Abstract
Small millets growers face various constraints in terms of production enhancement and drudgery in post-harvest operations. Even there are many reasons for low production, availability and affordability of context-specific seeds play a critical role for enhancing production. Farmers also don’t have accessibility to quality seeds as well as knowledge on the improved package of practices for seed conservation, procurement, and storage. This paper illustrates and analyses critically on various strategies adopted by Development of Humane Action (DHAN) Foundation during the implementation of “Revalorising small millets in rainfed regions of South Asia (RESMISA)” project followed by some other projects for improving local seed systems in Southern Odisha. The paper aims to identify context-specific strategies for improving small millets local seed systems.
Key words: small millets, civil society organizations, millet mission, climate-resilient
Introduction
DHAN Foundation, a professional development organization, was initiated on October 2, 1997. It works to make significant changes in the quality of life of the poor through innovative themes and institutions. DHAN Foundation works with 1,652,139 families having 66,012 groups in 19,291 villages, 2242 panchayats of 78 districts from 14 states. Its significant experience in the field of microfinance, rehabilitation of tanks, rain-fed farming, and coastal agriculture has resulted in promoting thematic institutions to anchor the developmental process in respective fields. The cross-cutting themes like health, sanitation, education, ICT for poor etc. add value to the main themes and helps to improve the standard of living of poor households (for more details, please visit www.dhan.org).
Tribal farmers are cultivating small millets such as Mandia (Finger millet), Suan (Little millet), Ganthia (Pearl millet) and Kangu (Foxtail millet) in Southern Odisha. DHAN Foundation has implemented two large scale projects i.e. RESMISA (for more details, please visit http://www.dhan.org/smallmillets). and “Scaling Up Small Millet Post-harvest and Nutritious Food Products (for more details, please visit http://www.dhan.org/smallmillets2).” projects as well as one state government project i.e. Special programme for the promotion of millets in tribal areas project (for more details, please visit http://www.milletsodisha.com) for the holistic development of small millet growers at Southern Odisha. This paper explains about different strategies adopted by the small millets growers to conserve local seeds as well as spread over Southern Odisha with the support of various organizations.
Existing local seed systems and practices
During baseline survey in 2011, it was found that farmers were facing crop loss due to the late onset of monsoon, dry spell within the crop period, heavy rains during harvest, and early withdrawal of monsoon etc. However, the adaptation of better context-specific quality seeds plays a major role in production enhancement in the context of climate variation. It was found that around 13 per cent of finger millet farmers were using released varieties. The remaining farmers were cultivating local varieties. Similarly, 100 per cent of farmers of little millet and foxtail millet growers were dependent on own-farm saved seeds. It was observed that 84.50 per cent of the finger millet farmers in the sample used farm-saved seeds. The second major source of seed i.e. 14.73 per cent was found to be from the government department, especially through the block agriculture extension officer. However, own farm seeds are having lots of mixtures and impurities which leads to low germination as well as production. Farmers also don’t adopt seed germination and seed treatment methods for before sowing it. Sometimes, sowing of a high seed rate also impacts negatively on crop production.
Participatory varietal selection (PVS): An effective tool for improving informal seed system
Fig-1.
Extensive research trials were conducted for on-farm conservation and improvement of crop diversity during RESMISA project implementation phase. Many farmers have adopted context-specific seeds as well as sustainable agriculture practices (SAP) for enhancing yield. Identification of varieties and its multiplication was done through a series of trials within 3 to 4 years. The detail of the model is explained in the
Figure 1: On-farm conservation and improvement of varietal diversity
The process of diversifying varieties starts with the exploration of traditional varieties among farmers through transact walk during the cropping season. Moreover, agro-biodiversity fairs were conducted where farmers interacted regarding availability as well as the performance of the indigenous varieties. These varieties are conserved through Bio-diversity (different varieties were grown within the same agro-climatic condition to observe their performance) blocks within same agro-climatic conditions followed by Mother Trials (critical comparison of varieties based on physiological characterization and farmers preference analysis), Baby Trials (large area demonstration with local check varieties) and Informal Research & Dissemination (wide spread of varieties among farmers) trials. Community seed bank played an important role in terms of seed purification, mass multiplication as well as seed distribution. However, custodian farmers were encouraged to conserve traditional varieties.
