozen Semen Laboratory from January 2012 to 31 March 2017. During 2016-17, total 2,348 Osmanabadi buck straws were supplied to A.I. technicians, farmers and entrepreneurs for breeding Osmanabadi goats including 225 straws supplied to The Goat Trust, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh and 69 straws supplied to Quidditas Farms Pvt. Ltd., Gulbarga, Karnataka. More than 50 A.I. technicians have started using Osmanabadi buck frozen semen from NARI for inseminating Osmanabadi and local does in the field. Conception rates of 50 to 55% have been reported by field technicians.

Additionally, 20,482 straws of Osmanabadi buck semen were procured from NARI in September 2016 by the Karnataka Government Animal Husbandry Dept. for use in different areas of Karnataka State. Recently Dr. Ghalsasi from the Osmanabadi unit gave training in goat cervical A.I. using frozen semen, to about 100 officers of the Animal Husbandry Department in Karnataka.

x. Nine information booklets in Marathi language have been distributed to participating and other goat keepers for better goat management practices.

1. First aid treatment in sheep and goats – one booklet and one folded leaflet 2. Vaccination in sheep and goats - folded leaflet 3. Abortions in sheep and goats: prevention, treatment, care and precautions to be taken

to avoid infection to humans 4. Misconceptions and superstitions in livestock treatment 5. Adverse effects of early breeding of young does: consequences and prevention 6. Goat rearing package of practices for small holders 7. Package of practices for goat artificial insemination (AI) 8. Economics of stall-fed goat production 9. Goat kid management

xi. Regular preventive health care of goats was carried out in all villages including vaccinations, deworming and spraying against ecto-parasites.

xii. Goat keepers were trained in preventive health care of goats and first-aid treatment so that they can care for their goats themselves instead of having to rely on others.

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2. Salient Achievements

i. Incomes of adopted goat keepers have increased because of better management and feeding of their goats due to awareness created and services provided by the Osmanabadi Field Unit.

ii. Capacity building : We analysed sale price data of 2447 kids sold by participating goat keepers from 2013 to 2016 and found that the mean price per kg live weight received by goat keepers was 53% of the prevailing local retail price of goat meat. As the dressing percentage of goats slaughtered by village butchers is about 54 to 59%, this implies that goat keepers got a fair return for the animals sold by them. We therefore concluded that due to the awareness created by the Field Unit among goat keepers, they were able to demand and earn the correct price from traders and butchers.

iii. Genetic improvement and its dissemination : Superior Osmanabadi breeding bucks are purchased and reared for breeding and their frozen semen made available for goat keepers in areas where good breeding bucks are not available. Thus the quality of the Osmanabadi breed is being improved constantly. This is even carried out in 10 non-adopted districts of Maharashtra and one district of Karnataka State. Several women AI technicians of Mann Deshi Foundation in Mhaswad in Man Taluka in Satara District were trained by NARI in doing artificial insemination in goats. They are carrying out AI successfully and also training more women in the technique. Now there are 10 such women carrying out goat AI using frozen semen of Osmanabadi bucks from NARI. Some of these women are also the lady link workers under the Maharashtra Agricultural Competitiveness Programme of the Government of Maharashtra, funded by the World Bank. Mrs. Surekha Kalel, first AI technician has established her own NGO and they conduct training courses in goat management and AI in goats.

iv. Wider awareness creation : The P.I. wrote an article in the leading Marathi agricultural daily newspaper Agrowon about how the Osmanabadi Goat can be elevated to the status of a world-class meat producing goat breed if systematic genetic improvement is carried out over the long term (>10 years). Hundreds of visitors visit our institute annually and are given information about the work of the Osmanabadi Field Unit.

v. In August 2016, 20 goat keepers each in Kamone village and Alkud village were felicitated with certificates for rearing kids with excellent growth rate and does with high milk yields.

vi. Authentic data on Osmanabadi goats were collected in different regions of Western and Central Maharashtra. These data have helped to establish the Osmanabadi as one of the prime goat breeds in the country, outstanding in its productivity potential.

vii. In June-August 2016, fodder seed of the legume Stylosanthes seabrana was supplied to 42 goat keepers in Alkud, Sakat and Kamone villages. In August 2016, 5 plants each of psyllid-resistant Leucaena collinsii subabhul were supplied to 10 goat keepers in Alkud. In February 2017 fodder seed of multi-cut fodder sorghum COFS29 (developed by the

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Tamil Nadu Agricultural University) was supplied to two goat keepers each in Kamone and Sakat village.

viii. Two exposure visits of 10 women goat keepers each from Kamone and Sakat to Osmanabadi and Sangamneri goat units of Mahatma Phule Agricultural University (MPKV) at Rahuri, Dist. Parbhani were organized on 28 and 29 November 2016. Mr. Kanhaiya Chavan accompanied them. These women said that this was a valuable visit and they received good information.

ix. A meeting was held at Kamone on 27 January 2017 and participant goat keepers were given information on how they have benefited from this project, increase in number of kids produced and sold annually, goat keepers who had kids with excellent growth rate and does with high milk yield and those who earned a high total income from goat rearing as well as how the total income obtained by all goat keepers participating in the project, increased.

3. Characterization of goat production system The Osmanabadi goat production system is characterized by small flocks. The average flock size is 3 goats but there are a few larger flocks with 15-20 goats. These goats are reared by smallholder farmers and landless labourers. The goats are taken out for grazing on crop residues when available and on farm bunds and open/empty lands or hills where available. Sometimes two or three owners graze their flocks together. Some supplementary feeding of kidded does and growing kids is done. Droughts are frequent in this region of the Deccan plateau and the goats are adapted to periodic fodder shortage. However, they regain condition once the rains start and grass becomes available plentifully. Most kids are sold for meat to traders and butchers who come to the goat keepers‟ houses or in markets. Clever goat owners can earn a daily wage of Rs.300 from goat rearing.

4. Buck distribution Nineteen bucks have been distributed during 2016-17. Data analysis is being done for ranking of bucks based on the performance of their progeny.

5. Genetic parameters It is difficult to estimate genetic trends because of the absence of a good pedigree structure in the data and the lack of knowledge of all pedigree relationships. The project work in some of the villages was stopped during the course of the project due to various reasons such as non-cooperation from goat keepers and unwillingness to maintain breeding bucks, non-performance of the collaborating organization in one cluster, reduction in number of goats in the village due to drought or other reasons and use of unselected bucks by goat keepers for breeding. This was a major obstacle in the way of any consistent genetic trend. Work was started in some new villages in different years of the project. The progeny in these new villages was therefore not the progeny of the bucks distributed by the Field Unit.

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6. Technology transfer and validation in field flock 1. In Alkud village in Sangli district, goats belonging to two goat keepers in the main

village and most of the goats in the Panchsheel Nagar area of the village had bad tick infestations. We educated the goat keepers about keeping clean the area where they tie up their goats and we sprayed acaricides such as Butox on all the goats as well as their cattle and cattle sheds. All the goat owners cooperated and cleaned up the surroundings of the goats. One goat owner moved his goats out to his field for 1.5 months to terminate the life cycle of ticks in the goat pen near his house. As a result, all the goats and cattle in this village are free of ticks now.

2. Three goat owners in Kamone village, Nagesh Kharat, Nathabhau Kharat and Hanmant Kharat have become adept at treatment of their sick goats due to the frequent training sessions given by our extension officer and workers to a „pashumitra‟ group of which they were members. They also learnt from the proper treatment protocols followed by our workers.

4. Seventeen paravets deputed by Lupin Foundation (The Foundation has five centres in Aurangabad, Dhule, Nandurbar, Pune and Sindhudurg districts of Maharashtra) were trained by NARI in AI in goats in September 2016. Up to November They have taken 140 frozen semen straws of Osmanabadi bucks.

The Goat Trust, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh has taken total 225 frozen semen straws of Osmanabadi bucks in September 2016 and March 2017. This will help in wider dissemination of outstanding Osmanabadi goat germplasm for breeding.

7. Dressing percentage of Osmanabadi goats

Dressing percentage was estimated, of 5.5 to 8 months old goat kids slaughtered at the annual fair in Wajrachounde village in Sangli district in May 2016. When meat and all the body parts that villagers eat (excluding only blood, ingesta and skin), were considered, the average dressing percentage was 76.5% while if head and hooves, digestive system and testicles were additionally excluded, the dressing percentage was 64.3%.

No. of kids

recorded

Live weight range (kg.)

Average live

weight (kg.)

Average wt. of edible meat and organs

(excluding blood,

ingesta, skin) (kg.)

Dressing %

Average wt. of edible meat and

organs (excluding blood, head and hooves, ingesta, digestive system,

skin, testicles) (kg.)

Dressing %

9 16.0 to 25.7 19.6 15.0 76.53 12.60 64.28

8. The role of the Osmanabadi Field Unit in Enhancing Livelihood Security of Goat

Keepers. The activities carried out by the Osmanabadi Field Unit contributed to livelihood security of the goat owners by inducing goat keepers to improve goat and kid management and feeding.

reducing mortality to around 2% and thus increasing the number of kids available for sale or for rearing as breeding animals. (This was achieved by regular vaccination, ecto-parasite and internal parasite control and

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training of goat keepers in administering first-aid to sick goats.) attracting traders into the villages to buy kids (because of increased availability of

animals) so that owners did not have to spend time or money to take them to markets creating awareness among goat owners about weighing their kids and teaching them how

to estimate the expected sale price so that they were in a better position to bargain with the buyers. This resulted in the owners realizing higher sale proceeds for their goats.

