Research for Improving the Systems productivity with emphasis on Legumes in the Central Dry zone of Myanmar International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru 502 324, Telangana, India Introduction Legumes play an important role in the livelihoods, nutrition, and health of Myanmar peoples. Of the 24 million ha of agricultural land in Myanmar under cultivation, pulses, and oilseed legumes are the second most important group of crops after rice with production of 5.8 million tons from 4.2 million ha. The area under legumes has increased steadily from 2.0 million ha in 1995 and is expected to continue to increase in the future in the Central Dry Zone (CDZ) of the country with 500-800 mm rainfall with three divisions viz., Sagaing, Mandalay and Magway (18º–23ºN latitude) which together constitute 26% of the land area of Myanmar and are home to about 30% of the country’s population. Though the average productivity of legume crops is around 1 ton ha-1, there is a wide gap between potential yields (up to 3 tons ha) and the yields realized by farmers. The present research lead by ICRISAT in collaboration with Department of Agricultural Research (DAR) and Myanmar department of Agricultural (DOA), Myanmar aimed to further strengthen the systems productivity with particular reference to legume with the following objectives:

Information on hand: Soil analysis results from the recent ACIAR/Myanmar/ ICRISAT project sites revealed the deficiency of available Fe, Zn, S and organic matter at all project sites. Soil pH varied from slightly alkaline to neutral. This has enabled farmers to apply needed micronutrients to increase crop yields and improve soil fertility. Through farmer participatory approaches in the previous projects Sin 7, Sin 8 in groundnut; Kyawechan shwedingar, ICPB 2043 and ICPL 96061 in pigeonpea and Yezin 6, Yezin 3 and Yezin 4 in chickpea were selected and multiplied by farmers. In the Tatkone region, the groundnut variety Sin 7 has been well adopted by farmers, currently covering about 25% of the area. The Kyauksae area in Mandalay division, where chickpea is cultivated in rice fallows, has adopted the variety ICCV-2 for its earliness. The variety has been adopted by about 50% of the farmers in the township (total area of 6,000 ha). Seed production of groundnut with Sinpadatha 7 and 8, pigeonpea with ICPL 96061 and Monywashwedinga and chickpea with Yezin-4 and Yezin-8 was established in Laezin, Kyathaeaye, Sar-tine-kan and Shauk-kone villages covering 2 ha each Four efficient chickpea rhizobial strains - CC2018, IC 2058, IC 76 and IC 2049 - from ICRISAT and four mother cultures of Australian inoculant strains - CBCB 1024 for pigeonpea, CB 1809 for soybean, CC 1192 for chickpea and NC 92 for groundnut - were added to the Myanmar collections.

Objectives Identify, evaluate, and share high-yielding chickpea, groundnut and pigeonpea cultivars, and technologies relevant cropping systems of the Central Dry Zone (CDZ) of Myanmar, using farmer participatory varietal selection. Organize training and extension programs to enhance legume productivity with effective natural resource management to facilitate uptake of project outputs. Approach: Ten townships covering three divisions need to be selected in the CDZ with five villages each to conduct PRA. Based on the PRA results and in consultation with researchers, potential crop varieties in groundnut, pigeonpea and chickpea and appropriate production technologies will be selected, evaluated and shared with the farming communities following a participatory approach. Effective low cost technologies for efficient use of natural resources such as tillage, crop combinations, rotation, sowing pattern, seed priming use of micronutrients, eco-friendly pest (insects, diseases, weeds) management need to be established by the introduction and adoption of new tools. Community-based seed banks will be established for every crop with effective networking of farmers in different locations to facilitate the effective seed flow at affordable cost. Village seed committees were formed and were responsible for proper functioning of the bank. The same group of farmers will also be trained for the safe storage of crops as well as inputs. Resource persons from ICRISAT together with relevant DAR and MAS staff organize capacity building activities to Myanmar researchers which include short and long term and degree (MSc, PhD) associated programs.

