Having developed a stronger partnership with the Indian government, the funding support from formal and non-formal sources from the country for the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (Icrisat), has been steadily increasing.
The support from the Union government has increased from $4,00,000 in the year 2005 to $1.4 million in 2006, and is expected to rise to $2.3 million in 2007. Besides, there has also been a similar increase in contribution from the state governments, foundations and trusts, and private sector companies, thus increasing the total funding package in India from $1.3 million in 2005 to $ 2.8 million in 2006, and an estimated $ 4 million in 2007.
According to William Dar, director general of Icrisat, the new projects have strengthened the existing collaboration that Icrisat has with the Indian government, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), state governments, and the network of agricultural universities.
Over the years, about 142 improved varieties of sorghum, pearl millet, chickpea, pigeonpea, and groundnut developed by Icrisat have been released in the country, raising production and the income of small farmers substantially. Icrisat’s recent research breakthroughs have the potential for increasing agricultural productivity in drylands, and also link dryland farmers with the industry and market, says Dar. With hybrid pigeonpea; ICPH 2671, expected to reach the farmers through the seed industry in 2008, there is an expectation to increase pulse production in the country.
Icrisat’s scientists bred sorghum varieties and hybrids with higher amount of sweet juice in their stalks. Through the Agri-Business Incubator, the Institute partnered with Rusni Distilleries to convert the sorghum juice to ethanol.
Icrisat and Rusni are now working with farmers to increase the area of sweet sorghum cultivation.