During the years of severe drought (2011, 2012, 2014 (some villages) and 2015) when goat keepers got hardly any income from their crops, they took efforts to look after their goats which survived and earned an income and livelihood for the family during that difficult period. Table 1. Flock strength in Kamone village at the beginning and end of the project and number of animals sold during the project duration Adult does Adult bucks Kids

Flock strength in October 2010 310 1 298 Animals sold from October 2010 up to

February 2017* 422 41 3215

Flock strength on 11 February 2017 305 13 405 * Total income earned by goat keepers from the sale of goats and kids was Rs.98,90,650 or Rs. 5105 per goat per year. There were also some purchases of adult goats by the owners during the project and some new owners enrolled while some owners left the project. Table 2. Flock strength in Sakat village at the beginning and end of the project and number of animals sold during the project duration

Adult does Adult bucks Kids Flock strength in August 2011 152 3 97

Animals sold from October 2010 up to February 2017*

143 27 1369

Flock strength on 11 February 2017 153 9 342

*Total income earned by goat keepers from the sale of goats and kids was Rs.43,42,156. Project II. Increasing profitability of sheep production by genetic improvement using the FecB (Booroola) mutation and improved management Scientists : Dr. Chanda Nimbkar, Dr. Pradip Ghalsasi Technical staff : Mr. Rupsing Khanvilkar, Mr. Vikram Shedge, Mr. Kanhaiyya Chavan, Mr. Anil Chavan, Mr. Dattatray Mulik, Ms. Padmaja Ghalsasi This successful breeding programme has continued to be self-sustaining since 2012. A. Breeding programme All ewes are bred by artificial insemination (AI) in order to use a large number of breeding rams and maintain accurate pedigree records. Each of the three AI programmes in 2016-17 went on for one month, roughly covering two oestrus cycles. Ewes were inseminated in

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natural oestrus detected by vasectomized teaser rams. All ewes were inseminated cervically once, about 12 hours after oestrus detection. Ewes were inseminated with fresh, diluted semen of the allotted rams. The high conception rate achieved (87 to 89.5%) indicates the high standard of practices used for the AI programme. Adequate numbers of unrelated breeding rams were used to keep inbreeding under control. Genetic analysis was used to estimate breeding values. A new strain of Deccani sheep has been developed, called „NARI Suwarna‟, that gives about 40-60% higher lamb production due to almost twice the proportion of twinning as in local Deccani sheep. The growth rate, mothering ability and conformation of the new breed were improved by the introduction of the Madgyal breed and continuous selection is being carried out to improve these traits further. The breed has been disseminated to shepherds in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and they are profiting from its use. So far, about 600 breeding rams and 780 breeding ewes have been supplied. Out of these, 99 rams and 98 ewes were supplied during 2016-17. This year, 38 ewes and 10 rams were procured by sheep rearers from Pune, Solapur and Satara districts of Maharashtra. This is an encouraging sign as it means the shepherds from nearby localities are slowly realizing the profitability of NARI Suwarna.

Udder size of 4-months pregnant NARI Suwarna ewes at Lundy farm of NARI AHD In our selected nucleus flock, on 15 April 2017, there were 117 FecBBB adult ewes (homozygous for the FecB allele), 235 FecBB+ adult ewes (heterozygous for the FecBB allele and 40 non-carrier adult ewes, making a total of 392 adult ewes. In addition, there were 52 young ewes (31 FecBBB and 22 FecBB+) that were 4.5 to 8.5 months old. There were 34 adult breeding rams, comprising of 19 FecBBB and 15 FecBB+ rams. Additionally, there were about 60 selected young FecB carrier breeding rams for use and dissemination. These animals are either NARI Suwarna (with only Deccani and Madgyal breed proportion and less than 10% Garole breed proportion) or NARI Composite (with additional Awassi and/or Bannur breed proportion). Madgyal rams are being used in NARI‟s breeding programme to improve the physical appearance and conformation of crosses in such a way as to make them more desirable to local smallholder sheep owners. Madgyal or Vijapuri is a breed from southern Maharashtra which is a tall breed with a faster growth rate than Deccani and is preferred by shepherds in the Phaltan area and many other areas of Maharashtra.

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Table 1. Details of AI programs carried out at NARI’s Lundy farm, Rajale in Feb, June, September 2016 Ewe‟s FecB genotype Particulars FecB

BB FecB

B+ FecB

++ Total

Ewes available for breeding 108 256 59 423 Ewes inseminated artificially (AI) 88 193 46 327 Ewes conceived (first and second AI + NS) 77 179 42 298 Conception rate to first AI (%) 85.3 91.4 85.8 88.6 Pregnant ewes died 0 0 0 0 Ewes aborted 6 6 2 14 Ewes lambed with at least one live lamb 64 161 39 264 Ewes lambed with all lambs stillborn or died soon 7 12 1 20 Total live lambs born 177 196 42 415 Live lambs born per ewe lambed with at least one live lamb

2.76 1.22 1.08 1.57

Live lambs born per ewe conceived 2.30 1.09 1.00 1.39

Thus FecB homozygous ewes produced 130% more live lambs per ewe conceived than non-carrier ewes. However, FecB heterozygous ewes produced only 9% more live lambs per ewe conceived than non-carrier ewes. This was because of the 10% ewes that aborted or had stillbirths. In some cases, this was due to primiparous ewes not having adequate uterine capacity for two or three foetuses but in many cases, the cause of the abortions/stillbirths is a mystery because the ewes had good body weight and had had good nutrition in the last two months‟ of pregnancy. Infection was not the cause of the abortions/stillbirths. We need to do research to reduce the proportion of abortions/stillbirths. There is considerable variation in this proportion between years. This data needs to be analyzed carefully.

B. Genotyping of sheep DNA at the FecB locus :

Results of FecB genotyping of sheep carried out in the AHD laboratory during the year 2016-17 are given in Tables 2 and 3 below.

Table 2. FecB genotypes of sheep belonging to NARI

Breed Number of animals genotyped

FecBBB FecB

B+ FecB++

Crossbred NARI Suwarna lambs 295 115 150 30 Garole and crosses 9 6 3 0 Confirmation of genotypes initially determined on pedigree 32 18 14 -

Re-genotyping of (FecB carrier) parent on their daughter FecB carrier female having a single lamb at every lambing*

1 1

Total 337 139 168 30 *The parent FecB genotype was found to be correct.

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Table 3. FecB genotypes of sheep whose blood samples were received from other states or countries

Source of samples Breed Number of animals genotyped

FecBBB FecB

B+ FecB++

King Saud University, Saudi Arabia. Project: Introgression of FecB gene into Najdi and Awassi sheep

Najdi and Awassi X Najdi

50 7 33 10

Samples received from shepherds of Karnataka state (Tumkur District)

Lambs born to NARI Suwarna ewes and sired by local or NARI Suwarna sires

62 10 48 4

Total 112 17 81 14

We have started taking advice from a Phaltan-based consultant, Ms. Sheetal Ghalsasi, M.Sc. (Biotechnology) and M.Sc. (Health Science) to do trouble-shooting of the FecB genotyping process. We found variation in the paper matrix of new batches of FTA papers, leading to variations in DNA yield. Based on the results of a few trials, we made changes in the DNA extraction procedure from FTA papers, which then yielded good results. At the advice of Ms. Ghalsasi, we also switched to the newly available Fast Digest Restriction Enzyme AvaII which was 10 times as expensive as the normal enzyme but reduced the digestion time from 3 hours to 10 minutes. This also reduced the possibility of shearing of the extracted DNA, increasing the proportion of success. Project III. Setting up a State of the Art A.I. Centre for sheep and goats under the National Livestock Mission Scheme under the component of ‘Interventions towards productivity enhancement’. (This project was originally sanctioned under the Central Sector Scheme – Integrated Development of Small Ruminants and Rabbits.) The project was submitted to the Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries (DADF) under Central Sector Scheme – Integrated Development of Small Ruminants and Rabbits on 21 August 2010 through Commissioner, Animal Husbandry, Maharashtra State. The proposal was approved for 100% Central Government assistance by the Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries vide their administrative approval letter No. 48-51/2010-TS/Sheep dated 24 November 2010. The details of receipt of funds are as follows.

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Table 4. Receipt of funds and their utilization for the State of the Art A.I. Centre Installment

No. Date of receipt

of funds Amount received

Rs. in lakh

Date of submission of audited UC

1 20 October 2011 50.00 3 February 2012 2 31 August 2012 50.00 10 December 2012 and

25 February 2013 (revised UC) 3 and 4 23 August 2013 50.00 28 March 2014

5 9 August 2016 49.73 28 April 2017 Total 199.73

The first and second installment of Rs.1 crore received by NARI was utilized mainly for purchase of equipment required for freezing buck semen. The third and fourth installment of Rs.50 lakh was utilized mainly for the civil construction of a new custom-built buck semen freezing laboratory. This was the amount saved in the customs duty on the equipment purchased from abroad. NARI has an exemption from paying customs duty as it is a recognized research institute under DSIR. The fifth installment of Rs.49.73 lakh was utilized mainly for establishment of a buck facility, purchase of laboratory furniture and fixtures and some equipment. 1. Date of commissioning of the semen freezing lab : 2 January 2012 2. Production and utilization of buck frozen semen doses from January 2012 to March

2017.

We established a standard protocol for freezing of buck semen and have started producing frozen semen straws since June 2012. These straws are regularly supplied to the Government and private customers and excellent conception rates of average 50% are being achieved. Table 5 : Number of buck frozen semen straws produced and used during 2016-17

Breed of buck

Particulars Boer Osmanabadi Damascus cross

Alpine and Saanen X Beetal

Total

Frozen 21,000 33,920 4,342 1,738 61,000

Supplied to customers

14,964 30,804 2,582 1,453 49,803

Used for AI at NARI

4,276 1,286 160 25 5,747

In storage 1,760 1,830 1,600 260 5,450 Over 61,000 straws of Boer, Osmanabadi, Damascus cross and Alpine X Beetal bucks were frozen until 31 March 2017. A total of 5,450 frozen semen straws of above bucks are in storage.

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500 frozen semen straws of Osmanabadi bucks were given for conservation to the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, Haryana under the technical programme of the ICAR-AICRP on Goat Improvement of Osmanabadi Goat field unit at Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute.

As per the sanction letter of the Government of India, up to 15% semen straws produced at NARI were to be made available to the State Govt. and other Govt. agencies at cost of production. NARI supplied 4000 Osmanabadi and 1000 Boer buck frozen semen straws to the Animal Husbandry Department of the Govt. of Maharashtra up to the end of December 2013. These straws were sold at Rs.20/- each which is far below the cost of production. NARI has thus fulfilled this condition laid down by the DADF, Govt. of India. The Maharashtra Animal Husbandry Dept. further distributed these straws to Ahmednagar, Aurangabad, Buldhana, Osmanabad and Solapur District Artificial Insemination Centres (DAIC). These were further distributed to veterinary dispensaries in the respective districts for artificial insemination in local goats. Twenty five veterinary Officers of these dispensaries deputed by the Govt. of Maharashtra were given training in artificial insemination in goats at NARI in April 2013.

Initially 318 frozen semen straws were supplied to 12 private livestock supervisors in three districts in Maharashtra State for free for a trial. They achieved 50% conception rate on goats kidded basis.

20,000 Osmanabadi buck frozen semen straws were supplied to Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department of Government of Karnataka in September 2016.

In total about 28,605 frozen semen straws were supplied to goat AI technicians, farmers and entrepreneurs including Government of Karnataka.

1025 goats belonging to farmers from surrounding villages and 2913 goats of the Institute were artificially inseminated using these frozen semen straws. The overall conception rate achieved was 55%.