Conservation of indigenous varieties
Conservation of indigenous varieties is facilitated through interested custodian farmers with the help of bio-diversity blocks. Farmers are encouraged with the incentives from the Bio-diversity fund. The details of the performance of local indigenous varieties conserved in one bio-diversity block are given as follows.
Table 1: Performance of various local varieties of finger millet
| SL. No. | Name of the varieties | Plant Population | Plant Height | No. tillers /plant | Length of finger | No. of fingers | Grain yield |
| 1 | Jana | 47.29 | 63.23 | 1.37 | 5.89 | 5.1 | 487.86 |
| 2 | Dinda | 40.00 | 56.20 | 1.53 | 5.93 | 5.5 | 482.50 |
| 3 | Bhalu | 51.21 | 59.54 | 1.71 | 5.57 | 5.1 | 482.38 |
| 4 | Bodel | 42.93 | 57.00 | 1.43 | 5.49 | 5.2 | 479.76 |
| 5 | Machhadim | 50.58 | 67.07 | 1.43 | 5.47 | 5.1 | 446.25 |
| 6 | Kada | 46.58 | 60.83 | 1.40 | 5.60 | 5.0 | 443.06 |
| 7 | Sana | 47.64 | 56.29 | 1.57 | 5.54 | 4.4 | 441.79 |
| 8 | Badu | 54.07 | 54.80 | 1.60 | 5.54 | 5.2 | 428.81 |
| 9 | Bada | 50.80 | 51.32 | 1.60 | 5.60 | 5.3 | 425.17 |
| 10 | Kempu | 47.50 | 49.00 | 1.27 | 5.20 | 4.7 | 412.50 |
| 11 | Madai Muskuli | 40.21 | 56.54 | 1.57 | 5.30 | 5.1 | 404.64 |
| 12 | Mati | 44.00 | 54.49 | 1.49 | 5.49 | 4.7 | 396.90 |
| 13 | Mami | 43.14 | 51.60 | 1.51 | 5.17 | 4.7 | 396.90 |
| 14 | Bodi | 46.86 | 55.66 | 1.49 | 5.00 | 4.6 | 392.98 |
| 15 | Gangabali | 52.42 | 67.83 | 1.57 | 6.77 | 5.4 | 392.92 |
| 16 | Karenga | 53.79 | 62.46 | 1.54 | 5.60 | 5.4 | 386.43 |
| 17 | Bag Chhod | 55.14 | 56.69 | 1.46 | 5.80 | 4.9 | 382.44 |
| 18 | Kadlipheni | 59.50 | 60.40 | 1.40 | 6.20 | 5.8 | 373.33 |
| 19 | Jam Mandia | 47.83 | 56.03 | 1.43 | 5.42 | 5.2 | 371.25 |
| 20 | Bati | 46.43 | 54.23 | 1.37 | 5.07 | 5.2 | 365.24 |
| 21 | Sunamani | 40.50 | 49.36 | 1.64 | 5.24 | 4.8 | 363.00 |
| 22 | Chilli | 47.14 | 59.29 | 1.43 | 6.44 | 5.4 | 356.37 |
| 23 | Deng Semili | 45.57 | 61.14 | 1.57 | 5.37 | 5.3 | 349.88 |
| 24 | Dasarabodi | 51.79 | 56.71 | 1.86 | 5.31 | 5.2 | 348.81 |
| 25 | Richika | 42.71 | 54.97 | 1.40 | 5.29 | 5.3 | 346.43 |
| 26 | Dudhkerenga | 47.57 | 53.00 | 1.40 | 5.34 | 5.2 | 326.07 |
| 27 | Kala Kerenga | 37.80 | 64.28 | 1.72 | 5.88 | 5.3 | 301.33 |
| 28 | Raja | 35.00 | 53.20 | 1.40 | 6.20 | 6.0 | 293.33 |
| 29 | Echhai | 49.07 | 48.97 | 1.46 | 5.51 | 4.9 | 292.26 |
Source: Bio-diversity Block, 2013
N: B: There is a lower yield of the varieties as per the released information is due to long dry spell during the particular agriculture season.
