National Agricultural Research Systems Research Articles

Training Needs of the National Agricultural Research System Scientist of Bangladesh

Knowledge, skills and attitude are components for increasing the job efficiency and performances of the employees for increasing productivity in an organization that can achieve through training. Scientist requires knowledge, abilities and skills for better performance that can identified through training need assessment, which is lacking in National Agricultural Research System (NARS) in Bangladesh. Assessing training needs through proper methods is of paramount importance in this regard. Agricultural researches mainly conducted by the researchers of the 13 national research institutes work under the coordination of the Bangladesh Agricultural Council (BARC). The objective of the present study was to identify the types of training needs for the NARS scientists of mono-crop and multi-crop organizations. The empirical data were collected from 25 September to 01 November 2022 from the individuals through online survey and face to face sessions on the training need assessments (TNAs) in each of the NARS institutes. During the TNA sessions, job and task analyses exercised, and skill-gap analyses conducted to identify the types of training required for the scientists. The present article highlighted the training needs which are significant to design training programs in achieving scientist’s efficiency, and lead to achieve objectives of the organizations.

SELECTION OF STABLE WHEAT GENOTYPES UNDER DIFFERENT AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONES OF PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Wheat is a globally significant cereal crop crucial for ensuring food security. Plant breeders strive to enhance yield potential by developing optimized and stable genotypes. In Pakistan, an agricultural country facing food security challenges, annual multi-environment trials (MET)’s systematic conduct transpire across various research stations in Punjab province. Precise data analysis of these trials is paramount in strengthening the national agricultural research system. The primary objective of this study was to identify stable wheat genotypes by analyzing data from MET trials in 31 distinct environments within the Punjab province during 2020–2021. The study comprised 50 wheat genotypes laid out under an alpha lattice design. The collected data underwent an analysis based on additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) in combination with other stability measures. The findings revealed that genotype G41 (HYT100-27) exhibited superior performance, ranking within the top five across all five stability measures. Likewise, G27 (TWS17042) and G22 (HYT100-100) genotypes have four stability measures recommending these. Notably, G1 (HYT100-74) demonstrated the highest average yield across all locations and gained support from two additional stability measures. Therefore, G41, G27, G22, and G1 emerged as the most stable and productive genotypes among all those studied. Regarding the environments, MLSI proved the most desirable, followed by RARL. Conversely, the ARFG and ARFK resulted as the least ideal environments.

Building twenty-first century agricultural research and extension capacity in Africa

Abstract This study explores the effectiveness of international efforts to build the capacities of national agricultural research and extension systems (NARES) in Africa and proposes actions to improve the performance of these systems. Analysis draws on agricultural research expenditure data in Africa, Asia and Latin America and key informant interviews of 26 senior representatives of international and African research organisations. We conclude that donors and international partners have increased the supply of professional African scientists while contributing relatively little to the institutional capacities of African NARES. We propose a transition to what we call a twenty-first century African-led agricultural research system and identify actions to manifest it.

Building Research, Development, and Extension Capacity for Sustainable Fertilizer Use and Soil Health in Africa

Key findings are summarized from a study detailing how international donors and research organizations can more effectively strengthen the capacities of African national agricultural research and extension systems (NARES). International efforts are more successful in building the capacities of individuals than in strengthening the NARES institutions. Successful implementation of the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit and similar initiatives will require stronger national, regional and continental agricultural research systems that can lead and drive these initiatives. The authors identify actions required to strengthen these African systems and effectively implement African-led agricultural initiatives.

E-readiness Assessment of National Agricultural Research in India

The digital era has ushered in profound transformations across global industries, where the integration of information and communication technologies (ICTs) is crucial for growth, productivity, and sustainability. Agriculture, in particular, relies on this digital imperative to enhance food security, sustainability, and economic development. The National Agricultural Research System (NARS) plays a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s agricultural progress addressing food security, productivity, climate change, and farmer livelihoods, the NARS must embrace digital advancements. The study was conducted at NARS of India, 660 scientists were selected from 102 ICAR institutes using multistage stratified random sampling techniques. E-readiness was measured based on a conceptual framework developed by Tugrul & Maru (2003) and the STOPE framework. The framework measures the dimensions like strategy, technology, organizational support, HR support, and e-culture. The result provides a comprehensive understanding of NARS’s preparedness for digital transformation. While there are clear strengths in strategy, technology, and human resources support, areas requiring improvement, particularly organizational support and aspects of e-culture readiness, should be addressed with strategic initiatives.