Artificial insemination in goats is being carried out in 22 districts of Maharashtra and in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Chattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Sikkim, Jammu & Kashmir States.

3. Table 6. Results of AI of farmers’ goats during 2012-16 carried out with frozen buck semen on NARI farms and by private AI technicians in Satara and Solapur districts in Maharashtra

Farm / Field No. of goats

inseminated No. of goats

monitored

No. of goats conceived

Conception rate

NARI farms 800 652 301 46%

Field AI technicians 1337 1137 667 59%

4. Training in goat Artificial Insemination

i. We have trained about 1000 technicians, veterinarians, government veterinary officers (from Karnataka, Maharashtra, Chattisgarh, Sikkim), entrepreneurs and goat keepers in

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goat AI from all over Maharashtra and nine states of India. This includes international trainees from Cameroon, Ireland, Nepal, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and USA. (One from Cameroon, one from Ireland, 18 from Nepal, eight from Afghanistan, one from Saudi Arabia and one from USA.)

ii. Ten women AI technicians including the first one Mrs. Surekha Kalel of Manndeshi Foundation in Mhaswad in Mann Taluka were trained by NARI in doing artificial insemination in goats. They are carrying out AI successfully and also training more women in the technique. Some of the above women are also trained as Lady Link Workers under the World Bank funded MACP Programme.

iii. Seventeen paravets working for Lupin Foundation in Aurangabad, Dhule and Pune areas in rural Maharashtra were given training in AI in goats in September 2016. NARI supplied 300 frozen semen doses for breeding village goats under their Corporate Social Responsibility programme.

5. Visits during 2016-17

i. Government of Karnataka deputed Dr. Shiva Kumar, Assistant Director, Frozen Semen Centre, State Level Breeding and Training Centre, Hesarghatta, Karnataka to inspect NARI‟s buck semen freezing facilities on 28-29 July 2016. He inspected the infrastructure and facilities available for collection and preservation of buck semen at NARI. He also examined the frozen semen samples collected from Osmanabadi bucks for motility and examined Osmanabadi bucks, the frozen semen doses of which were purchased by them. He certified that the post-thaw motility of the semen was 55-60+%.” He mentioned in his report that; “The center has a full-fledged Buck Frozen Semen Production Laboratory with all the facilities for cryopreservation of semen. All methods of producing Quality Frozen Semen are followed.”

ii. Dr. O.P. Chaudhary, Joint Secretary, (ANLM), Government of India visited NARI,

Animal Husbandry Division on 9 January 2017. He was accompanied by 1) Dr. Bharti Singh, Director I/C, Central Poultry Development Organization (WR),

MOA, DAD&F, GOI 2) Dr. D. D. Parkale, Managing Director, Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Maharashtra Sheep

and Goat Development Corporation, Pune and Regional Joint Commissioner, Nashik

3) Dr. S. S. Rautmare, Regional Joint Commissioner, Aurangabad, Government of Maharashtra, Department of Animal Husbandry

4) Dr. Vinod Pawar, District Deputy Commissioner, Satara.

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They were shown the State of the Art A.I. Centre and given presentations about the history and working of the centre and sheep and goat genetic improvement programmes carried out by the AHD.

6. Publication

1. Success story – Delivering Superior Goat Genetics: NARI‟s New Semen Freezing and AI Centre. Booklet and 3.5-minute DVD.

2. The Pioneering work done by The Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) in Buck and Ram Semen Freezing and Artificial Insemination Technology. Booklet in Marathi and English.

3. Training manual in Artificial Insemination in goats – Marathi and English (Four editions of each manual have so far been published.)

Project IV. Research in veterinary parasitology with special reference to sheep and goats. Funding agency : internally funded Scientists : Dr. Chanda Nimbkar, Dr. Pradip Ghalsasi Technical staff : Ms. Padmaja Ghalsasi, Ms. Nusrat Patel, Mr. Kanhaiya Chavan, Mr. Rupsing Khanvilkar, Mr. Vikram Shedge, Mr. Dattatraya Mulik, Mr. Anil Chavan With experience of the past 20 years, the AHD team can now manage the internal parasite infections in our sheep and goat flocks. During 2016-17, the gastro-intestinal (GI) worm burdens due to natural infection of NARI‟s sheep and goats and of goat keepers‟ goats participating in NARI‟s projects were monitored and animals were dewormed, treated either en masse or individually depending on the proportion of severely infected animals in a flock. The general practices followed are : Regular monitoring of flocks for Faecal Egg Count (FEC) either bi-monthly or when

necessary. FAMACHA chart is used effectively by the farm supervisors for recording scores to identify anaemia. The chart from the Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute is used for sheep while the original FAMACHA chart from South Africa is used for goats. The charts have photographs of conjunctiva of sheep with five levels (1 to 5) of haemoglobin which are assumed to be correlated with their worm (Haemonchus contortus) infections. These photos are compared with the conjunctiva of sheep to identify those that are unable to cope with infection by the blood-sucking GI worm H. contortus. The animals that have a score > 3 are considered anaemic and need to be dewormed, while animals in category 1 and 2 are safe and need not be drenched. Faecal samples are also collected of those animals which are identified as severely anaemic, and tested at the AHD lab. If necessary, supportive treatment is also given such as an iron injection.

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Monthly weighing is done of all the animals and if there is a considerable weight loss other than in lambed or kidded animals then FAMACHA and FEC are measured to identify the reason. The FEC > 2000 eggs per gram of faeces (epg) is considered as a threshold level for sheep and FEC >1000 epg for goats.

The groups which are at risk such as lambed or kidded ewes and does, weaned lambs, lambs recently let out for grazing after being stall-fed from birth are tested immediately for FEC and FAMACHA scores recorded. The animals that are transferred from one farm to the other such as breeding rams, or bucks that are sent for breeding to farmers‟ flocks, are tested prior to mixing them with other animals.

Observations and findings in the NARI flocks in 2016-17 1. FAMACHA score is directly proportional to the Haemonchus contortus infection the

animal is carrying. The peri-parturient relaxation of immunity (PPRI) phenomenon was observed in case

of late pregnant and lambed ewes. Due to hormonal changes (reduction of progesterone level before lambing) and lambing stress the worm burden increases. The hypobiosis phenomenon is also manifested, where the infective larvae may be ingested during pregnancy and remain in a premature stage, with arrested growth. When the animal is stressed close to lambing or kidding, the larvae grow to adult stages and egg shedding begins.

In a group there are ‘more or less resilient’ and ‘more or less susceptible’ animals. Those animals which have low FAMACHA scores, and are apparently not anaemic but have high FEC are termed ‘more resilient’. This means they can cope with the infection. On the other hand there are some ‘more susceptible‟ sheep that cannot tolerate worm burden and get anaemic and have high FAMACHA scores even when their FEC are below the threshold level.

Not all the animals in a group are heavily infested. There are 20-30% sheep in every flock that contract heavy infection of worms and are responsible for pasture contamination and become a source of infection to the other animals.

FEC and FAMACHA scores of four groups of lambed ewes were particularly studied. The findings are reported in the table below :

Table 7. FEC and FAMACHA data of lambed ewes (Group 1) at two times*

*Majority of the ewes were the same at both times; some new ewes were added in 2017.

April 2016 March 2017 No.of ewes

FAMACHA score

Mean FEC (epg)

FEC Range (epg)

Pearson Correlation Coefficient

No.of ewes

FAMACHA score

Mean FEC (epg)

FEC Range (epg)

Pearson correlation Coefficient

20 2 to 2.5 1300 400-2400

r = 0.6

19 2 to 2.5 1547 500-3600

r = 0.1 52 3 2119 300-4000

68 3 1883 300-6800

7 3.5 4657 2200-7700

30 3.5 2030 400-4800

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Interpretation of findings It was found that in April 2016 (and also in July and November 2016), the lambed ewes that had high FEC, generally had high FAMACHA scores, leading to a correlation coefficient of 0.6 while in March 2017, many ewes that had low FEC, had high FAMACHA scores (higher susceptibility) and vice versa (high FEC, low FAMACHA scores), leading to a low correlation coefficient. At all FEC measurements, there were 40 to 60% sheep in the >3 FAMACHA category that could be called „more resilient‟. Considering the mean FEC and physiological status of the ewes, mass deworming was carried out effectively in both April 2016 and March 2017, using Ivermectin (broad spectrum short acting) anthelmintic. The FEC and FAMACHA of the group were also measured in July 2016 and only seven animals were found to have FEC closer to the threshold level and FAMACHA score 3. These seven were individually drenched using Closantel long acting anthelmintic. When this group was bred in October 2016, their FEC were measured. At that time 27 sheep which had FEC >2000 epg were drenched using Albendazole short acting anthelmintic. Important note : High worm burden may not be the only factor leading to a high FAMACHA score. The nutrition level of the animal and prevalence of blood sucking ecto-parasites also need to be checked. FEC findings of other sheep and goats : The AHD has farms at three locations. On these farms sheep and goats of various breeds are maintained. During the year FEC was measured and following were the findings:

In July 2016 the FEC of all breeding bucks at Wadjal farm were measured. It was found that 40% Osmanabadi were infected, FEC range 900-3800 epg, and 30% Boer bucks with FEC range 1100-3600 epg were found infected. Selective drenching was carried out using anthelmintic Closantel.

FEC of stall-fed Boer-cross does and kids at Dhuldeo farm were measured twice during the year. In August 2016, 100% were found infected. The mean FEC was 1351 epg and FEC range was 200-4400 epg. These goats are stall-fed, however, there is a possibility of infection coming in through grazing sheep kept on the same farm. They were mass drenched with Closantel. In the second measurement, the infection was considerably low. So only a few goats which were kidded and had FEC range 800-1200 epg were drenched with Ivermectin.

Heavy infection of tapeworm was found in about 40-50% of crossbred Garole and Awassi lambs and 100% kids of 2-4 months‟ age. The proglotidds (segments of the tapeworm) are voided through the faeces and these are visible. The lambs or kids which were heavily infested with tapeworm had weight loss, as the intake and absorption reduced. Mass drenching was carried out effectively using „Fentas plus‟

TM, which contains Fenbendazole and Praziquintel drug combination.

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Garole breed is a known genetically „worm resistant‟ breed. The Garole flock was measured twice during the year. In August 2016, the adult rams and lambs were not found infected. The mean FEC of Rams was 312 epg with FEC range of 0-700 epg. The mean FEC of lambs was 272 epg with FEC range of 0-1100 epg. However, 15% of the Garole ewes were found moderately infected. The mean FEC was 299 epg and range 0-1800 epg. These were effectively treated with Closantel. The FAMACHA was recorded of all the Garole sheep; it was in the range of 2 to 2.5. In the FEC measurement of March 2017 all the rams, lambs and ewes were in the range of 0-200 epg, except three lambed ewes with FEC 600-1200 epg. They were drenched individually.

