Traceability and certification of seed potato by blockchain technology

The use of blockchain technology for the seed supply chain will bring a real change to seed management. It provides the ability to track the purity of the seed. The unique digital identity created for every batch of seeds provides a complete history of the seed supply chain providing transparency and visibility to the buyer. Potato is designated as “ Future Food” for food and nutritional security to the developing world by FAO in 2008 In Indian Agri-scenario potato’s is the fourth most important food crop after Rice, wheat, and maize. Potato, a vegetatively propagated crop, and its yield is affected by several factors. Among them, quality seed is one of the most important factors. Input cost for seed purchase goes upto 40 to 50 percent of the total input cost of the crop. The average yield increase from 30 to 50 percent by the use of good quality seed as compared to farmers’ seeds was reported by FAO in a document on potato in the Asia Pacific (https://www.fao.org/3/i0200e/I0200E05.htm). Punjab has earned the status of “Seed Bowl of Potato” which meets 90% of the total disease-free potato requirement of the country (Status report Department of Horticulture, Punjab). It stands 6th in total potato production of 2.87 million tonnes, recording productivity (28.70 t/ha) from an area of 1.06 lakh ha in 2019-20 (Horticulture Statistics Division, Department of Agri. & Cooperation). The government of Punjab (Department of Agri &farmers welfare) in the Year 2019 initiated the certification and traceability of seed potato to ensure optimum transparency. This task was entrusted to Punjab Agri Export Corporation (PAGREXCO) along with a Bangalore based company- Cropin Technology Solutions as the technology partner. Blockchain technology will be used to undertake certification and traceability of seed potato right from nucleus to seed level (harvest). In the crop season, 2019-20 a group of 23 farmers/seed producing agencies come under the umbrella with 1809.80 acres of seed potato of different varieties registered for certification. In the years 2020-21, the area under different stages of certification stands at 1499.63 acres.

Advances in the Registration of Farmers’ Varieties: Four Cases from the Global South

Over the last few decades, there has been a growing appreciation of crop varieties developed by local farmers, commonly referred to as farmers’ varieties. These varieties often have attractive characteristics for both producers and consumers, such as adaptability to harsh environmental conditions and high nutritional values. Yet they are usually not sold in formal markets, and tend to be limited to farmers’ seed systems. This is partially due to national seed laws that, in an effort to guarantee good quality seed of uniform and stable varieties, create obstacles for farmers’ varieties to reach the market. This article describes the experiences of four countries—Bolivia, Laos, Nepal and Zimbabwe—that are developing alternative variety registration systems for farmers’ varieties. Most of these cases have never been documented before. The cases present the main drivers behind and approaches to the registration of farmers’ varieties in different legal contexts and at different stages of development. We conclude that farmers’ variety registration systems can generate benefits including faster and cheaper variety releases, improved farmer incomes, and a larger diversity of well-adapted varieties in the market—but some important issues are still to be resolved.

Institutionalizing Quality Declared Seed in Uganda

Farmer-led seed enterprises can produce good quality seed and market it. However, for them to thrive, they need a conducive policy and regulatory framework that is inclusive and less stringent than existing regulatory frameworks. One way to provide a more enabling environment for farmer-led enterprises is through the Quality Declared Seed (QDS) production and marketing system. In Uganda, this seed class is specifically introduced for farmer-led enterprises to produce and market quality assured seed of crops and varieties not served by the private sector. The class is anchored in the Ugandan National Seed Policy and its seed regulations and its operationalization plan. We identified a combination of three strategies that enabled the QDS class to be incorporated into the National Seed Policy. These were: (i) to generate evidence to demonstrate that local seed businesses (farmer groups) can produce and market quality seed; (ii) to engage stakeholders towards an inclusive seed policy; and (iii) to develop a separate QDS regulatory framework. By 2021, institutionalization has reached a critical mass. Areas of attention for full institutionalization are the decentralization of inspection services, awareness and demand creation for quality seed, increasing the number of seed producers, and solving shortages of basic seed (starting material for producing seed).