These varieties are being conserved through custodian farmers and handed over to agriculture research institutes like GKVK, TNAU, ARS, KVK, RRTTS etc. for bringing into formal seed systems. Moreover, further PVS is undertaken for strengthening informal seed systems in the interior areas through the Resmisa Research Coordination Committee (RRCC) as well as the federation. Better performing varieties are also being distributed among various organizations to spread in respective working areas.
Introduction of improved varieties
Many of the farmers are interested in cultivating improved varieties of seeds mainly aiming better yield. However, it is necessary to develop context-specific seed varieties. DHAN Foundation has introduced improved varieties based on the comparison and farmers preference analysis (FPA) from PVS as well as informal seed systems. Under the same agronomic practices and agro-climatic conditions with the same farmer, the performance of the bio-diversity block (table-1 and table-2) has been compared. The performance of the various released varieties has been given below.
Table 2: Performance of various local varieties of finger millet
| SL. No. | Name of the varieties | Plant Population | Plant Height | No. tillers /plant | Length of finger | No. of fingers | Grain yield |
| 1 | GPU-48 | 47.75 | 60.30 | 1.60 | 5.70 | 5.8 | 602.50 |
| 2 | GPU-28 | 55.00 | 60.85 | 1.55 | 6.10 | 5.9 | 582.50 |
| 3 | GPU-66 | 49.75 | 61.90 | 1.65 | 6.50 | 6.2 | 552.50 |
| 4 | Bharati | 44.75 | 64.00 | 1.45 | 5.55 | 4.8 | 538.75 |
| 5 | Bhairabi | 45.13 | 67.45 | 1.60 | 6.10 | 5.1 | 477.50 |
| 6 | GPU-67 | 43.13 | 55.55 | 1.35 | 5.25 | 5.3 | 458.13 |
| 7 | Chilika | 53.38 | 69.10 | 1.45 | 6.25 | 5.3 | 451.88 |
| 8 | VR-847 | 37.00 | 64.65 | 1.50 | 5.20 | 5.5 | 421.25 |
| 9 | Champabati | 44.63 | 59.60 | 1.40 | 5.20 | 5.6 | 395.31 |
| 10 | Sri Chaitanya | 50.38 | 63.50 | 1.35 | 5.25 | 5.5 | 387.50 |
| 11 | Subhra | 48.67 | 52.40 | 1.27 | 5.53 | 5.0 | 355.42 |
| 12 | OEB-532 | 53.38 | 54.25 | 1.55 | 5.40 | 5.4 | 349.38 |
| 13 | Hema | 27.83 | 57.60 | 1.13 | 5.87 | 5.6 | 316.67 |
Source: Bio-diversity Block, 2013
From both table-1 and table-2, it is easily found that all GPU (expect GPU-67) series performed extremely better than all local varieties within the same agro-climatic conditions within a particular agronomic practice. It has been observed that four local varieties are performing better than nine released varieties. However, the further process was adopted to understand the farmers’ perception of the performance of varieties beyond higher yield. Hence, it was included in Mother Trials and Baby Trials to understand the performance based on context.
Improving the package of practices for production enhancement and seed procurement
DHAN Foundation educated farmers to adopt sustainable agriculture practices in order to improve production. Farmers adopted an improved package of practices on land preparation, cultivation and harvesting throughout the year. They adopted various methods of cultivation like Guli, System of millet intensification, transplant behind plough etc. Various methods were also adopted like educating on seed procurement techniques, sieving, storing through GrainPro bag etc. Farmers were able to rouge mixed plant with the help of a training programme organized by agriculture scientist. They could lend seeds to the neighbour as well as sell other organizations of different districts in Southern Odisha.