Awassi breed was measured twice. In August 2016 there was not much infection seen. In FEC measurement of March 2017, their mean FEC was 850 epg and range 100-2600 epg. They were mass dewormed.

Ram lambs which were weaned and transferred from one farm to another were measured in April 2016 for FEC. No worm infection was seen as they were stall-fed and in good health condition. Maiden ewes of 11 months to 1 year old were measured in Nov 2016 and found infected. Mean FEC was 2194 epg and FEC range 300–9600 epg. However their FAMACHA scores were 2 to 2.5.

Some lambs and kids were found heavily infected with coccidia (gut protozoa). These were effectively treated with drugs such as Sulfonamides or Nitrofurazone.

The Test FEC is performed for all the flocks after administration of anthelmintics to rule out resistance to drugs in the worms. No drug resistance has been detected so far.

The AHD‟s knowledge gained from experience in parasitology is shared theoretically and practically with the trainees who come to take training in „Goat and sheep management‟. Project V. Establishment of a Polyhouse for propagation of NARI Nirbeeja by rooting cuttings Funding agency : Nimbkar Seeds Pvt. Ltd Scientists and Advisors : Dr. Chanda Nimbkar, Dr. Nandini Nimbkar, Shri Zia Qureshi and Shri S. Narkhede J.K. Paper Ltd., Fort Songadh, Gujarat. Technical staff : Ms. Padmaja Ghalsasi, Shri Mansingh Gaikwad The first year of the polyhouse is completed. After conducting several experiments, we have now arrived at a somewhat standardized protocol for rooting cuttings of NARI Nirbeeja. The Animal Husbandry Division of Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) is a pioneer in successfully propagating KX2, developed by Dr. Max Shelton and his team at the University of Queensland in Australia. It is an outstanding hybrid of Leucaena leucocephala X Leucaena pallida. NARI has named the cross „NARI Nirbeeja’. This accession is highly psyllid-resistant and fast growing. KX2 hybrid has good growth year round, is high yielding and highly palatable. Its protein quality is similar to that of Lucerne. It has a crude protein content of 27 to 35% and it can replace expensive commercial protein sources in a diet for

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large and small ruminants. Because of the tannin content in KX2, the proteins are available as by-pass proteins that are better used by the animals, as they are absorbed directly in the small intestine. This helps in rapid weight gain of young animals. KX2 is tolerant to infertile soils and survives well under drought conditions (Shelton et al., 1998). However, being seedless, the propagation has to be carried out by vegetative method. Two propagation methods were used at NARI: 1)rooting the cuttings of KX2 and 2)grafting KX2 scions on the earlier K8 variety of Leucaena leucocephala. KX2 is difficult to root and about 40-50% success rate can be achieved if conditions are ideal. Initially, NARI-AHD produced about 2000 plants by grafting and about 1000 plants by rooting cuttings in a rudimentary set-up in a shade-net house at Wadjal farm. The success rate varied from 20 to 40%. The plants obtained by this method were planted at Wadjal farm which served as mother plants for further propagation and were also lopped at 90 days interval and used for fodder for sheep and goats at Wadjal. In order to carry out propagation on a larger scale, it was decided to utilize the polyhouse facility of Nimbkar Seeds Pvt. Ltd. However, as the polyhouse was designed for another purpose, modifications had to be made to the structure. Systems were installed to allow automatic control of temperature and humidity and carry out automatic misting at regular intervals. However, this system required standardization and trouble-shooting initially. This led to a low to moderate success rate, varying from 2 to 30%. The stage of cuttings used for rooting was then modified under the guidance of Shri S Narkhede of J.K. Paper Ltd. Ms. Padmaja Ghalsasi carried out this ambitious project under the guidance of Dr. P.M. Ghalsasi. One of the major constraints to start with was that initially there were no mother plants in sand beds which was recommended as ideal for obtaining cuttings. The most crucial factor in the success of rooting is the origin and selection of cuttings. They may lack in some nutrients such as Calcium which plays an important role in rooting. Plants in sand beds get controlled nutrition, whereas trees planted in soil may take up more Nitrogen from the soil which is detrimental to rooting the cuttings. Initially cuttings were taken from KX2 trees at Wadjal farm and 122 rooted cuttings were planted as mother plants in soil in the shade net house near the polyhouse. Staff at the polyhouse had to be selected and trained in processing of cuttings.

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Use of NARI Nirbeeja plants produced in the polyhouse during 2016-17

Month Number Use March 2016 100 Mother plants in sand bed June 2016 80 Planted for forage production Mar.-Jun. 2016 50 Sold Oct.-Nov. 2016 150 Mother plants in sand bed Dec. 2016-Feb.2017 150 Mother plants in sand bed March 2017 250 In shade house

Total 780 Reference : Shelton H. M, Gutteridge R. C, Mullen B. F and Bray R. A (eds), ACIAR Proceedings No. 86, 1998. Leucaena–Adaptation, Quality and Farming Systems. Proceedings of a workshop held in Hanoi, Vietnam

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I. PUBLICATIONS (In Alphabetical Order)

Refereed publications : 1. Kadirvel, P., D. Ravi, N. Mukta, M. C. L. Montoya-Coronado, S. B. Ghuge, J. Singh, V.

Singh, S. K. Shinde, S. N. Deshmukh, P. Yadav and K. S. Varaprasad. 2016. Genetic distinctiveness of safflower cultivars of India and Mexico as revealed by SSR markers. Plant Genetic Resources. DOI:10.1017/S1479262116000186.

2. Nimbkar, N. 2017. Research on Opuntia sp. at the Nimbkar Agricultural Research

Institute (NARI), Maharashtra, India In : Cactus Pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) in India. Proceedings of the National Review Meeting on Cactus Pear held January 16-18 2017 at Bhuj, Gujarat. P. 19-21.

3. Rajvanshi Anil K. 2016. Roadmap for rural India. Current Science 111 (1) : 39-43 (10

July). 4. Singh, V., R. R. Jadhav, G. E. Atre, R. V. Kale, P. T. Karande, K. D. Kanbargi, N.

Nimbkar, A. K. Rajvanshi. 2017. Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)-an underutilized leafy vegetable. Current Science (accepted).

Non-refereed publications : 1. Kokani, S. C., Pawar V. D., Sawane M. P., Chopade M. M., Khade S. B., Komatwar S. J.,

Deshmukh R. S. and Nimbkar C. B. 2017. Cytogenetic analysis of breeding bucks of Osmanabadi breed by using QFQ banding. In Compendium of Lead Papers and Abstracts of the National Symposium on “Biodynamic animal farming for the management of livestock diversity under changing global scenario” held at Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala organized by Society for Conservation of Domestic Animal Biodiversity and College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala on 8-10 February 2017. p. 32.

2. Nimbkar C. 2017. Research in goats and sheep in India : Suggestions for the future.

Invited paper. In Compendium of the National Seminar on „Improvement of small ruminant production system for livelihood security‟ organized by the Indian Society for Sheep and Goat Production and Utilization in collaboration with ICAR-Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute and ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Goats at Avikanagar, Rajasthan on 9-10 March 2017. pp. 33-34.

3. Nimbkar, C. and Ghalsasi, P. M. 2016. Innovative dissemination of small ruminant

genetic improvement by a non-government institute in India. Invited Abstract submitted to the American Society of Animal Science Joint Annual Meeting held in Utah on 19-23 July 2016. Journal of Animal Science 94. Supplement 5:403.

4. Nimbkar C., Pawar B., Kakade, S., Chavan K., Khanvilkar K. and Ghalsasi P. 2017. Are

smallholders getting a remunerative price for their goats? A study in five villages from four districts in western Maharashtra state of India. Poster presentation abstract. In

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Compendium of the National Seminar on „Improvement of small ruminant production system for livelihood security‟ organized by the Indian Society for Sheep and Goat Production and Utilization in collaboration with ICAR-Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute and ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Goats at Avikanagar, Rajasthan on 9-10 March 2017. p. 264.

5. Nimbkar C., Qureshi Z. and Ghalsasi P. 2017. Comparison of conception rates of goat

does with natural service and cervical insemination using fresh-diluted or frozen semen on an organized goat farm in Maharashtra State of India. Abstract. In Compendium of the National Seminar on „Improvement of small ruminant production system for livelihood security‟ organized by the Indian Society for Sheep and Goat Production and Utilization in collaboration with ICAR-Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute and ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Goats at Avikanagar, Rajasthan on 9-10 March 2017. p. 108.

6. Dr. Anil Rajvanshi‟s article entitled “How online shopping is changing rural India” was

syndicated by IANS and published in various newspapers like Economic Times, Hindustan Times, Business Standard, etc. 23 June 2016

7. Dr. Anil Rajvanshi‟s article entitled “How noise pollution affects our health” was syndicated by IANS and published in various newspapers like Business Standard. It was also published as a blog in Huffington Post, September 2016.

8. Dr. Anil Rajvanshi‟s article entitled “My experiences of US in 1970s: Lessons for present generation” was published as a lead article in Indian Diaspora, 9 September 2016. It was also featured in Better India. 23 September 2016.

9. Dr. Anil Rajvanshi‟s article entitled “How to improve India‟s engineering education” was syndicated by IANS and published in various newslines like Business Standard, NewsMinute, etc. 23 September 2016. It was also published as an editorial article in Deccan Herald on 10 October 2016.

10. Dr. Anil Rajvanshi‟s article entitled “Mahatma Gandhi‟s lessons on tolerance” was syndicated by IANS and published on 2 October 2016 in leading newslines like Business Standard, Quint, Yahoo News, etc.

11. Dr. Anil Rajvanshi‟s article entitled “Why we should all become teachers”, was published in Huffington Post. 3 October 2016. It was also published as a blog in Better India.

12. Dr. Anil Rajvanshi‟s blogs were published in Economic Times. “Nothing is impossible” was published on 10 September 2016 and “Theory of evolution in nutshell”, was published on 6 October 2016.

13. Dr. Anil Rajvanshi‟s article “Why there is so much turmoil in the world”, was published as an editorial in Times of India (Speaking Tree). 17 October 2016.

14. Dr. Anil Rajvanshi‟s article on Why Indian classics should be taught in schools was published as a blog in Better India. 19 October 2016.

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15. Dr. Anil Rajvanshi‟s article entitled “Persistence of memory – with due apology to

Salvador Dali” was published in The Indian Diaspora. 30 October 2016.

