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The Field Crops Research Program (FCRP) refers to the staple
cereals (including major cereals like rice, maize and wheat),
oilseeds and some grain legumes. At the national level, RC
Bajo coordinates FCRP. At the regional level RC Bajo will
mainly focus on rice, maize, irrigated wheat and oilcrops.
In line with the 10FYP theme of poverty alleviation, research
and development activities will focused on pro-poor farmers
and will be and participatory in nature. Research will be
need based seeking solutions that are practical and applicable.
Outreach programs and technology parks will provide opportunity
to involve communities more meaningfully.
The FCRP is divided into sub-programs, projects and activities
for simplicity of implementation and monitoring. The proposed
projects will have inputs from crop breeders, agronomists,
pathologists, entomologists and other relevant disciplines.
The program structure is follows.
Table 1: Program Structure for Field crops in 10FYP
| Subprogram 1: Rice |
Projects |
| Project 1 |
Variety improvement |
| Project 2 |
Soil Fertility Management |
| Project 3 |
Pest Management |
| Project 4 |
Post Harvest and Grain Quality |
| Subprogram 2: Maize |
|
| Project 1 |
Variety improvement and seeds |
| Project 2 |
Soil Fertility Management |
| Project 3 |
Pest Management |
| Project 4 |
Processing and Marketing |
| Subprogram 3: Wheat |
|
| Project 1 |
Variety Improvement |
| Project 2 |
Water and Soil Management |
| Project 3 |
Pest (storage) Management |
| Subprogram 4: Oilseeds |
|
| Project 1 |
Variety Improvement |
| Project 2 |
Pest Management |
| Project 3 |
Processing |
| Subprogram 4: Grain Legumes |
|
| Project 1 |
Variety Improvement |
| Project 2 |
Processing and Marketing |
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MAJOR ACTIVITIES
Variety improvement
Introduction, evaluation and cross breeding activities will
be carried out for major crops to increase the range of varietal
choices to farmers. Emphasis will be given on the utilisation
of indigenous germplasm. In rice, improvement of local varieties
through cross breeding will continue with focus on humid areas
(Tsirang and Dagana). In maize, breeding for disease resistance
will be accelerated. The evaluation of introduced exotic varieties
for other crops will be continued.
Soil fertility management
Limited use of inputs is a constraint to achieve higher yields.
Activities, focused in development and promotion of integrated
plant nutrient system, will receive attention. In rice, the
use of balanced fertilization will be promoted. Green manuring
in areas where organic matter is deficient will be encouraged.
In maize, which is grown in erosion-prone areas, land management
using different techniques will be researched and accelerated.
Water and soil improvement will receive attention particularly
in wheat. For Gasa, special efforts to develop fertility management
options for organic production will be stepped up.
Pest management
Efforts will be exerted in refining integrated pest management
technologies in all the crops. This will include crop breeding
for pest resistance, especially in rice and maize. Blast is
a major constraint in rice, and newly emerged GLS and TLB
are main problems in maize. Activities already underway in
cross breeding will be emphasized. In other crops, appropriate
IPM options will be explored. Field crops program will work
closely with the Farming systems sector in pest management.
Processing and marketing
So far, research and development activities have been largely
focused on mainstream technology development ignoring post
harvest, processing and marketing aspects. For holistic development
of any commodity, the latter aspects are very important. Special
attention will be given to developing and promoting processing,
product development and value addition together with market
promotion and market linkages.
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