New High Oleic Groundnut Variety - Intricacies of Promotion in India

Directorate of Groundnut Research (DGR) of ICAR in collaboration with ICRISAT has developed two high oleic groundnut varieties namely Girnar 4 and Girnar 5, for the first time in India. On 75th Anniversary of FAO the Prime Minister of India has dedicated these two biofortified protein-rich varieties to the people of India for health benefits, more so for the malnourished. My joy is genuine having served both ICAR and ICRISAT for 28 years and still engaged in entrepreneur’s development on quality groundnut production meeting local industry and export requirements. https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/biofortified-crops-high-oleic-girnar-groundnut-combat-basu-ph-d

Nucleus Seed production following plant to progeny rows and production of Breeder Seed at the Breeder’s level and supply to national and state level agencies in large quantities for production of Foundation-Certified Seed has been the most genuine problem. This is primarily due to high seed rate @ 150 kg pods per hectare and low seed multiplication ratio (1:8). In this process many novel varieties tolerant to biotic and abiotic stresses developed by DGR/ ICRISAT disappeared from the production scene and hardly reached to farmers, the ultimate beneficiaries.

In recent past, ICRISAT took initiative to expand Breeder Seed production using farmer’s field by roping a national level seed agency but it was not rewarding as the varietal admixture was quite high. In such a scenario the fate of two high oleic groundnut varieties hangs in balance. In India where more than 50 groundnut varieties with normal oleic (40-50%) are grown in 4.5 million hectares, the real challenge remains in maintaining genetic purity of just two high-oleic (80%) varieties right from seed chain to commercial production and at the processing levels. Such problem may not arise in countries like Australia where 100% peanut varieties belongs to high oleic category followed by USA, Argentina, etc.

Challenge Mitigation

A. Rapid Seed Multiplication:

In view of the limited Breeder Seed availability with concerned Breeders, the seed multiplication may be taken up consecutively during Pre-Rabi/ Summer-Spring/ and Kharif) in a year following GAPs and using BBF/Mulch technologies.

B. Adoption of Informal Seed System:

Apart from formal seed system, a long-drawn process, introduce informal seed system identifying dedicated growers for large scale production and processing separately backed by quality tests using NMR and Laser Shorter.

C. Strict monitoring of value chain in totality by competent experts, even by hiring retired groundnut scientists.

Way Forward

A. Creation of Market Demand:

Growing high oleic groundnut separately with all nitty-gritty without premium price, farmers may not come forward. It requires special drive to reach manufacturers of peanut butter, cold-pressed oil, chocolate, etc.

B. Export Promotion:

Production of high-oleic groundnut organically, free from aflatoxin and export to high premium markets in European Counties giving better returns to growers.

C. Use of ongoing organic groundnut production area registered under internationally recognized certifying agency to hasten the process. https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/mukti-sadhan-basu-ph-d-30769459_groundnut-aflatoxin-india-activity-6741229411548442624-MIbR

Conventional approach in case of Girnar 4 and Girnar 5 may wipe out the special feature varieties as happened with other Girnar varieties.

Dr. M S Basu, MD SBSF Consultancy; Formerly, Director ICAR; Visiting Scientist ICRISAT; UNIDO International Consultant (Africa); Vice President (R&D) KSPL; Independent Consultant to NAIP (Funded by World Bank); Consultant to HIL Seed Division (Govt of India Enterprise) & Others. Email: [email protected]