16. Dr. Anil Rajvanshi‟s article entitled “Science of Patanjali Yoga Sutras” appeared in Indian Diaspora and Boloji newslines. November 2016. It was also published as a blog in Huffington Post. 26 November 2016

17. Dr. Anil Rajvanshi‟s article entitled “Could meditation be elixir of life” was published in Huffington Post on 19 December 2016.

18. Dr. Anil K Rajvanshi‟s article entitled “Neurobiological basis of ego and anger” was published in Indian Diaspora. 28 December 2016.

19. Dr. Anil Rajvanshi‟s article entitled “Dissolve your memories” was published as an editorial article in Times of India (Speaking Tree), 15 January 2017.

20. Dr. Anil Rajvanshi‟s article “How brain, heart and gut minds work together to produce happiness” was published in Indian Diaspora, 16 January 2017.

21. Dr. Anil Rajvanshi‟s article “Why do Gandhi seminars attract anti-technology participants?” was syndicated by IANS and appeared in many newslines like Business Standard, Yahoo News, etc. It was also published as a blog in Huffington Post. 20 February 2017.

22. Dr. Anil Rajvanshi‟s blog “Its all in the mind – Neurological basis of happiness”came in Speaking Tree, 9 March 2017.

23. Dr. Anil Rajvanshi‟s article “The art of forgiveness” came in Economic Times, 15 March 2017.

24. Dr. Anil Rajvanshi‟s blog on Sweet sorghum syrup as health food appeared in Better India, 27 March 2017.

25. Dr. Anil Rajvanshi‟s article “Why good home-care health system is need in rural India” was syndicated by IANS and published in Business Standard and other news lines. 30 March 2017. It was also published as a blog in Huffington Post on 11 April 2017.

26. Dr. Anil Rajvanshi‟s article on “Passive cooling of buildings” was published as a blog in Better India. 30 March 2017.

Articles published in Marathi : 1. Deshpande, M. B., V. Singh and R. R. Jadhav. 2016. Kardai deli arthik phayda.

Agrowon P. 10 (Oct.).

2. Nimbkar C. 2016. Boer goat: a symbol of rural development and employment. (gramsamruddhi ani rojgar nirmitiche pratik : boer sheli) Magazine „Adhunik Kisan‟. 4 August 2016. pp 8-11.

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3. Nimbkar C. 2016. NARI is giving commercial view to goat and sheep rearing. (shelya-mendhyankade baghnyachi vyavsaik drushti denari „NARI‟) Magazine „Adhunik Kisan‟.

27 November 2016. pp 46-54.

4. Nimbkar N. 2016. Nimbkar Institute of Phaltan supporting fodder crops (Chara pikanna thara denari phaltanchi Nimbkar sanstha). Magazine „Adhunik Kisan‟. 27 November 2016. pp. 68-72.

During this year following 22 articles of Shri B.V. Nimbkar in Marathi were published in Agrowon newspaper. These articles were narrated by Shri Nimbkar and written in Marathi by his granddaughter Ms. Madhura Rajvanshi-a member of Governing Council.

1. Tree planting for bees: a new idea. (madhmashyansathi vrikshalagwad ek navin sankalpana). 13 October 2016.

2. Beekeeping a gift of Israel. (madhmashyapalanachi israili bhet). 14 October 2016.

3. From Kubabhool to again Subabhool. (kubabhool te punha subabhool). 26 October 2016.

4. Planting Leucaena: tremendous benefit. (subabhool lagwad : prachand phayada). 27 October 2016.

5. What happens with soil. (matiche nemke hotay kay). 10 November 2016.

6. Follow cropping system as per soil grade (matichya pratvarinusar tharva peek paddhati). 11 November 2016.

7. What happens with rainwater (padlelya pawsache hote kay). 18 November 2016.

8. Soil upgradation a neglected area (jamin sudharna ha vishay durlakshitach). 29 November 2016.

9. Goat rearing for milk production: a good alternative. (dudhasathi shelipalan ek changla paryay). 29 November 2016.

10. Increase in goat milk production through crossbreeding (sankaratun vadhel sheliche dudh utpadan). 30 November 2016.

11. History of artificial insemination in sheep in India (mendhyanmadhil krutrim retanacha bharatatil pravas). 21 December 2016.

12. Interesting history of Boer goat. (boer shelyancha ranjak itihas). 22 December 2016.

13. Goat improvement through artificial insemination (krutrim retanatunach shelyanchi sudharna). 5 January 2017.

14. Only the will to control soil erosion can stop it. (ichchashaktitoon thambel matichi dhup). 13 January 2017.

15. No-till farming will increase production. (vinamashagat vadhava utpadan). 18 January 2017.

16. Indian farming: 1887 and today. (bhartiya sheti : 1887 ani ajachi). 2 February 2017.

17. Take concrete steps for pasture development (kuran vikasasathi uchala thos pawale). 15 February 2017.

18. Grass revolution in New South Wales. (neu sauth wales madhil gawat kranti), 16 February 2017.

19. Worm eradication: understanding and misunderstanding (janta nirmulan: samaj-gairsamaj). 23 February 2017.

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20. Thoughts of Robert Wallace about forests. (Robert Wallace yancha vanvichar). 27 February 2017.

21. The story of my maize. (mazya makyachi kahani). 7 March 2017.

22. Journey of increase in maize production in the U.S.A. (ameriketil maka utpadan vadhicha pravas). 8 March 2017.

Booklets published by AHD :

1. Care of kids. (Marathi). Dr. Chanda Nimbkar, Dr. Pradip Ghalsasi, Bharati Pawar. May 2016. Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute, Animal Husbandry Division. p. 30.

2. Delivering Superior Goat Genetics: NARI‟s New Semen Freezing and AI Centre. Success story. First edition July 2016 and second edition January 2017. Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute, Animal Husbandry Division. p. 6.

3. „Nari Suwarna‟ sheep rearing: income and management. (Marathi). November 2016. Dr. Pradip Ghalsasi, Dr. Chanda Nimbkar, Bharati Pawar. Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute, Animal Husbandry Division. p. 11.

4. Vaccination in goats and sheep. (Marathi). March 2017. Third edition. Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute, Animal Husbandry Division. p. 2.

5. Leaflet - Subabhul plantation for beneficial and sustainable fodder production for animals. April 2016. B. V. Nimbkar. p. 2.

News :

1. NARI‟s work on producing water from soil using solar energy in arid regions was covered in Better India story and Yahoo news. April 2016.

2. NARI‟s invention of solar water purifier was chosen by Engineers For Change (EFC), a

U.S. based organization, as one of the 10 life-changing inventions from India. April 2016. 3. Dr. Anil Rajvanshi was featured as a notable alumnus in the IIT Kanpur DORA

website. June 2016. 4. NARI‟s work on safflower was mentioned in an article „अर्थदायी करडी’ by Pradeep

Nanandkar in Loksatta September 29, 2016

5. Story in “Agriculture Information” one of (the earliest agriculture website on the internet) on “Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute introduces US origin culinary cactus variety in India as animal fodder. Planting material provided Based at Phaltan, Maharashtra”. 21 November 2016.

6. A very nice review of Dr. Anil Rajvanshi‟s book “Romance of Innovation” came in

Current Science. 25 December 2016. It was written by India‟s foremost science journalist Dr. K. Jayaraman.

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7. Stantonchase, a leading Executive search and consulting company of the world put out a white paper on Leadership for Fourth Industrial Revolution. Dr. Anil Rajvanshi‟s

article on the subject was extensively quoted in the white paper. January 2017. 8. Dr. Anil Rajvanshi‟s keynote talk given at the Vivekanand Education Society seminar on

10th February 2017 was carried in HINDU paper. Book : Romance of Innovation – A human interest story of doing R&D in rural setting by Dr. Anil Rajvanshi has been available online since 2014 as an e-book. It was printed this year and is now available in physical form. Reports :

1. Prabhakaran, R. and Singh, V. April 2016. Progress report of sorghum research under the All India Coordinated Sorghum Improvement Project (AICSIP) of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Kharif 2015. Submitted to the Director, Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), Hyderabad. 54 pp.

2. Prabhakaran, R. and Singh, V. Progress report of sorghum research under the All India

Coordinated Sorghum Improvement Project (AICSIP) of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Rabi 2015-16. Submitted to the Director, Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), Hyderabad. 45 pp.

3. Nimbkar C. May 2016. Annual Report of „Osmanabadi Goat Field Unit at NARI‟ for the period 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016 under the All India Coordinated Research project (AICRP) on Goat Improvement of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Submitted to the Project Coordinator, Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, U.P.

4. Singh, V. July 2016. Annual Progress Report of Frontline Demonstrations in Safflower.

Submitted to the Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research (IIOR), Hyderabad. 51 pp.

5. Singh, V. July 2016. Annual Progress Report of Safflower Research under the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Oilseeds of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Submitted to the Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research (IIOR), Hyderabad. 101 pp.

II. INVITED TALKS / LECTURES

1. Dr. Anil K. Rajvanshi was invited by IIT Kanpur to give an inspirational talk to incoming

freshmen (both undergraduates and graduates). This was the first time that IIT Kanpur had invited a notable alumnus to address the incoming class. His talk to about 1000 undergraduates and 500 graduates was very well received. July 2016.

2. Dr. Rajvanshi was the chief guest in the inauguration ceremony of “Krukshetra 2016-17”-a state level technical competition at the Phaltan Education Society‟s College of Engineering, Phaltan. He gave a motivational speech to the students. 30 September 2016.

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3. Dr. Rohit Jadhav, Jr. Breeder (Safflower) delivered a talk on “Production of non-spiny safflower for high returns” at the Regional Agriculture Management Extension Training Institute (RAMETI) at Kolhapur on October 7, 2016. This was a part of the Two day Rabi season training programme for 30 field staff of the state agriculture department from Kolhapur, Satara and Sangli districts.

4. Aurangabad Management Association (AMA) invited Dr. Rajvanshi to give a talk in their Rare Share Series. The talk entitled “Junoon, Happiness and Nation Building”, was very well received by about 200 Aurangabad industrialists. 11 January 2017.

5. Dr. Anil K. Rajvanshi was invited by Gujarat Vidyapeeth, Ahmedabad to take part in a roundtable discussion on “Gandhi Returns; Back to Basics”, 30/31 January 2017.

6. Dr. Rajvanshi gave a keynote address at the Vivekanand Education Society, Mumbai organized National Conference on Social Entrepreneurship. His talk entitled “Social Entrepreneurship, Happiness and Nation Building”, was very well received and was covered by the press. A story on it appeared in HINDU. February 2017.

