The project commenced in January 2007 followed by a Project Inception Workshop in March 2007. The Project was reviewed by the project team in February 2008. It was clear from the outcomes of the meeting that the project is progressing well and has achieved essentially all of the milestones for Year 1. In March 2007, a Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) was conducted involving 163 farmers from the Sagaing, Mandalay and Magway Divisions of Myanmar's Central Dry Zone (CDZ). The PRA provided intelligence on farmer's preferred traits for legume varieties of chickpea, pigeonpea and groundnut, as well as current knowledge and practices relevant to the use of legume inoculants and legume production. Progress in the Farmers' Participatory Varietal Selection (FPVS) program in the Sagaing, Mandalay and Magway Divisions was particularly impressive. A total of 45 'Mother' and 150 'Baby' trials involving chickpea, pigeonpea and groundnut were conducted during the 2007-08 monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. Results of Year 1 gave clear ideas to scientists as to which varieties of the three legumes were preferred by the farmers in the different parts of the three Divisions. In the case of groundnut, a number of the ICRISAT varieties performed extremely well. In the case of chickpea, a strong preference for Desi chickpea was noted in Mandalay and Magway Divisions while 'Kabuli' was preferred in Sagaing Division. Pigeonpea lines faced the major challenge in farmers' fields where the local check lines performed better. Two field days were conducted, at Pyint Phyu Seed Farm, Magway Division, and Pankon Research Farm, Sagaing Division, and were designed to involve farmers in selecting legume varieties. About 300 farmers at the Pyint Phyu farm and 100 farmers at the Pankon Farm selected top three chickpea varieties out of the eight grown as part of the 'Mother-Baby' trials. The FPVS trials will be conducted at the same level in the 2008-09 season with a stronger focus on involving farmers in the neighbourhood of the trials in varietal selection.

Field experiments relevant to low-cost and biological approaches of crop production, involving in-situ generation of plant biomass as crop nutrients and botanicals to protect crops and based on eight years research at ICRISAT, were accepted enthusiastically by Myanmar scientists. It is still too early to judge performance of the two different bio-intensive crop husbandry practices. The control involves recommended levels of fertilisers and pesticides. A significant area of chickpea in the Magway Division is after rice where emergence is an important issue and is highly likely to be benefited by seed-priming. This line of research will be given importance in 2008-09 season.

A major component of the Project aims to improve the supply of high-quality rhizobial inoculants to the legume farmers of Myanmar. During 2007-08, a total of 63 field trials were conducted in farmers' fields (26 for groundnut, 19 for pigeonpea and 18 for chickpea) with two treatments (+ inoculation and no inoculation). Observations were made on nodulation and plant colour. The results suggested responses to inoculation at many sites and marginal improvements in crop colour that, at face value, are very promising. Because of continuing issues with inoculant quality, no field trials are planned for 2008-09. Instead, all effort will be directed at improving the capacity of the Rhizobium laboratory to produce large volumes of high-quality inoculants that are subjected to appropriate quality assurance (QA). Once this has been achieved, the field program will be resumed.

All the aspects of capacity building, particularly training of staff and equipment purchase are progressing well. Training project personnel during 2007-08 was at ICRISAT (seven in legume production, low-cost production systems, extension methodologies) and in Thailand (four in inoculant production technologies). Purchase of project equipment is almost completed. The major focus in the future will be the 'in-country' capacity building.

