Author: rpuri

BY

BISA

Thirteen years ago, on October 5, 2011, a vision was born to transform South Asia’s food, nutrition, and livelihood security. As we mark our 13th Foundation Day, we reflect on our humble beginnings, honour our achievements, and look to the future with renewed enthusiasm and purpose.

A Look Back at Our Roots

Our journey began with a vision to work as a catalyst for improving South Asia’s food, nutrition & livelihood security. From our humble beginnings, we have grown into a community that thrives on innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence. Each step along the way has been a building block in our story. Some glimpses of BISA’s launch can be seen in an old video here.

A decade of impact

As we look back on the last decade – a period of large-scale impact and collaborations – it is remarkable to see how much we have accomplished with our steadfast dedication to supporting our stakeholders across South Asia. BISA’s strategic approach to ensure food, livelihood, and nutritional security in South Asia is driven by its state-of-the-art research facilities at its research stations located in three very different agro-climatic and socioeconomic environments in India that represent the whole of South Asia. The breadth of BISA’s practical, farm-ready research — from setting up climate-resilient villages and developing viable alternatives to rice residue burning to facilitate open exchange of elite germplasm and cutting-edge technologies — reflects not only the vision and approach of CIMMYT but also the philosophy of mutual inspiration, Nobel Prize laureate Dr. Norman Borlaug, who believed strongly in sharing knowledge and “taking it to the farmer.”

Seeds of Success

One of our most impactful initiatives has been building a robust network for evaluating and disseminating high-yielding, climate-resilient wheat varieties. Our collaboration with National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) has brought these life-changing crops to farmers across southern Asia. We have seen yields of 9-10 t/ha at our farms in Jabalpur and Ludhiana – a testament to the potential of our research.

Partnerships for Progress

Collaboration has been the cornerstone of our success. BISA’s collaboration with multiple partners has led to many large-scale impacts in the region. To give just one example, our work demonstrating the multiple benefits of affordable “happy seeder” mechanization in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (to reduce rice residue burning, improve irrigation efficiency and farmer incomes, and cut air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions) has provided government agencies a strong evidence base for policies supporting conservation agriculture and affordable mechanization in the region.

Today in India, Maize is the third most important cereal crop after rice and wheat hence BISA together with CIMMYT works on various issues like evaluation, and scaling of new hybrids of maize in South Asia, long-term research on Conservation Agriculture in a Rice-Maize Cropping System of Eastern Indo Gangetic Plains (IGP) and hybrid seed production of Maize. Recently, BISA organised a stakeholder meeting with various stakeholders in Punjab. Various stakeholders from the private sector, public sector, and Ethanol Industry joined the discussion and deliberated on the future of Maize in India. In collaboration with ICAR, CIMMYT-BISA is working to develop long-duration, high-yielding hybrids for the Kharif season in north India, especially Punjab, to present maize as an alternative profitable crop to replace rice, which has caused a serious water crisis caused by over-pumping of
ground water.

Our collaboration with JICA-CIMMYT-ICAR to develop new wheat varieties with the BNI trait involved field trials at all BISA sites in India. The field trials led to new findings that set the stage for environmentally sustainable wheat production. In 2023, the Atlas of Climate Adaptation in South Asian Agriculture (ACASA) marked the official commencement of the project. ACASA successfully initiated national-level workshops with its partner countries, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, and finalized the methodologies, key workstreams, and outputs for the development of ACASA in the coming years.

BISA’s work on Climate Resilient Agriculture (CRA) in Bihar gained huge success as it reached out to thousands of farmers across several districts and villages of Bihar. It is now being replicated to support the farmers of Madhya Pradesh with the support of the state government. In Punjab also, BISA has joined hands with the state government to support and scale the production of Maize by collaborating with various public & private stakeholders.  