7. Ms. Bharati Pawar and Mr. Kanhaiya Chavan gave lectures on Boer goat and „NARI

Suwarna‟ sheep respectively in a workshop on „Advanced technologies in stallfed goat and sheep rearing‟ organized by Social Media Group of Mr. Nikhil Abhang and his colleagues at Phaltan, Dist. Satara on 5 February 2017.

III. CONFERENCES/SEMINARS/MEETINGS/WORKSHOPS ATTENDED BY STAFF (In Chronological Order)

1. Dr. Chanda Nimbkar attended the conference „Science Forum 2016 - Agricultural

research for rural prosperity: Rethinking the pathways‟ organized by CGIAR Independent Science & Partnership Council (ISPC) on 12-14 April 2016 at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

2. Dr. Chanda Nimbkar, a member of the Board of Trustees of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), attended two ILRI Board meetings; one at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 16-20 April 2016 and the second at Nairobi, Kenya on 29 October to 2 November 2016.

3. Dr. Radhika Prabhakaran and Dr. Rohit Jadhav attended the 46th annual group meeting of

the All India Coordinated Sorghum Improvement Project (AICSIP) organized by the MPUAT, Udaipur from 25-27 April 2016 and presented the annual progress report of sorghum research at NARI.

4. Dr. Chanda Nimbkar attended a meeting of the Task Force on Animal Biotechnology of

the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India on 3-4 May 2016.

5. Dr. Chanda Nimbkar attended the Annual Review Meeting of the All India Coordinated Research Project on Goat Improvement held at College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Kerala on 11-12 May 2016 and presented the annual progress report of the Osmanabadi Field Unit of NARI AHD.

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6. Dr. Chanda Nimbkar attended the second meeting of the Breeding Value Estimation Committee established by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers‟ Welfare, Government of India, at the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Anand, Gujarat on 29 June 2016. She also visited the Animal Genetics and Breeding Department of the Veterinary College of Anand Agricultural University and called on Dr. Amrita Patel, the former chairman of NDDB and currently the Chairman of the Charutar Vidyamandir Trust.

7. Dr. Chanda Nimbkar attended the meeting of the Monitoring Committee of the

„Maharashtra Gene Bank Programme‟ funded by the Rajeev Gandhi Science and Technology Commission of the Government of Maharashtra on 4 July 2016.

8. Dr. Chanda Nimbkar attended the annual meeting of the American Society of Animal

Science organized jointly with the American Dairy Science Association, the Canadian Society of Animal Science and the Western Section of the American Society of Animal Science at Salt Lake City, Utah, USA on 19-23 July 2016. She gave a presentation titled „Innovative dissemination of small ruminant genetic improvement by a non-government institute in India‟ in the „International Animal Agriculture Symposium: The Future of Pastoral Production Systems‟ held as a part of the conference.

9. Mr. Prashant Salgude attended the seminar „Advancement in automatic weather station,

its need and applications in agrometeorology and hydrology‟ conducted by Aashay Measurements Pvt. Ltd. at Pune on 12 August, 2016.

10. Dr. V. Singh, Dr. R. R. Jadhav, Mr. R. V. Kale and Mr. G. E. Atre attended the Annual

General Meeting of Safflower and Linseed of the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Oilseeds organized by the Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth (VNMKV), Parbhani from 2-4 September 2016 and presented the annual progress report of safflower research at NARI.

11. Dr. Chanda Nimbkar is a member of the International Advisory Committee of the Centre

for Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH), a joint initiative of ILRI and the University of Edinburgh. She attended the First Annual Meeting of CTLGH at Lake Naivasha, Kenya on 14-16 September 2016.

12. Dr. Chanda Nimbkar, the officer in charge of the Osmanabadi Field Unit under the ICAR-AICRP Goat Improvement, attended the mid-term review meeting held at the Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom (Mathura), U.P. on 5 October 2016.

13. Dr. Chanda Nimbkar attended a meeting for drafting „A comprehensive strategic plan for goat farming in the states of Maharashtra and Goa‟ organized by the Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University, Nagpur at the office of the Commissioner, Animal Husbandry, Pune, on 25 November 2016. Dr. Chanda Nimbkar gave a presentation on „Possibility of inducting new goat breeds in Maharashtra from other regions of the country and foreign breeds‟.

14. Dr. Chanda Nimbkar attended a conference „Living Lightly: Future of Pastoralism in a Changing World‟ in Delhi on 8-10 December 2016. She gave two short talks in the sessions on „Indigenous knowledge and breeding systems‟ and „Research horizons‟.

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15. The AHD participated in the Krushik 2017 Agri Exhibition organized by KVK, Baramati and Koelnmesse YA Trade Fairs Pvt. Ltd. at KVK‟s Instructional farm with live demonstration of technologies related to Agriculture and Allied Enterprises held from 19 to 22 January 2017. AHD had a stall in the exhibition. Shri Kanhaiya Chavan, Rupsing Khanvilkar and Navnath Patange of AHD managed the stall and gave information to visitors to the stall. AHD exhibited posters on Boer and Damascus goats and artificial insemination in goats and distributed handbills about availability of buck semen straws for artificial insemination in local goats. There was good response from farmers visiting the exhibition.

16. Dr. Vrijendra Singh, Breeder (Safflower) attended the „safflower germplasm day‟ at ICRISAT and IIOR, Hyderabad on 28 February, 2017. He selected 16 entries which were promising for traits of interest to us.

17. Dr. Chanda Nimbkar attended the Annual conference and National Seminar on „Improvement of Small Ruminant Production System for Livelihood Security‟ held at ICAR-Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (CSWRI) organized by the Indian Society for Sheep and Goat Production and Utilization (ISSGPU) on 9-10 March 2017. She presented a poster „Are smallholders getting a remunerative price for their goats? A Study in five villages from four districts in Western Maharashtra‟. She also presented a paper „Comparison of conception rates of goat does with natural service and cervical insemination using fresh-diluted or frozen semen on an organized goat farm in Maharashtra state of India‟ (by Nimbkar et al.) in the Technical Session on „Advances in Physiology, Adaptation and Reproduction to improve productivity of small ruminants‟.

18. Dr. Mayur Gadekar, Breeder (Sorghum) attended the „Sorghum Germplasm Field Day‟

on March 25, 2017 where 7000 new germplasm accessions were planted. He selected 75 lines with traits of interest in our breeding programme.

IV. TRAINING AND EXTENSION ACTIVITIES

Training : • Abhishek Naik a 9th Std. student of Westchester Bayard Rustin High School at

Westchester in USA spent about a month of July 2016 at AHD to get experience of livestock management. He was given information about sheep and goat management, data collection and office work. He participated in some of the daily work on AHD‟s

livestock farms such as weighing of animals, crop area measurement, feeding of animals and data entry in the office.

During the year AHD conducted the following training courses.

Sr. No.

Date Subject Participants

1. 9 September 2016

Sheep and Goat Management

25 Farmers and 5 veterinary officers from Mahabubnagar, Andhra Pradesh sent through Deputy Director (AH), Veterinary Poly Clinic, Andhra Pradesh under National Livestock Mission.

2. 22 September 2016

Artificial insemination in goats

17 Paravets of Lupin Welfare and Research Foundation, Pune, Maharashtra (They were from

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Aurangabad, Dhule and Pune districts.) 3. 18 and 20

October 2016 Artificial insemination in goats

Total 116 Veterinarians from Govt of Karnataka‟s Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services at Bengaluru and Munirabad districts. (Two training courses were held by Dr. P.M. Ghalsasi at Hebbal and Bengaluru.)

4. 25-27 October 2016

Sheep Management and AI

Shri Gundaboina Rajashekhar, Gundampally, Dist. Mahabubabad and Shri Polepally Amarender Reddy, Kothagattu Singaram, Dist. Warangal, Telangana

5. 26 November 2016

Artificial insemination in goats

Prithviraj Chavan from Wai, Dr. Avinash Deo and Chandrashekhar Khese from Pune, Maharashtra

6. 15 January 2017

Artificial insemination in goats

Nitin Nandurkar from Chandrapur, Asif Inamdar from Solapur and Mr. Chandrashekhar Khese from Pune, Maharashtra

7. 24-25 January 2017

Principles of freezing buck semen and artificial insemination in goats

Dr. Manjusha Patil (Hospital Registrar, ARGO cum In-service Ph.D. student) and Dr. Ganesh Patil from Post Graduate Institute of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Akola, Maharashtra

8. 13-17 February 2017

Artificial insemination in goats

Dr. Mukul Anand, Asst. Prof., Dept. of Physiology, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Mathura, UP

Mahbubnagar farmers’ training visit

Extension activities : Dissemination of NARI Suwarna sheep for breeding.

Sr. No. Date Name of the person

No. of animals supplied Rams Ewes

FecBBB FecBB+ FecBBB FecBB+

1. 19 May 2016 Asst. Director, Veterinary Hospital, Tiptur,

Dist. Tumkur, Karnataka (10 ewes by Doddaraju) 20 30 10 0

2. 20 June 2016 Dr. Sunita Vikas Mahatme, Nagpur, Maharashtra 1 0 3 0

3. 25 July 2016 Mr. Prabhakar Nivruti Kolekar, Newasa, Dist. Ahmednagar, Maharashtra 0 1 0 1

Mahbubnagar (A.P.) farmers’

training visit

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4. 9 August 2016 Mr. Challa Venkat Kishor, Kampli, Karnataka 2 0 12 23

5. 30 September 2016

Asst. Director, Veterinary Hospital, Sira, Dist. Tumkur, Karnataka 16 4 0 0

6. 30 September 2016

Asst. Director, Veterinary Hospital, Tiptur, Dist. Tumkur, Karnataka (by Doddaraju) 10 0 0 0

7. 3 October 2016 Mr. Sharad Vishwanath Gaikwad, Chopdaj, Tal. Baramati, Maharashtra 1 0 0 0

8. 21 November 2016

Mr. Akshay Subhash Gaikwad, Padvi, Tal. Daund, Maharashtra 2 0 2 3

9. 23 January 2017

Shri A. Kishan Reddy, Karimnagar, Hyderabad, Telangana 2 0 2 10

10. 25 January 2017

Shri Kambam Papi Reddy, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh 1 0 0 0

11. 1 February 2017

Shri Shivaji Patil, Songaon, Tal. Baramati, Maharashtra 0 1 1 1

12. 2 February 2017

Shri Dadaso Hanumant Waghmode, Bhamburdi, Tal Malshiras, Maharashtra 0 1 1 1

13. 2 February 2017

Shri Ravindra Baburao More, Bhamburdi, Tal. Malshiras, Maharashtra 0 0 1 1

14. 4 February 2017

Shri Rahul Awate, Miraj, Dist. Sangli, Maharashtra 0 0 2 1

15. 4 February 2017

Shri Rajendra Raghunath Shinde, Rethare Harnaksha, Tal. Walva, Maharashtra 0 1 1 1

16. 4 February 2017

Shri Rajendra Shivaji Pawar, Rethare, Tal. Walva, Maharashtra 0 0 1 1

17. 4 February 2017

Shri Vijay Mali, Rajwardhan Sheli Farm, Palus, Dist. Sangli, Maharashtra 0 0 2 0

18. 7 February 2017

Shri Sunil Gulabrao Khomane, Korhale, Tal. Baramati, Maharashtra 1 0 0 0

19. 7 March 2017 Shri Waman Bhagwan Bhure, Wadgaon Nimbalkar, Tal. Baramati, Maharashtra 2 0 15 2

20. 30 March 2017 Barakh Goat Farm, Khandala, Dist. Satara, Maharashtra 0 3 0 0

Total 58 41 53 45

Buyers of more than 50 frozen semen straws of bucks each.

