Andhra Pradesh government inks pact with ICRISAT to boost sustainable farming

HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh government has signed a pact with International Crop Research Institute for Semi-arid Tropics ( ICRISAT) to provide assistance in making agriculture sustainable and profitable.

"The agreement with ICRISAT is part of the state government's plans to increase productivity of agriculture and allied sectors," the state government said.

The Memorandum of Agreement was signed yesterday in the presence of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu by Special Chief Secretary (Planning) S P Tucker and ICRISAT Director-General David Bergvinson.

Through the agreement, the best technological tools and scientific practices from across the world will be incorporated into primary sector activities, said a state government release quoting the Chief Minister.

As part of the agreement, the ICRISAT would prepare a "strategy paper" for primary sector mission, hold research and development and establish "sites of learning" in districts.

ICRISAT would also bring in international expertise from other CGIAR centres like International Livestock Research Centre (ILRI), International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), International Water Management (IWMI), Asia Vegetable Research and Development Centre (AVRDC), International Centre for Improvement of Maize and Development Centre (AVRDC), World Fish Centre and International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

This consortium (of international organisations) will also bring in regional and national research institutions for the benefit of farmers.

Facilitation of detailed plan preparations for operationalising the mission annually by providing guidance and technical support to mission coordinator would also be done by the ICRISAT.

The institute would establish pilot sites of learning in 13 districts (10,000 hectares each) of AP for increasing productivity, profitability and sustainability through science-led development and climate-smart agriculture.

ICRISAT would also develop quality assurance system for soil analytical laboratories in the state, undertake capacity building for staff and help in upgrading existing soil labs for complete nutrient profile analysis.

It would assist in developing PPP mode guidelines, mobilising private entrepreneurs and preparing DPRs and organise Global Investors Meet, the release added.