Last year, BISA supported the capacity building of 79 young scientists of South Asia to different countries such as Australia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Mexico, Kenya and Ethiopia. Further, CIMMYT-BISA-ICAR jointly organized an ‘Advanced Training on Conservation Agriculture’ to create sustainable agronomic systems. The 12th edition of the training in India saw mid-career researchers and development officers from Morocco, Egypt, Bangladesh, and India participate. The holistic approach of this training helped participants gain hands-on training with field visits and classroom sessions.

Innovation at Our Core

Innovation is at the core of our strategy. Therefore, our employees’ hard work and passion drive us towards success. With their support, we made progress in reducing BISA’s environmental footprint. Promoting diversity and inclusion has also been a key focus of our commitment. We are proud to capture BISA’s journey in a Coffee Table Book – a testament to the power of collaboration and dedication.

Celebrating Our Team

None of this would have been possible without our incredible team. Your passion, creativity, and resilience have been the driving force behind our success. Today, we celebrate each of you and the unique contributions you bring to our community.

A Heartfelt Thank You

To everyone who has been a part of our journey—thank you! Your support, dedication, and belief in our mission have made all the difference. Let’s build on this solid foundation and create a brighter future together.

Here’s to many more years of success, innovation, and community!

Happy Foundation Day!

Watch BISA’s journey here

By

BISA

More than two years ago, on April 11, 2022, under the leadership of Dr. Arun Joshi, Managing Director, Borlaug Institute for South Asia (BISA), the four institutions, ICAR-CIMMYT-BISA-JICA started working together on a new initiative called “Project for the Establishment of Nitrogen-Efficient Wheat Production Systems in Indo-Gangetic Plains by the Development of BNI Technology.” Since then, BISA, as well as the three ICAR institutions (IIWBR and CSSRI in Karnal and IARI in New Delhi), have been involved in this project to breed BNI wheat varieties in India. A full-fledged breeding program was initiated by the three ICAR institutions and BISA at the three BISA research farms in India (Ludhiana, Jabalpur, and Samastipur). This project has significantly progressed in developing wheat varieties with the Biological Nitrification Inhibition (BNI) trait. This breakthrough has the potential to transform the way we grow wheat worldwide.

The Problem: Nitrogen Pollution in Agriculture

Modern farming relies heavily on nitrogen-based fertilizers. However, around 70% of fertilizer applied in the field is not absorbed by the crops, leading to soil and water pollution and the emission of nitrous oxide (N2O) gas that adds to the existing greenhouse effect way more than carbon dioxide. This release of Nitrogen is directly related to a nitrification process in the soil. Suppressing nitrification can make wheat farming more sustainable and reduce its environmental impact.

The solution: BNI trait

BNI wheat varieties have a natural trait that inhibits nitrification, reducing nitrogen leaching and N2O emissions by 20-30%. This means that farmers can maintain crop yields while using less fertilizer, cutting costs, and minimizing environmental damage. The successful implementation of BNI wheat could revolutionize how we produce wheat, making it a key player in the fight against climate change.

A Collaborative Effort

The development of BNI wheat is a testament to the power of international collaboration. The project brings together three Indian institutions (ICAR, IIWBR, and CSSRI) and BISA with Japanese partners (JIRCAS and JICA). Recently, a joint coordinating committee (JCC) meeting was held in New Delhi to plan the next phase of the project. The meeting was attended by 33 delegates from BISA, ICAR (IIWBR, CSSRI, and IARI), JICA, JIRCAS, the Embassy of Japan in India and Tottori University.  The meeting emphasized the importance of continued collaboration, advanced breeding techniques, and monitoring of how BNI affects soil and plant health.

A Promising Future

As the project enters its second phase, the prospects are exciting. Researchers are working on breeding pipelines to develop BNI wheat varieties that thrive in different conditions. Trials have already shown promising results, with BNI lines performing well in heat, drought, and acidic soils.

The Indian government has noticed the project’s potential, with Dr. Sharma, DDG (Crop Sciences), ICAR, highlighting that BNI-enriched lines could significantly reduce the country’s massive annual investment in urea fertilizer. JICA Representative Eiji Wakamatsu, Representative from Embassy of Japan Ms. Masami Oota and JIRCAS scientists Dr. Satoshi Tobita and Dr. Subbarao reinforced the importance of bilateral efforts in advancing agricultural research and technologies. With the support of both the Indian and Japanese governments, the future of BNI wheat research looks bright.