Mr. Mahesh Sarjerao Tule with one

of his NARI Suwarna ewes on his

farm at Kedgaon, Taluka Daund.

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Sr. No. Name Number of straws supplied

Boer Damascus Osmanabadi Alpine X Beetal

1 Hemant Kadam, Girvi, Dist. Satara, MS 36 1 60 0

2 Shriam Bothekar, Phaltan, Dist. Satara, MS 25 0 68 17

3 Hariom Enterprises, Baramati, Dist. Pune, MS 250 0 75 0

4 Anand Jadhav, Sakharwadi, Dist. Satara, MS 23 0 80 0

5 Unique Farmers Development Pvt Ltd. Nashik, MS 90 0 30 0

6 Mann Deshi Foundation, Mhaswad, Dist. Satara, MS 220 85 70 25

7 Sarde, Bhigwan, Dist. Pune, MS 50 0 100 0

8 Shivaji Balkrishna More, Tulsi, Dist. Solapur, MS 250 5 455 0

9 Ratilal Nawale, Tembhurni, Dist. Solapur, MS 10 0 80 0

10 Yasharaj Pashuseva Kendra, Rajegaon, Dist. Pune, MS 50 20 80 20

11 Lupin Foundation, Aurangabad and Dhule, MS 341 31 149 3

12 Pashuvishwa Agro Limited, Rahuri, Dist. Ahmednagar, MS 215 35 0 0

13 Amol Chintaman, Tembhurni, Dist. Solapur, MS 80 0 60 0

14 Nitin Nandurkar, Ramnagar, Dist. Chandrapur, MS 60 0 0 0

15 The Goat Trust, Lucknow, UP 75 0 225 0

16 Dept of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Govt of Karnataka 0 0 20000 0

17 Nikhil Ratnam, Gulberga, KA 0 138 69 0 18 Anis Shaikh, Baitul, MP 40 10 0 10 19 Tangen Lab, Mysore, KA 1000 100 0 100 20 Venkatesh Reddy, Bellavi, KA 50 30 0 0

Total 2865 455 21601 175 Dissemination of seeds and other products. The following products were disseminated to farmers and for research purposes during the past year. Sr. No. Safflower seed Quantity (Kg)

1. NARI-6 415 2. NARI-57 221 3. NARI-NH-1 54 Total 690

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Sr. No. Sweet sorghum seed Quantity (Kg)

1. Madhura-3 210 2. Madhura 48 3. Madhura-2 24 Total 282

Safflower oil : 154 kg Safflower petal herbal tea : 118 kg Madhura sweet sorghum syrup : 487 kg Cactus pads : 164 kg Stylosanthes seabrana seed : 75 kg

V. TRAINING RECEIVED BY NARI STAFF

1. A Moderation Workshop was organized at office of Animal Husbandry Division of Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), Phaltan, Dist. Satara on 10-12 August 2016 jointly by NARI and Adharshila for Socio Economic Transformation and Welfare, New Delhi (Partner organization of Heifer International). Mr. Abhinav Gaurav of Heifer International India conducted this training. Heifer works in communities for women empowerment, increasing income, improving nutrition and building social capital in terms of a value system and promoting self-reliance. Participants were seven employees of NARI and eight employees from partner organizations of Heifer India from Bihar, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. The objective of the training was to make participants aware of participatory/interactive training methods and techniques, how to set objectives of a training program, how to conduct it in a participatory manner and how to document and evaluate it as well as the importance of communication.

2. Dr. Chanda Nimbkar attended a training course in the use of the genetic analysis software ASReml, given by one of the creators of the software, Prof. Arthur Gilmour from Australia, at the Central Institute of Fisheries Education in Mumbai on 13-15 October 2016.

3. Dr. Mayur Gadekar, breeder (Sorghum) received one day training on “Digitization of sorghum genetic resource management‟ on 25 March 2017 at the Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), Hyderabad.

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VI. VISITORS TO NARI

1. Visits by individuals during the year to see research and development activities at NARI i. „Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation Team‟ to meet Shri B. V. Nimbkar and beneficiaries of

the projects in agriculture and animal husbandry implemented by him on 1 June 2016.

ii. Dr. Suzanne Boschma, a research agronomist and senior scientist at the Tamworth Agricultural Institute of Department of Primary Industries in New South Wales, Australia visited NARI on invitation of Shri B. V. Nimbkar as an advisor for pasture development programme of NARI from 10 to 20 February 2017. She visited NARI head office, AHD farms at Wadjal, Dhuldeo and Rajale, Nimbkar Seeds Pvt. Ltd. and Poly House. She gave a presentation on her work in Australia on pasture development on 15 February 2017. She had been taken to show surrounding village areas of Vinchurni, Tathawade, Upalave and Bhade. There were discussions between B. V. Nimbkar, Dr. Nandini Nimbkar and Dr. Chanda Nimbkar with her regarding pasture development on NARI farms.

During her stay she visited the following institutions at Baramati on 14 February 2017 and had discussions regarding pasture development with concerned officers.

1. Krishi Vigyan Kendra 2. ICAR-National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management 3. College of Agriculture and Allied Sciences

She also visited the following institutes and gave presentation on pasture development.

1. University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka on 18 February 2017. 2. Office of the Chief Conservator of Forests, Pune, Maharashtra on 20 February 2017.

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Sr. No.

Date Visitor‟s name Visitor‟s organization or place Purpose of visit

1. 1/4/2016 Mr. G. S. Kamthe Shivari, Tal. Purandar Information about safflower petal 2. 9/4/2016 Mr. S. L. Narkhede and

Dr. S. K. S. Chauhan J. K. Paper Ltd., Songadh, Gujarat

To discuss the shortcomings in the procedure of preparing NARI Nirbeeja saplings at NARI

3. 13/4/2016 Mr. S. A. Naik-Nimbalkar Wather (Nimbalkar), Tal. Phaltan

Information about safflower

4. 19/4/2016 Mr. K. K. Wabale Mr. B. T. Chandgude Mr. R. L. Wabale Mr. Shaikh

At Post : Karhati, Tal. Baramati, Dist. Pune

Collect information on safflower (non-spiny variety and hybrid) and seed for sowing

5. 25/4/2016 Prof. Ranaware Malojiraje Sheti Vidyalaya, Phaltan, Dist. Satara

Information about safflower project

6. 29/4/2016 Dr. R. K. Singh, Chief Managing Director

National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation, New Delhi and Anik Financial Services

To get information about the research and development activities of AHD.

7. 2/5/2016 Dr. N. Y. Kadoo Ms. Neha Jamdade Ms. Gayatri Salunkhe

National Chemical Laboratory, Pune

NASF Project : Field visit for assessment of safflower material

8. 3/5/2016 Mr. Girish Phanse Mr. Dattatraya Ragade

Phaltan, Dist. Satara Srinath Nursery, Wathar Colony

Consultation on Leucaena seedling preparation and rooting of cuttings for large scale production

9. 4/5/2016 Dr. Bilson Shukla Elkay Chemicals Ltd. Pune Agrochemical testing 10. 12/5/2016 Mr. V. B. Patil

Sr. Manager, Agronomy Jain Irrigation, Jalgaon For installation of drip at Tambmal farm

11. 12/5/2016 Mr. S. J. Dange Marketing Engineer

Jain Irrigation, Satara For installation of drip at Tambmal farm

12. 12/5/2016 Mr. A. N. Kamble Jain Irrigation, Satara Survey for drip irrigation 13. 23/5/2016 Mr. Anand Atre, Director TTPL

Ms. Asmita Atre. Director TTPL Mr. Ajit Apte, M.D. TTPL

Transparent Technology Pvt. Ltd., Pune

Discussions regarding refrigeration for vegetable vendors, refrigeration using heat of water from solar water sterilizer, automatic syrup

65

manufacturing 14. 26/5/2016 Dr. S. B. Koli, Dist. Dy.

Commissioner Animal Husbandry Department, Satara District

To inspect the setup of Frozen Semen Laboratory established under the Central Sector Scheme funded by GOI, Ministry of Agriculture, Dept of DADF

15. 4/6/2016 Secretary with staff members The Agricultural Produce Market Committee, Phaltan, Dist. Satara, Maharashtra

To see weighing scales on AHD farm and to discuss about sell of goats and sheep on weight basis in the Market Yard.

16.

20/6/2016

Sitaram K. Managing Trustee, Grameen Mall Foundation and Mr. Mahesh Motkar, CEO Pixelstat eSolutions Development Pvt. Ltd.

Secunderabad Hyderabad

Carrying out work on value addition to millets by persons in a village, selling cold-pressed safflower oil. Preparing e-learning material, hosting web-sites (Go Daddy), farmer training etc. and wanted seed of improved safflower varieties.