Varietal diversification
Indigenous varieties like Dasarabodi, Kala Kerenga, Bodel, Dinda, Chilli, Sunamani etc. give yield almost equal yield to some of the released varieties. It is necessary to adopt an improved package of practices to adopt climate change and harvest more yield. Organization has introduced various released varieties through on-farm trials. Data on the performance of varieties are given in the table-3
Table 3: Comparison of varieties
| SL. No. | Name of the varieties | Yield/ plot in kg ( Plot size 3 mX3.5 m) | |||||||
| Types of varieties | R1 | R2 | R3 | Total = (R1+R2+R3) | Mean yield | Yield /ha | Deviation from grand mean(2875.23) | ||
| 1 | Mati | Local | 2.55 | 2.9 | 3.45 | 8.9 | 2.97 | 2828.57 | -46.664 |
| 2 | Bati | Local | 2.4 | 2.9 | 2.2 | 7.5 | 2.5 | 2142.85 | -732.384 |
| 3 | Kala Kerenga | Local | 2.4 | 3.5 | 3.1 | 9 | 3 | 2857.14 | -18.094 |
| 4 | Sunamani | Local | 1.2 | 2.7 | 3.05 | 6.95 | 2.32 | 2209.52 | -665.714 |
| 5 | Chilika | Released | 2.75 | 2.5 | 5.3 | 10.55 | 3.52 | 3352.38 | 477.146 |
| 6 | GPU-28 | Released | 3.25 | 3.6 | 2.8 | 9.65 | 3.22 | 3066.66 | 191.426 |
| 7 | GPU-67 | Released | 2.55 | 3.2 | 4 | 9.75 | 3.25 | 3095.23 | 219.996 |
| 8 | GPU-66 | Released | 2.6 | 3.5 | 4.05 | 10.15 | 3.38 | 3219.04 | 343.806 |
| 9 | GPU-48 | Released | 3.05 | 4.05 | 5.45 | 12.55 | 4.18 | 3980.95 | 1105.716 |
| 10 | Bhairabi | Released | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 2000 | -875.234 |
Source: Randomized complete block design trials, 2012
It can be seen from the above table that released varieties like Chilika, GPU-28, GPU-67, GPU-66 & GPU-48 etc. gave substantially better yield. These varieties have been introduced through proper PVS approach with the involvement of farmers. The low yield of Bhairabi is due to waterlogging as well as grain stuttering during the rainfall in the maturity stage. Moreover, it is a short duration variety. But, it has better performance and farmers do have adopted in a large proportion as it was introduced earlier by the agriculture department.
Deomali Kalanjiam Mahasangh: A CBO stands for small millets promotion
Deomali Kalanjiam Mahasangh (A federation of Women Self-Help Groups), established in 2006, promoted by DHAN Foundation, works for the socio-economic development of the tribal women at Semiliguda Block of Koraput District in Odisha. Till now, it has promoted 240 SHGs covering 3600 members from 86 interior tribal villages. The federation implements small millet related interventions for improving production and ensuring food security of the tribal families. Different activities under the project have been divided into three categories such as research activities, skill-building activities and promotional activities through the involvement of tribal communities. Research activities involve on-farm conservation, participatory varietal selection, improved package of practices, etc. Skill-building activities involve exposure and training (E & T), farmers’ preference analysis on the performance of different varieties and training on the preparation of recipes of small millets, etc. Similarly, promotional activities involve recipe contest, organizing Walkathon, exhibition stall, organizational events. The details of the farmers' involvement have been presented in the diagram.
It has been found that indigenous and improved seeds were distributed 1917 farmers among farmers of the federation during the end of the project period. It was also spread across other organization of different districts of Southern Odisha like Malkangiri, Navarangapur, Rayagada, and Kandhamal. Now, there is the diversification of different varieties of seeds in the working areas as well as farmers also do share quality seeds among the neighbour and relatives.
Conclusion
Small millets are considered as future crops in the context of climate change, food, income, and nutrition security. Conservation of small millets depends upon its performance of varieties according to the agro-climatic condition. Varietal diversity is considered to be an important contributor for the resilience of the rainfed farming system which can be strengthened with the diversification of varieties through participatory varietal selection. This technique can be adopted for improving varietal diversity as well as the production enhancement of other rainfed crops. Moreover, NGOs-GOs-POs collaboration will be helpful for implementing different innovations for strengthening rainfed based local seed systems. Availability and affordability of context-specific quality seeds in either formal or informal seed system will benefit farmers in terms of enhancing production.
References
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- KV Latha, Asha, Munisamy Gopinath, and A. R. S. Bhat (2012): Impact of Climate Change on Rainfed Agriculture in India: A Case Study of Dharwad, International Journal of Environmental Science and Development, Vol. 3, No. 4, pp 368-371
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- Sharma K D (2011): Rain-fed agriculture could meet the challenges of food security in India, Current Science, VOL. 100, NO. 11, pp 1615-1616