As we move forward, the focus will be on translating these research breakthroughs into real-world impact. By working together, scientists, policymakers, and farmers can make BNI wheat a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture, helping to feed the world while protecting the planet for generations to come.

By

Shubham Anil Durgude

Millets are deeply rooted in the traditions of local farmers of India. For instance, finger millet was a dietary staple in Bihar, and farmers in the northern regions were experts in growing Sanwa or Barnyard millet. Proso millet, known as “Cheena,” was famous for its short growing period, so much so that farmers used to say it could be harvested almost as fast as it grew! But as the years pass, things change. Rice, wheat, and maize became the new favorites, pushing millets to the sidelines. The younger generation has forgotten the old ways.

A New Dawn for Millets

Seeing the value of millets, the team at BISA (Borlaug Institute for South Asia) is on a mission. The BISA team at Samastipur and other farms (in Ludhiana and Jabalpur) are searching for the old knowledge, updating it for today’s challenges, and preparing to put millet back on the food plate again. The good news is that the roots of millet farming run deep in Indian communities. The challenge is to help millets thrive in a world very different from the one they once dominated.

The Challenge: Growing More, Selling Well

When BISA scientists sit down with farmers, one issue remains: millets don’t produce as much as the new popular crops like rice and wheat. This is a real challenge, but BISA is trying to address it. They are developing cutting-edge techniques to boost millet yields. The response from farmers has been overwhelming. They are eager to try these new methods but need support in getting their millet to market at a fair price. Hence, BISA is working with farmers to create groups, provide training, and connect them with buyers. The goal is to make millet farming a profitable, sustainable choice for families across India.

Science in the Field

BISA’s work starts in the fields. Scientists are testing millets in different conditions, figuring out the best ways to plant and care for them in the unique climate of Bihar, MP, Punjab and other states. They know millets are tough and adaptable, perfect for mixing things up in a world where too many farmers grow the same few crops. By providing farmers with customized planting schedules and advice on fitting millets into their existing plans, BISA is making it easy to give millets a try.

Weeds and Nutrients: The Details Matter

Two significant hurdles in growing millets are weeds and nutrients. Weeds can choke out young plants, but few proven strategies exist to control them. BISA is searching for simple, effective ways to manage weeds. At the same time, they’re studying what makes millets tick. Unlike some crops, little is known about what nutrients millets need, how they absorb them, or how fertilizers affect them. By filling these knowledge gaps, BISA can give farmers precise advice to keep their millet healthy and robust.

Finding the Best Millets for BISA sites

BISA does not just work with any millet. They are testing over 400 different types, from local favorites to varieties worldwide, to find the ones that will shine in Indian environments. Some contenders in Bihar include RAU-1 finger millet, DHBM 93 barnyard, and JK-137 Kodo millet. By identifying the top performers, BISA can help farmers get the best results.

Real-Time Advice at Your Fingertips

In today’s world, the best farming involves technology. This is why BISA offers digital advice to millet farmers through its Climate-Resilient Agriculture Program. Imagine getting a message on your phone telling you exactly when to plant, how to control weeds, and what fertilizer to use. This is what farmers get through BISA’s WhatsApp chatbot. From planting to harvest, they get the guidance they need to succeed.

A Healthy, Sustainable Future

Millets are more than just a crop – they are a key to a better future. They are packed with iron, calcium, and fiber, making them a nutrition powerhouse. They are great for women’s health, can help fight anemia and strengthen bones. Because they release sugar slowly, millet is perfect for managing diabetes or heart disease. With millet, BISA is creating an efficient farming system for people and the planet. They are not just growing a crop; they are growing a movement initiated by the Government of India worldwide. With millet, Indian farmers can build a future rooted in heritage but looking toward a greener, healthier tomorrow.