Глобальный форум по продовольственной безопасности и питанию (Форум FSN)

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Д-р. Joseph Bagyaraj

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Организация: Centre for Natural Biological Resources and Community Development (CNBRCD)
Страна: Индия
Область (области) знаний:
I am working on:

Soil Microorganisms in relation to plant productivity and biocontrol of plant diseases.

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    • Д-р. Joseph Bagyaraj

      Centre for Natural Biological Resources and Community Development (CNBRCD)
      Индия

      It is an excellent move to establish an international digital council for food and agriculture. This will definitely help to increase agricultural productivity, improve the livelihood of farmers and also environmental sustainability especially in developing countries. Taking example my area of research, I work on beneficial microorganisms which enhance plant productivity. through several experiments we have shown that inoculation with these organisms not only improve the growth and yield of crops but also reduce environmental pollution through use of reduced quantity of fertilizers and pesticides. This fetches higher income to the farmer. Further this microbial technology also helps the nursery men to produce healthy vigorously growing seedlings which fetch him much higher price. I also like to point out that many of the agricultural technologies developed by scientists do not reach the stake holder because of gap in transfer of technologies developed. So in my opinion establishment of this international digital council will help to solve this problem. 

    • Д-р. Joseph Bagyaraj

      Centre for Natural Biological Resources and Community Development (CNBRCD)
      Индия

      1. Biodiversity is contributing in achieving food security and improved nutrition?

      Through our research we have screened several arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and plant growth promoting rhizomicroorganisms (PGPR), studied their compatibility and using such microbial consortia (MC) we have inoculated crops important in agriculture, horticulture and forestry and have shown that 25 - 50% of NPK fertilizer can be saved through inoculation with MC. These have been proved under field conditions. Inoculation not only saved chemical fertilizer input but also crop yield up to 10% with no adverse effect on nutrients. This has been shown in crops like french bean, chilly, capsicum, tomato, finger millet and many medicinal plants like Ocimum sanctum, Coleus forskohlii, Withania somnifera, etc.  Another interesting observation in medicinal plants is that inoculation also increased secondary metabolite concentration which is of industrial/medicinal importance.

      2. Where a (sustainable) production system played a key role for the conservation of the biodiversity surrounding it? 

      We have screened and developed the best AMF for inoculating several forest tree species in the nursery. Inoculation resulted in healthy vigourously growing seedlings which established better when planted in the field site. These seedlings were planted in wasteland and monitored periodically. The inoculated trees were nearly twice the size of the uninoculated trees when monitored 60 months after planting. This was studied in tree species like Tectona grandis, Dalbergia sissoo and Acacia auriculiformis.   

      3. Do you have any examples of such enabling factors and initiatives or the lack of it?

      a) There is one place called Palamaner in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, India. One of the crops raised in this region is peanut. The yield of peanut in this region is low. We felt that it may be due to lack of effective Rhizobium in soil. In our experiment for 3 years we treated the seeds with an effective strain of Rhizobium and raised the crop. The growth and yield of peanut was nearly 25% more as compared to uninoculated crop.

      b) In South India tomato is affected by a disease called wilt disease complex. It is caused by a fungus (Fusarium udum), a bacterium (Ralstonia solanacearum) and a nematode (Meloidogyne incognita). We have developed a MC consisting of Glomus bagyarajii, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Paecilomyces lilacinus which effectively protected tomato against the wilt disease complex. 

      4. What needs to be done to increase awareness of farmers, livestock keepers, fisher folks and foresters, their organizations and the industry of the relevance of biodiversity and ecosystem services for the food and agriculture production in their sector?

      There is a need to strengthen popularization of biofertilizers and biocontrol organisms for the benefit of farmers through media, training programmes and demonstration trials. 

      See the attachments:

    • Д-р. Joseph Bagyaraj

      Centre for Natural Biological Resources and Community Development (CNBRCD)
      Индия

      1. Under what conditions can agriculture succeed in lifting people out of extreme poverty? Particularly those households with limited access to productive resources.

      People doing agriculture, especially in developing countries, should work hard. I see that many times agriculturists depend on government for subsidies, loans, etc. Farmer toil in the field to grow crops, but he is often offered a small price by the middle man (who is between the grower and consumer) who pockets a large junk of money doing nothing. Government should take action to minimize this anomaly so that the farmer gets a better price through co-operative government marketing stores where the farmer can deliver his goods without the middle man

      2. What is the role of ensuring more sustainable natural resource management in supporting the eradication of extreme poverty?

      Encouraging farmers to adopt organic farming wherein they can use natural resources like compost, green manures, biofertilizers and biocontrol agents which are cost effective and environment friendly compared to the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

      3. Can those without the opportunities to pursue agricultural production and to access resources such as fish, forests and livestock find pathways out of extreme poverty through these sectors?

      Those who do not have access to their own land, livestock, fishery, etc. can work for wages and earn their livelihood.

      4. What set of policies are necessary to address issues connecting food security and extreme poverty eradication in rural areas?

      One of the policy that can be taken by the government is mentioned in the answer to question no 1. Further free schooling can be given to the children of poor farmers, along with free mid-day meal.

      5. Can you share any examples of experiences that succeeded in reducing (or eradicating) extreme poverty through an agricultural pathway?

      Very few states in India have been declared as organic agriculture states wherein no chemical fertilizers and pesticides are used. Further in some places government/ NGO's provide free mid-day meal to school children in remote areas.

    • Д-р. Joseph Bagyaraj

      Centre for Natural Biological Resources and Community Development (CNBRCD)
      Индия

      Given the global scope of the CoCoFe, do you think the objectives are appropriate?  If not, how would you add to them or modify them?

      Reply: The objectives are appropriate.

      How should be the CoCoFe be structured to have the maximum positive impact?

      Reply: To have representatives from different agroecological zones of the world.

      Who would be the best audience for the CoCoFe to meet our objectives and how could we broaden and diversify this audience to increase its influence?

      Reply: People in governance, policy makers, scientists and progressive farmers.

      What should the scope of the CoCoFe be? Which nutrient input sources should be included; only synthetic fertilizers, or also manure, biosolids, compost, etc.?  Should other products such as bio-stimulants, nitrification inhibitors, urease inhibitors, etc., be included as well?

      Reply: Not only chemical fertilizers but also organic manures including compost, green manures, biofertilizers and biocontrol agents should be included.

      Will the CoCoFe assist in promoting responsible and judicious use of fertilizers?  Why or why not?  What other suggestions do you have to help the CoCoFe meet our objectives? 

      Reply: CoCoFe can assist in promoting judicious use of fertilizers. 

      Other suggestions: Soils and soil organisms provide a multitude of agricultural ecosystem services, including waste breakdown and release of nutrients, enhancing soil structure, biodegradation of pesticides and other chemicals, providing a sink for greenhouse gas emissions, fighting pests and soil-borne plant pathogens, and benefiting human and animal health including digestion and immunity. Nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur and potassium and micronutrients contribute to the soil quality and productivity. Hence, it is important to maintain proper biodiversity and nutrient levels in the soils in order to improve the nutrition and crop productivity.