Improving food security in India through non-conventional plant breeding technologies

Previous reviews addressed that there will be 170 crore people on the earth by 2050 the rise in the average income in emerging India. Hence, it will be the greatest challenge to meet food demand future. Aside from urbanization and land degradation, climate change also additional pressure on the food supply. These problems must be fundamentally changed because of their complexity and self-reinforcing nature. Crop improvement through breeding has been the main strategy for reducing poverty and increasing the food supply in India. New, improved crop varieties need to be developed for farmers to use to enhance food security. The biotechnological and non-conventional accelerated plant breeding methods that are not reliant on genetic engineering or gene editing are the main subject of this review. We focus particularly on the viability of short-term implementation by national agricultural research systems in underdeveloped nations. We contend that delaying the implementation of technology that can speed up reproduction is economically ineffective and supports the swift adoption of accelerated breeding techniques in the public sector. We recommend the employment of a technique called Rapid Generation Advance (RGA) as the most practical strategy for speed breeding in the public sector after taking into account a wide variety of considerations, including the economics of accelerated breeding.

Crisis in agricultural R&D in India: the road ahead

Agricultural research and development (R&D) in the country has taken shape over years with Agricultural Universities and ICAR institutions playing a lead role. Here the subject is discussed with particular emphasis on the National Agricultural Research System (NARS). The depth of the current system as well as the structural faults of the system hindering the creation of a globally competitive R&D infrastructure have been brought out. A few suggestions based on the long experience on the measures needed to build a sounder frontline infrastructure are provided.

Developing and deploying an efficient genotyping workflow for accelerating maize improvement in developing countries.

Background: Molecular breeding is an essential tool for accelerating genetic gain in crop improvement towards meeting the need to feed an ever-growing world population. Establishing low-cost, flexible genotyping platforms in small, public and regional laboratories can stimulate the application of molecular breeding in developing countries. These laboratories can serve plant breeding projects requiring low- to medium-density markers for marker-assisted selection (MAS) and quality control (QC) activities. Methods: We performed two QC and MAS experiments consisting of 637 maize lines, using an optimised genotyping workflow involving an in-house competitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) genotyping system with an optimised sample collection, preparation, and DNA extraction and quantitation process. A smaller volume of leaf-disc size plant samples was collected directly in 96-well plates for DNA extraction, using a slightly modified CTAB-based DArT DNA extraction protocol. DNA quality and quantity analyses were performed using a microplate reader, and the KASP genotyping and data analysis was performed in our laboratory. Results: Applying the optimized genotyping workflow expedited the QC and MAS experiments from over five weeks (when outsourcing) to two weeks and eliminated the shipping cost. Using a set of 28 KASP single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) validated for maize, the QC experiment revealed the genetic identity of four maize varieties taken from five seed sources. Another set of 10 KASP SNPs was sufficient in verifying the parentage of 390 F 1 lines. The KASP-based MAS was successfully applied to a maize pro-vitamin A (PVA) breeding program and for introgressing the aflatoxin resistance gene into elite tropical maize lines. Conclusion: This improved workflow has helped accelerate maize improvement activities of IITA's Maize Improvement Program and facilitated DNA fingerprinting for tracking improved crop varieties. National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) in developing countries can adopt this workflow to fast-track molecular marker-based genotyping for crop improvement.