CULTURAL PRACTICE AND PROFITABILITY OF RICE-CUM-FISH CULTURE IN A SELECTED AREA OF BANGLADESH

The rice-cum-fish culture is an integrated farming system in which, rice is the main enterprise and fish production is taken as additional means to secure extra income. The present study was designed to identify the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents, cultural practices, profitability and problems and constraints faced by the rice-cum-fish farmers. Sherpur district was selected for the study on the basis of extensive cultivation of rice-cum-fish culture. The simple random sampling technique was used for primary data collection from 40 rice-cum-fish farmers through semi-structured interview schedule. Both tabular and functional analyses were used to analyze the collected data. Socioeconomic analysis showed that 37.5% of the respondents were aged between 41-50 years, 12.5% of the respondents were illiterate, 55.7% respondent’s primary occupation was agriculture and 50% of the household annual income was between Tk. 150000-250000. The study also showed that about 42.5% of farmers have their own plot, 62.5% of farmers cultured fish in the paddy field commercially, 55% farmers were engaged with monoculture, 47.5% of the respondents collected their fingerling from private hatcheries, monosex tilapia was mainly cultured in the paddy field and 70% respondents used ready feed for feeding. The profitability analysis showed that per hectare gross return, net return, and gross margin was found to be Tk. 355180, Tk. 230879, Tk. 246179, respectively. Undiscounted benefit- cost ratio was found to be 2.86. The study also identified some of the problems and constraints associated with rice-cum-fish culture. About 97.5% and 95% of the respondents replied that lack of good quality seed and fingerling and lack of extension services were their main problems, respectively. Rice-cum-fish farming is the new option for rural people to improve their livelihood. Government and other concern organizations should take necessary steps to improve the rice-cum-fish cul

EXTENT OF PARTICIPATION OF RURAL WOMEN IN FISHING COMMUNITY: APPROACHES TOWARD SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD

Women’s contribution to small-scale fishing community is often unrecognized and the real benefits from their involvement in activities are not objectively assessed. This qualitative research study focuses on the women’s participation in fishing community in Aklan. The findings revealed that in most fishing activities, women’s role is significant. Women’s participation in fishing includes: net mending, sorting fish, fish vending, trading and market retailing and processing and preservation. Women also have been found directly involved in preparing cage and maintenance, procuring good quality seed, and stocking. Some women are also found to be selling fish on their own, and most vend by the public market and streets. Fishing is an occupation dominated by men because of the image that only men go to sea in their fishing boats. In most cases, women in fishing communities are not allowed to go with the fishing vessels, but this prohibition is tied mostly to the need for them to remain within the premises of the household so they can attend to their designated responsibilities in the home. Due to this, they have little direct involvement in fish capture. However they are involved in shell and fry gathering/gleaning, spear fishing in rivers, reef fishing using scoop nets, traps and fish baskets, all of which tend to be near-shore activities. Women’s participants’ family income has increased which is mostly used for food, health, and education as a very important positive aspect of change. Women’s participation in fishing community, according to the findings, ensures certain extent of social and economic empowerment in the rural societies. However, they expressed that they would like to sustain through bank and NGO loan, local moneylender and petty cash personal savings. KEY WORDS: Fishing Community, Income, Participation, Rural Women, Sustainable Livelihood

Genetic Analysis for Mapping of Physiological Traits Related to Seed Vigour in Rice Through Association Mapping

Background:Good quality seed is an important factor for a good crop. Vigor is the key performing trait of quality seed. Genomic regions controlling the physiological traits related to seed vigour are not fully reported.Results: A panel was prepared by including genotypes from all the groups of the fifteen physiological traits representing a population of 250 germplasm lines. Wide variations were observed for the 15 physiological traits in the population. The population was classified into 6 genetic groups. Presence of linkage disequilibrium (LD) was detected in the panel population based on the fixation indices of the subpopulations. Moderate values of gene diversity, polymorphic information content (PIC) and other diversity parameters were estimated from the population by genotyping with 109 SSR markers. The population was classified into subpopulations and sub-clusters showed relation with the genotypes for their physiological traits. Ten physiological traits were detected to be significantly associated with SSR markers analyzed by both the General linear model (GLM) and Mixed linear model (MLM). A total of 19 novel QTLs controlling different physiological traits namely qGP 6.2 and qGP 8.2 for germination % (GP); qGR 9.1 for germination rate (GR); qGI 1.2, qGI 6.1, qGI 8.1, qGI 11.1 and qGI 12.1 for germination index (GI); qRPE1.1 and qRPE8.1 for rate of plumule elongation (RPE); qAGR 8.1 for AGR; qRSG1.2 and qRSG12.2 for rate of shoot growth (RSG); qRGR3.1 and qRGR11.1 for relative growth rate (RGR); qSVI 1.1 for seed vigour index I (SVI I); qSVII 1.1, qSVII3.1, and qSVII12.1 for seed vigour index II (SVI II), and qRRG8.1 for relative root growth rate were identified. The reported QTL for root length, qRL11.1 was validated in this mapping population. Additionally, QTLs, qRPE8.1 and qAGR8.1 of traits, RPE and AGR; qGI 6.1 and qGP6.2 of GI and GP; qGI 11.1 and qRL11.1 of GI and RL; qAGR8.1 and qRRG8.1 of AGR and RRG, and qRSG3.1 and qRGR3.1of traits RSG and RGR were detected for co-localization or co-inheritance. Conclusion: The traits identified and markers detected in the association analysis will be useful for improvement of seed vigour trait through marker-assisted selection in rice.