The demonstration of supplementary irrigation to post-rainy season groundnut (riverbed areas) in Shan Kalay Kyunn in Mandalay division provided increased yields with 1.823 tons ha-1 pod yield which was 20% higher. Effect of 4-hr seed priming in pigeonpea gave the highest germination percent, plant establishment, which resulted in highest yield of 1350 kg ha-1 compared to control (740 kg ha-1) in Magway, Zaloke, Nyaungoo and Myingyan research farms. Chickpea-sunflower intercropping found to be an excellent eco-friendly approach towards reducing insecticide applications by 50% without compromising productivity. The formation of village seed banks facilitated seed production at the village level for the first time in the country. This also paved the way for collaboration amongst farmers in seed and other input exchanges for better productivity. Total 19 researchers had opportunity for long term training in different organizations during the past five years, of which three researchers benefited with PhDs and two MSc degrees. Future thrusts:

ICRISAT and the Agricultural Cooperation, Myanmar signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 1986. The relationship, which began earlier, was strengthened by the participation of Myanmar scientists in the Cereals and Legumes Asia Network (CLAN) led by ICRISAT. This collaboration has been in the areas of crop improvement, natural resource management, and in building the national research capacity of Myanmar through training of agricultural scientists and technicians. Progress in Crop Improvement Chickpea: In the past ten years, ICRISAT has supplied 16244 samples of germplasm and breeding material to Myanmar, of which five varieties have been released.– Schwe Kyehmon (a selection from ICCX 730089), Yezin 3 (ICCV 2) and Yezin 4 (ICCV 88202), Yezin 5 (ICCV 3) and Yezin 6 (ICCV 92944), and Yezin 8 ( ICCV 97314). Pigeonpea ICRISAT supplied 3375 pigeonpea lines of which five pigeonpea varieties:Yezin-1 (HPA-1), Yezin-2 (BR-172), Yezin-3 (ICPL 87), and Yezin-4 (ICPL 93003) have been released for commercial cultivation. Groundnut: Of the ICRISAT supplied 3237 samples, five ICRISAT bred varieties (ICGV-87160, -93382, -94301, -94361 and -91167) and two varieties that have one parent from ICRISAT, were released in Myanmar (as Sinpadetha 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12). The released varieties bear improved traits such as resistance to foliar diseases, early maturity, high-yield and drought tolerance. Sorghum: ICRISAT has supplied 5253 (germplasm and improved varieties) to Myanmar during. From this material, nine varieties – Shwe ni 1, Shwe ni 2, Yezin 1 (Schwe phyu 1), Yezin 2 (Schwe phyu 2,), Yezin 3 (Schwe phyu 3,), Yezin 4 (Schwe phyu 4,), Yezin 5, Yezin 6 and Yezin 7 were released. By the mid-1990s, all the sorghum area under improved cultivars was sown to ICRISAT-bred varieties in Myanmar. Pearl millet: Millet is a relatively minor crop in Myanmar, grown on about 20,000 ha. ICRISAT has supplied 234 samples for field evaluations. These included some of the most widely cultivated varieties in India such as WC-C75, ICTP 8203 and Raj 171 have been adopted well in Myanmar.

Investment in the identification, evaluation and utilization of natural resources research to minimize their misuse and degradation with farmer participatory approach. Generate and share data on efficient use of natural resources and inputs. Strategic research generated at the research stations on climate variability need to be evaluated and shared periodically with researchers. Develop capacity at farm level to impart better knowledge in Natural resource management in an integrated manner. Review of knowledge on upcoming and new technologies periodically to have substantial information ready for their sustainability. Discuss and document the effective indigenous knowledge with added science on biotic as well as abiotic stress management. Establish and strengthen farm clinics for greater sustainability. Appropriate certification for IPM/residue free products should be put into practice with input and output market intelligence. Address the post-harvest process/losses to bridge the gap between the supply and demand.

For more information, please write to: Dr GV Ranga Rao, Special Project Scientist, IPM, ICRISAT. Email: [email protected]

May 2015