Studies on the Agribusiness Problems, Post Harvest Parameters of Horticultural Crops and Business Strategies in Bangladesh

The field survey was conducted among the farmers, researchers, extensions and agribusiness personnel to assess their knowledge about National Agricultural Research System (NARS) recommended technologies on pre- and post-harvest management and their economic impact in Bangladesh. The survey was conducted in 16 Upazilas of purposively selected eight (8) districts based on agricultural project activities on potential of major crop groups and system through a standard pre-tested questionnaire. From the field survey, it revealed that only a few number of technologies were available at field level regarding pre and post-harvest management out of more than 300 NARS recommended technologies.

The impact of the international rice genebank’s (IRG) on rice farming in Bangladesh

BackgroundThe International Rice Genebank (IRG) currently safeguards the largest and most diverse collection of rice genetic resources in the world. Over the past decades, genetic resources from the IRG have been used effectively to increase smallholder farmers’ rice productivity in developing economies. Bangladesh is one of the direct and indirect recipients of IRG germplasm for rice genetic improvement. This study aimed to map the impact pathways of IRG germplasm transfers to Bangladesh, evaluate the genetic contribution of IRG germplasms to rice productivity of farmers, and compute the equivalent economic benefit.MethodsImpact pathway analysis was conducted to map the IRG’s germplasm transfer for varietal improvement and seed dissemination of improved rice varieties in Bangladesh using the information collected from key informant interviews. Using data from the farm household survey conducted by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in 2016 in five divisions in Bangladesh, a pedigree analysis was conducted that related the productivity changes in farmers’ fields explicitly to genebank accessions through varietal improvement. Afterward, we evaluated the economic benefit of IRG contribution in rice varietal improvement in Bangladesh using the computed marginal increases in productivity, average paddy price, and estimated total rice area.ResultsIRG’s impact pathway on germplasm transfer in Bangladesh showed that impacts for farmers were achieved through joint efforts with IRRI and the National Agricultural Research and Extension System’s research-for-development programs. On average, 52% of the improved rice varieties’ genetic composition, cultivated by farmers in Bangladesh, definitely came from IRG accessions. This contribution factor could increase up to 67% if possible contributions were taken into account. The results of the Cobb–Douglas model implied that for every 1% increase in the definite IRG contribution to an improved rice variety, there was an increase in rice yield of about 0.99%, holding other factors constant. This yield increase can be translated into an additional US$ 8,576,973 aggregated net benefit of farmers during the wet season in Bangladesh. The enhanced yield can be associated with the added important agronomic traits contributed by the accession provided by the IRG in the genetic background of the rice varieties developed for farmers in Bangladesh.ConclusionsThe findings of the study demonstrate that IRG accession forms a significant part of the ancestry of improved rice varieties which is associated with improved yield. The study highlights the valuable contribution of IRG’s conservation and distribution of genetic accessions to the research and development of improved rice varieties and rice production on farms in Bangladesh.

Economic Contribution of Innovations Developed in National Agricultural Research System (NARS): Case of GPU 28 Variety of Finger Millet

The economic impact of the most successful innovation in Ragi (finger millet) through GPU 28 variety in Karnataka was demonstrated using partial budgeting technique. The incremental benefit of GPU 28 variety of Ragi over Indaf 5 variety was estimated to be ` 3244 per acre. The economic impact of GPU 28 variety incorporating the probability of performance and the rate of adoption of technology including the depreciation of technology considering field conditions was ` 1168 per acre. The economic contribution of the variety for Karnataka state as a whole was ` 181.84 crores assuming 80 percent of the area under Ragi in Karnataka.

Developing and deploying an efficient genotyping workflow for accelerating maize improvement in developing countries

