INNOVATION in Farming

Neem
Gujarat created a livelihood of Rs 15-75 crore by procuring neem directly from village folk. This model is being taken to Raj, UP, MP, AP and Maha. If replicated across India—and neem-coated urea is used everywhere—this has the potential to be a Rs 500 crore business in just 3 years.

Co-0238
UP's high yielding sugarcane Co-0238 started getting planted from 2013-14. In the 2016-17 season, it has delivered staggering yields. This is based on just 35% coverage. Early adopters have managed 150 T/ha using a combination of trenching and Co-0238. Some have inter-cropped—on raised beds—with short-life plants to earn a bonus. Co-0238 has much higher sugar recovery. Expert predicts a rise from 9.2% to 12% in recovery!!

CrylAC gene and Tma12 code
India will soon have better varieties than BT cotton. Indigenous crylAC gene expresses higher protein toxins than BT cotton and does it where it is most useful. This stops the attack at larvae stage. Tma12 provides whitefly resistant cotton without affecting lady fly.

PR-126
PR-126 rice is ideally suited for Punjab. This variety has a shorter duration and uses less water, but otherwise has comparable yields to recent PR-121 & PR-124. Pusa is now actively discouraged.

Transgenic mustard DMH-11
Two foreign genes (Barnase & Barstar) within DMH-11 are said to reduce the time and cost of developing new hybrids. Developers are hoping to establish the safety of these genes, by using DMH-11 as a test case. If found acceptable, it opens the door for 13 - 35 most pest-blighted crops to receive a GM makeover.

Breaking Agri patent
The original patent holder can not object to the use of their registered agri-patents. Payments for the patent will be based on "shared benefit". Agri ministry can also limit prices of patent seeds.

Tur genome
Photo-sensitivity trait, pest control and yield genes are finally accessible. Shutting off photo-sensitivity means tur can be grown in different seasons and geographies.

Mystery water-soluble white powder
Joint research with the UK has discovered a chemical that enhances starch and biomass—or, yields—in wheat and various other crops. Yields benefits of up to 50% are mentioned. It also confers drought resistance. The powder can be made into a water-based spray.

Gujarat govt-backed neem project set to be introduced in six more states

Breaking patent stranglehold of foreign and Indian Agricultural plant patent holders
PPVFR Authority has deemed that any seed company can use patented traits without getting NOC from the authorised (official) patent holder. Patent holders of GM traits, like Monsanto for Bt cotton, will lose royalties and instead get shared benefits. One-off, non-repeat use for commercial purpose is also allowed. According to legal advice PPVFR Authority had been wrong in earlier insisting that permission was required. In Dec 2015, patent holders had lost the right to set their own price, as Ministry evoked a price control order. And last August, ICAR - a Govt research agency - became the authority that decides on the release of GM varieties and other hybrids. ICAR will make it harder for non-essential varieties to get approval. It is likely to favour cheap Indian-origin seeds from public and private sectors.
PPVFR Act, rendered hollow patents of companies like Monsanto

Pest resistant, photo-insensitive tur yields and grown in atypical locations or seasons
Tur dal is popular and has high protein content. There is a latent demand for homegrown tur, as India produces insufficient qualities (production is 4.6 tonne) and imports at a high cost. Yields have remained static for 6 decades, at under 1tonne/ha, though the potential is for 2-3 tonne/ha. For the first time, genes for pest resistance and photo-insensitive trait has been identified. Not only will yields increase, but it can also be configured for atypical seasons and locations. Protein content is higher at 20%. Genetic sequencing of Tur dal varieties was a global effort led by ICRISAT.
Decoding Arhar dal's genetic secrets can boost yield

India’s cotton production nearly trebled in 11 years to 2013-14, mainly courtesy Bt hybrids whose rate of adoption went from 0.4 per cent of the country’s total cotton area in 2002-03 to 93 per cent. When secondary pest infestation happened in 2013-14, farmers responded by sharply cutting back on acreage. It has given impetus to indigenous solutions. DU's CGMCP has coded for genes that attack bollworm pest in cotton. With indigenous crylAC gene, toxin protein is higher than Bt cotton and expressed in leaves, where it is useful. This stops the attack at larvae stage. NBRI in Lucknow has developed whitefly resistant cotton. Tma12 code was isolated from ferns and mosses. Moreover, Tma12 didn't affect the lady fly nor have adverse biological effects elsewhere. High-density plantings were used as opposed to hybrids, as nos of plantings went up from 13,000 to 160,000 per hectare.
Technology and agriculture: The desi GM alternatives to Monsanto