Revolutionizing Agriculture: Breakthrough Heat-Tolerant Pigeonpea in Karnataka
ICPV 25444, the first heat-tolerant pigeonpea by ICRISAT, successfully cultivated by a farmer in Karnataka, features easier machine harvesting and resilience against extreme temperatures. It benefits smallholder farmers by improving soil health and using limited irrigation efficiently, marking a step toward India's self-sufficiency in pulses amidst climate change challenges.
- Country:
- India
In a groundbreaking agricultural development, farmer Hanamanth Mirji from Bantanur village in Karnataka's Bagalkot district has successfully cultivated ICPV 25444, the world's first heat-tolerant pigeonpea. Developed by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), this innovation offers a promising solution for farmers grappling with climate change.
The heat-tolerant cultivar allows for efficient machine harvesting, an innovation that saves time and labor for farmers like Mirji. He noted the benefits of thinner stalks and evenly maturing crops, which facilitate faster and cheaper harvesting. This shift is pivotal for smallholder farmers facing labor shortages and changing weather patterns.
ICRISAT Director General Himanshu Pathak emphasized that ICPV 25444 not only enriches soil health but also enables farming during traditionally fallow periods, thus increasing land-use efficiency. As India struggles to meet its pigeonpea production targets amid climate change, this cultivar offers a pathway to self-sufficiency in pulses while advancing climate-smart agricultural practices.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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