Background: Molecular breeding is an essential tool for accelerating genetic gain in crop improvement, towards meeting the need to feed an ever-growing world population. Establishing low-cost, flexible genotyping platforms in small, public and regional laboratories can stimulate the application of molecular breeding in developing countries. These laboratories can serve plant breeding projects requiring low- to medium-density markers for marker-assisted selection (MAS) and quality control (QC) activities. Methods: We performed two QC and MAS experiments consisting of 637 maize lines, using an optimised genotyping workflow involving an in-house competitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) genotyping system with an optimised sample collection, preparation, and DNA extraction and quantitation process. A smaller volume of leaf-disc size plant samples was collected directly in 96-well plates for DNA extraction, using a slightly modified CTAB-based DArT DNA extraction protocol. DNA quality and quantity analyses were performed using a microplate reader, and the KASP genotyping and data analysis was performed in our laboratory. Results: Applying the optimized genotyping workflow expedited the QC and MAS experiments from over five weeks (when outsourcing) to two weeks and eliminated the shipping cost. Using a set of 28 KASP single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) validated for maize, the QC experiment revealed the genetic identity of four maize varieties taken from five seed sources. Another set of 10 KASP SNPs was sufficient in verifying the parentage of 390 F1 lines. The KASP-based MAS was successfully applied to a maize pro-vitamin A (PVA) breeding program and for introgressing the aflatoxin resistance gene into elite tropical maize lines. Conclusion: This improved workflow has helped accelerate maize improvement activities of IITA's Maize Improvement Program and facilitated DNA fingerprinting for tracking improved crop varieties. National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) in developing countries can adopt this workflow to fast-track molecular marker-based genotyping for crop improvement.

Mapping the Agricultural Research Systems in the Maghreb (Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia)

This article reports on the profiles of the National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) in the three Maghreb countries: Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia, through their research policies, human resources, governance, funding and scientific production. A bibliometric study was carried out for the three selected countries based on the Scopus database covering the period between 2005 and 2019. The research shows the distinctive case of Tunisian growth of scientific production compared to the other two countries; it also stresses the universities’ emergence as a major research actor, thus challenging the predominance of the public mission-oriented institutions dedicated to agriculture and veterinary sciences. Finally, it indicates significant differences between the three countries concerning governance and funding, and human resources. Overall, the NARS in the three countries are still very fragile, and a need for significant changes in the research policy making is certainly required to overcome these shortcomings.

Digital Agricultural Knowledge Platform (IDEAL) using KOHA for National Agricultural Research and Education System

Digital libraries are equipped to provide access to multiple contents with potentially infinite number of resources to users. The libraries of the Indian National Agricultural Research and Education System (NARES) mainly the ICAR institutions and Agricultural Universities have a collection of huge literature of immense value available in various print and digital forms. These resources if made available at a single platform will go a long way in facilitating its sharing and minimizing the duplication efforts by the partner libraries. Realizing its importance, a requirement of a national level union catalog was felt to ensure single point access for the valuable information on the vast resources of NARES libraries. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) brought solution to a lot of challenging issues to all facets of the university system and the library is not an exemption. The Indian Digital Ensemble of Agricultural Libraries (IDEAL) is a customized platform for Agricultural Libraries of Indian National Agricultural Research and Education System (NARES) by adopting the KOHA-an open source integrated library management software for their routine operations in all libraries. KOHA is a software platform built on ‘Software as a Service’ (SaaS) concept to provide hassle free, ready to use based platform for sharing library holdings through a union catalogue as per the international standards. In this catalogue, the information can be shared at a single platform for all the users for example, students, researchers and faculties, extension workers and others. The system also provides search facilities through various parameters example, title, author, subject, number etc. The libraries of the State Agriculture Universities and its constituent colleges (SAUs) and ICAR institutes have been connected at a central server for its routine activities through IDEAL Platform. An online public access catalog (OPAC) of each library has been created, which provides easy and enhanced experience of accessing the library resources 24 × 7 to the users. This has greatly facilitated sharing and access of library resources among the NARES partners.