During this reporting period (June 2008-May 2009) the project substantially covered the prescribed milestones for the three legume crops (groundnut, chickpea and pigeonpea) in the Sagaing, Mandalay and Magway Divisions of the Central Dry Zone (CDZ) of Myanmar. The farmer participatory varietal selection (FPVS) program in all the three divisions was fruitful with 6 mother trials and 36 baby trials each for groundnut and pigeonpea, 5 mother and 18 baby trials for chickpea. Of the three pigeonpea varieties preferred by the farmers from previous years and two new promising ones tested, ICPL 96061 in Magway, ICPB 2043 and ICPL 96061 in Mandalay and ICPH 2671 and ICPB 2043 in Sagaing Division were found promising this year also. In Sagaing Division, although ICPH 2671 produced the highest yield, the farmers preferred ICPB 2043 due to the attractive seed colour. In chickpea most of the kabuli entries had high incidence of dry root rot compared to desi varieties. Farmers expressed their desire for early maturing varieties with resistance to dry root rot. At Laezin seed village, Monywa Township, Sagaing Division farmers started seed production of chickpea variety ICCV 97314 and this variety has already occupied an area about 100 ha in this division. By growing this variety farmers achieved 30-50% higher productivity besides its resistance to diseases.
In the groundnut varietal evaluation at Pyinmana Township (Mandalay Division), YZG-03008 (a small-seeded variety with tan seed colour) a selection from national breeding program, gave the highest yield during rainy 2008 and in post-rainy 2008- 09 seasons. At Magway Township (Magway Division) farmers also preferred YZG-03008, as their first choice followed by YZG-04014, a small-seeded variety (red seed colour). At Taungtwingyi Township (Magway Division), Sinpadetha-7 gave the best yield followed by Sinpadetha-11. At Khin Oo Township (Sagaing Division), YZG-04014 was preferred by most of the farmers due to its higher shelling and pod yield. In Monywa Township (Sagaing Division), YZG-03008 was the farmers favourite due to its high pod yield, uniform mature kernels and moderate resistance to pests and diseases.

Soil analysis from research stations and farmers' field to determine the nutrient status revealed the deficiencies of available Fe, Zn, S and organic matter at all project sites in Sagaing, Mandalay and Magway Divisions. Soil pH varied from slightly alkaline to neutral in Magway and Mandalay Divisions. Soils in YeU township in Sagaing Division were found slightly acidic to neutral, and slightly alkaline in Pale township.

Field experiments to determine the role of seed priming in enhancing the crop productivity indicated that 4 hr soaking of pigeonpea seed as the optimum period. This resulted in good germination, plant establishment and plant growth. However seed priming trials in chickpea did not reveal any significant differences in terms of germination percent and plant establishment.

Village seed banks were established at Sartaikan village at Magway Township in Magway Division for pigeonpea, Laezin village at Monywa township of Sagaing Division for chickpea and groundnut and at Kyathaeaye village at Tatkone Township in Mandalay Division for groundnut and chickpea. The farmer preferred pigeonpea varieties were multiplied in a 2 ha area and the seed was procured for the future distribution. Chickpea seed bank was established at Kyathaeaye village at Tatkone Township in Mandalay Division with farmer preferred variety, Sinpadetha 7 which was multiplied in a 2 ha area. In Sagaing Division seed bank was established at Laezin village at Monywa township and chickpea variety ICCV 97314 was multiplied in 2 ha. Groundnut farmers at Sar Tai Kan village, Magway township who have seen the performance of Sinpadetha 8 during the rainy season planted the same in post-rainy season for seed multiplication on their own. Ten farmers in this township formed into a Seed Committee to take up groundnut seed production activities for the coming seasons. At Shan Kalay Kyunn village of Amarapura Township, Mandalay Division, groundnut trials under Wyitnge river bed area were very impressive with a stretch covering about 1000 ha of groundnut. Seed multiplication was taken up with three groundnut varieties in 4 ha (S7, S8, and S11). In varietal screening against biotic stresses the groundnut variety Sinpadetha 10 showed high level of late leaf spot disease resistance with 1-2 rating against susceptible SP 121 with disease score of 9 on 1-9 scale. Sinpadetha 10 also had good yield potential and uniform podding.

The equipment procured locally and received from ICRISAT has strengthened the capacity of Rhizobium research unit at DAR, Yezin, which facilitated the successful conduct of preliminary Rhizobium inoculation trials for nodulation studies in all project locations.

Discussions with farmers and the researchers indicated wilt disease in chickpea, leaf spots in groundnut, and Maruca in pigeonpea as the major constraints in different areas in the central dry zone of Myanmar.

Five in-country training workshops in legume production and Rhizobium inoculation technology have been successfully completed in each project site. Two pigeonpea and chickpea and one groundnut field days were organized at different project locations and DAR stations. All the aspects of capacity building, particularly training of staff, and the procurement of equipment are progressing well. During this period, two researchers from DAR have had intensive training at Suranaree University of Technology, Thailand under the guidance of Prof. Nantakorn Boonkerd. Three researchers from DAR attended intensive chickpea crop improvement and management training at ICRISAT.

