Icrisat initiates groundnut programme in Anantapur

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (Icrisat) has initiated a new programme in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh. The farmers of the district are multiplying ICGV 91114 groundnut variety with alacrity, helped by an Icrisat initiated public-private seed partnership.

According to William D Dar, director general of Icrisat, the intervention by Icrisat has helped in designing an end-to-end solution to improve groundnut variety in Anantapur district and improve productivity of the farmers.

According to Shyam N Nigam, principal groundnut breeder at Icrisat, farmers of Anantapur have changed the cropping pattern over the decades due to rains, prolonged dry spells and frequent crop failures. While 45 years ago cereal crop accounted for 80 per cent and groundnut to 20 per cent, groundnut as of now accounts for 80 per cent and cereals 20 per cent.

To strengthen the delivery mechanism for ICGV 91114, the agri-business incubator (ABI) at Icrisat is partnering with the Aakruthi Agricultural Associates of India (AAI) - a group of entrepreneurs operating agri clinics "� and the Andhra Pradesh State Seed Development Corporation (APSSDC), the state government institution mandated to reach seeds to farmers, informed a press release.