Krishikosh: A new dimension of digital repository in agriculture

Krishikosh, a digital repository, is a collection of online resources. It is a large collection of Indian resources in agriculture and allied sectors which is both institutional and discipline wise of Indian National Agricultural Research and Education System (NARES). A large collection of thesis, old and valuable books, institutional publications, technical bulletins, project reports, lectures, preprints, reprints, records, etc. is available in Krishikosh (https://krishikosh.egranth. ac.in/). The repository has been designed using open source software with efficient Integrated Content Management System (ICMS), configured to meet the user requirements of a reliable digital repository. It is a customized digital repository platform where users can upload and manage their content in compliance with the open access policy of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. This is a unique platform for sharing the intellectual outputs of the agricultural fraternity hosted by the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, (IARI), New Delhi. At present over 2,01,000 items are available on the krishikosh platform which includes students research work (>150,000 theses), old and valuable documents since 1948 in all major subjects of Agricultural and allied disciplines. The Krishikosh analytics shows over 1,87,23,710 hits on the website from 175 countries since 2017. The top ten countries visiting this digital platform were India, United States of America, Sudan, China, Russia, Ethiopia, Iran, Philippines, Nigeria and Indonesia. Google analytics, during the COVID 19 lockdown period (April-May 2020) indicates a monthly average hit of 6,93,295 indicating higher users on the Krishikosh repository during this time.

Developing and deploying an efficient genotyping workflow for accelerating maize improvement in developing countries

Background: Molecular breeding is an essential tool for accelerating genetic gain in crop improvement, towards meeting the need to feed an ever-growing world population. Establishing low-cost, flexible genotyping platforms in small, public and regional laboratories can stimulate the application of molecular breeding in developing countries. These laboratories can serve plant breeding projects requiring low- to medium-density markers for marker-assisted selection (MAS) and quality control (QC) activities. Methods: We performed two QC and MAS experiments consisting of 637 maize lines, using an optimised genotyping workflow involving an in-house competitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) genotyping system with an optimised sample collection, preparation, and DNA extraction and quantitation process. A smaller volume of leaf-disc size plant samples was collected directly in 96-well plates for DNA extraction, using a slightly modified CTAB-based DArT DNA extraction protocol. DNA quality and quantity analyses were performed using a microplate reader, and the KASP genotyping and data analysis was performed in our laboratory. Results: Applying the optimized genotyping workflow expedited the QC and MAS experiments from over five weeks (when outsourcing) to two weeks and eliminated the shipping cost. Using a set of 28 KASP single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) validated for maize, the QC experiment revealed the genetic identity of four maize varieties taken from five seed sources. Another set of 10 KASP SNPs was sufficient in verifying the parentage of 390 F1 lines. The KASP-based MAS was successfully applied to a maize pro-vitamin A (PVA) breeding program and for introgressing the aflatoxin resistance gene into elite tropical maize lines. Conclusion: This improved workflow has helped accelerate maize improvement activities of IITA's Maize Improvement Program and facilitated DNA fingerprinting for tracking improved crop varieties. National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) in developing countries can adopt this workflow to fast-track molecular marker-based genotyping for crop improvement.

Use of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Nutritional Security

Plant genetic resources (PGR) have been extensively used to develop new cultivars for meeting the emerging challenges and needs of the society. These have played a pivotal role in assuring food and nutritional security of the humankind. Our National Agricultural Research System, particularly the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, has made dedicated efforts to collect indigenous germplasm and introduce exotic germplasm and conserve the same. Indigenous germplasm has been used to develop crop varieties and even now traditional varieties/landraces act as rich source of genes of economic importance (submergence tolerance in FR13A rice, salinity tolerance in Pokkali rice and Kharchia wheat). Exotic germplasm has been used to develop several landmark varieties including IR 8 rice; Kalyansona and Sonalika wheats, the cultivation of which resulted in Green Revolution. Hybridization of indigenous and exotic germplasm to combine their desirable traits has led to remarkable achievements in enhancing crop productivity coupled with adaptation to prevalent agro-ecologies. The overdependence on improved cultivars of few crops (to ensure food security of increasing human population) for human diet markedly changed the food consumption pattern causing hidden hunger, and also making these crops more vulnerable to biotic and abiotic (climate change) stresses. In view of these developments, research on nutritional security and adaptation to changes in agro-ecologies has been getting greater attention in recent past with appreciable successes. In these research programmes, unadapted germplasm of same crop species and wild relatives are being increasingly used. More focussed efforts are needed on acquisition, characterization and conservation of PGR as well as their use. The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture needs to be implemented in letter and spirit and pre-breeding research on wild relatives be strengthened to develop usable PGR and be strongly linked with cultivar development.