During the reporting period (June 2009-May 2010) the project entitled "Increasing food security and farmer livelihoods through enhanced legume cultivation in the Central Dry Zone (CDZ) of Myanmar" made good progress towards the achievement of milestones for the development of three legume crops (groundnut, chickpea and pigeonpea) in the Sagaing, Mandalay and Magway divisions. Of the three divisions, only the Magway division received optimum rainfall, while the other two divisions experienced severe drought during July and August (rain fall deficit ranged from 28-57% across locations). In spite of drought at several locations, the groundnut and pigeonpea crops recovered well after late rains in the season. However the trials at the NyaungU and Myingyan research stations were badly affected by the drought.

The farmer participatory varietal selection (FPVS) program in all three divisions was productive and resulted in the completion of 32 mother and 182 baby trials (12 mother trials and 72 baby trials in groundnut, 10 mother and 50 baby trials in pigeonpea and 10 mother and 60 baby trials in chickpea). Based on their experience over the past three years, farmers identified the pigeonpea lines: ICPL 96061, Monywashwedinga and ICPB 2043 as the most suitable for their environments. Similarly farmers expressed their desire for early maturing chickpea varieties with resistance to dry root rot. Most of the farmers in Sagaing and Magway preferred the chickpea varieties: ICCV 97314, Shwenilonegyi and Yezin -6 due to favourable traits such as yield, short duration and tolerance to diseases while the farmers in Mandalay preferred Yezin-3 and Yezin-4 for their early maturity. Of the various groundnut lines tested farmers preferred Sinpadetha (Sin) 8 for it's short duration; Sin 11 for it's high yield, and good filling ability and YZG 03008 for it's good yield, high shelling percentage and resistance to foliar diseases (both early and late leaf spots).

In groundnut multi-location trials, the performance of Sin 11 and YZG-03008 was superior to others with a mean pod yield of 968 kg ha-1 compared to 700 kg ha-1 in a local variety. In the Magway division, YZG-03008 performed well with a pod yield of 1852 kg ha-1 followed by Sin 11 (1779 kg ha-1) compared with 1316 kg ha-1 for the local variety. A similar trend was observed in the Mandalay division but the overall yield was low (658 kg ha-1 in YZG-03008 and 443 kg ha-1 in the local variety) due to adverse environmental conditions. In the Sagaing division, despite early season drought, Sin 11 performed well with a yield of 538 kg ha-1 compared to the local variety (341 kg ha-1), however farmers liked this variety for its abundant podding and uniform seed size even under an adverse situation. Based on the performance of these lines during the post-rainy season, a majority (70%) of Sagaing and Mandalay farmers preferred Sin 11 for its high shelling percentage and large and uniform seed size.

During the reporting period, 4 chickpea field days involving 326 farmers; three pigeonpea field days with 191 farmers; and, three groundnut field days with 83 farmers were organized. In Taungtha township, 67% of 41 farmers selected ICPB 2043 (Yezin pigeonpea 7) for its early maturity and good seed quality. In a field day at the Salome farm 100 farmers participated, of which 45% selected Yezin 7 for its early maturity, uniform seed size, and good grain quality and 35% selected Yezin 6 (ICPL 96061) for its good pod number and grain quality and 18% preferred ICPH 2671 for its profuse podding and earliness. The field day at Laezin township resulted in 45% of 50 farmers preferring ICPH 2740 for its high pod number and good grain quality. These interactions gave ample opportunities to have a detailed discussion on crop management and selection of varieties suitable for their locations.

Farmer interactions with researchers brought out moisture stress as the prime constraint in legume production in the central dry zone of Myanmar followed by the non-availability of good quality seed. Among biotic constraints, leaf miner, early and late leaf spot and dry root rot in groundnut; pod borer, wilt and dry root rot in chickpea; pod borers (Maruca and Helicoverpa), jewel beetle, sterility mosaic, phyllody and dry root rot in pigeonpea were mentioned as important.

Low cost technology trials with an emphasis on biological options, organised at different locations, resulted in high yields under conventional agriculture, T1 (8 out of 11 times) followed by treatments with a combination of half the dose of chemical nutrient and biopesticides (T2). In terms of cost:benefit ratio, T2 was found to be superior to conventional agriculture. Thus, this approach revealed the importance of a balanced use of chemicals and the potential of biopesticides in reducing the costs of cultivation and in managing biotic stresses in an eco-friendly manner.

