Approaches to Improvement of Crop Genotypes with High Water and Nutrient use Efficiency for Water Scarce Environments

Current concerns about the increasing global population and the impacts of climate change and climate variability on agriculture highlight the importance of the use of improved crop varieties coupled with better soil, water and fertilizer management practices and technologies for enhancing agricultural productivity and protecting the natural resource base. Improved crop varieties tolerant to environmental stresses (extreme temperature, drought, salinity and disease) have been developed under IAEA project 2.1.1.3 on “Crop Improvement for high yield and enhanced adaptability to climate change”. Similarly through IAEA project 2.1.1.2 on “Technologies and practices for sustainable use and management of water in agriculture” improved soil-water-nutrient management technologies were developed and / or adapted. Integrated technology packages and capacity were developed in Member States to use these, yet, the end-user, smallholder farmers, will have to adopt these for optimal efficiency. This CRP aims to explore the adoption of integrated technology packages, based on best fit soil and water management practices and adapted mutant varieties by small farmers through field demonstration set ups and farmers’ capacity development, in order to increase sustainable crop productivity in harsh environments and resource use efficiency.In selected countries (Bangladesh, Pakistan, Mexico, Peru, Kenya, Vietnam, Uganda and South Africa) from Asia, Africa and Latin America, identified as part of a pilot phase study using nuclear techniques, resources were and are being assessed, in order to define and adapt best fit soil and water management practices depending on the available mutant varieties to be extended. Demonstration field studies support Farmers’ Field Days, in which smallholder farmers are availed of the availability of the specific technology packages. Improved seeds are being multiplied for distribution to famers.As the pilot phase is now completed and prove conclusive, the second phase (this CRP) is ready to be implemented through extended research and development in best fit soil and water management practices, farmers’ field days, and establishment of secondary demonstration sites in the targeted areas for further capacity development in the target areas. This will be an iterative process throughout the life of the CRP.Performance indicators for the project include the number of farmers adopting the technology packages, acreage of mutant varieties used, and possible effect on livelihoods through socio-economic data.