Forage seed system performance of Ethiopia: An overview based on key indicators

Abstract An increase in improved forages to serve as high-quality animal feed around the year is a necessity in countries with large livestock populations. However, for increased production of improved forages, a viable and sustainable forage seed system needs to be functional. In Ethiopia, an inadequate supply of forage seed has been identified as one of the major constraints to increased forage production. To assess the current state of the forage seed system, as well as, to monitor its growth in the future, the present study provides a framework that captures important information related to the forage seed system performance in Ethiopia. Data on key indicators along the forage seed value chain (such as variety development and release, early generation seed availability, commercial seed production, forage seed promotion and marketing, and seed quality assurance) were collected using a structured survey instrument. Results indicate a considerable number of forage varieties are already registered in the country through the national agricultural research system. However, a limited quantity of early generation seed is being delivered to seed producers. On the other hand, the involvement of commercial seed producers in the forage sector is limited. There are weak forage seed promotion and quality assurance mechanisms because most of the attention in the extension and regulatory structures is provided to the food crops. The study provides a template to monitor forage seed system performance in a developing country and identifies opportunities and recommendations for development partners, practitioners, national stakeholders, and decision-makers active in the Ethiopian forage sector.

Status of Genetic Resources in Oilseed Crops and Their Potential Use for Making India Atmanirbhar in Edible Oils

Plant Genetic Resources play an important role in the genetic enhancement of different crops leading to food and nutritional security of the nation. India is genetic diversity rich country with more than 4.62 lakh accessions of 2065 crop species conserved National Gene Bank at National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi. Oilseeds are integral part of the various crop breeding programmes under National Agricultural Research System. In case of nine edible oilseed crops grown in India 57977 accessions of 13 species are conserved in the National Gene. In general, it has been observed that the utilization of germplasm conserved in the National Gene Bank is very low. Characterization of the germplasm and identification of trait specific donors is pre-requisite for successful utilization in the various breeding programmes. In this direction efforts have been made by the Oilseed Breeders in the country and in addition to release and notification of 956 varieties of nine oilseed crops since 1969, 193 novel genetic stocks of different oilseed crops for different agro-morphological, biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, high seed meal and oil quality traits have been registered with NBPGR. In addition, a large number of exotic collections have also been procured and being utilized in breeding programmes and more trait specific germplasm of all the oilseed crops has been identified along with their source country. For Atmanirbharta in edible oils in our country, we need to follow two-pronged strategy i.e. horizontal expansion targeting more area under oilseed crops and vertical expansion by deploying high yielding varieties and adoption of good agricultural practices. In vertical expansion breeding high yielding varieties is the main component which can be achieved with the use of diverse germplasm available globally. Hence, characterization and wider use of trait specific diverse germplasm of oilseed crops will be of great help in making the country Atmanirbhar in edible oils.

Developing Research Managers and Leaders through Management Development Programme in National Agricultural Research and Education System in India

To develop research managers and leaders in NARES, it is substantially important to enable existing and proposed managers to expand their understanding of the principles, techniques and approaches involved in management. To achieve this goal, ICAR-NAARM, offered a course “Management Development Programme on Leadership Development” for more than one decade. To assess and evaluate the performance of the participants in their respective institutions, the respondents and their reporting officers interviewed to determine whether programme has produced the desired effect. A total of 150 respondents and their reporting officers gave their views for this study. Based upon mean score and standard deviation, most of the respondents were average (62.67%), below average (19.33%) and above average (18%) before training, knowledge levels after training indicated, most of the respondents were average (66%), below average (17.33%) and above average (16.66%) whereas changes in knowledge levels indicated that, most of the respondents having average (63.33%), below average (18.66%) and above average (18%). For Behaviour, feedback received from the participants after 6 months and more period and the overall satisfaction level was around 3.89 out of 5.0, whereas overall results was around 3.42 out of 5.0.