Current Science

D. R. Palsaniya ¹, S. K. Rai ¹, Purusottam Sharma ¹, Satyapriya ¹, P. K. Ghosh ¹

Affiliations
1 Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Gwalior Road, Jhansi 284 003, IN

Abstract

Natural Resources (NR) are not only important in enhancing and sustaining economic growth, but are also key in reducing poverty through providing employment, livelihood and food security. However, these resources have been largely overexploited in an unsustainable manner for human welfare. Climate change-related events have further threatened our NR. The extreme weather events may be related to climate change and are expected to further accelerate in the coming years.

Full Text

   

Anup Das ¹, R. K. Singh ¹, G. I. Ramkrushna ¹, Jayanta Layek ¹, A. K. Tripathi ¹, S. V. Ngachan ¹, B. U. Choudhury ¹, D. P. Patel ², D. J. Rajkhowa ¹, Debasish Chakroborty ¹, P. K. Ghosh ³

Affiliations
1 ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam 793 103, IN
2 ICAR-National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management, Baramati 413 115, IN
3 ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi 284 003, IN

Abstract

The north eastern region (NER) of India receives bountiful rains (>2000 mm) annually. However, there is extreme water scarcity during post- and premonsoon season (November-March). In such a situation, roof water harvesting (RWH) holds promise for multiple livelihood opportunities. RWH unit with polyfilm lined water collection tank of 37 m³ storage capacity (i.e. 5.5 x 4.5 x 1.5 m³) was demonstrated at 11 farmers fields mostly on hill tops in the Ri-Bhoi district (Meghalaya). The average demonstration area was 500 m²/farmer in the vicinity of homesteads (kitchen gardens). Volume of water harvested in a collection tank was about 53 m³ including about 16 m³ harvested during dry season due to seasonal replenishment. The cost of water harvesting was estimated at about Rs 144 and Rs 119/m³ considering lifespan of five and ten years respectively. Farmers used harvested water for diversified activities such as raising crops [maize, broccoli, French bean, laipatta (Brassica juncea), tomato, etc.] and livestock (pig or poultry) in addition to domestic use. The farmers without RWH could use land only during rainy season for crop cultivation. On an average, the net income from each RWH based model (500 m² demonstration area) was Rs 14,910 for crop + piggery and Rs 11,410 for crop + poultry farming which was 261 and 176% higher, respectively than the normal farmers' practice. Similarly, employment and water use efficiency enhanced by 221 and 586%; and 168 and 218% under crop + piggery and crop + poultry based farming respectively.

Keywords

Jalkund, Multiple Use of Water, NER Hills, Rain Water Harvesting, Silpaulin.

Full Text

   

Gurbachan Singh ¹, A. R. Sharma ¹, P. K. Ghosh ¹, Y. S. Shivay ¹

Affiliations
1 Indian Society of Agronomy, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, IN

Abstract

The 4th International Agronomy Congress was inaugurated by M. S. Swaminathan (World Food Laureate). The Congress took note of the fact that today’s agriculture is challenged by climate change, land degradation, loss of biodiversity, food and energy crisis, and population explosion. To liberate the developing world, especially South Asia and Africa, from the twin scourge of hunger and poverty, we need strategies for and greater investments in natural resource management (NRM) innovation-led, accelerated and sustainable agricultural growth, with emphasis on resource-poor smallholder farmers.

Full Text

   

J. Kumar ¹, R. K. Murali-Baskaran ¹, S. K. Jain ¹, P. N. Sivalingam ¹, A. Dixit ¹, J. Mallikarjuna ¹, P. K. Ghosh ¹

Affiliations
1 ICAR-National Institute of Biotic Stress Management, Raipur 493 225, IN

Abstract

Food crops in India suffer from many newly emerging and invading biotic stresses, i.e. insect pests/ diseases/weeds. For sustainable food production, it will be worthwhile to switch into novel mitigation measures rather than protecting the crops by traditional methods of pest management which are now outdated and incompetent. Emphasis must be laid on the identification of novel mitigation measures based upon molecular markers, transgenes, gene-editing technologies, nanotechnology, etc.

Full Text

   

J. Kumar ¹, R. K. Murali-Baskaran ¹, S. K. Jain ¹, P. N. Sivalingam ¹, J. Mallikarjuna ¹, Vinay Kumar ¹, K. C. Sharma ¹, J. Sridhar ¹, P. Mooventhan ¹, A. Dixit ¹, P. K. Ghosh ¹

Affiliations
1 ICAR-National Institute of Biotic Stress Management, Raipur 493 225, IN

Abstract

Food security of our country is at risk due to heavy yield losses of agricultural crops caused by pests and diseases known together as biotic stresses. Conventional management practices in vogue are not competent under the current situations obscured by the incitants of biotic stresses which have either enhanced their offensive capabilities due to adaptive mutations or regained their pathogenic/ herbivory potential owing to climate change. Numerous causal agents of biotic stresses are also introduced in the country or new regions of the country either through natural dispersal as invasive species, or on account of quarantine irregularities at national or international levels. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to appraise the impact of these new biotic stresses burgeoned in the recent past and to develop novel technologies for their management. To devise an effective preventive and eradicative strategy for containing these biotic stresses, new research innovations need to be practiced such as deciphering basic/molecular mechanism of host-pathogen/insect interactions; endophytic mechanisms of plant protection; nanotechnology in pest management; host resistance strengthening by gene cloning, recombinant DNA technologies, RNA biology, utilizing gene editing technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9, etc. This article presents a comprehensive account of new biotic stresses of agricultural crops built up in the country and also reviews the novel scientific inventions made worldwide which can be further employed to devise more efficient methods for alleviating impact of these biotic stresses of food crops in the country.

Keywords

Agriculture, Biotic Stress, Crops, Food Security, Management.

Full Text