ICRISAT Hosts Policy Dialogue to Address Critical Issues in India’s Pulse and Legume Seed Systems
14 November 2024, New Delhi: Aligned with India’s goal of self-reliance in pulses by 2027, ICRISAT, in collaboration with the Centre for Research on Innovation and Science Policy (CRISP), hosted a Policy Dialogue on the “Future of Pulses and Legumes Seed Systems in India” to develop actionable solutions for building resilient seed systems. The dialogue was part of the CGIAR’s Seed Equal Research Initiative, which seeks to deliver quality seeds of improved crop varieties through national partnerships.
Held at ICRISAT’s headquarters in Hyderabad, India, the event brought together high-level government officials, public and private sector representatives, NGOs, seed companies, storage firms, farmer groups, and ICRISAT scientists, aiming to drive a shared vision for transforming India’s pulse and legume seed systems.
Ms Shubha Thakur, Additional Secretary—Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, commended ICRISAT’s work on rice fallows in Odisha and encouraged researchers to explore unconventional approaches to boost agricultural productivity.
“I urge researchers, along with public and private sector stakeholders, to address the gap in translating research findings into practical solutions at the farm level,” said Ms Thakur.
India’s seed systems for pulses and legumes are currently driven by public sector programs that aim to improve access through subsidies. Yet, these efforts struggle to meet the diverse demands of farmers, especially in rural and remote areas.
Limited private sector involvement and the absence of a strong value chain have further constrained growth in the sector. Policies often fail to address the seed system complexities, resulting in a persistent gap between the demand and supply of high-quality varieties.
During the event, an impact brief highlighting ICRISAT’s work on pulse cultivation in Odisha’s rice fallows was released.
“Insights from projects, like the one in Odisha, can guide policymakers in making decisions that transform the lives of smallholder farmers on multiple fronts—from boosting farm incomes and enhancing soil health to empowering women, improving nutrition, and building on indigenous knowledge preserved through informal seed systems,” said Dr Stanford Blade, Director General–Interim & Deputy Director General–Research at ICRISAT.
Ms Maninder Kaur Dwivedi, Additional Secretary (DM, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, and Seeds) of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, said that farmers should be offered a comprehensive package of farming practices, rather than focusing on a single crop and suggested exploring niche pulse markets. She said that the adoption of new varieties was often hindered by factors like cooking time and taste preferences.
Policy issues were discussed at length in three moderated sessions involving stakeholders across the value chain. ICRISAT will curate a series of policy briefs to present the outcomes of this dialogue, said Dr Manzoor Dar, Global Head of Seed Systems at ICRISAT, who emphasized the critical role of enabling policies in fostering a robust seed sector for pulses and legumes essential for sustainable production systems.
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