Enhancing farm profitability in north-western India and South Australia by improving grain quality of wheat

Project ID:

CIM/2006/094

Collaborating Countries:

India

Project Locations

Commissioned Organisation:

University of Adelaide, Australia

Project Leader

Professor David Coventry
Phone: 08 8303 7954
Fax: 08 8303 7730
Email: david.coventry@adelaide.edu.au

Collaborating Institutions:

Department of Primary Industries and Resources, South Australia, Australia
CCS Haryana Agricultural University, India
Directorate of Wheat Research, India

Project Budget:

$398,475

Project Duration:

01/07/2007 - 30/06/2010

ACIAR Research Program Manager

Dr Paul Fox

Project Overview

Wheat yields in Haryana in NW India seem to be either stagnant or declining despite the introduction of high-yielding varieties (genetics), improved cultural practices (agronomy), and rapid adoption of zero tillage by about 15% of farmers. This project aims to increase the profitability of wheat farming in Haryana by integrating agronomy management improvements with market-based quality outcomes. The primary objective is to develop innovative nitrogen management scheduling with sustainable production practices that optimise specific grain quality attributes, both for India and Australia. Through developing an environmental management system approach to crop monitoring the scientists will also demonstrate the need to better manage nitrogen nutrition and increase nitrogen-use efficiency across the range of crop rotations.

Project Progress Reports

Year One

Commencing in late September 2007, the project started slightly behind the original scheduled start time of July 1, 2008. The delay was primarily due to final approval processes between the different research partners.
Despite the delayed start preparations for the delivery of a range of project activities were quickly actioned, due to the need to establish the range of primary and secondary field trials and demonstration sites and associated activities.
The appointment of the two Research associates linked to the project at the two Indian institutions namely the Directorate of Wheat Research in Karnal and the Haryana Agricultural University in Hisar were delayed due to internal institutional approval processes. Recently two appointments have been made, with the Research Associates commencing during April at the Directorate of Wheat Research, and the end of June at Haryana Agricultural University. These appointments will provide a much needed resource boost to the project, and reduce the additional workloads on the senior project team staff at the two Indian locations.
The Indian partners have proven to be extremely efficient and effective in the delivery of the research and demonstration trials associated with the project, given the constraints associated with the delay in the start time of the project, and appointment of the two Indian research Associates.