RESPONSE OF DIFFERENT STORAGE CONTAINERS IN RICE GENOTYPES DURING STORAGE

Rice is the staple food of more than half the world’s population and is being cultivated in Asia since ancient time’s generation after generation. Good quality seeds are the seeds of the green revolution, it has been assertively and emphatically shown that 15-20% increased yield could be achieved by the use of good quality seeds alone. Good quality seed is one of the most important requirements for production and supply to achieve higher production and productivity in any crop. The seed quality is depended on various factors Viz. genetic, edaphic, environmental, biotic, etc. Good quality seed production depends on complex conditions evoking the most favorable interactions between the genetic makeup of the seed and the environment, under which it is produced, harvested, processed, and stored. Seeds undergo deterioration at various levels during storage resulting in a decline in vigor and viability. With the above considerations, the present investigation has been undertaken to observe the potentials of ten rice genotypes and observed its seed quality after harvesting in 2016-2017 at Seed Testing Laboratory, Department of Seed Science and Technology, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, India. Just after harvesting G2 (Gobindabhog) and G9 (IR-36) showed highest germination percentage (97.66) and G9 (IR-36) showed highest Vigor index (3204.13). But most of the varieties germination and vigor were nearer to G2 & G9. Among the containers with seed moisture content aluminum foil packet with seed moisture content, 8% is the best storage container for rice among the other containers as up to one-year storage vigor index was observed highest in that conditions.

“Breaking through the 40% adoption ceiling: Mind the seed system gaps.” A perspective on seed systems research for development in One CGIAR

Seed systems research is central to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Improved varieties with promise for ending hunger, improving nutrition, and increasing livelihood security may be released, but how do they reach and benefit different types of farmers? Without widespread adoption the genetic gains achieved with improved crop varieties can never be actualized. Progress has been made toward demand responsive breeding, however the draft CGIAR 2030 Research and Innovation Strategy fails to recognize the complexity of seed systems and thus presents a narrow vision for the future of seed systems research. This points to the lack of evidence-based dialogue between seed systems researchers and breeders. This perspective paper presents findings from an interdisciplinary group of more than 50 CGIAR scientists who used a suite of seed systems tools to identify four knowledge gaps and associated insights from work on the seed systems for vegetatively propagated crops (VPCs), focusing on bananas (especially cooking bananas and plantains), cassava, potato, sweetpotato, and yam. We discuss the implications for thinking about and intervening in seed systems using a combined biophysical and socioeconomic perspective and how this can contribute to increased varietal adoption and benefits to farmers. The tools merit wider use, not only for the seed systems of VPCs, but for the seed of crops facing similar adoption challenges. We argue for deeper collaboration between seed systems researchers, breeders and national seed system stakeholders to address these and other knowledge gaps and generate the evidence and innovations needed to break through the 40% adoption ceiling for modern varieties, and ensure good quality seed once the new varieties have been adopted. Without this, the achievements of breeders may remain stuck in the seed delivery pipeline.

Plant Regeneration through Callus Cultures from Leaf Explant of Sumatra Benzoin (Styrax benzoin)

Micropropagation of Sumatra Benzoin is potential to provide good-quality seed for future preservation of the forest and improve the incense sap production. The production of Styrax plants is currently limited by the availability of seed. This research demonstrated the micropropagation of Sumatra Benzoin (Styrax benzoin Dryander), producing good-quality saplings that could be used for obtaining nontimber forest products. Elite mother plant was selected and used as a source of explants. Identification of healthy trees was carried out based on the phenotype criteria, and the selection of a mother plant was performed through information on the quality and quantity production of incense sap. Micropropagation started from callus induction in young leaves followed by subculture to obtain regeneration of shoots and roots. The combination of NAA and BAP in the culture media greatly affected the growth and development of callus, shoots, and roots. The use of 3 mg/L NAA and 3 mg/L NAA rendered the heaviest calli. Shoots were regenerated with 0.5 mg/L NAA and 3.0 mg/L BAP, and the highest growth of roots was obtained by using of 3.0 mg/ NAA without BAP. This research reports the first in vitro propagation technique for Styrax benzoin. Further research is underway to obtain very good-quality plant saplings to be used for forest conservation and to increase the production of incense sap as a nontimber forest commodity.

Informal Seed Traders: The Backbone of Seed Business and African Smallholder Seed Supply

To work well and be sustainable, seed systems have to offer a range of crops and varieties of good quality seed and these products have to reach farmers, no matter how remote or poor they may be. Formal seed sector interventions alone are not delivering the crop portfolio or achieving the social and geographic breadth needed, and the paper argues for focus on informal seed channels and particularly on traders who move ‘potential seed’ (informal or local seed) even to high stress areas. This paper provides the first in-depth analysis on potential seed trader types and actions, drawing on data collected on 287 traders working in 10 African countries. The research delves into four themes: the types and hierarchies of traders; the technical ways traders manage seed using 11 core practices; the price differential of +50% of potential (local) seed over grain, and the pivotal roles which traders play in remote and crisis contexts. Traders are the backbone of smallholder seed security and need to be engaged, not ignored, in development and relief efforts. An action framework for leveraging seed trader skills is presented, with the paper addressing possible legal and donor constraints for engaging such market actors more fully.