Farmers in six villages around the Kyauksae research station (Mandalay division), where chickpea mother and baby trials were organized, adopted ICCV-2 in rice fallow systems and with sunflower intercropping (2 rows of sun flower for every 10 m of chickpea). Though sunflower experienced Helicoverpa larvae, the chickpea trials were almost free from pod borers in spite of no chemical protection. Discussions with researchers also indicated a 50% reduction of insecticides on chickpea when grown with sunflower (one spray with sunflower, compared with two sprays for the chickpea monocrop). This clearly revealed the importance of trap crops in reducing chemical usage on the main crop.

Village seed banks established at various locations in previous years have resulted in 14 ha of seed production for the three crops. Most of the seed produced in the village seed banks was distributed to farmers in the township and the excess was stored in the village seed bank for further distribution to neighbouring villages. The establishment of the village seed banks in 2008 and 2009 has highlighted several issues that need to be addressed to ensure effective seed flows in future years. These included: lack of appropriate storage facilities at the village level; timely rouging of off-types; seed grading; and provision of timely inputs to farmers. Besides the seed multiplication in village seed banks, seed production of five selected groundnut (Sin 7, Sin 8, Sin 11, YZG 03008 and YZG 04014) varieties took place during 2009-2010 on 53 ha in the townships of Monywa, Myinmu in Sagaing division; Pyinmana, Tatkone, and Kyaukpataung townships in Mandalay; and Taungtwingyi, Magway, and Pakokku townships in Magway divisions. The Kyauktada research farm produced 3 ha of groundnut varieties Sin 8 and Sin 11.

During the past year, 14 Rhizobium field trials (5 groundnut, 5 pigeonpea and 4 chickpea) were organized at DAR research farms (Magway, NyaungU, Myingyan, Zaloke, Pangone and Kyaksae) with and without inoculation. The observations at all locations showed the positive response of inoculum on biomass and yield. Rhizobium research at the DAR- microbial production unit (MPU) was further strengthened by the installation of air-conditioners. The project also adopted low cost technologies for production at MPU i.e., a 100 L fermenter has been replaced by one with a smaller capacity (1-2 litres) coupled with broth dilution (1:100) and solid state fermentation. During 2009, four new rhizobial strains (CBCB1024 for Pigeonpea, CB1809 for soybean, CC 1192 for chickpea and NC 92 for groundnut) were added to the Rhizobium collection from Australia.

Studies carried out to evaluate the efficacy of selected organic powders for the management of pulse bruchid during storage at different locations indicated that the application of ash and groundnut oil (1:10) provided satisfactory control for 3-6 months in both jute as well as polythene bags.

On 14th February 2010, researchers representing the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) (3), International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) (2), Department of Agricultural Research (DAR) (34), Department of Agricultural Planning (DAP) (2), Myanmar Agricultural Services (MAS) (7), Yezin Agricultural University (YAU) (3) and farm managers from different townships participated in a two day review and planning meeting organized at DAR, Yezin at Nay Pyi Taw and discussed progress of the project in areas such as: increasing high quality rhizobial inoculants; farmer participatory varietal selection (FPVS); village seed bank activities; low cost production technologies; storage pest management and training activities.

In the Tatkone region, the groundnut variety Sin 7 has been well adopted by farmers, covering about 25% of the area, with the expectation this will increase to 50% by 2010. For chickpea, Yezin 4 has proved to be the most popular variety.

During the reporting period 215 advanced breeding lines (groundnut 102, chickpea 50, and pigeonpea 63) were supplied to DAR. The groundnut varieties were sown in early December on the DAR farm at Yezin and the chickpea varieties were sown at Zaloke farm and screened against various biotic stresses (pests and diseases).

Two groundnut researchers from DAR (Ms Phyu Phyu Moe and Ms Sein Leai Mon) have attended a three month training course at ICRISAT in groundnut breeding. One pigeonpea researcher (Ms Khin Lay Kyu) and one chickpea researcher (Ms Mar Mar Win) are currently under-going training at ICRISAT that will lead to MSc and PhD degrees respectively. During their training period they have also had interactions with other departments for exposure to a range of crop management aspects. One researcher (Ms Thi Thi Aung) from DAR was also admitted to take up a Ph.D program at Suranaree University of Technology (SUT), Thailand under the guidance of Prof. Nantakorn Boonkerd. Fifteen researchers from DAR had in-depth training in pigeonpea hybrid seed production in Myanmar organized by DAR/ICRISAT.