17. 24/6/2016 Anvesh Gaddan Vijay Duryodhan

IIT, Bombay (Ph.D. Scholars) General meeting to find out how they can help us in our work

18. 8/7/2016 Pravin and Aparna Bhagwat Manish Jain + Manoj Misra

Founder & CEO, Mojo Networks Inc., Mountainview, California IUCAA, Pune

Discussion regarding how IITK alumni can help NARI

19. 17/7/2016 Dr. S. K. S. Chauhan JK Paper Ltd. Songadh, Gujarat To take the 20 Kg Tarramba seed imported from Australia and discuss regarding various issues regarding Leucaena

20. 27/7/2016 Dr. Bilson Shukhla Elkay Chemicals Ltd., Pune Agrochemical testing 21. 4/8/2016 Dr. Pradeep Chatterjee

Mr. Chintamani Joshi Cummins, Pune TCS, Pune

To discuss about how they can contribute to further NARI‟s work

22. 8 to Vaishnavi Beldar Kamala Nimbkar Balbhavan, NARI work experience

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11/8/2016 Bushara Sande Sanika Pawar Siddhi Gundage Tanmay More Harshawardhan Mohite Avirat Kachre Parikshit Vishe Aditya Ahiwale

Phaltan, Dist. Satara

23. 9/8/2016 Dr. Sushmita Parai Heifer India, Uttar Pradesh Dr. Parai along with eight staff members of partner organizations of Heifer India from Bihar, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan visited AHD for Moderation workshop and to get information about AHD‟s work. They visited Kamone village to see field work of NARI under AICRP-Osmanabadi goat improvement project

24. 9/8/2016 Mr. S. D. Jadhav At Post : Kumthe, Tal. Satara. Dist. Satara

Information on sweet sorghum

25. 26/8/2016 Dr. Ravi Kulkarni Dr. Bilson Shukla

Elkay Chemicals Ltd., Pune Visit to see the okra trial sponsored by them

26. 6/9/2016 Mr. B. Salunkhe + 4 persons Advanta Co. Sweet sorghum seeds 27. 6/9/2016 Ms. P. M. Rasal

Ms. A. D. Todkar College of Engineering, Phaltan, Dist. Satara

Information about soil analysis procedure

28. 10/9/2016 Dr. Sanjeevani Kulkarni Mrs. P. N. Gorule

Pune Information about organic jaggery, safflower oil, organic biofertilizer

29. 10/9/2016 Mr. V. B. Mahadik Akluj, Tal. Malshiras, Dist. Solapur

Information about safflower research

30. 12/9/2016 Mr. A. B. Dombe Mahyco, Phaltan Dist. Satara He thought the plot of Mahyco Bajara looked very good and came to see it

31. 13/9/2016 Mr. Mukund Khochore Narsobachiwadi, Tal. Shirol Information about safflower and sweet sorghum research

32. 15/9/2016 Ashok Joshi Sada Dumbre

Indsearch Sustainable Group Discussion with Dr. Rajvanshi about NARI research work

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Sanjay Basu Ramakrishnan Mr. Shringarpure and Mrs. Shringarpure

33. 27/9/2016 Mr. Prathamesh Bhosale Mr. Vrushabh Bhosale

Y. C. College, Satara Information about ethanol stove

34. 15/10/2016 Mr. K. D. Baradkar + 2 persons Pratap Engineers

Sai Udyog, Natepute, Dist. Solapur

Wanted to know about machinery for sweet sorghum ethanol production especially milling machinery

35. 20/10/2016 Mr. Ravindra Shah Uttam Biotech, Mumbai To get information on safflower petal and sweet sorghum

36. 22/10/2016 Ms. Reshma Jadhav Krishi Mahavidyalaya, Phaltan, Dist. Satara

To get information about safflower

37. 3/11/2016 Kay Bee Exports Phaltan, Dist. Satara Information about rainfall data 38. 10/11/2016 Mr. Kishan Rao P. (Farmer)

Mr. K. V. Rajasekharan (Journalist) Pune Visit to find out more about safflower and take

seeds 39. 22/12/2016 Mr. V. B. Deshpande +

Mr. Prakash Deshpande Bhosari, Pune Information about safflower

40. 28/12/2016 Dhanashree Shukla + 1 Pune Information about safflower 41. 7/1/2017 Mr. S. M. Dhere Pandharpur, Dist. Solapur Information about sweet sorghum and safflower 42. 7/1/2017 Mr. A. V. Kapse Satara Information about sweet sorghum 43. 9/1/2017 Mr. Vishal S. Doshi

7th class student Kamala Nimbkar Balbhavan Phaltan, Dist. Satara

Information about solar project

44. 9/1/2017 1. Dr. O. P. Chaudhary, Joint Secretary 2. Dr. Bharti Singh

Director I/C

1. Dept. of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, GOI

2. Central Poultry Development Organization (WR) MOA, DAD&F, GOI New Delhi

To see AHD‟s research and development work in sheep and goats. They were accompanied by officers from Animal Husbandry Commissioner office, Pune and District Deputy Commissioner, Satara, Maharashtra

45. 11/1/2017 Dr. A. V. Umakanth, Principal Scientist (Plant Breeding)

IIMR, Hyderabad

Monitoring the AICSIP trials

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Dr. K. N. Ganpathy, Scientist (Plant Breeding) Dr. K. K. Sharma, Principal Scientist (Plant Breeding)

IIMR, Hyderabad Solapur

46. 13/1/2017 Ms. Gayatri Salunkhe Ms. Neha Jamdade + 1

National Chemical Laboratory, Pune

NASF trial plant sampling at Wadjal

47. 19/1/2017 Ms. Neha Jamdade Ms. Gayatri Salunkhe + 1

National Chemical Laboratory, Pune

NASF trial plant sampling at Wadjal

48. 20/1/2017 Mr. M. R. Nigade Mr. S. D. Taware Mr. P. S. Kalbhor

Someshwar Engg. College, Someshwar, Dist. Pune

Information about weather data

49. 24/1/2017 Dr. P. S. Srinivas, Senior Scientist (Entomology) Dr. Jagdish Singh, Breeder (AICRP, Safflower) Dr. C. Sudhakar, Agronomist (AICRP, Safflower) Dr. H. Virupaksha prabhu, Plant Pathologist (AICRP, Safflower)

IIOR, Hyderabad (Telangana) RISKVV, Indore (M.P.) ARS, Tandur (Telangana) ARS, Annigeri (Karnataka)

Monitoring the safflower trials

50. 25/1/2017 Mr. S. C. Patil GrainPro. Pune To give information about grain storage products 51. 27/1/2017 Mr. Rajendra S. Jadhav Gove, Dist. Satara Information on sweet sorghum 52. 7/2/2017 Dr. N. P. Singh

Dr. B. Sajjanar Dr. Yogeshwar Singh

Director, ICAR-National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management, Baramati, Dist. Pune Scientist, Animal Biotechnology, Sr. Scientist, Agronomy

To give information about the current projects at NIASM and to hand over their literature and to get information about AHD‟s research and development work in sheep and goats

53. 27/2/2017 Nilesh Ghorpade Satara Sweet sorghum information 54. 11/3/2017 Hon. Justice Shrimati Mridula

Bhatkar Mumbai High Court,

Mumbai To see the institute

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Dr. Anuja Purandare, M.D. (Pathology) Smt. Saudamini Nawathe

55. 14/3/2017 Mr. Bhushan Kale Mumbai Information about safflower petal tea 56. 18/3/2017 Mr. Jyoti Deka Pune See the renewable energy work at the Institute

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3. Visits by groups during the year to see research and development activities at NARI

Sr. No.

Date No. of persons

Type of group Organized by

1. 10 June 2016 (H.O.)

13 10 students of M.Sc. (Economics) first year with 2 teachers, 1 intern and 1 coordinator

Gokhale Institute, Pune Dr. D. R. Gadgil Center for Sustainable Village Development

2. 16 August 2016 (AHD)

92 Women SHG members and farmers with coordinator

Mann Deshi Foundation, Mhaswad, Tal. Man, Dist. Satara, MS.

3. 24 August 2016 (AHD)

95 Students with teachers

Zilla Parishad Prathamik Shala, Phadtarwadi, Tal. Phaltan, Dist. Satara, MS.

4. 27August 2016 (AHD)

10 Pashusakhis Samuday Pashudhan Prabandhak, Tal. Saleksa, Dist. Gondia, MS.

5. 30 August 2016 (AHD)

300 Students Shriman Dhanyakumar Ratanchand Gandhi Vidyalaya, Dhuldeo, Tal. Phaltan, Dist. Satara, MS.

6. 13 September 2016 (H.O.)

6 Students and a teacher

Aurangabad

7. 20 September 2016 (AHD)

50 Women trainees Mann Deshi Udyogini Vyavsay Prashikshan Kendra, Vaduj, Tal. Khatav, Dist. Satara, MS.

8. 26 September 2016 (AHD)

60 Women trainees Mann Deshi Foundation Vyavsay Prashikshan Kendra, Mhaswad, Tal. Man, Dist. Satara, MS

9. 7 December 2016 (AHD)

50 Students with teachers

Institute of Agri and Dairy Sciences, Loni, Tal. Rahata, Dist. Ahmednagar, MS.

10. 12 December 2016 (AHD)

25 Farmers with staff member

Lupin Human Welfare and Research Foundation, Aurangabad, MS.

11. 23 December 2016 (AHD)

15 Farmers with Agri. Supervisor

Taluka Agricultural Office, Palus, Tal. Indapur, Dist. Sangli, MS.

12. 27 December 2016 (AHD)

15 Farmers Takarkhade, Tal. Chikhali, Dist. Buldana, MS.

13. 8 February 2017 (AHD)

15 Women trainees and staff members

Mann Deshi Foundation, Lonand Branch, Tal. Phaltan, Dist. Satara, MS.

14. 22 February 2017

22 Trainees Agri Clinic and Agri Business Centre, Osmanabad, Dist. Osmanabad, MS.

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(AHD) 15. 7 March 2017

(AHD) 9 Farmers with

officer Deputy Commissioner, Animal Husbandry, Talpsachi, Rajgurunagar, Dist. Pune under Maharashtra Agricultural Competitiveness Programme.

16. 14 March 2017 (AHD)

30 Farmers Farmers Association, Chimbali, Dist. Pune, MS.

17 21 March 2017 (AHD)

25 Farmers with officer

Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Khandala, Dist. Satara, MS.

18. 30 March 2017 (AHD)

11 Trainees with staff

Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Baramati, MS.

19. 30 March 2017 (H.O.)

60 58 students of B.Sc. fourth semester and 2 professors

College of Agriculture, Shardanagar, Baramati

VIII. APPOINTMENTS

Dr. Chanda Nimbkar was appointed as a member of the International Advisory Committee of the Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH), a joint venture of the Roslin Institute of the University of Edinburgh, Scotland‟s Rural College (SRUC) and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Nairobi. CTLGH, established in 2014, was initially funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and has research programs in dairy and poultry genomics, reproductive technologies and health genetics, underpinned by world-class informatics and biorepository resources. Dr. Nimbkar‟s interests and experience were considered valuable to the Centre.

IX. HONOURS

1. The „V. M. Kolekar Award for Distinguished Past Students of Mudhoji High School, Phaltan was conferred on Dr. Chanda Nimbkar on 26 January 2017 in a ceremony held at the Republic Day Function at Mudhoji High School, Phaltan.

2. Shri B. V. Nimbkar was honored with the prestigious Jamnalal Bajaj award for „Application of Science and Technology for Rural Development -2016‟ on 7 November 2016 at Jamnalal Bajaj Bhavan, Mumbai.